Peter Larsson Blog

As some of you know, I was awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for SQL Server in July last year. Now it's time to see if I get my MVP renewed, or if I lose the award.
I honestly believe it's a good thing MVP status only lasts for one year at a time. Knowledge is fresh. Things that worked in the past may not work any longer due to evolvement, and there are smarter ways to do things now, than before.

Being an MVP is a responsibility. It does mean you have more than average knowledge of SQL Server and how to work out the best from the product. It doesn't mean you know everything about the product. Noone does.
Being an MVP means you have benefit of the community of your peers. I have learned more hardcore things only the last year, than I knew from the previous five years. And sometimes I get lucky to contribute to the MVP community myself.

That's how things work. Me being around knowledgeble people makes me learn, or understand, same things they do. The same thing apply to beginners on the forums. They most often look up to MVP's and learn one or two things from them.

The last year I haven't been around the forum as much as I want to. The reason is that I started (together with SQL server MVP Thomas Ivarsson) a PASS chapter in Sweden. It has taken a lot of time in the beginning and still does take some time to plan and invite interesting guest speakers for our meetings.

We are currently working to get a full day event in place in Sweden on the 10th of September. That's 3 months away but it feels there is not enough time! I guess every planner feels that way.
However, this is in my "line of duty", to continue to help and educate the SQL Server community,

Hopefully I get my MVP status for another year. It means my peers have faith in me and my ability to support the community.
I would like to thank a few people for the collaboration last year, which problably wouldn't have happened without my MVP status:

1) Itzik Ben-Gan for incredible insight and the email correspondence we shared the last year.
2) Joe Celko, for some fun competitions and coding help. I do love to see my [weighted] moving average in your upcoming SQL for smarties book.
3) Phil Factor, who have thought me a lot of driving and encouraging people to participate.  And of course, some Speed Phreakery!
4) Tony Davis, who gave my the opportunity to be a technical reviewer.

There are a lot of other people whom I have shared ideas with. You know who you are.

I know a few people who probably will receive the MVP award this quarter. I wish you good luck and god speed!

//Peter