Time to weigh in on this message.
Rick, I know this was a difficult decision to make, and I applaud you for having taken the time to make it.
This post becomes quite bittersweet, then....knowing that the decision has been made to close the Main Website. However, having said that, I will go on to say that I cannot imagine the kind of time it took to keep it afloat for the past 4 1/2 years. I know that when I write articles for the Online Hall of Fame, or other parts of the main website - and / or sometimes just writing response posts here on the forum, or perhaps an update to Tim's Musings in Tim's Corner - it takes me a long time to get the composition correct and the way I want it. So, updating the website HAD TO BE A HUGE, HUGE job.
I truly applaud you, Rick, as others have before me, in regard to all the work you have put into the main website year after year after year. It has always looked great - it has always been fresh, it has always had quite relevant information and that's been appreciated by all of us. Again, I continue to learn something each time I'm here - whether on the main web pages or through the discussion on the forum. I'm so pleased that you will be keeping the forum alive. Those of us who enjoy the posting and interaction with one another will do our best to keep the topics fresh and interesting, as you so often do. Some of the games and ideas you come up with have been so much fun through the years. GREAT, GREAT job, my friend.
I have been touched personally, many times, by people here at Carpenters Online. Call me silly, but I have made what I consider many good friends - many that no matter whether there is a website, or a forum, I would want to keep up with, and know how they are doing. I have also lost people here that left a mark on my life in one way or another. There have been many laughs, chuckles and gafaws.....and every bit as many tears as I have posted, or listened to others, or responded, or as I have been concerned about another, or another has been concerned about me.
The website is about the Carpenters - two kids from Downey who made it - they made it with beautiful music that each one of us somehow, someway relate to. It could be the music - it could be the lyrics - it could be the musicianship - or many other things. For me, it's the whole ball of wax.....all of the above, and more.
However.....
What really makes this place a special place to come to in the ethos are the people here. The friendships forged through agreements and disagreements - through the aforementioned laughter and tears. Through the magic of the Carpenters and their incredible music. That, more than anything else, has kept me coming back for more and more and more. I feel like I've slighted some of my friends when I have not posted, and perhaps responded to something in a timely fashion that they have said. I know that's not the case, but you get my drift, here, yes? It's people like you, Rick, who have made this whole experience one that will, no matter what happens, remain an integral part of MY life.
So, as I said, to me - it's a bittersweet parting with the information updates, etc., but it has been a great ride from start to finish, for me. I have learned much....I have laughed often, and have cried hard. It's all good....it's all good.
Thanks Rick for sharing the news with us, and for telling us about this upcoming decision without just dropping it on us like a lead balloon....you have always been completely open and up front in your dealings with the forum members here, and I'm grateful for that. I'm sure I speak for everyone here in that regard.
I'm so happy to hear that you have plans to archive articles, and pieces of the main website into the forum section. That is great news. Though I've printed a kept a great deal of the info along the way - for example things people (like Jim) have written that won't be published again - I think it's great that you're going to move some of that stuff to the forum from the main web site.
Thanks, thanks, thanks, Rick!!! I applaud you so much for all of your efforts, not only with this website, but with your MySpace Carpenters website, and your Christian music MySpace website, which IS awesome, as I have visited both places relatively often. I know your new website will be wonderful, and I hope, between my new ShoutLife connections and your website, to find a lot more wonderful christian music to do for my church. See....there's LOTS more to this......and as I said, it's all good!
Rick - kudos - accolades - and truly, heartfelt thanks from me, to you.