Amen.

Hello everybody,

I´m glad to found this opened topic, since I just came here to also wish you all (or y´all in Herman´s way ) a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful, Great & Excellent 2008.

From the frozen Polland (Denis, but not even close to what we experienced in Canada ), a warm hug to this great group, and a special one to our dear Jack for all the support and friendship, that surely all my fellows here will agree and follow this special cumpliment.

Hope to see you all soon.

By the way, Jack, think about add themes to XTREE allowing us to add lights and other Christmas decorations transforming it into an X-masTREE

Thank you the clever suggestion Jorge, but I must confess that sometimes when I think about adding another feature to XTREE, what comes to mind is the need for an XorcistTREE.

Putting that aside, I'd just like to thank everyone that has taken the time to post the thousands of messages (mostly thoughtful, some downright ridiculous) that make this forum what it is (mostly useful, partly fun, sometimes just a high-tech version of wasting time around the water cooler).

Best Wishes to all for happiness, health, prosperity, professional growth, and lots of carbon credits in 2008.

P.S. And may we all survive another 10 months of the US Presidential Campaign - surprising as it may seem and with apologies to Winston Churchill, we're not nearing the end, nor even the beginning of the end, but we could probably say that we're at the end of the beginning.

P.P.S. It's not too soon to start thinking about the 2008 A-Shell Developers Conference. Let the campaigning for the host city begin. (Legal note: contrary to supposed restrictions on the Presidential campaign, there are no applicable laws restricting how much you may spend to influence us to choose your favorite city. Meals, airline tickets, anonymous donations, and preferably, grandiose license purchases are all happily and legally accepted.)

I certainly second and third all of Jorge's and Jack's sentiments... I wish you all a very Healthy Happy Propserpous New Year.

A special thanks go out to Jack, the leader of this band of merry men.. (and women). Thanks for all the guidance generosity and ongoing endless support.

Hope we all meet up this year...just dont pick a city that may be hosting the democratic or republican primaries!

I don't think they do that in Portugal, Frank.

Vote?

Or be Merry?

Or observe the Gregorian Calendar?

Host the democratic or republican primaries!

Great place for a meeting.

You mean Denver, or Portugal?

I 2nd Hermans great suggestion of Portugal Maybe even somewhere down in Algarve’shire where your suddenly find yourself starting to wonder if you was in Portugal or the UK? (When we was there with Jorge few years ago he even found the shop keeper only spoke English and not Portuguese) I’ll even bring some Marmite to keep Frank happy.

If not Michael here at Madics suggests: Munich in September (The Oktoberfest )

I better start working on that passport...

You wouldn't be sorry, Frank. The rest of us...well, maybe!

Hello everybody,
What to say ?
With such good Portugal promoters as Herman and Steve (thanks for that), I just add that it will be a great pleasure for me to receive you here, and I'll do my best to organize things (Conference and entertainment) to make wish to repeat the experience.
If it would not be possible this time, just tell me where, and I'll be there.

Wish all an explendid 2008.

Hey All--

Happy New Year.

I'm not sure if the on-going comments about having our next developer meeting in Portugal are serious, joking or half of each, but I thought I should jump in and say something before Herman and others start making travel and hotel reservations...

Much as Jack and I agree with the "Portugal here we come" sentiment, and certain as we are that our most excellent country representative would provide splendid host services, there is one rather large fact that we can't ignore: some of our developers/resellers won't come if the meeting is in Portugal--or anywhere else outside the US. So while the idea of having the conference in Portugal is appealing, the price that we would pay--several fewer attendees--seems too high.

We don't need to completely abandon the idea, and perhaps it will happen at some point. But unless everybody who came to the last conference says they'll go to Portugal, I think we better plan for something in the States.

All the best,

Scrouge

Sounds like the Azores would be perfect. slap bang in the middle of a big pond.

I'm in favor of Portugal, too, but if we must stay centrally located, how about Kansas City, Mo.? You can't get more central than that.

Isnt the Prime Meridian about as central as you can get?

The obvious unfortunate reality is with the weak dollar, travelling abroad would cost twice as much as hosting our European colleagues... and if we all agree to buy them rounds, and bring Jorge an extra change of clothes, having it here might be the most cost effective. I still vote for Kens cabin...

Well, I wasn't kidding, but will show up anywhere, if possible.

Maybe another smaller meeting in Portugal is in order after the main meeting - an extended meeting.

For my part, I would love to have the meeting in Portugal but that would exclude bringing Dan or Stephen...wait a minute...Portugal sounds great!

Just kidding, Dan & Stephen.

Anyway, I agree that the US is more practical at this time. With that, most any time and place would work for us.

Honestly, I had the feeling that, besides the frequent mentions to organize the next Conference in Portugal, that would not be easily accepted for the majority of the usual participants, which arguments I obviously understandand.
That was the reason why I never "forced" too much for that option, and kept myself expecting for the reactions.
So, considering the US option, I agree with any location but, if possible, to be in one that I still don't know would be nice.

PS: Herman - Good idea, and not kidding, to organize a complementary workshop in Portugal. Something I'll think about with care.