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[Motd] No updates...ANN.lu
Posted on 06-Jul-2000 19:12 GMT by Christian Kemp73 comments
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I'll leave for Lithuania tomorrow morning, and only return on Monday evening. That means no updates until then, possibly even longer.

The quality of ANN's news service has been going down a lot lately, and I'm the one to blame. Please accept my sincerest apologies, but please also understand that a number of things are preventing me from having the right motivation to update this site - or use a computer at all, for that matter. I've always been very open about this site and what is going on behind the scenes, and right now I can just say that I've been wondering lately for how long I can keep ANN going in its current state, or whether I shouldn't just abandon it altogether. Granted, I'm still making enough money to cover my Internet connection and server bills, but that's pretty much the only reason that's left. And even then, the revenue is going down all the time, and will probably barely reach 100$ this month.

But you're probably all enjoying the summer away from your computers anyway, and won't care too much about this.

No updates... : Comment 1 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Martin Baute on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
That´s not correct. _I_ care, for one. But I can understand your motivation,
or lack thereof. Very, very well. I felt just as tired as I put down the
job of maintaining amiga-news.de. Such kind of work eats you up, and you
always think that most people don´t care about your work, just because
you don´t get as many encouraging e-mails as you would like to.
Well, here´s mine. ANN did a great job in the past, and would surely be
missed by many. However, you have a live to live.
Whatever, all the best to you.
No updates... : Comment 2 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Colin Wilson on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I care too, and think it would be a sad day indeed for the many people who look to your site for the defining moments of Amiga news to see it close.
If, for whatever reasons, you decide it can`t go on, i`d just like to thank you in advance for all your work, and all the pleasure i`ve had reading the posts on here, and best wishes for the future :-)
No updates... : Comment 3 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Joe Vidueira on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I agree...I check ann all the time, and always enjoy visiting...especially during this interesting time for the Amiga. Hope you decide to keep it up!
Good luck,
Joe
No updates... : Comment 4 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by greenboy on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Don't sweat it, Christian. You gotta do what you gotta do. Getting a life is nothing to apologize for ;  }
No updates... : Comment 5 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Ian on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I check ANN for news every day and appreciate the amount of effort that goes into maintaining a site like yours.
If you feel you can't keep it going, fair enough.
Thanks for all you've done in the past.
Best wishes.
No updates... : Comment 6 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by szutoman on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Sometimes, for the sake of health and sanity, one needs to stop doing things that seem to add extra bagage to life. I would seriously close Ann and get things in order and fix the issuses that have prevented you from enjoying life and Ann. While Ann may be missed, and it seems that you really care, please do not allow it to make you bitter and discruntled. Move on and take a new approach on life and start looking forward and not backwards so much.
We have all been spoiled by Ann and many really have enjoyed its content for many years...Please, I beg you to consider stepping back for a while till things and issues are cleared up. Reduce your resposibilities so that you may have more time to relax and reflex on what it is you would like to do and plot a reasonable course.
And, should you need somone to talk to, seek help!!
Sincerly,
szutoman
No updates... : Comment 7 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Tony Cooke on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Ooooh don't discontinue ANN. We love it to bits.It is the first site a go to when logging on to the net.
No updates... : Comment 8 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Steve Folberg on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
ANN is just wonderful, Christian. But you need to take care of yourself above all else!
Best wishes,
Steve
No updates... : Comment 9 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Frank on 05-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Nope, not everybody is on a holiday. I guess you've come to the same point that a SysOp I knew had reached back in 1995. His BBS was taking up most of his time and he really didn't have a life beyond it (of course the BBS was run at his own expense as he had no income from it). In the end he closed the BBS, sold his Amiga, got a P133 and stuffed the HD with mp3s... well...
I, for one, visit ANN about 5-10 times a day (or night) and it really rulez.
Maybe if it was not amigacentric you'd have more advertisements, but then it wouldn't be much of an Amiga site... dunno, ever considered a general high tech site?
