Fred Langa And The Langalist - WE MISS YOU, FRED!

WOW!! I couldn’t have said it better, I totally echo!!!

My biggest concern is that where Fred would occasionally mention topics of interest to Linux users, I wonder if the Windows Secrets marriage going to spell an end to coverage of anything except Windows. That would be a shame.

I used to subscribe to the paid version of both newsletters. I think I liked them better as separate entities.

Agreed, I have been a Langalist subscriber for quite a long time and always looked forward to reading each issue - but I have been very disappointed with what I have seen of ‘Windows Secrets’. I doubt very much that I will subscribe when the trial period expires.

I totally agree. Fred’s letter was a joy to receive, full of interesting stuff. Windows Secrets is disappointing. The old version was like receiving news from a buddy sharing the latest gossip. The new version is just another commercial sales pitch. Fred’s personal touch, so adored bya ll of his readers, is gone. What a pity!

Hi Jay,
I couldn’t agree more. Windows Secrets is very disappointing. Way to many ads and very little content. It’s like reading a newsletter that was generated by a non-person.

Thanks for the comment. Ron

here is a copy of an emial I just sent for your interest. Tried to send it to another address that I googled:

Dear Fred,
I have sent numerous emails to the new merged newsletter marked “attn Fred Langa”. They mostly concern the question that I keep asking as to whether or not you endorse the products that are now advertised in the newsletter. I have never gotten a single reply and my concern is that even though I addressed them specifically to you and in the last one asked for at least a confirmation that you were allowed to see them I still have gotten no reply. My suspicion is that you are not being allowed to see them. If this is the case then you are no longer in any real position with the newsletter that bears your name. If this is not the case and it is indeed you who is ignoring me then please just confirm that you did read this and that you simply do not wish to address the question and I will stop trying. I just think you should be aware that there are serious problems with the new newsletter that need to be addressed. PLEASE SEND SOME SORT OF REPLY if only to say I got it and I don’t want it!

I have cancelled my subscription and it is a shame.

Hi Hugh,
Thanks for sharing the email you sent to Fred. Let us know if he gets back to you or not. Thanks again, Ron

Looks like I’m not the only one who feels betrayed by Fred Langa! I, like others who’ve commented note that any and all emails sent to Fred have gone unanswered. Windows Secrets is a joke, as it seems to be more of a platform for shoving ads down our throats. Fred’s original newsletter was “ad free” for paid subscribers, but that, along with his twice-a-week format went down the crapper. It’s now twice a month, and sometimes less, due to “site maintenance”.

I too question his actual role in this new format, as he seems to be almost an after thought, rather than a key player. Curious as to how much he got paid off for providing such a vast database of subscribers!

Don Naphen

Hi Don,
With every issue of Windows Secrets I hope that I will see some improvement. But that is not the case. I’m going to give it one more issue and if there is no improvement I’m going to cancel my subscription.

I am extremely disappointed!

Thanks for your comments, Ron

Well Ron, the latest issue of Windows Secrets landed in my inbox yesterday and it was probably the worst yet! Three articles from Fred Langa, and nothing of substance (again).

Probably the most disappointing of all is the total lack of interaction between his readers, which was his signature prior to the merge. It appears that he now picks out a couple of topics to discuss and just rambles on. I’m guessing that he’s got other things going for him, as it doesn’t take 2 to 3 weeks between issues to put something like that together.

AND, still no response to my emails sent to him over the past month. No individual emails are listed for the group, so it’s impossible to know if any emails sent are actually received by the respective parties.

Maybe the’re being screened for content by someone in India (??) L O L !!

Don Naphen

Hi Don,
Well I was on the phone to India this morning with a tech. for ATT. I asked him if he knew Fred - nope! LOL

I went over for a look-see of the last newsletter, I must agree, kinda sad. Oh well. I still wish him all the best.

Have a good weekend, Ron

FINAL Comments on Fred Langa:

This morning’s Windows Secrets had yet another bland offering by Fred Langa. To devote such a large amount of space advising people to be careful when plugging/unplugging USB devices, for fear of damaging the plug is a laugher. In his heyday, Fred often commented on how knowledgeable his reader base was, and, based on reader input, I’d have to agree.

