Back at Lotusphere 2002 there was no such thing as OpenNTF or at that time “NotesOSS” for that matter. I remember having dinner with Nathan Freeman (need I say my evil twin) who originally conceived the idea for a an open source community at Wolfgang Pucks where we sat around with some other folks and talked about what kind of impact having an open source community for Lotus Notes and Domino could have on the community.
As time went on people including Anil Vartak, Vince, Dovid Gross, Davy Vanherbergen, Michael Bourak, Mike Lazar, Nathan and many others developed the site infrastructure that you see today. The thing that site was missing were projects. With the arrival of Notes 6.0 in October 2002 came the OpenNTF Mail template developed by a team of a dozen developers from around the world helped put OpenNTF on the radar screens of many Notes and Domino developers. This template offered reply/forward indicators, follow-up, modified UI and much more. Much of the momentum for OpenNTF at this point came from the blogosphere, the press and from appearances by myself at user group meetings around the US.
Recently I reviewed some of the presentations that I gave at the Portland User Group and the Southwest Notes User Group and let me say that within the scope of five years the community helped create one of the single most recognizable sites related to Notes and Domino outside of Notes.net/LDD.
Other projects started appearing on OpenNTF through the years in addition to contributions to the Code Bin and Application Catalog. These projects were not simple Notes applications. Take a look at DomBulletin, DominoWiki, !!Help!!, Blogsphere and the rest of them. They are highly configurable, ready-to-use solutions for Notes and Domino.
Many thanks to John Head and the PSC group for providing OpenNTF with superior hosting services over the years. John was there from day one offering to help OpenNTF in anyway he could. Prominic also needs to be thanked for hosting the current OpenNTF site.
So to make a long story short let’s just that say that OpenNTF is all grown up now and that this ombudsman is ready to take on new challenges within the Notes and Domino world. The Taking Notes podcast that I publish with Julian Robichaux continues to rapidly grow and mature. There are many other areas within the community where I feel I can contribute. Let me say it here and say it loud - I have no intentions of leaving the Notes and Domino Community. I continue to remain passionate about the Lotus product line and see it’s future continue to grow and remaining strong.
Vince what can I say – you have been just as passionate about OpenNTF as I have through the years and there is no better person to pass the baton on to. I am confident that you will be able to take OpenNTF to the next level and that you will also have the support of the community. To those of you who want to get involved with OpenNTF and help the community please contact Vince as I know he is looking to get more people involved.
Lastly I want to thank my wife Gayle for supporting me and my efforts through the years. I couldn’t have done it without her.
So stay tuned for some more announcements regarding a new project I am working on.
Comment posted by Carl Tyler05/29/2007 09:30:28 AM
Homepage: http://www.iminstant.com
About time too, good ridance. Just kidding, Bruce your efforts have been outstanding. I know I personally have always thought IBM should have thanked OpenNTF more publicly with hardware and licensing assistance and making noise abotu your efforts more officially, but with that said, what you and your openNTF colleagues have done with the resources you had available are a testament to how smart you all are.
I'm sure you won't be missed as we can never get away from you, but I'm sure people will always think of OpenNTF and think of you for a very very long time to come! 
Comment posted by Stuart McIntyre05/29/2007 09:39:36 AM
Homepage: http://quickrblog.com
Bruce, in your role at OpenNTF you have helped make a very visible differentiator between the Notes/Domino community and those that advocate most of the other solutions out there today. As Carl has already said, IBM should be hugely grateful to you for the work that you have contributed, some might say that in the dark days of the Workplace dabacle, it was only community efforts such as OpenNTF that saw us through.
Thank you so much for all you have done - the standing ovation at ILUG was absolutely due, and I for one look forward to many more TN podcasts, and to Vince and the team continuing your great work. Thanks, Stuart
Comment posted by Chris Blatnick05/29/2007 09:40:20 AM
Homepage: http://interfacematters.com
Bruce...thanks for all of the incredible and selfless work you have done for the Notes community in promoting OpenNTF over the years. Your contribution has been invaluable. I know everyone greatly appreciates all of your efforts. That is why I say you are THE MAN! 
Can't wait to hear about the new project...you're such a tease! 
Comment posted by Phil Randolph05/29/2007 09:42:45 AM
Homepage: http://philrandolph.com
Bruce,
Great to get the real story from the source! Looking forward to seeing what your 'new project' is! 
Comment posted by John Head05/29/2007 10:08:05 AM
Homepage: http://www.johndavidhead.com
Bruce - I first want to say thank you. You have created THE BEST resource for the Notes and Domino community. Period. End of Story.
