Winding down

Post by **Silurus** » 07 Sep 2009, 15:52

I didn't think it would ever come to this, but work and family commitments has left me with a lot less time I can devote to this forum and providing content for this website. Being a de facto staff writer for Practical Fishkeeping and having another project piled on me in the form of an IUCN redlist assessment for 200+ species of fishes isn't helping.

No offense to the current crop of active members, but I wish for the old days (the first year or two of the forum). The discussions seemed a lot more interesting back then and I lament the demise of many of the “old” members (remember Achim Werckenthin?).

Therefore, I have decided to go into semi-retirement and will be severely limiting visits to this forum. Save for occasional posts on the Scientific News forum, I will probably be posting little else.

I was kind of hoping to go on for another 300 or so posts and call it a day when I reached 10,000 posts, but I don't think I can stay this active on the forums any more. First thing I'm gonna do now is to change my browser homepage to something else (it's currently set as the PC forum menu page).

Thanks for the memories, PC.

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 07 Sep 2009, 16:46

Obviously we'll all miss your wisdom, guidance & support - we should all thank our lucky stars you've been able to contribute so very much already, but i for one appreciate how busy you must be & clearly family must always come first & then work & then personal stuff; where Planet Catfish sits.

All I can say is a thousand thank you's & if ever i can help you, in any way, you know where to find me.

Every best wish for the future & i look forward even more now, to any future posts you are able to make

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 07 Sep 2009, 17:01

Yup, it's a sad day, and your input to the site has been enormous. Large sections of the catelog are your work as well as all the images submitted. I just wish we could pay what PFK does.

As to wishing back to the old days, well, I think that's unfair to the newer members of note and also doesn't applaud the longevity of those of us still around from then. I'd always strove for this site not to be an exclusive "old boys club" and perhaps that's part of it's diminishing appeal to some - but then, at least from a personal point of view, I think we've all really raised the bar in terms of spreading the catfish hobby around. Perhaps this is down to the discussions not being "first time around" any more. The first few years of the forum where when, for the first time, catfish nuts really managed to get together - and that's special.

It's great to hear you'll still post to the old "science news" section.

Anyway, things move on. So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Jools

Post by **Birger** » 07 Sep 2009, 17:24

We'll miss you around here HH...you answered my first posts way back when I first visited and I guess now it is up to others to continue in the helpful informative manner in which you helped everyone that had a question you could give an answer too...and there sure were a lot.

You continue to do so much on a larger and larger scale for catfish enthusiasts everywhere, good luck with your family and career.

Birger

Martin S · Post by **Martin S** » 07 Sep 2009, 17:44

Same for me as regards the sentiments so far, but times changes and so do priorities. Good luck with your work going forward.
All the best
Martin

Post by **Shane** » 07 Sep 2009, 18:13

Heok Hee,
I read the above with great sadness.

You and I have been at this a long time old friend. In fact, if I had not made contact with you back when we were undergrads, I never would have known there was anyone else in the world as crazy about catfishes as me. Without your opening of the scientific world to me through countless e-mails, papers, books, and conversations I probably would have grown bored and moved on to another hobby 15 years ago.

Take a break. I can tell you from recent experience that a break is a good thing. This is your passion and you will be back once you have rested up.

-Shane

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 07 Sep 2009, 18:39

Silurus,

We will miss your knowledge.

--
Mats

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 07 Sep 2009, 19:05

sad to read it, HH, but since I tend to suffer from the same sentiment I could only say "aye" to your opinion on this

the last few years my own presence on this forum has winded down almost all the way.

good luck on the other internet jobs and keep up the finding and describing of new catfishes

regards to your wife & child
godspeed, clear skies and a favorable wind

Alex

mummymonkey · Post by **mummymonkey** » 07 Sep 2009, 19:11

Family first HH.
Your contribution to this, and other sites is appreciated by thousands. Many thanks.

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 07 Sep 2009, 19:31

mummymonkey wrote:Family first HH.
Your contribution to this, and other sites is appreciated by thousands. Many thanks.

