Paddleducks
General => Paddleducks Website/Forum => Topic started by: Eddy Matthews on May 11, 2011, 12:41:54 AM
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I've been thinking about this long and hard over the last few weeks, and I'm afraid the time has come to step down from Paddleducks...
I started this website approximately 6 years ago, and since then I've lost my Mum and Dad, and now my wife. Sadly it's all just become too much, and I need to devote my time to my daughters.
So I need someone who is prepared to take over the running of the website on a permanent basis. I would be around for a while to help and offer any advice etc, but I would slowly step away over the coming months...
If no-one is forthcoming, the site is all paid for until the beginning of 2012, so it would tick over until our hosts pulled the plug when the fees were due.
This is not a decision where I will change my mind in the weeks/months ahead, so the ball is in your court if you wish Paddleducks to continue.
Regards
Eddy
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Dear Eddy,
many thanks for you hard work over the last 6 Years, you have done so much for us we can't give it back to you.
I hope there will be someone who continues what you have build up, it would be sad if we lose this site.
Best regards Hans Juergen Freund.
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Message deleted by dw......apologies to any concerned - Derek
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Well sadly the response to my request for someone to take over Paddleducks has been totally underwhelming! So unless someone is prepared to jump in, the site will continue until the begining of next year and will then close when our hosts pull the plug.
I could rant and rave to try and get someone to step up to the mark, but frankly I have far more important things to deal with right now!
I have to say that I'm very disappointed, but my daughters have to come first!
Eddy
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You are right Eddy your daughter do have to come first.
I think the main problem with someone taking over was listed in your reply to Derek's deleted post. If I remember you stated that the annual cost for running the site was around 300 Pd's, which most of the time you had been covering half because donations didn't cover costs.
Regards,
Gerald.
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That's 83 pence a day for the full fees to run the site
I understand Eddy's reasons and fully support him in what he's doing.
kiwi
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Gerald - the reason for my deletion of my posting was that I had breached the accepted rule in that I posted a copy PM response without any form of approval - I have personally apologised for this via a PM
For those regular PD members.... the understanding of the idea in the actual yearly running costs was not new.......it has been documented on a number of occasions in round about terms
1.0 the funding may be one issue....& as crazy as it sounds...we have 1056 members & so if each member donated just 1/2 a pound each PA the funds would cover the operating costs
2.0 the capability from an IT perspective may be a second hurdle
3.0 having sufficient time per day....per week...per month...to do justice to the WEB site & the members in a manner that we have become accustom to....could also be an issue................Derek
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Hi All,
I think there are 2 fundamental questions here
1. How much do the members wish for this site to continue in the great tradition and high standards Eddie has set?
2. why cant a number of members take over instead of just one? we already have moderators etc. and the load could be spread.
We have all supported Eddie and now its time for a number of members to step up if the site is to continue. Hosting options etc can all be looked into in the time left till the site paid date expires.
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Hi PeeWee,
i agree with you, it should be possible to rune the site by a group of members. The problem for me is, i think it needs native English speaking people to do it. So my support will be more on the financial side, lets say 25£ PA.
Regards Hans
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i am sorry, but i can't offer any assistance as i am totally computer illiterate.
took me 3 hours on the phone to Dell in India the other day just to download my new windows 7 programne.
i am afraid that if i were let loose on the site, you would be without one sooner than i could spit.
neil.
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To answer PeeWee's questions....
#1. I cannot answer, thats up to our members to decide. But I would dearly love to see the site continue as I've put many thousands of hours into it over the years. And as my wife Roz knew how much I enjoyed my modelling, it would be a fitting memory to her to see it continue and grow.
#2. More than one person could take things over. It would just need careful handling, so that we didn't end up with two people both trying to do the same software update for example!
To Answer Derek's questions....
#1. There will only ever be a small proportion of the membership that would be prepared to pay for its upkeep. In general over the last 3 years we've probably managed to get about half the costs from our members.
#2. The site will require someone who has good computer skills. No programming abilities are needed, though they can be a GREAT help at times! So you can do as I did and learn as you go.... Some knowledge of HTML and PHP programming can be picked up if your prepared to work at it.
#3. Daily maintenance, ie approving or deleting new membership requests and checking for spam or inappropriate posts can be done in about 10-15 minutes per day. Software updates can take anything from a couple of minutes to a few days depending on their complexity.
And finally...
The site costs will often be considerably less than the amount stated - Domain name fees are only payable every two years for example.
