In Grimbergen, Belgium, a small town, famous for its abbey and its beer, very close to Brussels.

Generous, persistent, hard-working, family-man.

Technology gives me the opportunity to do what I want to do, in a way I want to do it. It is very easy to underestimate the impact of technology in one's life. For me, it is my job as well, and I am happy for that.

Without any doubt, that must have been a gift from Nature: my family, wife, and two daughters.

I was very happy using QuickPost before the site interface changed early 2007. I never really tried QuickEE after the new site launch.

Filters now give me most of what I need. I made myself some decent filters and I get most of the questions I am interested in accurately and fast. My email client does pop every minute though. :-)

Mixed feelings, in a way. Of course I am proud. It is nice to get an award, especially the first one of a kind. This award also indicated for myself that I only answer the questions I am comfortable with, and I value that as important.

On the other hand, every new certificate or award makes me wonder, "Am I not spending too much time on EE?"

Both, why not? Most of my work, I do on the Windows platform. Microsoft also did some interesting work in the XML area, which works for me. Google Search is the start page of my browsers. I find a lot of help in my daily work, by asking Google the right questions.

No, I didn't have a clue. I didn't know that the award existed. And if I had known, I could have only guessed that I would have come close.

I do make sure that my answers are to the point and correct before I post. And I will not contribute to a question unless I am sure there is an added value to my contribution. That is not so much for the points, but rather from a sense of responsibility. As soon as you have the status of "Expert" on EE, people that ask questions tend to walk down the route you are pointing them to. It is extremely important that you don't send people in the wrong direction.

Well, I've enjoyed being an expert on EE for a couple of years now. 2007 was particularly exciting since there was an important growth in the number of zones. The filter approach and the multiple zones per question made me "hit" some zones I had never been in before, and especially meet different experts, with different backgrounds and styles. I must say that being an expert in 2007, for me, was an enriching experience.

Haven't given the Lounge very much attention. I like to stay focused on EE, not really spending energy out of topic. Yes, I don't think I am a "Lounge" type of guy.

I don't really have the ambition for being a visionary, I must say. Can I make this a wish instead?

I wish EE an exciting 2008 and years to follow, with interesting new zones, many new, high-quality experts rising, clear and nice questions, and a lot of excitement for everyone involved.

Be patient. I can imagine that you want your first certificate as soon as possible. Don't go chasing as many questions as possible, for quick and easy points, but concentrate on giving clear and elaborated answers on topics you are really knowledgeable about. If you do so, certificated will come automatically.

There are a number of people on EE that I really respect. First, the Cleanup Volunteers that fo a marvelous job of closing open-ended questions. Then there are some fellow experts I had the opportunity to cooperate with on some of the tricky questions. And then the experts that answer the questions I have myself. Much appreciated. Here is my shout: Thanks guys (and girls), and keep up the good work.