Here is some background about imeem and mono:

When I started imeem I wanted to use the best tool for the job.  I used to use java, but for a number of reasons was not excited about building a consumer app with it.  I don't really feel like starting an argument about it, but I don't like any of the UI toolkits. (As an aside, I have received a personal apology for Swing being so lame from a certain implementor of Java.)

Here's some more background about me.  Previous to working on imeem, I worked at the company called VA Software, which used to be VA Linux.  Specifically, I worked on a product called SourceForge Enterprise Edition.  When I used to be in school at Stanford I used Linux as my desktop OS and was an active participant in the open source community... which is one of the reasons I was excited to work at VA.  I know quite a bit about Open Source, Free Software, etc.  I have my own, personal, "run-in with Richard Stallman" story.  I have a lot to say about where I see Open Source and commercial software fitting together, but that is another topic.

I had used C# before, which I really liked, but disliked the Microsoft-only aspects of it.  However, I had been watching the Mono project since it was announced.  There were few people in the Open Source world that held more credibility in my eyes than Miguel de Icaza. When I first looked at mono in 2003, I was impressed with the quality of the product, even at that early stage. 

So, when we started imeem, we cross-compiled it on mono from day 1.  We didn't "port" to mono, mono was just part of our toolkit from the get-go.  It works really well.  Ximian/Novell has responded to bug-reports in a timely and helpful manner.  I have been able to meet a lot of the Mono team in real life, and they are genuinely funny, nice people.

So anyway, thanks to the Mono project.  I hope we can work together as imeem grows.

P.S.  imeem is hiring! mono experience is in demand! send resumes to jobs@imeem.com