At least he admitted to receiving input this time around, but apparently he has someone screening for negative comments. I’ve yet to see anything published in his newsletter that reflects the comments contained within this Blog Ron. For fear of beating a dead horse, I won’t add anything else, as it’s become a dead issue now. WHAT A SHAME !!

Don

Hi Don,
I agree. I saw his latest edition. Nada, nothing. I’ve told myself a 1/2 dozen times I’m going to cancel, but I guess I just keep hoping things would change. Doesn’t look like that is the case. To bad. I’m going to miss Fred.

Regards, Ron

Just found this site while searching for some old Winmag stuff. I’ve been a subscriber of Fred’s since the beginning, and I have to agree with everything that’s written here. Although I’m not ready to throw in the towel on Windows Secrets…..it’s not that bad, but it’s not on par with the original LangaList. I hate the ads, despite the fact I pay for it, and Fred’s content has been bland, he hasn’t even been writing the good stuff.

I have two guesses….a) Fred was on the verge of going under and had to find a partner; or b) the years of 60 - 70 hour weeks were just too much and he wanted a reduced role so he could spend more time with his family. I’d lean toward b), simply because he seemed to be successful for several years, I don’t see how he would suddenly be struggling. Also, I noticed in the new picture he has for Windows Secrets, he really doesn’t look good compared to previous photos. Sure he’s getting older, but in that recent picture, he’s gained a fair amount of weight and his face looks like one of a very stressed man.

Hello Dan,
Good observations. I hope that your B is the case.

Whatever his reasoning, I still and I am sure most people will, wish all the best to Fred. He gave us all many years of great reporting and insight into the computer world.

Thanks for your comments, Ron

I too have been a long time reader of the Langalist paid version. It was a pleasure looking forward to each upcoming addition because you always knew there were at least several topics of value. I recommended it to a lot of my computer associates. Not anymore. I have been waiting for improvement as all of you have. It is not happening and since ample time has passed for adjustment I doubt it ever will. My friends also agree. So it looks like we all have to fact the fact that Langalist is gone - for good. It was certainly the best while it lasted.
-=George=-
(¯`·._.·ns¢ävË·._.·´¯)
http://www.nscave.com

Hi George,
It does appear that Windows Secrets is not going to get better. Also way to many ads for my taste.

Thanks for the comment, Ron

Ah…..what timing I’d say it is b.

Windows Secrets Newsletter • Issue 104 • 2007-04-19 • Circulation: over 270,000

By Brian Livingston

Our esteemed editor, Fred Langa, is taking a much-deserved sabbatical to ride his motorcycle coast-to-coast across the U.S. and back through Canada…..

Isn’t it ironic that I mentioned yesterday Fred is likely gone for good, when today’s edition of Windows Secrets advises he is going on a year long trip around North America. What a clever way to phase Fred out of the picture gradually. As Don mentioned previously in this group, a unique way to move the subscriber list, smells like a business deal.

Still it was the best while it lasted, all the best to Fred and his travels.(Now I will be quiet about this topic.)

-=George=-
(¯`·._.·ns¢ävË·._.·´¯)
http://www.nscave.com

Hell Dan and George,
Funny. My thoughts also when I read this as well. However, they are going to have Fred stop off at 4 clients home to tune up their systems. I recall many moons ago that Fred did something similar.:-)

I wish him well and a safe trip.

Thanks, Ron

Simply amazing that this thread keeps growing. I too saw that “article” by Fred and maybe he’s having personal problems, as he originally stated way back that his merge with Windows Secrets was so he could spend more time with his family. Now he’s off on his motorcycle for about a year ALONE !! Maybe selling his home in NH was to satisfy a court-ordered settlement (?).

In anycase, I wish him well, and, as was pointed out above, he contributed greatly to the computer community. I would have to guess and say we’ve probably seen the last of his excellent articles. I DO HOPE I’M WRONG !

