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[News] South West Amiga Group closesANN.lu
Posted on 20-Jan-2004 22:48 GMT by Andrew Mills45 comments
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It is with deep regret that I announce the closure of the South West Amiga Group, the Amiga user group based in Bristol, England.

Tuesday 20th January 2004
South West Amiga Group closes.

It is with deep regret that I announce the closure of the South West Amiga Group, the Amiga user group based in Bristol, England.

After spending over 7 years at the helm, I am unable to provide the time, energy and enthusiasm that it rightly deserves. And after spending so much time, effort, money and myself in it, I can no longer bear to see SWAG continue on its current long and withering death.

A new head honcho had been advertised for from within its ranks, but no one has come forward to take over the complete running of the group. I have not advertised outside of the group as I do not want to risk handing it over to someone I do not know and trust - someone who may not do anything with it, or just wants some "freebies".

What there was in the way of equipment belonging to the group (most of it was my own personal property) will eventually be sold off and any profits given to a local charity.

I have met many people, and have made many friends through SWAG, and that I shall always be grateful for, it's just a shame that there's no longer the interest to keep things going.

The mailing list will remain in operation for the foreseeable future at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/swag

All the best,

Andrew Mills. <andy AT swag DOT org DOT uk>

South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 1 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Matt Parsons on 20-Jan-2004 21:52 GMT
:-(
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 2 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Thomas Würgler/Pagan on 20-Jan-2004 22:48 GMT
Hopefully a new group will spring up eventually.

Good luck with future projects.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 3 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by smithy on 20-Jan-2004 23:11 GMT
That's a shame.. however the North Eastern Amiga Users Group (NEAUG) is looking for more members. Anyone that's in reaching distance of Newcastle then give us a shout!
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 4 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Gregg on 21-Jan-2004 02:05 GMT
My commiserations, for what they're worth. It's hard to let go; well done for striving for so long.

Gregg
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 5 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Daniel Palmer on 21-Jan-2004 08:17 GMT
This is indeed a great shame.

I can remember meeting some of the SWAG chaps with my brother in a North Devon brewery many moons ago.

Thank you and take care Andy.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 6 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Gareth Knight on 21-Jan-2004 09:37 GMT
Darn! I was planning to join SWAG in the near future. Any other Amiga user groups in the south?
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 7 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 21-Jan-2004 10:13 GMT
In reply to Comment 6 (Gareth Knight):
@Gareth

There are still SWAG members who actively using Amigas, its just that nobody had the time to run a usergroup. I'm sure if someone with time and dedication started one, the remaining SWAG members would join, and attend the meetings.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 8 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by minator on 21-Jan-2004 10:39 GMT
Just becasue there isn't the interest for a regular meeting doesn't mean the group should completely close.

Maybe you need to scale back rather than closing:

There is only one UK BeOS user group and it pretty much consists of a mailing list.
There was a meeting a couple of years back and they want to have another at some point...

So just have a mailing list and an occasional get together.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 9 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark on 21-Jan-2004 10:45 GMT
You will be missed, we can still continue to sell and trade Amiga warez though and when new software does comes out we should set up private meetings.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 10 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 21-Jan-2004 10:53 GMT
In reply to Comment 9 (Mark):
"You will be missed, we can still continue to sell and trade Amiga warez though and when new software does comes out we should set up private meetings."

!!! What on earth are you talking about? SWAG was never about warez, and it is insulting to the hard work that Andy has put into the group over the years to label it as such, joking or not.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 11 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Andy Greene on 21-Jan-2004 10:58 GMT
In reply to Comment 10 (Peter Gordon):
Sorry Peter but i got a pre release of AOS4 (on a burned disk), got a cracked version of Ib2.3 and loads of other warez from main members at SWAG (they are not goodie goodie Amiga users like they make out).

I hope we can continue trading warez in the futre as it would be a shame to end up buying software.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 12 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 21-Jan-2004 11:13 GMT
In reply to Comment 11 (Andy Greene):
SWAG was not a "pirates swapmeet". If some SWAG member gave you warez (and I very much doubt your claims), it wasnt in any way related to SWAG as a group.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 13 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Andrew Mills on 21-Jan-2004 11:14 GMT
I will not lie to you people, we at SWAG have been involved in Amiga piracy for a long time and all proceeds have not gone in our own pockets but to cover out meeting venues, tickets for Amiga shows and blank cd and dvd media.

