OS2 World Community Forum
Public Discussions => General Discussion => Topic started by: Paul Smedley on February 15, 2026, 02:29:37 am
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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
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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
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I miss having you in the OS/2 community, Paul. I hope you decide to rejoin us.
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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,
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Hi/2, Paul!
Get well soon and I look forward to seeing you back at your best!
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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
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Hi Paul
Glad to hear you are overcoming the issue, it helps to laugh so watch some comedy from time to time :-)
Regards
Pete
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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
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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)
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Paul here's to hope. but no pressure.
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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:).
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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 :)
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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