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Demise Of The Premier .NET community site
Seems like something has horribly gone wrong at ASPFriends.com. The site is being closed as a result of a break down in negotiations with Microsoft over support for funding this developer community forum which has over 73000 members who post over 12 million messages a month regarding MS development. The primary reason for this break down seems to be do with the contract that had to be signed to receive funding. I'm no lawyer and I've not seen the entire contract but it seems like it contains clauses which basically state "at our discretion, with 30 days notice we can terminate this contract and take ownership of your site".
where the next 73,000 Microsoft trolls are going to come from for Slashdot. Maybe Taco needs a microsoft.slashdot.org like exists for Apple so all the trolls and flamers can go play together.
While I respect anyone who goes to the trouble and expense of creating a valuable resource for the developer community, Charlie has made the mistake of trying to use the popularity of his websites as a lever to pressure Microsoft. He has repeatedly tried to get the company to pay up for his expenses because according to him, ASP and ASP.NET would not be where they are today were it not for him (his words, not mine). He has attempted to get PSS and the MVPGA (the MVP administration) to "rubber stamp" all of his cronies and "fans" (yes, they have fan clubs) as MVPs; and various other useless but I suppose self-fulfilling weird shenanigans.
I suppose he could be categorized as a megalomaniac (though I'm not a psychologist). All one has to do is look at the attitude Microsoft has taken towards this and how he has handled it. I mean, you can only "threaten" to shut down your listserv so many times. There will be a point when people will call your bluff and tell you to go screw yourself, and that time has come. I'm 100% sure that Charlie is gnawing his nails waiting from the now familiar email from someone at Microsoft telling him that it's all a mistake and can we make up and kiss? If there's a company in the world that doesn't need this kind of aggravation, that would be Microsoft. And I dearly hope that email also never materializes. He had a chance to do wonderful things with the backing of the most powerful software company that has ever existed, and he blew it all away on a stupid childish tantrum. No, I'm not jealous of that, I'm just saddened. So much potential, wasted away for nothing.
It basically comes down to this: You want $3,000 dollars per month from me? You'd better be prepared to make some compromises. Otherwise, you can dip into your own piggy bank. That's it. Case closed. To all those Slashbork drones who have categorically stated "well, see, there's the Evil Empire for you!" - eat me. You give me $3,000 (OK, $3, let's make it fair) every thirty days and then take it lying down when I not only refuse any of your attempts to establish some sort of condition but also publicly attack you because you're "trying to kill the community" or some such nonsense. Go ahead. Make my day.
Most people here are not privy to what has gone on "behind the scenes" in the MVP community regarding this issue, but keep in mind that the only person that has consistently spewed crap in public about Microsoft, the MVP program and life in general is Charlie.
I see he's posting here. Good. He's probably where he should be - with half a million raving lunatics whose unbridled and unparalleled hatred of Microsoft is equal to none. Take off your shoes and lounge Charlie - you're home.
I would like to remind you, however, that during last year's MVP summit it was you who took the stage and performed the most amazing feat of ass kissing ever attempted on Bill Gates (the man himself), and I'm sure he's seen it all. So you'll have to clear that up with the Zealot Corps Elite Delousing Team before you check into the RMS Motel.
Other than that, please close your listserv, shut down your servers and go away. You're an embarrassment to the very groups of people you once set out to help. I wonder where you went wrong (but I don't really want to know).