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Author Topic: Portent.net closed down permanently  (Read 5306 times)

Offline Hagen_von_Loewenstein

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« on: March 13, 2005, 03:23:17 PM »
http://www.portent.net

Here's the text from the website

Quote
We almost made it to seven years. From a small Games Workshop rumours website on free webspace to a dual Xeon 2.4 GHz monster dedicated server with 100,000+ visitors a month, Portent has grown from a fun idea in my head to something far greater than I could ever have anticipated. Sadly, all good things must come to an end.

The end result of the recent server troubles is that we no longer have the Portent data, aside from a year old backup. Unfortunate as this is it's almost as if fate has forced our hand. I can no longer provide the time or finances that Portent requires, not by a long shot. For Nick and myself Portent has practically been a second job. You can only take so many abortive glimmers of hope before you realise it's time to move on.

There are far too many people to thank before the curtain closes here. Most important of all, Nick has been a complete legend – there are very few people who would do so much for nothing but the odd beer. Portent would have vanished many moons ago without his technical expertise and I'm sure the rest of Portent has just as much to thank him for as I do.

A mere step below Nick in the grand scheme of things are the Inquisitors. I have, and I can say this having administered forums professionally, the best mod team I could ever ask for. Despite countless challenges they've been instrumental in tirelessly turning the Portent Forums into a great place to discuss wargaming and more besides. Every single one of you regular members who've posted (and not been banned, at least) deserves my thanks too, in particular those who helped support Portent by becoming Guilders. Seeing the end to such an amazing community is unquestionably the worst thing about this. Without you guys I probably would have closed the site long ago, having such a great community made it that much harder.

The chaps at the studio have all proved themselves to be total gents whenever we've spoken. Andy, it was always a pleasure to catch up with you at Games Days, I hope things are going well at Mongoose. Gav, many thanks for attending the tourney and posting on the forums. Paul, cheers for putting aside a foolish rumour from long ago and posting on the forums, I appreciate it. Robin, that studio tour was extremely cool and a much appreciated gesture, I hope to catch up again some time. And finally, I'll never forget Rick Priestly, immortal grand chief games designer supreme, catching me at the last minute before I left that studio tour to essentially say “Hi, and good work on Portent”.

And last of all, the web stores who occasionally advertised with Portent. The Warstore was our longest running advertiser, albeit on and off. It's also one of the best places around to order miniatures and Neal is just a damn nice guy to do business with. Also check out Chelgames (UK), Whites of their Eyes (Warmachine), Battle Pack and Wargames Dungeon, they've all supported Portent over the years.

After thanking so many people it almost feels wrong to turn critical, but some people really do deserve it. Great Canadian Miniatures were invariably rude whenever we talked via email – if none of you guys ever did business with them again I wouldn't be too upset. And whoever it was at GW US that ultimately decided online GW retailers in the US were “riding on the coat tails of brick and mortar stores” was laughably short sighted indeed, particularly given the real reason for the decision.

Well, the letter I never wanted to write has already got far longer than I expected. We'll be turning the server off for good on March 20th and then selling it to recoup costs which, sadly, run well beyond what the server sale will recoup, but c'est la vie. We had hoped to keep Portent running for the last week of its existence but sadly the database loss means we can't do that. Instead, please join #portent on Efnet IRC, I'll be hanging around there and I'm sure many others will once they read this.

If any Guilders would like a refund on the remainder of your fee past site closure, drop me an email and I promise to sort that, we're not here to rip anyone off. Please email me at portent.webmaster@gmail.com with any such requests.

Lavfluris is looking to continue his tournaments and I'll be helping him with that however I can. Some of the mods are also looking into starting a new community, though it will be a separate effort from myself and Nick beyond what initial help we can offer – email oracle.portent@gmail.com if you'd like to help. Keep an eye on this page for news of both things.

It has been an incredible journey, but it really is over. Thank you one and all for helping make Portent something special, I hope you'll all remember it for as long as I will.

Best of luck to you all, and not just with the dice rolls.

Pete Closs
Portent Webmaster
April 1998 – March 2005


Sad thing, indeed.  :(

Offline Atchman

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2005, 04:38:13 PM »
While it is sad, I'm not sorry to see it go.  It wasn't as well policed as some of the other sites, but it was a place where you could speak your mind without too much repercussions.  

