Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Roy wood wrote:- In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], gwicks [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Interesting. Can someone explain why it is that whenever there is a crisis in the QL community everyone goes into nostalgia mode? I think it is because they all want to recall the good/funny things to give you an incentive to stay on and enjoy. Thats exactly what we're doing. It worked for me when I was deciding what to do with Q-Celt after Dylan was born. I just couldn't stop being a trader - imagine the stuff I'd be missing!! I would be more impressed if more people were looking forwards than backwards. After all, as Per wrote about my ill chosen timing, despite all problems, so much is going on just now. An even bigger incentive I would say. Very true. Email and internet access, full Colour pointer environment, QL2004 Worth being here for if you ask me. Darren. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify us immediately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and delete this E-mail from your system. Thank you. It is possible for data transmitted by email to be deliberately or accidentally corrupted or intercepted. For this reason, where the communication is by email, the Bank of Ireland Group does not accept any responsibility for any breach of confidence which may arise through the use of this medium. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of known computer viruses.
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
- Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 11:38 AM Subject: Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure He took one look at this weird foursome - A long haired rocker, a bearded engineer, an tanned american, and a fat irish bloke Well there you have it Had you been a pin striped bean counter, a wide red braces type, a very smart young geek and a multi millionaire with money to invest would we be talking of the QL's demise (;-) and whilst I'm waxing notso lyrical, all the best - Geoff though I'd rather you stayed, and to the rest of you thanks for staying. Oh I think I should attend a show this year it's been so long since I did and there are a host of upgrades I need, problems over the last few years of looming redundancy ( thankfully avoided ) and ailing distant father in law coupled with a mileage limiting car lease curtailed many a venture. All the best - Bill
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
You should see his face when he sees Guiness being poured in Wales. He won't even go near a pint of Welsh Guiness (doesn't travel well...) I have just seen why he doesn't like Welsh Guinness - it isn't spelt correctly (8-)# Well, OK, but I have to agree with him on one thing, once you've got used to the real Irish variety you don't want to know any other variety! -- Dilwyn Jones
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Interesting. Can someone explain why it is that whenever there is a crisis in the QL community everyone goes into nostalgia mode? I would be more impressed if more people were looking forwards than backwards. After all, as Per wrote about my ill chosen timing, despite all problems, so much is going on just now. Geoff Wicks
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
On Wed, 6 Aug 2003, Dilwyn Jones wrote: Sadly, as Norman Dunbar found out when he tried to visit, from the east there's no village sign at all! Ahh yes. The Angles come from the East! Dave
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Darren Braagh wrote: Tut, tut Dilwyn.. They shoot people for less serious stuff than that over here, and to think you were even in St.james gate where it is made on the guided tour!! Now that was an experience and a half! What's really interesting is that even the rivers around where Darren lives look like Guinness due to the blackness from the peat bogs etc in the lands above getting into the water - the darkness of the water coupled with white froth really looks like a pint of the black stuff. There is even a lake on the Guinness estate with a white sandy beach at the head, again looking like a pint of Guinness! They must have a tax on n's in wales;-)) Darren. It's more like a tax on T's. Next time you visit, Darren, have a look at the sign on the north apprach to the village... 'al-y-bon' since about winter before last when they came off in the bad weather (always reckoned our glue wasn't up to the mark) Some of our local graffiti vandals took pity on us and hand wrote two T's in marker pen on the sign to help poor lost tourists. Sadly, as Norman Dunbar found out when he tried to visit, from the east there's no village sign at all! -- Dilwyn Jones
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Tony Firshman wrote: dancing!) I will never forget the reaction of the (very) gay barman to Darren's attempts to teach him how to pour a pint of Guinness. Priceless. You should see his face when he sees Guiness being poured in Wales. He won't even go near a pint of Welsh Guiness (doesn't travel well...) Well he got through quite a lot in Montreal without much complaining. Yes I did - actually, the Guinness wasn't bad once The barman agreed to let it settle for a bit before topping it off. He was pouring it all in one go like Lager at first. The really funny bit was when we first went in, and Jim ordered some drinks - The barman had the typical short top on, showing off his belly button, and loads of maschara and lipstick. He took one look at this weird foursome - A long haired rocker, a bearded engineer, an tanned american, and a fat irish bloke and just couldn't works out what the gay couples were - you could see the gears working in his brain trying to figure out who was with who - he was kinda relieved when we told him we weren't together... He then informed us that this was a Gay Bar. Roy looked at him, shrugged his shoulders and said fair enough - we just wanted a beer and didn't care. Priceless. Darren. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify us immediately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and delete this E-mail from your system. Thank you. It is possible for data transmitted by email to be deliberately or accidentally corrupted or intercepted. For this reason, where the communication is by email, the Bank of Ireland Group does not accept any responsibility for any breach of confidence which may arise through the use of this medium. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of known computer viruses.
