I've been a volunteer for the MD community since 2007. Over the years I've learned a lot about the industry, the community and myself.
When Marcus told me he was no longer willing to host the community, and that he was planning on selling it, I was worried. I worried that whoever were to buy the community would eventually try to integrate it into their own business for the sole purpose of maximizing their own profits. Because of this, I raised $50k and made an offer. Unfortunately for me, Mike was able to transfer funds before I was.
I was again, worried. I transferred over to MMOBay.net because Marcus and Alex assured me that Mike's intentions were in the best interest of the community. Marcus promised us that he wouldn't sell it to someone who was just going to take down the buy/sell forums eventually anyway. That's why I stayed on. After speaking with Mike the first few times, my woes were at ease. It wasn't until I was told of Mike's true intentions of merging the forums and user database onto the auction part of the website, and taking down the buy/sell forums, that I began to worry again. Doing so will take the personal aspect out of dealing with buyers and sellers, and will turn it into a beefy version of every other buy/sell auction website there is out there.
As a volunteer on MD, we did everything as a team. There were 6 administrators and 6 moderators, not 1 administrator, 3 admin/mod hybrids and 2 moderators. Everything was diplomatic, and changes weren't rolled out until weeks of discussing and testing. The lead admins were very personal and always involved everyone in every thing. I regularly got IMs from Alex every day regarding site issues, etc. I wanted to volunteer for them because they made me feel like I was actually needed.
Mike, I really don't blame you for what you're doing. You're making a series of business decisions, which given the amount of money you put into this investment, is clearly the best thing to do. You have taken the time to answer our questions, and you have shown more initiative than Marcus did when it came to making upgrades and all of that. I'm sure you're a good guy, but there's a difference between volunteering for the good of the community and spending your time helping some guy make money that no one else will ever see.
Good luck guys, and I'll still float around to answer questions, etc.
PS: Before anyone asks, no I will not be moving to moderate/administrate another community. I was an MD volunteer and I'm not just going to be convinced to join forces with someone else because they are appealing to me at the time.
When Marcus told me he was no longer willing to host the community, and that he was planning on selling it, I was worried. I worried that whoever were to buy the community would eventually try to integrate it into their own business for the sole purpose of maximizing their own profits. Because of this, I raised $50k and made an offer. Unfortunately for me, Mike was able to transfer funds before I was.
I was again, worried. I transferred over to MMOBay.net because Marcus and Alex assured me that Mike's intentions were in the best interest of the community. Marcus promised us that he wouldn't sell it to someone who was just going to take down the buy/sell forums eventually anyway. That's why I stayed on. After speaking with Mike the first few times, my woes were at ease. It wasn't until I was told of Mike's true intentions of merging the forums and user database onto the auction part of the website, and taking down the buy/sell forums, that I began to worry again. Doing so will take the personal aspect out of dealing with buyers and sellers, and will turn it into a beefy version of every other buy/sell auction website there is out there.
As a volunteer on MD, we did everything as a team. There were 6 administrators and 6 moderators, not 1 administrator, 3 admin/mod hybrids and 2 moderators. Everything was diplomatic, and changes weren't rolled out until weeks of discussing and testing. The lead admins were very personal and always involved everyone in every thing. I regularly got IMs from Alex every day regarding site issues, etc. I wanted to volunteer for them because they made me feel like I was actually needed.
Mike, I really don't blame you for what you're doing. You're making a series of business decisions, which given the amount of money you put into this investment, is clearly the best thing to do. You have taken the time to answer our questions, and you have shown more initiative than Marcus did when it came to making upgrades and all of that. I'm sure you're a good guy, but there's a difference between volunteering for the good of the community and spending your time helping some guy make money that no one else will ever see.
Good luck guys, and I'll still float around to answer questions, etc.
PS: Before anyone asks, no I will not be moving to moderate/administrate another community. I was an MD volunteer and I'm not just going to be convinced to join forces with someone else because they are appealing to me at the time.
