1. #1
    RetiredRonin's Avatar Senior Community Manager
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    2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    Hey guys, I just noticed that today marks the 2 year anniversary of the date that I joined the forums. I average about 4 posts (3.95) per day, and I wanted to thank you all for being a part of this aspect of my life.

    I joined the forum, like I bet many of you did, to find out how to get more amazing tracks for Trials HD. After joining, and some Friend Requests being bounced back by the dreaded "Friend List is Full" message, My real world friend vileDOMINATION and I decided that there had to be an easier way to get some of these amazing tracks.

    UCCC

    The User Created Content Contest was born. Speaking in a strictly business sense, it was a great investment. We put out about $80 of our money and received, I believe, over 300 tracks with an insane proportion of high quality creations.

    For the monetary investment, we made out like bandits in the night.

    It quickly became far more than just getting tracks to play after we started we realized that we were quickly surpassing the 50-100 tracks we had anticipated. You guys turned out in force, and we even received tracks from people who have never been on the forums.

    Redlynx also stepped up to the plate, which was a pleasant surprise, and one that caused the beginning of the loyalty that I feel towards them, by offering us prizes to give away to our winners.

    vileDOMINATION took the brunt of the work, as I had some personal issues that became rather pressing, and for that I am thankful. He doesn't post on the forums much, but you can catch him lurking every once in a while.

    I, however, became quickly drawn into the community. Now the judging became more and more difficult with the quality of the tracks, and vile and I would find ourselves arguing about what tracks should win. Our arguments would become worthless with the ever-changing track line-up.

    2 regular gamers, juggling work, children, girlfriends, and other aspects of their lives, can certainly find themselves just about drowning in a backlog of tracks. We forced ourselves through testing, and even (twice) sat down for hours of gaming after the contest ended with the sole intention of finding, what we thought, to be the best tracks.

    We finally had our results, and we still stand beside them, but I vowed to never be involved in that kind of contest again.

    1 year later, Lespritdelescal was chatting with us and brought up the UCCC. I believe that it followed closely on the heels of the Big Thrills contest, or that we had been planning it while the BTC was still going on. I just remember that we didn't want the contest to be swallowed up by a much larger competition.

    Les and Vile did most of the work again. I made some video pieces for the YouTube montages, contacted Redlynx, and was lucky enough to get Jorma to agree to be our Surprise Guest Judge. Redlynx certainly stepped up again for us, and for the community, adding to the loyalty that I feel towards them.

    We aren't sure if there will be a UCCC3, but the 2 we did were a BLAST. Thank you to everyone for making them both huge.


    TrialsHD.net

    When I started actively creating tracks I stumbled upon GameScrub's brainchild, TrialsHD.net. It was, quite honestly, a great idea. Scrub implemented the Custom Track Leaderboard in a well thought out way.

    Users could post their creations, and others could post their times on them. It was a great way to compete in a game that screamed for competition.

    I was lucky enough to be involved in the Webchat at the time and I often found myself trading literary jabs with Scrub. He really is a nice guy when you get past his pseudo-trollish mask. One day Scrub mentioned that THD.net was a bit more work than he had anticipated, Les (who I consider a close friend) and I offered our help.

    Unexpectedly, he accepted.

    I found myself searching for any scrap of "News" regarding Trials HD, and Redlynx, so that EVERYTHING that anyone wanted to know would be up quickly. Some family obligations kept me from being the most up-to-date that I could be. Some of you guys know what issues I am talking about. Thanks for your support and thoughts at that time.

    GameScrub gave me an area to write how I want to write, about things that I care about, and never once (okay, once) said "Not that!". I count him as a close friend, even though the only time I've seen his face is in a Kinect picture that he posted to the forums.

    There have been ideas for THD.net that never came to fruition, but all in all, it's the BEST Trials HD fan-site out there.