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Tony Firshman wrote: On Wed, 6 Aug 2003 at 02:36:46, Lau wrote: Where is the Cafe du nuit? (Brussels?) 'Cap de Nuit' - in the centre of Brussels. Again we asked a policeman where we could find somewhere to eat (at 6:15am) and he laconically pointed across the square. Did you never go there? It was full of student types in what looked like fancy dress drinking champagne and eating. ... but it was only a 'Joe's caff'. Yep. Went there several times. The first time was the surreal one! -- Lau http://www.bergbland.info Get a domain from http://oneandone.co.uk/xml/init?k_id=5165217 and I'll get the commission!
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], gwicks [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes in the QL community everyone goes into nostalgia mode? I think it is because they all want to recall the good/funny things to give you an incentive to stay on and enjoy. Yes, and can your remember how Freddie T and Freddie V used to embrace and kiss each other at shows, and wish each other well with their rival products? Or how Dennis Briggs encouraged us all to write what we wanted for the Quanta Magazine as part of his anti-censorship campaign? Or the time Bob Dyl gave each trader a couple of hundred pounds for advertising in IQLR? Or the many times Phil Jones proposed votes of confidence in the rest of the QUANTA committee? Funny thing, nostalgia, it's so selective. I did say the good/funny things -- Roy Wood Q Branch. 20 Locks Hill, Portslade, Sussex. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 386030fax: +44 (0) 1273 430501 web : www.qbranch.demon.co.uk
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Dilwyn Jones wrote: Tony Firshman wrote: ... and Freddie Vachha's breakfast there (four helpings) - giving us the spare 'rabbit food'. I remember Freddy Helping a waitress or three to put out a fire on an egg griddler or something similar at breakfast at an Eindhoven hotel... Hey! That was me! (Freddy was too busy eating - if he was there that time). I intervened because, in my younger days, I did the classic pour water on a chip pan fire. It's a quick way of redecorating your kitchen (if you like black). I recall discovering the Eindhoven motel. We arrived in Eindhoven at some silly hour in the morning and eventually went into a police station to ask if there was anywhere we could get some breakfast. Errr... you could try across the road was the answer. Thinks - I've a few more stories to tell, but... can anyone set up a blogger site? As in: What exactly was Freddy doing when we came through customs and he nearly got everyone arrested? It involved his dual nationality - and shouting. Where is the Cafe du nuit? (Brussels?) And so on... -- Lau http://www.bergbland.info Get a domain from http://oneandone.co.uk/xml/init?k_id=5165217 and I'll get the commission!