Actually, quite possibly, tens of thousands. As I said before, your contribution is huge. Enjoy the break, for that is what I hope it might be.

As they say in a certain favourite film of mine, "We shall redouble our efforts"!

Jools

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 07 Sep 2009, 20:12

Thanks HH for all the times you've helped me out.
All the best!

Dave Rinaldo · Post by **Dave Rinaldo** » 07 Sep 2009, 20:14

Thanks for everything, HH!

zenyfish · Post by **zenyfish** » 07 Sep 2009, 20:16

I learned a lot from your posts, HH.

BTW, a few years ago I suggested mods list favorite catfish (like Jool's list). So the rest of us with limited experience, can find which fish might be groovier. Would be interested in your list before you fade?

L number Banana · Post by **L number Banana** » 07 Sep 2009, 20:19

Wow, this is a truly sad moment for all of us newbies. I guess we are partly responsible for you leaving and I'm sorry for that but I'm glad that your knowledge was partly responsible for attracting so many of us to catfish - thank you.

My current crop of books and my new access card for the university is because of one of your recent posts. Thank you.
For not being mean-spirited when I've asked 'stupid' questions - thank you.
For keeping my scientific dictionary from getting dusty - thank you.

An enormous thank you for all of the info and pictures you've contributed to make this site a destination.

Have fun with your family and I wish you many exciting moments in your catfish adventures.

Thanks especially for that PDF,too. You have no idea what you've started

Tana

edit: good idea to add to the Mods fav catfish list!

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 08 Sep 2009, 03:26

Wow, this is a truly sad moment for all of us newbies. I guess we are partly responsible for you leaving and I'm sorry for that but I'm glad that your knowledge was partly responsible for attracting so many of us to catfish - thank you.

My current crop of books and my new access card for the university is because of one of your recent posts. Thank you.
For not being mean-spirited when I've asked 'stupid' questions - thank you.
For keeping my scientific dictionary from getting dusty - thank you.

An enormous thank you for all of the info and pictures you've contributed to make this site a destination.

Have fun with your family and I wish you many exciting moments in your catfish adventures.

Thanks especially for that PDF,too. You have no idea what you've started

My sentiments exactly.

andywoolloo · Post by **andywoolloo** » 08 Sep 2009, 07:21

I concur also. thank you for the knowledge learned.

Carp37 · Post by **Carp37** » 08 Sep 2009, 08:21

Sorry to see you winding down HH- the presence of people such as yourself on the site, willing to give informed advice/identification to all and sundry, has been instrumental in the great success of this website.

Post by **Barbie** » 08 Sep 2009, 08:22

HH you will be greatly missed. I've always loved seeing you weigh in on threads with your knowledge and ability to impart the most information in the least words. Please stop in and visit us when your schedule permits!

Barbie

coelacanth · Post by **coelacanth** » 08 Sep 2009, 11:25

Jools wrote:As they say in a certain favourite film of mine, "We shall redouble our efforts"! Jools

I'm guessing "Best of Ben Dover"?

Cheers HH. Few people can have brought science and the hobby closer together. I'm sure you'll be back.

Post by **Silurus** » 10 Sep 2009, 04:12

Thanks, everyone.

I would still try to respond to PMs (time permitting), so I'm (hopefully) just a PM away.

As for my favorite catfish, I would like to say I like all 3000+ species (shouldn't a true catfish nut?), so I don't have a list of favorite species off the top of my head.

However, I might add that any such list would have to include . I've only encountered it as an aquarium fish once and never managed to keep it alive longer than 48 hours, so I'd love to try again. It's just another unassuming brown catfish, but I always think a true catfish nut should love the little brown jobs most.

I leave the forum in good hands. Catch y'all later.

grokefish · Post by **grokefish** » 10 Sep 2009, 22:42

Bye man,

You'll be back

Matt

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 12 Sep 2009, 22:49

Thanks for all your help, Silurus! A bit of time off is a good thing.

Amanda

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