OpsanBlog

Michael Coates - Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist

Posted with:
 Windows Live Writer
 Download Live Writer

My Windows Live Local Collections:
 Las Vegas
 Los Angeles
 San Jose
 Seattle
 Washington, DC
 My Walks

Article Categories

Archives

Post Categories

Bloggers

So, what is a "Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist", anyway?

I'm fortunate enough to work in the grey realm, a “tweener”, so to speak. It is a place where I can be very technical and yet maintain a business focus.  I have the greatest job at Microsoft.  Well, maybe the third greatest:

  • First, there's Bill: visionary, chief software architect and in many ways, the face of the company. 
  • Then, there's Steve: full-time cheerleader and part-time furniture mover.

My job takes me across many platforms and products in the search to find the necessary functionality to meet business needs.  I cannot stress this enough.  I work with MS and non-MS technologies and services in this goal.

As a result, the information I seek and disseminate, the solutions I contribute to, design and drive have to work in the real world, now, or in the very short term.  Hence, my pragmatic approach to evangelism.

Comments, suggestions, flames?  Write me at opsan@opsan.com, or call me at 206/423-6848.

==

Bio and Head Shot:

Michael Coates is the Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist, shamelessly claiming to have the third best job at Microsoft (behind Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer).  Michael focuses on the business advantages to be gained through technology, working with the top web sites in the world to create business value through improved user experience and streamlined work processes.

Michael can be reached at michael.coates@microsoft.com and his blog can be found at http://blog.opsan.com/.

posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 12:22 PM

Feedback

# Telegraph: Ballmer: 9/11/2005 3:27 PM OpsanBlog

# Microsoft and Web 2.0? 10/31/2005 1:45 PM OpsanBlog

# It's a great time for technology projects, but don't throw caution to the winds 11/12/2005 6:44 PM OpsanBlog

# Spreading the Word World Wide 11/23/2005 10:01 AM OpsanBlog

# re: So, what is a "Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist", anyway? 11/23/2005 3:32 PM hung nguyen

Cool.
How did you get this position?

# Spreading the Word World Wide 11/23/2005 11:46 PM OpsanBlog

# Prowling the floor at CES 1/2/2006 1:36 PM OpsanBlog

# Prowling the floor at CES 1/2/2006 1:38 PM OpsanBlog

# Why would there be a daisy in my toilet? 9/12/2006 11:48 PM OpsanBlog

# alena@ruttt.com 9/16/2006 1:29 AM Alena

I will continue to visit enjoyed the reading thanks

# Refocusing My Blog Objectives 9/24/2006 3:50 PM OpsanBlog

# When bloggers vanish .. 2/3/2007 4:52 PM OpsanBlog

# The Microsoft Development Tools Roadmap 3/27/2007 11:55 PM frankarr - an aussie microsoft blogger

via Michael Coates - Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist We just published our development tools roadmap on

# re: So, what is a "Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist", anyway? 4/26/2007 1:09 PM MM

Where are u-here or there?

# We're walking faster? 5/15/2007 11:10 PM OpsanBlog

# Silverlight in XULRunner 5/16/2007 11:00 PM OffBeatMammal

Now I'm not sure if this is useful, or even clever but it seemed like a good idea at the time... There's

# Silverlight Developer Labs 6/28/2007 10:40 PM OpsanBlog

Title  
Name  
Url
Comments   

The opinions expressed herein are my own and are not intended to represent those of my employer.