I note that Teribus igmored my query "So where did the "10 years" come from?

As for personal attacks, I somehow misconstrued that bit in Teribus 28 Jul 08 - 01:38 PM as a personal attack directed at Shimrod:

I have never heard such self-pitying drivel in my entire life, I would rather hope somebody shot me before I came out with such crap.

I suppose it's all down to how we interpret the term "personal attack".