Dave Burke : Freelance .NET Web Developer specializing in Online Communities

3/3/2005 10:35:00 AM Permalink

Dave,

I had very similar thoughts when I saw Julie's blog. Just as you, I would expect somebody with that title to be at least somewhat known and involved in the local Microsoft developer community. I am also excited to have someone local getting this kind of job and I am sure Susan is qualified for what she was hired to do. But at the same time, I think that community championship should start at home, otherwise it's just a title.

Roman Rehak |

3/3/2005 11:34:00 AM Permalink

Roman, thanks for your thoughts.  Always highly valued.  "A community championship should start at home, otherwise it's just a title."  Well said!

Dave Burke |

3/3/2005 11:53:00 AM Permalink

Hi Guys,

A couple of things.

First - Julia's blog post is not entirely correct. What's happening is this.

We have an internale events management application that DESPERATLY needs some work. We also have a guy on our team who really wants to DO that work and take a break from traveling. While this is a cool job - it's also an amazing tough job, the travel and time away from family kills, the (sometimes) unreasonable expectations of community members, not getting time ro write enough code ......  

So Susan is joining the team as an INTERIM replacement while Ron comes off the road to work on the events project. To my knowledge - we have NO full time employee openings and Ron is NOT leaving the team.

Susan will be filling in for Ron in the Mid West.

As to being "from the community" - I worked in New York city for 5 years before joining Microsoft to work in New England.

Russ had NO visability in the dev community before Microsoft either.

A few years ago I'd never heard of Julia. In fact, if you look at the whole DCC team - beside Russ and I who were here in New England - had you ever heard of any of the DCCs?  Probably not - but we're setting records at Microsoft left and right !!!

Everyone start somewhere - and very few people have the combination of skills it takes to be a DCC and the guts to step up and give it a try.

Susan and I will be on different teams (we're spit into East and West) but I'll be showing here the ropes next week in Maine and New Hampshire.

I hope you'll all support her - she's taken on a huge challenge.

Cheers,
Joe

PS: Tune into the Black Belt Webcast TOMORROW !

Joe Stagner [MSFT] |

3/3/2005 11:55:00 AM Permalink

Good Point Dave.

Ali Aghareza |

3/3/2005 12:04:00 PM Permalink

Thanks, Ali.  Looking forward to seeing you at the next VtDotNet meeting!

Joe, thanks for the details.  Our buddy Julia Lerman doesn't get it wrong.  Ever.  But I always listen intently to what you have to say, so I'll let it slide.  

I don't know how anyone can compare with you and Russ, but tell you what, if I hear about Susan wearing a toolbelt (or better yet, suspenders...or, hey, get her head shaved!), even though I still won't know who the heck she is, I WILL definitely cut her some slack.

Dave Burke |

3/3/2005 3:14:00 PM Permalink

You've made me laugh.  (again).  Just wanted to add my 2c and say that my community is now completely virtual.  I have a couple of local guys I eat pizza and speak geek with about once a month.  However, Most of my geeky discussions happen with people all around the world now.  You fella's over in the states may as well be in the office next door.  :o)

Tim Haines |

3/3/2005 3:53:00 PM Permalink

Dave - surely you've seen her arrive at VTdotNEt meetings in her leathers? She rides a motorcycle. I think that is comparable to a tool belt, eh?

Julie Lerman |

3/3/2005 3:55:00 PM Permalink

Okay, I'll give her the leathers for the tool belt.  What about the suspenders???  She's an MSDN Community Champion, after all.  I'm not backing down on this one.

Dave Burke |