I am a diehard Microsoft Fan boy β even though I own an Apple and Linux boxes and use AWS for most of my infrastructure needs at work and at play, Microsoft still is an important part of my normal work day. But with the release of Don Dodge (who I have met at a couple of conferences, and listened to him speak) was the face of the current Microsoft. Much like Robert Scoble was the face of Microsoft while he was there, Don was more low key, more easy going, and less likely to rock the boat than Robert could be. Microsoft probably let the wrong person go, but then in many ways Microsoft remains a mystery to many outsiders.
I am sorry to see Don go, mostly because he was an excellent evangelist for Microsoft, which they need. No doubt that someone else will step into the shoes, but replacing Robert and replacing Don is not going to be an easy thing, and there will always be that nagging hammer over the head of the replacement, what happens next.
Sorry to see him go, but wishing all the best wishes in the world. You can read more at Donβ