Don

Hi Don,
I hope you are wrong as well.
I sincerely hope that everything works out for the best.
Ron

Hi Ron; well, today’s “Windows Secrets” more or less informed us that the Fred Langa we all knew is just about history. He’s been “promoted” to Editor-at-Large, and will drop by occasionally with an informational column starting in September to let us know how his trans-continental jaunt went and also his visits to the lucky 4 winners of his house visits.

Sounds like Fred more or less retired, and if so, this has to go down as the greatest con job in recent memory (to me!). Fred was always THE MAN as far as I was concerned, and now he’s turned the reins over to a bunch of also-rans that have little to offer in terms of content, at least the content that I’ve been used to over the years.

I can certainly appreciate anyone wanting to hang up the jock strap and enjoy the good life, but the manner in which he chose to do so leaves a very sour taste in my mouth.

GOD SPEED JOHN GLENN WHEREVER YOU ARE

Don

Hi Don,
I agree. I think that Fred may have sold his subscription listings to this group. It is really a shame that things have turned out this way. I know a lot of us are extremely disappointed.

Ron

Howdy Ron & Readers.
I signed onto langa back in 99 after surfing into it (lol) and over the years, followed the ups and downs of computers and software through his newsletter.
The help advice and jokes from fred and readers is today truly missed..sigh And is on a par for me with the loss of mp3.com ..It would appear that nothing on the internet lasts for ever and all to soon that which we enjoy is swollowed up or broken up.
As for `Windows Secrets` i signed up to it as fred reccomended it, and at the time it looked OK. But it just is not the same newsletter, and i find i cannot read it. I will not resubscribe when the time comes.
GOOD LUCK FRED(langa) gone but not forgotten.
Archie (UK)

Hi Archie,
Thanks for your sharing your thoughts. Many of us feel the same way and do wish Fred all the very best.

Regards, Ron

This was a classic bait and switch con.
We were led to believe that the mailing list would be a merged one with most material written by Fred Langa.
The reality is that it is just the usual tired, Windows Secrets rubbish that targets technically illiterate and incompetent users.

Basically, Fred Langa sold his subscriber list to Windows Secrets and then retired. By doing this, Fred has wiped out any good karma he earned.

Hi Thera,
I think you might be right. It is strange how this situation has turned out.
Thanks for your comments,
Ron

Wow, it just keeps “going and going and going etc” !! I drifted back to this thread out of curiosity and it’s still alive and going strong. I unsubscribed to the newsletter about 2 months ago, as it was total garbage. I don’t need instructions on how to turn on a pc or use email ( LOL ). I’d be curious to know how many original paid subscribers to the LangaList have bailed out since the BIG LIE.

Interesting to see that Brian Livingston dropped by for a visit and offered no rebuttal or explanation with respect to the numerous negative remarks offered in this thread. Are the new kids on the block wearing blinders? I don’t know what Fred’s plans are for the future, once the money he made runs out, but it’s doubtful he’ll find another gig soon, as his credibility hit rock bottom with this scam.

I GUESS THERE’S A SANTA CLAUS AFTER ALL … right Fred!

Hi Don,
It is a shame but there appears to be many of us who have to agree with your sentiments. Nobody likes to be deceived.
Ron

I sure miss Fred also . I looked forward to his email letter for the newsletter.. I learned alot and felt I could tackle this computer mess I tend to get myself into to. I subscribed to Fred back in 2000 and have enjoyed laughed smiled learned all from one issue. I hope that Fred comes home again and if not someone else steps in and trys to build a helpful nesletter with tips and viewer sights. Thanks Your sight is nice Take care a new reader friend Barb Motto

Hello Barb,
Thanks or sharing our thoughts with us and also your comments.

Like you, I still miss Fred as well.

Take care, Ron

I didn’t know others felt the same but I agree. Kind of like losing a friend. The new letter isn’t the same. I felt so happy when I got the Langa letter before, now I put my windows letter in a folder and read it when I get time and I’m nearly always disappointed.

Hi Karen,
I think most of us would agree that the new newsletter is a waste of time reading.
Ron

Hello fellow ex Langalist subscribers

When I receive a Windows Secrets newsletter I am always disappointed. Reason is that it is impersonal and full of corporate back room updates and such.

