Stepping Down

[wilcam47]

Over the past year I’ve been mostly absent from the forum due to personal and work related issues. The forum went down in December because I wasn’t able to keep up with the server and that was my wakeup call that it was time to step down and let someone take over that would give the forum the proper attention that it needs technically. It was a very, very difficult decision for me to make, but I know that it is what is best for the community going forward. I gave it 11 years, but now I feel that I am more of a liability rather than an asset. If there was any way that I could keep up with it I would, but I just can’t anymore and I feel that this is the right thing to do for the community.

As such, I found a small group of guys that understand the mission, respect the history of the community, and most importantly, will give the forum the professional attention that it needs to make sure that it continues to grow and function for years to come. I’ve transferred ownership of the site to them and they will do their best to support the site and keep it functioning, while also implementing improvements as we go forward. You won’t see any major changes to the site immediately as they don’t need to fix something that isn’t broken. Hopefully any potential changes that you see in the future will only improve on an already good thing.

The new technical contact for the site is user texkev. He’s a great guy that you are going to enjoy interacting with. He recognizes that the way the forum is currently run under the leadership of Norton and the mods is a valuable asset to the community and as such nothing is going to change in regard to forum leadership, with the exception that I am stepping down and Norton is now the primary contact and leader on the public side of the forum. I have no doubt that he will continue to lead the forum to become a larger and stronger community, and a more powerful 2A force in Maryland.

The members are what make this such a great community, and I thank all of you. I sincerely thank the Industry Partners and those who have donated in the past to keep the lights on. The site wouldn’t exist right now if it wasn’t for you. Norton, joppaj, 2SAM22, and zoostation, I have the utmost respect for you guys and cannot begin to thank you enough for all that you have done to keep the community functioning and growing. I know that it will get even better moving forward.

Keep up the good fight!

Sorry to hear of you stepping down but its got to be for your better good. Thanks for helping make this forum great!

Hey all,

My name is Kevin, from Texas, of course a gun owner and happy to be here. I am not a part of a team, just me and a part time web guy I use rarely. I like working with forums, I work from home caring for my disabled wife so it fits well with my wonky schedule. Very sorry in advance to everyone at the shock of this. Don has had nothing but amazing things to say about the group here. Actually he interviewed me and wanted to know everything about what I would have planned, etc. He cares a ton about this place and its future.

I want to first make sure everyone knows I am not here to change the flow, how the site is modded, etc. The mods still run the place. I am simply here more as a tech help, bring the site up to date (backend stuff, not seen), hopefully help it grow, etc. Of course the members here are the backbone of the site, I just hope to be able to help behind the scenes, etc.

I look forward to learning more about the group here. I sure know you guys have it tougher when it comes to gun policy then we do. Please PM me if you have any questions, etc. Thanks…

Kevin

Congrats!

 

[Lou45]

TexKev, just watch out if Chad approaches you with latex products, or militec. You have been warned.

....or his colorful purple rubbery bayonet.

If he advocates for a .40cal or a piston gun, pull your side arm...

Chad loves and carries a .40 short & wimpy and a piston AR. Texkev, jus' be careful if you should see him wearing only his 'smithing apron, you know, the one with the hole in the front.


I knew for some time that something was up in the air around here but didn't know what it was, there just an air about it. Sad to see Don leave as this was his back yard, the one he created for us to play in. Norton and the gang have been pretty good at letting us alone for the most part but intervening when it was determined necessary for the good of the forum; Zoostation comes out to the shop on occasion to spank my hinie when needed to keep me inline too.

Texkev, I hope you soon see and appreciate the character base we have in this forum as it's jus' outstanding. Alot of us know each other or in many cases have met on one or more occasions, so there is a tighter than average association amongst the members of MDS than there are on most other forums not to mention the ******** we have cut out for us with the grossly libtard politics of this State (MD) and the continued fight we deal with every day, every year.

 

[oldsarge]

Don, it was a pleasure to sit and raise a few with you at the So. MD get togethers. I will always be greatful for this site that you created. I have learned so much over the years that just could not be readily found from any other source. Your leadership will be missed. I'm sure since you hand picked him, texkev will maintain this site as you would have. I look forward to the great future here.

 

[Mr H]

Thanks to everyone for the welcome and the offers to help. Much appreciated. I look forward to being a part of the group.

... and only 31 more posts until you can sell in the classifieds...

 

[alucard0822]

Thank you Don

 

[Boxcab]

Just saw this...

Thanks Don for all you do and have done!!!





.

 

[Bazooka]

DD214...Thank you for everything you have done!

