Bluestone

Bluestone was really where I "grew up" professionally. Some day I will write up a little history from my rememberances and perspective. For now, it was a unique setting with a great group of people coming together to create something from nothing. It was devastating to tear it apart after HP had acquired it - a waste of good code and good people. A lot of lessons were learned and everyone has moved on - many with a great amount of success.

Our big break was developing Sapphire/Web in 1994 - one of the very first products that made it easy to develop database driven applications for the web.

Sapphire Web - on Motif

When we first agreed to be acquired by HP, I thought it was a good idea. But plans do not always turn out. Just ask Carly and Capellas who looked so happy right after the Compaq acquisition was done.

Carl, Michael and Bob (photoshopped in)

When I left HP, I had my compatriot, Al Smith, perform a ceremony - much like a dishonorable discharge, where he tore off my HP logo...

Al SMith Discharges Bob Bickel