OS2 World Community Forum

Public Discussions => General Discussion => Topic started by: Paul Smedley on February 15, 2026, 02:29:37 am

Title: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Paul Smedley on February 15, 2026, 02:29:37 am
Hi All,

I know I've been MIA for a while (thanks to those who noticed and reached out!).

Throughout 2025, I began to lose interest not just in OS/2, but with a lot of my other hobbies (including java programming for openHAB). At the same time, my general mood deteriorated. This all came to a head in September when I was diagnosed with quite severe depression. I'm now doing a LOT better, but it has been a rough 5 months. At this stage my ArcaOS box has been powered off some time - I think the last thing I built was something for Lewis back in September.

I cannot say at this time if I will return to ArcaOS - what I can say is that I've finally started enjoying extending some bindings for openHAB, and learning more about Java - so there is hope!

Just wanted to give the community an update.

Cheers,

Paul
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Martin Iturbide on February 15, 2026, 02:34:02 am
Thanks Paul for writing.

It is good to hear you are getting better. Just take your time and I think everything will be better for you in the long term.

Regards
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Neil Waldhauer on February 15, 2026, 03:22:50 pm
I miss having you in the OS/2 community, Paul. I hope you decide to rejoin us.
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: David McKenna on February 15, 2026, 03:42:10 pm
Good to hear from you Paul! You gotta take care of yourself first, everything else can wait.. Hope you get back to 100% soon!

Regards,
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: KO Myung-Hun on February 15, 2026, 06:38:44 pm
Hi/2, Paul!

Get well soon and I look forward to seeing you back at your best!
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Mentore on February 16, 2026, 11:50:16 pm
Hi All,

I know I've been MIA for a while (thanks to those who noticed and reached out!).

Throughout 2025, I began to lose interest not just in OS/2, but with a lot of my other hobbies (including java programming for openHAB). At the same time, my general mood deteriorated. This all came to a head in September when I was diagnosed with quite severe depression. I'm now doing a LOT better, but it has been a rough 5 months. At this stage my ArcaOS box has been powered off some time - I think the last thing I built was something for Lewis back in September.

I cannot say at this time if I will return to ArcaOS - what I can say is that I've finally started enjoying extending some bindings for openHAB, and learning more about Java - so there is hope!

Just wanted to give the community an update.

Cheers,

Paul

Hiya Paul!

It's REALLY sad to hear you have/had depression. It's a tough beast and it needs to be addressed carefully.
Being no doctor myself I will not waste your time in useless (and stupid) advice. It's just great to hear from you again.

I truly hope you will find some light - you well deserve to be fine and happy.
Of course, I hope I'll see you again in this forum beating the cr*p out of Qt and other ArcaOS related software 8-) but first and foremost: stay safe, get well, be happy.

Oh and, should you ever come to Pisa on vacation, please oh please let me know - my spoken English has surely become rusty but I still would love to get to know you!

Hugs from Italy.

Mentore
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Pete on February 17, 2026, 01:04:17 am
Hi Paul

Glad to hear you are overcoming the issue, it helps to laugh so watch some comedy from time to time  :-)


Regards

Pete
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Dariusz Piatkowski on February 23, 2026, 05:05:27 am
Hello Paul!

Wishing you all the best in slaying this "beast". It is a tough challenge to be sure, but take it one step at a time, and go at your pace.

Take care of YOU first and foremost!

Cheers,
-Dariusz
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Paul Smedley on February 23, 2026, 09:50:17 am
Thanks folks, it's brought me some comfort reading these messages. I'm on a good path now, maybe I'll be back porting some day (If I remember what to do lol)
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Eugene Tucker on February 23, 2026, 10:39:43 am
Paul here's to hope. but no pressure.
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: David Kiley on March 15, 2026, 08:44:33 am
Thanks folks, it's brought me some comfort reading these messages. I'm on a good path now, maybe I'll be back porting some day (If I remember what to do lol)

Hi Paul, I fondly remember using your ports throughout the ecomstation era. You've done such great work and it kept my computer going.
So I do hope you just hang out with us here regardless if you decide to port more stuff or not:).
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: Paul Smedley on March 15, 2026, 09:18:07 am
Thanks folks, it's brought me some comfort reading these messages. I'm on a good path now, maybe I'll be back porting some day (If I remember what to do lol)

Hi Paul, I fondly remember using your ports throughout the ecomstation era. You've done such great work and it kept my computer going.
So I do hope you just hang out with us here regardless if you decide to port more stuff or not:).

I still read os2world most days, so I'm usually lurking :)
Title: Re: What happened to Paul?
Post by: scrutch2001 on March 15, 2026, 07:35:00 pm
Paul:  I'm sorry to hear of your troubles, but I'm glad you're getting through it all.  Years ago I too was hit with a nasty spell of clinical depression.  I'd just about run out of hope.  With therapy, and the support of my friends and family, I pulled through.  So there can be light at the end of the dark tunnel.

Sending my best from Seattle.....

Steve Crutchfield