i dont know if this has been posted already...
quoted from Xenohomo
From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to all of HMT
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Let me first state, that in no way shape or form did I ever intended to offend anyone when I first purchased site or when I sold it. Whether your rational in your hatred of me or not, I still love you all...
I maybe got 2 hours of sleep last night, tossing and turning in bed because of how bad I feel, if I had better options and had I known how this was going to unveil itself, I certainly would have done things differently.
First when I agreed on the sale with Rick, I first wanted to make sure the Sponsors that have supported this site would be taken care of. As I honored when Jeff sold me the site, I made sure that anyone who had paid for months of sponsorship would be allowed to stay on in the same capacity until the end of their sponsorship if not more. Also, others who had monthly subscriptions would be getting a Free sponsorship until Rick had talked with them about whatever options he was going to have with them and once the site transition had "smoothed" over.
Second, he told me nothing would change about the forum, other than the VB change and I assumed adds. We are all members of other VB sites with adds and more...he wanted to keep the color scheme, look, feel and NATURE of this site in tact.
I thought HMT would react negatively, but I had hoped that there COULD be a long term benefit to new site owner, and I still hope their can be, although I am really not all that happy with the transition...at this point, I wish I could do more to help that, bitching about it though isnt something that will help.
Why did I buy the site? I bought it because I had friendships here, I grew as a business here and as a moderator. I had vested interests in this place and I liked the idea of a forum of individuals who looked up to me. I didnt want to see the place unmanaged or rogue, only to go completely down the shitter into non-existance. I didnt want to see it go to "Internet Brands" or the like.
Why did I sell the site? I sold it because once I purchased it, I turned into "DAD" and every time I logged in, I was doing things I didnt want to have to be responsible (or liable) for. I barely got to post as a member, or as a moderator...I didnt have the time between my private life, my business life. I felt dragged down and depressed half the time...so I started looking for options that would benefit the site.
First I went to the mods, I asked what suggestions they had...how we could make the site better. I asked if any of them would be interested in buying "shares" in HMT to mitigate a large purchase and give them more vested interest in the site. I thought I could transfer some (not all) of that responsibility to a group of individuals, and with whatever profits the site actually made, split it between the owners evenly. I thought maybe we could raise some extra money to put into events, raffles...etc, to bring back install days or community (HMT) events. Like most things on the net, some people were partially interested but no one bit.
So I went to the other two people that Jeff had previously asked to buy the site, and gave them first dibs, one seemed interested and wanted to buy the site, but he dragged ass and made the process difficult. I just wanted to get back exactly what i paid to Jeff, no more...no less and I just wanted to hand over the keys to the castle. He wanted contracts, and negotiations...and it just made the whole process difficult. When I finally said YES, it took him over two months to get back to me and after that two month period I was kind of flying high on HMT again, I was happy with it.
Oddly enough, Rick had re-contacted me shortly after that and made me a significant offer that I could not refuse. I did urge him to keep the same SMF forum, but he is familiar with VB. I told him you are a special group of people and he seemed to understand as he has been through transitions before.
The way things are being handled now, and the kick back this has caused for me (on a personal level) makes me seriously regret my decision.
If Rick wanted to sell me back the forum tomorrow for the same price, I'd take it back and find a better way...if I could, at this point I imagine its too late.
Sorry for the drama, sorry for the heartache I'm sure this has caused some of you...but maybe a DRASTIC change like this can be good, I hope it can.
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