(See latest article listed on Ed's web page.) I'm shocked and bewildered but I understand. See you on the other side Ed. God bless you and your family.

-- (allsweet@rocketmail.com), May 29, 1999

Answers

I agree with Ed. My instincts are telling me that its not going to get any better no matter what we try to do to spread the word. I think we are crossing over the sumit now and the steep side of the slope is coming up. IOW, its all down hill from here. There are many who will get it enuff to buy a little extra food, but I think its too late for any real preparation to be independent of the soup and water lines put up by FEMA in Jan.2000

A very sad Taz

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), May 29, 1999.

Here is the full text:

================================================

Sayonara, Y2K

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The time has come for me to say goodbye to Y2K. I'm removing the Y2K articles, links, and resources from my web site, and dropping off the Y2K radar screen. Y2K has been part of my life since early 1995 and has occupied nearly every waking moment since the summer of 1997 -- and while it will continue to have a significant impact on my personal and family life, I no longer plan to play a public role. I realize that this may raise some questions, and perhaps cause some commentary and debate, and I've attempted to answer the more obvious questions below.

Why? Why Now?

No, I haven't been abducted by aliens. I haven't been kidnapped by the CIA or the mysterious people in black helicopters. I haven't been threatened by the FBI. I haven't been bribed by banks or the government (or anyone else). There is nothing deep, dark, or mysterious about my decision.

I simply feel that I've done everything I can do to raise the alarm about Y2K. I've co-authored two books, written dozens of articles and essays, spoken at hundreds of seminars, conferences, meetings, and gatherings. I could continue doing the same thing, over and over again, but I would be repeating myself. More important, I would be preaching to the choir; those whose opinion and outlook on Y2K are compatible with mine would nod their head in agreement, and those whose opinion and outlook are incompatible with mine would shake their head in disbelief, just as they have for the past four years.

Yes, there are still some people who are undecided, and who continue to listen to both the optimists and the pessimists before making up their own mind. But I think that a more accurate term for "undecided" is "indifferent" -- i.e., there are many people who still don't care, who don't think the topic is worthy of serious attention, and who may not focus on Y2K until this fall -- and quite possibly not even until midnight on New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, I sense a hardening of positions: those who are pessmistic about the outcome are even more convinced than they were a year ago, and those who are optimistic are even more convinced, especially because they see a steady stream of upbeat press releases and government status reports.

More than just hardening of positions, though, I sense an increasing degree of confrontation and hostility between the two camps. It's reflected in flame wars on the Internet discussion groups; emotional rhetoric in the statements of government officials and media articles (e.g., warnings against "frivolous stockpiling"); McCarthy-esque threats by both sides that "we're taking names" in preparation for some kind of undescribed post-Y2K retribution against those who express an opposing point of view; and, overall, a sharp decline in civility. I expect this to continue for the remainder of the year, and I don't think it's a productive use of my time (or anyone else's) to continue attempting to respond to messages and commentary whose purpose often seems to be "ignore the message, shoot the messenger." Why isn't it productive? Because it doesn't change anyone's mind about the topic. Perhaps we could use the services of some of the gifted statesmen who have helped negotiate peace treaties in northern Ireland, or the middle East; as for me, I don't have the skill, the patience, or the training in this kind of diplomacy.

Does This Imply A Change of Opinion About Y2K?

No doubt there will be some who gleefully proclaim, "This just proves that Ed was wrong about Y2K all along! He has given up on his 'doomer' position, but he's too much of a coward to say so!" Well, time will tell whether any of us were right or wrong about Y2K -- but for now, my perspective on Y2K remains essentially unchanged. I stand by the comments I've made in all of the articles and essays that I've written; at a "macro" level, I still have a pessimistic outlook about the outcome of Y2K. We can argue indefinitely about whether the large government agencies and the large companies in England, Canada, Australia, and the U.S. will manage to muddle through, and whether the failure or bankruptcy of a few such organizations and/or agencies will have a dramatic impact. But even amongst the optimists, there seems to be a common consensus that small businesses, small towns/counties, and small (aka Third World) countries are so far behind that they're unlikely to finish repairing a signficant percentage of their mission-critical systems. The "fortress America" attitude amongst the optimists seems to be, "Well, so what if half of the small businesses don't do anything about Y2K until they see what breaks? So what if Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, the Middle East, and most of Asia don't manage to repair their systems? Why should I believe that this will have any impact on my life?"

