ShipSpotting.com Forum

Shipspotters all over the world => Site related news, functions and modules => Topic started by: Ken Smith on June 29, 2015, 03:45:03 AM

Title: Standing Down
Post by: Ken Smith on June 29, 2015, 03:45:03 AM

Hello All,

It is with much regret that I must announce that I am standing down as Webmaster and with this announcement I can confess that I am 89 years old and cannot continue under the present cloud of mistrust that I that I find myself in.

I have recently been accused by some Admins of an offence of which I was entirely innocent and this innocence has been confirmed but sadly as the saying goes mud sticks.

I do not want it to be seen that I am walking away from my responsibilities so I have ensured that someone is available to replace me and that person is Derek Sands.

I hope that I have served this website well over the past three years or so as Webmaster, I do know from messages received that many of you have express your contentment but what has happened has been very hurtful to me as has affected me more than I at first realised so I have decided it would be best all round if I just quietly disappear and leave it to my successor.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on this Website over the past eleven years in the various roles that I have held but time has caught up with me so I must now think of myself.

I will be leaving this Website with extreme regret, it will leave a large gap in my life, I do not think I have done anything wrong, others may disagree but as the saying goes all good things must come to an end, I leave with no animosity and wish each and everyone of you all the very best for the future and long may this website continue.

Kind Regards and Best Wishes.

Ken Smith

 

 
   
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Emmanuel.L on June 29, 2015, 05:10:15 AM
Hi KEN
let me be one of the thousands who appreciate and thank you for what you have done for the website all  these years, at 80 years you have the right to stand back and take a well deserved rest from the hectic (though unjustly unthanked from those very few) years in which you saw and helped the site grow and mature into what we have today.
Take life more at a more leisurely pace Ken, but do not refrain from posting interesting photos and comments.
So from a 70 years old admirer ,and in the name of a lots of others, Thank you  Ken.
Emmanuel.L.
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: PWR on June 29, 2015, 05:29:38 AM
Thank you for all the help you have given me I will miss you  Cheers and Thanks again
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Mike Griffiths on June 29, 2015, 06:20:55 AM
Ken, thanks for the huge efforts you have made for this site.
Now maybe you can "retire" and even maybe take a nice enjoyable cruise holiday.........to pick up some nice ship photos!!!
Regards Mike
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: simonwp on June 29, 2015, 06:27:12 AM
I think we all appreciate your time and efforts over the years, and you deserve a huge vote of thanks. It's been a difficult task recently to be webmaster, especially as most "disputes" do not involve you directly, but as webmaster you have had to get involved and try and moderate which has been stressful.

Enjoy your "retirement"!!!!!
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: DEREK SANDS on June 29, 2015, 07:03:35 AM
Firstly let me express the gratitude on behalf of all the members and admin team for all that Ken has done for the site over the years.

There is a role for Ken still to play on the site if he wants to and Ken has been advised of this. It would be nice to have his watchfulness keeping an eye on the site and team as his "minions" at last take the strain and do most of the work. What he has given to the site over the years is hard to quantify. But everyone would like him to continue to be a part of that, his expertise on the cataloguing of the naval vessels will be hard to replace as for many other things to.

For the interim period I will share the duties of Webmaster with Derek Lilley but many things need to change for everyone to get the best out of the site. The strain should never again rest on just one man. Derek and myself are sure that a committee of 4 admins with joint Webmaster status and privileges is the way forward. We will actively seek candidates as soon as possible. The need for more admins and the updating of many functions on the site is also needed. I would after this interim period willingly step aside if this was felt to benefit the site.

In the meantime Ken I wish you all the best, I know we have not always seen eye to eye, but please consider the position of President Emeritus on the site. Its your due for all your hard work and for you to remain the figurehead of the site, a familiar face for the members who will be reassured with your presence.

kind regards

Derek
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Tomas on June 29, 2015, 07:29:36 AM
For real? What the hell happened to the nice site we enjoyed so much?
Ah, i am concidering closing my account here as well.
Having had a bad feeling about shipspotting for the last years, i felt like posting until 10 000 photos, only 100 away now, but i am wondering...