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], gwicks [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Interesting. Can someone explain why it is that whenever there is a crisis in the QL community everyone goes into nostalgia mode? I think it is because they all want to recall the good/funny things to give you an incentive to stay on and enjoy. I would be more impressed if more people were looking forwards than backwards. After all, as Per wrote about my ill chosen timing, despite all problems, so much is going on just now. An even bigger incentive I would say. -- Roy Wood Q Branch. 20 Locks Hill, Portslade, Sussex. Tel: +44 (0) 1273 386030fax: +44 (0) 1273 430501 web : www.qbranch.demon.co.uk
RE: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Morning Dave, Angles Angles are (one of) the ancestors of the English. (Any continental with nothing to do at the weekend invaded !) I'm a Celt myself - from the North. Don't make that mistake if you ever visit Scotland :o) Cheers, Norman. PS. If I remember correctly, I was coming from the West anyway - I'd been to Bonddi - There was a sign saying Tal-y-Bont and pointing down a road, so we went there hoping for a nice cuppa chez Dilwyn Christine - no other signs anywhere and we ended up back on the main road again. PPS. Ok, coming down that little road we were coming from the East ! - Norman Dunbar Database/Unix administrator Lynx Financial Systems Ltd. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: 0113 289 6265 Fax: 0113 289 3146 URL: http://www.Lynx-FS.com - This email is intended only for the use of the addressees named above and may be confidential or legally privileged. If you are not an addressee you must not read it and must not use any information contained in it, nor copy it, nor inform any person other than Lynx Financial Systems or the addressees of its existence or contents. If you have received this email and are not a named addressee, please delete it and notify the Lynx Financial Systems IT Department on 0113 2892990.
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Quoting gwicks [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Interesting. Can someone explain why it is that whenever there is a crisis in the QL community everyone goes into nostalgia mode? I would be more impressed if more people were looking forwards than backwards. After all, as Per wrote about my ill chosen timing, despite all problems, so much is going on just now. Geoff Wicks This brings up a good point I've been too timid to ask. I'm wondering if any site anywhere has a list of projects ongoing. I've picked up pieces of things from scrounging around a dozen sites. Would it be appropriate to post here what project(s) you might be working on? Or other things you know are in the works. I know vaporware is a Bad Thing(tm), but it'd be nice to know just how much new stuff really is going on here. Although, I am *REALLY* engjoying all of the nostalgia! Catching up on the last few days postings have had me cracking up for the last 1/2 hour. I was into QL's as a teenager for about 2 or 3 years, and then dropped out for like 15. Being able to catch-up, if only vicariously through other's nostalgia has made me regret not always being in the scene. It's also making me enjoy being back into it now, knowing how cool and absurd this gang is :) Mark - This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
PS. If I remember correctly, I was coming from the West anyway - I'd been to Bonddi - There was a sign saying Tal-y-Bont and pointing down a road, so we went there hoping for a nice cuppa chez Dilwyn Christine - no other signs anywhere and we ended up back on the main road again. PPS. Ok, coming down that little road we were coming from the East ! They put up new signs from one direction, then they disappeared from another direction, one got taken down because of a mis-spelling (in fact they took down one of the ones with correct spelling though that was later restored). Result, confused tourists, even more confused locals who thought they were going home and ended up thinking they weren't. At this point, I give up. Trying to understand local authority decision making round here you need ot be a Mensa member minimum. They put up signs for new speed humps in the village, then a couple of weeks later some letters came round asking if the residents wanted speed humps or not. Needless to say, we got nowhere complaining it was an already decided stich up. Move to Wales. Get even more confused than in England! hy do you think I bury my head in QLs? To try to stay sane around here! (OK, that last line was just to get back on topic) -- Dilwyn Jones
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Tony Firshman wrote: ... and the time when Phil Borman left my passport in Dover, and I had to be smuggled around for days. ...and the Volvo chase around London when someone's suitcase got left on the minibus driven by Phil No Kerbstone Left Untouched Borman on return from Germany (or was it Eindhoven? ... and Freddie Vachha's breakfast there (four helpings) - giving us the spare 'rabbit food'. I remember Freddy Helping a waitress or three to put out a fire on an egg griddler or something similar at breakfast at an Eindhoven hotel... dancing!) I will never forget the reaction of the (very) gay barman to Darren's attempts to teach him how to pour a pint of Guinness. Priceless. You should see his face when he sees Guiness being poured in Wales. He won't even go near a pint of Welsh Guiness (doesn't travel well...) and the night Jochen and Dilwyn and I brought Marcel Kilgus out for a Birthday curry when he hated the damn things . curry you mean, not birthdays (or was it both?) Both, by the time we'd finished with him. The bit I hated was the chocolate gateaux which became a gooey mess all over my shirt. Yuk. At least we managed to force feed him pizza and chips once the dislike of curry was established. Yup, the social side of QL shows is not to be forgotten. For anyone who wants to know a bit about the unpredictable side of QL shows, read my essay on one of the Bristol shows in an early QL Today! -- Dilwyn Jones
