Farewell, and Thank You For Everything!

[Jason Dunn]

<p><img height="402" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/wpt/auto/1350106341.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" width="600" /></p><p><strong><em>"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss</em></strong></p><p>Twelve years ago today, when I made my <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/200101240801/http:/www.pocketpcthoughts.com/2000_10_08_archives.html" target="_blank">very first post on Pocket PC Thoughts</a>, I couldn't possibly predict the journey I was taking the first step on. What an amazing, fulfilling, character-defining dozen years it's been! I'm so deeply indebted to all the people along this journey I've befriended, talked with in our forums, and yes, even gotten into rip-roaring arguments with. It all brought me here. So where is "here" exactly?</p><p>Back in September of 2011, I shared that I had <a href="http://windowsphonethoughts.com/news/show/117574/i-m-selling-these-web-sites-moving-to-the-usa-and-i-got-a-job-working-for-htc-any-questions.html" target="_blank">taken a job with HTC</a>, was moving from Canada to the USA, and was selling the Thoughts Media Network. Over the past year, I've had a truly amazing time working at HTC. It's a wonderful job - it's really amazing the things you learn/realize working on "the other side" of the blogger/OEM equation - but it's also all-consuming. My multiple attempts to sell this network all failed, partially due to my lack of time to really follow through. I won't bore you with the details, but let me give some advice to any business owners: when someone offers you a nice chunk of money for your business, and you're ready to sell, don't drag your feet on the paperwork - you never know when that offer will vanish! Oh, and sell when your revenue and momentum are at their peak; don't hold on too long. Evidently these are lessons I needed to learn the hard way. Lessons to teach my son I guess. :-)</p><p>So where are things at now? This won't come as a surprise to anyone who has watched what has happened to most of the sites in our network over the past year: <em><strong>all six sites across the Thoughts Media Network will go into a permanent state of hibernation effective tonight. This is the final post you'll see on all of them</strong></em>. I care deeply about all of the amazing content the Thoughts Media Team collectively created over the past dozen years, so my plans are to keep the sites online for as long as possible. One week from now, I'll shut down the forums so no new posts can be made. Right now only comments can be posted if you already have an account that has posted in the past - we've had to lock things down in that way to prevent spamming. If you have a message to share with me but don't have a forum account, <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/about.php" target="_blank">please send it to me directly</a>.</p><p>I'd be remiss if I didn't give one final thank you to the amazing team of people I had the honour of working with over the past twelve years. I don't want to list names, because I'll doubtless forget someone. Suffice it to say though that I've been humbled and blessed by the generosity and effort people put into this community. From the words you've read, the videos you've watched, the spam-free forums you've read through, to the designs of the pages and the code and server loading them when you visit - none of that could have been done without the gifted volunteers who collectively helped me create everything that these sites were. I'm deeply indebted to literally hundreds of people who walked with me on this awesome journey over the past decade. THANK YOU!</p><p>Also, a big thank you to the community itself. All you who came back here, day after day to read and watch our news and reviews, rants and raves. Thank you for your comments, your clicks, your shares, your views. None of this would be possible without you. Remember too the part you play in the success of any Web site: you matter, so support the sites you love so they can keep doing what you want to see.</p><p>And so, this is the end. If you'd like to keep in touch with me, please reach out on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/jasondunn" target="_blank">@jasondunn</a>) or check in on <a href="http://www.jasondunn.com" target="_blank">my personal blog</a> now and then. What an amazing journey this has been...thank you!</p>

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

It's been a great run, Jason. I remember being introduced to PocketPC Thoughts from a friend of mine, who was then in the PDA retail business. Ah, those were the days.

I'm glad to have been able to play a small part here. Thank you again, for everything. Good luck in all your future endeavours!

[timmy]

Even though I have seen this coming as you wrote Jason, it's sad..

I have been a registered member since 2006 but was lurking around a while before that :)

I have really appreciated the articles and discussions on the site but I guess nothing lasts forever. So thank you Jason, and the whole community here!

And Jason, continued good luck at HTC! I am actually eyeing a One X, seems like a wonderful device!

/Timmy

[Jerry Raia]

Thanks Jason! It was fun :)

[Inventor]

Thanks Jason for the work you have done.

Your site has been a real IQ booster over the years.

When you see a new post on Your Twitter account in your feeds from Jason you know for sure its not SPAM. That's why people like you/sites.


Holey Cow! - A spell check textbox in the reply button, Gotta get one of those ;)

[txa1265]

Definitely have appreciated dealings through Usenet and then through your sites ... hope to catch you on HTC Elevate!