Second, you and I started out with bad blood. Because of OpenNTF.org, you and I are now friends. I consider you someone I respect and trust. Thank you.
Last, Taking Notes and the over ventures you move on to are very lucky. OpenNTF.org is now in the hands of Vince and Nathan and a little bit me (maybe).
Thanks Bruce ...
Comment posted by Benoit Dubuc05/29/2007 10:18:17 AM
Homepage: http://www.benoitdubuc.com
Bruce, your efforts made the Lotus community better and stronger. Notes is all about sharing information, and I think what you did with OpenNTF has contributed to make this sharing a whole lot bigger and organized.
May your next projects be as valuable to the Lotus community. And keep playing those drums
Comment posted by Vitor Pereira05/29/2007 10:21:00 AM
Homepage: http://www.vitor-pereira.com
Bruce,
Thank you for the hard and passionate work you have put in making OpenNTF.org the greatest community resouce EVER.
As to the future I am sure it is in good hands.
Good luck with whatever new projects you're cooking.
Comment posted by Steve Castledine05/29/2007 10:23:01 AM
Homepage: http://www.stevecastledine.com
Hey dude - openexchange.org will be getting a great guy ;)
Seriously - good luck on your next project and thanks for all the fish openntf.
Comment posted by Keith Brooks05/29/2007 10:27:46 AM
Homepage: http://kbmsg.blogspot.com
Bruce, Having only this past year or so been in contact with you I can see the greatness you have accomplished under the OpenNTF and your podcasts. Keep rocking and rolling and look forward to your next move.
Comment posted by Nathan T. Freeman05/29/2007 10:37:21 AM
Homepage: http://nathan.lotus911.com
Why do I always have to be the EVIL twin?
Bruce, nothing I could say or write would compare with how proud (and more than a little bit jealous) I have always been of what you accomplished with OpenNTF.org. I stand in awe of the effectiveness you've shown as a community leader. Thank you for everything you've done. You exceeded my hopes, and that's no small task.
I'm looking forward to seeing Vince's vision become reality!
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred05/29/2007 10:37:46 AM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
Thank you, Bruce, for your tireless promotion of OpenNTF. A day doesn't go by that I don't refer someone to the site, snag some code, or spin up a new database based on one of the OpenNTF templates. Truly remarkable stuff.
Thank you for all of your efforts.
Comment posted by Don McNally05/29/2007 10:44:11 AM
Homepage: http://dmcnally.blogspot.com
Thanks for everything you've put into OpenNTF over the years. And for being willing to travel around to user groups - and even do presentations via webcast! Glad to know you'll still be around.
Comment posted by Paul Mooney05/29/2007 10:48:57 AM
Homepage: http://www.pmooney.net
Bruce, OpenNTF redesigned the way Lotus Notes is looked at. You should be very very proud.
Comment posted by Gayle Elgort05/29/2007 11:21:23 AM
As your wife, friend, confidant and partner for life, I am very proud of everything you do. You wil always have my support and love now and forever. I too am looking forward to that "next project". 
We are and forever will be a "Team". I love you very much!
Comment posted by Ed Brill05/29/2007 12:06:14 PM
Homepage: http://www.edbrill.com
come on, if I know this community, someone has something smart-@ss to say after Gayle's mush
Comment posted by Michael Bourak05/29/2007 12:28:13 PM
Bruce, you made many things possible in the Lotus world, many things that we thought were impossible. You gave us great opportunities to share and re energize the community and I would like to thank you sooooo much for this. In a way, you are a super human for the super human software 
Looking forward to your next project and your ongoing taking notes podcasts.
Comment posted by Jens Polster05/29/2007 12:36:30 PM
Homepage: http://www.domblog.de
Bruce, thanks for all your work and your dedication to making OpenNTF the great site it is. Your contributions (not only to this project) have a big impact on the community.
Comment posted by Carl Tyler05/29/2007 01:24:40 PM
Homepage: http://www.iminstant.com
@Ed, no one here is stupid enough to insult Gayle. Have you ever met her? She can be an ev... oops you almost caught me
Comment posted by mac guidera05/29/2007 01:30:58 PM
Homepage: http://www.macguidera.net
You wil always have my support and love friendship now and forever.
Thanks to the Master Chef!
