Well, it's out there now. I wasn't going to make it public until I had all the bugs worked out, but there it is. I'm sorry that I didn't include anyone on here with the descision to do this. I hadn't realized it would cause such greif as it has. It was meant to be a gift to this community. Instead, it's being treated like a suspicious package on the doorstep.

This has been a project I have been piddling with for about 3 months. The initial idea was to have an actual website as a public information portal for the Alabama Airsoft Community. This meant that there would be more than just a forum, but a fully functional website and domain name to go along with it.

It's concept and design is to provide information to new airsofters in our state, to parents with kids wanting to get involved with airsoft, and to the public in general who want to know what airsoft is. There is even a section in the forum for guests to post questions. Guests can only post in this one section of the forum, so there is no need to worry about spammers invading our discussions. I would ask that members feel free to answer those questions as they come up.

Only recently have I had the time to do more with the site because of all the work in rebuilding the magazines and building the online store. I just uploaded the site that I built a few days ago to "field test" it, as it were, to check for server compatibility. I had already installed the forum and modified the design before hand. That was the easy part.

I bet some of you are thinking right about now that I am trying to be some kind of authority on airsoft in Alabama. If so, that is not my intention at all, nor do I want to be. In the case of the forum, there is and will be staff in place to handle that. Matt (Mateba) is an admin on the new forum, just as he is here. I would ask that you direct admin related questions and/or complaints to him or any of the other staff. I am going to take a hands-off approach to the new forum as much as possible. I will be busy maintaining and updating the website.

Another thing about the new forum, being that it is hosted and not on a free server, it will allow for greater usability. As I get it better figured out, things like Flash ([flash])may be posted on the new forum, as well as videos, I do believe. I do know that you can have flash animations in your signatures. I am going to work out the issues and get a fully functioning chat room inserted into the site and/or forum as well.

Back on the main website, I am now working on getting a gallery set up. If you have pictures that you would like to see posted, please email them to admin@alabamaairsoft.com and I will do my best to get them up there quickly. In addition to this, each week of each month we will have "Photos of the month". There will be a week 1, Week 2, week 3 and a week 4 photo featured on the home page. These will be photos representative of airsoft in our state.

Aside from the photo gallery, we'll have a video gallery as well. Again, just email them, or a link to them to admin@alabamaairsoft.com and I'll get them inserted into the site.

One last note: No one on this new site will ever ask anyone for money to help keep it going. I am hosting it on my server account at no cost to anyone. I'm doing this as a public service. I don't want recognition. I don't want any kudos. Seeing people use this resource and enjoying it is all the reward I could ever ask for. Expanding our opportunities is what this site is all about. I will continue to work on it as the days, weeks and months roll on by to improve the site both visually and functionally.

With sincerity and humility,

Have you ever heard, that even though something that is legal may still be wrong?

Greetings to All of my friends,

I have waited twenty four hours before saying anything in the forum
on this issue. In fact, it has been on my mind the entire time. I have
thought carefully and measured my reply.

Let me preface this commentary in that I have been fortunate to make
many friends here on the forum and on the field. I have also remained
friends to those who have had disagreements between them in the past
in the forum. I will remain on this course as it has served me well.

Once more I find myself between friends who have found themselves
aligned on opposite sides of the current unpleasantness in the forum.
I unfortunately do not possess the sage wisdom of word that could resolve
the matter in an amicable manner for such an ability is absent. I must,
instead, remain a friend to those on both sides and hope that current
hostilities will fade into pale obscurity as have previous instances thus
returning our community to the relative calm we have so enjoyed. Until
those halcyon days return to us, I must stand across the abyss of conflict
between friends and remind us all that we have much more in common
than we differ. That is why we are drawn here with our differing views
and experiences.

It is not my desire to discuss the subjective measure of virtue and villainy
apportioned among the opponents in the this unfortunate rift. Should the
occasion ever present itself that I might mediate the current conflict to
an amicable agreement of all of the parties concerned, I will remain
committed to do so out of loyalty to my friends who have found themselves
thrust into the thornbush of disagreement among the tangle branches of
perception cut by the barbs of action and intent.

It is my hope that that we will soon return to calmer times among our
sporting brethren on the Field of Honor and in the spirit of camaraderie.
Let me leave you my friends, with a latin phrase I particularly like.

Permissum illic exsisto veneratio inter amicitia.
(Let there be honor among friends)

Respectfully submitted,
Esquire
Auburn, AL

Guys,

I don't see what the big deal is. It's just a forum. I haven't seen anyone try and force anyone to use it. I haven't heard about anyone closing this one down. It's better for a fellow airsofter to get the name instead of some "porn" site. I have seen people purchase web address, just to try and sell it to the people/company at alot higher price.

Unto my friends,

Is it possible that we could have the best of both worlds by keeping this forum
and letting A3 run the website and harmonize our efforts? We could offer A3
possible content material and have a companion website to this forum. I think
Star Wars highlights a very good point as well as many others brought forth.

Though I am friends with A3, I do not speak for him. I have not even made
such a proposal to him nor do I even know if he is inclined to put any more
effort into the matter at this point given the events of late. I am just trying to
find a common ground that will result in some resolution and relief from this
animosity. Perhaps if we could extend an olive branch and be willing to
consider a compromise that will be acceptable to all thus having preserved
the best of what each side has to offer.

Your thoughts?

Respectfully,
Esquire
Auburn, AL

Hello my friends,

Just be be clear about what I am proposing, I am proposing that
this forum here continue to be the main forum for the Alabama
Airsoft Community and agree that www.alabamaairsoft.com would
be the companion website of this forum.

I am just trying to fashion a compromise that will accommodate most
of the points of view. Of course, the parties in fact to this issue will have
to agree to such a thing but this is only an offer of compromise to
support the continuation of peace and goodwill on the forum, if such
a branch could ever be extended between its denizens.

Respectfully,
Esquire
Auburn, AL

Clarified, thanks Esquire122...