When I first started learning Ruby, I used the “Try Ruby in Your Browser” that _why made and hosted.  I read some of the coveted “Why’s Poignant Guide” and his blog, “Red Handed”.  I enjoyed exploring Hackety Hack and suggested it to friends.  His Shoes framework was also something I enjoyed, if only for a brief moment in time.

So here’s where I diverge from what seems to be the overwhelming sentiment of the majority of other people speaking out on the subject.  When _why left, he did not just abandon his projects and walk away.  He destroyed and deleted as he left.  He burned it all down and walked away into the wind.  I have 4 year old twins and a recent trip to the beach had a very similar outcome.  One child didn’t want her sandcastle to be used by anyone else, so she destroyed it before we left.  We talked about why she did it and what impact it would have.  She’s only 4 though, what’s your excuse _why?

So while _why doesn’t owe us anything, he surely didn’t leave in a way I could characterize as honorable or even mature.  Many people talk about the impact he made on their lives or learning process with his projects and his art, but to me his contribution will always be marred by his destcructive exit.  In my version of reality you’re not allowed to get full credit for the gifts you provide by  taking them back.

So _why,  good luck and Godspeed!  Your final and lasting impression is negativity.  Dude, I totally hope you come back only so I can sit next to Zed at a Ruby conference and huck milkduds and chunky bacon at you.

The company that makes the commercial version of WINE that allows you to install windows apps natively on mac or linux is giving their product away for free for 24 hours.  Here’s an article explaining it at length:

And here is the site to get the serial # and product.

For both new and experienced developers, Jim Losi has been a tremendous resource for guidance and assistance within the .Net community. Jim has assisted me personally via forum post, a code sample, a note of confidence, debugging a project, or contributing a library when needed. I have witnessed Jim help countless others on the LearnVisualStudio.Net forums as well in the same manner. Jim lives on the other side of the country from me and as such I am surprised to be able to get a hold of him in the late hours of the night and the early hours of the morning.

Jim remains steadfast in his dedication to ensure that those who ask him questions understand the answers and he encourages those individuals to continue the cycle and help each other. Jim consistently assists others in a professional and friendly manner and demonstrates a level of commitment to others rarely seen within the .Net community.

Jim has worked very hard to help many of us out in the community and has never asked for anything in return. He is a colleague, a mentor, and an example for the community at large. Jim Losi is the ideal candidate for Visual Developer – Visual C# MVP.

Jim Losi has been a great influence to me in the last year and a half and ‘m really hoping Microsoft recognizes him this year for all of his hard work. If you have a testimonial for Jim as well, please forward it to me and I’ll make sure it makes its way to Microsoft by way of Bob Tabor / LearnVisualStudio.Net.