Similarly, we can argue indefinitely about whether the governmental authorities and the private-sector organizations (e.g., the banks, the utilities, the telephone companies, etc.) are doing a good job or a bad job in terms of reporting their status and progress to the public. But there is a widespread theme that they're in control of the situation, and that (notwithstanding the possibility of a few "glitches") there's really nothing serious to worry about. Yet the federal government has acknowledged that it doesn't have the resources to provide emergency relief to all of the local towns and communities across the country; local communities are being told that they're on their own, and that they should make their own contingency plans. But the federal government can't force them to do so, nor can it force small businesses to make Y2K a top priority, nor can it issue ultimatums to foreign governments to do anything about Y2K. I don't even think it has control over the outcome of Y2K repairs within its own agencies, for non-compliant code doesn't listen to the rhetoric of politicians -- it either works, or it doesn't work. Ultimately, there is only a limited amount of control that corporations and government agencies have over the technological outcome of Y2K; yet the prevailing attitude seems to be that government and industry are in control, as long as they can "manage" the perceptions of the public. I have believed, all along, that Y2K is too big, too complex, and too systemic in nature to be "controlled" from a technological perspective; and I believe that the public's perception of Y2K will ultimately be shaped by tangible events that impact their lives, much more than it's shaped by the "spin control" efforts of government and industry. For the past few months, the PR spin control has been quite effective, and I fully expect that it will continue throughout the summer as government and industry seek to "reassure" the public. And since the public would generally prefer to be reassured that the government is taking care of any problems looming on the horizon, rather than face the possibility of serious disruptions, the spin control efforts may continue succeeding even into the fall of 1999.

Those who want me to continue participating in the public debate sometimes ask me, "But isn't it possible that things will change in the final months of Y2K?" And the optimists ask a roughly similar question: "Yes, I agree that things look bad in small companies, small towns, and small countries -- and maybe even in some of the big companies and big agencies. But don't you agree that with a lot of hard work, we can redouble our efforts, achieve a quantum leap in productivity, and make enough progress in these last few months to avert disaster?" To which my answer is, quite simply, "No." If you believe in the Tooth Fairy, or in the kind of implausible miracles favored by Hollywood script-writers, then perhaps you can sustain your belief that everything will somehow work out in the end. If you're looking at an individual company, or an individual government agency, perhaps you can make a plausible case -- yes, sometimes we get lucky, sometimes the combination of inspiration and perspiration are sufficient to overcome enormous odds. But at the macro level, I don't think it makes sense. We have 30 years of data in the software field that tells what to expect in the "average" case -- i.e., 25% of all projects are cancelled, 15% are delivered behind schedule, and the resulting systems have an average of one defect for every thousand lines of code.

If a miracle were to occur, it would have occurred two, or three, or four years ago. If President Clinton had addressed a joint session of Congress in 1996 and declared a state of emergency until Y2K had been completely conquered, perhaps we could look forward to a successful outcome at the end of this year. I'm not talking about the martial-law, conspiracy-theory form of "state of emergency," but rather a "fireside chat," followed by a series of actions that would make Y2K the highest-priority activity in the land. It didn't happen then, and it isn't happening now. I'm fairly convinced that it won't happen during the remaining seven months of 1999 -- and even if it did, it's now too late. If a high-level executive issues a thundering edict to the Y2K programming staff, "Redouble your efforts! Work harder!", the response from the programmers is likely to be, "Boss, we're thinking as hard as we can!" Software is an intellectual activity, rather than something requiring brawn and muscle-power; you simply can't order people to think harder.

I believe that we are entering the "end game" of Y2K, and that the outcome isn't likely to be changed significantly because of last-minute strategies, edicts, proclamations, or demands for deathmarch-style overtime on the part of programmers. About the only thing that's still an option, both for organizations and for individuals, is contingency planning and preparations for some degree of disruptions. But again, this involves preaching to the choir: those who believe it makes sense to develop and implement contingency plans, are already doing so -- indeed, some 90% of private-sector organizations are planning "war rooms" or "control centers" to cope with whatever problems arise. Meanwhile, those who think it's unnecessary will continue to do nothing. Yes, it's possible that there will be a last-minute surge in preparedness activities, especially at the personal level; but it probably won't happen until this fall, at which point it will lead to the very phenomenon of shortages and panics that government spokesmen have been warning about. Meanwhile, it's going to be a long, hot, quiet summer of Y2K-denial, unless some significant, undeniable, tangible event occurs.

What About All The People Who Don't Know About Y2K?

When I decided to move from New York City to New Mexico last year, some of the Y2K activists criticized me severely for "abandoning" New York. "You've doomed eight million innocent citizens to their fate!" I was told. "It's your responsibility to stay in New York, and warn all those people -- so they'll be ready for Y2K!" What a mind-boggling concept! If 8 million oblivious residents of New York City are entirely dependent on me, or any other individual, to learn what Y2K is all about, then we're all in a lot more trouble than we ever imagined.

There is no shortage of information about Y2K. If the 8 million New Yorkers, or the 250 million Americans, or the 5 billion citizens of the world, want to know all about Y2K, there are dozens of books, thousands of articles, and tens of thousands of references on the Internet. Ignorance was a plausible excuse in 1995 and 1996, perhaps even in 1997 -- but not now. If someone doesn't know about Y2K, it's because they've chosen to ignore it, and/or because they believe the assurances of government and industry spokesmen who tell them there is nothing to worry about.