I won’t be renewing my Windows Secrets subscription as I don’t enjoy reading it. I’d rather buy a magazine from my newsagent.

I really miss the friendly forum of the Langalist that was so up-to-date, relevant, and explained simply so that any interested amateur could pick up.

Obviously, such a tuned output,and twice a week, was a massive commitment.

Thank you Fred for the years of great work.

Regards, Stephen

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your comments and for sharing your thoughts.
Ron

I too have been extremely dissapointed in the combined newsletter. When renewal time came around, I declined paying for the new one.

Whatever Fred’s reasons for combining, I respect them. But I do miss the Langalist!

Hi Mark,
“But I do miss the Langalist!”
So do I.
Ron

I also miss Fred. When I started getting my langalist emails, I knew very little about computers and was afraid I’d mess it up if I tried to fix any problems with it. With Fred’s helpful info, I overcame my fears and now acually like it when something goes wrong so I can find the problem and fix it myself. No pro by anymeans, just know where to find the answers and have the confidence to try.
Fred was the coolest!
terri

Hi Terri,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Regards, Ron

Hi Ron

I too was a long term paid subscriber to Langalist and was pretty gauled when I paid for a whole year and it stopped after a couple of news letters……. Windows Secrets is next to useless and it would be great to have an alternative. I wish Fred well anyway and one day we will hopefully find something to compare with Langalist.

Regards, David in Derbyshire, UK

Hi, everyone.
I, too, have been very disappointed in “Windows Secrets” as a replacement for the old, much-loved, Langalist. And it clearly isn’t that Fred is still on his Sabbatical - we have had reports from him after his return, with photos, etc - but nothing like the old Fred - I even wonder did he write them himself? Anyway, this morning’s Windows Secrets arrived - no Fred at all!
I will certainly not be subscribing again to Windows Secrets. But, like so many of you, I wish Fred well, whatever has happened to him.

Like all the other posters here, I’ve learned loads from Fred and miss the Langa Letter. I, too, am disappointed with the content of Windows Secrets since it lacks Fred’s touch and insight into what the readers want. My subscription just expired and I won’t be renewing. Good luck to you, Fred. You can count on a loyal following if you ever return to writing a newsletter.

I was wondering myself. I thought it was just me. I subscribed to the new Windows Secrets. I was formerly a Langalist member and subscribed to BrianLivingston’s newsletter. I have most of the Windows secrets newsletters still unopened in my inbox. It seems to be okay material but I think a good computer magazine is better. Good luck to Fred. I hope he returns with some form of newletter.

Thanks for all the comments.

Maybe Fred will decide to come back one day.

This has to be the longest running blog ever, and also the most controversial. I have yet to see one positive remark since the changeover (translate that to SELLOUT). Since whatever columns include Fred are only in the “paid” version of Windows Secrets, chances are that a new generation will never have the opportunity to even know who Fred is/was. That’s the real shame of it all Ron.

Can’t believe that neither he nor his cohorts have ever responded to the volumes of negative comments directed at him/them !! I’ve been out of the loop with their current publication now for about a year, so maybe you or other readers can fill me in on what’s going on there? I still have that gut feeling that Fred had some major personal issues at home and had to bail out to come up with some heavy cash for legal expenses. Just my hunch, but it’s the only logical conclusion I can come up with. Nothing else makes any sense.

Hi Don,
I also stopped Windows Secrets. So I haven’t a clue what is up with Fred.:-(

I was just sitting at my laptop this morning (1/1/08 - 7:00AM) and thought about how much I missed Fred Langas articles and such so I Googled “Langalist was better” and found this…
To make a long intro a bit shorter I have officially dropped my subscription to “Windows Secrets” .

I thought that I would share my email in response to the last message I received from editor@wondowssecrets.com concerning the renewal of my subscription.

We all MISS YOU Fred!!

************************
To: Editor
Subject: My reason for unsubscribing….RE: Renewal Notice for Windows Secrets Newsletter

I am not sure if this will get to someone but I believe this needs to be said. If you feel a rebuttal is necessary then I would be happy to receive it.