We will not forget all the people who have made SWAG the way it was.

Thank you friends and good luck.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 14 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 21-Jan-2004 11:19 GMT
In reply to Comment 13 (Andrew Mills):
If you knew some of the reasons why the *real* Andy Mills can no longer run SWAG, you would not be acting like such a twat.

I find it sad that this is all you can find to do with your time. You must be a sad, pathetic little boy.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 15 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Anonymous on 21-Jan-2004 11:29 GMT
In reply to Comment 13 (Andrew Mills):
Mills you stinking fucking pirate, why are you closing swag? because the cops have caught your pirate ass.

Pirate fuck.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 16 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by hooligan/dcs on 21-Jan-2004 11:53 GMT
Would have never guessed the thread would end up like this... pfft
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 17 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 21-Jan-2004 11:56 GMT
In reply to Comment 16 (hooligan/dcs):
Well, it IS ann.lu. As much as I like this site, it does seem to attract more than its fair share of complete and utter idiots.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 18 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Paul Gadd on 21-Jan-2004 12:30 GMT
Swag sounds like a dream come true :o)
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 19 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Andy Mills on 21-Jan-2004 13:09 GMT
It seems that nearly 10 years worth of helping and supporting Amiga users, putting in many hours worth of work, money, time, etc., counts for sweet f*** a** with some people who can do nothing but bitch and moan.

It's a shame that a few idiots tar the rest of the Amiga Community with the same brush by making idiotic and completely false, slanderous remarks.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 20 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 21-Jan-2004 13:21 GMT
In reply to Comment 19 (Andy Mills):
Andy,

I understand completely that this idiot trying to put down the efforts of people who have actually done a hell of a lot of positive work for Amiga users is insulting and disgraceful, please remember that those who actually know of your efforts very much appreciate what you did with SWAG over the years, and no idiot troll can change that.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 21 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Anonymous on 21-Jan-2004 13:47 GMT
In reply to Comment 16 (hooligan/dcs):
Remember when most Amiga message boards used to be filled with mainly constructive debates, or users seeking help on hard/software issues. Virtually all of the boards have now turned into a negative thread fest, with people bitching about Genesi vs. AInc, A1 vs. Pegasos. As a now ex-Amiga user who keeps a nostalgic eye on the scene, the amount of negativity between camps (companies, users, boards) etc. is depressing. It's no wonder Andy got out, as these people seem to be the majority rather than a vocal minority.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 22 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 21-Jan-2004 16:16 GMT
Whlist I was never a member of SWAG I was (and still am) in contact with Andy Mills.

I find it shocking and disturbing and very distateful that people have made such comments about Andy.

Andy is one of the nicest blokes around, who was delt a very personal blow.

I still can't believe the Amiga Community has more rude foul mouthed idiots than any other kind of Community I know.

Andy I thank you for your efforts with SWAG and With Amiga Fourms,

Cheers
Mark Wilson
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 23 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 21-Jan-2004 16:25 GMT
Also i wish the MorphOS users would leave this site and never return, you are not welcome on Amibench and all ads will be deleted if selling/wanting MorphOS,Pegasos related products.

Cheers

Mark Wilson
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 24 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by JKD on 21-Jan-2004 16:31 GMT
In reply to Comment 23 (Mark Wilson):
Wow....if that's the real Mark Wilson, who has got you so rattled? You are dead on about the general idiocy in the Amiga Crackmunity but why the hostility to MorphOS users?

Steve

Play acting president of the 'MorphOS users are people too!' campaign :-)
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 25 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mr Scuzzy3 on 21-Jan-2004 16:46 GMT
In reply to Comment 24 (JKD):
To that end I wish to invoke a little known SWAG directive #68050 which
states that "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."

I hereby call an extraordinary meeting of the South West Amiga Group, to be
held at the Bell Inn in Bath on Saturday 24th January.
At that meeting, the retiring chairman will attend, dressed in relevant
attire (basque and suspenders?), to sing and dance the Amiga theme tune.
Music will be supplied.

Anybody who is Stuck Without A Girlfriend, Stuck Without A Goat, or who
wishes to make Scientific Wild Assed Guesses will also be welcomed.

Coincidentally there will also be a meeting of the Bath & Bristol Linux User
Group at the same pub, You have been warned that not all the weirdos at the
pub will be SWAG members.

There will also be some beer and admiring of people's equipment. Remember to
wear loose fit trousers.