In terms of personal responsibility, I am my brother's keeper. Actually, I don't have a brother, but I do have five sisters for whom I feel a sense of responsibility, along with my children, my wife, and my parents. I also feel some degree of responsibility for my neighbors and my community -- partly because I have a personal relationship with many of them, and also because it will do little good for for my family to be personally prepared if my neighbors are not. Beyond that -- i.e., at the state, national, or global level -- I've been happy to spend a considerable amount of my time and effort helping those who are helping themselves. And because I've enjoyed a good living in the computer field that was at least partially responsible for having created and perpetuated the Y2K problem, I've felt a professional responsibility to ensure that people understand what the problem is all about, and why it has been so difficult to solve. But there comes a time when it seems appropriate to say, "Okay, I've done my best to tell you what's going on. Now it's up to you to decide what (if anything) you're going to do about it." For me, that time has come.

Conclusion

I suspect that there are also a number of Y2K activists who will be frustrated that they can no longer send me email messages, asking meto provide an interpretation or analysis of the day-to-day Y2K announcements from the media and the corporate PR departments. To which I offer two responses: (1) you're intelligent adults, and you can use your own common sense to decide how to interpret the news; and (2) the debate between the optimists and pessimists will continue, with ever more emotion and rhetoric, right up to Jan 1, 2000 and beyond. If you're waiting for someone to produce an absolute, guaranteed, indisputable "answer" to the Y2K debate, you've already waited too long. It's not going to happen. As I suggested in one of my earlier essays, everyone will have to decide for themselves when the "moment of truth" has arrived, when they will make a decision about their own personal Y2K plans, in the presence of incomplete, fuzzy information.

I also suspect that there are a number of Y2K activists who will continue doing everything in their power to raise the alarm, alert the government, and encourage their neighbors and fellow citizens to stockpile and prepare -- right up to the last moment. They have my respect, my admiration, and my best wishes. As for me, it's time to get back to providing for my family.

If there are any major developments this summer or fall, where I think my background and experience in software engineering might provide a useful perspective, I'll dust off my soap-box and offer an appropriate commentary. And when the dust settles, in the days and weeks after Jan 1, 2000, I'll reappear to offer an appropriate mea culpa if my Y2K outlook proved wrong.

Meanwhile, my best wishes for everyone as we move into the Y2K end game. It's time for me to say, "Sayonara, Y2K." I'll see you on the other side.

================================================

Many THANKS Ed for your tremendous contributions to y2k awareness.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 29, 1999.

(sound of lower jaw striking floor)

EY has performed a massive public service. Heroes are hard to come by in this day & age. Ed Yourdon is one of the few who chose to step up & contribute to the welfare of the many.

My deepest, sincerest, heart-felt thanks for all your efforts.

Blessings to you & yours Ed Yourdon,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 29, 1999.

Can't blame him a bit. In today's litigious society, if he remains here after the panic begins, there will undoubtedly be those who will blame him and seek compensation. Sad, but true, but disappearing from the spotlight is unfortunately the intelligent thing to do at this stage in the game. I'm sure many others will soon be retracting their opinions from the internet if they are wise.

Will this forum still be available?

In any event, many thanks Ed, and best wishes to you and yours!

-- @ (@@@.@), May 29, 1999.

"A word to the wise is sufficient. An entire encyclopedia to the fool in inadequate."

Its not as if there was something that Ed left unsaid.

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), May 29, 1999.

Probably good for this gosling that the goose checked out. Helps keep hope from getting in the way of reality.

Good move Ed and thanks.

Very much hope this forum stays acitve. Am learning daily from you folks (well, most of you). If any regulars check out too, thank you for what you've offered and check in on us once in awhile.

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), May 29, 1999.

God bless you ED. You are right to focus full time with your family. Y2k is a lost cause. If Churches who are supposed to be God's people are covering their eyes an ears to the issue, we cant do anymore to help , They must endure the concequences of that selfish decision alone. In the Bible when God allowed distruction to come upon a people it was not without many warnings. Also in the Bible those who heeded the warnings were saved from distruction ie Joesph, lot, Noah and the numerous others given to us as examples. It was not by accident that God inspired man to write these examples down for us. If we don't take care of those who God entrusted us to care for than we would be worse than unbelivers. Take care of your immediate family and what ever you can do to lessen the impact of the hardship of your nieghbors will be. This is all you can do in the little time that remains. Help them spiritually to stay strong in the lord, that will go along way,to helping them deal with the years long recovery we will be facing as a nation after the meltdown. God,Hope,Love,Humanity and compassion are our greatest resources. I wish you strength in our lord for you and your family to make it through this time of tremendous Challenge that is just before us. Thanks for trying. I am also one of those who tried to get our Govt to respond to the Y2k challenge we are now facing by approaching Koskinen's office with the Vision Power project(a manhattan type project for y2k) last Feb98 only to get the brush off. What I did'nt realize then is that the Govt was already in the End game mode. Instead of tring to give our nation hope and a fighting chance they have chose to seek the best strategic gain they could get out of this comming crisis. To which I answer what does it profit them to get over on the whole world and lose their soul. The world is full of wonderful people, to allow them to get damaged on purpose for more strategic advantage will be to there folly. God bless you Ed and family I wish you well. y2k aware mike.

