When I first arrived at Delphi and the C=ommodore Forum, a refugee from Steve Case's slaughter of Quantum-Link (Q-Link), I was greeted by the Big Three of the Forum, "Ed, Joe, and Mojoed". Joe, our beloved Drpepper1, and I seemed to hit it off quite well, though that is not meant to say the other two weren't as receptive and welcoming. As time went on Joe suggested to Ellen, my predecessor, "The Boss Lady," that they might make use of my skills in GEOS. Thus he was responsible, in part at least, for my coming on board as staff.

Since then we have come to know each other fairly well and I have had the good fortune to visit Joe at his home in Las Vegas. Joe is a marvelous host, as anyone who has visited could testify.

Why "the heart?" Joe is the hardest working individual I have ever had the privilege of working with, and the most uncomplaining. After long hours at work he can be found here working to wee hours of the morning. Of course he is on "Pacified Coast Time", so my "wee hours" is merely his being up a "little late," but considering the hours his "real job" requires, a little late is still a sacrifice.

Joe has been around C=ommodores, it seems, forever-- and when he can find his C128 he uses it. Find it? Only those who have been in his "Computer Room" could understand. Joe, is that sticky bun still over by the wall? He now is the manager of the Data Base here, as well as handling Conferences both here and in his own forum, The Pet Lovers Forum. He is a very well trained cat ownee also--I have met his two owners--the great "Not So Little Bit," and "Princess Gray Fur, the Sneaky." They are charming nipaholics.

It is hard to talk about Joe in any way other than with a great deal of affection--I often refer to him as "the little brother my mother never wanted to have." Loyalty, skill, hard work, support, all these qualities run strongly in him. When the Management of this Forum was changing hands Joe stepped aside, and spoke in my favor--thus sacrificing the "honor" of the "Wizard's Flag." I can never remember a time when Joe has said "no" to anything for C=om Com, and I do not believe he has ever expressed anything but willingness and joy in working here. We have shared many a laugh and a few tears over the years here, and I hope will share many more.

But, if you really want to understand my frog tootling friend, ask any of the multitudes of users he has helped--he is always there with an answer (some of them are right, too) and always ready to admit a lack of knowledge when he doesn't know. Joe is one of the fastest Ascii'ers going, second only too Susan in ability to appropriate good Ascii art when he sees it--and shamelessly will flaunt his Ascii when ever asked, or when not, for that matter. Joe is in many ways, indeed, the heart of C=om Com; he embodies the dauntless spirit of the diehard (not a plug--it's out of business) C=ommodore user. He also is in the hearts of many of those who come here distraught, emotionally hurt, the weak who need solace, the confused and bemuddled masses of your teaming shores...woops, wrong movie... But in earnest (who?) Joe has sent many an hour talking and helping those who have come in with needs other than just C=ommodore Technical questions--and that, to me, is the essence of this place, "C=om Com."

We are about helping people with their hardware and software questions and troubles, we have an excellent staff here that can help resolve most of those issues--but we are also here to help our users in other ways when we can. In this manner, too, Joe is first to volunteer his shoulder to cry on, or help the distraught talk their way through their troubles. He can also be counted on to help the confused "newbie" or the bewildered souls that end up here by accident. It should, however, be noted that he enforces the few "rules" we have both fairly, yet with the authority we entrust to him--in other words, "Joe is not afraid to tell someone where to go when needed."