Hi Alexander,

> Paul, why you are here? :) Is'nt .nl domain the Netherlands? Being
> so close to Fulda, have not visa obstacles and don't go there?

Yes, I'm in Amsterdam, NL. Very close to Germany. I considered going,
and would have liked to be there, but it would mean:
- 2 days away from my children
- around $ 1000 total cost

I can survive both, but only if there's a _very_ good reason. Now I
think it would be have been nice to see some of the people that I
"see" here in the groups. Also, some of the sessions would no doubt
have been interesting to me, and perhaps the most important: I know
how stimulating it can be to meet people who are "into" the same thing
as you, especially if you don't know such people IRL.

But it's not really _necessary_ in terms of learning new things,
because if I need to learn something about Firebird, all the
information is out there on the net.

So... despite all the advantages, and despite a feeling of excitement
and anticipation, I decided not to go. Guess I won't be able to tell
my grandchildren that I was at the Very First Firebird Conference Ever
- but maybe I'll be at the last, just before Microsoft buys us all :-)

> Or you use line from hotel? If so, please move web camera to bar,
> empty chairs are not very interesting spectacle ;))

I don't know. It gives me a deep sense of Peace and tranquillity :-)


Greetings.
Paul Vinkenoog