01-30-2007, 03:00 AM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Sad News - Jean Ichbiah of FITALY Fame Passes Away
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Ichbiah
It is very rare we have to report something of such a sad nature. The Wikipedia is showing that Jean David Ichbiah, a founder of Textware Solutions which makes FITALY, has passed away. He suffered complications from a brain tumor and a fall, and died on January 26, 2007.
I don't know much about his family and who he left behind, but I hope you'll keep them in your thoughts and prayers. I corresponded with him many times over the past few years. I was privileged enough to beta test a number of the FITALY releases and he was always a gentleman and a dedicated programmer, taking pride in his work. It is a sad loss for the PDA community, especially those that fell in love with the quirky looking keyboard he created that allows those of us that took the time to learn it sustain a 40 word-per-minute tapping rate with a stylus. He will be missed.
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 03:16 AM
|
|
Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
|
|
I also had the opportunity to chat with Jean many times over the past couple of years. His friendly attitude and dedication to his work and his peers was unparalleled.
Rest in peace, Jean. You will be missed.
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 03:18 AM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
|
|
I once had a problem and he personally helped me solve it.
Damn that's just insane... :cry:
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 03:32 AM
|
|
Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
|
|
8O :cry:
You know, I think I spoke with him over the phone once. I can't remember why, either, but he seemed like a nice guy, and extremely competent.
RIP, Jean. 
--janak
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 04:44 AM
|
|
5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,616
|
|
I own two copies of Fitaly (Windows Mobile and Tablet PC) and I won both of them in contests. He was a generous person.
__________________
iPhone 4! ☠☠☠ Mid-2010 15" MacBook Pro! ☠☠☠ Gateway LT2102h! ☠☠☠ Dell XPS M1210!
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 05:03 AM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 38
|
|
My prayers are with him, his family and friends. It is a shame to lose such a talent. I never knew him but enjoyed his work both on my PPC and Tablet. From what is written he sounds like a great guy; I am sure he will be missed.
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 05:13 AM
|
|
Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
|
|
Very sad indeed - I did not know him personally, but I could tell that he took pride in his software and to me that says a lot about the man.
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 05:29 AM
|
|
Neophyte
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 8
|
|
I have a neurological challenge called motor dysgraphia that causes writing with pen and paper to be slow, unnatural, difficult, and painful. My original purpose and my remaining primary purpose for my PPC was for writing notes to myself and for use as a notebook for work and life. I discovered Jean's FITALY soon after buying my Compaq iPAQ 3600 and have been relying on Jean's FITALY every day ever since and not just for keying entries into a PDA. Jean's FITALY allows me to write and work like a normal person, only much more efficiently.
Along the way my colleagues (who can write with a pen) have been intrigued by my use of PPC/FITALY and converted. On occassion Jean himself lent support for their technical issues, and over the telephone too. He was a creator, a support person, and a decent human being. For me, his work makes much of my life more possible.
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 12:43 PM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 414
|
|
Jean
Bright, hardworking, generous, professional, loved.
Missed.
|
| |
|
|
|
01-30-2007, 10:37 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 172
|
|
Thank you for posting, Ed. I did not know this until I saw your post.
He was a true genius.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
