asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 2019
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Official thread for the discussion of these two open letters. Bring your questions, concerns and comments here.
Future of Cloudy Nights
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Bill Grass
Prince Regent
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 11652
Loc: Denham Springs, LA
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Wow! Allister, I think you made a wise decision. Family should always come first. I was a little worried when I began reading, but after your letter & Mike's letter, I feel much better. I'm excited about the future of Cloudy Nights, and I'm thrilled that it will continue instead of dying.
Mike, I look forward to the continuation of this site & all of its resources. Astronomics is a great company, so I have no fears about that!
Allister, I'm glad you'll remain here. And most importantly, best of luck with your family!
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39486
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Allister; Many thanks for the time you have spent and getting this off the ground. You should be a proud father in more ways than one.
Mike; Thanks for picking up the torch. With Allisters help, and the help from all of us in our little community I hope we do each other proud.
This site has gone through several changes since I first discovered it and has weathered rather well for it. I hope it continues to do as well in the future. Like many here I have some concerns with the new change but I'll just sit back and see how things go.
Good Luck Gentlemen 
Ron
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5020
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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As a father of two young children I can full appreciate your need to turn the site over to Astronomics. Neither of my kids have special needs, so I can't imagine how much time that requires of your day. Glad to hear you're giving up part of the reigns, and it's also reassuring that you'll still have some input with the site. I'm sure Astronomics will do a fine job with CN. Best wishes to you and your family.
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I think that I will add my own comments here. I guess I never overtly promised Allister that I would not butt in, so this post is within the letter if not the spirit of our agreement.
I want to thank everyone in the Cloudy Nights community for their support. The enthusiastic participation of the astronomy community allowed it to thrive from the first month.
But Cloudy Nights has been Allister's "third child" for four years, and I have seen it go from being his favorite activity, to causing him stress and (too) long hours at the computer. Life is short, and people's time should be spent doing what they love.
We all have to make trade-offs with our time and psychic energy, and our family needs certainly drain a lot of both. Allister is telling the truth when he says that this decision was incredibly difficult for him. I asked him several times whether he was sure that this was the right thing to do. There have only been a couple times that I have seen tears in his eyes, but this was one of them.
Allister had to put his third child up for adoption. I am glad that he still has some visitation rights.
Good luck, Mike and Astronomics.
Tracy St. Claire
(Sorry, Allister.)
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Barry Fernelius
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/28/04
Posts: 612
Loc: Rancho Santa Margarita, Califo...
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I am a paid subscriber to the Cloudy Nights Reports section. Under the new ownership/management, the reports that used to require a subscription will be offered for free.
I do have one minor complaint. Astronomics is offering me a $20 credit at their store, but that's sort of meaningless to me because I purchase most of my gear through S&S Optika in Denver.
But I'm trying to not lose sight of what's important. Allister, I applaud your ability to set these types of priorities in your life. Rest assured that you have made the right choice, and I hope that everyone here on Cloudy Nights supports you.
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The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. -Proust
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MMICKELS
Aluminum Knight
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 25071
Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake
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Allister, Thanks for starting Cloudy Nights! Mike, Thanks for taking it on and carrying it forward!
Mark
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Mark
"The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever."
Herb Caen
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asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 2019
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Hi all,
I very much appreciate the kind comments and understanding of my situation. It was a very, very difficult decision to make and one I would not want to make again in this lifetime.
Allister
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12499
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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As I look back through my notes, I find what may be my first article submitted to Cloudy Nights was back in March 2000. It's been a rewarding 4 years. I like where we've been. I look forward to where we are going.
Thanks Allister, for your vision and support.
Welcome aboard Mike and Astronomics. Steady as she goes captain!
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Ricky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 2169
Loc: Nor Cal
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As an owner of a small web design company, father of two kids and working a fulltime job I can understand the strain that Allister must have gone through. I applaud you Allister and everyone else that have made CN what it is today  I look forward to the continued growth of CN. Welcome Mike!
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Regards Ricky
_______________
Astro-Tech 6" RC (wait list)
ADM Mount (on the way!)
QHY 8 ccd (wait list)
66-80mm apo (deciding)
Edited by Ricky (07/01/04 01:35 PM)
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 2277
Loc: Right Here
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I would just like to say thank you to all in advance. Just stick with us as any change that will come about will be well thought out and meaningful to the site. We are keeping the entire CN team together to the transition is seamless.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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First, thank you Allister for running the site for song and so well. I'm sure you wouldn't have sold it if you didn't think it would be good for the site.
I would, however, like some reassurances from the new owner that the reviews and forum discussions will remain unbiased. There's nothing wrong with opinionated messages and reviews, but can we be sure that discussions about other vendors are not suppressed, or negative reviews of products carried by Astronomics are not rejected? I'm not in a position to demand such reassurances, of course, but the credibility and value of all reviews will suffer if there is even a hint of such favoritism.
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 2277
Loc: Right Here
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That's why Allister is staying on as Editor. The only thing I don't want to see in a review is the Slander of other dealers. If people want to say they had a bad experience and take the chat of site, great. I have no wish to stop anyone from posting the truth.
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Les Paul Standard
Tobacco Burst, Flametop
Fender Tele
Orange AD30 Head 2x12 Cabinet
Supro S6420 Thunderbolt
Marshall 1959 SPL Head
Vox AC50 Head
Vox AC100 Super Deluxe Head & 4x12 Cabinet w/ Trolley
1 Cat
1 Dog
1 Daughter
1 Son
1 Wife
"You see, most blokes will be playing at 10. You’re on 10, all the way up, all the way up...Where can you go from there? Nowhere. What we do, is if we need that extra push over the cliff...Eleven. One louder." Nigel Tufnel
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10081
Loc: Lancashire UK
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I would like to thank you Allister for your vision , patience and hard work in setting up and overseeing this unique site , and your family for their doubtless long -suffering throughout that period.
