THE FAT LADY SINGS

[TC]

Since the arrival of the new NESA site, I’ve been…..what’s the phrase?…..”considering my position” and whether or not to hang up the admin mouse.

In recent weeks & months I’ve had several e-mails expressing views that NESA
Quotes…….
“isn’t what it used to be”
“is losing its’ regular posters to other sites”
“has now become stale and is a shadow of its former self”
“boring and uninviting”

Whether or not the new layout of the site has something to do with it, or maybe it’s down to me – possibly a combination of both, I dunno, but as most peeps have said they like the new layout, I tend to feel that it’s largely down to me.

To be honest, I didn’t think I’d last as long as I have as site admin, but now, I think, the fat lady has sung her song and it’s time for me to go (as site admin., that is).

I’ll continue with the role until Christmas (or until Elton arranges for somebody to take over before then).

During the time that I have been running the site for Elton, there’s been a few ups & downs on the Board; I’ve had to deal with some strange “complaints” as well as some of a more serious nature and I hope that I have dealt with all of them fairly and honestly.

When Jaybee asked me to take over the running of the site from him, I was more than a bit hesitant. How could I step into HIS shoes? I’d only been fishing a couple of years, for Christs sake – what did I know / what could I offer? Looking back, at the time that I’ve been “the boss” (as some have called me), I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed the majority of the time. But, as in all things in life, it’s time for change; I don’t think that I can offer any more to NESA than I already have done and a change of “leadership” may well be what is needed.

In answer to some of the criticisms, in my defence I would say that;
1. The site is only as good as the membership make it.
2. There’s room on the ‘net for more than 1 sea angling site
3. I have always regarded my role as more of a “caretaker” than that of the “headmaster” and as such, I have been mindful that I’m not the owner of the site. In that regard, I do feel that Elton could play a more active role on the site. I know he’s a busy guy, but then, he’s not the only one.

I hope that whoever takes over in the admin. role will not have the 3:00 – 4:00am bedtimes that I have gotten used to (mind you, I’m usually up at those times anyway doing stuff for work).
I also hope that they can bring a freshness to NESA and help to revitalise the site.

[mark]

whoaa, theres a bolt from the blue!

what can ya say, its a tough gig to take on, and a very hard act to follow.

But, understandably, priorities have to take over some time, I\'ve been trying to educate some of my clients for years that I do actually have a life and a family.

so in the words of douglas adams \"so long and thanks for all the fish\"

[mark]

....... and whether or not to hang up the admin mouse.

forgot to say, If your hanging mice, I find a half tucked blood knot works best, but the little sods can bite when you tighten up

[gogs]

sorry to hear that tony,you have done a good job at holding the site together.i wonder if andy would like to step in and do the admin along side his own site as he\'s a wee marvel on the computer these days

gogs.

[Andy]

shut the **** up firewall boy I\'ve got enough to be gan on with
I know Tony well and his job (offline) takes up a lot of his time, \'too much\' if I was to be honest. It\'s a good job he does and a very responsible one it is too!
Looking after a load of hairy arsed Anglers that know loads about fishing and not a lot about PC\'s is hard work alone (innit gogs)
Tony, my advice is to go and do what your happy with m8, u know me and know what I\'ve said in the past with regards to chuckin the towel in, LOL.
If ya not happy, divvent dee it! wotever it is in life
and come round anytime for that cuppa

PS:

forgot to say, If your hanging mice, I find a half tucked blood knot works best, but the little sods can bite when you tighten up

Posts like this aren\'t very supportive either when your pouring ya heart out over the net not funny and not nice Mark at a time like this! I\'m sure you meant it light heartedly but maybe thats what\'s gettin to him

[Edited on 16/11/2003 by Andy]

[John]

Well personally I think your doing a great job at it Tony,
it takes many hours of time and mostly technical effort to start up a new forum and folk just need to be patient and wait all will come right in the end.

[mark]

Posts like this aren\'t very supportive either when your pouring ya heart out over the net not funny and not nice Mark at a time like this! I\'m sure you meant it light heartedly but maybe thats what\'s gettin to him

Ouch!

think through that again andy, I for one whole heartedly emphasis with TC. My point is that this forum is not a matter of life and death. If I caused offence with that comment then I apologise unreservedly.

