INFO: Frostbyte is moving on (at the end of May)
Russell Hardidge
There was always a perception that Ozemail couldn't really be as bad
as they sometimes seemed when they employed a guy of such obvious
honesty and caring as Frosty.
Pity to see that go.
All the best to all the guys at Frostbyte- you deserve to make your
fortune.
Thanks for five years hard work- it was appreciated.
Russell
--
Russell Hardidge <rus...@NOSPAMozemail.com.au>
Please remove the obvious before replying.
Dietrich Timm
>Hi everyone,
>
>Over the past 5 years (yes, its that long!), Frostbyte Consulting has been
>providing "peer support" services to OzEmail, Access One and UUNET's
>customers.
>
>During that time, we have seen lots of changes, some of which I have
>listed
>in a "potted history" at the end of this post. We have really loved
>helping
>you guys out! I can say that honestly, even though some say I must be mad
>to enjoy dealing with problems, day in, day out. But its true
>nevertheless.
>8^)
>
>Unfortunately, the time has come for Frostbyte to move on. As you'll read
>below, our business had changed radically in the past 6 months. We are no
>longer operating as a consulting firm but instead are now developing our
>own
>software products for the Internet (and have recently taken on venture
>capital to fund growth).
>
>The "bad news" part is that there will soon be no more provision of
>official
>OzEmail support via the newsgroups.
>
>The good news is that OzEmail Internet now provide a much improved
>web-based
>technical support (complete with FAQ knowledgebase). You can check this
>new
>system out right now at:
>
> http://www.ozemail.com.au (see "Help Me" link at top of page)
>
>UUNET also have an online knowledgebase facility (the knowledgebase
>software
>was written by Frostbyte BTW!) at:
>
> http://www.uunet.com.au/sc07_trouble
>
>As well as this, the Frostbyte FAQ content will remain available at:
>
> http://unix.frostbyte.com.au
>
>In situations where a fault cannot be resolved, it can always be directed
>to
>telephone support on:
>
> 132 884
>
>Anthony, Brendan and I will still be around here in the newsgroups in an
>official capacity until the end of May to ease the transition as best we
>can.
>
>Most of the ozemail.* newsgroups will now be closed down, however the
>following will remain open until further notice:
>
> ozemail.status Provides outage notifications
> ozemail.users Provides peer support, no OzEmail presence
> ozemail.test Testing your news client
>
>Please ask away if you have any questions (of course!).
>
>One inevitable one which I can see coming is "Did they fall, or were they
>pushed?". 8^) To set your minds at rest on that one, it was Frostbyte
>that
>initiated this discussion with OzEmail Internet and UUNET about a month or
>so ago. They have been really great about it, and have worked with us
>closely over recent weeks to ensure that you guys/gals get looked after as
>we disengage.
>
>In conclusion, can I just say "Thanks everyone!" for what has been the
>most
>enjoyable period of my working life to date. I'm sure that you will hear
>a
>lot more about me and some of our companies over the coming months/years.
>When you see my picture in the paper, you can nudge the person next to you
>and say "I know that guy!". <grins>
>
>I'd also like to publicly say "Thank you" to all the OzEmail, Access One
>and
>UUNET staff who have helped us over the years. Without their help, we
>couldn't possibly have helped you all to the level which we did.
>
>Best regards to everyone (and read on below for the potted history of how
>we
>got to where we are today!).
>
>Stephen Frost
>Managing Director
>Frostbyte Consulting Pty Ltd
>
>*****************************************************************
>
>Since late 1994 we have been through:
>
> o OzEmail's growth from about 8 staff to about 15
> o Introduction of 28.8K V.FAST modems
> o OzEmail's growth from 15 to roughly 70 people
> o Introduction of 33.6K V.34 modems
> o Introduction of web browsers such as MS Internet Explorer
> o OzEmail's growth to about 200 people
> o OzEmail acquires Access One
> o Introduction of 56K modems (and lots of disconnect problems)
> o Introduction of 150hr Cutoff on MegaSaver (and 600 posts
> overnight)
> o OzEmail's growth to about 700 people
> o Sale of OzEmail to UUNET
> o Introduction of the new DAN network (improved reliability)
> o Sale of OzEmail to EISA
>
>In other words, yes, we're 'Net fossils ... and proud of it! Running in
>parallel with OzEmail's growth, Frostbyte has seen the following happen
>internally:
>
> o October 1994: I start helping out on the OzEmail helpdesk
> (unofficial role)
> o May 1995: OzEmail engage Frostbyte formally to provide
> peer support services
> o September 1997: I leave my job as a senior systems analyst
> to work for Frostbyte full-time
> o January 1998: Take on a business partner to grow Frostbyte
> o March 1998: We hire our first staff and lease an office
> o January 1999: We have grown to 6 staff
> o September 1999: We have grown to 11 staff, and begin the
> process of developing our own software for
> the Internet (we stop being a consulting
> company!)
> o January 2000: We complete development of a prototype of
> our first software application
> o February 2000: We take on Venture Capital
> o March 2000: We rollout a Windows2000 Network (50+ computers)
> o April 2000: We have now grown to 16 staff (with more
> to come soon)
>
>
>Anthony,
>
>Frostbyte Consulting.
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------
>Anthony Michaud Mission: eBusiness with Integrity
>Support Consultant anthony...@frostbyte.com.au
>Frostbyte Consulting Pty Ltd http://www.frostbyte.com.au
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------
That'll be right. Mollycoddle us poor bastards for years then pull the
plug. What's this business about peer support, never was. You were
always way above the rest of us poor plebs :-)). Tell me one thing,
though, who is going to act as our lightning conductor, especially with
accounts? Ah well, if you must go, you must go. We all are going to miss
your excellent advice and not always easy work on our behalf.
Good luck in your new venture, capital and all,
Regards
Dietrich
PS Not long ago venture capital was called putting the bite on somebody
or more appropriately getting into hock up to the eyeballs,
DT
BTW Anthony will give you further progress report on new modem setup
etc., if you're still interested.