It happened (again), a colleague was late and yet had no trouble finding a parking space. My appointment calendar is getting lighter and the first emails with Christmas greetings and goodbyes from colleagues leaving for vacation are coming in. There's change in the air, barely noticeable at first but then unavoidable. Things are quieting down, colleagues are lining up in the corridors having chit chats over their Christmas plans. You no longer mindlessly pass by all the Christmas decoration but start to notice the various adornments. There's small fir branches with golden Christmas bulbs on the window sills, they must have been lying there for weeks but I just started noticing them. Suddenly, Christmas is no longer a distant date.
While phones are staying silent, there's even time for a quick retrospection. 2016 was the second year of existence for this blog and in case you're wondering whether routine has set in - far from it. It's still a joy to hunt for topics that might interest you, wrap them up neatly and then send the articles around the world. Amidst the pitfalls of social networks, basic technical knowledge and the ever so important question of computer security, there was always time to venture off the beaten track and discover something new - and it shall stay this way. This blog is alive thanks to your loyalty and participation and we wholeheartedly thank you for that!
Reading your comments has been and will remain special to us. Not just because our approval rate was constantly at 99% but because comment sections are slowly becoming a rarity for other blogs thanks to profanity. We've seen configuration tips from Australia, spirited statements from Nigeria, moderate cynicism from England, anecdotes from Germany and thought-provoking stories from Shanghai, the exchange of ideas was truly international. Does the Internet still join people together instead of separating them? It's a great thought and fitting for the celebration that lies before us.
And while I'm writing these lines, more colleagues are about to leave. Very soon, all that will be left on this floor is me and my tiny USB-powered Christmas tree that blinks in all possible colors. Only the office of our Facebook Melanie is still lid while she's sending final greetings to our readers before she'll pack up and make her way past my door to the exit. The office rooms of our support staff that wrote over 1 million emails this year, the boss's office with the big board that holds every detail on plans and procedures, the work space of our translator that boasts 5 monitors, they've all gone dark. It's time to power down the computer and say goodbye to another year at Ashampoo. Christmas is just around the corner.
I don't know how you'll be celebrating Christmas in the rest of the world but I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Take care, enjoy some peace and quiet and make sure to drop by in 2017! Once again, Manuel Verlaat, our chief translator, help author and multi-talent has composed and recorded a song in the spirit of Christmas. Enjoy!
Author's side note: Please understand that, because of Christmas holidays, it may take a little longer for your comments to get approved.If the song doesn’t play by a simple mouse click , simply right-click the link and select „Save target as“.
Thank you for your software innovations, my latest being Ashampoo WinOptimizer. I use your software every day, I think I have most of the great software titles.
Kind Regards,
Louis Scholl
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !
Since the Political Correctness Police in the US won't allow the phrase "Merry Christmas", instead I wish you a Happy Christmas! (I know i's a technicality, but these idiots have been complaining about the phrase being used, so I'm obliging them without giving up my heritage.)
And a blessed new year to all.
Thank you all for the many amazing products I have bought over the years, and to Sven for keeping me entertained with his blogs. Keep up the good work in 2017.
Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!
Best wishes to all.
Gill
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All. Thank You for this blog. I am a Ashampoo fan, from the USA.
Thanks for the good wishes ......... and for the wonderful products I have been enjoying for some 10 years now.
Hope the whole team will have a GREAT 2017 !
I wish you all at Ashampoo a Merry Christmas
and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New year.
Mike.
Thank you and a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to all at Ahsampoo.
I do enjoy your blogs.
Thank you. A happy and safe and enjoyable Christmas to you all, and thank you for great products and always-cheerful and professional service.
and a Merry Christmas to you and all at Ashampoo. Ypu put out great products and helpmake life interesting.
Alan McKenzie