Field Notes Inside an Integrated Communications Agency

DEV2: 1999 - 2008

Dev2 passed away this morning. Developers were unable to revive the nine-year-old former desktop computer after a routine reboot, which was precipitated by a planned move from the dynamic media cave to the server room.

Cause of death has been reported as, "catastrophic hard-drive failure", although it's unclear whether a full autopsy will be performed.

Although sudden hard-drive failure is not uncommon in computers of dev2's advanced age, authorities have named Broadcast Producer Anson Burtch - dev2's long-time roommate - as a "person of interest" in the incident.

The computer that eventually became known and loved simply as "dev2" came to Capstrat (then Capital Strategies) in 1999 as a powerful cutting-edge desktop computer running Windows98, and served with distinction until it was replaced a few years later. In 2002, dev2 got a new operating system (WindowsXP) and a new lease on it's career when it became the first desktop machine for a bright new Capstrat employee named Donna Jackson. By 2004, however, dev2 was quickly approaching obsolescence, and was relegated to the role of "intern desktop".

The aging computer had a close scrape in 2005, when it was selected for retirement. But just as it was to be hauled off to be recycled, it was rescued by Capstrat developer Paul Smith, who brought the machine back into active service with a new look (Linux!), and a new name, "dev2".

Between 2005 and 2008, dev2 was an integral part of the growing Interactive team, and served as staging point and launch pad for some of the team's biggest successes. With the recent introduction of newer processes and technologies, however, dev2's role has steadily declined.

Dev2 has already outlived most of it's peripherals, but is survived by many devoted users.