"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."

[ENTERPRISE]

Hello all,

 

It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to move on from ExtremeHW and community management. I have made this decision based on a few reasons.

 

1. Motivation/Time

2. Health

3. Fresh Start

 

Firstly, my focus in life has changed. While I still love all the same things concerning technology, PC’s and overclocking/tweaking, my motivations are now aimed towards other life projects/goals. This has not happened suddenly and is something I have been fighting with for months now as to what I should do regarding a balance between EHW and the rest of my goals/life, but I must bite the bullet and do what is best for myself and the community and realise that I cannot have my cake and eat it.

 

Secondly, health. Like many people I struggle with mental health and anything I can do to reduce workload & stress will be beneficial for my quality of life moving forward. This is nothing new as I have struggled for many years but as I am getting older, I am getting wiser as to what is best for me.

 

Thirdly, I have been in this game since I was 15 years of age with respect to being heavily engaged with community activities, to site management and eventually to the ownership of my own site. The journey has been awesome, despite any challenges or sad times along the way. I feel that after 20 years I have achieved what I wanted to, but it is time to start a new chapter.

 

My aim for the community is to find a new private owner, or possibly groups of owners who will have the right qualities for moving this site forward and growing the community.

 

So, what now? Well rest assured that ExtremeHW will remain operational, and ultimately for you, the user, nothing will be changing up until the time new ownership takes over. 

 

If you are interested in stepping into my shoes, becoming the next owner of ExtremeHW and starting a new chapter for the community, please feel free to PM me on the site or use the sites Contact Form to learn how and what is involved.

 

All the best,
E

[ENTERPRISE]

Released.

[bonami2]

Very sad to hear this but i understand. Life take so much time i can't even be here as much as i want.

Was happy working with you

[damric]

Will miss you E!

[bridgypoo]

Hi E, I'm Neuro's wife. I've been lurking here for a bit and was a member of the prior forums since 2012.

You have put in your time and your health and ultimately you come first! I've been just so impressed with all you've done over these years. There are definitely large shoes to fill. Thank you for keeping this hobby enjoyable and allowing us the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts across the globe.

 

All the best in your next chapter in life,

B

Edited September 25 by bridgypoo

[UltraMega]

Thanks for building/maintaining the site E. Hopefully the transition will go smoothly... as long as you don't sell to vertical scope

[Barefooter]

Sad to hear... but you have to take care of yourself first and foremost.

 

Thanks E for all you have done for the community!

[neurotix]

This is such a huge loss for sure. I'm honestly scared for the future of the site, and what company or person takes it over and what they will do to it. I really hope we keep the rep system and postbits. Praying for the future of the site to go well..

 

Thank you for everything E, you've always been so nice to me and made some tough but fair decisions. I will still be around.

[Alex]

At the end of the day, you have to do what's right for you - and I really respect you making that tough decision.

 

Thank you for all the hard work and effort you've put in, and the community you've cultivated and built. We will miss you.

Edited September 25 by Alex

[UltraMega]

32 minutes ago, neurotix said:

This is such a huge loss for sure. I'm honestly scared for the future of the site, and what company or person takes it over and what they will do to it. I really hope we keep the rep system and postbits. Praying for the future of the site to go well..

 

Thank you for everything E, you've always been so nice to me and made some tough but fair decisions. I will still be around.

Meh, as long as it ends up with someone who has a similar vision of wanting this site to be a user driven tech forum that doesn't rank posts based on an algorithm I think it will likely be fine. 

 

That said, a lot of these sites are struggling with Discord and the likes being so prevalent now. There is way more activity on the EHW Discord than there is on this site because it's just faster and easier to use Discord most of the time. Whatever happens with EHW, we'll still have the Discord group to chat about tech stuff on at the very least. 

 

 

If I had one criticism intended constructively, though perhaps too late to really matter, I think EHW grew too fast in terms of features. "If you build it they will come" doesn't work well when you need users to build content and justify more features in the first place. I think EHW is far too complex with way too many moving parts. I know basically nothing about running a site like this, but I would wonder if the site could just be stripped down to be more like OCN circa 2006 when it was just a list of user threads and news threads. That's by far the most important part of this site, and I wonder if it would be sustainable if that's all the site were trying to be. 

 

But like I said, I really know nothing about this. I'm just guessing that all of the extra features have a cost that makes them hard to justify before the user base to support them is there. 

 

 

 

@ENTERPRISE If this site does persist and just goes to a new owner, do you see yourself still being a user at all or is this like Goodbye-Goodbye?