Thanks for the good effort Ken.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Global-ship-photography/1432618817040609
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: DEREK SANDS on June 29, 2015, 07:37:33 AM
Hi Tomas,

Although Ken has named me as his successor that is not really too accurate.
What I have always said is that I would not see the site leaderless and would step
in if needed. I was contacted and agreed to step in at short notice.
If it benefits the site I am happy to step aside at any time in the future.

The site as you say needs to settle down into a friendly and quiet forum to upload photos to and enjoy the conversation and camaraderie of other members.

best regards
Derek
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: John Grace on June 29, 2015, 08:12:17 AM
Ken, I just want to add my thanks for your efforts over the years. Watching the site for a few years now it has been obvious what a difficult and at times thankless task it has been. I think that Derek's suggestion of a group taking over the task is an idea worth trying, in order to spread the load. Please keep contributing as your efforts will still be welcome and you can now relax and enjoy the site without the pressure.
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: B.Clark on June 29, 2015, 08:39:54 AM
Sorry it had to end like this, many thanks Ken for all your effort and inputs
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Ken Smith on June 29, 2015, 09:11:27 AM
Hi Derek

It is now obvious that this was a plan to remove me but it could have been handled better, I think knuckles may be wrapped.

I have had False Accusations made against me by several Admins who appeared happy to apportion blame without any evidence as can be seen in this message to me.

What on earth is going on? I wake up this morning to find that I am banned from accessing my PMs and the admin forum. I can't find you listed on shipspotting and Derek Sands tells me that you have banned him without notice.

Here is the evidence from Henrik, Just to be clear. Ken did not mess up any admin accounts.

This is not an attempt to stir things up, I have no wish to do that, I do however feel that the record should be put straight so that members can better understand my reasons for Standing Down, I had no real reason or wish to do so but as I have already said there was a atmosphere of mistrust without any foundation which really hurt and I could no longer live or work with it.

I do not want any special Title imposed upon me and I have already put in motion my request for the future I hope it will be carried out.

My thanks again to all those that have expressed their thoughts to me, I really appreciate them.

Kind Regards
Ken

 
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Hannes van Rijn on June 29, 2015, 10:13:28 AM
Can anyone tell me, how did it come to this, a peaceful site to a site where it is not pleasant to be a member anymore.

Ken thanks for all those years that you have led shipsspotting like a big family with you as a great leader.
Thank you !!!
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: DEREK SANDS on June 29, 2015, 10:20:37 AM
Hi Ken,

Some may have had a plan to remove you but as I explained to you many times already I was not part of that.Nor would I be part of it either, I did say to you that I would not return to the team either unless you were Webmaster. However after our long and cordial conversation on the phone I agreed to return to the team at your request. But my return to the team did not last and I will not go into details but it was made to uncomfortable for me to remain. I decided to withdraw from the site until things had settled down.

Now we all know who the culprit was for the meltdown in the admin team after he cleverly deleted my profile, and several others in the team knowing that initially you would get the blame. However he was found out and I have apologised more than once for jumping to the wrong conclusion.I asked you for an end to the matter and withdrew from the website.

I did not ask and nor is it my place to request you stand down, I have only volunteered to be stand in until such time as the team is able to go forward if anyone is uncomfortable with that then they can PM me without rancour as it would be nice if this forum was left for comments of appreciation of your service to this site and the members.

I appeal to you once again to remain on the site and grace it with your photos.

kind regards

Derek

Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Ken Smith on June 29, 2015, 10:37:26 AM

Hi Derek,

I am not going to get involved with you, members can draw their own conclusions, I have just outlined my reason and how hurt an upset I am about the whole episode.

Regards
Ken
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Darren on June 29, 2015, 12:38:20 PM
I really cannot believe all that I am reading, sure I do not post much on here but I read lots !!

With all the atrocities going on in the world it saddens me why a group of enthusiasts/photographers/spotters feel the need to treat each other this way.

Shipspotting.com or backstabbing.com ?????
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Cornelia Klier on June 29, 2015, 12:49:59 PM
Shipspotting.com Needs to get friendly and nice again. No frustrations and bad behaviour, mis-trust and bad Feelings and hurt Feelings. If one has bad Feelings about this site, leave it - and find something else, that is pleasing.

Shipspotting.com is not the right place for making some personal war and Derek has mentioned a number of times, he would like to again.. and why not? He has always been Kind, encouraging and a Person good with People and cheerful. Just the Kind of People, this site Needs.

Why not all work together????

