MVP Insider - Q & A with Wes MacDonald

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Wes MacDonald has fourteen years of EDP experience as a Software Architect, Systems Analyst, Designer, Developer, DBA and LAN administrator.  As a Senior Developer/Architect Wes has been responsible for all aspects of software development including installations, configurations of database and application server software required during development.  Wes has been involved with Visual Studio Team Foundation Server since its Beta 2 release back in mid 2005 and has since been very involved in the .NET User Group community and federal government departments expressing the benefits of adopting TFS/VSTS for their SDLC requirements.

1. What does being an MVP mean to you?

It is a way of Microsoft giving back to those of us that invest a lot of our personal time and energy behind the products we love so much.

2. If you could ask Steve Ballmer one question about Microsoft, what would it be?

How does it feel to be part of the company that has been at the forefront of changing how people and businesses use computers today?

3. What do you think the best software ever written was?

WinZip, at least until Corel bought it|

4. If you were the manager of Visual Studio, what would you change?

Better SharePoint integration; I mean does Designer actually have to be a standalone product?

5. What are the best features/improvements of Visual Studio?

Team Foundation Server as the successor to VSS

6. What was the last book you read?

Professional Team Foundation Server (WROX)

7. What music CD do you recommend?

Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails

8. What makes you a great MVP?

I believe it has a lot to do with my passion and knowledge of Microsoft technology.

9. What is in your computer bag?

HP Pavillion, Lenovo T60, Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse, 80Gb WD External Drive, Pro Visual Studio 2005 Team System Application Development (Apress), The Rational Guide to Building Technical User Communities, CODE Magazine (Mar/Apr), MSDN Magazine (2008 Launch)

10. What is the best thing that has happened since you have become an MVP?

Being able to go to Microsoft in Redmond, WA for the first time and participate with the VSTS Team for the Rosario TAP.  I was also able to visit the company store!

11. What is your motto?

Lunch is for wimps.

12. Who is your hero?

Stan Lee, after all he created Spiderman

13. What does success mean to you?

Being able to provide everything my family needs and sometimes wants.