Rest assured that you definitely made the RIGHT decision.
Being a father of five I appreciate the drains on your resources as a husband and father.
It is why I seemed to do nothing but work work and more work for the previous thirty years !
My offspring are all of adult status now , so at last I have time to enjoy my hobbies more fully.
You did a GREAT job here at Cloudy Nights , and I'm delighted you are not leaving us completely.
I welcome the new owner Mike , and trust the site will continue to flourish.
I too was a subscriber to the Reports Section , but rather than a $20 credit rebate at Astronomics , I would rather donate that modest sum to a worthwhile charity.
Either that , or if all others in a similar position were in agreement -- pool the lot together -- and supply a few pairs of binoculars or telescopes to organisations which help children who wish to become interesting in astronomy , but who cannot afford the equipment.
No big deal - just an idea.
Thanks again to Allister -- and very best wishes to the St. Clair family.
Kind regards -- Kenny Jones - Preston , Lancashire , UK.
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Victor Kennedy
Pooh-Bear
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 9797
Loc: Slovenia
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Thank you, Allister. You should be proud of your achievement. Cloudy Nights is the best amateur astronomy resource there is, period.
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To err is human; to moo is bovine.
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Craig Simmons
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/10/03
Posts: 1502
Loc: Falls Church, VA
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It was inevitable that this would happen. The amount of time and expense that it takes to run a successful site like this one gets to be an overwhelming problem for the owner as it grows in popularity. This is a good change and insures the continuation of Cloudy Nights under solid financial footing.
My thanks to Allister and all the others who contribute their time and knowledge to making this site work and a big welcome and thanks to Mike for keeping this wonderful corner of the internet going strong.
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Craig Simmons
Oberwerk 8x56, 20x90
Nikon Action IV 10x50
Barska 15x70
Galileo 20x60
Stellarvue 15x63, 20x85
Orion XT10 pre-Classic
Antares 10
Stellarvue AT1010
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RandyR
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 14031
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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Allister, Thanks for starting what has become my favorite place to look for astronomy information and a place where I've made some friends, and a place where many of us have learned a lot. I know the pain you feel in letting go of the reigns, but the rewards you'll reap with your family will more than offset that. You've done a fantastic job and I think it's safe to say we ALL appreciate what you've done.
Mike, Man I wouldn't want to be the one to attempt to fill the shoes that Allister is leaving behind. I hope you can find a way to keep the site going with the quality we have all enjoyed for so long. I can also tell you from my experience it is going to be very difficult to remain neutral and especially for the public to believe you are remaining neutral. Only time will tell us how that goes but for now I hope the members will give you the benefit of the doubt. Good luck and thank you!
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / NQ0R
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3477
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Hi Allister,
I know it was a tough decision--you've created a very fine website--but I think you came up with a solution that you can feel good about. I'm one of the satisfied customers of Astronomics and I expect they'll do as good a job with CN as they do with their equipment business.
Regards,
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 27283
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Allister,
I applaud your choice. As a father, I firmly believe that family is the single most important thing in this life, and yet, sometimes it's all to easy to let it slip by, not even realizing until it's too late. Letting go of the things we love is tough but sometimes necessary to take care of the people we love. I only hope that I will be as wise when I find myself in a similar situation.
It's hard for me to express my feelings at this point.
I've been involved in CN for a while as well, but I will say that one of highpoints over the years has been working with you.
You are a man of many talents and skills.
You are an enabler - you've given many folks, including myself, the opportunity to do things they enjoy most. You are a supporter - for those of us who have no local astronomy club, CN is truly unique on the net - and has earned a special place. You, sir, are a teacher - you've shown that time and time again with your dedication to children and outreach. But most of all, you are a true friend, to myself, and to the countless amateurs and newbies who have gotten something out of Cloudy Nights over the years.
You've created something more than a web site. It's a community.
My experience with Allister St. Claire and and the CloudyNights community has spurred me towards some of the most rewarding experiences I've known, and I'm certain that I'm not the only person who feels that way.
Thank you.
If this were goodbye, I think I'd be moved to tears. As it is, I'm incredibly pleased that things have worked out for both you and the site, and would like to thank Astronomics for making this possible.
Allister and Mike I 'm looking forward to the future!
Tom T.
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There are two theories to arguing with my wife. Neither one works.
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lighttrap
Reged: 02/06/04
Posts: 3833
Loc: cloudy, foggy, humid NC, US
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Allister, THANKYOU so much for creating and running my favorite website. I haven't been here long, but this place has become a sort of hobby in and of itself for a good many of us.
I applaud you for putting family first. And I'm very glad that you'll keep a hand in editing articles for this site. Thanks for all you've done.
Mike at Astronomics, I look forward to see what's coming. You've got large shoes to fill. I'm glad that Allister could find someone that he was so comfortable with to hand things over to.
Mike Swaim
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18" Starsplitter II f/4.5
8" Hardin Dob f/6
C5 workhorse mini SCT f/10 or f/6.3
70mm TV Ranger dual purpose birding/astro
77mm Leica Televid APO
16x70 Fujinons on UA Deluxe Mt.
12x50 Nikon SE
8x30 Nikon E2s
and many others
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