Monday interview with content contributors from Southeast Asia (3/3) - Somkiat Foongkiat and Aris Lesmana

Today is the last of a 3-part interview (Part 2 & 3 on 20/aug, 27/aug) and the we are honoring an energetic group of content contributors from Southeast Asia.
They are the MVPs from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

In part 3 of this trilogy, Tiffena interviews Thailand MVP Somkiat Foongkiat and Indonesia MVP Aris Lesmana

 

Thailand MVP Somkiat Foongkiat (TechNet Profile)  

Who are you, where are you, and what do you do?

My name is Somkiat Foongkiat and I’m based in Bangkok, Thailand. Since 1996, I have been an Excel instructor, writer, and problem solver via my courses, web articles, and forum at www.ExcelExpertTraining.com.
After graduating with a MBA-Finance from University of Wisconsin in 1986, I have had experiences in system development at The Siam Commercial Bank PCL and in business planning at Charoen Pokphand Group.
Before becoming an Excel instructor at the Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan) which was a non-profit organization, my last position was a Senior Vice President in a property business.
These qualifications have enabled me to be able to apply Excel more compatibly and thoroughly with various business needs from lower to upper level of management.

What are your big projects right now?

I am planning to write articles in each series which will be posted to Wiki as many short mini articles. Right now is about “What’s a must in Excel”. It should take 2-3 months to complete a series. I also have hundreds of my old articles posted in my blog that I will selectively post into Wiki.

Besides your work on TechNet Wiki, where do you contribute?

I have a blog at https://www.excelexperttraining.com/forums/content.php?r=3 . When I write any new articles for wiki, I will also have them reposted in my blog.

What is it about TechNet Wiki that interests you?

Wiki from Microsoft should be the international library for the world and more reliable than my blog. When I die, Wiki is still available for the public.

On what Wiki articles do you spend most of your time? And what are your favorite Wiki articles you’ve contributed?

Designing Excel Calculation Module. My favourite wiki articles as follow:

Part 1 - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/3603.aspx
Part 2 - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/3605.aspx
Part 3 - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/3606.aspx
Part 4 - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/3607.aspx

It took me almost 6-9 months to complete.

 

Indonesia MVP Aris Lesmana (TechNet Profile)

Who are you, where are you, and what do you do?

My name is Aris Lesmana, an Office System MVP in Indonesia.

I'm currently working as an IT Technical Trainer for general desktop application (including Microsoft Office System), and Windows
Server System. To support my activities as trainer, I'm holding several IT certifications, such as MCT, MCDST, MCSA, MCITP, MOS, CEI, CEH, CEP, and
CompTIA A+. 

Why Microsoft Office?

In my opinion, Microsoft Office is a must have application for everyone.
There are a lot of features in Office which will make us work faster and more productive.
So I’m always trying to make people more aware and more realize about the benefit by using Microsoft Office in their daily activities.

Besides your work on TechNet Wiki, where do you contribute?

Writing in my personal weblog, contributing in TechNet Indonesia forums, discuss anything related to Microsoft Technologies in various Microsoft Community Facebook Groups (MUGI, WSS-ID, and Office Certified), and speaking in various IT / Technical events.

I write articles too for several computer magazines in Indonesia, and already published 2 books about Microsoft Office titled ”Buku Pintar Microsoft Word (EN: Microsoft Word Smart Book)” and ”3 Jam Mahir Microsoft Office (EN: Learn Microsoft Office in 3 Hours)”.

What is TechNet Wiki for? Who is it for?

TechNet Wiki is a learning portal or platform for everyone that has a passion to share and to learn about all things related to Microsoft products and technologies.

What do you do with TechNetWiki, and how does that fit into the rest of your job?

It’s nearly impossible to memorize all things about Microsoft technologies, so if I forget about something then I’m just opened TechNet Wiki and search what I need.
And if I didn't find what I am looking for, then I’ll try to write it. This really helps my job as an IT trainer.

What is it about TechNet Wiki that interests you?

People can write articles and share to anyone else. And if there’s a mistake in the article, another people will contribute to fix it, or even add some additional information to make the
article more complete than the original one.

On what Wiki articles do you spend most of your time?

Mainly for articles related to Office System and Windows Live.

What are your favorite Wiki articles you’ve contributed?

Introduction to Silent Installation Method for Microsoft Office 2010 (ID: Mengenal Metode Silent Installation pada Microsoft Office 2010).
This article will help us to install Office in a faster way as compared to traditional installation method.

What are your top 5 favorite Wiki articles?  

What does success look like for TechNet Wiki?

We get to learn through writing :)

Do you have any other suggestions for TechNet Wiki?

Is there any plan to support authoring article by using Windows Live Writer?
I’m really waiting for this application because it’s more simple and easy to write technical content by using Live Writer rather than using web-based editor.

 

Interview by: Tiffena Kou
Edited & published by: Peter Geelen