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike @ conservation . com), May 29, 1999.

Ed:

You and Gary North have been my guides in cutting through the enormous amount of confusing and often conflicting opinions concerning Y2k. You both have encouraged us to think for ourselves and many of us on this forum have tried to emulate your high standards.

It's probable that few, if any, of us can match your energy, experience and awesome analytical ability, and that's why we'll miss your commentary so much. But, as usual, your timing is dead on; we must use these remaining months to help those close to us. There's just too much left to do.

Best of luck and God's speed.

Roger Altman

-- Dr. Roger Altman (rogaltman@aol.com), May 29, 1999.

Mr Yourdon

Thank you on behalf of us Canadians! You have lots of followers that will continue helping to prepare folks for problems but there are to few leaders of the cause. You have done your 110%, time to do some gardening **VBG** I am sure Old Git would love to give you advice!

Best of luck to your family and yourself!

Brian Henderson

-- Brian (imager@home.com), May 29, 1999.

Ed,

"May you be in Heaven a half an hour 'fore the Devil knows you're dead!"

Godspeed to you and yours.

-- Hardliner (searcher@internet.com), May 29, 1999.

I just came in from the garden and checked in to find this news. I am saddened but fully understand Ed's decision. I will always be grateful for the knowledge that has come to me and am so glad that my priorities changed. Daily life has become so pleasurable since my idea of what is 'really important' has changed. Family...personal needs and the basics are what is important. Not one of us can save others who care not to listen and ponder the questions and situations we are presented with these days. Thanks again Ed for enlightning me and making me think abit. This old Gramma will miss you.....take care and best wishes.

-- Old Gramma (Gotitincalif@webtv.net), May 29, 1999.

Shades of "Atlas Shrugged."

Good luck, Ed, and thanks for sharing your wisdom. I do hope this forum keeps going...

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), May 29, 1999.

@ may be more right-on than even he suspects, not that risk limitation is Ed's motivation, but the "blame machine", which operates full-time on this forum as it is, will kick into even higher gear next year.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), May 29, 1999.

Many thanks Ed, to you and Jennifer, and may you and yours be well on through the other side.

Jerry

-- Jerry B (skeptic76@erols.com), May 29, 1999.

Thank you, Ed, for ALL of your valuable contributions on the subject of Y2K. I hate to think of not having your input from time to time on this forum but I understand your position entirely.

Best of luck to you and yours and God bless...

-- nowayjose (lurkinghere@ho.me), May 29, 1999.

Wow! I spend today at the factory thinking what links Gary North will post and what will be posted on Ed Yourdon's Y2K forum. I arrive home, boot up, log on and can't get connected to Gary's site. Bummer! Then I go to Ed's site and read the bad news. Double bummer!!

This is an historic day in cyberspace, and, IMO, ominous. Ed Yourdon has written more substantial words in one essay than all the pompous speeches and published proclamations of the government puppets combined! Certainly Ed Yourdon has thought extensively regarding his monumental decision and has planned accordingly. I wish the grasshoppers were as wise, but they are not on his level. It's as if his last speech before the government officials was his swan song, his last warning, the final call to change! Did his wisdom fall on deaf ears?

May God bless and protect Ed and his family during the coming Depression. And everyone reading these words.

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), May 29, 1999.

Ed, thank you SOOOO much for all you've done. Best wishes to you and your family! You will truly be missed!

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), May 29, 1999.

Think of ol' Taz this winter when you are at 12000 ft shushing through the powder snow. Spent a lot of time in your new neighborhood. Enjoy it now. And thank you and yours for all the help/time /concern you have given to so many. God Bless. Taz

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), May 29, 1999.

"Travel light in life; take only what you need: A loving family, good friends, simple pleasures, Someone to love - and someone to love you. Enough to wear, enough to eat And a little more than enough to drink For thirst is a dangerous thing." ---Irish Toast

Thank you, Ed. My best to you and yours.

Hallyx

-- Hallyx (Hallyx@aol.com), May 29, 1999.

Mahalo Ed and BEST WISHES to you and yours...Thanks much for your many past contributions and insightful observations...You'll be missed but long remembered and appreciated by countless thousands of us God Bless and much ALOHA...BB

-- Bob Bowman (bbowman@gte.net), May 29, 1999.

