Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] ECS notice Michael David Sun, 5 Dec 1999 22:26:56 -0500

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Hi Mark, et al!

Well - this will teach me to go on vacation!  Get tied up with the Mouse for
a few days, (Mickey - that is), and all hell breaks loose `round here!

Seriously Mark, I have very mixed emotions about your announcement:

In my life, ECS has the distinction of being the one piece of software I
have run longer than any other, by far.  As you probably remember, I picked
up ECS when it was called Dynasty, back from Barclay Brown, back in 90-91, I
think.  Of course, he did nothing to support the product, and I thought I
was out in the cold, all on my own, until I found you and this list (back
when it was on Genie) in 92.  Since then, it has been a great ride!   We ECS
users have enjoyed excellent support directly from you, the actual
developer, whom we are all fortunate enough to know on a first-name basis.
And, along the way, you have solicited feedback and requests from us, and
allowed us to help shape the product.  I've said it before, and I'll say it
here again:  This is the real advantage of dealing with an independent
business, rather than a conglomerate like Microsoft, who could care less
about our opinions. But I digress (what else is new?)  Back to ECS.....

In our home, ECS has been such an integral part of our lives for so many
years, that we have become totally, absolutely dependent on it.  My wife,
who admittedly is more than tolerant of all of the technology in our lives,
can't imagine how we ever got along without ECS running our world.

These vacations, without ECS, are always interesting.    As usual, for our
first few days in the hotel, we have to go thorough our ECS withdrawals.
During these "ECS-DT's", we spend a lot of time standing in doorways waiting
for the lights to automatically come on, or missing calls waiting for the
caller to be announced before picking the call.  And, don't even ask about
or favorite shows.  We have missed everything since being here.  Of course,
I do get a little fix each time I pcAnywhere into to the ECS server to check
on things.  Yes, I admit it; I'm addicted to ECS!   It has gotten so bad
that even out there in the real world, I often find myself thinking in
event-line logic.  Yes - I know it's sad.  So very sad.....

But, I do think there is some really great news on your announcement.  The
HAL2000 product is really very interesting; I even purchased it once. Didn't
keep it, because it lacked the same thing all the automation wanna-be's
lack: a great event engine.  I don't know how any software can be considered
home automation software without a real event engine, and yet, none of them
have one that can stack up anywhere near that of ECS.  Of course, this is
exactly why the HAL folks hired you - which is a brilliant move for them.
Me thinks our buddy Rick Tinker must have had a lot to do with it.  He's a
pretty smart guy, who always saw the importance of your event engine.
(Rick, if you're out there: very well played!)  Combining HAL2000 with ECS'
event engine will be a product that will be unbeatable!  And, I'm sure I'll
switch to it, when it's ready.  It's bound to be one kickin' piece of
software!

So Mark, Congrats!  As I said before; mixed emotions.  Yet, I am excited
about this opportunity for you, and for what it potentially means for us ECS
users as well.  I just hope you won't forget us all.  :)

Finally, let me offer a heartfelt thanks for several years of support,
troubleshooting, customization, and banter.  It's been a blast!


Cheers!

Michael David
michael@michaeldavid.com





-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Gilmore [mailto:omnip@usit.net]
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 1999 8:30 AM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: [ECS] ECS notice

Hello all,
Sorry to have kept this secret :-), but sales of ECS have
been now been discontinued*, as I will soon begin employment
with Shriver Communications (owner of Home-Automated Living -
developer of the HAL2000).

Rest assured that I will continue to support ECS thru the year
2000, and will release corrections (bug fixes) indefinitely.
You will be notified of all updates directly (versus ECS-list).
NOTE: The new location for these updates is specified in a
message I sent directly to all registered users.

4.2.007 will be released within a few days (once we
finish testing our integration of the NAPCO GEMINI).

I would suggest that Richard Yee limit new ECS-List subscriptions
to registered users (approved thru me), so as to avoid numerous
questions from others interested in obtaining the software.

I hope I didn't leave anything out :-).
Your suggestions are welcome.

NOTE: If you have been using the demo, ECS is still available
from WWW.SMARTHOME.COM (I think they still have 20 or so copies).

Regards,
--
Mark Gilmore
Omnipotence (ECS home automation software)
http://www.usit.com/omnip
423-745-0026

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