This is an unabridged, unedited version of the Epilogue of my book, The Java Handbook. My editors fought with three problems, libel, slander and page count. We were out of space, and they were also worried a few of my associates from the last 12 years might want to sue them for things I’ve recalled about them. Well, I kinda see their point… but then everything I say in here is merely my opinion, and this web publication in no way should reflect the views of Osborne/McGraw-Hill, nor any of their personnel. And if I’ve insulted anyone in this page to the point that they feel like calling a lawyer, I’ll snip them out of it as soon as they contact me. (I should also say that the contents of this page have nothing to do with Starwave Corporation while I’m here). ’nuff said.

I’ve debated with myself for several years about whether or not to write this down. After so much time has passed, the facts are confused, 20/20 hindsight creeps in, and selective memory plays a role in how fairly I can portray the events. Many reporters have asked me my version of these past few years, several have come close to capturing the essence of it all. But still, I feel the need to one last time, take a walk through the past to help you all understand how we came to be where we are today. To requote George Santayana from chapter 2, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

A Java tell-all! Read the rest in this piece.

Update: This tale get’s very twisted and sad. Suffice to say that Bill made the point to tell me that IMDB was my friend to in an earlier post. Now Russ shows me how Google is my friend too. I’ve removed his name from my link because I don’t want Google to index me on it. That’s how messed up it is. Interesting though that I can’t find anything out there new past early 2001. More on this at JavaLobby.