    I recently handed most of my duties off to Nytmair regarding TrialsHD.net, but he, just like Scrub and myself, has family obligations that should come before the website. His twins seem to be perfect little humans, and I know that he will be one of the best fathers in the world. He's another one of those "close friends I haven't met" even though I haven't interacted with him often in the past month or so.


    Moderation

    Me? A moderator? Hmmmm. I have never wanted to be a moderator before. It seems like far too much work. I don't like editing post content, locking threads, or in any way limiting what a person has to say.

    I don't like giving warnings, and far less enjoy using the banning control panel. But the rules are the rules, and I really do try to act quickly and, more importantly, fairly. I know that if you are the recipient of a warning, it doesn't always seem fair, and I will admit to being nothing more than a human, and some people would say I am less. ( ) I always welcome feedback. I will try to explain WHY I did something if you send me a PM, and if it's any of your concern.

    I won't tell Bobby-Ray why Jimmy-Bo got that warning. As the reason for the warning, be it a post or topic, would probably be removed or edited. Your business is your business.

    I am a moderator here. But, more importantly, I am a fan of this amazing community that every single one of us is part of. I am a fan of you (how LAME does that sound? Jeesh).

    Thank you all for making the last 2 years, with it's ups and downs, joy and sorrow, life and death, 2 of the best years of my life. I am eternally grateful to you guys.

    What's your Redlynx story? Why did you come to the forum?

    I really do want to know.


    PS: This sounds like I'm saying "GoodBye" or something. I'm not. You still have to see me around here. Haha. Or, as the D would say: Eat it!

    Also, large sig left out of post. That thing can be obnoxious, huh?
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  2. #2
    Nytmair's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    Originally Posted by ShiftySamurai
    I recently handed most of my duties off to Nytmair regarding TrialsHD.net, but he, just like Scrub and myself, has family obligations that should come before the website. His twins seem to be perfect little humans, and I know that he will be one of the best fathers in the world. He's another one of those "close friends I haven't met" even though I haven't interacted with him often in the past month or so.
    1) Sorry for my slacking, I am actually thinking of writing a 1000 Heroz article in the next day or two (hopefully) as a new "age" is beginning.
    2) Hit me up on text+ more ya punk!
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  3. #3
    Jarr3tt88's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    awww shifty.

    You really are a great person all around. Glad to have gotten to know you over these past two years
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  4. #4

    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    I think moderators need to post their views on what's happening more often, and if people continue to ignore them, then take action. But yeah, it's an awkward position because you don't want to alienate anyone.

    I'm very happy you are here. You are amazing and a shifty hamster! And every one of my personalities likes you immensely.
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  5. #5

    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    Originally Posted by Starfire999
    And every one of my personalities likes you immensely.
    You are in the right way!! recognize it, is a great achievement!! lol
    NOW!! stop posting random **** please!!

    PD: Sorry Shifty!
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  6. #6
    Oski's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    You should press Enter less often.
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  7. #7

    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    Seriously, why does everyone keep attacking me? Can't you Just **** off?
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  8. #8
    Jarr3tt88's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    Originally Posted by Starfire999
    Seriously, why does everyone keep attacking me? Can't you Just !"#¤ off?
    lol
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  9. #9

    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    You find it funny, do you? You misquoted me in your signature you BASTARD. My second sentence was "I do not give everyone the license to insult me". I hate you Jarrett. I really do mean it.
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  10. #10
    Jarr3tt88's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: 2 Years? Really? Seems shorter.

    Originally Posted by Starfire999
    You find it funny, do you? You misquoted me in your signature you BASTARD. My second sentence was "I do not give everyone the license to insult me". I hate you Jarrett. I really do mean it.
    yes. I do find it funny. That you take the internet so GOD DAM SERIOUS. Lighten up dude, seriously it will save your life.

    I don't give a **** what ANYONE says to me on the internet. Especially people that are new around here.

    Enough derailing already.

    Originally Posted by Oski
    You should press Enter less often.
    I agree oski! Shifty you put each sentence in its own paragraph haha Good job mister author
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