For many (9) years I was a subscriber to Fred Langa’s newsletter. It was full of good stuff, involved almost every reader (it felt personal) and it had stuff for almost every range of skill (newbie to professional).

There was always some sort of freeware/open source application mentioned. Even on a boring week the topics covered a security issue quick and neat and moved on.

He gave many webmasters their start on the Web by sharing their links online with his “Load the Code” offer. Sure, sometimes it would suck to get published because the bandwidth would go through the roof but even then it wasn’t so bad. I mean, you made the “Langa List!!!” for gosh sakes.

Since Fred has become a sort of “Editor-at-large” and merged his newsletter it has become more business oriented. Not personal and fun. The articles are full of almost useless info and strange “investigative reporter” style tech news.

I have found, as well as many people in techno circles, other newsletters that aren’t covering the latest “Microsoft Flaws” news that is all over the web anyway. They field user questions often and give us insights into the guts of Windows and computing from many aspects.

Windows Secrets has yet to give me anything Fred gave me…It gives me some sort of political “Microsoft Secrets” but I want something I can use, not gossip and slander. “He said; She said” crap.

To that I say, “Let the subscription expire”

We miss you Fred!!
*******************

Now its no literary masterpiece but I believe it gets the point across enough to say “We need a -Fred Langa-!” I wonder if Brian even got this email? If so, could Windows Secrets ever get close to what Fred did??
Would they even care…
Until they do they will be less one subscriber.
It’s the AT&T of tech newsletters… too big and too worried about the bottom line.
I can almost hear Mr. Livingston say “We have advertisers to worry about, lets get on it people!!”

Hello CharlesG,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. It is appreciated.

All the best for the New Year.

I’m a late comer, but I liked Fred’s original newsletter. It actually had good stuff in it. I get tired of Brian always talking about clean-installing an upgrade copy of windows. It was a good article LAST YEAR.

Hi Jeremy,
Good point!

Just ead the latest mostly useless issue of Windows Secrets. Very sad to read that Fred is retiring for good. I am sure we all wish Fred well with his future plans. WS has offered little and without Fred it is only good for a soap opera read.

Hi Bob,
I think we all wish Fred the very best in his retirement years. I hope his ‘re-boot’ as he called it, works well for him and his family

I have also stopped being a subscriber because of the change. Windows secrets newsletter plain sucks. I would like to recommend another newsletter that I think is of equal caliber, but different though. You can find it here http://www.techsupportalert.com

Im a paying subscriber there.

What can I say that has not already been said in this blog?

I have been doing technical support in the computer industry for over 25 years and Fred Langa’s Langalist was the best read ever to be produced. It always was valuable and relavent. Windows Secrets - not so much.

I miss Fred’s outstanding writing and wish him the best in retirement.

Hi all,

In case you haven’t seen it - Fred has a new blog. There’s not much computer related there - it seems that he truly was burnt out and needed to reboot his life. Can’t blame him, although I do still miss the LangaList. He provides a link to a very long but worthwhile read on his motorcycle journey across the country. At the beginning, he mentions some personal life struggles (wife divorced him) and talks about how he sold his business to Brian Livingston (without mentioning him by name).

Blog: http://fredlanga.blogspot.com/

Motorcycle trip diary: http://fredlanga.blogspot.com/2008/05/by-way.html

Hello Dan,
Thanks for the links. I haven’t seen this and will pass it on in another article.

I had a hunch that something serious happened to Fred in his personal life.

It would be nice for some of his loyal readers to drop by and say hi and wish him well. Some folks were very hard on him for dropping out.

Regards, Ron

Wow. Ron Schenone posted in my new blog, and led me to this thread. I’m amazed and humbled at the messages here.

I’m truly sorry that my actions appeared to be “selling out.” That was never my intent. When Brian approached me about buying my newsletter, it seemed a 3-way win: readers would get continuity, Brian would get new subscribers, and I’d get some relief. After 10 years as a 1-man operation, I was on the ragged edge of burnout, and had to make a change.

