It seems that after 11 years, Geoff Dalgas - "Valued Associate #00003" - has decided to hang up his hat as a developer at Stack Exchange.
That deserves... Some recognition and gratitude!
Let's talk about Geoff, baby
Eleven years. Eleven (11) years! Twelve, if you count all the work he was doing with Jeff and Jarrod before becoming an "official" employee. User #2 - here from day -1, from a tiny team without so much as an office to the juggernaut we see today... That's a heck of a run. And ol' Geoff has had a heck of an impact here. Look to your left. Now look to your right. Now look back at your computer, where this site is displayed. Chances are, Geoff's work is responsible in part for everything you see in that browser window. From handling physical hardware in the first data center, to crafting the review system that allows each post on these sites to be vetted by cyborgs before slapping humans in their soft fleshy eyeballs... From creating new sites from elemental SQL to infusing all who work with him with a renewed sense of wonder and excitement for the boundless possibilities that lie ahead... from enhancing the editing system to beefing up the commercial versions of this software which are sold for the vast amounts of cash which pay for everything else... The depth and range of Geoff's work here has been astounding.
Geoff embodies those aspects which I consider the soul of Stack Overflow: boundless curiosity, technical acumen, an irrepressible willingness to help, playful good humor, guiding practicality, and governing humility. He is quick to offer assistance, and quick to seek feedback. He persistently eschewed empty self-promotion, preferring to demonstrate by example both what was possible and what was desirable in both words and deeds.
From his fortress in the great Pacific Northwest, Geoff has reached out and improved all of our lives, with such grace and care that most of us barely even knew it. And yet, we would all be far worse off were it not for his efforts.
The bat-signal beckons
Now Geoff is leaving. But this is not a time for sadness, nor maudlin remembrance. Where Geoff goes, it must be certain that he is needed - so let us put aside selfish thoughts and rejoice in that knowledge.
Join me then, won't you, in bidding Geoff fond farewell, and thanking him heartily for his efforts over these past many years!