New Owner of Amiga.org to be on Amiga Roundtable.

[Wayne]

I know it's a virtual impossibility around here, and this has been really fun to read, but please stop jumping to conclusions?  You may be wrong, you may be right.  Only time (and the new owner(s)) will tell.

As for why wait, I don't want to speak for the owner(s) but Roundtable asked me -- before anyone else -- if they could get the first interview, and I made a commitment to give them the scoop, because they were so understanding of the fact that I wasn't at liberty to disclose anything.

The only rumor I'm willing to unflinchingly support (out of sheer boredom) is that it is indeed Doomy.  ROFL.. No, not really, but that would be hilarious..  It's also not Spanish lesbians, though I do truly agree I could probably have gotten more money for the domain.  

Suffice to say that none of you -- or all of you -- know everything you need to know for now, save for the fact that everything will be fine.

Wayne

[Wayne]

l going become a dad and got fired from my job of 13 years so been funny last 6 months

I really hope things work out for you.  Being unemployed sucks.

Wayne

[Wayne]

I think so too, it´s dead quiet - they are "off air" and I took off early from an other appointment I had to watch a slideshow...

I have 9:23 am CST (GMT -6)

[Wayne]

LOL

These kind of stuff only happens in the Amiga world....

Not really, but we like to think we're "special".  The world already sees us as being special, but in a short-bus kinda way.

Wayne

[Wayne]

I'd like to believe you MobbyG.  But its really weird this going on right after the previous show where you guys pulled a prank about having info about Hyperion's "most ambitious project" when you did not.  You also raised the recent drama level with your public announcement at quiting Amigaworld.net.  And then you also made a statement about standing with Bill P., which is a bit odd in one aspect:  Now you both each have your own anonymous secret entities out there, Bill P. with the anonymous Netscape exec killing a bounty that was not even all his money and now you with this anonymous Amiga.org owner thing.

Can't someone just cut through the BS and say whats what?

Allow me to step in here.  This is not MobbyG's issue, well, I guess it is, but it's by NO means his fault, nor did he have anything to do with the things that went down today.  He provides a GREAT service to the community and under no circumstance should anyone be upset with him in ANY WAY, SHAPE, or FORM.

Back in August, as I announced the sale of Amiga.org, I was contacted by the Amiga Roundtable folks to whom I responded that "I could not disclose the info, but would be happy to let you guys use your program to announce it when possible".  

I then contacted the new owner(s) and suggested that "since they were nice enough to ask, I think we should give them the scoop".

It wasn't until AFTER the broadcast started this morning that either myself, or Bill P (who will be serving as the site's admin) knew anything about the new owner's choice NOT to disclose their identity.

To that end, let me say this...  

I KNOW this is frustrating for you all.  I UNDERSTAND how everyone in this community feels they have a vested interest, hence some inate "right" to know everything.  I'm not going to sit here and tell you otherwise, but...

None of you have heard me disclose the owner(s) name(s) to date.  I'm contractually obligated not to at this point, and would never violate that trust.

While there would have been much better ways to handle today's situation, if the new owner(s) want their identity to remain private, then I -- and even moreso, we all -- have to respect that.

Now that we've had the round-table (such as it was), I can assure each of you of several facts in this situation;

• First and foremost, the proverbial check has cleared.  This is a done deal as far as I'm concerned and agreements have been finalized.  I'm just waiting for the domain transfer request to take my name off of it.
  
• Bill P is *not* the owner.  He is, quite simply, a middle man in this endeavor, and is now responsible for facilitating the web site's day-to-day operation.  If this were a corporation, you could think of Bill P as the CTO (Chief Technology Officer)
• Neither Bill McEwen, Bill Buck, nor Doomy (aka George Campbell) are involved.
• Things should not change around here for the foreseeable future, save that I believe Bill P is much more in-tune, energetic, and enthusiastic about the Amiga and the community than I am, so I think things will improve from here on out.
• No admins or moderators (save for BillP) should change.
• There is the potential to upgrade the site to the new 4.0 software level which essentially rolls everything I've added on into the core of the site.
• I have made two suggestions to Bill P and the new owner(s), the first is to develop a backwards compatible theme (if possible -- though doubtful it is) and to consider giving away free hosting to all Amiga projects, events, and user groups through the use of subdomains, such as we do for the UGN.

All this being said or given -- and if you take me at my word -- the owner's identity will come to light eventually.  Until then, does it really, really matter?

Wayne

[Wayne]

What exactly has happened?

In a nutshell, the new owner(s) decided, for reasons unbeknownst to me at the very last minute, not to reveal their identity, leaving MobbyG holding the bag with 30 or so pissed off Amiga users on his program.

We let Mobby have a few minutes of well deserved rant, then Joe, Bill P, and I were able to jump on and (hopefully) make everyone a little happier.

I personally would like to apologize for the situation and thank MobbyG for both a great, and valuable service to the community.  I wish I could have changed things, but I do have confidence that things will be just fine if we all just resume the enjoyment of our Amigas and pay no attention to the men behind the green curtain.