The good thing about ANN is that is has a certain style and quality not seen in other similar sites.
I'll surely miss ANN if you decide to kill it, just as I miss AWD.
Just my 2c
Frank
...under a pale grey sky we shall arise
PS. most SysOps and site maintainers usually wine about the lack of interest by the public/users, because they judge by a number of people that write in forums or send in an email or two... the truth is that the vast majority of users just enjoys the service and remains silent no matter what. I've seen this happen again and again.
No updates... : Comment 10 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by RoboChook on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I just want to say that I agree with the posts above.
This site has not only been brilliant from an Amiga point of view, but also as an example of how news sites SHOULD be done.
You should be very proud of what you have achieved, Christian.
But, as the posts say above, look after your own affairs, first and foremost.
Life is what you make of it.
Whatever you choose to do, I thank you sincerely for your efforts to date, and wish you all the best in the future.
No updates... : Comment 11 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by klyde on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I too agree with the above comments. If you get rid of it hope you had fun running ANN cause I sure enjoyed logging on and receiving AMIGA info from it...think of it as closing a chapter in you life..and start a new one...klyde
No updates... : Comment 12 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Ken Moyer on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
This is the first time I've ever commented on a article but I check ANN daily & I have enjoyed the information you provide.
I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who flit about just trying to get a handle on what's happening. Your site is a great place to start!
Thanks
No updates... : Comment 13 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Mike Pindzola on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I concur with all of the above (who have said it better than I can, but..):
-You have given us a good Amiga site and have operated it with a lot of integrity. It will be sorely missed if it goes.
-You gotta have a life, it only goes around once!
ttfn,
Mike
No updates... : Comment 14 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by John Sasso on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I, too, have never commented before, but I must thank you (before it's too late)
and wish you luck with whatever your choice is. You've done a GREAT job here
and should be proud. Thanks.
No updates... : Comment 15 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Sean Aughey on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Christian, some words of encouragement. Well done. As an individual, you to must take time for yourself as well. Do it. I am one of those silent types that checks in everyday, but rarely says anything. You likely have many more people that appreciates ANN than you know!
No updates... : Comment 16 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by MAS on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up. That's my advice, whatever you should decide
to do with ANN. You gotta hold your head up. Your an Amigan and not just
crank that elected to build a web site. The Amiga community needs you and
anyone else with enough backbone to keep the platform going.
Take some time off if you need to. There really should be better days
ahead and I know you'll want to be a part of it, if they do.
No updates... : Comment 17 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by esben fisker on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 16 (MAS):
ANN has been my main Amiga news source for years now and I have been blown away by the effort put into this site. I hope you will keep your excellent work up, but I understand if you find it unrewarding, and if it takes up too much of your time.
We all have tons of interests, commitments and so on besides being Amigans, and I believe that you have put more effort into this than most Amigans. Do what you feel and don't feel obligated because people see you as an amigan and nothing else.
Esben
No updates... : Comment 18 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Kristian Hesketh on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Don't go now. We do care. I promise.
No updates... : Comment 19 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Gerry McClure on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Just want to add my two cents worth. This is the site I go to first when I go
on the web, and I can't think of anything else to add to what has been said. You've
done a great job, and whether or not you continue it, it's something to be proud of.
No updates... : Comment 20 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Andy Knight on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
This is the first time that I have posted a comment on ann. However,after reading your post,I felt I just had to say something. I look at your site every day and if you do decide to give up on it, I really will miss it. As you will see from the other comments, I am not the only one and I am sure that there are many others.
No updates... : Comment 21 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by David Cox on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I've only just discovered ANN about 6 months ago. I have to say that this is one of the three sites that I visit every day,
often three times a day (the other two are Amiga.org and MooBunny). Maybe your frustration is as much to do with the general
slowdown of the Amiga market (and lack of much news) as much as a lack of commercial gain. I know, every time I bugger up my Amiga
setup (a frequent occurance - I have a natural talent!) I wonder if it would'nt be better to go with a PC of Mac (then I look at the cost of the S/W I'd have to buy!)
