Messages from Usenet group comp.lang.idl-pvwave, compiled by Paulo Penteado
Wow, the end of an era. I guess that leaves the rest of us up a certain creek with a squishy brown paddle ;) David, from me thanks for an amazing amount of help on this usenet group as well as maybe the best programming website (any language) I have ever used. Enjoy the change. Cheers, Brian ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------- Brian Larsen Boston University Center for Space Physics http://people.bu.edu/balarsen/Home/IDL
David Fanning wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. I have obviously passed through some sort of time-space nexus and entered an alternate universe on April 1. Now how to get back to my regularly scheduled programming, where the ground doesn't drop away from below one's feet.....?
On Aug 29, 12:30 pm, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. Wow. This sounds for real and not just one of David's dreams to become a tennis pro, or a college student, or a permanent world traveler. The reality is that we never see that 3rd edition. > are.) I have always believed this was THE best newsgroup > in the Usenet universe. The tone of a newsgroup is set by its most frequent posters and David deserves most of the credit for setting the tone of comp.lang.idl- pvwave. David doesn't tell us the reason for the decision but my guess is that is based mostly on a need for more income, but also in part on the direction of IDL development, and also partly on a desire to try something different. In any case, thanks David for the 15 years of instruction, wit, and decorum. --Wayne
> I have obviously passed through some sort of time-space nexus and > entered an alternate universe on April 1. That was my first thought too! I had to double-check to be sure that it is actually August and not April. Thank You David for all your help, on many topics. This group will not be the same without the occasional humorous ranting about computer crankiness. =) Ryan.
"David Fanning" <news@dfanning.com> wrote in message news:MPG.2321d1ffc9feed3c98a479@news.giganews.com... > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. Wow, huge news! Best of luck in the new endeavour, and thanks for all the help you have given over the years. Cheers, bob
David Fanning schrieb: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. > > I will still be doing a bit of IDL programming, but > my plan is to re-invent myself as a JAVA programmer, > eventually. :-) > > It will be nearly impossible, I am sure, to get out of > the habit of reading this newsgroup every 10 minutes or > so, but gradually, over time I plan to learn to do so > and to leave the answering to the young hotshots who can > actually understand the questions that are being asked > these days. > > I'll continue to maintain Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming > for as long as it supports itself. And I might even add an > article from time to time if I encounter something that > I know I better write down if I don't want to forget it. > But this will no longer be the focus of my professional life. > > It has been a wonderful 15 years here. It has been my > joy and privilege to participate with and learn from so > many knowledgeable people. (I won't name names, because it > would just never end, but I hope all of you know who you > are.) I have always believed this was THE best newsgroup > in the Usenet universe. Your capacity to share your knowledge > and good humor is unsurpassed. In 15 years, I'll bet I > can count the number of flames in this newsgroup on one > hand. And most of those were written by me in one of my > cranky moods when the dog wasn't easily available to kick. > > Thank you for all the wonderful times. You were my joy and > passion for a long, long time. I will never forget you or > how much I always looked forward to waking up and checking > this newsgroup as the first official act of every morning. > > Vaya con Dios, > > David > > P.S. Let's just say Coyote is paying 10 to 1 on any bet that > says this new job will last longer than two weeks. :-( > That's a shame, David. I hope this great newsgroup can hold together without the glue. Good luck! Mort
Your contribution was highly appreciated! Thanks for all those useful posts that saved me LOTS of time!!! All the best for your projects! Jean
