Russell Valentine, MD - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Most Valuable Professional - Microsoft® Office-Outlook®

Dr. Russell Valentine is an invasive cardiologist in private practice. He was heavily involved in providing cardiology training to interns, residents and fellows before leaving the faculty four years ago to become a medical director for The Care Group, the largest private cardiology practice in the United States. In addition to the Microsoft Outlook newsgroups, he also provides coverage in the fax groups (microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/valentine.mspx). He has also conducted many lectures on cardiology issues and published numerous cardiology articles in medical literature, though to date, has published only one article on fax issues in the now defunct Exchange & Outlook magazine.

What does MVP mean to you?

The MVP program proves that helpfulness is contagious. I suspect my story is pretty typical. I became an MVP by simply following others’ lead. Microsoft Outlook® 97 was awful and it drove me into the Microsoft newsgroups to find solutions for it to work for Internet Mail transport. Once in the newsgroup, Vince Averello helped me, as well as countless others. We exchanged posts at 4 A.M. and together we discovered that Outlook 97 was incapable of handling Internet Mail competently. He enrolled me in the IMEP beta where we worked on fixing the problem. His dedication and patience in answering posts impressed me so much that I started doing the same, and the rest is history. To be recognized for efforts outside my chosen field is especially rewarding.

If you could ask Steve Ballmer one question about Microsoft, what would it be?

As someone who is a complete outsider to the industry, it seems to me that in many ways Microsoft is a victim of its own success. I continue to be amazed by the ire and resentment that Microsoft’s position and strength seem to generate. So my question to Mr. Ballmer would be whether he deems it important to try to combat that sentiment, and if so, how does one do this? His candor and sense of humor seem like they might be useful tools for that task.

What do you think the best software ever written was?

My first answer would be WinFax Starter Edition. It never worked and was never supported by either its authors (Symantec) or sellers (Microsoft—as part of Internet Mail Only Mode of Microsoft Outlook® 98/2000). Therefore, it gave me great appreciation for software that both works and is well supported.

Seriously though, since I exist almost exclusively in the analog world, I do not feel competent in making such a judgment. I do know that after just having listened to the detailed launch sequence for Atlantis on C-SPAN, I was amazed at the complexity of those control sequences and how flawlessly those sequences were transferred from one system to another. Trying to get a Microsoft Windows® 2000, Microsoft Windows® XP, and Microsoft Vista® PC all to communicate on a peer-to-peer home network has me stumped.

If you were the manager of Microsoft® Office-Outlook®, what would you change?

I would change two things. First I would suggest either embracing or abandoning the concept of the "Universal Inbox." The "on-again, off-again" support for the myriad transports other than Microsoft Exchange continues to be a detriment to Microsoft Outlook’s success (HTTP mail and Fax are just two examples). Secondly, I would improve integration between Outlook and other Office applications. Inserting Contact information into Microsoft Word® documents is ridiculously difficult in a Microsoft Office Suite® that touts integration as one of its strengths.

If you were given unlimited data bandwidth, what would you do with it?

I would use it to support a universal Electronic Medical Records system that would make everyone’s vital medical information immediately available anywhere it was needed.

What was the last book you read?

I just finished reading "The City of God" by E.L. Doctorow, which provided my first encounter of having quantum physics explained well enough to have it upset my world view.

What music CD do you recommend?

I would recommend "Toot Suite" by Maurice Andre and Claude Bolling. Andre is a true trumpet virtuoso. You will never hear triple tonguing done better.

What makes you a great MVP?

Obviously this question presumes facts not in evidence. It has struck me how similar the skills I use to make medical diagnoses are to the ones needed to solve problems in the newsgroups. Both patients and posters start with vague, unrevealing symptoms. As a medical doctor, I find this exercise easier than as a participant in the newsgroups because I can use one or two pointed questions to get the rest of the information I need. With respect to the medical profession, I feel that the process of discovery in the newsgroups is more like being a veterinarian because you may never actually get the history you need to make a diagnosis.

What’s in your computer bag?

In my computer bag you will find a stethoscope, electrocardiogram calipers, and a roll of thermal fax paper. I also want to get an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as soon as I can afford one.

What is the best thing that has happened since you have become an MVP?

I think the best thing that has happened is that I have acquired an extended family. The Outlook MVPs and many of the Office and Outlook developers have become close friends over the years. We share our personal joys and sorrows with each other as often as we share Outlook information. We look for any excuse we can find to get together between Global Summits.

What is your motto?

Who is your hero?

I consider Mohandas Gandhi to be my hero. Returning violence for violence is not working. We need a better idea.

What does success mean to you?

I consider success to be the practice of doing something that leaves the world better than you found it.