Paddleducks - Everyone please read!

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi all,

Because of an unexpected problem at home, which is likely to take some considerable months to sort, I'm going to have to step down from running Paddleducks....

Because of this, I'm looking for someone that would be willing (and capable) of taking over the reigns - This may be for a period of six months or so, or maybe even a permanent change.

You don't need to be a computer programmer, but some knowledge of running a website, perhaps with a basic understanding of HTML and PHP would be ideal - Though not essential. You can always learn the hard way as I had to!

I would be around to help with any major problems, but most of the time you would be on your own... The site hosting fees and domain name fees are due in January 2010, and I would pay those, so there would be no expense until January 2011.

So if you feel your up to it, please get in touch ASAP. I'd hate to see Paddleducks close, so it's down to one of you to take on the task!

Regards
Eddy

 

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's..........mum always reminded us [four children] never to use the term I am.....however

I am not even knowing about HTML and PHP
I am a single father with three daughters & 4 1/2 grandchildren
I am self employed & work six days a week  
I am proud to be known as that convict member from OZ & enjoy the humour  
I am thinking that there are 20 dedicated PD members that would be at a loss without PD's
I am known for my moderate comment here on PD's & never swearing....  ....however did have to resign from another WEB site last week [model mayhem] when defending another member & suggested the 'moderators'  had collectively positioned their heads up their own ***** for the past twelve months  ...mind you I did apologise & rejoin ....may have been too much  
I am sure I would offer my total assistance & support to another PD member if the work load could be shared

I am sure that I know the dedicated PD members wish Eddy & his family all of the support needed .....Derek

[Harold H. Duncan]

Hi Eddy,
While I am not in a position to help with the running of the site, unfortunately, I wish you and your family, every good wish to return to the normal happy family state as soon as possible. Thank you for your efforts over the years and our best wishes are with you and your family. See you back soon
regards
kiwi

[Tug--Kenny]

I was sorry to read your letter, as I'm sure the other members were.

I too, wish you well with your commitments and appreciate you will need a break. It can't be easy watching over such a successful site.

We would like to carry on, under the guidance of the moderators, as I'm sure we can "self regulate" ourselves should any problems arise.

With regards to the finances of running this site, perhaps we could all "shell out" to keep it running. You have not mentioned the actual running costs, but if you were to divide the members into it, perhaps you could come up with a nominal figure. This could then be made known and we would be assured the members who subscribe are all 'with us' in supporting Paddleducks.

I'm sorry my knowledge of 'Putters' is rather low, so I'm not in a position to offer any technical help, but thank you for all you've done.

Regards

Ken





 

[Eddy Matthews]

Just to update everyone on what is happening.....

I will have limited time available for the foreseeable future, as I outlined above, so for that reason it has been necessary to appoint a small team of volunteers to look after the general running of the website until I get things back to normal at home.

I will still be around, but most of the day to day stuff will be handled by the newly appointed team - I hope you'll all give them your full support as you have always done for me.

The new team consists of the following members, so please contact one of them rather than me if there are any issues, something you don't understand, etc etc. They are listed in no particular order.....

Jim Beattie (Red_Hamish). Jim has been an Admin for some time, and just does his job quietly in the background, so quietly in fact that even I forget he's here half the time! I've known Jim for a number of years and I know he'll continue to do a good job.

Stuart Badger. Stuart was one of the original members when Paddleducks first started on Yahoo about 9 years ago. I've always found him to be a fountain of knowledge, and even though we've never actually met, I consider him a friend.

Jack Woodhams (Jack). Jack is the editor of Young Paddle Wheels, and has setup and run two websites. He's very young, but very enthusiastic. And lets face it, it's nice to see one of the younger generation with a real passion for paddlers, rather than all of us old fogies!

Kim (Talisman). Kim got interested in Paddlers because of his Dad, who sadly passed away earlier this year. During his time with Paddleducks, he has always been one of the first to step up and show his support for what we do, so I know he'll be an asset to the team.

Eddy Matthews. Okay that's me - Most of you know me already so there isn't really a lot to say. I'll still be around and will offer help and support when it's needed.

So there you go, that's the new "Team" that will be handling all of the mundane stuff a website like this creates. I know they will all try their hardest to do a good job, but bear in mind some mistakes may be made during their "learning curve", so have a bit of tolerance with them in the early stages, and I'm sure you'll soon agree that they are more than capable.

Regards
Eddy

[djcf]

Eddy,
 Best wishes regarding your situation......I hope things work out well at home.

And a big thank you to all the Team for stepping up to the plate.

regards
Clark

[Tug--Kenny]

Marvellous. Thanks chaps     

ken

[scotfriend]

Hi Eddy,

i don't like to hear any sad news,i know something about your family and the problems there, so i hope you can sort it out and i wish you and your family all the best, lets stay in touch, i keep the fingers crossed for you.

Unfortunately i can't help with running our website but i will support the new team if i can.

Kind regards Hans

[greateastern]

Eddy,
Thanks for everything and I truly hope that your situation at home is resolved happily. I'm glad that several people have stepped forward to assist you in your hour of need, and naturally happy that paddleducks will continue with their assistance.
best wishes to you and your family
dave

[Eddy Matthews]

Just a quick thankyou to everyone that has posted their support on the forum, via PM's, and emails.

it's always good to know that people care!!

Hopefully I should know a lot more by thursday evening, and then we can move forward and deal with the situation. I don't want to post about it publically, but your concern and support is appreciated.

Regards
Eddy

[Daryl]

I hope things work out for the best, thanks is a very small word for the tremendious amount of time and work you have put into the web site fr the benefit of us all.

Good luck and very best wishes fr the future.

Daryl

[Eddy Matthews]

I've been wondering wether I should post this all evening, but since a number of members have asked what was going on in PM's and emails, I feel that now is the time I can update this and let you all know what has been happening....

In september, my wife, Roz, visited the doctor and was told she may have a problem. Numerous hospital appointments later, we got the dreaded news that she had cancer....

To cut a long story short, she had major surgery on december 1st, and today we went back to the hospital to see her surgeon - The good news is that they have managed to remove all of the cancerous tissue, and the various biopsy's that were taken have come back negative.

But because of the rare and aggressive type of cancer she had, she will still need to undergo radio-therapy, and we're waiting for an appointment to discuss that now.

So hopefully we can put all of this behind us and get on with our lives - I have to say that todays appointment gave us the best Christmas present we could have hoped for!

So in conclusion, my sincere thanks to those that expressed concern and support, it has all helped us to come through this, especially at those times when the negative thoughts were taking over! It's great to know that we have friends around the world that have supported and prayed for us during this difficult time, and at last we can see light at the end of the tunnel...

Regards
Eddy

[kiwimodeller]

Eddy, just a quick message of encouragement. We hear often lots of bad news about friends, acquaintences or just people our age getting cancer. I just want to say that these days there are many positive outcomes. My partner was diagnosed quite a few years ago, had an op, thought all was well but had it come back twice meaning further treatment but has recently been given the all clear after ten years of no further problems. The treatments are getting better all the time and the side effects of most are nowhere near as bad as they used to be. It can be beaten. Cheers, Ian.

[Daryl]

I hope your good lady continues to recover and my thoughts and best wishes are with you all in this very worrying time.

Very best wishes
Daryl

[kno3]

Eddy,

I wish your wife a quick recovery and good health!
Have a wonderful Christmas!