AHHHH!!! NOOOOO!!! I feel my productivity levels dropping already. How can this be? I bought your book. Do I need to buy more copies? I'll teach an undergraduate course and make it required reading. "Mr. Winter, What does this IDL book have to do with astronomy 101?" "Everything, my dear. Everything." I'm going to have to figure things out for myself now. <In my best Blair Witch Project voice.> I am so scared... Thanks so much for all of the help over the years. I've learned a ton. Please don't take down the website until I can download it and replace your name with mine. :) Best of luck, -Trae Ooh! Maybe I'll learn Java now! On Aug 29, 12:30 pm, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. > > I will still be doing a bit of IDL programming, but > my plan is to re-invent myself as a JAVA programmer, > eventually. :-) > > It will be nearly impossible, I am sure, to get out of > the habit of reading this newsgroup every 10 minutes or > so, but gradually, over time I plan to learn to do so > and to leave the answering to the young hotshots who can > actually understand the questions that are being asked > these days. > > I'll continue to maintain Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming > for as long as it supports itself. And I might even add an > article from time to time if I encounter something that > I know I better write down if I don't want to forget it. > But this will no longer be the focus of my professional life. > > It has been a wonderful 15 years here. It has been my > joy and privilege to participate with and learn from so > many knowledgeable people. (I won't name names, because it > would just never end, but I hope all of you know who you > are.) I have always believed this was THE best newsgroup > in the Usenet universe. Your capacity to share your knowledge > and good humor is unsurpassed. In 15 years, I'll bet I > can count the number of flames in this newsgroup on one > hand. And most of those were written by me in one of my > cranky moods when the dog wasn't easily available to kick. > > Thank you for all the wonderful times. You were my joy and > passion for a long, long time. I will never forget you or > how much I always looked forward to waking up and checking > this newsgroup as the first official act of every morning. > > Vaya con Dios, > > David > > P.S. Let's just say Coyote is paying 10 to 1 on any bet that > says this new job will last longer than two weeks. :-( > > -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming:http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thui. ("Perhaps thou speakest truth.")
Well, when I am training people in IDL, I tell them that IDL programming is a very useful skill and they can always have a brilliant career in IDL consulting, citing David as an example. Now what should I tell them? Cheers, Paolo David Fanning wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. > > I will still be doing a bit of IDL programming, but > my plan is to re-invent myself as a JAVA programmer, > eventually. :-) > > It will be nearly impossible, I am sure, to get out of > the habit of reading this newsgroup every 10 minutes or > so, but gradually, over time I plan to learn to do so > and to leave the answering to the young hotshots who can > actually understand the questions that are being asked > these days. > > I'll continue to maintain Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming > for as long as it supports itself. And I might even add an > article from time to time if I encounter something that > I know I better write down if I don't want to forget it. > But this will no longer be the focus of my professional life. > > It has been a wonderful 15 years here. It has been my > joy and privilege to participate with and learn from so > many knowledgeable people. (I won't name names, because it > would just never end, but I hope all of you know who you > are.) I have always believed this was THE best newsgroup > in the Usenet universe. Your capacity to share your knowledge > and good humor is unsurpassed. In 15 years, I'll bet I > can count the number of flames in this newsgroup on one > hand. And most of those were written by me in one of my > cranky moods when the dog wasn't easily available to kick. > > Thank you for all the wonderful times. You were my joy and > passion for a long, long time. I will never forget you or > how much I always looked forward to waking up and checking > this newsgroup as the first official act of every morning. > > Vaya con Dios, > > David > > P.S. Let's just say Coyote is paying 10 to 1 on any bet that > says this new job will last longer than two weeks. :-( > > -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thui. ("Perhaps thou speakest truth.")
