Microsoft reinstates 'fired' volunteers

Just days after being told their services were no longer required, Microsoft has reinstated more than 600 voluntary technical support personnel - known as Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs). The turnabout was a result of severe backlash from Microsoft customers.

The MVPs are unpaid volunteers who aid Microsoft users through newsgroups when technical support staff are not available. The volunteers were given MVP status based on their expertise and received MVP Bucks, which they could use to purchase products with the Microsoft logo, MSDN and Tech Net subscriptions and an MSN account.

Late last month MVPs received an email from Joseph Lindstrom, director of business development for Microsoft, informing them that the MVP programme would be discontinued and they would lose their benefits.

Reaction to the announcement was resoundingly negative. Many MVPs and Microsoft customers flooded the company with e-mails protesting the decision, jamming the inboxes of Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates; president, Steve Ballmer; and other top executives.

Just days after the original notification, the MVPs received another email from Lindstrom informing them of Microsoft's change of heart.

"Clearly, the feedback received recently is in strong support of the MVPs and the great contributions they make in the newsgroups. Based on this feedback, we will reinstate the MVP programme effective immediately," said Lindstrom.

The message also stated that Microsoft was forming an MVP advisory council to shape the future of the programme.