I was once chatting with a close friend of mine while we were on a plane back to Beirut-Lebanon, coming from Seattle - US after having attended the MVP Global Summit 2008, about how i became a Microsoft MVP (Micosoft Most Valuable Professional) and how my life changed tremendously after that.

I looked Back around 6 years ago; i was mainly Jobless, i was a part time teacher in a technical institute and a Freelance Developer / Web & Graphic Designer; Big & Even Medium Corporations in Lebanon didn't even bother to read my Resume; (It was funny because i remember one year later, after i was giving a technical session around ASP.net at Microsoft's Premises as part of the .net Usergroup activities - LebDev.net, an IT Manager came to me asking if i knew and can recommend a Good Web Developer to work for his company; when i asked about the name of his Company.. i smiled big time because the same company rejected my resume and didn't bother to even interview me :o) )

But i had this one thing in mind that the only way to generate new ideas and incubate technical knowledge base in your head is by emptying what you already have in mind by giving them away & sharing them with others.. this would give more "space" for new data to be stored :P..

I then Started a path of knowledge Sharing in Online & Offline Contributions...

 I discovered that what really make a difference in the community are the small things rather than the "big picture", the Tips & Tricks, the tiny details; your contribution may be few lines on how you can skip ONE step in a configuration or how you can Optimize ONE Line of Code... but believe it or not it really make a Big difference for someone else... and can make a great Impact...

 Sharing even the Smallest Things, going to universities & talking to students about Technology, supporting online communities by sharing my thoughts & experiences, even when i didn't know the correct answers to what a Poster in an online forum wanted... i used to contribute by saying: "Try this... i hope it does the job for you..."

 That experience built a new Character in my life; I was an average Technical guy, enthusiast & passionate about technology... but apparently i was more than that... i was being "watched" and my efforts were admired by the people who created "The Air I Breathed"... Microsoft..

Muhiedine Chaaban from Microsoft, who is now a good friend of mine and a Colleague who then considered me as one of the legends in web development and in ASP/ASP.net & one of the Top Technical Influencers in my Country, nominated me for the Award that Changed my Life...

1st of January 2005, i Received the MVP Award... The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Award...

Being an MVP gave me opportunities i only dreamed of; it gave me a secure pass to help & influence other people.. Whether it was a feedback on a bug in a product or an enhancement proposition... or a speaking engagement before 1000s of people; the recognition & title fuelled me with opportunities to meet new people & learn from them...

 While i was traveling to MVP Summits, i had the chance to meet exceptional people, MVPs & Community Leaders from all over the world, some were the Legends who re-defined the community as we know it today like Scott Hanselman and some other people where i didn't even know where their country can be located on the MAP!!! ( not to mention how to spell it :o) )

 and not to mention the ever lasting privilege and honor to meet the one person who's thoughts, ideas & vision where the fuel of my innovation... The Person whom i had a dream of meeting in person when i was still in School... The Exceptional Bill Gates... Thanks to the MVP Award... that Dream Came true in 2007!

 My career did receive a Kick Start after that... i became the General Manager of HBPRO, one of the First Media Agencies with primary focus on the IT Sector in the Middle East & Africa... Few Years Later, i took a role in Microsoft... and here i am...

 One Last thought... once you're an MVP... You're Always an MVP... you feel the power of 1000s of other MVPs in you.. The power of great minds & Top Contributors from all over the world in you...  because you know they're always there for you.. and they're .... LIVING THE AWARD!!!

Cheers,
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A Clip from the MVP Gobal Summit 2008

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Here, There, EVERYWHERE!

If you haven't heard of it Yet.. Then you're missing on a COOL thing that is offered for you part of the MS Offerings; Live Mesh!

Mesh is syncronization service from Microsoft. It basically lets you access your computer, files and things you need when you're on the run and helps keeping you up to date.
You register on the page, install the client on the computers you want to have in sync, and then you syncronize your files, pictures, favourites and so on.

Microsoft gives you 5gb of storage for starters, which should be enough to satisfy the needs here in the early stages.

The Good News is that The Tech Preview is now open to public; all you need to do is :

More info about Live Mesh: http://blogs.msdn.com/livemesh/archive/2008/07/11/service-update-new-build-new-features-coming-today-0-9-3103-2.aspx

Stay Informed! Know What i Know!

Cheers;
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Hey Guys,

 I discovered that i spend more time on Facebook than writing here.. so i decided to move one of my favorite categories from my Technical Blog "Stay Informed... know what i know" to make it a group on Facebook.. this way i can write more.. and i also allow anyone to use the same technique which is sharing the news he/she hears / reads with the rest of the Community..

So Join the Group now and start sharing your Technology news ... because Sharing is Caring!

 http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5856674156

Cheers,
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Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) are exceptional technical community leaders from around the world who are awarded for voluntarily sharing their high quality, real world expertise in offline and online technical communities. Microsoft MVPs are a highly select group of experts that represents the technical community's best and brightest, and they share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others.

MVPs represent a broad spectrum of Microsoft product users. They occupy many different professions including accountants, teachers, artists, engineers and technologists. MVPs reside in over 90 countries, represent 30 different languages, and cover more than 90 Microsoft technologies.

MVPs tend to be early adopters of new technology and actively communicate their experiences to millions of other technology users. Through their extensive community activity, MVPs help others solve problems and discover new capabilities, helping people get the maximum value from their technology.

For the List of MVPs World Wide you can refer to https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx

PS: If you're from the Middle East and would like to get involved in the Community Work... you can refer to the following link http://www.microsoft.com/middleeast/communities/

Being Active in the Technical Communities Sharing your knowledge & helping your Peers with Online or Offline activities, is one of the major criteria when nominating MVPs.

Currently i'm the MVP Lead for East Med, so if you're from Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Palestine and interested in knowing more about the MVP Program or how to engage drop me an email using the Blog Form: http://blogs.msdn.com/samer/contact.aspx 

I'm also Acting MVP Lead (Temporary - At the Moment until Another Lead is assigned) for the Following Countries: Malta, Cyprus & North Africa (in Exception of Egypt)..

So if you're from anywhere in the World... Always remember that any small contribution CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in another person's Life... even a Small Blog Post.. or answering a question in a Forum that you think noone would appreciate :o)...

There are 2 Groups for MVPs on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com), Check them out and chat with other MVPs

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2210562618
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2265040827

Cheers,
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Microsoft comments support reports of new Zunes

Well when i first heard of the new Zune & its new features i got soo excited to "Spread the word" but i waited until i see a news source talking about it so i do my Blog about it..

 The Following Article includes that Microsoft has commented in Favor of releasing new versions of Zune:

- 80GB Zune code-named Scorpio
- Flash memory-based Zune code-named Draco

Both are currently in the works... But from what i know.about them and heard about them Internally.. i can say this: I'M WAITING FOR THEM TO BE RELEASED So i get Mine!!!!

Read the article here: http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/07/30/Microsoft-comments-support-reports-of-new-Zunes_1.html

Stay Informed! Know what i Know!

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Feb. 27, 2008 promises to be one of the most important dates in Microsoft's 33-year history, as it will release a host of major new products, including Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2008.

Mark The Date! 

Read More: http://entmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=8800

Stay Informed! Know what i Know!

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