On Aug 29, 12:30 pm, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. > > I will still be doing a bit of IDL programming, but > my plan is to re-invent myself as a JAVA programmer, > eventually. :-) > > It will be nearly impossible, I am sure, to get out of > the habit of reading this newsgroup every 10 minutes or > so, but gradually, over time I plan to learn to do so > and to leave the answering to the young hotshots who can > actually understand the questions that are being asked > these days. > > I'll continue to maintain Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming > for as long as it supports itself. And I might even add an > article from time to time if I encounter something that > I know I better write down if I don't want to forget it. > But this will no longer be the focus of my professional life. > > It has been a wonderful 15 years here. It has been my > joy and privilege to participate with and learn from so > many knowledgeable people. (I won't name names, because it > would just never end, but I hope all of you know who you > are.) I have always believed this was THE best newsgroup > in the Usenet universe. Your capacity to share your knowledge > and good humor is unsurpassed. In 15 years, I'll bet I > can count the number of flames in this newsgroup on one > hand. And most of those were written by me in one of my > cranky moods when the dog wasn't easily available to kick. > > Thank you for all the wonderful times. You were my joy and > passion for a long, long time. I will never forget you or > how much I always looked forward to waking up and checking > this newsgroup as the first official act of every morning. > > Vaya con Dios, > > David > > P.S. Let's just say Coyote is paying 10 to 1 on any bet that > says this new job will last longer than two weeks. :-( > > -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming:http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thui. ("Perhaps thou speakest truth.") Thanks for all of the advice and help over the years. Lurking on the newsgroup and frequenting your website has taught me most of what I know about IDL. Best of luck in your new pursuits. Regards, Josiah
On Aug 29, 12:30 pm, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. > > I will still be doing a bit of IDL programming, but > my plan is to re-invent myself as a JAVA programmer, > eventually. :-) > > It will be nearly impossible, I am sure, to get out of > the habit of reading this newsgroup every 10 minutes or > so, but gradually, over time I plan to learn to do so > and to leave the answering to the young hotshots who can > actually understand the questions that are being asked > these days. > > I'll continue to maintain Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming > for as long as it supports itself. And I might even add an > article from time to time if I encounter something that > I know I better write down if I don't want to forget it. > But this will no longer be the focus of my professional life. > > It has been a wonderful 15 years here. It has been my > joy and privilege to participate with and learn from so > many knowledgeable people. (I won't name names, because it > would just never end, but I hope all of you know who you > are.) I have always believed this was THE best newsgroup > in the Usenet universe. Your capacity to share your knowledge > and good humor is unsurpassed. In 15 years, I'll bet I > can count the number of flames in this newsgroup on one > hand. And most of those were written by me in one of my > cranky moods when the dog wasn't easily available to kick. > > Thank you for all the wonderful times. You were my joy and > passion for a long, long time. I will never forget you or > how much I always looked forward to waking up and checking > this newsgroup as the first official act of every morning. > > Vaya con Dios, > > David > > P.S. Let's just say Coyote is paying 10 to 1 on any bet that > says this new job will last longer than two weeks. :-( > > -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming:http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thui. ("Perhaps thou speakest truth.") Wow! Does your wife know about this? Like all of the other posters, here I want you to know how much I appreciate and admire you and all you have done for me and others. I am quite sure that IDL is a viable language because of your efforts. Out of curiosity, I checked your profile ala google and discovered that you made 2062 posts over the last 23 months... now let's see... IDL> nposts = 2062 ;posts in the last 23 months IDL> rate = n/float(23) ; posts per month IDL> duration = 15 * 12.0 ; months of activity over 15 years IDL> print, rate * duration ; number of posts over 15 years 16137.4 IDL> print, rate 89.6522 What the heck? Nearly 90 posts a month over the last 23 months! If you sustained that over 15 years that's about 16000 posts filled with wit, goodwill and wisdom. Thanks and best wishes! Ben
Paul van Delst wrote: > David Fanning wrote: >> Folks, >> >> I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day >> on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a full-time job >> elsewhere. > > I have obviously passed through some sort of time-space nexus and > entered an alternate universe on April 1. > > Now how to get back to my regularly scheduled programming, where the > ground doesn't drop away from below one's feet.....? I stayed back later here in the hope that we would get the "ha ha, just kidding!" post. It doesn't look like it's coming. Crikey. Well, David, I'm terribly saddened[*]. Still, if you tackle your future endeavours with the same verve as you did this one, you're gonna have a ball. May your serve forever leave its scorch mark at the edge of your opponents service line. cheers, paulv [*] I had a bit of a "what the hell am I doing with my life" moment this morning, so forgive my being overly soppy at your impending departure.