Ed, you've been our hero for quite a while now. Sung your praises on many a thread, turned many Y2K seekers to your Web site, books, this Forum. A huge THANK YOU for all you have done. You've saved lives.

The rude imbecile evil .gov House may be empty and void, but your readers/listeners hearts are full. Thankfulness, gratitude, best wishes.

And yes, we are pissed too ... the good guys always going silent, the incompetent nefarious-agenda-spiked bad mutants always gaining the upper hand. The correct and meek must persevere!

Rest and replenish and come back, Ed.

Ashton & Leska in Cascadia

xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), May 29, 1999.

Dear Ed: I will miss you. Your insight and willingness to take the high road has been an inspiration. I have studied Y2k since 1996 and helped guide my agency to be Y2k resistant. I read many links and have studied many boooks,etc on the topic. I agree with Dr. Roger Almans post both you and Gary have contributed so much. We get whiplash reading the web but maybe thats been OK causes us to come to our own conclusion. I have told many people to prepare with the usual mixed result. I have learned much from this forum. Thank you Ed&all.

-- Richard Weiner,PhD (aapm@aapainmanage.org), May 29, 1999.

Thank you, Ed.

You, more than any other one person, are responsible for my taking y2k seriously and striving to be prepared. If it comes down easier than we think, you have still done a public service for innumerable people. If it comes down harder, you have saved lives. Godspeed.

Scat

-- Scat (sgcatique@webtv.net), May 29, 1999.

Ed,

I went to your y2k seminar at Widener U. near Philly a long long time ago it seems. I remember the atmosphere after you got done talking to all those computer students. You could cut it with a knife. Your facts and your logic were unassailable. I still have my notes. It was important to me at the time to listen to a computer man about y2k.

It still is important to me to listen to a computer expert. You have every right to shut down and tune out but....those of us who are very concerned about y2k have leaned on you as a cool head and professionally credible. Isn't there some way to get your thoughts on upcoming pronouncements and announcements? Is it possible to put a charge on your forum, with a password, to cut out the noise, as a place for 'the concerned' to compare notes? May I suggest a preparation forum where we could share ideas.

I have been proud to suggest your site to all looking for information. You have kept many of us on course. I have spent more time on your site than any other. Thanks. What do I owe you? B

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), May 29, 1999.

Well Ed, I am nearly speachless.

Me and the Mrs owe you great deal, too much to ever repay, thank you so much.

Most especially for this forum, it has helped me to hang on to my sanity when I discovered a little computer problem that seemed completely insane in it's implications. This place has had it's ups and downs, but has always been the best place for hashing out "what ifs". I have had the opportunity of meeting some wonderful folks here, and even some less than wonderful folks, and I am much the wiser for it. I truly admire your restraint, I would likely have deleted more than you, mostly the ones who have insulted you and your motives.

Best wishes and good luck to you sir,

Unc

-- Uncle Deedah (unkeed@yahoo.com), May 29, 1999.

Ed,

I was there close to the beginning when you were writing Fallback (Timebomb 2000) and contributed a small input from your request. I even have a printed copy of Fallback from your site along with the finished product from the bookstore.

From all 19 of my family that got it early, thanks a million.

Joe Stout

-- Joe Stout (joewstout@iswt.com), May 29, 1999.

Whooa Ed,

This is truly a shock to the system - feels like a death in the family. Pretty sad to hear this news.

This is going to be a sad, shocking time for us all. The outlook is pretty bleak worldwide. We had all better start getting used to these feelings as it's gonna get worse before it gets better.

God speed Ed, Jennifer and family,

we're gonna miss ya,

hope to see y'all on the other side :)

Slainte!!!

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 29, 1999.

I listened to you here in Mobile, Alabama, not a few weeks ago. I sensed nothing from your words to indicate you would leave so soon. It is hard for me to understand why you are leaving, but what will it do to this forum? How shall we voice our concerns, and vent our fears? Why would you take such a leadership role...and then leave? Is there anything we can possibly do to help you see that the ones who delve into truth are few and far between. If support and gratitude are what you need...you have mine....but please reconsider your decision. As we get closer......we will need more knowledge....

-- rick shade (Rickoshade@aol.com), May 29, 1999.

Thanks Mr. Yourdon, for your books, your forum, your energy, your expertise, and your wisdom. My life, as well as that of my family's, has benefitted from your contribution to explaining and educating about y2k.

You have succeeded, where our entire government as failed, in bringing understanding to the problem so that we can take responsibility for ourselves and our families. God Bless You and Yours

-- Carol (jdufrene@laci.net), May 29, 1999.

More than just your family has been sharing your time for quite a while now. I understand your decision and wish you the best.

I have read what you have written and I get it. I don't like it, but I must make prudent preparations. Sometimes it has been responsibility in the face of ridicule. You, of all people, know that feeling.

A complex world, a simple good-bye. (maybe just au revoir)

-- Mike Lang (webflier@erols.com), May 29, 1999.