The worst thing about it going is that those folks who are used to not being policed are going to go somewhere.
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do no let your heart rejoice"

Offline Darius Rhiannon

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Too late, the Barbarians are already here.
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2005, 05:45:20 PM »
A poem to Portent on its passing There was a dream that was Portent
A castle built from many stones.
A home to too many, resources stripped to the bone.

The lords of the inquisition held all in sway,
always ready to cut the deadwood away,
and the grammar naxi's to make sure everyone posted the right way

There were to be found the harbringers of rumour
Who listened to the wind, whose words were oft heeded not
Those farseers who shared their visions of future
In both WHFB & 40K.

Then there were the guru's known for their tactics
The ruthless desire to know how to win
War was their religion and efficiency their God.

Mighty loremasters ensured that the old stories still lived
Heresys and heroes, both were remembered
Of Jokearo and Ollanius Pious the tales were told
Brusilov towered like a colossus over the background battlefield.

In P&R the wars were waged with words,
The battles fought as fierce as any with swords
R&M there was talk of many things, from ships to shoes to sealing wax

And of course, in the wastes, pantlessness prevailed .

Now how do I turn the screen black and the text red... :roll:
A servant of Myrmidia, building his forces.

Offline CM Dante

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2005, 06:21:11 PM »
Quote
While it is sad, I'm not sorry to see it go. It wasn't as well policed as some of the other sites, but it was a place where you could speak your mind without too much repercussions.

The worst thing about it going is that those folks who are used to not being policed are going to go somewhere.


I'm in agreement with this. While there were some plus sides (the rumour section had some advanced previews now and again and alot of entertaining BS) the quality of most of the posts left alot to be desired.

Cheers,

Dante

Offline Heinrich_the_Grim

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2005, 06:56:49 PM »
Well, Warhammer-empire is just fine enough and to be sincere i've not been at portent for ages and i wont miss it as much as i would if warhammer-empire would go down (Empire forever).
Kill them all, let Sigmar sort them out.

Offline Calvin

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2005, 09:19:57 PM »
Quote from: Atchman
The worst thing about it going is that those folks who are used to not being policed are going to go somewhere.


That is what I'm worried about.

Well I guess it was good for rumours, the people in the LOTR section were very rude to me. I'm not going to miss the site too much, as long as brother frog finds a new home.
 :)
Quote from: Rufas the Eccentric
Remember this every one, when in trouble just screem, CALVIN!
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Offline anarchistica

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2005, 09:24:37 PM »
Quote from: Calvin
I'm not going to miss the site too much, as long as brother frog finds a new home. :)

He left Portent some time ago, i don't think we'll ever see him return anywhere online.
Army Builder 2 Datafile Manager - Latest updates here. Includes 7th edition Empire!

Offline Calvin

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2005, 09:29:04 PM »
Why? When?

How come I wasn't told  :wink:
Quote from: Rufas the Eccentric
Remember this every one, when in trouble just screem, CALVIN!
Quote from: Eight
I'd pay an extra 15 points or so to be able to take the engineer out back and shoot him.

Offline jlutin

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2005, 01:27:53 AM »
I'll miss it.

Lately I had been going there to fight it out in P&R more than the warhammer boards, but it was a nice place with a wild west atomsphere.
Obama has spent more time playing golf than meeting with Republicans, his Deficit Commission, his Job Council and his Cabinet COMBINED.

Offline Dragonis999

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2005, 02:09:13 AM »
I posted some stuff there, wasn't too thrilled.  Alothough the Mojo Jojo CSM conversion was funny.
In Soviet Kislev, troll eats you!

Offline RGB

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2005, 04:13:39 AM »
I will - won't really, but still - miss it. It wasn't that bad. It also let you speculate and whine to your heart's content if you had the time.

As to behaviour? Well, this site is well-policed, but on occasion some posters can be just as bad here as the most select dregs of Portent, until the mods lock the topics in question, that is.
[in the good of life]

Offline Atchman

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2005, 01:21:35 PM »
Quote from: RGB
I will - won't really, but still - miss it. It wasn't that bad. It also let you speculate and whine to your heart's content if you had the time.

As to behaviour? Well, this site is well-policed, but on occasion some posters can be just as bad here as the most select dregs of Portent, until the mods lock the topics in question, that is.


I agree with that sometimes though we dont' read every topic so things slip through.  For example I haven't even looked at the "Scots" topic at all.  For all I know you guyz are exchanging Scottish Pornography.   :P
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do no let your heart rejoice"

Offline Clarkarias

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2005, 01:50:35 PM »
It's always sad when one of our larger 'brothers' bites the bit.  May he rest in peace.

