Whether you chipped in a bit towards the programming during the little fundraiser, or whether you offered a bit of advice, or a suggestion, or a bit of your time, etc.
It seems a bit strange to thank people for being part of our little community here, but I feel compelled to anyway. Honestly, I'd still be doing all this if no one were here, it would just take a little bit longer. I look forward to the point where I can step back, take a breath, and just be another reader and poster in the crowd. Where the site as a whole can just sort of take off and fly on its own. Community driven content, fresh stats, solid historical data and information, great posts on season and off. A place where Buckeye fans can be Buckeye fans without having to stress ever-shifting rule interpretations and enforcement. Where we can talk to fans from other programs, but not sit idly by if they've just come over to talk some smack. Where if someone gets a wild hair up their ass and decides they want to vent about a hot topic with other Buckeyes, they can. That will sound like a shot at another site, but it's not. It's just what I want, but can't get elsewhere.
I am *way* behind on PMs and emails. New puppy this week, coupled with some things that needed to be taken care of around here, and coordinating with the programmer -- things have been hectic on top of the normal 'issues'. If you've dropped me a line and haven't heard back, I'm not blowing you off, I'll get back to you today, or this weekend at the latest.
I've installed several new games in the arcade, and removed some others that, for one reason or another, just weren't good fits. Some of these new titles will stay, some will go, and more will come in the future.
To those who did kick in monetarily, again, a special thanks. It takes a leap of faith this early on in a project like this to do something like that, and I appreciate it greatly. It will make a difference. The amount brought in very nearly represents 50% of the early estimate on the programming, which is what's needed to really get the ball rolling. Real down-and-dirty coding could start as early as next week, and that's a great thing. As I said on the front page, I'll be dropping you each a line (lol, assuming I can figure out who everyone is) shortly to basically echo personally and directly what I've said here.
The money/donation issue is a tough one. In the end, the goal is for this site to continue to be free for everyone. But once or twice a year (maybe less, but not more) I'll give folks the option to toss something in to help cover the overhead, which after this programming should be negligible. If and when there's ever excess, we will look into a variety of OSU-related charities, and/or direct support of other sites within the community that offer a wealth of free content to all of us.
So again, thanks to everyone for being involved in these early stages. Particularly those who stuck it out in the really really early stages. Back where even I only checked in once a week or so, lol. We've crossed over 1,000 threads and 10,000 posts, and I suspect our growth rate will grow exponentially as the actual season approaches and then starts. As we all know, that's a double-edged sword, but I think we're on the right track in terms of how we intend to deal with that. One step at a time though.
It seems a bit strange to thank people for being part of our little community here, but I feel compelled to anyway. Honestly, I'd still be doing all this if no one were here, it would just take a little bit longer. I look forward to the point where I can step back, take a breath, and just be another reader and poster in the crowd. Where the site as a whole can just sort of take off and fly on its own. Community driven content, fresh stats, solid historical data and information, great posts on season and off. A place where Buckeye fans can be Buckeye fans without having to stress ever-shifting rule interpretations and enforcement. Where we can talk to fans from other programs, but not sit idly by if they've just come over to talk some smack. Where if someone gets a wild hair up their ass and decides they want to vent about a hot topic with other Buckeyes, they can. That will sound like a shot at another site, but it's not. It's just what I want, but can't get elsewhere.
I am *way* behind on PMs and emails. New puppy this week, coupled with some things that needed to be taken care of around here, and coordinating with the programmer -- things have been hectic on top of the normal 'issues'. If you've dropped me a line and haven't heard back, I'm not blowing you off, I'll get back to you today, or this weekend at the latest.
I've installed several new games in the arcade, and removed some others that, for one reason or another, just weren't good fits. Some of these new titles will stay, some will go, and more will come in the future.
To those who did kick in monetarily, again, a special thanks. It takes a leap of faith this early on in a project like this to do something like that, and I appreciate it greatly. It will make a difference. The amount brought in very nearly represents 50% of the early estimate on the programming, which is what's needed to really get the ball rolling. Real down-and-dirty coding could start as early as next week, and that's a great thing. As I said on the front page, I'll be dropping you each a line (lol, assuming I can figure out who everyone is) shortly to basically echo personally and directly what I've said here.
The money/donation issue is a tough one. In the end, the goal is for this site to continue to be free for everyone. But once or twice a year (maybe less, but not more) I'll give folks the option to toss something in to help cover the overhead, which after this programming should be negligible. If and when there's ever excess, we will look into a variety of OSU-related charities, and/or direct support of other sites within the community that offer a wealth of free content to all of us.
So again, thanks to everyone for being involved in these early stages. Particularly those who stuck it out in the really really early stages. Back where even I only checked in once a week or so, lol. We've crossed over 1,000 threads and 10,000 posts, and I suspect our growth rate will grow exponentially as the actual season approaches and then starts. As we all know, that's a double-edged sword, but I think we're on the right track in terms of how we intend to deal with that. One step at a time though.
