Mike Swanson has taken a job in Redmond. I've had the pleasure to work with him on one occasion. He was brought in on a Commerce Server project that had to be built in three weeks. I didn't know who he was, but they said he was an expert, and while he was expensive, if we needed him, we'd get him. We got him, and it was well worth it.

I've also had the opportunity to run ideas past him about different architectures, and he has always been more than helpful - always willing to discuss his thoughts about the different methodologies we were thinking about, and contributing his own thoughts on the matter. I'll miss that. I learned quite a bit from him.

He's going to be a technical evangelist for the Avalon team. They're lucky to have him. He's very smart and very persuasive, and has a passion for what he does. Heck, in one conversation, he completely sold me on TiVo!

So if you're reading this, and work in the Redmond area, and get a chance to meet Mike, do it. He's a great guy, and we'll miss him back east!