ARGH! Good luck David! You've definitely helped me out over the years, and I wish you well in your next incarnation as moderator of comp.lang.java :) --j
On Aug 29, 12:30 pm, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. > Whoah! Say it ain't so! Many thanks for your very valuable assistance in IDL programming over the years. You made the classes fun, a programming book both readable and enjoyable(!), a library of routines that is incredibly useful, and ensured that this NG was always full of mirth and merriment ;o) Best wishes, Rob Dimeo "Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play." -Heraclitus
On Aug 30, 1:30 am, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. > > I will still be doing a bit of IDL programming, but > my plan is to re-invent myself as a JAVA programmer, > eventually. :-) > > It will be nearly impossible, I am sure, to get out of > the habit of reading this newsgroup every 10 minutes or > so, but gradually, over time I plan to learn to do so > and to leave the answering to the young hotshots who can > actually understand the questions that are being asked > these days. > > I'll continue to maintain Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming > for as long as it supports itself. And I might even add an > article from time to time if I encounter something that > I know I better write down if I don't want to forget it. > But this will no longer be the focus of my professional life. > > It has been a wonderful 15 years here. It has been my > joy and privilege to participate with and learn from so > many knowledgeable people. (I won't name names, because it > would just never end, but I hope all of you know who you > are.) I have always believed this was THE best newsgroup > in the Usenet universe. Your capacity to share your knowledge > and good humor is unsurpassed. In 15 years, I'll bet I > can count the number of flames in this newsgroup on one > hand. And most of those were written by me in one of my > cranky moods when the dog wasn't easily available to kick. > > Thank you for all the wonderful times. You were my joy and > passion for a long, long time. I will never forget you or > how much I always looked forward to waking up and checking > this newsgroup as the first official act of every morning. > > Vaya con Dios, > > David > > P.S. Let's just say Coyote is paying 10 to 1 on any bet that > says this new job will last longer than two weeks. :-( > > -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming:http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thui. ("Perhaps thou speakest truth.") David! After two courses, and endless emails later, you leave me alone to fend off the Matlabites? Thanks be to you from many people at DSTO whom you've helped since the early '90's. Andrew
David Fanning wrote: ... > It will be nearly impossible, I am sure, to get out of > the habit of reading this newsgroup every 10 minutes or > so, but gradually, over time I plan to learn to do so > and to leave the answering to the young hotshots who can > actually understand the questions that are being asked > these days. > > I'll continue to maintain Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming > for as long as it supports itself. And I might even add an > article from time to time if I encounter something that > I know I better write down if I don't want to forget it. > But this will no longer be the focus of my professional life. Does IITVS have any plans to take IDL off the market? Without you to explain to everyone how to use it, how will they convince anybody to buy it?
David Fanning <news@dfanning.com> writes: > Folks, > > I just wanted to let you know that today is my last day > on the job as an IDL consultant. Next week I start a > full-time job elsewhere. Wow David, that's a huge change! Good luck on your new job, we'll miss you around here. Craig -- ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------- Craig B. Markwardt, Ph.D. EMAIL: craigmnet@REMOVEcow.physics.wisc.edu Astrophysics, IDL, Finance, Derivatives | Remove "net" for better response ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------
David, I'd like you to know that my phd got finished b/c of your help on this newsgroup (as well as all the rest of the folks on here), and with your incredible webpage. I hope that when you stop and think back on your IDL consulting career, you say to yourself "I did a helluva job!" b/c you most certainly did. Best of luck to you! Jeff
thanks for your help don't forget us :)
Hello David, Its been a pleasure getting to know you through this newsgroup and your webpage. Your humorous and everyday life posts here in the group had pulled me out of many of the endless tunnels i go into.. Your webpage and book has taught me what i know about IDL... We are going to miss you.. Best Wishes!! Vino