I first met Richard in either late 2003 or early 2004. He found me on the web when looking for a developer to collaborate on the development of ‘Modes XML’ to succeed Modes for Windows. I trundled up to Burgess Hill to discuss the project having boned up on XML enough, as it transpired, to bluff my way through the interview – I’m sure he saw through me but as you would expect, was too polite to let on. Little did I know the part XML would come to play in my life or that I’d be working with the celebrated author of ‘Presenting XML’ (available from all good bookshops yet strangely still awaiting its first review on Amazon).
We discussed the requirement and got started on what was estimated to be a 100 man-day project – was that a 100 each or in total? It makes no difference, suffice to say it took a wee bit longer than that. Here we are now, a mere seventeen years later getting stuck into Modes V2. I find it hard to believe Richard will actually retire all that much and hope he’ll continue to guide and support this next 100 days development as he did the last. Those users who found Modes XML a little confusing will be pleased to know we’ve recruited an actual Dutchman to help with clarity 😉
Cheers
Dave