Microsoft revokes MVP status of developer who tweeted about request to promote

Amplifying a value judgement is very different than amplifying facts, or an opportunity of some kind.

Don't blame the guy at all. Asking people to say it runs better is basically buying endorsements, not too unlike payola bought "popular" air play on radio.

Had they asked people to say why they ran the software, or to point to some compelling facts is a different sort of thing.

One does wonder why all the cheerleading is necessary...

Runs good, does it not? Of course it does, and the best sale is on product strengths amd value proposition, not how badly other products suck.

Maybe this is all about limiting the future value of statements from these people in the future? I saw attempts to do that in another industry, by the way.

What they would do during pre-sales, "top gun" technical type training is get people on tape with hard to back away from statements about their software as well as competitors. Now I had a dual role at the time, and also took the sales related training where they showed just how ruthless they could be and how to do it well and close those fucking dealz! (This company would try to get people with strong exceptions fired, no joke.)

Oops, lol.

I was young at the time, but had already seen that industry shift, consolidate, and it was totally obvious one never could know whose products and for whom one is employed, or even free agent.

I did not do it, always changing the script to something benign.

And this training was intended for the ace people doing demos, closing presentations, concept proofs, and a lot of ad hoc magic. Seriously fun and challenging stuff!

When I did not comply, they actually called my employer and talked to peers in an attempt to either get me on board, locked in, or out of their scene.

Not saying that is what is or was intended. Not at all.

I am saying it can pay to be conservative on these kinds of things and one reason why. There are many more.

Again, I do not blame him and would likely have declined myself.

I do blame marketing who just does not need to put people in this position.