 

Edited September 25 by UltraMega

[Slaughtahouse]

Thank you, E for all your effort and dedication to keep a community alive and strong.

 

While I may not like the news, I fully respect and support your decision. Do what makes you happy and is fulfilling.

 

I’ve learned a lot from the core group on OCN and continue to knowledge share with those who’ve migrated with you here.

 

If there is one takeaway, remember that you have positively impacted the lives of many enthusiasts. Thank you for all your effort and wishing you the best on future endeavours!

[PCSarge]

it is with a heavy heart, that i say this is the end of an era for our community. Enterprise my friend, we've all known eachother alot of years and been through alot together. You made EHW special because of who you are. You have set the example as a forum owner and a friend to us all.

 

you will be missed my friend, may the schwartz be with you!  

[Snakecharmed]

Thanks for everything you've done to build the EHW community, E. I appreciate the time and dedication you've put in to making this place what it is, and wish you the best going forward.

[ENTERPRISE]

18 hours ago, UltraMega said:

Meh, as long as it ends up with someone who has a similar vision of wanting this site to be a user driven tech forum that doesn't rank posts based on an algorithm I think it will likely be fine. 

 

That said, a lot of these sites are struggling with Discord and the likes being so prevalent now. There is way more activity on the EHW Discord than there is on this site because it's just faster and easier to use Discord most of the time. Whatever happens with EHW, we'll still have the Discord group to chat about tech stuff on at the very least. 

 

 

If I had one criticism intended constructively, though perhaps too late to really matter, I think EHW grew too fast in terms of features. "If you build it they will come" doesn't work well when you need users to build content and justify more features in the first place. I think EHW is far too complex with way too many moving parts. I know basically nothing about running a site like this, but I would wonder if the site could just be stripped down to be more like OCN circa 2006 when it was just a list of user threads and news threads. That's by far the most important part of this site, and I wonder if it would be sustainable if that's all the site were trying to be. 

 

But like I said, I really know nothing about this. I'm just guessing that all of the extra features have a cost that makes them hard to justify before the user base to support them is there. 

 

 

 

@ENTERPRISE If this site does persist and just goes to a new owner, do you see yourself still being a user at all or is this like Goodbye-Goodbye?

 

 

Thanks everyone for all the very kind words. 

 

In reply to the above. The sites growth in features and moving parts was not necessarily much of a negative, sure at points in the year updates would be applied and general maintenance undertaken, but nothing out of the ordinary.  Having additional features for the site come at a cost for sure, some one off and some routine but I just see it as a part of getting the site right with the intention of having the appropriate feature set for PC enthusiasts. Sure some of the features have seen less use than I would have like and perhaps they would come a little later, but if I were to do it all over again, for better or worse, there would be little I would change

 

As for me sticking around, that is a tough questions. I think when something has been your baby and is no longer under your nurture, it is hard to remain a part of it, especially if you see changes you don't necessarily agree with. It can lead to a certain level of bitterness, regardless of how good of a person you are, we are still irrationally emotional humans. I will still be very much staying in the tech world and building PC's etc but I think the days of being a dedicated or active user of any forum has come to a close and any forums I do hit up are usually support forums for specific products I have, and that is about it. I have become more of standard user over a contributor and I am good with that now.

 

[neurotix]

2 hours ago, ENTERPRISE said:

 

Thanks everyone for all the very kind words. 

 

In reply to the above. The sites growth in features and moving parts was not necessarily much of a negative, sure at points in the year updates would be applied and general maintenance undertaken, but nothing out of the ordinary.  Having additional features for the site come at a cost for sure, some one off and some routine but I just see it as a part of getting the site right with the intention of having the appropriate feature set for PC enthusiasts. Sure some of the features have seen less use than I would have like and perhaps they would come a little later, but if I were to do it all over again, for better or worse, there would be little I would change

 

As for me sticking around, that is a tough questions. I think when something has been your baby and is no longer under your nurture, it is hard to remain a part of it, especially if you see changes you don't necessarily agree with. It can lead to a certain level of bitterness, regardless of how good of a person you are, we are still irrationally emotional humans. I will still be very much staying in the tech world and building PC's etc but I think the days of being a dedicated or active user of any forum has come to a close and any forums I do hit up are usually support forums for specific products I have, and that is about it. I have become more of standard user over a contributor and I am good with that now.

 

 

I find this very unfortunate. I consider you a friend and I think you feel the same, and we have worked together a lot, there was good and there was bad, but ultimately our interactions were more good than bad and I know you were always there and always on my side.

 

What we achieved together I think is outstanding, i.e. https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ExtremeHW?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

 

As well as:

 

 

I will always cherish the memories of our PMs working together.

