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It's been three hours since I last heard voices outside. Since then, no one rushed past my office and the parking lot is visibly more empty than usual. It seems, most have survived this years Christmas party (though some livers may need more time to fully recover) and all remaining deadlines are in 2019. Offices are abandoned and Advent calendars emptied. Even the obligatory smell of coffee is missing. Soon, the last light will go out at Ashampoo headquarters and quiet will settle in for a few days.
2018 has been an exciting year - unpredictably so. We've seen MS take the crown as data hog, witnessed billion dollar fines being imposed on Google, experienced YouTube censorship powered by AI and had "fun" with broken Windows updates. Many of these events were unthinkable a year ago, which makes my job as blog author so interesting. I'm usually as surprised as you are! Everybody makes mistakes, no matter how big or small, but a number of headlines in 2018 left me flabbergasted and I'm hoping a few of my articles piqued your interest in some of the hot topics discussed.
As a (North) German computer buff, I'm rather inured to sentimentality by nature. Still, I'd like to say: Thank you! This small blog is now in its fourth year, powered and driven by your interest and yours alone. Without your comments (over 2,000 this year!), it wouldn't have made it past the first three months - or would have likely turned into a hotbed of petty product-centered ad stories, like so many company blogs. I have ample creative freedom, thanks to your interest and support. And with the approval rate for comments once again soaring at 99%, I couldn't be happier.
2019 will be doubly exciting for us. Not only do we have loads of programs in the pipeline, but we're also finally moving to another close-by city. As with all things Ashampoo, our beginnings were humble. Ashampoo founder Rolf Hilchner started out with a handful of employees in a small corner office, with a bus driver being the only other resident on that floor. Soon, we rented the entire floor and, eventually, the building. Now, we're moving into an office building especially designed for us, along with our sister company CleverReach. Will not having to stare at a gray corrugated iron roof all day long kindle my writing enthusiasm even more? Who knows.
All that is still a long way off. For now, I'll call it a day and head home to my family and richly decorated tree. A few days without meetings, co-workers and up-to-the-minute IT news, would you believe it?
I for one wish you a splendid Christmas and a joyous New Year! Take care and feel free to drop by our blog again in 2019! Our editorial staff will take a short break until the beginning of January. A few days of extra rest will hopefully also do wonders for my ankle. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing from you again in 2019. See you then!
Greetings from the other side of the world. Thank you for your email. May you and yours have a most joyous Christmas and may the new year bring you more smiles than you can stand.
Merry Christmas from Texas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too, Sven, and thank you for a most interesting newsletter.
You guys are great! Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch in das Neue Jahr!
Carl
I wish you a happy 2019, with a lot of interesting stuff to discuss, but more about interesting development than all the uncomfortable stuff we face in tech, just so we can all say it's been a good 2019 when it ends. Personally I'm looking forward to a renewed and vibrant PC hardware market, with AMD back in the race.
Sven thanks for a great products . Here in Bundaberg currently 27 c 6-30 am , northern winter just direct opposite
Merry Christmas Sven to you and your family.
May you have a blessed new year and let's all hope for a brighter future.
Eldon Wessels, South Africa.
Christmas is about family; you, dear Sven, with your talent and work made us feel like a family on this blog, sharing each other our thoughts.And this my friend is not easy to do in our days.You don't know,but the time I spent on this blog made me pass easyer some hard time I had in 2018. Thank you!
I believe in Christmas miracle and I wish for you to be healthy and happy!
All the best for you and yours!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !
I also had a hard time this year because I lost close family members. I am glad that I was able to help you a little!
Sven: Merry Christmas to you too. As for Bryan Leech's comment about "Happy Holidays", there are those who would make you think that you're not allowed to say "Merry Christmas" but having lived in the United States for my 67 years, I don't recall anyone saying I can't say "Merry Christmas" nor anyone discouraging saying it. And Bryan is right that Christmas is more than just another holiday...here in the United States it's also Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Happy Honda Days and the Lexus December to Remember Sales Event.
We say Happy Holidays in this country recognizing that not everyone is Christian; that's all. But it's not mandatory; just respectful.
Happy Holidays!
Rob
Seasons best all, thank you for the interest and input from all concerned, wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year....
regards Brian.
Looking forward to what turns up next year. Hope you enjoy your new building.
England is a World Turned Upside Down as we were after civil war 1642.
Merry Christmas
Ralph
Right now, I fear for my beloved England. I hope Brexit, no matter how it'll turn out, won't cause serious harm to their economy and society.
Just want to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas. Thanks for all the interesting blogs.
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to you, Sven! And keep on doing your marvellous job!
Thank you for your great writing this year, Sven. I hope you enjoy a wonderful Christmas and delightful New Year and get at least a little rest. I have a feeling the new year is going to be even more full of incredible tech stories.
Hi Sven,
First let me wish you a wonderful Christmas and a joyous and rewarding New Year. And let me add that it's a pleasure to see that you have not succumbed to the meaningless American "Happy Holidays". Whether one is Christian or not, "Christmas" is more than just another holiday. Beyond its significance to Christians, it has a special meaning relevant to ANY belief system ─ including no religion at all.
And thank you for your interesting and informative articles, they are always welcome in my inbox ─ Ashampoo is to be congratulated in supporting such a non-commercial activity. Long may you continue and prosper.
Best wishes for you and the team. I hope your move to new premises goes smoothly unlike Microshaft's disastrous Autumn update ( has it actually happened yet?)
Good wishes for a successful New Year to Ashampoo.