Response To Bob Evans' Nov. 15 ColumnResponse To Bob Evans' Nov. 15 Column

Bob Evans received some very nice responses to his Nov. 15 column, Business Technology: A Thanksgiving Kiss To Our Reader-Partners. Here they are, followed by his replies to the writers. ******************************************

Thanks For The Work

Loved your column. And a big thank you for your collective work. I never miss it.
No kisses though--it's a Man thing.

Regards,
Charlie Robinson
IBM Global Services, Delivery Project Executive

Charlie--thanks for your very kind words. Of the many things for which I am so thankful, here are two of my favorites: having a job that lets me interact with and get to know the extraordinary people like you in the business technology field, and working with the phenomenal people of information. As my dad liked to say, "This is much more than I deserve."

As for the kiss thing, well, remember the words from tough-guy Humphrey Bogart's theme song: "A kiss is but a kiss..." but I preferred it when, in The Maltese Falcon, wiseacre Peter Lorre complains when Bogey knocks him around a bit, and Humphrey responds by giving Lorre the back and front of his hand a few times and then grabs him by the lapels and says, "From now on, when I slap you, you'll take it and you'll LIKE it!" Let's add that one to the Man thing list....

Well Done

Hey, you're probably busy, but just wanted to say thanks, that was a nicely written piece. Keep up the good work.

And ... Thanks!

Carlin Comm
Owner, BlueStar Productions
Wenatchee, WA 98801

Thanks for the kind words! And speaking of being busy, I would imagine that owning your own tech business keeps you pretty lively, so I'm grateful for your time, and hope things are going well at BlueStar.

Wake-Up Call

Thanks for the wonderful column. All too often we fail to keep our priorities straight. Countless late nights, missed dinners, and, most regrettably, precious moments in our kids' growing up. Too soon they are older, too late we are smarter. It is then that all too many of us realize what we missed.

Again, thanks for the wake-up call.

Russ Sherrill
Senior VP, Middlesex Savings Bank

Thanks for the very gracious letter. I love your line about "too soon they are older, too late we are smarter"--when I was about 25 (and boy that was a looong time ago!), I was talking to my mom about something or other and she put her hand on mine and said, "As you get older, you'll find that we grow too soon old, and too late smart." So when I look at my 14- and almost-16-year-old daughters and wonder "How is it POSSIBLE that my precious little girls are in high school?" I will think of your words about keeping our priorities straight. Thanks for the advice and for taking the time to share it with information!

Remember What's Important

Thank you for reminding us what's important and keep up the good work. information will continue to be the one IT pub I make sure I read every week to keep abreast of what's transpiring in a rapidly changing industry.

Happy holidays to you and yours,

Tom Smith
Raleigh, N.C.

Thanks for your kind letter--we're honored that you put us at the top of your reading list, and we promise to do our best to uphold that trust you've placed in us. Best wishes from all of us at information to you and your family for a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Keep Family Close

I appreciated your Nov. 15 editorial "A Thanksgiving Kiss...," particularly your high regard for family and recognition of that "priceless, peerless, patient, and sainted-soul" spouse. My youngest daughter is now 17, but she is still sweet, and I plan to give her a special kiss tonight.

BTW, when I get information, I turn to the back page first.

Your reader-partner,
Norm Fadelle

Thanks for the gracious letter! My daughters are 14 and almost-16, and I'm delighted to say that, like your 17-year-old, they're both still sweet, too.

Our professional lives are terrific and are filled with unforgettable challenges, achievements, fulfillment, and people. But without our families at the center of our worlds, work is really nothing more than passing time. Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts with information, and happy Thanksgiving to your and your family!

A Bright Spot

I just wanted to thank you, too, for your columns. They are enjoyable moments in hectic weeks; and, every now and then, I learn something, too.

Have yourself a nice Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

If you are ever in Texas or northeastern Mexico, please stop by an HEB or Central Market and buy some things from us. My own wife and daughter will appreciate it.

Your fan,
Gavin Nichols
Information Solutions, HEB Grocery Company, L.P.
San Antonio, Texas

Thanks for the kind letter. While over the years I've had the privilege to receive many thousands of letters from information readers, I have *never* been invited to shop at one of their grocery stores! While I rarely get to west Texas or northeastern New Mexico, I now have more of an incentive to do so, and I'm grateful to you for that.

May you and your wife and daughter have a wonderful and peaceful thanksgiving holiday, and thanks again for being part of the informationfamily.

Good Work

Thank you! I certainly related to and enjoyed the column.

You're very welcome--and thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with information.

All the best to you and yours for the Thanksgiving holiday!