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Happy 26th Birthday !
- Thread starter Dr Sheldon
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Is it today?
Yes, I mentioned it in another post where a customer said he bought his first interface 26 years ago. He didn't. It was only 25 years ago.
But 16-May-2000 was the day I published the very first version of VAG-COM (Beta 0.50). It didn't do that much, just Fault Codes, Coding, and Login. No MVBs, Basic Settings, or Adaptations yet; those came in Beta 0.65 some months later. Still, the next morning I had more orders than I had ISO-COM interfaces ready to ship. Those were completely hand-built; all through-hole components; no SMD.
If you want a laugh, check out this snapshot from June of 2000 on the Way Back Machine:
https://web.archive.org/web/20000606203057/http://www.ross-tech.com/
-Uwe-
But 16-May-2000 was the day I published the very first version of VAG-COM (Beta 0.50). It didn't do that much, just Fault Codes, Coding, and Login. No MVBs, Basic Settings, or Adaptations yet; those came in Beta 0.65 some months later. Still, the next morning I had more orders than I had ISO-COM interfaces ready to ship. Those were completely hand-built; all through-hole components; no SMD.
If you want a laugh, check out this snapshot from June of 2000 on the Way Back Machine:
https://web.archive.org/web/20000606203057/http://www.ross-tech.com/
-Uwe-
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Well done, impressive ride so far.
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Yep.. Its sobering thinking about the years ahead...
I felt that way 3 years ago - spoke to you about it. Was ready to to move into something new then. Mostly, just want the daily grind to end replacing it with a different grind - hopefully a lesser regimented grind. Freedom to choose what I do and when I do it... oh, that's a dream. To quote Sir William Wallace in the movie Braveheart: "F R E E D O M!"
That said, I also know that if I do not keep my mind and skills active, I will be drooling on my shirt, plopped in a rocking chair at an old folk's warehouse (retirement community). Nope - not my plan to be warehoused. My plan is to keep pushing this fat old barrel shaped bear around and keep him going for as long as his equipment permits! Who knows what new things this 70 year old kid will do to drive Linda, my spouse, nuts!
Impressive alright. Many happy returns to Uwe and the RT team.
I think my first ISOCOM adapter dates back to 2001 - shortly after I bought my Audi S2 and had the challenge/joy of creating the LBL file for that - I think I was the first to try VAG-COM (as it was) on the mighty ABY motor. I still have the old adapters (and that car). The old adapters still work, but the car needs more intensive therapy or a small miracle.
I think my first ISOCOM adapter dates back to 2001 - shortly after I bought my Audi S2 and had the challenge/joy of creating the LBL file for that - I think I was the first to try VAG-COM (as it was) on the mighty ABY motor. I still have the old adapters (and that car). The old adapters still work, but the car needs more intensive therapy or a small miracle.
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Congrats, i think my first cable was in 2005
Happy Birthday wishes From Ohio! Trying to recall when I first got my 1st Ross-Tech interface. There was a Hex-Net WiFi one in 2013 or 2014, but think there was something earlier than that as well. Regardless, my VW/Audi ownership wouldn't have been the same without you guys! Congratulations on your success and longevity. BTW, 67 isn't as old as 77!
An ISO-COM in October of 2000. I think you're the leader in terms of oldest customer in this thread right now.
-Uwe-
You are all mere youngsters, at 75 and still doing diagnostics (albeit not on a regular basis) and on my 4th VCDS interface all supplied by Derek at Ilexa. I cannot remember when I got the first interface, it was stolen and it still anoys me!
Happy Birthday VCDS (Vag Com)
Regards HMC
p.s. Shame Bim Com never happened!
Happy Birthday VCDS (Vag Com)
Regards HMC
p.s. Shame Bim Com never happened!
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Ah yeah those sweet memories of my first rosstech interface.
It was march or april 2026...
Happy anniversary!
It was march or april 2026...
Happy anniversary!
Happy anniversery
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RS232 ..... I shed a little tearAn ISO-COM in October of 2000. I think you're the leader in terms of oldest customer in this thread right now.
-Uwe-
btw - how many total cables you sold?
hex can , dual can, mico-can etc
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I'm still rocking an interface using this port right now.... more than suitable for my current '14s
I'm not going to put a number on that in public, but I'll say this:
Early in the year 2000, I was thinking if I could sell 1000 systems per year, I would never have to work for somebody else again. Then I sold about 1300 the first year, and it has grown from there.
-Uwe-
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and.... if we could count all the illegal copies as "sort of" a VCDS sold... YOUR MIND WOULD EXPLODE!
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To clarify, and I am not sucking up to the boss, the tool Uwe developed 26 years ago has a huge installed base of use around the world. Uwe built a tool that is awesome and Eric plus the rest of the team followed Uwe's lead to make it all possible.
I'm the guy Uwe brought the tool to prior to my being a part of Ross-Tech. I said, "That's cool. Who the hell would want one of those?"
I get to eat those words everyday and I am jealous of the success Uwe has had and continues to have with his tool. When the OE dealers are buying this aftermarket tool to be used in their service bays, you know the tool is really a solid tool.
Kudos to the development team.
Don't forget Ross-Tech is not just the tool. Without the support of our Support team, the tool would not be this popular. Kudos to our Support team for all they do to support users.
The rest of us add something to the backbone of the company for somebody has to do the work of selling and filling orders. Distribs around the world, and the team in house do an awesome job of that work.
Uwe built a company, not just a tool. May Ross-Tech go another 26 years, helping others keep VAG cars on the road! Who knows what challenges Ross-Tech will face... but those who have faced the past challenges, will know how to face the future challenges..
Ok, putting my pom poms down now.... I am just damn proud to have been a member of this team for a long time - not 26 years but 22 of those 26.
I'm the guy Uwe brought the tool to prior to my being a part of Ross-Tech. I said, "That's cool. Who the hell would want one of those?"
I get to eat those words everyday and I am jealous of the success Uwe has had and continues to have with his tool. When the OE dealers are buying this aftermarket tool to be used in their service bays, you know the tool is really a solid tool.
Kudos to the development team.
Don't forget Ross-Tech is not just the tool. Without the support of our Support team, the tool would not be this popular. Kudos to our Support team for all they do to support users.
The rest of us add something to the backbone of the company for somebody has to do the work of selling and filling orders. Distribs around the world, and the team in house do an awesome job of that work.
Uwe built a company, not just a tool. May Ross-Tech go another 26 years, helping others keep VAG cars on the road! Who knows what challenges Ross-Tech will face... but those who have faced the past challenges, will know how to face the future challenges..
Ok, putting my pom poms down now.... I am just damn proud to have been a member of this team for a long time - not 26 years but 22 of those 26.