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
On Wed, 6 Aug 2003 at 02:36:46, Lau wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) Dilwyn Jones wrote: Tony Firshman wrote: ... and Freddie Vachha's breakfast there (four helpings) - giving us the spare 'rabbit food'. I remember Freddy Helping a waitress or three to put out a fire on an egg griddler or something similar at breakfast at an Eindhoven hotel... Hey! That was me! (Freddy was too busy eating - if he was there that time). He was there. I intervened because, in my younger days, I did the classic pour water on a chip pan fire. It's a quick way of redecorating your kitchen (if you like black). You did the perfect wet towel job, in a calm quiet way while the staff were standing there flapping their arms about. You then sat down and finished your breakfast in your usual calm slow way (8-)# I recall discovering the Eindhoven motel. We arrived in Eindhoven at some silly hour in the morning and eventually went into a police station to ask if there was anywhere we could get some breakfast. Errr... you could try across the road was the answer. Indeed - I was there. Not quite 'across the road' but a couple of hundred yards down the road. It is now the 'Eindhoven Hotel' Thinks - I've a few more stories to tell, but... can anyone set up a blogger site? As in: What exactly was Freddy doing when we came through customs and he nearly got everyone arrested? It involved his dual nationality - and shouting. I don't remember that one. I do remember him bounding up to me and a very nice customs lady at Dover at the height of an IRA scare (she was inspecting all my bomb-making equipment in my toolbox - capacitors with wires coming out, wire, solder, fuses etc) saying You cannot do this to people like us She didn't understand his sense of humour. We were a dozen blokes in a hired van! Where is the Cafe du nuit? (Brussels?) 'Cap de Nuit' - in the centre of Brussels. Again we asked a policeman where we could find somewhere to eat (at 6:15am) and he laconically pointed across the square. Did you never go there? It was full of student types in what looked like fancy dress drinking champagne and eating. ... but it was only a 'Joe's caff'. -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@surname.co.uk http://www.firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
On Tue, 5 Aug 2003 at 21:20:25, Dilwyn Jones wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) Tony Firshman wrote: ... and the time when Phil Borman left my passport in Dover, and I had to be smuggled around for days. ...and the Volvo chase around London when someone's suitcase got left on the minibus driven by Phil No Kerbstone Left Untouched Borman on return from Germany (or was it Eindhoven? Ah - you were in my car then? I remember it was a _very_ fast return from Dover. ... and Freddie Vachha's breakfast there (four helpings) - giving us the spare 'rabbit food'. I remember Freddy Helping a waitress or three to put out a fire on an egg griddler or something similar at breakfast at an Eindhoven hotel... Worng - it was Laurence. He got a wet towel form the kitchen. That was when Freddie was at his best (or was it worst?) piling up the awful rubbery overcooked scrambled egg. You really wouldn't believe how much he piled up on his plate, and then went for a refill. dancing!) I will never forget the reaction of the (very) gay barman to Darren's attempts to teach him how to pour a pint of Guinness. Priceless. You should see his face when he sees Guiness being poured in Wales. He won't even go near a pint of Welsh Guiness (doesn't travel well...) Well he got through quite a lot in Montreal without much complaining. and the night Jochen and Dilwyn and I brought Marcel Kilgus out for a Birthday curry when he hated the damn things . curry you mean, not birthdays (or was it both?) Both, by the time we'd finished with him. The bit I hated was the chocolate gateaux which became a gooey mess all over my shirt. Yuk. At least we managed to force feed him pizza and chips once the dislike of curry was established. Ah - that is back to normal Marcus diet (8-)# -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@surname.co.uk http://www.firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Tut, tut Dilwyn.. They shoot people for less serious stuff than that over here, and to think you were even in St.james gate where it is made on the guided tour!! They must have a tax on n's in wales;-)) Darren. On Tue, 5 Aug 2003 at 22:58:02, Tony Firshman wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) You should see his face when he sees Guiness being poured in Wales. He won't even go near a pint of Welsh Guiness (doesn't travel well...) I have just seen why he doesn't like Welsh Guinness - it isn't spelt correctly (8-)# -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 tony@surname.co.uk http://www.firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify us immediately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and delete this E-mail from your system. Thank you. It is possible for data transmitted by email to be deliberately or accidentally corrupted or intercepted. For this reason, where the communication is by email, the Bank of Ireland Group does not accept any responsibility for any breach of confidence which may arise through the use of this medium. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of known computer viruses.