Comment posted by Ben Poole05/29/2007 02:37:22 PM
Homepage: http://benpoole.com
Like Mac says, THE masterchef. You've done an amazing job my friend, and I am particularly grateful for all your support over the past few years. The new project sounds intriguing
Comment posted by Jess Stratton05/29/2007 02:38:29 PM
Homepage: http://www.mattandjess.net
Bruce, any successor at OpenNTF.org will have a tough time showing as much passion for it as you did (and of course still do). But if there was anyone to do it, Vince is the guy. Look how your baby has grown, matured, and taken on a life of it's own. What better legacy is there then that?
I think everyone is proud of you... now it's time to rest and see what other endeavors life has to offer you.
Comment posted by Jack Dausman05/29/2007 02:41:10 PM
Homepage: http://www.leadershipbynumbers.com
Well, I guess congratulations are in order if you are going on to new and exciting opportunities. It's just so hard to imagine OpenNTF without your tireless promotion. Fortunately, it's not a one-man band, so we are all doubly fortunate--but it'll take me a while to disassociate OpenNTF from Bruce. I sort of got used to pronouncing it as one polysyllabic BruceOpenNTFElgort. All the best Bruce !
Comment posted by Brian Benz05/29/2007 04:33:33 PM
Homepage: http://www.softwaresoapbox.com
Hey, it was probably at times a thankless job, but not today!
Thanks for everything!
And I'm looking forward to hearing about that new project. I'll watch for the announcement on vowe.net..........
Comment posted by Ed Maloney05/29/2007 04:34:47 PM
Bruce - Job well done. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the new project. Please tell us it isn't another Domino to Sharepoint migration tool!
You are leaving a huge pair of shoes to fill at OpenNTF.
Comment posted by Bruce05/29/2007 04:37:41 PM
@Ed,
Vince has big feet
Comment posted by Henry Ferlauto05/29/2007 05:36:54 PM
Homepage: http://www.geniusinside.com
Bruce,
You will be missed in the OpenNTF community. Good luck with your new venture, I know you will do well.
Can you at least send Gayle to Lotusphere? Do you really think the mail template was actually the reason everyone stopped by the OpenNTF booth? 
Comment posted by Bruce05/29/2007 06:32:14 PM
@Henry,
Please note that I do plan on attending ALL future Lotuspheres My new project has more to do with Lotus products than OpenNTF
Comment posted by Eric mack05/29/2007 07:02:45 PM
Homepage: http://www.ericmackonline.com
Thank you, Bruce, for your contribution to the Lotus Notes Developer community and your tireless efforts networking and teaching. I wish you great success in your next adventure.
Comment posted by Andy Donaldson05/29/2007 07:44:23 PM
Homepage: http://macian.blogspot.com
Bruce - Thanks for all you've done! Good luck on your next step!
Comment posted by Julian Robichaux05/29/2007 07:45:54 PM
Homepage: http://www.nsftools.com
Bruce -
No one... absolutely no one... has any idea what a tremendous amount of time and effort you put into OpenNTF over the past few years, every single day. You've done an amazing job, podcast buddy.
- Julian
Comment posted by Ulrich Krause05/29/2007 09:22:27 PM
Homepage: http://www.eknori.de
Thank you for all of your efforts, Bruce.
Good to meet you at ILUG2007.
Comment posted by Mike05/30/2007 01:47:05 AM
Bruce,
The word "thanks" doesn;t do you justice
Phenomenal effort sir. Good luck with everything in the future
Mike
Comment posted by Ferdy05/30/2007 07:25:49 AM
Homepage: http://www.ferdychristant.com
Thanks for the insane amount of voluntary effort towards the community, Bruce. Your work ethic and generousity inspire me.
- Ferdy
Comment posted by Henry Ferlauto05/30/2007 07:52:42 AM
Homepage: http://www.geniusinside.com
@ Bruce - Just send Gayle.
Comment posted by Devin Olson05/30/2007 08:02:30 AM
Homepage: http://www.devinolson.net
Thank you my friend for all of you hard work. You are an inspiration. I'll buy the first round at LS08.
-Devin.
Comment posted by Matt White05/30/2007 12:04:09 PM
Homepage: http://www.11tmr.com
Bruce,
As I told at ILUG, you'll be much missed, the Lotus community has a lot to thank you for after your years of efforts.
See you at LS '08!
Matt
Comment posted by Rod Stauffer05/30/2007 01:28:55 PM
Congratulations Bruce! You've played an integral part building the Notes community. You co-founded NotesOSS, survived a visit from Tabasco , and OpenNTF emerged. In the environment you fostered, OpenNTF thrived. To such an extent, OpenNTF can withstand the departure of a co-founder. Tremendous work Bruce! All in your "spare time" to boot. Standing O indeed.
