Thanks for having me as Admin for the past 4 years, on and off. :)

[joeychgo]

This is a tremendous loss for the community. I hope the remaining staff rises to the occasion and realizes that some major changes need to take place. I am sure some do, I only hope they are not discouraged.

Erwin, you'll be missed.

[kira]

I agree with everyone here. Erwin, as long as I've been part of this community (since '01 or so), I've seen you consistently display knowledge, courtesy, humor and creativity. Personally I've been in awe of your ingenuity as well: sometimes it seems like every other hack I've installed on my vB 2.x.x. forum was created or adapted by either you or Chen!

Your posts over the past few days have shown true leadership and grace. I wish you'd change your mind, but I can't say I blame you for stepping down if you find it frustrating and detrimental to yourself. It also sends a useful message: sometimes resignation is the best way to stay true to your own values ... a kind of protest, in a way. (I sure wish folks in Washington DC would show as much dignity and self-respect!!!)

Anyway, best wishes to you and many many thanks for all your help over the years.

[gothicuser]

I can only agree with the others and say that you'll be sorely missed, and good luck and wishes for you and yours in the future.

[Erwin]

I'll make a final post here so that people know exactly why I stepped down to avoid any rumor or gossip.

As everyone knows, there has been talked of a hack database and a paid mod directory for many months. Now, we know that the hack database has been in development for well over 6 months if not longer. I won't go on about it.

It was recently agreed (about a week ago) that the paid mod directory can go ahead by Jelsoft (before it was either denied or it was unclear if we could). Great news I thought. So I pushed for it to be implemented.

Wayne suggested that using an existing script instead of coding one from scratch would be a good idea and I agreed since this would avoid the problems of the hack database. I didn't want a paid mod directory to have to wait another 6 months before coming online. Well, I won't name anyone but let's just say that even though I pushed to use an existing script which we can modify for our own use, certain individuals pushed for a custom code. Now, if the Admin can't implement a strategy so that an objective is reached sooner for the members of the site, then there's no longer any point of him staying is there.

Therefore, all I can say is - have fun waiting for your hack database and paid mod directory. I'm sorry to post a pessimistic post like this, but that's how I feel about this whole situation at the moment.

P.S. Staff here are not paid but they do get their vBulletin license for free. Well, I am proud to say that I for one have NEVER taken up the offer and have ALWAYS paid for my vBulletin license - basically because I wanted to make it clear that I am a complete unpaid volunteer on this site and do it out of my love and passion for the forum software. My conscience is clear and there has never been an issue of a conflict of interest on my part.

So long and thanks for the fish!

[Lottis]

Hepp, Erwin. You are gonne stay as a membmer? Ore?
You can from now on step in as the rebbelian member. *giggels*

[tehste]

You were a great Admin on vborg. I have little faith in the direction of the site now that you have (actually) gone you kinda resigned ages ago but you must have got through the problem or something. vborg shouldn't be run by adolescents and it was a good thing that a guy like you (without the over-ego) was high up. See you around

[bairy]

Honestly, I think that yes there have been times when they could have been a bit more communicative and yes it does seem that "nothing gets done" but do remember all the quiet stuff that happens, such as thread moving.
You also have to remember that no one has been banned over this so far as I've seen. Granted, it would have been really really stupid to start banning people who talk back and probably would have started a riot, but, I have known admins who would ban you simply because you dare talk back to them.
I'm not saying the admin are perfect but lets not forget that they do some stuff day to day and they have actually started to listen and respond, even if it did take a few twisted arms to get things kicked off.

Originally Posted by tehste

I have little faith in the direction of the site now that you have (actually) gone

I think the vb.org staff have had a bit of a beating from the members, and another from vb.com.
It's obviously been enough to kick them pretty hard in the pants as is evident by the fact we've heard more from them in the last week than for the whole of 2006.
Based on past performance, being wary is understandable, but I'd say give it a couple more weeks while they sort themselves out and get through all these replies, and then make a judgement.

[Azhrialilu]

sad news indeed. What can be said that hasn't already? One of the foundation block of org has crumbled. I only hope that the workmen they get in to build a new one are capable of taking on such a daunting task.