If Ken feels that he wants to dedicate his freetime to something else than something that gives him grief, that is is good right, especially at this Age, it is a good right, to leave things that do not work anymore. If he instead fancy a trip around Europe and meet shipspotters face by face, and if it suits to him, I wish very good luck and fulfil your wishes!!




Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: jimmcquarrie on June 29, 2015, 01:49:28 PM
All the best Ken-sit back-get a couple of Whiskies down you-Cheers
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Ian Thomas on June 29, 2015, 05:14:02 PM
All the very best to you Ken enjoy your retirement and put your feet up for a well earned rest.

Kind regards
Ian Thomas
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Alex59 on June 29, 2015, 06:00:58 PM
Thank you for everything Ken.  I really appreciated your hard work.  All the best!

Alex59
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Peter S. aus N on June 29, 2015, 07:05:33 PM
Ken since you last post I didn't know your age. I thought your avatar is a fake.
Sorry we had most time in some little things not the same meaning and understandig.
But all my respect to manage a site in your age.
Sometimes time will come to retire and it is a good time to do it on the peak. I think 89 years is a good age to retire and start a new hobby. How about shipspotting ? I know a good site-shipspotting.com- where you can show your photos -worldwide-. But only in good quality.

Ken thanks for your engagement in the last years.

I think Derek is the right solution in this time. He is balancing and calm. He has experience to be the webmaster, because in past he showed that he can do it and he made a perfect job.
For future it is good to share the work on 3 other shoulders so this 4 had also enough time for their family and shipspotting.
Now we are back in calmer waters.
Thanks Derek

Peter

Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Ken Smith on June 29, 2015, 07:09:58 PM
Thank you all for your kindness, I shall miss you all, I have really enjoyed the time I have been with this Website, it will leave a gap in my life, I am extremely sorry it has come to this and hope that you will understand my reasons for leaving, I just could not carry on knowing that I was not trusted by my colleagues.

I wish you all the very best for the Future.

My Best Wishes to you all.

Kind Regards
Ken
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Fernley James Harris. on June 29, 2015, 07:37:08 PM
Hi Ken, thank you for numerous hours of maritime pleasure, enjoy your interest as we have ours enabled by your goodself. Respect and very best regards Fernley.
 
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: John Jones on June 29, 2015, 09:05:58 PM
Ken,

As I have expressed on the Admin Forum previously I am sad to see that you are standing down, especially for the reasons that you keep quoting about distrust from the rest of the admin team.

For the record and to allow all of our members to see it here is the content of the email that I sent to Ken:

Quote:

"I have tried to contact you via the Shipspotting.com forum but surprisingly find myself suddenly banned from that after being a founding member and several years of dedicated input to the site and admin duties."

:Unquote.

This ban on me happened virtually seconds after I had posted a question to the Admin forum asking why Derek Sands had been banned, after a string of comments had been posted to that forum by yourself and Dan Earl stressing that Derek Sands would never be allowed back as an admin.

I think my question was valid, and when my ban immediately followed it was obvious that either Dan or yourself were responsible. Turns out it was Dan, but don't keep harping on about how you were mistrusted and betrayed by members of the Admin team. O.K., Dan ironically managed to 'ban' you too, but what the hell else were we supposed to think! It had to be one or the other of you as you were both in cahoots against Derek.

It is very, very sad indeed that things have reached this point on a 'hobby' site. But as much good work as you have put in over the years Ken you cannot pass the blame for this sorry state of affairs onto everybody else but yourself, especially when you still persist in injecting every bit of venom into your posts against the rest of the Admin team as you can. Maybe you just can't see it? Well, obviously you just can't see it or you would not persist in this destructive behaviour.

Regards
John


Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Chris Howell on June 29, 2015, 09:19:58 PM
Hi Ken

You have done the best job possible as I see it, any site this size is a minefield and I hope now we will see more of your oldies and you concentrate on something you are very good at taking ship photos, the whole point of the site !

Enjoy your retirement and keep clicking !!

Best regards

Chris

One final point I would make everything should be in English including comments as this is the international language of the sea and that's right ships are built for the sea.
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: tvtech on June 29, 2015, 09:51:20 PM
DE..quite possibly. Why though...too ambitious?

God knows. I wish him luck. The wheel turns. Slowly for some and quickly for others.
But it keeps turning. Do unto others as you wish them to do unto you.

