2008 just started, and I already got some great news from Microsoft: I was given the 2008 Microsoft MVP award! I must admit I made a little jump when I saw the mail in my Outlook Web Access this evening.
If you've never heard of the MVP award yet, here's a little aid: it is an honor given to you by Microsoft based on community activity. Writing articles, being active in user groups, blogging, giving presentations... that sort of things.
Here's a little piece of the mail I can show you:
Dear Gill Cleeren,
Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2008 Microsoft® MVP Award! The MVP Award is our way of saying thank you for promoting the spirit of community and enhancing people’s lives and the industry’s success every day. Your extraordinary efforts in Visual Developer - ASP/ASP.NET technical communities during the past year are greatly appreciated.
I do want to thank the people that made this possible. 2007 was a great year, that brought me in contact with so many new things (as you can read in my 2007 year review). As 2008 is only 1 day of age, I must say it started pretty darn good already!
Of course, I intend to do whatever is necessary to honor my new title. I'll try to be even more helpful for the community in 2008. I'll give my very best, even try 200%!
Thanks Microsoft!