[Steven Cedrone]

After 10 years of watching the Thoughts network, it saddens me to see this day. But I have to say what a great experience it has been! From Jason, to the Team, to every one of the members: It has been a pleasure and an honor!

Good luck to everyone - We sure had some great times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have to go and get rid of yet another squirrel!!!!!! :)

[Michael Knutson]

In my short time as a contributing editor I've had a blast: meeting you all, even if only virtually; learning about (and opining about) new technology; exchanging viewpoints; and in short, being a part of a special community. So it's a bittersweet moment, a bit sad to see it end, but happy that you're thriving in your passion. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this, and please keep in touch (@msknutson) as well! Cheers!

[ptyork]

I figured this was probably coming eventually, but it is still a sad day. The Thoughts Empire was a meaningful part of my online / gadget life over the past 10 years or so. ...shudder--yes ten years at least... Its biggest asset was perhaps also its biggest liability...that being a relatively small but passionate community. Thanks to everyone here for your insights and assistance throughout the years. It's been fun!

[amesskyway]

Good Luck and Au Revoir!

[Chris Gohlke]

It is amazing to reflect back over the technology changes that we've seen since these sites started. I first stumbled across these sites when I got my black and white hp pocket PC with the sled on the back that I could plug in a big old 4 MB CF memory card or even a CF modem. Wow how times have changed!

It was a pleasure and an honor writing here over the years. Jason, best of luck to you at HTC and to your family in your new lives here in the states. Beyond the sites, I'll treasure the friendships I've continues with so many of you since my tenure here. If anyone is interested in my current writing, I've just currently started a consumer information/customer service oriented page over on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BetterChrisnessBureau

[Philip Colmer]

Jason, it has been an honour and a pleasure to be part of the Thoughts Media community. Thank you for setting it up!

To the review team, thank you for all of your hard work. It has been a brilliant experience.

All the best to everyone.

Regards

Philip
Review Team Coordinator

[T_Scheen]

As in real life, one will miss something (someone) as soon as it's (he/she) not present anymore.
From Windows CE to Android - Thanks a lot !!

[jacklf]

Jason (& crew): Thanks for all the great informative, insightful and fun reading over the years. Good luck with the new adventures ahead of you!

[marlof]

Thanks, Jason, for the fun we had, even back in Greymatter days. :-)

[sundown]

I had a feeling something like this was going to happen but it makes me sad. I guess my occasional ad clicks alone weren't paying the bills. I've been here for 6+ years now. There are very few sites I've followed and communities I've participated in that long. But I have also learned in life that sometimes you have to make the call to allow room for newer/better things. Thanks for all the great info over the years on all the Thoughts sites and best wishes with your new ventures.

Happy trails!

Bill

[The Yaz]

Jason,

I am grateful for the support you and the tech community gave through your sites. Over the 12 years, your site affected me both personally and professionally.

In 2002 I was working for a music theatre company and we were having issues with a lack of funding to give the production crew laptops to use autocad blueprints to design and build the sets. With the guidance of this site I proposed the theatre purchase Compaq Ipaqs with the CF sleeves.

For the cost of one laptop, I was able to purchase three Compaqs and install Pocket Cad. The Production team learned to successfully use them; even making notes on the files and emailing the changes to the rest of the team! At the end of the production season the Executive Director acknowledged my plan helped the Threatre break even which probably saved them from closing the doors.

But personally, I will always remember:
*Jason and his periodic rants about posting etiquette. Runner up was his evolution of superhero avatars!

*April Fool's Day posts, and the griping that sometimes followed

*The great contests (I was an active contest participant; I won one of Jason's spare 500GB hard drives-still working! , the Scott-e-Vest Hat, a Zune original Birthday Cards set, and a Zune Thoughts blue light clip)

*The year the sites offered the membership program (I guess the lifetime license fine print was "good for forever unless I get a better paying gig"). I'm not complaining- it was definitely worth it. I got back half of the membership on a Sena coupon and the three free games I downloaded :)

Still your sites were always part of my daily routine. I've got you on my Twitter feed so I'll keep an eye out for your comments going forward.

So there's only one thing left to say:

So long and thanks for all the fish :D:D:D

@stevenyago

[Ilium Software]

Hi Jason,

No surprise that you're moving on - many of us from the early Microsoft Mobile days have. We've seen amazing changes: handheld to palmsize to pocket PCs, PDAs to smartphones, Microsoft to Palm to RIM to Apple and Google. Styli to fingers; keyboards to screens, every size imaginable. Many websites, software companies and people have come and gone. It was frequently a lot of fun, sometimes painful, but nearly always interesting.

Best of luck, wherever you end up. And thanks for everything.