The main thing is that the site requires someone with common sense, someone who can spend a small amount of time EVERY day to sort registrations etc, and someone who is well organised - Especially when it comes to software updates! It's very easy to screw things up if you aren't careful, so an up to date backup of everything is essential BEFORE attempting to make any changes.
Eddy
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Good news guys....
The website will be taken over by PeeWee (Ian Peacock) and kiwi (Harry Duncan).
They will both have a fairly steep learning curve while they get to grips with everything, so if there are any little hiccups along the way please bear with them!
Jim Beattie, and Talisman will continue in their current roles for now - So hopefully they will handle any new registrations while Ian and Harry familiarise themselves with everything. And I'll be there as backup if there is a major problem.
So I hope you'll all give Ian and Harry all the support they need!
Regards
Eddy
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Hi All,
Well done and thank you Ian & Harry.
Good to know the site is in safe hands for the future.
Regards,
Kim
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Well PD's....thank you to both Kiwi & PeeWe and congratulations ....Derek :beer ......
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Phew thank you guys I really thought Paddleducks might be going under. Now this great site will continue, and once again Thank you Eddie for every thing.
Old Man
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Sorry to hear of your departure Eddy, but fully understandable.
Thanks Ian and Harry - Good luck (or should I say 'Break a leg' as showbiz persons do).
Hope you don't mind my 'Seen on Ebay' posts.
Tony
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Cheers All,
I will take a "break a leg" and any other good luck traditions i can. ;D
As Eddy has said Harry and I will be trying to live up to the high stand that he has set. we do have a steep learning curve as i have been looking at the behind the seens and you suddenly reliase how much goes into a site like this. I am extreamly greatfull to Talisman and Jim for continuing in their current role.
Long may Paddleducks continue :beer
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Many thanks Ian and Harry. I know Eddy is very pleased that the site will continue. All of us who appreciate the running costs must now "cough up" happily when the time comes to renew subscriptions.
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This is good news. Thank you both for stepping in.
I wish you success and will be supporting you from the interweb.
Well done
ken
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First of all, thank you again Eddy,
you did a brilliant job for all of us.
Welcome to the bridge Ian and Harry :goodluck, it is good to know there is someone who continues our site.
I wish you the best in your new Job ;) and keep my fingers crossed for you.
Best regards Hans
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Thanks to Ian and Harry for stepping up to take over the job Eddy has done so well.
Clark
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I'm glad someone stepped up. I thought we would have had to go back to Yahoo
Regards,
Gerald.
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Fine!!
Andreas
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Eddy,
I wish to pass on my thanks for everything you've done and created, and the encouragement I received from you over the past few years here on Paddleducks.
What has been accomplished with this forum goes beyond modelling, or boats, it's a community that is actively preserving and discussing and keeping alive the history of these boats across the globe. It is a library, an archive, a guide, and a gallery of beautifully crafted pieces on all scales, from all corners of the globe.
While I may have been somewhat lying dormant as a contributing member of the forum for the last few years, (A helter skelter path has lead me from my home in suburban Australia to currently the big light's of New York City) I do find myself popping back and visiting and getting the lowdown on what's happening on my beloved river, because I can be sure to find the latest and most reliable information from right here.
Which is why I'm so glad people have stepped up to continue on with this website. This wealth of knowledge cannot be allowed to just disappear. So thank you Ian and Harry for picking up where Eddy will leave off.
I hope that this forum can continue to be the leading source and collection of paddle steamer documentation on the internet. Because I certainly believe it is.
Eddy, I wish you all the best in your endeavours, and thank you immensely for the time, effort and work you've put into paddleducks.
Sean
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Thank you for the very kind words Sean..... With everything I've been through in the last few years, it's good to know that all the effort is appreciated. After losing my dear wife just two weeks ago, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes (again!). So your sentiments are greatly appreciated!
Regards
Eddy
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Sorry everyone, I haven't been on here for more than a few minutes at a time in the last couple of weeks - can't believe how much has happened - going to have to think for a while and take it all in :-\
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As a new member I just read through this and will sign up today as a supporter of this site...!! Long Live the contributions of Eddy and Roz!
Come on all you new members !!! - Throw a couple of what ever you have to spare and not think about it too long...We all have wasted more money on the wrong jar of paint as opposed to keeping this resource funded!!!
See what fits you and click :
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions (http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=subscriptions)
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Thanks Greg,
It's always nice to see a new member who immediately thinks we're doing something worthwhile and offers financial support. Sadly these things don't pay for themselves, the bills always come in every year :(
Kind regards
Eddy