The Wizards of Technology

Hi Bill,
You don't know me, although maybe now you do, but you are a friend of mine. Even now, as I write this I am holding back tears. Not the wailing in dispair kind of tears, but the kind that sneak up on you as you remember things that used to make you laugh but now are gone.

When I read the news that you had 'left the building' I was shocked. I was shocked as much, I think by the sudden news as the surprising pain that I felt. The only way I have ever known you was through the WOT podcast. I did not really read the website much, I live in Australia so we never hung out, I never chatted with you online and we never exchanged so much as an email.

This speaks to two things:

1) The power and connection of listening to someones voice. It is unlike any other medium, since while i have my headphones on the person that I am listening to is with me and it provides the potential for communication at a more emotional level than words on a page, or even images on a screen. Add to this the time shifting power of podcasting and I could carry my friend with me where ever I went.

2) The other thing was Bill himself. If it wasn't for his fun loving charm, geeky humor and a way of talking that made him sound like he was always smiling then the fact that i could hear his voice would count for nothing. Thankfully he had all of this and more. He was always excited by what he was talking about. He was a professional amateur or an amateur professional (not sure which or how they are different). I always looked forward to the times that the WOT show would appear on the pod.

Out of respect, hope and my own private tribute to you Bill, I have resisted the urge to unsubscribe from the show.

I miss you and thank the other wizards for the respect that they have paid you since you left us.

Still subscribed...

--nick coster
www.nickcoster.com