 

[llkoolkeg]

Thanks for making such a cool place to hang out and for fighting the good fight behind enemy lines for so long.

 

[gamer_jim]

Thanks DD214, and other mods. I can't imagine the bull-crap you guys have to put up with to run an outfit like this.

Welcome to texkev.

Hollar if there is anything I can do to help besides donate (already do that).

 

[JMintzer]

Don,

Thank you for creating this great place. It's been a blessing to MD's shooting community.

It was a pleasure meeting you at the Fall shoots, and If we ever cross paths again, I'll buy you as many foo foo drinks as you'd like!

P.S. Sorry for being a PITA back in the day...

 

[1970swifty]

Thank you Don.

This is a great go to for all the news politics laws etc etc etc. enjoy your next adventure. I can't believe it took six pages for someone to ask about texkev having water cooler rights

 

[lx1x]

thank you don for all the hard work and dedication you put in this forum. been nice to at least meet you in person couple of times (meet/greet etc.) best wishes.

welcome to the crazy house kevin.

 

[fidelity]

I was looking to bump the MDS donation thread (one that I remembered was when server bandwidth was being overwhelmed), but can't find it.

Nor did I see an MDS donate decal on the homepage.

I did find this link within a Merry Christmas thread (thanks Aray) ...

http://www.mdshooters.com/donate/

Is this still the preferred method for community members to donate to the site? Want to do my part for 2016, especially as we turn a new corner.

 

[Vile Shadow]

Hey all,

My name is Kevin, from Texas, of course a gun owner and happy to be here. I am not a part of a team, just me and a part time web guy I use rarely. I like working with forums, I work from home caring for my disabled wife so it fits well with my wonky schedule. Very sorry in advance to everyone at the shock of this. Don has had nothing but amazing things to say about the group here. Actually he interviewed me and wanted to know everything about what I would have planned, etc. He cares a ton about this place and its future.

I want to first make sure everyone knows I am not here to change the flow, how the site is modded, etc. The mods still run the place. I am simply here more as a tech help, bring the site up to date (backend stuff, not seen), hopefully help it grow, etc. Of course the members here are the backbone of the site, I just hope to be able to help behind the scenes, etc.

I look forward to learning more about the group here. I sure know you guys have it tougher when it comes to gun policy then we do. Please PM me if you have any questions, etc. Thanks…

Kevin

Welcome aboard, sir.

 

[Vile Shadow]

I've never liked those. It ends up becoming a junior high school popularity contest and I feel as if it has the potential to squelch discussion based on group think. Lord knows we get accused of that enough as it is.

I don't like those either.

For this place it would be a very bad idea, as heated as discussions sometimes get. I think it would be divisive, and would pretty much scream loud and clear to people who their enemies are.

 

[El_flasko]

Wow.

Thank you for all that you have done for the entire shooting community in Maryland. I sincerely appreciate it.

Exactly what he said. Many sincere thanks DD214

 

[eruby]

DD214, there is no way we can ever repay the debt we owe you.

Thank you so very much for all you have done over the years!

 

[byf43]

Wow. Just........ wow.


DD214 -
Thank you for everything that you have done, for this site.
It it certainly appreciated by all.


TexKev -
Welcome aboard. The people here are all one-of-a-kind. (Well, 3% of the time.) Don't worry. With time you'll get the reference.
Tell me.... is this "back end stuff" kinda like what's behind the curtain in The Wizard of OZ??? (Pulling levers, ropes, fanning curtains, blowing smoke out of computers; keeping fire extinguishers handy?????)


To Norton and ALL of the mods -

Thank you, for what you do, EVERY day.
I am a member on a couple of other firearms sites, but, NONE will ever have the camaraderie that is found on this site.


This is a great place to hang my hat.

 

[bbrown]

Fair weather and following winds, DD214.

 

[lonzo]

Wow. Just........ wow.


DD214 -
Thank you for everything that you have done, for this site.
It it certainly appreciated by all.


TexKev -
Welcome aboard. The people here are all one-of-a-kind. (Well, 3% of the time.) Don't worry. With time you'll get the reference.
Tell me.... is this "back end stuff" kinda like what's behind the curtain in The Wizard of OZ??? (Pulling levers, ropes, fanning curtains, blowing smoke out of computers; keeping fire extinguishers handy?????)


To Norton and ALL of the mods -

Thank you, for what you do, EVERY day.
I am a member on a couple of other firearms sites, but, NONE will ever have the camaraderie that is found on this site.


This is a great place to hang my hat.

Just want to say the same thing. Glad I found the site and keep a hat