For comparison, Brian’s newsletter was roughly the same size as mine; he had four full-time people working on it, plus his paid contributors to help actually write the thing. I had, well, me. Even with a lot of very helpful readers sending in tips, it was essentially one guy doing 4+ full time jobs, and that’s simply not sustainable.

Plus, as some of you surmised, there was a personal crisis afoot: My marriage of 35 years was crumbling. It wasn’t a fun time.

My divorce is now in its final stages, grinding towards a final decree. And my noncompete agreement with Brian expires this Fall. So, it’s time for me to figure out what comes next— and hence my new blog.

I don’t know exactly what this will evolve into. But whatever it is, it has to be physically sustainable, and (if possible) maybe a little fun.

Tech writing? Maybe…. Maybe a Linux newsletter? Maybe some new take on Windows. Maybe something else altogether. I just don’t know yet.

If you’d like to see where it all leads, I invite you to join in the discussion. I’d love to hear from former readers, some of whom I truly came to think of as friends.

Blog: http://fredlanga.blogspot.com/

Just got an email (Oct. 6, 2008) from the Windows Secrets people with the subject: Fred Langa ends retirement to answer your…

As we’ve learned from Livingston and his gang, it always all about the money. The note says that, yes, Fred is coming back to write a column, but only in the paid edition. See, I said it’s always all about the money.

Having seen what short shrift Livingstone & Co. have given Fred in the past, plus the lame last efforts of Mr. Langa I think I can easily give this wonderful offer a pass.

I also can understand what Fred is up against. As a freelancer myself I know you sometimes have to grab whatever ring comes around, be it brass or dross.

Sadly, I think we’ve witnessed the passage of an era.

Arjay Morgan

Hello Arjay,
Thanks for the information. Fred hasn’t mentioned this on his personal site as of yet. But he does need to make a living.

OMG Ron! The Langa threads just keep on coming. I too saw that “announcement” by Fred with regards to his returning to Windows Secrets. He mentioned something about the “honor system” of paying if one thought it was worth a contribution! Geez, that bridge in Brooklyn comes to mind again.

All those of us who subscribed to the PAID version of The Langa List, and subsequently merged into the rag known as W.S. got stiffed, but good! Now, we’re supposed to use their honor system? Hey Mr. Livingston … we already paid once, remember!

A few blogs ago on Fred’s blog, he “hinted” that, once his agreement with W.S. was over this Fall, his blog would contain more of what we had all hoped for. Now, he announces that he’s back with W.S. !!! Am I reading this correctly Ron ?? Even a politician maintains some continuity to get re-elected!

Hello Don,
I know. It is disappointing to see Fred bow down and return to W.S. Like you, I was hoping that Fred was going to start his own blog with some great ‘Langa’ only content.

I find it difficult to defend or condone his decision. The only word I can think of is ‘disappointed’.

Regards, Ron

Well Ron, I have to take a similar stance as you … why beat a dead horse? I just find this to be ludicrous! Hell, I went thru a divorce also, but didn’t get back with the “X” either! LOL. I find this absolutely incredible. I can only guess, and it’s ONLY a guess, that Fred “may” have been thrown a bone ($$$$) to NOT draw W.S. subscribers his way. His expertise in this field is without question … I only question the logic of his decision.

One can only jump ship so many times before running out of life boats. W.S. is a sinking ship - no question there, as attested to by the volume of negative comments here. Politicians running for election kiss babies … wonder what Fred is gonna kiss to win back his followers?

“wonder what Fred is gonna kiss to win back his followers?”

I don’t think he will be able to win back his following.

I was checking an old Langalist archive link & looking for a search link to pass on to one of my website visitors asking for help, what I got was a slap in the face!

The http://langa.com/ link still works but from there on it’s hit or miss. If you get to the page you want it’s likely to suddenly flip to a Network Solutions “under construction” page full of paid-search links. Archived newsletter links still work but only a few still go to the actual newsletters!

