NMU : statement

Statement for users of No More Underlining

It is with regret that I have come to the following decision about NMU. When I first started the project in 1997 I did so because I wanted an easy to use programme that replicated the simplicity of underlining an entry in a fleets handbook. Nothing on the market then achieved that.

Up until recent years I have struggled increasingly to issue regular updates supported by a small band of fellow enthusiasts. Since my accident and the loss of the master database over twelve months ago it has proved an impossible task to both rebuild what was lost as well as keep up with developments. I have been running but going backwards and not forwards. I therefore have come to the inevitable conclusion that it is a race I am not going to win. NMU is therefore no more.

It is a decision I am sure many of you have expected for some time, the effort of trying to construct updates against a tide of data and the effects of depression has finally defeated me. Therefore for the good of my health and sanity I am ceasing work on all aspects with immediate effect.

The NMU mailing list will be closed at the end of the year. All email addresses associated with the product will cease in March 2012. I am giving you this notice so that people can try and secure alternative platforms should they need to. I will try and assist with data porting if necessary.

NMU itself will still continue to function, yes even on Windows 7(!), but I will not be supplying any more data updates for it or providing support beyond March 2012. Users will need to update their own database. I urge you to support John at myNMU who has developed a creditable web based product that needs support and input from its community.

I am sorry to all those people who put their trust in me and have been left disappointed. To those who feel I owe them money from outstanding subscriptions then I will receive your refund requests until March 2012. Any unclaimed funds in the bank at that date will be donated to Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.

Many thanks to the friends I made over the last fourteen years for your support. We raised about £15,000 for charity through our combined efforts during that time.

Special mention must be made to John Hay, Tony Gothard, Phil Bate and Peter Ellis. If I have forgotten to mention you by name please forgive me.

Best wishes
Brian Matthews
11 Dec 2011