Thursday, April 24, 2008

Welcome!

I have several things in the works, and perhaps you might be interested in one or more of them. I cordially invite you to sign up and see what develops!

If you'd like to contact me privately, feel free to do so at: fred@langaonline.com

Very Best Regards,

Fred

43 comments:

  1. Fred,
    I was a long time suscriber and completely recognize the desire for a reboot. I'm 57, sold my consulting business in 2000, helped a friend with his business until 2006, moved to Florida and worked on new projects at a local hospital until Jan of this year.

    As with any good homeowner, there are always 100's of projects to do around the house, and since I recently had bariatric gastric bypass I've lost 102 lbs and have the energy to do them.

    Hope your endevours are as pleasant as my have been. 30+ years of traveling the country and working on cool projects, and now kicked backed and working on cool projects at the house.

    BTW, I've a American Classic Shadow 1100 and live outside of Daytona Beach. Also a replica 1967 Shelby AC Cobra for sunday afternoon getaways. (Now if I could just afford to put gas in it). So if you're ever in the area give a shout.

    Hope you find something as rewarding as the last 30.

    Bill Parks
    wrparks@gmail.com

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  2. Hey Fred :)

    I've been reading your stuff since print. I found you again at the LangaList, and followed you to Windows Secrets.
    Pretty sure I'll keep up with your writings here too...:)

    I'd say good luck, but you don't need it. So instead I just read, k?

    Cheers, and thanks for all the words.

    Andre

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  3. Hi Fred
    I'll definitely be watching your progress, and probably commenting too :-), as we've come to a similar decision. After a life in IT since school, I'm leaving it to make paint! What's more, I'm leaving my homeland (UK) and moving nearer yours (SC, USA) to do it. The IT business just isn't what it used to be. Where did we leave the fun and wonder of it all behind?
    I've been a motorcyclist (on and off) since I left school too. and have been on two wheels only for the last few years, having lost the fun in four wheels for the most part. If you find yourself in SC any time, I'd love to shake your hand, ride for a while, and buy you a beer. Thanks for your words of wisdom, and the touch of humanity in all your writing.
    I'll miss your writing at WS, as will all the other readers. And I'll still be reading the newsletter for it's fine content and good advice. But there'll be a Fred shaped hole in it somehow.
    All the best for the future.
    Bob E.

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  4. Hi Fred,

    Happy retirement from tech writing!

    I too have followed your writings since the old 'print' days; found you years later on LangaList, and was pleased when one of my other Newsletters WindowsSecrets.com was going to gain one Fred Langa to it's great list of writers.

    I will certainly be watching how things go with the reboot. ;-)

    Good luck in all you do Fred!

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  5. So long and thanks for all the fish, Fred.

    I've been using PC's for about the same period as you and totally understand where you are coming from. I will miss you though. You are the about the only computer columnist I bother to read these days and I have really appreciated your words of wisdom over the years.

    Best of luck with whatever comes next.

    David Woodberry

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  6. Fred, good luck. I've always enjoyed your practical common-sense advice.

    [Reboot! Reboot! Reboot, damnit!]

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  7. Fred, It's been a great ride, thank you for the wonderful times,good luck and keep in touch.

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  8. All the best with the second half of your life! First found out about you from the Internet Tourbus many years ago. Thanks for all the help over those years...

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  9. Good luck and God Bless! I'm a long time reader and I'm looking forward to my turn to start over, can't wait to see what you're up to!

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  10. Fred,
    Congrats on ur retirement. I have followed ur writings for many many years and, just wanted to wish you well in the yrs to come. When I see you on the Hi ways here in NH.Wave~!
    Enjoy old buddy~

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  11. Fred, I have been a long time fan and a fellow New Englander and I can truly say I will miss your writing but understand the need to do so. Going on 28 years in data center and systems management I can appreciate the need to step back and relax and I wish you all the best.
    Looking forward to seeing more from you.
    Fred

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  12. You enjoy the freedom Fred.

    You were my teacher for a long time (many years), even though you weren't aware of it and I thank you for helping me along the path to geeekdom.

    I went off line for a few years and found it refreshing. *My* next move is to find a way to get Internet access 50km into the Rainforest of Far North QLD (Australia). That way I can live the lifestyle I want and still stay in touch with the civilized world without having to be 'in' it.

    Once again, thank you Fred.
    Brad (Gryphonn) Griffin

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  13. rlsmoyermd said...

    Been a Langalist subscriber since first hearing about the service--when you did your "bike tour" I was envious--I'm a retired MD who still rides his Harleys (1200 Custom and RoadKing) at age 68--A person with your active mind will not be "free" for long--one's retirement schedule usually becomes full very quickly, albeit with activities that are more fun--luck you need not--BUT-- a firm committment to not return to the rat race is a prime requisite to apprehend the joys that retirement offers

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  14. Hi Fred,

    I enjoyed reading your Articles over the years, even though much of the material was "over my head"


    I am a retired Mech. Eng (MImechE.C Eng) and got into PC's late in life.

