Joe,

        Thanx you for the kind words.  With regards to your observation,
"I for one will miss the OpenMPE movement.", please note that OpenMPE
was not me.  It was (and is) the community and there are several great
members of the OpenMPE community that continue the effort.  I trust and
hope my departure is not a negative impact on the effort, rather just
another minor bump on the roadmap.

Thanx,
    Jon Backus



-----Original Message-----
From: OpenMPE Support Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Joseph Dolliver
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 9:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OPENMPE] I just got some great news...


Jon, This is great news for you. I do understand and you have made a
great impact on the HP community and I would like to personally thank
you for your hard work and efforts to work with HP. I for one will miss
the OpenMPE movement.

Please do not loose site of the MPE movement "under ground".

Best wishes in your new job and I do hope you have a better 2004

Warmest regards


-----Original Message-----
From: OpenMPE Support Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Jonathan M. Backus
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 9:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: I just got some great news...


        Have you seen the series of Geico Insurance commercials?  If so,
you'll understand the reference as you read on.

        A couple months back I got a great job offer to go to work for
Volvo IT (www.volvoit.com).  It was a wonderful step forward in every
possible way (career, financial, vacation, holidays, etc.).  As I got
further into the job I began to realize that it was not practical to
continue maintaining Tech Group.  I would not have any time to do Tech
Group work.  It would simply because a financial drain, i.e., taxes,
accounting fees, etc.  I talked with my accountant and made the decision
that the best time to shutdown Tech Group was prior to the start of
2004, because of tax reasons.  An unfortunate side effect of all of
these changes is that I no longer qualify to be a member of the OpenMPE
Board of Directors :(

        So, it is with deep mixed emotions that I must announce my
resignation from the OpenMPE Board of Directors, effective the end of
business on Wednesday, December 31st, 2003.  I have enjoyed my time on
the board very much and hope and wish OpenMPE the best of luck going
forward.  I will continue to watch from a distance.  To all of my
friends in the OpenMPE community, hang in there.  I will miss you all
greatly and hope to continue individual contact as time permits.

Sincerely,
    Jonathan (Jon) M. Backus
    15 Catawba Place ~ Hagerstown, MD ~ 21742-6515
    Email: [log in to unmask] ~ AIM: JMBackus
    Phone: 301.714.0446 ~ Fax: 301.714.1854