Wayne

[Wayne]

I don't think I feel very comfortable about the idea.

It's undoubtable that some people will have their own problems with the situation for whatever unfathomable reasons they come up with.  Especially where the Amiga community is concerned, but frankly speaking, neither you, nor anyone else, can say what will happen in the future, or indeed whether or not anything at all will change.

Until something that actually matters DOES happen, this is all just much ado about nothing, which makes it absolutely no different than anything else that happens -- or more to the point, doesn't happen -- these days.

It boils down to a simple thing.  The new owner(s) were essentially talked into going on the Roundtable by Bill and I, then changed their minds -- for whatever reason -- at the last minute.  Again, not a big deal, but admittedly could have been handled better, if for no other reason than to save MobbyG the headache.

All I'm asking is that everyone just chill out and relax (I refuse to say "chillax") until there's an actual honest-to-God reason to "be uncomfortable" about.

Wayne

[Wayne]

It only mattered once it was announced that it would be told today.  That announcement sought to include us.  It sought to build hype as well.  Thats gotten seriously old in the Amiga community in general.

No disagreements there.  I just thought your anger was a bit displaced when pointed at Rich, who did a fantastic job of it all.

Wayne

[Wayne]

Good. You can start by naming the new owner.

That'd be a good start in earning our trust.

If and when the new owner(s) decide(s) to come forward, you'll have the name.  

I'm betting that the negative comments of some is simple resistance to any change, but the Web site was sold, the owner(s) and Bill have been in play for at least 2 weeks now, and nothing's changed whatsoever... Right?

Until then, I've explained repeatedly that nothing changes, and that neither Buck, McEwen, or Doomy are involved, so PLEASE feel free to explain here and now, why any of you might have any complaint whatsoever?

If you will do that, in a non-bitchy, non hostile manner, perhaps there is something we can discuss to help calm your nerves?  Of course, just like every time I change a font, or a menu location, there are always some people who -- no matter what -- won't be happy about anything.  I was once married to someone like that, so I'm familiar with the type.

Considering how much some of you overreact to such trivial things, I
honestly had the thought today of wondering which amongst you has already done a godaddy search for another mutinous exile...?  

:lol:

Seriously guys, it will be ok.  Stop freaking out over something that frankly doesn't matter.  If anything, things will be better as you won't have me around to blame things on.

The site you see before you is true.  The facts are also true.  Only the names have changed to protect the innocent..

Wayne

[Wayne]

I guess the question is, "Why not tell us?"  I mean do we really need more secrets around this community?

A fair question and concern.  Thank you.

I can't speak for the new owner(s) because I haven't really had the chance to talk to them about it yet.  I don't think it's a marketing thing at all because yes, it "forces" you to use the site to find info, but on the other hand, it does so in an extremely negative way which isn't the right way to do things at all.

I absolutely agree that there were better ways to handle yesterday's situation, such as not setting it up that way, but it all worked out pretty well, all things considered.

If I were to make an educated guess, I'd say that Bill and I had completely talked them into the ART announcement thinking it would be the best way to do it.  Unfortunately, I think that the new owner(s) are much more private person(s) than that and really don't want to be the center of things or to be a "rock star" in the community.  

That I can easily understand, considering how often I've been vilified and strung to a cross in the community.  While I happen to have grown into the "rock star" status, it's not for everyone and I've got a feeling that the new owner(s) simply want life as we all know it to continue in my absence with someone we can trust (Bill P) not to screw it up at the wheel.

As their reason was explained to me from the beginning, they knew that I as getting out, they had seen what happened to the community in 2000 with the closing of the AWD, and just didn't want me to simply shut it down one random day as Kevin did with the AWD.

The simple truth is that while I love this site and I truly enjoy dealing with everyone here (and truth-to-tell, even get a kick out of all the melodrama), I haven't physically touched an Amiga in 10 years.  I sold my 3000UX shortly after the fall of Commodore while I could still get payoff prices for the loan.  As I said on ART yesterday, I've never found an Amiga I couldn't crash within about 12 seconds.

As such, while I do this job of keeping the site rolling, you can all understand (hopefully) that there are simply people out there that can do a better job.  You guys DESERVE someone who can do that, and when I was approached by the new owner(s) with their idea to have Bill P run the day-to-day, I was elated.  

I can't even remotely fathom why anyone would have a problem with Bill P, but I also can't think of anyone FROM this community who can do a better job at supporting the community the way it deserves.  Of everyone left in the community, there were only two choices in my mind, the other being Kermit Woodall of NovaDesign, but he's pretty much moved on to real life like I need to.

I firmly believe that while I could have easily gotten more money selling the site to Spanish lesbians, the new owner(s) have exactly the attitude necessary to run this site, and the fact that they want to remain "in the shadows" tells me that they're far more serious about it and much less concerned about being a "rock star", which is -- in my mind -- utterly flippin' fantastic.