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
On Tue, 5 Aug 2003 at 13:03:01, wrote: (ref: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) I admit I have let people down in the past - I don't think Geoff was one of them though, but I stand to be corrected. I have given Jochen several headaches in the past, all of which were my fault, and thankfully he has forgiven me each time - Thanks Jochen. And also Tony, who has almost murdered me via email on several occasions when trying to do a show flyer, but has always persisted. Just one of the many reasons why these people are my friends. You aren't the worst (8-)# I too have pondered getting out of the QL scene - as a trader at least, especially over the last 6 months or so. I have become a father, Dylan Jack Branagh is now 4 months old and its an expensive thing, bringing up kids. I am building a house, and commuting to Galway each week (a 400 mile round trip as I work in Dublin) to see my fiancee and son so every penny counts these days -I am no longer a single bloke living with his parents with loads of spare cash to blow - those days are gone. A few years ago, I made my last real profit at QL2000, since then, it typically costs me a couple of hundred quid per show to go to one. I have even been to shows were I have sold NOTHING, not a sausage. I can beat that. Jochen and Roy will remember me at Eindhoven not only not selling anything, but having to give a refund! But I too will stay with it. because I LOVE it. I love meeting the faces and chatting with people I consider real friends - we all have our foibles, and I have loads, but the reason I stay is the friendships. Every decent funny story I know revolves around a QL - the night Dilwyn Jones and Simon Goodwin where programming at opposite ends of my bedroom, and Dilwyn asked Simon for a Floppy dick..(!) ... and a very well known (and liked) groupie who had put a new hard dick in his laptop. ... and the time when Phil Borman left my passport in Dover, and I had to be smuggled around for days. and when Freddie Vachha seemed impressed by my new car (quite something if you knew Freddie and his car) but tried to grab the wheel on the Brussel's RING - You are not going fast enough (I was doing almost 100) ... and the Croatia trip by car. ... and cycling from Reggio Emilia to Parma, and finding this brilliant Pizza place called The Red Sun in English. Roy remembers it from recently. ... and Stuart's exploding tyre in the middle of a quiet Italian village during siesta (Mafia war?) and repairing it with a piece of his rucksack. At 'Cap de Nuit' in Brussel's at 06:30. It was full of night revellers, and closed at 07:30 after all night sittings. ... and Freddie Vachha's breakfast there (four helpings) - giving us the spare 'rabbit food'. The time Roy Wood, Jim Hunkins, Tony Firshman and I ended up in a Gay Bar in Montreal, Two from what I recall, but we recognised the first as gay (men dancing!) I will never forget the reaction of the (very) gay barman to Darren's attempts to teach him how to pour a pint of Guinness. Priceless. ... and Stuart getting very drunk in Laragh and almost fighting with groupie mentioned above. ... and the food team (including daughter) at Hove. The time Tony spent ages looking for a serial cable for Roy when there was one on Roys table all along, That was at London for Keith Mitchell to try out a modem on his kneetop (ie his very tiny laptop). ... not just the lead but a whole host of Roy's cable converters (and it worked). That happened again in a very similar way at Byfleet. Roy will always have exactly the lead you want in his lucky dip, but will never know it is there! The night Dilwyn used the Calculator on QPAC1 to divide out a restaurant bill after a row started, These rows have happened in a similar way for years. We had an evening out in Northampton after a show. I like squeezing interest free credit out of my credit card, so I offered to pay the bill and take cash. Someone (fortunately I forgot who!) walked out without paying me I am not paying your company barclaycard so the few pounds interest I saved was outweighed by the £18 loss and his free meal! He must have thought I was on a tax fiddle - what funny ideas people have of QL Traders. and the night Jochen and Dilwyn and I brought Marcel Kilgus out for a Birthday curry when he hated the damn things . curry you mean, not birthdays (or was it both?) ... or the time at the same venue when we discovered the whole room was powered of one person (chained down the line). Everyone's computers went off when this one person left! All priceless moments I remember with great fondness - I'm laughing as I write this. Then there was the amazing programming moments - seeing Simon Goodwin rewrite a portion of his DIY toolkit extensions just for me in a few minutes, which I still use today. Sitting in Dilwyns house having a beer, and then seeing Dilwyn jump up 'cos hes just had a great idea - and an hour later the QL Documentation CD was done. The many hours spent