My note to Ed:

Somehow I suspected that this might be the next logical move, considering the "warm" reception you got on the Hill. Mrs. Driver err Rienzo and I understand what you are about, and wish you and yours all the good fortune, and, perhaps, a return to normal-citizen- hood that you so rightly and richly deserve. Thank you for standing on the field, banner held high, pointing to where the battlements would be built, and following those battlements to their top, the better to show the banner. We shall, in whatever way possible, man those battlements, and attempt to catch the banner before it dips to the ground. Be WELL, be SAFE, be CAREFUL, and, above all, as someone on a thread said to a departing regular: "ALWAYS, ALWAYS, have a Plan B" Chuck Rienzo, a Night Driver, and contributor to the Forum's Senate Testimony, an effort that rings particularly hollow, right about now PS somehow I think I just lost an invisible part of the family......Such is how most of us think of you. C

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), May 29, 1999.

Ed,

Thanks for all your efforts. Many of your articles have helped my family members 'Get It'. I wish you well...

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), May 29, 1999.

Godspeed my friend!

-- FLAME AWAY (BLehman202@aol.com), May 29, 1999.

Dear Ed,

Fare thee well.

Please remember that you are leaving us a thousand times stronger. In a way, by leaving, you are reminding us of the truth that y2k is our problem and it is up to each of us to handle it in our own way and help our brother in the process.

Tomcat

-- Tomcat (tomcat@cat.com), May 29, 1999.

Ed,

Thanks for all that you've done for all of us. Please take very very good care of yourself and your family through the rollover and beyond.

God Bless and Keep you all, Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), May 29, 1999.

I have the impression that this board will continue, so I'm only going to wish farewell to Ed for now.

MEGA kudos and dittos to you, Mr. Yourdon. Not only from me, but from my 75-yr old mother and 95-yr old grandmother whom I am now helping to prep.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), May 29, 1999.

Ed.

"The shouting and the tumult dies, The Captains and the Kings depart! Still stands that ancient sacrifice, A humble and contrite Heart..

Lord, God of Host, be with us yet, lest we forget, lest we forget." Sorry forgot author......

I thank you.... Charon.

-- Charon (Thatplace@downbelow.com), May 29, 1999.

The authoress was Taylor Caldwell, from The Captains and the Kings, one of the greatest books ever written imho. Rob

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), May 29, 1999.

Frankly, I was not surprised by this at all. From the long-time analysts I have spoken to about Y2k, burnout is prevalent among many. You have already seen it in the tone of de Jager, Yourdon, Porlier and to some extent, Jim Lord.

New new leaders are needed to carry us through to the flip side. Decide among yourselves to accept that challenge, whether it be on a grand scale by assisting in continuing this forum or by what you can do to ready those around you.

Accept no substitute but to overcome Y2k, no matter how long, no matter how severe. You owe it not only to your family and friends, but you owe it to all those who have given that final measure for this country and for which we recognize on this Memorial Day. Make it a point to do alll that you can so that the sacrifices of the generations before us were not for just our generation of prosperity.

Good luck and Godspeed. I will now return to my true identity and resume my role caring one of the Y2k torches.

-- Actually, Joe Does Know (JoeSeeky@aol.com), May 29, 1999.

Dear Ed & Family,

Thank you for all you have given of yourselves to try to help others. It is appreciated. I understand your need to step back now, breath a huge sigh of relief and enjoy the sunshine of each day. Let it go. You have provided so much information for us and went well beyond the "call of duty". May peace be with you and yours. See you on the other side.

Many smiles (and a few tears..), Kristi

-- Kristi (securx@Succeed.Net), May 29, 1999.

Ed --

Right now, a dozen others are typing their responses to you. New posts appear every time I "refresh" the thread.

I'll be saving this thread on my desktop for a long time. For continual reminder as the "Nantucket sleighride" (as in: "We've hooked a BIG one, Cap'n!") begins.

You always set a good example with the QUALITY of your thoughts and words. Now you're setting a good example with your actions. A coming silence that will speak volumes. REALISM, not rhetoric. Now we must get up from that comfortable seat around the pot-bellied stove at the General Store, say goodbye to good conversation, and push out into the cold night to finish our preps for real.

(You're a good tonic for my love of fine words, high concepts, and optimistic storylines -- gotta get that INVERTER for the genset, dammit!)

Though I'll never be another Hallyx, I think of quotes like "we happy few" and "their finest hour", but the one that really applies to you in this Year of Living (What? -- "Outrageously"? "Anonymously"?) is:

"A man is known by the company he keeps." You have set the tone and provided the seeds of thought, and thereby attracted the best quality of minds and intentions to be drawn together in a useful daily community interaction in this time of need.

Thanks for bringing us together. Your sacrifice has been great; your contribution is incalculable.

-- jor-el (jor-el@krypton.com), May 30, 1999.