In the end, all I can ask is that everyone remain calm and just give it a chance.  Besides.  Ask yourself honestly whether there's anyone in the community (or outside of it) that I could have sold the site to that you wouldn't be immediately critical of, then admit to yourself the answer is really no.  

Once you do that, you'll be in a much better mental position to deal with the changeover, and I'll be in a much better position to take my hands off the reigns and start living my pathetic little life.  

Wayne

[Wayne]

Yes, it does. The man owns the site, and with it, access to personal information. I'd like to know who has access to that, and because I don't, I kindly request to delete my account and all it's accompanied personal data. Please do so before the end of the week. I may re-register if I like the new owner.

goodbye and thanks for all the fish,
Jens

Let me assure each of you to two very clear things here.

1) I will not delete any accounts because anyone's in a panic over this.  Doing so leads to either orphaned posts or screwed up threads with thousands of responses simply missing.

2) There is absolutely zero information obtainable by anyone, save for your pseudonym (username) and perhaps your e-mail address.  No one, including myself, has EVER had access to anything other than that, and in the entire 15 year history of this web site, I've sent out exactly 3 mass mails informing you of changes to the site.

Frankly, in this community, I have a hell of a lot of respect for you Jens.  I truly do.  Your work for the platform and the community is amazing.  I understand everyone's concerns and fears over any change.  We're Amiga users and used to being melodramatic, but I was not expecting such a violent knee-jerk reaction to -- again -- something so trivial.  

Seriously, the guy a few posts above had it right.

If I had never announced the sale and just did it, would any of you have cared, or even noticed?  It's not like I was posting every day and jumping in at every chance to be noticed.

If you truly want to walk away and not use your account, that's entirely your choice.  

I'm sincerely hoping you'll (and everyone else will) calm down and realize that life as we know it on this site will continue unabated.  Especially since I'll still be around for the foreseeable future to help guide things.

Wayne

[Wayne]

why dont you just use a fake/duplicate account like i have! :p

In your case, I'll make an exception.  

I hope no one takes this seriously as I'd hate to have to start killing accounts en masse and banning the original accounts.

Wayne

[Wayne]

The problem is he or she agreed to the announcement and then bailed last minute.  The community did not ask for a show with this event as the highlight.  But once it was told it was getting it and told it should tune in, it should have gotten it.  Amiga history clearly tells us that hype with no producing what was hyped is bad news.

Again, can't argue yesterday.  There were better ways to have handled it, including telling Bill and I "no".  Unfortunately it is what it is, and your choices are to get over it, or.... well, accept it.  

In reference to my missives for their(s) owner(s) and such, I'm simply trying to use language to let you know that I *will not* disclose the owners, nor will I, by use of language, drop hints as to who "they" are.  Male or Female, singular or plural, again, doesn't make any difference.

Whether or not you trust my word after 15 years does.

Wayne

[Wayne]

I just posted this elsewhere and don't feel like retyping it.  It sums up all I have to say (and repeatedly said) on the matter, so here;

-------
On Monday, Nov 30, 2009, jorkany wrote:
>  
>  Maybe so, but I don't see how you will have any say in it once the
> domain  registration has been transferred.

Frankly, you're right (and even more frankly, I'm ok with that), but what everyone refuses to accept is that the new owner(s) sunk what is -- for the tiny and excessively verbal Amiga community -- a huge chunk of change into keeping the site up, live, and as it currently is.  

If you will actually stop to consider and accept that, the fact that they won't do anything stupid to destroy the property they just bought should be relatively obvious.

Not everyone buys a property in order to tear it down and build a parking lot.  I know that between Amiga Inc, Genesi, Hyperion, and a host of other companies it's par for the course, but the only thing that keeps Amiga.org going is you guys.  Without you guys, there isn't a site to worry about and the new owner(s) know that all too well.

They bought it because literally I said "I think I'll just shut it down one day soon".  As such, I'm absolutely confident in their word that they don't intend to screw it all up or sell it to Spanish lesbians.

Wayne

[Wayne]

I'm just curious about something.

Botched announcement aside (and that's what it was), is there ANYONE IN THIS ENTIRE COMMUNITY -- hell, even on this planet that you guys would NOT be having this little melodramatic hissy fit over?

If everyone can name me that one person, I would probably faint dead away.

Face it.  The Amiga community is nothing if not overtly melodramatic in a very real way about every little thing, so if anything, I find this just another source of amusement in the road.

I'm not trying to devalue your concerns as much as I am simply trying to share a bit of perspective over the whole thing.  The fact is that I am "retiring" and SOMEONE had to either step up or the site would simply disappear one day.  

Yes, probably to be replaced by Spanish Lesbians so I could put it on sedo.com and sell it for money, but the point remains the same.

The site is here, nothing has changed, life goes on.  There is no single person, group, or entity on the planet you guys would not have freaked out over, so please, can't we just move on to the next little micro-melodrama and go back to enjoying the Amiga?  Pretty please?

Wayne