Thanks Fred, that was a useful reference archive until now
Windows Secrets instead?
No thanks, Micro$loppy neutral a la Fred I don’t have a problem with but Micro$loppy lovers set my teeth on edge!

I do hope Fred continues to monitor this page, maybe he’ll find here the motivation to at least stop disappointing his faithful friends & followers!

Hi Dee,
‘maybe he’ll find here the motivation to at least stop disappointing his faithful friends & followers!’

I certainly would hope so. Thanks for dropping by.

Regards, Ron

I can’t believe the ongoing thread here Ron! I would certainly hope that Fred takes notice and maybe reconsiders his announced decision to rejoin W.S. Of course, if he’s signed a contract, then that’s the end of it. Just curious why he never considered being a freelance editor of sorts for maybe PC Magazine, where his exposure would certainly pull in a few bucks to pay the bills. I’m not in the business, so don’t know how it works, but his decision to return to W.S. will probably put the final nail in the coffin for him, as W.S. is all but dead. Personal feelings aside, I do wish him well, as he made a big difference in my life.

Hi Don,
I am going to drop a note to Fred and see if he would like to comment here.

Holy Crap! You guys need to get a life and leave Fred alone. He said he had to end his retirement because he needs to “make a living’. You idiots are going to condemn that. His divorce has given him financial issues and he needs to “pay the bills”. WS has it’s problems (as have been address with this ridiculously long thread), but you can pay ANY AMOUNT to join it if you want Fred’s article on the paid version. Give the guy a break! I can’t believe you idiots would criticize someone for having to get paid for his work. This wasn’t his preference, but it is a necessity.

Are all your lives so void that you have to sit here begging your Lord and Savior, Fred Langa to give you a free artcile?

Geez, what a bunch of losers!

@Rikki: I took your advice to consider subscribing to the Tech Alert newsletter and discovered (to my great surprise and disappointment) the following announcement on their “Newsletter” page:

“Gizmo’s Support Alert Newsletter merged with Windows Secrets newsletter on July 24, 2008 …”

Will Windows Secrets be taking over the world next …?

Oh well … my hunt for a quality newsletter continues.

@Ron: I found this thread from Fred’s blog thanks to a critic’s entry there:

http://tinyurl.com/3jzehe

I totally agree with you and everyone who has commented here, but would go easy on Fred … he hasn’t sold out to WS or anyone. He’s human like everyone else here and is just making a living. We should be honest with ourselves and admit that it’s our fault for putting him on such a high pedestal and then criticizing him for not meeting our expectations.

Thank for the comments.

I especially liked this:

‘We should be honest with ourselves and admit that it’s our fault for putting him on such a high pedestal and then criticizing him for not meeting our expectations.’

Good point.

You’re welcome, Ron.

BTW, sorry for the double post … the text I quoted from the “Gizmo’s Support Alert Newsletter” page didn’t get captured the first time around. Feel free to delete it (if you’re able to with your blogging software).

Cheers!!

Fred Langa has always appeared to me to be a top class gentleman. For years I read his newsletter regularly. He obviously put enormous time and energy into providing his readers with very useful information. The information was not only rich and relevant, but was presented in an entertaining, often times humorous way, with his unique personal style. Moreover, Fred was consistently appreciative of his readership, polite, tactful, unpretentious and gracious. Reading him, brought me a positive feeling, which made me feel a camaraderie with the community he built online. I think of him as having endeavored in that way with great effort and dedication for years. I sometimes wonder how he did it, without growing tired of it sooner. He seemed to always go the extra mile. He cared, about the topics, and about people. I don’t feel he owes me anything. On the contrary, for all he did for me, I offer him at the very least, sympathy for any personal losses (his marriage? his business?), and wish him well to find his way to freedoms, and new inspirations in his life, regardless of whether he chooses an online presence or not. Sure, it was an abrupt halt to the LangaList, but in my estimation of the kind of guy he is, I know he meant no disloyalty to his admirers in doing whatever he needed to do.

That’s my ‘plain vanilla’ 2 cents worth, and I’m sticking to it.

Hello Evan,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I appreciate you stopping by.
Regards, Ron

NTLDR is missing How to repair