A Year Of Achievement and MilestonesIt's true that the pitfalls of this year have marred SiF and lowered morale somewhat. The death of David Mitton, the announcement of the changeover to full CGI animation, and the constant onslaught of Anti-SiF messages and videos on YouTube. However, what we're all forgetting here is that SiF has come a long way this year and the proof was there for all to see - one million hits on the Fansite under four years and still going strong, and one hundred thousand posts on the forum too in under three years of being there. In the face of the difficulties we've come up against, these have been forgotten. But there's also one major event in the forum's history that will occur this month - we have outlived the original's tenure, and I'd like to thank Proboards for giving us a secure and steady home for the past three years, and hopefully well into the future all going well.
We've had a number of highs throughout this year, a brilliant number of Member Meetings in the UK, covering all three countries - England, Scotland and Wales respectively; the launch of the SiF Blog, which has been a great outlet for members and non-members to catch up on all the SiF news and such, and all the usual thing. The changes we've made throughout this year such as
The Beer Garden and
Forum Games boards have been brilliant additions to the forum and it is great to see them so well used and taken full advantage of. No other forum on the net could pull off either quite as well as SiF members have, and it's a testament to you guys how your contributions to the forum keep us going and keep us at the level we're at.
However, in light of the difficulties we've faced this year, I can't help but feel that something's been forgotten or taken forgranted. That community spirit doesn't seem quite as prevalent as it did back when the new forum was established. We've done the job of rebuilding now, yes, but there's still a long way to go. 2008 has been a voyage of discovery for me particularly - I've received more criticism of the forum, particularly my leadership, seen a few members choose to leave the forum and one "
exposed" by a disgruntled ex-member with a score to settle. On the back of these instances, I had previously considered quitting for the sake of saving the forum again and allowing someone else to take my place - but the fact remains that the majority of members are happy with the way things are and embrace them. I can't complain about that, and I thank them for their loyalty and encouragement.
However, more recently, I've taken stock of my position and considered it more fully from another point of view - my own. I've been willing and still am willing to listen to the criticism and suggestions put forward to both myself and the staff to improve the forum. What I refuse to listen to are petty complaints when someone's not getting all their own way, particularly when they're transmitted to us through a poorly constructed YouTube rant video... I'll leave SiF when I want to leave, and when I do, it'll be under my own terms. If I'm forced out by childish morons, the same rules apply - and trust me, if that happens, then you don't want to know what's going to happen! To paraphrase a certain Sir Topham Hatt - "
This is my Railway, and I give the orders!" The attempts to rid the forum of me have only made me that bit more determined to stay, and I will be damned if I give it up to someone who I don't respect as a person.
But whilst most members who have left or been shown the door this year have been disgruntled patrons for whom there is no place, there is one person I will miss from the roster:
Dragonfox. I've known him for a good number of years and I've always enjoyed his presence on the forum, with his artistic hand and decent contributions to the forum, it's a shame he has chosen to leave owing to the changes occurring within the Thomas series. If you're reading this, Dragonfox, please remember there's always a place for you on SiF if you want it. Sadly, also, one of our staff members seems to have gone AWOL as well this year - poor
ATKtrains has been missing without trace since February, and so in August, the decision was finally taken to appoint yet another ERS Evaluator - step forward
Fox and
Loey Machan, who have been loyal and good friends as well as competent and dilligent additions to the staff team, who I'm sure will serve the forum members well in their Extended Railway Series endeavours. Also, I'd like to welcome back an old face from the old days too,
percy, who rejoined us from the old forums after nearly a three year absence. I can only hope more people like him decide to do the same.
Next year however, marks a very special milestone with the Fifth Anniversary of Sodor Island Fansite...! A truly proud moment for me and those who have made it the place it is.
And thank you again to all our non-member friends who have supported, downloaded and hit upon Sodor Island Fansite and kept us going for so long. Your support does not go unrecognised and we are eternally grateful to you all - thank you.
Here's to Three and Six Years of SiF - and hopefully many more to come!