 

I would encourage you to remain an active member of the site. Keep in mind what I went through with graphics design twice, I could have thrown a fit and left, yet I am still here. You are an awesome admin and person and I'm jealous of your NAS

 

- Joe

Edited September 26 by neurotix

[ENTERPRISE]

14 hours ago, neurotix said:

 

I find this very unfortunate. I consider you a friend and I think you feel the same, and we have worked together a lot, there was good and there was bad, but ultimately our interactions were more good than bad and I know you were always there and always on my side.

 

What we achieved together I think is outstanding, i.e. https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ExtremeHW?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

 

As well as:

 

 

I will always cherish the memories of our PMs working together.

 

I would encourage you to remain an active member of the site. Keep in mind what I went through with graphics design twice, I could have thrown a fit and left, yet I am still here. You are an awesome admin and person and I'm jealous of your NAS

 

- Joe

 

Thank you for the kind words.

 

I appreciate the resilience and work that you have put in to the site up to date. During the trying times, I did not take anyone's side as being as neutral as possible is the goal and ultimately whatever is best for the site is going to be the route of choice. I feel that it is important to state that I am only on the sites side. That of course does not mean I am not friends with the people of the site  

 

[damric]

@markfw @HaRdLy007

[neurotix]

13 hours ago, ENTERPRISE said:

 

Thank you for the kind words.

 

I appreciate the resilience and work that you have put in to the site up to date. During the trying times, I did not take anyone's side as being as neutral as possible is the goal and ultimately whatever is best for the site is going to be the route of choice. I feel that it is important to state that I am only on the sites side. That of course does not mean I am not friends with the people of the site  

 

 

Indeed, I know you always have what's best for the site in mind.

 

Let me tell you that I have found your comments on news threads, hardware releases, and other posts very valuable and I would hate to lose that. Ultimately, this is your decision whether or not to post, but even if you just lurk and post occasionally I think that would be good.

 

With not having all kinds of admin responsibilities, you may find yourself with downtime. It would be great to see posts or see you chatting on Discord which I've never seen lol.

 

I also want to add personally that before I started using the site in November 2022 I had no social media, when I was manic-psychotic in 2020 I lost all of my My Documents folder, as well as all my Facebook photos. Basically lost everything digitally. So from 2020-2022 I didn't use social media at all and talked to no one online, and was in a deep, dark depression for years because of no social interactions. Joining the site and getting involved with it heavily, upgrading my rig a little later, and being active on the forums and Discord has completely turned that around. I now feel like I have friends online and real purpose. That was only possible because of the site YOU built with a rep system, postbits and rig builder, by 2022 all that was gone on OCN. As an aside, I really hope whoever takes over keeps those three things. But anyway, joining the site and Discord was one of the best decisions I could have possibly made, and has lifted me out of depression, even with the ups and downs. I still continue producing content for the site in the form of tutorial videos and graphics design, and I am happy to help and enjoy doing it. Thank you, Enterprise.

Edited September 27 by neurotix

[pio]

This was certainly unexpected.  I certainly hope nothing but the best for you E, and I just hope you at LEAST try to keep in contact with all of your pals.  Pop into a discord group with everyone, something, let us know you're still alright.  It's not like we haven't (most of us) been together for decades at this point anyway right?  We'll ALWAYS be OCN'ers at heart and EHW members to the death of the site.

[Sir Beregond]

Unexpected news for sure. Life comes first, and I wish you good health (physical and mental), and I hope you find some peace in not having to manage a site in both the expense and time that I'm sure we all have some sort of idea about, but probably not the full extent of. I do hope you keep in contact though!

[mllrkllr88]

I am really sad to see you go; it's been a nice journey with you. I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors. 

[speed_demon]

E has been the best possible kind of guy you could ask for as a site creator; he really encouraged us to be creative and was a huge proponent of the hobby. I hope his best days are ahead of him yet as he moves on in life and in his hobby.

 

I think we all are a bit better off for having been here and active on this site and in this point in time. The community was truly something you do not find every day. I know, for one, I will never forget this time in my life moving forward. And I hope the next site owners are as gracious and good natured as the first.

[SoloCamo]

Sad to see but completely understood.  All I'd imagine most of us ask is to at least show your face once and a while around here.  Best of luck.  Thank you for the many years of supporting both sites.

[ENTERPRISE]

Thank you all for your kind words and I will be sure not to be a stranger

[Memmento Mori]

Enterprise, thanks a lot for the hard work which enabled me and others to share and as well learn from the whole comunity here. Wish you all the best !