LAF - important announcement for the members

[Prof.Witchheimer]

Dear LAF members,

I have an important announcement for you today. As you’ve probably noticed, I haven’t been very active on the forum in the last months (and even before that), which was for many reasons, none of them bad, just the usual RL stuff, family, work, other things/interests. I won’t be going any deeper into this, but really don’t need to worry – I’m fine, it’s just some personal stuff.

Nonetheless, due to all those things I had to limit the time I spend on the hobby, and above all I had to find a solution for running of LAF as I am not able any more to take care of this community as much as it deserves. For that reason, I really want to say “thank you” to our moderator team, to every one of them, for being around all the time, every day, offering their time, reading posts, helping, inspiring. I really appreciate your efforts, guys, thanks again!

Still, there are some other things which must be done, like forum software updates, hardware issues etc. Someone must take care of all these things, and frankly, it’s time to let some fresh air in. Thus, I started to look for someone who could replace me as legal owner and chief administrator of LAF. It wasn’t easy and I won’t be boring you with details but, among others, I approached Nick from North Star and asked him if he would be interested in taking care of LAF. Nick was surprised at first, but following some thinking, he said yes.

I understand that this news is probably as much a surprise for you as it was for Nick But yes, the decision had been made, I decided that I cannot run LAF any longer and I really would like to say another thank you, this time to Nick! Running this community isn’t that easy, after all. I hope all of you out there are aware of that. Just like work, it never stops. Therefore, I’m glad we could find someone willing to take this burden voluntarily And please don’t get it wrong, it’s not a commercial transaction. I didn’t sell LAF, I never would. I am giving it to Nick as this place is a labour of love. It has become too big for me to handle, but it’s still a lovely place to be.

I will let Nick to say some words on that too and to tell you what his plans are for the forum. We’re already working on the technical side of the things so please be prepared for some downtime on LAF in the coming days, maybe weeks. The server database needs to be migrated from my server to Nick’s. A thorough and major software update needs to be done, membership authorisations re-created etc. It’s a lot of work and it will take some time. But I will try to warn you in time.

Now let me finish this announcement. And let me say thanks to all of you. For all the good times we had together, for all your input, creativity and inspiration. It’s been an honour.

Yours

Prof

[FionaWhite]

 

Well, it's definitely been an honour and that's really putting it mildly!
Many, many thanks to you, Professor, and here's to many many more centuries of LAF!

[jon_1066]

Three cheers for the Prof.  Well done on running it for so long.  I for one really appreciate it.

The king is dead long live the king!

[robh]

Prof, thank you for all you have done for the group here over the years, this is far and away the best gaming site on the web and reflects well the attention you have dedicated to it.

I have to admit to some concern with it being taken over by a "commercial" entity (even one popular with many of the members here) but will wait to hear from Northstar themselves about how they plan to handle "debate" about the merits of their products when it appears.

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Prof. you have created easily the best wargames/modelling site ever. Thanks for all your hard work over the years. You are a star!

[nicknorthstar]

I'd like to thank Alex for passing the honour of running LAF to me. As he mentioned, it was unexpected and threw me off at first. But I decided I'd rather give it a go rather than not.

In all honesty, my plans for LAF don't go any further than 'business as usual' right now. I’ve been here myself since 2011, and I want to see it continue.

I’ve got my friends at Wargames Illustrated looking at the technical side of the transfer, I don’t know anything about it and they do, so if you see their name in the background, that’s why.

It’s my hope that all the moderators will stay on, and run their boards like they always have. I’ve no intention of using each board for product placement or shutting down debate about our stuff. Commercially my only thought right now is to re-introduce the banner ads that used to appear, this time you’ll see mine as well as Miniaturicums/ Lead Adventure Miniatures. I may start a new board for North Star news, so you can participate or not in it, but that’s something I’ll do once we are up and running.

My biggest concern is the ‘up and running’ part. We don’t know what will happen when we move server, and we will have to update the software, so please bear with us if problems arise.

A last note just to say Veteran member of LAF and BLAM Dewbacuk will also be joining me in running LAF. He’s staff at North Star, so we see each other each working day (and gaming time outside), and he knows you lot much better than I do, so it seems a good call.

[harleyface]

It was really an honor..

Think that Nick will run laf in a good way.
Thanks to all of you.
Florian

[Driscoles]

Thanks Alex !!
We owe you a lot !!

Hi Nick !! Good luck !

I think they were Dewbacuk`s Bengal Lancers I bought 2nd hand on the first or secound BLAM.
they are painted now mate 

[Vanvlak]

Thank you Prof.
(I'm sorry, I get sentimental on these occasions)

[Legionnaire Bert]

I'd just like to add my thanks to the Prof, who has done an excellent job on the LAF, which is truly a thing of beauty. Thank you for giving us such an amazing site, Prof, and for somehow finding the time to do the myriad of things which have kept it up and running and working so brilliantly.

Good luck to Nick and Dean, I'm sure you'll make an excellent job of running things chaps and it is much appreciated by all of us LAFfers.

[Tactalvanic]

Thank you Prof   

The site and community you helped create and maintain is a wonderful place, I for one as are many others cannot show our gratitude enough for your and the moderators efforts over the year
 
Not first, and not the last to say it for sure.

Nick, Dean,  and the mods, good luck, and all the best, here's hoping the LAF continues on into the future as much as it is now, with only the best of changes 

[Anpu]

Thank you Alex!
This place has kept me in the hobby and relatively sane during som rough times some of them still ongoing. I would not be in the miniature hobby anymore if not for LAF.

[Sangennaru]

All the best for the future, Alex. It's been a great decade sharing this space with you!

I'm sure Nick will be a great successor!

[vodkafan]

I am a relative latecomer here but it's been great. Thank you Prof for all you have done. And welcome Nick!

[tomrommel1]

Thanks Alex!!