Congratulations & Thanks to Scott Spradlin

ScottSpradlin

Scott Spradlin, one of most influential people I know in the world of Microsoft programming, has gone way too long without being recognized.  I remember having talked with Scott on many occasions about user groups and Ineta.  He’s been one of those long time influentials, mostly behind the scenes, serving in various roles with INETA and being the glue that helped connect St. Louis developers together.  Scott served as the Regional Mentor for INETA for many years, helping several user groups get started.

It’s with my heartfelt thanks to Scott Spradlin that I award him with an MSDN subscription, in recognition of his contributions to the Microsoft Developer Community.

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INETA Community Champion Awardee

INETA Community Champion Awardee

I was a bit shocked when I received the email announcing that I am one of ten Community Champions awarded.  A huge thank you to those that nominated me.  It’s always a good feeling of accomplishment when you’re recognized for your efforts.

While they haven’t posted the announcement on the website yet, you can read more about the award at http://www.ineta.org/Champions/CommunityChampionInfo.aspx

Below is the Newsletter announcement.

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Community Champions Winners Announced

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INETA Community Champion Award WinnersChamps Logo

Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the Q4 2008 INETA Community Champion Award!

The purpose of the INETA Community Champion Award program is to recognize individuals with the highest levels of contributions. Those exceptional leaders and volunteers who devote innumerable hours towards hosting user group meetings, organizing Code Camps and special events, mentoring and supporting their members, publishing newsletters, updating web sites, and the list goes on and on. The Community Champion program provides INETA with an opportunity to showcase the efforts of our user group communities as a whole as well as provide individual recognition. Recognition that we hope will open doors to networking opportunities, potential sponsors, future employers or partnerships.

Special thanks to everyone who took the time and energy to participate in this program. Keep contributing to your local developer community and submit your activities through the Champs program. This is your chance to show the world what community leadership is all about and to gain some of the recognition that you deserve! For additional information and to view past winners, please go to Community Champions Award section of the INETA web site.

INETA Community Champion Participant of the Month Spotlight

Here at INETA, we also realize that it is the small contributions that make a difference. Most groups have additional volunteers who assist with updating the web site, greeting new members, picking up pizza, etc. No matter how small or great the effort, it’s important to us to recognize those who participate in the Community Champions program. Each month we pick a contributor at random to win a $50 gift certificate. The December 2008 Champs Participant of the Month goes to Michael Stokesbary. Michael has been actively involved with Mark Michaelis in running the Spokane .NET USer Group. Congratulations Michael and thanks for supporting the developers in your community!

INETA Community Excellence Award Nominations

The Community Excellence Awards are given to those who have made a significant and prolonged impact within the developer community. These lifetime awards are presented semi-annually and use a nomination process to select the key individuals who represent the true spirit of community leadership and vision that INETA strives to represent and support. The selection community is in the final process of reviewing the nominations for the second 2008 Community Excellence Award. Log in to view past recipients and learn more by going to the Community Excellence Award section of the INETA web site.

Please contact us with any comments and feedback.
INETA Community Champions Team
noram.champs@ineta.org

Morgan Baker morgan.baker@ineta.org 561.893.2498 INETA North America, Vice President www.ineta.org

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Microsoft no longer marketing Windows Live OneCare

Just received an e-mail that as of Nov 23, 2008 (below), Microsoft will no longer be marketing Windows Live OneCare.  It’s unknown what that means, other than them closing the affiliate program (where marketers get paid if you install it).  It is unreasonable that they will discontinue the product, since they have just launched Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Live OneCare Server.  I’m wondering if the marketing department that was contracted, was fired.

Windows Live OneCare to Close November 23, 2008
Thank you for your participation in the Windows Live OneCare affiliate program. Unfortunately, Microsoft will no longer be marketing the Windows Live OneCare product, and therefore must close this offer as of November 23, 2008.

Any banner or text ads that you currently have in place and receiving traffic will still be eligible for payout through 12:00am EST November 23, 2008. However, any traffic after this date will no longer be eligible for the coupon or commission payout.
Final commission payout for all approved activity through the end of day tomorrow, November 22, 2008, will be processed and paid in the month of December. This payment will also include any delayed October payment you are expecting. Be sure to turn in your W8 or W9 tax forms before November 23 to receive payment, as you will no be eligible for payment if it is not in hand at that time.
Please be sure to remove all marketing materials associated with this offer from placement as of November 23, as you will no longer receive credit for this activity.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your participation in the Microsoft Affiliate Network.

Melissa Witt
Affiliate Manager
Microsoft Affiliate Network

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Microsoft BizSpark for technology startups

I love it when someone else writes up my blog postings for me!

Microsoft BizSpark is a global program designed to help accelerate the success of early stage startups.

By joining BizSpark, Startups get:

o Software:  fast and easy access to Microsoft’s current full-featured development tools, platform technologies, and production licenses of server products for immediate use in developing and bringing to market innovative and interoperable solutions with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. Startups will also get access to the community technology preview (CTP) of the Microsoft Azure Services Platform.

o Support:  professional technical support from Microsoft (MSDN) and community support from BizSpark Network Partners around the world who provide a wide range of support resources for software startups.  Network Partners are incubators, investors, advisors, government agencies and hosters who are vested in software-fueled innovation and entrepreneurship.

o Visibility:  global visibility to an audience of potential investors, clients and partners.  Startups will have the opportunity to complete a profile in the online Startup directory, BizSparkDB, on the Microsoft Startup Zone which highlights promising companies from around the world, including “BizSpark Startup of the Day”.

Startups get access to BizSpark either through a Network Partner (e.g. TiE, NVCA, select Venture Capitalists, and over 300+ entrepreneurial-focused organizations) or through Microsoft BizSpark Program Leads (called “BizSpark Champs”). Startups can find both at Microsoft.com/bizspark.

Call to Action

· Please visit www.microsoftstartupzone.com/bizspark for detailed program information

· Visit www.microsoftstartupzone/bizsparkdb daily to see who is the “BizSpark Startup of the Day”

· Join the BizSpark Facebook Fan Page

· Follow BizSpark on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bizspark

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