On Microsoft's Increased Sponsorship of FIRST // Was: Microsoft Regional

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by 1885.Blake

Success in none of these will depend crucially on what is written here, so long as the debates involve enough scholarship and coherent logic. If their continued sponsorship does hinge on Chief Delphi subscribers not complaining when complaints are merited, I'll be dumbfounded (and rather disappointed)

That's not the point. Today people bad mouth Microsoft, tomorrow GM, tomorrow <insert sponsor here>. While their support may not have anything to do what is said on this forum, I would hope that the FIRST community would have enough common sense to show some respect. I do think this falls under the ideals gracious professionalism. You don't bite the hand that feeds you, it's common sense.

If anything, we should be getting Microsoft representatives out to every regional (maybe there will be?) to see just how FIRST inspires its students. Regardless of how you may feel about their business practices, the sheer size of Microsoft alone should give a hint as to how much FIRST stands to gain from partnering more with them. This has the potential to fund more regionals, start more teams, and inspire students in places around the world. What could be better than that?

Also, I'd like to add that I acknowledge that Microsoft has been a sponsor of FIRST and of teams for a while now; I think they're just upping the ante on a much larger scale. They must have liked what they've seen.