Lucky for us, you're not departing the community. I'm intrigued by your next project: "More do to with Lotus products than OpenNTF".
-Rod
Comment posted by Rob McDonagh05/30/2007 06:13:06 PM
Homepage: http://www.CaptainOblivious.com
Thanks for all the hard work, sir. You rock. OpenNTF has come a long way indeed. Looking forward to seeing the new project(s)...
Comment posted by Kevin Pettitt05/31/2007 07:14:38 AM
Homepage: http://www.lotusguru.com
There's enough mush here already so I kept mine here: http://www.lotusguru.com/lotusguru/LGBlog.nsf/d6plinks/KPET-73Q4XK
Comment posted by Alan Lepofsky05/31/2007 09:37:33 AM
Homepage: http://www.alanlepofsky.net
Bruce, as one of OpenNTF (and yours) biggest fans within the halls here at IBM, let me once again say thank you for the hard work, the good ideas, and the community building you have done for Lotus. You have time and time again done the things that Lotus ourselves should be doing. Yet instead of just complaining about everything we do wrong, you take action. I wish more people were like that. Well done, and good luck on whatever comes next.
Comment posted by Jason Hook06/01/2007 08:20:02 AM
Homepage: http://blog.jasonhookonline.com
Bruce,
I know that the qualities that you possess are bound to make your rNext a big success
Although everything that needs to be said has probably been said above I just want you to know that openNTF has been an enormous help to me professionally and I'm grateful to you and to the contributors for all the hard work.
I hope your new project is as collaborative as openNTF and wish you all the best with it and keeping all the other balls in the air.
Jason
Comment posted by Turtle06/01/2007 08:39:44 PM
Homepage: http://www.weightlessdog.com/shell.nsf
Bruce, you is muy busted... Vince doesn't owe me any beerz. He cain't be mah beeyotch, what good can that be?
OK, OK, go off and do your podcasty thing, we'll still be here.
I did post the other night at Ed's blog about how the real ire back in 2002 surrounded the Garnet engine coming out of ND6 and how the NotesOSS community was an early focus about putting a JSP engine back IN ND6... you remember that?
Comment posted by Dovid06/05/2007 09:43:55 AM
SELECT @Bruce
From one blind man to another, I'll be seeing ya. (But not raising ya.)
SELECT @Turtle,
Of COURSE we remember that. OpenNTF grew out of a couple of flame wars about the Outlook UI and the dumbing down of Domino programming capabilities aka Garnet.
But why the heck'dja have to bring up a failed OpenNTF project?! We had a sorta almost engine plugged in, but the Chef turned out to be more a pastry chef than a hot cook :( (No offense)
SELECT @Ed
OK, I'll throw one in. Bruce is shortchanging us for Gayle. Been coming for a while, we've been slightly blind to it.
SELECT @All
Anyway, more mush. Do you guys have any idea what The Other Blind Man put into this site (I say that with great feeling today, can't get that contact lens in)? Bruce is not a rich man, and he has lots of pulls on his time among family, job, DMB, drums, ... yet he's spent a TON of time on OpenNTF, and he's also given up a fair bit of money on it. With all that went on in his life, he MADE the time for all these endeavors. And the advertising started just to stem the tide of costs, it never covered his ongoing outlays. Who's going to take the time to design and order, and then pay for, the OpenNTF T-shirts next year?
Comment posted by Bruce06/05/2007 12:58:32 PM
@Dovid,
The shirt man is now Vince.
Comment posted by John Carini06/05/2007 02:07:18 PM
Homepage: http://www.ienterprises.com
Bruce,
Doesn't Gayle know you are stepping down to spend more time with me?
But seriously THANKS for all you have done!
Comment posted by Eric Eskam06/07/2007 07:01:07 AM
Sigh - I miss the Notes community. Sorry I'm late to the party - and I'm sad to hear you are moving on, but as others have stated, the community you and Nathan helped build is strong enough it will carry on.
It was a pleasure meeting you and Nathan at Lotusphere in '02, and I still have a certain contraband t-shirt that brings a smile whenever I run across it I remember the furior of Garnet and the good times wihth the Lotus devs in the labs...
Take care! And congratulations on the wife! I have been out of touch 
Comment posted by Jerry Carter07/05/2007 05:13:35 AM
See what I get for not paying attention for a couple of months?
But Vince is a great guy with lots of talent and personality to boot. You'll be missed Bruce, in your former capacity, but I well understand the personal cost it has meant over the years, and I hope we are all worthy of your sacrifice and the future dividends it will pay.
Best of luck with your future endeavors!
