Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Enterprise, Odds and ends
Michael Bartosh Passes
I truly wish that I didn't have such sad news. I've learned today that Michael Bartosh has suddenly passed away. Michael was the co-author of the best Mac OS X Server book on the market, O'Reilly's "Essential Mac OS X Panther Server Administration" and was a tireless advocate for Mac OS X. Many, myself included, held him in awe for the amazing breadth of knowledge he possessed about Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server and his countless posts to the mailing lists that us Mac admins frequent.I had the privilege of meeting Michael at an O'Reilly Mac OS X conference a few years ago and learned that he was also great fun to hang out with.
We're going to miss you Michael. Our deepest condolences to your family.
Note: John C. Welch has some nice commentary about Bartosh and his effect on our community.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bonaldi said 9:36PM on 6-11-2006
That's terrible news. His book saved me more than once, and he's always seemed like a really nice guy. The picture just confirms it.
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Fahad Fateh said 9:42PM on 6-11-2006
Hi!
Sorry to hear that.
I have losed one of my good friends and I know how you feel.
Anyone can go away anytime. Even you and me. [Edited for content].
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Mac Diva said 10:20PM on 6-11-2006
Passed what? The pasta? The buck?
Adults with basic grasps of biology and reality use the accurate term -- DIED. Grow up and face reality, Damien. We are all going to die. It makes no sense to be afraid to use the word.
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Dan said 11:19PM on 6-11-2006
"Mac Diva" once again proves that putative Internet anonymity can surpass decency and decorum, even in a thread about someone's death.
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Stephen Antonucci said 11:21PM on 6-11-2006
Very sorry to hear this sad news. I met Michael at an Apple ACN Summer Camp. Great, fun and knowledgable guy. He will be missed greatly by the Mac community.
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Brian Garrett said 12:09AM on 6-12-2006
Holy crap! I'm sitting here in utter shock and disbelief. I only met Michael once and his knowledge and skills were so evident, not to mention he was one of the rare geeks who had a wonderful personality. He was even scheduled to be on-site doing some more work with my company later next month. This is completely tragic....
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Joe Clark said 1:08AM on 6-12-2006
“Suddenly passed away” is similar to “died suddenly,” a euphemism commonly used in newspaper reporting. Is that intended?
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Doug Hanley said 2:42AM on 6-12-2006
Um MacDiva needs some people skills. At the very least a drop of tact.
Michael will be missed.
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James Donevan said 5:47AM on 6-12-2006
Michael Bartosh will be sadly missed by the Mac community, heartfelt condolences to his wife. He leaves us far too soon.
With no offence to Michael, the nature of this report perhaps points out the editorial shortcomings of many of the TUAW bloggers. 'Passing away' is a well used and perfectly acceptable reportage term to describe an individual's death in many situations. However it is not particularly well chosen when someone dies from a sudden, tragic accident as happened in this case.
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Alex Thurley said 6:37AM on 6-12-2006
I visited a technology briefing on 23rd of may, only some days ago, and i read he is dead due to a tragic accident. It's very sad and shocking and a big loss. On behalf of my team: our thoughts go out to his family and friends, Michael will live on through his books and in all our memories.
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Stealth43 said 8:39AM on 6-12-2006
Godspeed sir.
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birdDog digital - Nationwide Mac Sales + Expert Tech Help & Free Podcast said 10:25AM on 6-12-2006
Terrible to hear. I had just been emailing him about some ideas I had, and we might have worked together.
My best to his family.
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umijin said 10:06PM on 6-19-2006
Ummm - crazy question, but as a Tokyo-ite how did he tragically die here?
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guerro said 2:08AM on 6-20-2006
He fell from a balcony. And what is with all the future tense writing with the media these days. He passes? He dies? He falls? Shouldnt it be he Passed, died, fell ???? I am noticing this a lot in the news media these days. Anyway, sorry to see such a great asset to the Mac community die.
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Andrew said 2:02PM on 6-21-2006
My heart sank and tears came to my eyes when I read this. I worked a little with this guy. He started as the apple student rep at Texas A&M. The same position I later held for three years. He left some big shoes to fill. One of the peices of advice he gave me was "get less sleep."
He was an awesome guy. I feel for his wife and family.
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