The other side of the coin.

Firstly...
I don't work for Microsoft. I am just one of the great unwashed using their development products and helping out on the news groups. They gave me an MVP award for my efforts.

The soulless giant.
It is fashionable in computer technology circles to regard Microsoft as a vicious, domineering and perhaps soulless software giant. I have read untold column inches that heap vitriol, scorn and contempt on Microsoft and it's people. Perhaps some of the marketing practices are questionable, but there is always another side to things.

Troubles.
On Monday the 10th of June I started to feel uncomfortable in the upper abdomen. By Tuesday I knew I was in trouble. After a 24 hour stint in the ED - triage I went to theatre. The symptoms looked like appendicitis but things were odd. What should have been a simple appendectomy turned into a 2.5 hour - remove, repair and sterilise job on a gangrenous appendix and some associated structures and leaving a couple of wicked looking scars with nineteen odd staples.
Because I was 'toxic' when I left home and thus not thinking too clearly, I drove to the Hospital instead of using an Ambulance or taxi. I 'parked' my car (I use the term loosely) outside the ER entrance, entered and collapsed. I also forgot all about all my software tools and stuff in the boot (trunk).

The Bastards.
Life being what it is, my car was stolen from outside the hospital. Sick as a dog, sore, frightened (a temporary stoma (colostomy) was not yet ruled out) and confused I had now to contend with the loss of my car and 12 years of accumulated software tools, a precarious financial position as well as the fear that the car thieves might break into my apartment to get whatever other computer related stuff might be available.
After a week long hospital stay, I was discharge briefly but back in again with severe abdominal and lower-back pain, dehydration and a good measure of mental confusion and anxiety. Another week with 'Pancreatitis' and assorted other 'itises' and more drips, jabs, CT scans and kidney thumping drugs. Eventually released carless and eight kilos lighter.

Pleasant surprise! Microsofties
Microsoft's response to all this does them credit. Hats off to MVP leads in the US and Australia, and to other staff in Seattle whom I have never met.
Microsoft was informed via some local MVPs and immediately organised replacement MSDN Universal subscription and even went so far as to 'hunt around' and replace some of my older NLA development software and books. I received a phone call from Jessica Garcia informing me of the steps being taken at Microsoft to replace my stuff and wishing me well. My condition and low spirits at the time made it very difficult to maintain a dry eye and deep voice during the conversation. My MSDN arrived forthwith. A get-well card also arrived from Seattle and eventually a couple of boxes with the 'older' software.

Microsoft is not totally an entity of itself. There are good people working there and I would sincerely like to thank some of them personally and publicly for the support and well wishes given me.

Jessica Garcia (MVP Lead Microsoft Australia)
Rita Nikas (MVP Lead Microsoft USA)
Mike Sampson
Heidi
Jamie
April

Microsoft can be proud of these people.

...and the Aussie MVPs who visited me and helped organise things for me.
Van T. Dinh.
Graham R. Seach.

...and
Arvin Meyer for offers of help.
Craig Gordon whose kindness and efforts I can never properly repay.

Barry Simpson My mentor and teacher for his calming wisdom and insight.
Gail Simpson for the extraordinary offer of a place to recuperate.

Peter Walker MVP
July 9th 2003