A word of thanks for our quiet GröFaZ

Peppy · #1 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 12:30 AM

I haven't been much of regular around here these days, but for who don't know me I am one of the admins of the site who handled a small portion of the technical side of things during the early years of these Forums.

I don't think some Rogues fully understand just how much Otto has invested in terms of time, finances, and outright goodwill to the WW2 Forums. Over the past 9 (NINE!) years, Otto has supplied us with this a solid support system for us to communicate, research, and learn. He has done this for almost a decade and all the while he has refused financial assistance of any kind. There is likely no one else like him amongst the sea of website owners who would even dream of not capitalizing on our massive traffic and such a lucrative captive market.

I happen to know Otto personally (we both live in Chicago), and I am privy to some of the things he does behind the scenes, and I must say his delivery rate on this website has been stellar. Over the past decade the total amount of down time is probably less that 25 days, and I'm including our recent outage during our move to this new super-server. Despite offers for the purchase of the site (there have been many), and offers of countless members to donate, he has refused on the grounds that he wants to keep our community as unencumbered as possible. Through all these years, Otto quietly forges ahead and keeps us growing, and he does it simply because he wants to keep us going. [I'm not even going to mention the rescue mission that Otto pulled off over at ww2talk.com]

I know that soon there will be an opportunity for some of us to become contributing members of this site. Nobody should feel obligated to do so, but I if you find as much value in this place as I have over the years, you will probably do as I have and will become a contributing members of this great community.

Peppy >>> offers a sincere salute for our quiet GröFaZ

Slipdigit · #2 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 02:21 AM

I would add more to your good, strong words, Peppy, if I could, but you have said it all.

AndyPants · #3 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 02:30 AM

great stuff, thanks Otto and co. for this great place!

blacksnake · #4 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 06:53 AM

Peppy well said mate ... Compared to some of you "old hands" I am comparatively new to ww2f, but, have found it to be a very valuable source of all things WW2. The volume of traffic and list of members is staggering, and the fact that the site is "free" for anyone to just browse or join, in this day and age speaks volumes for Otto & co. Adding a "Donate" option would allow us Rouges to chip-in to what, for most is the place we call "home" on the web.

When the server changeover was taking place I was clicking on anything Google came up with for WW2f.com, and discovered that "this" site is listed as THE most lucrative and sort after WW2 forum on the web ... And it's FREE!!! Thanks again guys.

SMLE shooter · #5 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 02:36 PM

Thanks for all your hard work Otto.

brndirt1 · #6 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 03:18 PM

I too am indebted to this place for its fine data, debates, and just general knowledge. Thanks from Montana Otto, I love this place.

Von Poop · #7 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 03:23 PM

Since 'meeting' Otto I've really found out what a decent chap he is.
I've also discovered how much it costs to keep this place afloat

.
Like most Canadians the man's far too bloody wholesome...

Modest too, so he'll hate this.

Chip in on why you like visiting here, and let's embarrass the hell out of him...

~A

formerjughead · #8 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Poop

Chip in on why you like visiting here, and let's embarrass the hell out of him...

~A

A Roast............capital idea old man

Mussolini · #9 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 04:07 PM

We'll have to get Trouble to come on and tell us some embarrassing stories about Otto

But I'd like to echo Peppy's words, since I've been here just as long as Peppy has (give or take a few days) and have been a part of this forum since its (literal) birth those many, many years ago to this very day, where we've upgraded to some new, bigger, faster servers. Not to mention that the member base has increased by the thousands over the years - I too can remember days where there were only a handful of posts to read, as opposed to the hundreds we get a day now.

Otto has done a superb job running this place and not 'selling out' to any of those people who offered to buy the forums from him. He's done all of this out of his love for World War II and out of his own pocket too. Having had a chance to work with Otto for a number of years now as a Member of the OKF, you Rogues do not know how lucky you are to have a guy like Otto in charge of a place like this.

