Alan: This goes out to you...

[GuruMyStick]

[Alan VEX]

First, I'm touched beyond words. Let me clarify some things.

I did not start this forum. There was a small group that existed before me. Most of them are long gone, but a few still grace these forums, and work just as hard as me to keep this community alive. These people are our moderators; JmanWord, BarT and Some Day Grey.

I came along ten years ago when Ed from Drumbalaya had taken over and kept the community going. After a handful of years, Ed moved on and Ben from Kraft Music decided to support the forum through funding. At the time, Ed asked if I was interested in taking the forum, but financially, I just was ready. Ed put me in touch with Ben and I made the offer to admin for him.

My goal has simply been to keep this community open and strong. I only have a couple of talents. Shortly after joining this forum, I saw the need for helping others achieve their desires through creating kits based on my experience of playing since the mid 70's. I had just purchased a TD-20 and was playing in a top 40 wedding band. I had created around 50 kits for songs we were covering, and realized there were so many drummers out there that needed help. Chris was a member here and had just started V Expressions.

Another talent I had was web design, so I hooked up with Chris to become what you see today in V Expressions. Through it all, I enjoy seeing the community strive on, and the relationships that have been built. Imagine my thoughts when tragedy found me. Who will keep the forum running? Who will take care of the problems? Will it live on? Well, those type of questions gave me desire to fight on. Some of the most kind words through these trials for me have come from members here at VDrums.

As for getting together, I wouldn't mind some "light at the end of the tunnel meeting" when I've beaten this thing. Just knowing I help here, and that it keeps a smile on a face, or allows someone to escape life's stresses, is plenty for me. At the same time, I take no credit away from the others that selflessly spend their time helping as well. I'm no one special. I'm just a guy like most of you who's been blessed with some talents to help keep this alive. Any well-trained monkey could do it.

[Macarina]

You are one of the finest, humble, well-trained monkeys, I've ever come to know.

You do provide inspiration. My hats off to you.

[Kenster]

So....does anyone know anything about the new and improved Forums? Are we moving away from vB?
K

[Alan VEX]

It'll still be vB, but it's on hosting that is built for it. Once moved, the database will be updated (tables converted to newer type that should have been done years ago), and we should see all problems disappear. Then, I can work on further improvements.

[TheYardbird]

Oh I would love to get together with you dudes! Although I doubt I could manage that financially, y'all let me know if you ever find yourselves in Sweden
And Alan, I don't know anything about managing a forum or anything, although I have alot of time on my hands so if you ever feel like you'd need a stand-in with something around here, feel free to ask me and leave me somekind of instructional book or something and I'll do my best.

[GuruMyStick]

You are one of the finest, humble, well-trained monkeys, I've ever come to know.

You do provide inspiration. My hats off to you.

That was a beautiful thing to say

[evilcartman]

It'll still be vB, but it's on hosting that is built for it. Once moved, the database will be updated (tables converted to newer type that should have been done years ago), and we should see all problems disappear. Then, I can work on further improvements.

I'm newer around here. But since getting my Roland kit this forum has be indispensable. And if it were not for the VEX kits I doubt I would have kept my TD30. I went from "50 bucks for presets!?!" to "what a bargain" in a single day. I wish I had the money to buy all of them. Roland kind of makes sure you got nothing left :-)

Alan, you put the designers at Roland to shame, seriously. Maybe a "how to" book when you get better. Anyway, I wish good health and a speedy recovery to both you and the forum database. I need the help offered here. Thanks for the hard work you do. And thanks to everyone for being here and participating.

P.S. This thing really doesn't like IPads does it?

[Alan VEX]

Thank you for the kind words. They should have the iPad issues remedied in the next vb update.

[hemiboy]

So true that Roland makes sure that there is nothing left of your money! I am so glad that I bought all my Roland gear all the way up to the td 30 before my 2 box module because if I had bought 2 Bo first , I would have always been wondering, do I need positional sensing an the supernatural sounds of the td 30 . I found out that the 2 box has much more realistic sounds and I don't miss anything about Roland ?

[GuruMyStick]

So true that Roland makes sure that there is nothing left of your money! I am so glad that I bought all my Roland gear all the way up to the td 30 before my 2 box module because if I had bought 2 Bo first , I would have always been wondering, do I need positional sensing an the supernatural sounds of the td 30 . I found out that the 2 box has much more realistic sounds and I don't miss anything about Roland ?

Love Roland's products. Do not like their prices. Said before, repeating again, as it bears repetition, a don't believe factually there is any excuse or legitimate reason for charging nearly $10,000 for an electronic drum kit. I don't bite, no pun intended, that could cost them nearly that much in development, production, whatever, whatsoever. The company in my opinion, which is just an opinion, man with no offense to anyone, even grown, is downright greedy.

[jpsquared482]

Yes, Roland is a profit-generating entity. It's a business; their primary goal is to generate revenue. Making products we like and ultimately buy is the means to an end. We don't have to like it, but that's the way it is.

[GuruMyStick]

Yes, Roland is a profit-generating entity. It's a business; their primary goal is to generate revenue. Making products we like and ultimately buy is the means to an end. We don't have to like it, but that's the way it is.

Wise words. And it is what it is, indeed.

[John.b]

Hi Alan. Over the years this site has helped me stay focused. When my wife had a collapsed lung in 2008 people here were there for me. When she died last year people were here for me.

I cant give enough thanks for this. If it was'nt for this site, and the quality of its members and my ekit, I would not have got through it all, and you must take much of the credit mate.