Those who agree vote "AYE"!


Mr Scuzzy3.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 26 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Darth_X on 21-Jan-2004 18:39 GMT
In reply to Comment 23 (Mark Wilson):
Also i wish the MorphOS users would leave this site and never return, you are not welcome on Amibench and all ads will be deleted if selling/wanting MorphOS,Pegasos related products.

Cheers

Mark Wilson



I have no idea if this is the real Mark Wilson or some anonymous faker. But whoever posted this is prejudiced and a clear example of the kind of people who who ruin the Amiga market for everyone.

These are the kind of people we want to leave the market, not the developers and normal users who want to go forward.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 27 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by South Wales Amiga User Group on 21-Jan-2004 19:10 GMT
As your nearest neighbouring user group, it's a shame to see you.

All the best for the future,

South Wales Amiga User Group
www.swaug.org.uk
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 28 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Martin slaytom on 21-Jan-2004 20:59 GMT
SWAG = Sells Warez @ Amiga Group

I would like to thank the guys at SWAG for supporting me and saving me a hell of a lot of money on software, without your cheap cdr`s i would end up buying original software which i never wanted to do.

Andy your the main man and i wish you all the best, if you ever need software or any other cd/dvd please contact me.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 29 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 21-Jan-2004 21:12 GMT
In reply to Comment 28 (Martin slaytom):
Would a moderator *please* remove these slanderous statements? They don't serve any purpose but to amuse the pathetic children responsible.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 30 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Matt Parsons on 22-Jan-2004 14:15 GMT
In reply to Comment 29 (Peter Gordon):
I agree they are not constructive. But I question if that was the Real Mark Wilson...?
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 31 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 22-Jan-2004 14:27 GMT
Yes the comments above are by me as MorphOS users just need to get out of this community and never return, i have been an Amiga user for hell of a long time and find it distatful that these MorphOS people just go around causing trouble.

A while ago my site was attacked by unknown users but i would bet my website it was a user who owns a pegasos, please do not use my site for selling or buying Pegasos equipment, people who do so will be IP banned and reported to their ISP as abuse.

Sorry if i offend anyone but i want no more.

Cheers
Mark Wilson
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 32 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Andy on 22-Jan-2004 14:45 GMT
In reply to Comment 29 (Peter Gordon):
Prove they are "slanderous statements" or stop defending pirates, SWAG was involved in Amiga piracy and you can not handle the truth, remember this is ANN not Amigaworld where truth is allowed to be shared.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 33 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 22-Jan-2004 15:03 GMT
I would like to point out that I am actually a fan of MorphOS and was actually looking at buying MorphOS and a motherboard yesterday. Due to getting married and being a DVD Junkie means this is not going to happen any time soon but I do keep an eye on MorphOS and some of its supporters.

I have No Problem with MorphOS stuff been sold on AmiBench.

As for the poor lonely idiots who are happy to fabricate posts from people why the hell don't you just give up.

If you are doing it to protect the thing you love the most (eg the Amiga and its community - in case you cant keep up) why do you post such stupid inane dribble and rubbish about people.

I can't believe the rubbish about Andy thats being banded about. The poor bloke had a death in the family and your treating him like this.

Is this what the Amiga Community has come to be after so long?

(btw I have screengrabbed this and its available to view on http://www.tecnobabble.co.uk/annpost.jpg) - just so I can prove I did post and its not some jumped up smackhead moron using the same NTL cache as me.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 34 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 22-Jan-2004 15:20 GMT
Can I also add that who is ever posting the fake posts from me try and get my writing style a bit better. I never use lowercase I's when mentioning myself in a comment. Its something to do with being dyslexic.

>Also i wish the MorphOS users would leave this site and never return, you are >not welcome on Amibench and all ads will be deleted if selling/wanting >MorphOS,Pegasos related products.

This is not the case, I do record every IP and details from each advert thats placed on AmiBench. I class MorphOS as an Amiga clone (seeing as it can run Amiga apps) therefore its community has the right to use AmiBench.

>Wow....if that's the real Mark Wilson, who has got you so rattled? You are >dead on about the general idiocy in the Amiga Crackmunity but why the >hostility to MorphOS users?

Hello Steve! long time no see. Yeah I'm still about just very busy with Marrage, Work, House DIY and stuff. As you can see from the above reply I HAVE absolultly no problem with MoprhOS and its community other than the fact I can't afford to be apart of it!