He doesn't make many public appearances (he looks sorta like Quasimodo) but he does more work behind-the-scenes then anyone else here.

LRusso216 · #10 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 04:26 PM

I couldn't agree more. When I joined the forum in January, my only goal was to find some information on my father's unit in WW2. Since then, I have come to know a fair number of the Rogues and I must say I have learned a great deal from them. I have gone far beyond my original intention, so I feel a debt of gratitude to Otto for maintaining such a great site. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed it until it wasn't available during the changeover.

So, to echo the others, Thanks, Otto. This is truly a fine community.

Richard · #11 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 08:04 PM

Otto has always struck me as a decent up front all round nice guy. Don't change Otto your ace, thanks Peppy for telling us how much Otto puts in to this site.

BTW: Thanks to your good self as well and all the others along with the boss Otto.

Totenkopf · #12 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 10:30 PM

I very much appreciate all that Otto has done for us in making this site as I have had very few days that I havent visited.

Danke!

Peppy · #13 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 02:27 AM

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the salutes, but you cats need to go find Otto's posts and salute them. As I stated before, we need to make this post (New Better/Faster/Stronger Server) the most saluted posts on the forums!

Peppy >>> appreciates the salutes by proxy

SMLE shooter · #14 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peppy

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the salutes, but you cats need to go find Otto's posts and salute them. As I stated before, we need to make this post (New Better/Faster/Stronger Server) the most saluted posts on the forums!

Peppy >>> appreciates the salutes by proxy

With my salute that's 32 salutes(for Otto)...LETS HAVE SOME MORE SALUTES PEOPLE!

Slipdigit · #15 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMLE shooter

With my salute that's 32 salutes(for Otto)...LETS HAVE SOME MORE SALUTES PEOPLE!

I dinged his scales, he gets more points that way.

mikebatzel · #16 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 01:59 PM

I realize that Otto by nesseccity spends much time behind the scenes, and I simply do not want to imagine this site run under anyone else. A big thanks to him, but also to the exellent moderator team which he has selected to assist him with it. ALL you guys are doing a great job in giving me, and many others, a great place to spend my free time. Keep it up Otto, and thanks for footing the bill, but also a big THANK YOU to the entire OKF team.

texson66 · #17 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 03:56 PM

I too appreciate the hard work and dedication of the WW2F folks. I'd like to donate to the operation materially.

How about a PayPal account to accept donations???

Mussolini · #18 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 04:11 PM

As Peppy briefly mentioned, there are plans in the works for this donation aspect. The kinks are still being worked out but Otto will let everyone know when it goes public.

formerjughead · #19 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mussolini

As Peppy briefly mentioned, there are plans in the works for this donation aspect. The kinks are still being worked out but Otto will let everyone know when it goes public.

Does that mean we are going to be able to "post bail" in lieu of cooler time?

Mussolini · #20 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 07:00 PM

I can set up a private fund for that

formerjughead · #21 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mussolini

I can set up a private fund for that

Sweeeeeeeeet!

A-58 · #22 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerjughead

Sweeeeeeeeet!

SO, the buying and selling of indulgences is back, eh?

Can we save them up, you know, for those long stints in the cooler....or use them ahead of time when "throwing gas on the fire" while ranting on "The Stump?"

urqh · #23 (**permalink**) July 19th, 2009, 03:23 PM

Blimey....This is a ww2 community? No wander I get strange responses....

I only came on to order pizza after a Simpsons show...I get it now...thats why everyone talks about tanks and things then...

Well done Otto....but I'd still like extra anchovies with this please.

Chesehead121 · #24 (**permalink**) August 13th, 2009, 06:54 AM

Semper fidelis, Otto. Carry on.

Jaeger · #25 (**permalink**) August 13th, 2009, 08:26 AM

Takk for ei fin side, der eg kan bruke endelause timar på Den andre Verdskrigen Otto!