As for policing, we have great mods that will handle the situation...
Actually, forget Karl-Franz. I want rules for Thyrus Gorman on a dragon. - Rufus Sparkfire

Offline jlutin

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« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2005, 02:19:04 PM »
Sorry, I cannot resist, must do it one more time....

I like pie.
Obama has spent more time playing golf than meeting with Republicans, his Deficit Commission, his Job Council and his Cabinet COMBINED.

Offline Midaski

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #14 on: March 14, 2005, 02:21:13 PM »
Quote from: Atchman

I agree with that sometimes though we dont' read every topic so things slip through.  For example I haven't even looked at the "Scots" topic at all.  For all I know you guyz are exchanging Scottish Pornography.   :P


Well you do not know what you've missed :wink:
It has everything, pics of minis, evaluation of other manufacturers, humour and maybe just maybe............... :shock:
Quote from: Gneisenau
Quote
Metal to Finecast - It is mostly a swap of medium. 

You mean they will be using Ouija boards instead of Tarot cards for their business plans from now on?

Offline Hagen_von_Loewenstein

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2005, 02:41:46 PM »
Quote from: Midaski
Quote from: Atchman

It has everything, pics of minis, evaluation of other manufacturers, humour and maybe just maybe............... :shock:


Men and sheep in extramarital activities...? :lol: ;)

Offline CM Dante

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #16 on: March 14, 2005, 02:45:41 PM »
Only in Aberdeen!;)

Cheers,

Dante

Offline Midaski

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« Reply #17 on: March 14, 2005, 02:49:09 PM »
Hagen: Sorry sheep are not allowed to get married in the UK -  :wink:

You could say it's BAAAAAAed. [Prime contender for worst pun of 2005] :-D  :-D  :lol:

From your wording I assume they are able to in Germany. :wink:

and NO! I do not think sheep have been mentioned once in the 'Scots' thread.
Quote from: Gneisenau
Quote
Metal to Finecast - It is mostly a swap of medium. 

You mean they will be using Ouija boards instead of Tarot cards for their business plans from now on?

Offline Clarkarias

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #18 on: March 14, 2005, 04:21:47 PM »
Maybe the people who talk about sheep are just being baaaaaaashful  :wink:
Actually, forget Karl-Franz. I want rules for Thyrus Gorman on a dragon. - Rufus Sparkfire

Offline Kernschatten

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #19 on: March 14, 2005, 04:26:32 PM »
Quote from: Midaski
Hagen: Sorry sheep are not allowed to get married in the UK -  :wink:

I know that you are just joking, pulling the wool over our eyes.
"We finally really did it. You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you. God damn you all to hell."

Offline Midaski

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« Reply #20 on: March 14, 2005, 04:32:23 PM »
Quote from: Kernschatten
Quote from: Midaski
Hagen: Sorry sheep are not allowed to get married in the UK -  :wink:

I know that you are just joking, pulling the wool over our eyes.


Slightly better?

I know that ewe are just joking, pulling the wool over our eyes.

I keep trying to educate you guys: I have no Scottish blood in me, and I am a quarter Welsh..........

and all the Brit jokes about sheep centre on Wales, NOT Scotland - even Aberdeen.
Aberdeen is bloody FISH :evil:
Quote from: Gneisenau
Quote
Metal to Finecast - It is mostly a swap of medium. 

You mean they will be using Ouija boards instead of Tarot cards for their business plans from now on?

Offline CM Dante

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #21 on: March 14, 2005, 06:00:35 PM »
Quote
and all the Brit jokes about sheep centre on Wales, NOT Scotland - even Abrerdeen.
Aberdeen is bloody FISH


Since when?!

Offline Lamen

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #22 on: March 14, 2005, 06:11:50 PM »
Well, I would say that the welsh are the 2nd favourite butt of British sheep Jokes, after New Zealand :-D

Offline General Helstrom

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Portent.net closed down permanently
« Reply #23 on: March 14, 2005, 10:56:09 PM »
You guys have never heard of Texel, have you?
I don't know what Caesar thought when he got to the Ides of March
Don't know what Houdini bought when he went to the store
But I sure do miss the eighties

Offline Midaski

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« Reply #24 on: March 14, 2005, 11:06:01 PM »
No?
Quote from: Gneisenau
Quote
Metal to Finecast - It is mostly a swap of medium. 

You mean they will be using Ouija boards instead of Tarot cards for their business plans from now on?