    I wish you success in all your endeavours.

    Gordon Sanders

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  15. Fred;

    Thanks for a great ride and good luck!

    Bernie
    Litchfield NH

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  16. Thanks for all the useful info over the years Fred.

    I once had cause to celebrate being briefly mentioned in your LangaList.

    You'll be missed in a journalistic/informative sense, but we sure as hell wish you all the very best, and we're keen to hear what you get up to in the future, so keep on top of the Blog as best you can.

    Enjoy the next ride mate.

    Patrick Rice

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  17. Ditto on what most of the others said, Fred. I truly appreciate all you've done for me over the years -- most of it without knowing it.

    I'll stick around. Keep posting.

    Bill Webb

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  18. Been reading your stuff since my first computer. Never any bad advice. I'll be riding along with you in the future.

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  19. Fred,
    Happy next adventure & thank you for letting us ride with you on this one.I wish you all the happiness life can bring.
    Sincerely, Jim Collins

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  20. Hi Fred,
    I have to say I was very disappointed to read of your retirement from Windows Secrets. However, if it makes you happy then I’m happy for you. I’ve been an avid paid reader for more years than I care to remember; long before your merger. Being retired myself for 10 years now and loving every minute of it I wish you the best of luck in the future. The only problem is… now that you and all my friends are retiring who will keep those Social Security checks coming in ☺

    Thanks to you I have never had a virus or any other nefarious security “bug” in my computer. I have followed your advice and use the free programs you have reviewed and recommended. I also followed your recommendations to keep my computer humming along as well as my friends and neighbors. My home network consists of 9 computers (much to my wife’s chagrin) that I use for various reasons such as a computerized golf driving range, video editing, media center, etc.

    There is one area I have to disagree with you and that is the Apple computer. I don’t take issue with your comments about their advertising but the machine itself is really a wonderful product. We just switched about 6 months ago to the Apple computer and absolutely love it. I just can’t tweak it like I can Windows. I guess I’ll just be an Apple snob and a windows geek all at the same time.

    After reading and enjoying your column for so many years I think of you as a friend. I will miss seeing your name and reading your columns just as I would miss any of my friend’s that moved away. So enjoy your “reboot” my friend and the good thing about Ctrl-Alt-Del is that the system does come back up.

    John Pinter

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  21. Best wishes as you take a different direction.

    I really enjoyed your ride report over on ADVRIDER. I'll look for you more over there.

    I've also been a computer user for about the same time period and wrote the first magazine column on the use of spreadsheets in the now defunct magazine, Basic Computing. There are definately times where I'd like to pull the plug on the computer and go for a long ride on my '03 Wing or '03 BMW F650.

    Tim

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  22. Wow! I just read the big news over at Windows Secrets this morning.

    Man, I am curious to know which way you're headed ... I will definitely be subscribing to this blog. :-)

    Congratulations on having the courage to make the jump, Fred, but I can imagine that there were days when you wondered if you were doing the right thing, eh? Also, I am sorry to hear about your marriage challenges when I read your ADVrider.com post. I really hope that things work out for you both.

    Anyway, in spite of whatever challenges cross your path, I offer you my best wishes for this new phase in your life!

    Cheers from Montreal (Canada) and a long-time LangaList Plus reader and contributor!

    - Greg Rajewski

    P.S. Who knows, maybe your experiences may end up in a future edition of "What Should I Do With My Life?" -- if the author's taking new contributions, of course! ;-)

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  23. Just another long time reader / subscriber who will miss one my favorite tech guru's.

    You helped guide me through the tech jungle since the "early" days and I have appreciated every tip along the way.

    Better late than never, I sincerly thank you.

    I wish you all the best in your transition to new adventures in life.

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  24. Fred, I just wanted to add my best wishes to you, a guy who I have been reading for many years. I was disappointed when I first read that you were retiring. But then I thought,"how selfish of me"
    You deserve the rest and I often wish I had the courage to just turn and go in another direction just to see whats there.
    Thanks for all the good advice. I will be following your adventures as long as you see fit to share then.
    Al King

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  25. Fred'
    While I am a relative newbie to computing, I have really enjoyed your columns and appreciated your practical, easy to read answers to questions. As a fellow biker(o6 Boulevard C90T), I wish you smooth roads, warm days and awesome friendships.
    Remember, always aim between the ditches!

    Rick

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  26. Fred,

    God Bless you on your new adventure! I have done the same thing several times in this lifetime, sometimes by choice, and sometimes my life just seemed to change itself.