I run a number of sites for major plc\'s and have spent more nights in front of them than I have with my family. Often (usually) end users don\'t realise just how many hours go into what to them are simple little things. Moments of insanity like the above are the few things which to me, keep it real, and I\'d like to think TC took it in the way intended. At the end of the day Tony doesn\'t get paid for his dedication, and its not just the hours of moderation either; organising the boat comp, boat trips, the shore comp etc etc. All done with a very fair hand and not in the slightest bit partizan with his regard to users

As I said in the first post, a VERY hard act to follow for anyone taking up the reins.

Right, time to get off me soapbox

[DaveMason]

Tony,

Just to agree with the previous members , I have never heard a wrong word said about your management of the site or of you personally . The site in my opinion is excellent and with regard to my own interest the boat section the technical expertise is better than any other website I have seen ( Someone tell me of a better one for boating if you know :P ) . I have never seen an question to hard to answer or ignored and the quality of the answers is top notch .

With regard to the moaners , are they always the same one\'s ? If so they should have there marching orders . As you said , it is the members that make the site and if anyone wants to improve it may I suggest they have more involvement and get off their arse and post quality answers . Consistant negative \"Posters\" and \"snipers\" in a nutshell should be F.....D OFF .

[bigh]

Well I think I would speak for most members if I said \"Well done and thanks\" to Tony for all the time and effort he has put in to enrich our lives on the internet. Looking in at NESA has always been a joy and also very informative.
If it wasn\'t for Tony (and JB before him) keeping the site \"in line\" by their moderation, I would probably never have followed up my urge to come home so to speak and meet up with guys from this site and Andys.
I would like to think that Tony\'s decision is not set in stone and that he can find a way to carry on in his position as leader of the pack, as I\'ve come to look upon him. If he can\'t manage both for whatever reason, I would just like to wish him well for the future and hope to see him on as a regular contributor. Tight Lines Tony.

[BriH]

All the very best - i know you let me off the \"hook \" a few times - mainly on a friday night ,when the STRONGBOW took control of my PC - Honest guv thats exactly what happened. :P :P .

[Chippy]

As a some time poster and frequent lurker, I\'ve never fully appreciated the effort you\'ve had to put into this board to make it such a pleasurable and informative board.
Don\'t overdo the work TC, as I found to my cost 3am finishes don\'t do your health any good, your health, family and fishing are more important than long days at the office.
Thanks.

[TC]

Thanks for all those kind words.
Andy, I appreciate your comments over the “hanging mouse”, but I DID take Marks remark the way he intended it. Infact it lightened the mood I was in when I made the Fat Lady post (and it was a very dark one – not helped by the over-indulgence of John Smiths….lol)

Believe me, it’s not that I’m “not happy”, or tired of devoting so much time to NESA. It’s just that, having considered what some have said in their e-mails, AND from my own observations on the Board, I think that a change of “leadership” would bring some new ideas to the site, and that is my main concern – keeping NESA fresh and at a peak.

Dave, no, the e-mails I’ve had haven’t been from “moaners” or “Consistent negative \"Posters\" and \"snipers\"”, just people expressing concern over the way NESA is going, (or rather NOT going…lol), and I have no axe to grind with anybody.

As I have said, I have noticed myself that the Board could do with a fresh approach. I would dearly love to be able to continue to provide that “fresh approach”, but I don’t feel that I have anything new to offer. I could stay on looking after the site, but it would probably mean that it would just be “more of the same”. If bringing in somebody else to look after the Board means that they can offer new blood, fresh ideas and new directions, thus taking NESA to continued and greater success, then I’m all for that.

The continued success of NESA, is of far greater importance than the continued success of “TC” as “the boss”

[Davyred]

Sorry to see you go Tony. I think I\'m with the cast majority who think that you\'ve done a fantastic job on here. I domn\'t envy your successor as you\'ll be a hard act to follow

[peter.m]

Job well done if you ask me and on a site far better than the others I look in on. I know you\'ll never please everyone but I wish you well and hope you\'ll still be chipping in.

[willywetegg]

I have not been a member of this site for long. Maybe a month or so. In that time hardly a day has passed without me logging and reading EVERY single post. There have been things i have found helpful, things i have dissagreed with, things i have agreed with and some things i have sat giggling at like a pillock.One thing i have found, is the way this site has been looked after. (must admit i thought for a while about that last bit or at least how i worded it).There is not one thing that i could pull T.C. for in the way he has looked after things. I do not know in which way you hope the site goes, but i personally hope that it does not change too much. wishing you all the best and thank you. Jim.