>Yes the comments above are by me as MorphOS users just need to get out of this >community and never return, i have been an Amiga user for hell of a long time >and find it distatful that these MorphOS people just go around causing >trouble.

Thats rubbish and I dont buy that statement for a second, I feel that if it wasnt for MorphOS there would be EVEN less of an Amiga Community than there is aready. To some extent MorphOS is a heartbeat in the Amiga Community. I dont see the Amiga lasting under Amiga Inc [Rolls Eyes]. MorphOS poses a great chance and opertunity for the ideas and ethos behind the Amiga to be dragged kicking and screaming into the present, and future.

>A while ago my site was attacked by unknown users but i would bet my website >it was a user who owns a pegasos, please do not use my site for selling or >buying Pegasos equipment, people who do so will be IP banned and reported to >their ISP as abuse.

Again thats not true. I support MorphOS as much as I can. I will look at adding a MorphOS section to AmiBench if enough MorphOS users mail me (if you think its worth it email me at mark@amibench.org). You will NOT get banned for placing a MorphOS or related advert on AmiBench. Just make sure you make it clear its not an Amiga product so no one buys in error and its fine with me.

>Sorry if i offend anyone but i want no more.

How do I get a trusted user account on here so I can post and actually have people believe its me? :)

Mark Wilson (MorphOS and Pegasos fan - if anyone wants to send me a free pegasos board feel free! :)
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 35 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by MIKE on 22-Jan-2004 16:10 GMT
In reply to Comment 23 (Mark Wilson):
Why? I find the actual *MorphOS Users* to be highly intelligent, and not the type of folks who resort to the personal attacks. Please don't confuse Morphos folks, with anti-amiga INC./anti-McEwen/anti-Fleecy folks (although some are) that tend to be boisterous.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 36 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 22-Jan-2004 17:59 GMT
In reply to Comment 35 (MIKE):
I didnt write the comments at all. I dont have a problem with MorphOS users at all. Or for that matter 99% of Amiga users. Only thing I have a problem with is the offensive idiots who post rubbish which can be very upsetting for people like Andy Mills.

Mark Wilson
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 37 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Andy Mills on 22-Jan-2004 18:42 GMT
I think to try and reason with the people making the libellous comments is impossible and just a case of banging your head against a brick wall.

It's just not true, big or clever, just plane bulls**t.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 38 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Matt Parsons on 22-Jan-2004 19:53 GMT
In reply to Comment 33 (Mark Wilson):
I didn't think it was you. Amibench is great and I have found stuff I needed for excellent price on there!

Email Christan about you're user account.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 39 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 22-Jan-2004 20:23 GMT
In reply to Comment 35 (MIKE):
I didnt write the comments at all. I dont have a problem with MorphOS users at all. Or for that matter 99% of Amiga users. Only thing I have a problem with is the offensive idiots who post rubbish which can be very upsetting for people like Andy Mills.

Mark Wilson
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 40 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Christophe Decanini on 23-Jan-2004 17:02 GMT
In reply to Comment 29 (Peter Gordon):
Sorry to be late. I missed the slanderous comments.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 41 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Christophe Decanini on 23-Jan-2004 17:05 GMT
In reply to Comment 40 (Christophe Decanini):
And I would suggest you to send an email to Christian with your name and password to avoid to be impersonated.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 42 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Mark Wilson on 23-Jan-2004 23:49 GMT
In reply to Comment 41 (Christophe Decanini):
I have done, thanks for the clean up.

Mark Wilson
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 43 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Peter Gordon on 24-Jan-2004 09:22 GMT
In reply to Comment 40 (Christophe Decanini):
Thats OK. Normally trolls don't bother me, but I really didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about what SWAG was from some idiot here.
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 44 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by John Worthingon on 24-Jan-2004 22:48 GMT
Sorry to hear another group is down.....Closing AmiSEK after Christmas wasnot an easy choice and i left thatchoice until I had too. and I'm still not getting my headround not doing it each week.Good luck in the future. I knowyou made a tough choice..regardsJohn
South West Amiga Group closes : Comment 45 of 45ANN.lu
Posted by Minuous on 25-Jan-2004 13:04 GMT
I think Microfilth have hired someone to make stupid posts about MorphOS on ANN, to make people give up in despair on the Amiga community, and move to Windoze. Or am I just paranoid :-)
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