Re: [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Hi all, There have been many varied comments on Geoff's departure, and I would like to throw my tuppence worth in, if only as the only remaining trader who hasn't as yet. I read geoff's lengthy response listing his reasons for quitting, and I too agree with most of them as the other traders have said. I also agree with Tonys comment - 100 quid loss is nothing, it often costs me more than this to simply turn up at a show, as a long ferry/train/car/plane combination journey is always involved. I love being a QL user. I can't think of my life without there being a black box there somewhere. Most of my closest and most trusted friends where made via the QL in some form or other. I was Dilwyn Jones' best man at his wedding (a favour I hope he'll return soon!) and all of the traders I consider dear friends - including Geoff. I recall with fondness his failed attempt to get a picture of me standing under a Union Jack flag at a show a few years ago (I'm Irish) and the fun involved, and then finding out he himself had Irish blood deep in his veins!! Anyway, he is dead right is what he says. I yearn for the days when you turned up at a show and went home with a pocketful of cash and a smile on your face. Thing is though, we didn't get into it to make money, just to provide a service - which is why I still do it, or a least try to, I cock up regularly, but I still try. I admit I have let people down in the past - I don't think Geoff was one of them though, but I stand to be corrected. I have given Jochen several headaches in the past, all of which were my fault, and thankfully he has forgiven me each time - Thanks Jochen. And also Tony, who has almost murdered me via email on several occasions when trying to do a show flyer, but has always persisted. Just one of the many reasons why these people are my friends. I too have pondered getting out of the QL scene - as a trader at least, especially over the last 6 months or so. I have become a father, Dylan Jack Branagh is now 4 months old and its an expensive thing, bringing up kids. I am building a house, and commuting to Galway each week (a 400 mile round trip as I work in Dublin) to see my fiancee and son so every penny counts these days -I am no longer a single bloke living with his parents with loads of spare cash to blow - those days are gone. A few years ago, I made my last real profit at QL2000, since then, it typically costs me a couple of hundred quid per show to go to one. I have even been to shows were I have sold NOTHING, not a sausage. But I too will stay with it. because I LOVE it. I love meeting the faces and chatting with people I consider real friends - we all have our foibles, and I have loads, but the reason I stay is the friendships. Every decent funny story I know revolves around a QL - the night Dilwyn Jones and Simon Goodwin where programming at opposite ends of my bedroom, and Dilwyn asked Simon for a Floppy dick..(!) The time Roy Wood, Jim Hunkins, Tony Firshman and I ended up in a Gay Bar in Montreal, The time Tony spent ages looking for a serial cable for Roy when there was one on Roys table all along, The night Dilwyn used the Calculator on QPAC1 to divide out a restaurant bill after a row started, and the night Jochen and Dilwyn and I brought Marcel Kilgus out for a Birthday curry when he hated the damn things . All priceless moments I remember with great fondness - I'm laughing as I write this. Then there was the amazing programming moments - seeing Simon Goodwin rewrite a portion of his DIY toolkit extensions just for me in a few minutes, which I still use today. Sitting in Dilwyns house having a beer, and then seeing Dilwyn jump up 'cos hes just had a great idea - and an hour later the QL Documentation CD was done. The many hours spent working through the night into the wee small hours before a show just to get a new product finished, or Watching Marcel battle with QPC and why it wasn't working on Toshiba laptops in Dilwyns house amazing stuff. I can see the day when we remaining traders will set up shop in a hall as usual, and nobody will arrive, nothing will be sold, and that will be it - but hopefully that a few years away yet. I do think we are having too many shows each year now though, and a big show each year with maybe one or two others at the maximum is where we are now at. Thats all I have to say. Yes, the QL world is a shadow of its former self - shock!!! Its been that way for years. Geoff has made a decision which is very sad and he'll be missed, his eloquent turn of phrase and enjoyable sense of humour will be now lacking at our meetings - or will you still attend the odd one as a QL user Geoff? Maybe you could come to the Irish QL show this year? That really is a social event, and we had a ball last year. May be the tonic your looking for let your hair down and remember why you became a QL user in the first place. Cheers, Darren.