Dear Ed,

Thank you for sounding the Y2K alarm bells. You have know idea how many, many people you have warned to move to higher ground.

THANK YOU, for the many lives youve helped! And, likely saved too.

May blessings crown your bowed head. We all weep for our combined loss.

Be well. Live long. We know youll prosper.

Youre a good person Ed, never regret that. We dont.

Much Love, Light & Luminescence,

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 30, 1999.

Thank you, Ed. I wish you and your family the best.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), May 30, 1999.

Thanks for all that you have done, you will be missed. cw

-- cw (cwiowa@uiowa.edu), May 30, 1999.

Mr. Yourdon,

Thank you for all of the effort that you have put into the sounding of the alarms regarding this "Digital Nightmare" that we face. I realize that you, and your family, have paid a steep price for your having done so.

Any recompense that you have received was well earned and due Sir. Your real reward lies in the untold number of the peoples who learned of the possibilities of this disaster through your writings and speeches on the subject.

All of the very best to you, and to all members of your family.

Let's hope that this thing won't be nearly as bad as I am afraid that it will be. Enjoy the time remaining before y2k does to us whatever it is going to do to us, one and all.

Hoping to hear from you on the other side of tomorrow.

S.O.B.

-- sweetolebob (buffgun@hotmail.com), May 30, 1999.

Dear Mr. Yourdon,

Thankyou. My best wishes for you and your family now and always.

Mike ====================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), May 30, 1999.

Dear Ed, there are no words to express our gratitude for the "call to arms" that you shouted from the hilltop! You read my soul and put into words, that which I have been feeling and unable to express, with your "departure speech". I couldn't agree with you more.....burnout has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. Nor does a fear of being blamed or facing litigation!!!! You would have been gone long before now, if that was the case. I read it, and I GET IT. I'm there too and in TOTAL agreement. It's time to stop pontificating. Whomever is clueless today....will be panicking tomarrow. Ed has chickens to feed, I have goats that need milking....the water has reached the deck below us. Put your specticles in your pockets, gentlemen. Ladies, please remove your high heels and begin to make your way towards the lifeboats in an orderly fashion (there's just nothing more "soothing" than a violin, is there?) Thank you Ed Yourdon...from the bottom of my heart. I'll be able to look my children in the eye because of your couragious warning and the sacrifices you AND your loved ones have made for me and mine. God Bless, YOU ARE A TRUE AMERICAN

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), May 30, 1999.

Ed -

Got to the forum late this morning only to find the sad news.

All the posters above have said all I could hope to say were I more articulate. Suffice it to say you will be missed.

Godspeed Ed Yourdon (you and yours), and a heartfelt thank you.

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), May 30, 1999.

Ditto to all of the above good wishes.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), May 30, 1999.

Mr. Yourdon Thank you for all you have done. Yours is a voice crying out in the wilderness, and some have heard. You and your family rest for now. I will never forget the impact you have had on me and my family. Thank you, and take care always. Juniper

-- Juniper (Silverfox@netutah.com), May 30, 1999.

Dear Mr. Yourdon:

You have been a voice of reason, a source of calm and charitable sensibility, and a guide through the maelstrom of opinions. Your articles always reflected both your logic and innate kindness.

There are no words to fully thank you for your efforts on our behalf.

You will be sorely missed. Please let us know how you are doing from time to time.

Anita Evangelista

-- Anita Evangelista (ale@townsqr.com), May 30, 1999.

Thanks, Ed, for everything you've poured into this.

-- De (dealton@concentric.net), May 30, 1999.

Arnie here.

Had it not been for the respect my college instructors had for your professional work, I would never had been exposed to your text books.

Had it not been for the respect I developed for your approaches to systems engineering and software development, I would never had read your book on Y2K. As I've stated here before, I purchased Timebomb 2000 'accidently' because I was facing the challenge of a Y2K project at my place of employment last year. I had already read a couple of Y2K project methodology books by June of last year and realized that there was simply not enough time to implement even an abbreviated version of the outlined methodology.

Then one day a saw a copy of Timebomb 2000 on the shelf and bought it without even reading the cover. I had assumed it was a book on Y2K project methodology. Surely, if a successful Y2K project could be implemented where I worked, then you would be able to point me in the right direction.

But as it turned out, Timebomb 2000 was not about Y2K project methodology.

Had I not read Timebomb 2000 though, I would never had been motivated to perform the hundreds of hours of additional research that it took to convince me the risk was very real.

I've continued to have great respect for your approach to this issue.

I agree that you have done all that was possible to raise the warning flags on this issue. I understand and support your decision to remove yourself from this debate at this time.

Regardless of where on the scale Y2K disruptions actually fall, Mrs. Rimmer and I will be forever grateful for the wakeup call you helped to provide.

Best wishes and a sincere thank you.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), May 30, 1999.

