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Shortly after getting involved in the, "Lycoris Lifestyle," as I put it, I signed an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) with Lycoris. This not only meant that I'd be able to contribute more actively, but I'd be a little better informed as to new products, new innovations, and I'd get advance notice of, 'what's to come.' Knowing the direction a company plans to take and having a hand (even a small one) in helping to cultivate something new is always rewarding. Just knowing that your efforts will bring about something good is always satisfying.

In January 2004, I attened LinuxWorld in NYC. The folks at Lycoris had extended an invitation to come to NYC so we could all meet. Since I lived in the Boston area, NYC wasn't out of the question. When I talked to my wife about going to the event, she asked, "Who are these people?" Then I reminded her of the chat room. After chuckling, she gave me her blessing and a kitchen-pass!

A few weeks later, with my kitchen-pass in hand, I boarded the train from Boston to New York City. It was at LinuxWorld where I met Joseph Cheek, Lycoris President and CTO, and Rus Bayne, VP of Sales. After the face-to-face introductions we started talking Linux. The next thing I knew, Joseph and Rus tossed me a brand new shirt. It was tailored, button-down, my size, and had a very nice weave and an embroidered Lycoris Logo on the left breast. They told me I should change, as if I was going to be there, I should look the part. Stunned, I went off to change. When I returned, Joseph and Rus were busy answering questions and doing demos. Then I jumped in and started answering questions, demoing products and having the time of my life. Very late that night, I was on the train back to Boston. It was the best 20-hour day I'd had since becoming a father.

While at LinuxWorld, Joseph Cheek showed me his Sharp Zaurus SL-5500. Installed on it was a pre-Alpha of Desktop/LX Pocket PC Edition. He told me to play with it and let him know what I thought. All I kept thinking was, "Don't pinch me. If this is a dream, I'm sleeping in......." Later, I did have to wake up as Joseph returned. But even in it's 'alpha' stage, the Pocket PC Edition of Desktop/LX was feature-filled and impressive enough to literally drool over (I really needed a bib). Sorry, I can't provide any details; I'll leave that for the Lycoris Staff.

Over the course of my first year with Lycoris and it's products, I've enjoyed and even contributed a little to some of the changes in the company and it's products. We've all seen the following updates & new products:

Desktop/LX Update 3,
Solitaire Ace (new),
ProductivityPak Update 1,
Updates to the Iris Software Gallery (enhanced),
Iris Software Gallery on CD (new),
13 FontPaks (all new),
Book; Lycoris Desktop/LX: The Authorized User Guide (new),
Bitstream Relationship (new),
Wallpaper-A-Day.com Relationship (new),
CodeWeavers Relationship (new),
And more... with more to come, I'm sure.

As I'm putting these thoughts down, many Desktop/LX users are eagerly awaiting the much anticipated debut of Desktop/LX 1.4 (previously known as Update 4). This will be the most ambitious release from Lycoris to date. Filled with new features, enhanced capabilities, improvements, and more.

What will the NEXT year be like?

I'll let you all know how it went in July 2005.

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