RE : [ql-users] Geoff's departure
Dear Geoff, Dear QL-ers... I'm one of the recently becoming back on the QL scene. My port of QLAY QL2K wasn't be done to be shared and suply onto internet at start. This Was just for me to used it and continuing to program for myself mainly In SuperBasic. Finally, the last time I was at the hospital ( and I was very young as I had 34 years old ), I had a very difficult obstacle to cross. I use To program a lot of and all the time, but at this particular time, as I was a bit depressive, the only thing I want to do is QL and only QL. My developments as more on C++ under Windows and sometimes using others Language. Like the effect with a drug, I just want to release a quite QL emulation That run to use my old QL Superbasic programs. At that was by this difficult step, I decided to release QL2K to public. Now I can say that the world is in crisis and not only with computers, but I think that is more because people don't know where to go as we have passed The Year 2000 events. Sometimes we can think there is no future. And computers Technologies goes now too fast ( incredibly too fast ). Be sure that I'm understand well all what your saying about your disapoinments. I think that what QL world need should be something to be not QL anymore. If We want that kind of technologies works, if we want that QL traders are reliable, If we want to continue in the same way of our hobby we have all to build the Quantum Leap of the Quantum Leap. As it was possible at the born of the QL, it should be now possible by joining All energies to build something completely new and fanstastically powerfull. Perharps by simply let born a machine without bugs ;-) ... Yes now I think that I really need a machine where I can program, use and continue my computers hobby Without having boring stuffes, without being disturb by ads... Etc... I make some experiences, mainly giving QL2K and the original QL documentation to My wife in order she learn computer programming. Now she can make some small Programs and I want back she describe me her QL new user experience. What I'm seeing that she confused between string and numeric variables but she Make some very small programs with succes.. I was talking with some friends about QL and certains says something like Hey, SuperBasic syntax is pretty cool... So now, I think that is time to reorganise drastically all that QL world in order To being back competitive in that strange computers worlds where there is only Intel make processors, there is only 1,5 operating systems ;-) ( I want say Windows And Linux )... And all of noising things around this... PocketPC, Palm Pilot, ... I recently see here in France, that there is some new magazines that talk about Programming using code publishing. And I remenber the time in 80's where we had A lot of magasines that got Basic source code. Now I don't have any things to say to prevent your QL scene departure, as I really Understand your reasons. And if someone say me something like that in my company I say Him that I need some holidays ;-)... To avoid this, I know that a problem that concern all QL users... We have all to find New solutions for the future... The future will have some very dramatics events ( as always In fact ) and to prepare them will all need a computer of dreams Perharps this should Be time to make a wife usuable computers ;-) ... So note just these 3 things : - I'm pretty bad in english and I writing a long email to you and our friends, - I work a lot for free for QL but I need money to live and after hospital it's always necessary ( I'm not rich ;-) ) - I need for my futur and the future of my childs and a great computers... - I was very disapointed by some QL events and I know that is very difficult to stay with serenity on that place ( but this is avalaible for all human relationships ). - Your experience will always be usefull for us all. Thanks for reading this, Jimmy.