I have nothing but respect for you Erwin, I hope everything in your life goes more smoothly than the past x months on org (and I'll see you around on TAZ )

[Ohiosweetheart]

Originally Posted by hambil

This is definately a set back. I don't know about your four year career hear but you where a great voice of reason the last few days.

Thank you, and good luck.

I totally agree with this sentiment.

I my heart just sank a bit. If, after all the talk and promises we've heard the past few days from various .com and .org admins and higher-ups, you still felt the need to step down... I don't hold out much hope for .org. Sad day... very, very sad day.

You'll be missed Erwin

Originally Posted by Paul M

Strange, I always thought admins ran a site and had the final decision ?

Originally Posted by Psionic Vision

This is messed up. I never heard of an admin being prevented from action by a moderator... Instead of resigning, I'd change staff organization around a little.

exactly. Why do the moderators have such a great say here that Admins can't implement things? On my forum, a moderator is there to help members, and yes discuss things with admins and be a sounding board, but they have nothing to say about the ultimate deision. The buck stops with the admins and the admins ONLY.

Originally Posted by hambil

What a strange way to run a site. On my site, as I would guess is true with most sites, if an Admin and a Mod disagree, the site gets a new mod.

totally agree, if it's a big enough difference, I'd replace a mod before I'd lose ANY good admins like Erwin.
Now I'm seeing a bit better, one of the reasons .org is in the shape it's in.

Originally Posted by Xenon

as far as i can remember we are currently working on the restructurization

if that is so, Erwin shouldn't have felt the need to resign. Obviously, he sees little hope as well.

[sabret00the]

Originally Posted by Erwin

Hi all

I've stepped down as Admin. Being an Admin on this site has become impossible - it's one thing that I have to keep consulting Jelsoft as this is their site after all, but it's another thing that as an Admin I can't even implement strategies to get things done on the site because Mods disagree with it. It's no way to run a forum site, and I've run forums with over 100 staff.

Since my hands are completely tied as an Admin on this site, there's really no point hanging around and feeling helpless, so I've just stepped down. What's the point really.

I've got better things to do (like my day job running a cancer hospital, or managing my own forums) to be stressed over something I should be enjoying as a hobby.

Thanks for having me around. It's been a great experience.

Stefan or Brad, please change my user title - I can't remove it as I've changed myself back to Licensed.

Big big loss, i really liked you as an admin. And to lose you over red tape is ludicrous. you're a good man, hope you'll still be here in spits and spats at least.

Originally Posted by Erwin

I'll make a final post here so that people know exactly why I stepped down to avoid any rumor or gossip.

As everyone knows, there has been talked of a hack database and a paid mod directory for many months. Now, we know that the hack database has been in development for well over 6 months if not longer. I won't go on about it.

It was recently agreed (about a week ago) that the paid mod directory can go ahead by Jelsoft (before it was either denied or it was unclear if we could). Great news I thought. So I pushed for it to be implemented.

Wayne suggested that using an existing script instead of coding one from scratch would be a good idea and I agreed since this would avoid the problems of the hack database. I didn't want a paid mod directory to have to wait another 6 months before coming online. Well, I won't name anyone but let's just say that even though I pushed to use an existing script which we can modify for our own use, certain individuals pushed for a custom code. Now, if the Admin can't implement a strategy so that an objective is reached sooner for the members of the site, then there's no longer any point of him staying is there.

Therefore, all I can say is - have fun waiting for your hack database and paid mod directory. I'm sorry to post a pessimistic post like this, but that's how I feel about this whole situation at the moment.

P.S. Staff here are not paid but they do get their vBulletin license for free. Well, I am proud to say that I for one have NEVER taken up the offer and have ALWAYS paid for my vBulletin license - basically because I wanted to make it clear that I am a complete unpaid volunteer on this site and do it out of my love and passion for the forum software. My conscience is clear and there has never been an issue of a conflict of interest on my part.

So long and thanks for the fish!

Stefan mentioned that there's a restructure in place? will that prevent things like this happening again? a site should be administered by Admins and moderated by Mods. I'm quite disappointed that heirachy seems to be limited to aesthetics.