Author Topic: Time to shut up shop - www.os-db.net (Read 1670 times)

sparky · « **on:** January 04, 2014, 12:21 PM »

This place started it for me in 2005 and on the back of all the inaccurate info out there and my love for Diamond Back bitd, www.os-db.net was born

Having lost my father in 2013 it gave me a different perspective on life and I've made no secret about closing it but at the moment my decision hasn't changed.

It's not been an easy choice, the wife walked in on me earlier as I was reading some heart felt emails from people and said how depressed I looked just reading them but some decisions, albeit hard are the right ones in the end.

I can assure everyone nothing is gone (my knowledge is intact in my head for now) so I closed the site, backed up the database, all data and downloaded it to a secure location.

My decision is made up from heaps of time and thought on something I've dwelled on long and hard but when it becomes bitter work then maybe you have to step away in some capacity. Although I set a time limit of 2013 to hang it up, I had thought that during that period there would be someone to take over so I could step back but people have come and go.

Losing my Dad was a massive factor and really made me look at people and myself with a different perspective, having sat back I watched how mentally embroiled and selfish people had become coupled with a self gain with this hobby (as with many and I'm no angel myself). OS-DB.net was created for others so I could share what I and likeminded had investigated, but attitudes change. Some of the communication I received just after my fathers passing would shock some of you, and this is from people that were members and reminded me how insensitive people can be

I really do feel we don't treat one another with the courtesy we all should (especially on forums), there's too much keyboard bashing without any thought and having stopped posting for a while you really do see it from a different angle. I don't envy any Moderator these days!

Now it's about me and my family and what I want to do. Even after 11 months I spontaneously break down in tears, I may be 45 but I love technology and my Car so that's where my immediate interests lay.

Tbh, I don't know what the future holds and as tough the decision it was to close it, getting myself back on an even keel is the priority because there were too many distractions.

So with a tear in my eye, take care everyone because I've made a lot of friends along the way and I'm sure I will pop in every now and again.

In the meantime I'll see what avenues are presented.

Mark

PS - there is a facebook group for those that are interested but it won't quite be the same.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/OSDBBMX/

MartyC · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2014, 12:27 PM »

Sorry to read this but you must always put yourself and your family first and there is no point in doing something you no longer enjoy. I hope things work out for you and that you can start to celebrate all that your dad meant to you and your family.

ED209 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2014, 12:30 PM »

Sorry to hear this Mark ... all the best for your future ventures

hunterdubber · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2014, 12:34 PM »

The site will be missed by many I'm sure Mark as it was a wealth of information to all things DB related? But your priorities are correct , and you've realised after your loss what things are truly important for you to be happy again

I hope your new path , takes you to a happier place

All the best ,just make sure you pop in now and again , you never know ,,the love for BMX in your blood

Macmania · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2014, 12:44 PM »

Sorry to hear that Mark but you have to do what's best for you. All the best

Nath

pickle · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2014, 12:54 PM »

Take care Mark, really sorry to hear about your dad. As said, you need to look after no1.

All the best for the future

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2014, 02:01 PM »

Very sorry to here this Mark, with the plan to put a DB on my wish list, your site would have proved invaluable for research for my build, as in sure it had for so many others.

Take a lot of pride in the fact that you are putting your family first mate.

Take care mate.

Jaan · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2014, 02:12 PM »

I don't know you Mark but I can certainly empathise with what you're feeling.

Could I take this opportunity to thank you for the site as it proved invaluable when I used it for reference. I'm sure there are 100s if not 1000s of folk that have used it either for their own builds or to help answer someone else's question, I know I did both. You should be very proud of that.

All the very best for your future.

Chris

Dark Diggler · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2014, 02:17 PM »

Good luck with everything dude

HUTCHMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2014, 02:19 PM »

As Jaan said, I don't know you Mark... but I really do wish you the very best for the future. So sorry to hear about your dad .

Jon The Bassist · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2014, 02:50 PM »

All the best mate - family does come first.

Badbaldie · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2014, 03:03 PM »

Sad news, but as many have already said Family has to be your first priority . all the best in the future and please pop back to Rad from time to time , the spark will return im sure

In2bmx · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2014, 03:05 PM »

Sad news Mark .. All the best with your future

Pooch · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2014, 03:07 PM »

Good luck mark.. As said, do the best for you.. Your a good fella. Can always chat.
Regards. John

Julian347 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2014, 04:51 PM »

You need to look after number 1. Good luck with everything.