If you *have* to go because it's doing your head in, then at least your experiences here on ANN will look incredible on your CV!
Good luck, on what ever course you decide.
_________________________________________________
David Cox - Bog Standard Amiga Owner - since 1989
_________________________________________________
No updates... : Comment 22 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Cluke on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I have to say, ANN has just got better and better over the last couple of years. I really hope you keep it going, though I'll understand if you find the workload to heavy.
Perhaps you could ease it up on yourself by giving a few more trusted people moderator status?
No updates... : Comment 23 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by John Block on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
If it is a financial issue, just ask.
http://www.itrustyou.com lets ordinary people send money cheaply, I'm sure many here would be willing to make a donation.
Also as mentioned privatly, it is probably easier to get 10 small guys to pay $30 to have a banner up on Ann for cool value/support than 1 $300 advertiser.
No updates... : Comment 24 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Teemu I. Yliselä on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I guess I'll have to give my 2c also.
IMHO, ANN has been one of the premier Amiga news sites since its beginning, and with other sites closing it has truely become one of the most important lifelines keeping the Amiga alive and well on the Web. On top of that, ANN has achieved something very few websites can claim to have done; it's only got better through whole of its existence.
Now, if you really feel that maintaining ANN is more trouble than it's worth, then I suppose you have to do what you have to do. But I hope you'll think twice before closing it down, because even if it may not always seem like it, there are literally thousands of people for whom that would be a big disappointment. I can't even remember the last time I surfed the Web and DIDN'T visit ANN!
If there's anything you think we could do to help you to keep ANN going (more than posting news items), just ask. I'm sure I'm not the only one here willing to help.
No updates... : Comment 25 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Martin on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Thank you for the great job you are doing here! I really hope you will
find a solution to keep ANN alive! If not, well ka sera sera, I wish
you all the best for your life!
But c'mon , ANN is your lil baby, isn't it? :-)
No updates... : Comment 26 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Per Jonsson on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I still have ANN as a startpage even if I doesn't used my Amiga for a long time (just some uae). And I follow it daily!
/per jonsson
No updates... : Comment 27 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Shane O'Neill on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
If it's all getting too much just leave it, though it will certainly be missed.
Regards,
Shane.
No updates... : Comment 28 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Shane O'Neill on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 9 (Frank):
"...under a pale grey sky we shall arise"
Didn't Max Cavalera say something like this after he was kicked
out of Sepultura?
No updates... : Comment 29 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by metamiwoo on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
ANN is a pretty good web site : fast, well done and with a lot of true informations
It has been some time now that Christian felt "tired" from maintaining ANN
I can uderstand that very well : it's a lot of work, it's a lot of time lost and nobody says you "Good work !"...
but hé ! this is about passion no ? of course Christian deserves to be paid for his work... but I think it must be a "bonus", a motivation.
The question is : is Christian still motivate ? I hope and think so !
No updates... : Comment 30 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Gregg on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Sincere thanks, and have fun, certainly, but...
I would reinforce the suggestion that you consider spreading the workload by nominating a few moderators and news researchers, assuming that you have acquaintances whom you would trust with the role.
Gregg
No updates... : Comment 31 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by clhammer on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Yeah, I care too. I visit ANN every day. Fervently searching for a
glimmer of hope on the Amiga horizon. It eats me up.
I know how you feel.
No updates... : Comment 32 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Terry LaClair on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I would hate to see you quit the Amiga now. Your site is my first stop to see
what is going on. It looks like things are going to start happening soon. I sure hope so we've been hanging on for a long time. My 3000 got fried my lighting through the phone line and I am tring to decide if I should send it off and get it fixed or buy a new computer and load the new Amiga system on it
then it comes out. ??????
Take a break but hang in there.
Thanks for a great Amiga Site.
