Hi all,
Firstly wanted to say hi to all and assure people I'm still about (Yes, I'm sure some are saying "oh no"!!!).
Last few months have been very challenging on the personal side. Found out in July that I was due to loose my job at the end of January, due to the entire department being offshored. So currently looking for a new job, which is more of a challenge than i first thought it might be as it's 20 years since i had my last interview! Oh how everything has changed in the "job seeking world"!!
If anyone is looking for an Operations Manager in Telecoms or IT, please let me know!
Both my other half and me caught covid AGAIN a month ago, as per usual culminating in her going to hospital (Brittle asthmatic - catches anything and ends up in there!), but this time its effects have been a lot worse on her and now a month later she is still unable to go to work or get out of bed for any period of time. Meaning that i have all the day-day stuff to contend with, alongside stuff I'm trying to do myself. Time is short, and if i'm honest, I'm knackered!
So I would like to wholeheartedly apologise if you have been waiting unusually longer times than usual for me to get back to you!!
On the forum front, because of the above, things have been going fairly slowly. I have a couple of things in process still....
1. Machine Database - This is a real time sucker... it takes forever to be able to sit down and load these one at a time. Nearly there... probably 20-30 hours work still needed, and i can then release it to all...
2. Link Directory - Made a start on this, however may well ask Site supporters for help here please. It's basically a "list" of retailers, what they specialise in, and links to their online prescence... The collective way is a better way to capture all those valuble but obscure sites.
3. Development costs are tight for a small site like ours - Development for Xenforo is, despite the massive number of sites out there, very custom and really expensive! Any donation received goes towards the software, hosting, Addons and other site related stuff which directly contributes to the site and the way it looks. This is outside of any "nice to have" development! All of these things charge a yearly update free, which as with everything else seems to be rapidly increasing. Thank you to all that have contributed and helped to keep the site running. To those that havent, if you find the site useful, please consider supporting.
I would love to be able to expand the site further. Rather than being a "forum" site - i would like this place to be the UK hub for all pinball - somewhere where we can all interact - more!. To this end, i would like to be able to add a "front end" - i.e. somewhere where we can have news, reviews etc. This is my primary focus in 2024. But it will need your help! I will be reaching out for volunteers to write reviews and news articles around the industry. If you think you may be able to help, please get in touch!!
Finally, may I wish you all a Happy and Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous new year!
Here's to 2024 and all it brings!!
Paul
Firstly wanted to say hi to all and assure people I'm still about (Yes, I'm sure some are saying "oh no"!!!).
Last few months have been very challenging on the personal side. Found out in July that I was due to loose my job at the end of January, due to the entire department being offshored. So currently looking for a new job, which is more of a challenge than i first thought it might be as it's 20 years since i had my last interview! Oh how everything has changed in the "job seeking world"!!
If anyone is looking for an Operations Manager in Telecoms or IT, please let me know!
Both my other half and me caught covid AGAIN a month ago, as per usual culminating in her going to hospital (Brittle asthmatic - catches anything and ends up in there!), but this time its effects have been a lot worse on her and now a month later she is still unable to go to work or get out of bed for any period of time. Meaning that i have all the day-day stuff to contend with, alongside stuff I'm trying to do myself. Time is short, and if i'm honest, I'm knackered!
So I would like to wholeheartedly apologise if you have been waiting unusually longer times than usual for me to get back to you!!
On the forum front, because of the above, things have been going fairly slowly. I have a couple of things in process still....
1. Machine Database - This is a real time sucker... it takes forever to be able to sit down and load these one at a time. Nearly there... probably 20-30 hours work still needed, and i can then release it to all...
2. Link Directory - Made a start on this, however may well ask Site supporters for help here please. It's basically a "list" of retailers, what they specialise in, and links to their online prescence... The collective way is a better way to capture all those valuble but obscure sites.
3. Development costs are tight for a small site like ours - Development for Xenforo is, despite the massive number of sites out there, very custom and really expensive! Any donation received goes towards the software, hosting, Addons and other site related stuff which directly contributes to the site and the way it looks. This is outside of any "nice to have" development! All of these things charge a yearly update free, which as with everything else seems to be rapidly increasing. Thank you to all that have contributed and helped to keep the site running. To those that havent, if you find the site useful, please consider supporting.
I would love to be able to expand the site further. Rather than being a "forum" site - i would like this place to be the UK hub for all pinball - somewhere where we can all interact - more!. To this end, i would like to be able to add a "front end" - i.e. somewhere where we can have news, reviews etc. This is my primary focus in 2024. But it will need your help! I will be reaching out for volunteers to write reviews and news articles around the industry. If you think you may be able to help, please get in touch!!
Finally, may I wish you all a Happy and Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous new year!
Here's to 2024 and all it brings!!
Paul