Rombloke · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2014, 05:41 PM »

good luck mate.

take it easy

Dave

Gashead · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2014, 06:49 PM »

Sad news Mark, and as Dave said, take it easy and we wish you well

brummie · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2014, 07:01 PM »

sorry to hear about your loss Mark

I lost my lovely Dad on Christmas Eve 2011
not a day goes by without me thinking that I just cant believe he has gone

you just have to soldier on as there is nowt that you or I can do but just that!!

I wish you all the very best for the future
try and get yourself to a few of the gatherings
they are a perfect excuse to let your hair down and unwind
take care xx

Wez · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2014, 07:02 PM »

Mate all the very best to you
Such a great place to read the specs on DB's

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2014, 09:00 PM »

Hey Mark.

Shame to hear about you shutting the site down mate. I did enjoy looking and reading through the information and pictures on the site. Lots of good guys on there and I am sure your knowledge has been passed on and will not be forgotten

Sad news on the passing of your Dad. Having been there myself losing my Mum, I know how hard these things can hit you and you do change completely as a person. You will soon come to realise how much time you spent on your forum too and just how much you have free now to devote to your family life and 'you time', something you need to aid you in the grief you are going through.

I wish you all the best mate in whatever path you chose to take from here but, don't be a stranger okay

Clean · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2014, 09:22 PM »

Mark,

I know you have had a tough 2013, and wrote to you sharing my support for you at the time. I was gutted to read the eMail sent from the site along the same lines as your post below, yestreday.

Your site has been a vital component of two of my six builds, and my all time favourite, my Pro Large; as important as the frame and forks, to be honest.

I am so sorry you feel the need to move on, but I also appreciate everything you have said, and why you feel the need to change tac.

Good luck with the next chapter(s) of your life, and thanks for everything.

Clean.

*ps* Gutted I only ever got second places in OS-DB of the month, but "it is better to have fought and lost, than not have fought at all"!

*pps* What Terry said; don't be a stranger!

BMX1973 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 04, 2014, 10:08 PM »

Sorry to hear this.

All the best for the future.

ORANGEZIPPY · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2014, 12:03 AM »

Hi Mark

Sorry to hear about the site, but Very Sorry to hear About Your Dad.

take a step back and maybe take a bike for a quick ride around the block, you deff need some time back yourself.

speak soon and see you at MK14

fischflo · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2014, 12:28 AM »

one of the best organized sites - main thing is that you secured and saved all its infos

..time to take it easy

sparky · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2014, 10:06 AM »

Many thanks for the kind messages and replies of well wishes and support (I have read each one very carefully and taken much on board). Understand kindness in these situations is very difficult to take on board and absorb without getting tearful. I will pop in periodically, even just to browse.

Although it will have been 12 months on the 31st Jan 2014 since losing Dad so unexpectedly, being an Estate Trustee, helping my Step-Mum with the accounts/finances as well as organising much of the rest, the grieving was somewhat delayed and boy did it hit. Coupled with ignorant and cruel treatment from some family members didn't help and how I managed not to snap I'll never now.

Those who have and continue to go through grieving will probably appreciate the emotional turmoil more than most. If any good has come out of it, it will be the sense of wanting to spend more time with loved ones and utilising opportunities regardless of time to be with those who mean so much (something I didn't do before). I've always been a bit on an un-emotional character (with an element of appreciation for other peoples feelings), but there were distractions that needed capping for the time-being.

As for the website, well the data is safe and I've had many offers to host, pay, take it over but for me it isn't the right time to assess it's future, I just needed it out of my mind without shutting people out, hence the Facebook group. New directions seem the priority at the moment.

One last thought. Every now and again I read threads about discourtesy, bullying, rudeness, etc, but once a comment has been made, you cannot simply wipe it out of ones mind, pretend it never happened or erase it like a misspelt word. Maybe members would be wiser and bolder to think beforehand before they start typing because the lasting implications against the forum and the individual it's aimed at could leave an imprint long-term. Whereas some can take comments on the chin, others are less fortunate.

Hopefully catch you all soon (love to radbmx.co.uk)

Mark

Author Topic: Time to shut up shop - www.os-db.net (Read 1670 times)

In2bmx