For me it has been this whole SF experience. You younger geeks might laugh now but I was never in to forums, boards and social media. Did not understand the point. For instance, my two years old Facebook account's status has been updated 5 times in the last six months. I have 40 FB friends, more than 30 of them my family members.
I'm a 51 year old retired IT worker with almost 30 years of experience but Seven Forums was only the second forum I joined (not counting those I had to check because of the work, like TechNet and so on), after searching help to a minor issue with Windows 7 Beta in June 2009. The first one I found didn't please me, can not tell why, and my membership lasted a week and three posts. Found SF and stayed here instead.
I've made some good friends here, meeting some in real life, too, planning to attend wedding of one of best friends I have ever had, although we have until now only "seen" each other here. I couldn't have imagined how close and warm these virtual friends could become to me. I was especially moved, crying aloud, when I noticed the warm welcome back messages after coming back after my longer absence after some serious health problems, and how you dear virtual friends had even a thread to get updates about my healing process.
The year 2010 was for me the year I really established myself on SF. At least I feel so. I have never been too modest, so I have no problems to admit I enjoy the feeling to be able to help other geeks in issues where I was asking help only a year and a half ago. I have had some good laughs when reading my old threads; July 2009 I was asking help because I did not know how to connect XP Mode to internet, now my XP Mode, Virtual PC and VirtualBox tutorials have altogether tens of thousands of page visits. I feel happy and proud.
You geeks give so much for me I do not know how to express my gratitude. Although still in the process of healing and recovering, I must say I am a happy man. I live the life I've always wanted, with your virtual friends all over the globe here and people to love near me in real life, with the most beautiful, intelligent, sensual and sexy woman as my wife. Add to that computers in every room and no need to work ever again. What else could a geek wish to achieve?
For me, home is not a place. It is a state of mind. My home is here, far away from my native home country, with Angie sharing the real life with me and you dear fellow geeks showing me the wonders of virtual friendship.
Always sincere, never modest,
Kari
P.S. Life is good. Mac OSX sux!