Ed,

Thank you for all of your efforts. Your work more than anyone elses has guided me between the two extreems. We all know it will be bad, but I have learned that with preperation and thoughtfullness I and my family can survive.

Thank you for your dedication, may you go in peace.

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), May 30, 1999.

Mr. Yourdon,

Just found out about your decision.

I won't waste space to repeat that which has already been said.

WELL DONE, and THANK YOU.

LP

-- LP (soldog@hotmail.com), May 30, 1999.

Ed - Thank you for helping me better understand what it means to take responsibility for myself and my family. And thanks for the forum family which helped me find the emotional strength to face our next life adventure.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), May 30, 1999.

Hi Ed,

Thanks for making the distances shorter and for some much need foresight.

Best Regards to you and yours.

BobB

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), May 30, 1999.

Ed,

Thank you for your personal investment in our lives. Many of us are indebted to you for many things namely, 1. An early warning of the coming storm 2. A rational voice in the midst of static 3. Providing leadership - This can not be overstated. Not many would see such a problem, be willing to stand up and take the heat, and provide a space for people to come to terms with the problem.

Thanks again and may God see through to the other side.

Mike

-- Mike (justmike11@yahoo.com), May 30, 1999.

Thank you and best wishes.

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), May 30, 1999.

Thank you for everything! I do have a request. It took me a day to find the bulletin board again. At first I thought it did not exist anymore, then it occurred to me to try the url of an old thread, and imagine my joy when it appeared on the screen. Then I began shortening the thread, and stumbled in the door. I know I am not the only one with this problem, because I got an e-mail from another regular who asked me if I l had any idea where the "regulars" might be meeting now. Would you please post a note on your site telling people how to to find the bulletin board? Blessings! Shivani Shivani

-- Shivani Arjuna (Dsmallwrtr@aol.com), May 30, 1999.

Dear Ed, Jennifer and family,

Thank you Ed and Jennifer. Thank you to your families for sharing you with us.

God has blessed you with many gifts and you have used them for "His" glory. You have done your best to be your brother's keeper.

I will miss your insights and answers. Everyone has said it all so well so I won't repeat it.

In Christ's Love,

-- Tess (preparingfortheworst@prayingforthebest.com), May 30, 1999.

Thanks a million, Ed. What a difference you have made. One request. It took me over 24 hrs. to figure out how to find this bulletin board again. I thought it was gone, too. And I know I'm not the only one, as I got e-mail asking me if I had any idea where the "regulars" might be meeting now. Would you please post a messsage in your site telling us less computer-savvy folks how to find the bulletin board? Thanks. Blessings! Shivani

-- Shivani Arjuna (Dsmallwrtr@aol.com), May 30, 1999.

Ed,

You have touched countless lives, more than you will ever know. I, too, had a feeling your meeting with the "powers that be" would not be encouraging. Please keep the bulletin board alive. That way, if you ever have an itch to find out what one of us has dug out of the WWW or which troll is on the hot seat today (some of those exchanges are priceless), you'll be able to check in. Your input is invaluable, and I know I speak for the group when I say we'd love to hear from you from time to time.

Jeannie

-- jhollander (hollander@ij.net), May 30, 1999.

Ed,

Thank You. God bless and keep you and yours.

Dian

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), May 31, 1999.

I hope you did not save lives. I fear you did.

-- Dave (aaa@aaa.com), May 31, 1999.

ed, thanks for helping me realize I'm not alone out there,neither are you.zoob

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), May 31, 1999.

Ed,

Had it not been for Gary North, link to this site, I would not of known how to prepare. Because of this site and its many links to prep sites, I became a get it. My hubby and children and I thank you and wish you and yours Godspeed. To ALL of you on this site, you are precious people and have helped us so much. Thanks for all you have done and for turning this "huh? what is y2k? girl into a get it."

-- consumer (private@aol.com), May 31, 1999.

Ave atque vale...

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), May 31, 1999.

Thanks!

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), May 31, 1999.

Ed,

Thanks for your invaluable contributions. Good Luck on the other side!

-- a (a@a.a), May 31, 1999.

Don't you people realize you've been had??? Ed Yourdon has bailed off the Y2K radar screen because if things don't get bad, he'll be long forgotten by the end of the year. Sheeple have short memories.

Why put all that work into something and then bail out. He's dumb like a fox and took all our money with him. I wonder who the sheeple REALLY are???

Been had big time.

-- Sucka (Beenhad@yourdonsite.com), May 31, 1999.

Ed,

The tears we all shed with your leaving will eventually flow together again as one. Thank you is such a small word to discribe the magnitude of your work to us. Without you and without this forum with all its loving concern participants, many of us would still be in the first stages of preparation. I for one understand your leaving, but the loss is great. God speed and may he hold you and your family in his bosom. To all who post on this forum, thank you. Please keep this post going, I for one need and depend on it.

PM

-- Pamela McDaniel (pamelam@eecradar.com), June 01, 1999.