Ron Schenone

Windows Home Server Leak Was Not From A MVP – Previous Reports Were Incorrect

Posted by on Apr 18, 2007 | 2 Comments

PC World Article here, Yahoo News here and other websites had posted information last week concerning a leaked copy of Windows Home Server that according to sources was obtained illegally from a ‘Richard’ and who was possibly a MVP. When I original read this article, my heart sank then anger set in. My first thoughts were that I know a lot of MVPs and found it hard to believe the story that any MVP would betray the trust that Microsoft has given us.

Fortunately the media was incorrect. It was not a MVP as this article describes from The WHS blog from Microsoft:

“Leaks, Richards and MVPs 

I like to monitor the blogsphere for posts on home servers (e.g. (this feed). There were no shortage of posts that popped up last week regarding reports that some “Richard” leaked a CTP (Community Technology Preview) of Windows Home Server without Microsoft’s authorization.

What a bummer. I mean, it stinks that people violate non-disclosures like this. Trust worthy computing is one of Microsoft’s core tenets and as such we take public distribution of pre-release software very seriously. The leak was unfortunate, and we took action to find the parties responsible.  We are happy to report that has happened. I don’t personally know, nor do I care to know, who the actual person was, but I have heard that he/she wasn’t a “Richard”.

The real bummer, though, is some news media inaccurately implicated Microsoft MVPs as the source of the disclosure. As I think it is well known, we are big fans of the MVPs, and we’re happy to clarify that no MVPs were involved in this breach.

We wanted to clear that up because it’s really unfair to the MVP program and the MVPs themselves.”

I think it would be nice of those media sites that originally posted the story on the Internet were to post a retraction and clear all MVPs of any wrong doing. If anyone reading this sees such a posting on another web site it would be appreciated that you provide a comment and use the link below for clarification or to this posting. TIA.

WHS blog here.

[tags]mvp, windows home server, leak, richard,microsoft, blog,  [/tags]

  • marc klink

    While I understand your position, and agree about the trust issue, I don’t see why MS does betas in this manner. Let’s face it, they’ll never be open source, but they could be open-beta. this would get the product into the widest number of hands to test, allowing bugs, and general inconsistencies to be ferreted out. It would also serve as a way to see the limits of the software [exactly how much CPU+memory do you need to run acceptably?]. It would also be a great PR tool, and sales would increase without huge campaigns [profit for MS, profit for users, who don't have to fund the advertising].

    Now I can see that some people would not have the knowledge to properly administer server software. I think it would be a good thing if MS gave credit to people by allowing the user to make that choice, instead of the puerile treatment that users get now.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Marc,
    Beta testing does become open to the public. Vista was extensively tested. WHS is kind of a exception because of the requirements. But I believe it is going to be open to the public.

    As always, thanks for the comments. Ron