From: "David Wilson" <davidwwilson@attbi.com> Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 12:29:20 -0500 A goodbye note. Given my job search success over the past 7 months, it would be irresponsible for me to continue to market myself as a techie. A job search these days is tantamount to a sales job without commission, and apparently I have a pretty poor product to sell. I seriously doubt it. I just think that the market is glutted with similar products at the moment, and that will change. I know you only from your posts to math-fun, but I would hire you in a minute. Unfortunately, the company I work for isn't hiring. Saying you have a poor product to sell is saying you're not a good techie, and I just don't believe this. Looking for a job and not finding one can be self-esteem-destroying, and that's bad. I'm sure you're a smart guy, and would be a great catch for whatever company hires you. I hope the economy improves. If I am going to be a salesman, then dammit, I'm going to choose my own market and reap my own benefits. Therefore, I have decided to start my own business (my first foray into the business world will be selling gift baskets. No opinions on my probability of success will be tolerated. I will allow you to wish me good luck if you feel so inclined). I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors. I admire the courage it takes to start a completely new career. When the economy improves, I expect you will be in the enviable position of having the choice of jobs in two different fields as a result. I am also dropping mathematics as a hobby. My contribution is small, my time limited, my tools inadequate, and my interest waning. I'm sad that we won't see your posts on math-fun any more. I've enjoyed them. You'll be missed. Andy Latto andy.latto@pobox.com