Terry (Albuquerque NM)
No updates... : Comment 33 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by John Waters on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I have to agree with all the other comments here. ANN is a great site. It's my main contact with the Amiga community. I don't use my Amiga’s much any more, but miss the people. Like everyone else is saying, your first concern is with yourself.
I was in a similar situation when I ran a BBS. It basically became my life. I knew that it wasn't healthy and decided to make some changes. The first change was to enlist the help of trusted people. I basically opened up the BBS and code to a few people. It was difficult to do (it was MY baby), but I knew that the only way to continue (and improve) was to get help. All changes still went through me, but I approved almost all of them.
Think of it as a project. You’re the project manager. Define roles and then fill them. Enlist a programmer or two. Get a couple of moderators. Maybe some news hounds. Create a discussion board or mailing list for your team. Make sure everyone is on the same wave link (provide them with a vision) and then let them at it. Your work load will decrease (giving you more time to enjoy other parts of your life) and you'll still be connected (and making the decisions) to ANN. You'll probably enjoy it more.
The hardest part is going to be letting go. Don’t think of it that way though. Think of it as enhancing and expanding. When you started ANN, it was probably your great love. I think deep down it probably still is. If you just drop it, you’ll probably feel a void for a while. If you open it up, it’ll still be with you.
Whatever you decide, we’ll stand by you. You have more friends then you probably think. It one of the things that I keep coming back to the Amiga community for. The computer was/is good, but the people are what made it great.
No updates... : Comment 34 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by wilhelm on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Christian,
This is a great site and assest to the Amiga Community. I would like to help you out.
Let me know what kind of harddrive died and I'll find some way to get it replaced.
Hang in there, you are wanted by us. wilhelm
No updates... : Comment 35 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Remco Komduur on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I have felt that way too for the last few weeks because my BlizzardPPC 240 MHz 060 with SCSI died. I now have the lowest spec version in my Amiga.
Maybe you should give some other people the rights to select between good and bad news. I would sign up immediatly. Just for one or two days per week.
No updates... : Comment 36 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Colin Wilson on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
In reply to Comment 33 (John Waters):
"Whatever you decide, we’ll stand by you. You have more friends then you probably think.... The computer was/is good, but the people are what made it great."
Well said, and may I add Christian, you are one of those *great* people who made the Amiga experience so satisfying :-)
No updates... : Comment 37 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by NEO on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I think everything already is said and I know I'll probably just repeat what some1 else said. But that dosn't matter. Just want to show you, Christan, that ther's kinda many ppl out here that care for you and your site! But I think that you really have to spend some quality time on your self to! The site will still be here tomorrow, next week, in a month, in 6 month... Maybe not updated... But it will still be there. And when you feel like you have the motivation again you might feel like start working on it again. But the world won't go under just becouse the site ain't updated. take a brak and relax! The future is VERRY bright for us and the Amiga and you will hav MANY new sponsors once the new Amiga is out!!! Think of that! =)
Take a break now and relax! It's summer! =) Take care!
No updates... : Comment 38 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Don M ichell on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
We Amiga users NEED your regular updates!Don't quit on us now.
No updates... : Comment 39 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Enrique on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Christian, shut down ann.lu. Nobody fucking cares. You should go on social assistance and move in with your gay lover, you hampster felching cum drinking slut.
No updates... : Comment 40 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by James Whelan on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Sorry to hear that you're thinking about discontinuing ANN. I check it almost every day for news but hey, your personal life is more important so the best of luck in the future, whatever you decide to do
No updates... : Comment 41 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Johan Rönnblom on 06-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I don't really see the reason why you should need to strive for ANN to
be updated daily. I'm amazed by Paul "ExiE" Strejcek's ability to keep
Czech Amiga News updated so much, so often, and for such a long time
almost without interruption. But I'd visit ANN even if it was updated
only once per week. Of course, the number of hits would be reduced
etc, but if you're really in it for the money, then I think you'd
better give up on it anyway. ANN has been great, it's not at the
moment, and it can only be great again if the administrator truly has
motivation to make it great.
