Posting may be a bit light in the next week as we convene in Seattle and Redmond for the MVP Summit (and a bit of a LiveSide Summit as well – not often that we all get together in the same place at the same time, or even the same time zone!).

Sean O’Driscoll, who heads up the MVP program, posted on the summit on his Community Group Therapy blog, sums up nicely why we do what we do, and why we’ve been awarded MVPs:

It’s important to note that MVPs are NOT Microsoft employees.  In fact, I think they would loudly agree with me that they don’t do what they do in communities to help Microsoft, but to help other users.  As independent and highly active community experts on Microsoft technologies they provide amazing insights to Microsoft and more importantly, to millions of users through technical communities around the world.

It’s interesting to note how the concept of “technical communities” is changing as the connected world changes.  Windows Live isn’t so much about technical expertise as it is about community – looking for tools to help us communicate, search, explore, and share, and do so securely and simply.  We have been and continue to be excited about the possibilities that Windows Live offers in these areas, frustrated of course by a lack of open and transparent dialogue on the Windows Live initiative, and honored to be doing our small part in connecting our communities together.

We sincerely hope to work on improving that dialogue at the Summit and beyond.  We’re looking forward to it.

We’d love to get in contact with any ‘Softies who want to talk to us about Windows Live – email us at feedback@LiveSide.net .