Subj : Re: Jim Butterfield
To   : All
From : Jim Brain
Date : Sun Aug 16 2020 02:54 pm

FWIW, I met and visited with Jim in person and virtually over the years.
 I think the last time was in 2006 at one of the C4 shows (here's the
two of us (I'm on right) in 2005 at the SWRAP show:

https://www.lyonlabs.org/commodore/swrap2005/butterfield-party.jpg

I also found a pic of us at the 2005 C4 Expo:

https://postimg.cc/TKBfdcSN

I found Jim to be absolutely pleasant and not predisposed to focus
conversation on computers or Commodore.  He could converse on pretty
much any topic, though he was happy to regale with stories about his
interactions with CBM through the years.

Probably the most interesting thing about Jim is his normalcy.  I don't
think Jim was an uber coder or somehow revolutionary (sorry to burst
bubbles).  He was a capable programmer, had a knack for explaining
things to people (in books, talks, etc.), and somehow had picked up some
connections with Commodore in years where those connections amplified
his reach.

IN the years he attended the shows, his talks were rudimentary, but
humorous, and he did not go out of his way to court celebrity.  He
seemed happy just to be "another one of the group" interested in the
machines.  Compare to Steve Punter, who was genuinely dismissive when he
attended WoC 2004 and people were asking about the Punter protocol or
the apps he wrote.  Jim probably was internally wondering why people
were still clinging to an ancient machine with little computing power,
but he never voiced any discontent.

Obviously, his physical appearance added to the legend.  Not everyone
can pull off that mustache.  His Canadian dialect and mannerisms no
doubt helped.

He and I chatted on topics technical and cultural in the times I visited
with him.

I think, though, it'll be tough to get much response to this inquiry.
Jim liked to just blend in, and we let him.  As such, the interactions
and discussions don't stand out.

Jim Brain

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