No updates... : Comment 42 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Christopher Spicer on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
I'm not sure what I can add that hasn't already been said by the others who
have commented on this article - still, I feel like I should say something.
ANN is a fantastic resource for Amiga users, and is one of the few sites that
I visit every day without fail. It always provides interesting and informative
articles, and adds a personal touch that many other sites are lacking.
You are to be praised for the amount of dedication and work you have put into
maintaining the site. It's a real shame that you may be thinking about
closing the site down, because ANN in an invaluable news service, and the
fact that you have constantly made an effort to maintain and moderate it
deserves recognition and tremendous praise.
Having been personally involved with the magazine Amiga Survivor for what seems
like a lifetime now, I know how easy it is to become discouraged with the
Amiga scene, when you feel like your efforts aren't appreciated. I have to say
that uor efforts ARE appreciated, by myself and by the God knows how many
other visitors your site gets every single day. If you decide that you have
taken ANN as far as you can then I will understand, and you will have my
sympathy, but you should not make such a decision thinking that noone cares.
As the many comments on this article have proved, a great many people care
about ANN, and I think we are all grateful for your efforts to make this site
the best that it can be.
No updates... : Comment 43 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Brian H on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Man, I've really enjoyed the site, but you also need to look after yourself
too. As a graphic designer, I find that if you stare at something for too long,
you lose prespective on things. Sometimes you just need to step back and do
something else that is totally different. It gives you a different outlook.
Maybe a step back from ANN would give you a fresh outlook on things, and you
could decide from there. ANN would be greatly missed by myself and many others,
but you need to do what's best for you too.
Best regards,
Brian Huebert
No updates... : Comment 44 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Guido on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
40+ comments seem a lot, looks like you've got many friends..
If it means anything, ANN is a great site, it's even my start page.
If you do decide to quit the ANN, perhaps someone can continue the job, or
if you decide to stay on, maybe someone is willing to help you out..
Anyway, thanks for a great Amiga news site.
No updates... : Comment 45 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Thomas Hurst on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
The trick is, of course, to move the work away from you onto people
with the time and inclination. Introduce some sort of moderation system
so, for example, every 50th hit to a story gets to moderate it up or down.
Everybody always goes on about how great the "Amiga community" is; use
that to your advantage and make them do the work.
No updates... : Comment 46 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by AardvarkH on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
The Site is excellent and you do a great job. good luck for the future
No updates... : Comment 47 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Eugene Gibas on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Boy! Do I know where you're coming from. And I will definitely miss your web-site if it becomes another bit of Ammiga's past. But we can't ask you to give up living just to keep us happy (sniff). So God speed you on your journey wherever that take you, and enjoy.
I'll hang on for this ride till it's done and shall be grateful for the time and care you have given us in the past.
THANKS!
(Watch where you step in Lithuania, some of my roots lie there!)
No updates... : Comment 48 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Stefan Robl on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
Hi Christian!
Shutting down ANN would be a remarkable loss for many of us.
I can only speak for myself, I visit ANN regularly (usually daily) and mostly found very interesting news here!
If you don't want/can continue ANN, we have to accept it. But surely we would then miss a good news site!!
No updates... : Comment 49 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by U4IA on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
While I only discovered ann.lu a five months ago I have grown to appreciate it as one of the finest amiga news sites on the web.
I think it would be a great shame to se such a great site go, but, if the workload is becoming too great I think that we all understand if you choose to close.
good luck! Whatever you decide upon!
Dave
ps (I think we should all have a few 'click throughs' on the banner adds to show our appreciation, how about it folks ?)
No updates... : Comment 50 of 73ANN.lu
Posted by Michael Domoney on 07-Jul-2000 22:00 GMT
You have kept me informed even though I'm so remote from the rest of the
Amiga World living here in Lincolnshire England.
I log onto ann.lu every day with anticipation.
By the way, I was helping the local school with their Amigas and
now they log onto ann.lu for information and news :)
regards michael
aka rockape
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