Microsoft will give its Most Valuable Professionals access to the more than 100 million aggregate lines of Windows source code., which includes all versions, service packs and betas of the Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 products.
MVPs, who are chosen for having a “unique set of expertise and passion” around Microsoft technologies and who are recognized for their contributions to online and technical communities, already have access to the source code components for Windows CE .Net, ASP .Net, Visual Studio .Net and Passport Manager.
“The core reasons for doing this are the fundamental strength and ties of the MVPs to the broader Windows platform community and the new level of expertise this will give them,” said Jason Matusow, manager of Microsoft’s Shared Source Initiative. “They will also be able to improve their feedback to us because their understanding will be at a deeper level.”