And that all should remember.

God Bless Ken. Never met you but respected you. Not one photo deleted or posted...just respected you. Never dealt with you but still respected you. Call it gut feeling. Never been wrong.

God Bless,
tvtech
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Robbie on June 29, 2015, 11:25:44 PM
I think we should keep things professional here. Name dropping and forwarding quotes from other forums is not needed. Someone has done something wrong and they have been dealt with by having their account removed. Let have Ken leave on a good note and not continue to publicise previous messages anyone has sent.

It is sad that it had to end like this for Ken. Although Ken and I didn't see eye to eye I kept coming back to this site which to me shows how great of a job he has done on it over the last few years. At that age Ken you should kick back and enjoy retirement and continue with your photography.

Hopefully all this hostility and negativity can calm down and stop and we can begin to share and enjoy images of ships like the site is intended for.

Again, thanks for the work you've done on the website and I wish you luck.
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Captain Ted on June 30, 2015, 12:50:59 AM
Well Ken,,we had our run ins,,but we always worked it out,,,will miss you MAN !!!!

That the site is taken over by some members and if one does not agree with them one is a bad member is
nothing new to me, one can only hope that the site may go back to former "normalcy"
honestly I doubt it :-(((

Ken,,all the best,,and realx,,do your pictures and keep posting,,I will do so too however not at the pace
I did before,, somehow the "zest" is gone


brgds
capt ted
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Ken Smith on June 30, 2015, 09:10:36 AM

Hi John,

You have missed out the mail I received from you requesting that all your photographs and your account be removed from the website only a few moments later to be followed by a second one to say forget my last, I now see that we have been sabotaged, once again proportioning blame on me and then realising you got it wrong.

Pious words from you John.

Regards
Ken
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: john white on June 30, 2015, 11:20:12 AM
hi all
it would be nice to go back to how the site was when i joined in 2005 looking at ship pictures
posted by people from all over the world with all sorts of cameras and expertise
and stop all the hostilities
only my thought
best regards
John White
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Glenn Towler on June 30, 2015, 12:01:09 PM
This is why when I was a admin I avoided the site politics in the admin forum and purely focused of the images.  It is disappointing to see Ken stand down as the webmaster in such circumstances.  But I respect Ken's decision and I hope that even if he he does not want to take on a management role on the site that he does not walk away from the site completely and that he still contributes to the site.  Now we have our 2 previous webmasters back at the helm, Derek's I don't know how you are going to turn the site around but it is going to take a lot of work.   All the best Ken, you have done a wonderful job on a site that had just grown massively since day 1 if you decide to part ways full stop with the site I will be sorry to see you go.  Cheers Glenn
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: seaweasel on June 30, 2015, 04:07:24 PM
Hello Ken,

it's sad to see you leaving the webmaster position in this way. However I think that you will leave with so much more positive memories over all those years - and that's what really counts.

So, thank's for all your work and efforts for this site, it was much appreciated by most of the members.

Stay healthy and keep on posting your pics and adding comments !

Best wishes from seaweasel
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: jdap on July 01, 2015, 02:25:33 PM
Hi Ken,

What can I say?

For one, that I am shocked, for sure...

...but also that I do appreciate your time and efforts to keep the site on track (or should I say, sailing safely...), that I am deeply sorry to see you go, and that I wish you the very best in whatever you may venture out do in the future.

THANK YOU!

Best regards,

Jose
(jdap)
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Ken Smith on July 02, 2015, 10:56:06 AM
My pm box is now active again.
Regards
Ken

Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: Tristin Woolf on July 03, 2015, 12:43:57 AM
I have not been on this site as long as many but whenever I needed help Ken was always there to help me out. I am unsure of how much the arguement between Ken and the admins has escaladed and by no means do I want to accuse anyone of any wrong doings because I do not know the details. I am just going to say to Ken that is has been a pleasure being on the site with you as webmaster and it is sad to see you go on these circumstances. I thanks you for everything that you have done for me and the website.

Best wishes to you, Ken!

Tristin Woolf
Title: Re: Standing Down
Post by: dirk septer on July 10, 2015, 05:30:38 PM
We'll miss you, Ken; and you'll miss us as well I'm sure, controversies and nasty comments and all!

Best wishes and hang in there!

Dirk Septer