    But through the pain and difficulties, the changes always proved to be wonderful. There is so much to be learned and so much to be enjoyed.

    I miss LangaList. Your writing was/is a great mix of personal and professional. I think all of us faithful readers will look forward to hearing about your latest interest and adventures.

    Good Luck...Sahadev

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  27. Best of luck to you Fred. I've been reading your articles for the better part of 10 years, so thought I'd finally say Thanks.

    I can't wait to see what comes next. I hope you'll keep us posted.

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  28. Ditto. Fred, you always humanized your newsletter and columns.

    You also always assured that your readers would learn something, no matter what level of geekdom s/he possessed.

    Thanks.

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  29. Hi Fred - have really enjoyed your columns over the year and as a motorcyclist myself really enjoyed reading about your trip. All the best for the "re-boot'. Craig B Young - Auckland NZ

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  30. Fred,
    I've been reading your articles since you were in print (a young kid at that time) and now I'm a software engineer. You've always had a knack for making sense out of all the junk in the IT world.

    My best to you and many thanks for the years you've given me.

    Jack~n~Diego

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  31. Go Fred!

    Live long and perspire! I wish you the best in your future endeavours. Like so many posters here, I too have benefitted from your advice, for more years than I care to admit, I always gained something from your newsletters. Your counsel has been a blessing over the years. I hope the marriage thing works out (I just read the trip blog today). Good luck and good fortune.

    Best.

    Pete

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  32. Hi Fred,

    All the Best! I will miss your advice that I have relied on for all these years.

    Alan

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  33. Fred,

    As well as having readers, it's apparent that you have dozens (if not hundreds or thousands) of friends who you've not met yet. Along with a whole bunch of people you've mentored without knowing it.

    I'm one of them.

    I've been reading your work for many years and have always found it clear, concise and understandable. But most important: Your personality SHONE through those words. Like so many here, I'm sad we've lost you from WS, but by golly I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.

    Thanks for everything "mate", good luck and best wishes from down here...

    Steven Spink
    Wagga Wagga
    Australia

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  34. I've been reading you since the print days too. Your voice will be missed. A lot. I'm *very* curious what you'll be up to next though. ;-D Be well, and find joy! We love ya, you know.

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  35. Hi Fred,

    When I lived in Uzbekistan for 10 years and became the de facto Computer Geek for the other expats, your letters gave me all kinds of ideas and tech support so I could support others!

    I also miss the LangaList. But knew this day would come.

    Thanks for all the Great Info and help. God bless you in your next season of life! --Greg G

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  36. It has been said that all good things must come to an end. This may be true on some level, but for every ending there is a new beginning.

    For more than half your thirty year writing career you have been a significant influence in my computing life, first in print, then through your Langa List, and finally at Windows Secrets. Across that period, I transitioned from using the DOS operating system, through various versions of Windows to my current OS of choice (for nearly a decade), Mandriva Linux. Even after I stopped using Windows, I continued to find useful information from your writings. You have helped to shape me into the tolerant 'power user' I have become (even in the Linux world), and for that I remain eternally grateful. Please know that even though your contribution to the world of computing will be missed, it will not be forgotten.

    Thank you for all the help, and all the great memories,

    Ernie,

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  37. I'll miss you terribly. Have a great time at whatever you do and drop in at the Windows Secrets once in a while to keep the kiddies from biting each other, OK?

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  38. Hi Fred..
    I have been a reader for some years now, and admired your way of presenting technical issues with a human view. As I live in not-so-developed country, Argentina, I alaway loved your frase "we who have computers...etc" I am a very fortunate person, for I had the possibility of a high education, and always lived fromn what I loved to do. And now, as you are doing, having 61, I long for leaving this road and take another..you can see this road at www.misaves.com.ar
    I hope for you a very good coming times.
    Eduardo A. Jordan

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  39. I have found a much missed friend.
    Phil (Wales)

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  40. Home at last where I belong. Thanks Fred. Thought I had lost you after you joined Windows Secrets. They lost me though.
    Regards
    Phil

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  41. Phil, when you said "... Thought I had lost you after you joined Windows Secrets. They lost me though ..." I had to agree with you.

    I see no value in the Windows Secrets newsletter and unsubscribed after giving it one year. Frankly, the LangaList was head and shoulders above anything out there; I miss it dearly.

    - Greg

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  42. Yeah, I'm with you Greg. The Langa List was a lot more "personable"
    AL

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  43. I also agree with the sentiments above as I found I valued your insights and personality more than the computer facts which WS continues to provide. I look forward to more of your writing about life. Would love to say hi the next time you pass through the Canadian Rockies.
    Cheers, LarryN

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