Ellen

[rombo]

- Best wishes Jason & many thanks for providing users with the Windows Phone & Zune sites.
- Got my first HTC device last week. Picked up a used Verizon Imagio (Whitestone), and hope to replace TransFlo3D shortly with SPB Mobile Shell ;-)

Best regards,

Rombo
Toronto, Canada

[Sven Johannsen]

This is really a shame, but not entirely unexpected. Too bad you couldn't have found a buyer as there is still a place for Thoughts Media. It surely involves a great deal of effort and dedication, so I get why it would be a difficult thing for someone to commit to.

Glad you are enjoying your new job. Exciting times for HTC. I remember when their name wasn't on the devices they produced, as I'm sure you do.

We'll connect in other venues.

[Craig Horlacher]

I think I started reading PocketPCThoughts back around 2000 or 2001. I didn't create an account but this was a site I hit on a regular if not daily basis. I liked the news that was posted and the discussions in the forums. I think I finally created an account when the membership program was started up. I wanted to be involved and do something to help the site grow. I got a nifty LED key-chain flashlight and lots of PocketPC related discounts. It was before I was married or had kids so I took advantage of those discounts and bought a ton of great PocketPC software!

I'm thankful I had the opportunity to give back a little as a contributing editor to AndroidThoughts. Thank you for that opportunity Jon. You were always great to work with!

Jason, thanks for all your work over the years. As I said, I was benefiting from Thoughts Media long before I created an account. To me, Thoughts Media represented quality, community, and good information. God Bless you in the rest of your endeavors. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your new job at HTC and the move to the US went well. I think you shut down Thoughts Media with a lot of class even though it wasn't in the way you would have liked and that says a lot:)

Craig

[Paragon]

A lot of water has passed under this bridge. Over the years I have posted on, read, and been involved with many sites... Jason, I can honestly say the one thing about this site that has always impressed me is its integrity. It was a very large and active community in its day. It was a force in the Microsoft mobility community. There have been a lot of very helpful members and contributors here. You should be proud........THANK YOU ALL!!

Dave

[David Tucker]

Thanks for the fun ride, Jason and everyone. I remember back in the Pocket PC vs Palm days when this and PDA Buzz were the two sites I read religiously. It was a fun privilege to be able to contribute years later to Zune Thoughts (Poor Zune...such amazing, unloved hardware).

It was a blast...it will be missed.

[bcre8v2]

We have all grown up and learned from each other. What a great experience from the PPC days through today.
All the best to everyone!

-Steve

[freitasm]

Thanks for all the fish!

[Jorj Bauer]

Jason, it's been an honor to help keep this thing running for all this time. Congrats on where life's taken you, and best of luck with everything in the future!

[bmurphy]

I'm so sorry to see you go! I learned my way around my first ppc with the help of pocketpcthoughts back in 2001 and now android thoughts once I'd migrated to tablets. I always got help and answers to my problems and this was my first place to go for reviews and problem solving.
I think your sites will be sorely missed! I know that I will miss having my favorite site available to me.

HTC are lucky to have you! Best wishes for you and family in your new job.
Thanks for all the wonderful support your sites provided.

[Chris Gohlke]

I believe I was the first post when this site (DHT, then DMT) went live, figured I'd see if I can be the last. :(

[dh]

Wow, Jason - it has been ages since I was here.

I learned so much from the original Pocket PC Thoughts - one of the best sites ever.

Sorry to hear that the sites are not continuing, but with other ways of sharing information, the format is not as attractive as it once was.

Good that you are doing well with HTC, although I see that as a company that has some tough decisions to make as to the way forward.

Remember when the original iPhone was released? We laughed at the lack of features - WTF, it couldn't copy and paste anything and couldn't run any apps! Amazing what a company with some vision could do over the last few years compared with MS doing the same old thing. Windows 8 looks interesting though!

Take care, Mate - hope to see you around in some of the online locations.

Thanks for some good times!

PS - great to see some of the old names in this thread!

[psyjohn]

Thank you Jason and all the other editors and contributors. I started reading this site daily back when I got my HP Jornada. I learned a lot from the news and forums here, and it started me on my journey as a tech junkie. I miss the lively forum discussions on here but, things change in the tech world. Great job to all who had a hand in running this site.

[asims]

comes to my heart whenever I see this on the front page. I know life goes on and I'm glad for you, Jason. But this site and community has been a part of my life for quite a while. When I first came to this site, I thought I had struck a goldmine of information for all things PocketPC! And I had. Thanks for the years of information you delivered to so many people. And may you have a fantastic life traveling down the new path you are now on!