Welcome to our Monday interview with a Wiki Ninja!
Today we're interviewing... André Lage.
For me it’s a great pleasure to interview and, in a way, present to you my friend and Portuguese SharePoint MVP André Lage (you can follow in through his personal blog). He was referred as one of the Top 22 Portuguese Contributors on TechNet Wiki (2013).
Who are you, where are you, and what do you do? What are your specialty technologies?
My name is André Lage and I am Portuguese but living in Switzerland and working for Datalynx AG as SharePoint Architect and my focus is about SharePoint Architecture and Office 365 where was associated with different types of Farms "On-premise, Online-Standard and Online-Dedicated and FAST Search".
I started assembling computers, development, consultant, Solution Manager and now SharePoint Architect in all associated integration/Services/Federations with focus in Pharmaceutical Companies.
How did you become an MVP of SharePoint? Do you have any suggestions for other community members who hope to eventually become MVPs?
The process to become a SharePoint MVP was a little crazy. I was involved in multiple complex SharePoint projects making the Integration with other platforms and the challenges were huge, with this lessons learned and helping and supporting the Microsoft Forums, started to realize that could really help the community and learn from the questions users have it.
After a loot of articles, solutions and Microsoft forums was invited by Heber Lopes a MVP from Brazil to connect with their SharePoint Community and started to make Webcast with the Brazilian community. At some point was working 24/7 for the SharePoint community and job almost didn't have time for myself.
Then at 1 of January of 2010, receive the email that changes your life. :)
Another big hint, always believe in yourself, even if people tell you it's not possible.
Yes, it is possible....
What do you do with TechNet Wiki? Andwhat is it about TechNet Wiki that interests you?
My main articles are about SharePoint and all architecture that is associated and there are content can be use to improve my process and also to correct the existing articles and improve the process adding new hints to correct possible issues.
Sharing information is a important factor but correction and improving of Articles by other users is a plus that can turn TechNet wiki a very important tool in the support to our Solutions/Deployments.
What are your favorite articles you’ve contributed?
There are 2 SharePoint articles that talk about multiple topics and different approaches and overview of what can be done in SharePoint: Global Link in SharePoint Sites Using Configuration File
and "Criar Comandos Personalizados em SharePoint (pt-BR)"
On what articles have you collaborated with other community members on #TNWiki? What was that experience like?
Was a simple article about references to SharePoint 2010 call "Guia de Sobrevivência: SharePoint Server 2010 (pt-BR)", but was very interesting seeing grow with different topics and new links.
Do you have any tips for new Wiki contributors?
Don't be afraid to create your first article, you will get surprise with the fantastic input of some users that improves your article.
One important hint, organize you idea and topics before you put in the Web and follow the recommendations: Wiki: How to Contribute Content to TechNet Wiki
Thanks André for the interview and your contributions for the SharePoint Community and in the TechNet Wiki (whether these are in English or in Portuguese)!
“One of the most important keys to Success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you dont feel like doing it.” - Unknown
- BizTalk Wiki Ninja Sandro Pereira (Blog, Wiki, Twitter, Profile)