Well, it's been 11 days, and I think I'm about ready to write about this. It has been a struggle to get to this point, partly because writing about it is going to make it feel that much more real, and denial seems to have been an effective coping strategy so far.
Oculan closed operation on 5/20/04, after failing to secure funds quickly enough to sustain operations. With that decision came the demise of one of the most promising enterprises I've ever been involved with.
Why is that? Well, first, middle, and last... the people. Oculan had an incredible stable of talent, both technical, administrative, and sales. The technical team was by far the best I've ever worked with. Each person not only knew their particular area of expertise, but also grew continuously in the job to investigate new technologies and practices to keep the products moving forward as the best technology in its class.
I'm jobless now, and that brings its own concerns, of course, but the things I'm mourning most at this point are: The abandoning of a great product, and the breakup of the best team I've ever worked with. I know another job will come, but I do look with some trepidation on working with another group of people. I've gotten spoiled over the last 3 years.
I truly hope that someone will pick up this technology and run with it. It is a great product, it's time is now, and it will be very successful.
To all my former co-workers... Thanks for the great times. And, to quote Ben quoting Douglas Adams... "So long, and thanks for all the fish"