We made it!

[gstark]

Happy Chanukaristmas!

Another year almost over! Can you believe it?

I cannot believe the quality and strength that this small community has, and the number of friendships that it has started, not just for myself, but that I see happenning in many diverse parts of this world.

This I see as a good thing.

I believe that we have a unique community here, one which blends an online cyber-community with reality, and in the main we enjoy a very quality inherent in the membership base that engenders and enhances the experiences that we all share.

Coupled with that we enjoy a giving attitude from so many of our more experienced members towards our newer ones, and I truly hope that all who come here feel the warmth that many of us have been enjoying for some sixteen months now.

Our growth is causing us some issues, but they are, in the main, issues that are good to have, albeit a bit of a challenge to deal with. We'll be looking more closely at ways that we can address these during the early part of 2006.

To everybody here, on behalf of myself, Leigh, Michael and Lindy, and all of our mods and other "dignitaries" here, I wish you all a safe and healthy holiday, whatever your personal beliefs may be in that regard, and a fruitful and happy new year.

[Manta]

Well spoken Gary.

I can't add anything to what you've said except that it is indeed a great community. In a world gone nuts, it's nice to know there's a little sanctuary here in cyberspace and that it carries over to the minimeets and events.

Congratulations to everyone, especially Gary and Leigh, Birdy, the mods and the old hands who give so freely of their expertise and humour.

Everyone here makes a difference and I wish you all happiness, good health and great photographic opportunities in 2006.

[sirhc55]

ditto and ditto - we all have a lot to look forward to in 2006

[birddog114]

Echo from Gary above, Tran, I and my family wish all of you a safe Xmas and a great happy New Year.

We are in full steam ahead to the New Year with our warmest welcome to another succesful year of this forum.

Thanks Gary, Leigh and all the mods for all your best contributions in the past 12 months.

[ozczecho]

Great forum, great people ..wishing you all a great holiday and all the best for 2006.

Cheers

Mike

[Geoff]

Wonderful words Gary..
I can only echo what you have said...this is a brilliant little (well...not that little anymore) online community! Thanks for all your hard work and contributions!! It's been a great pleasure being involved in this fantastic gathering of like-minded people.

May I take this opportunity to wish all on the forum and their relatives/loved ones a very safe December and a happy, succesful and healthy 2006!!

[Glen]

Well said Gary, best regards to all here and looking forward to 2006

[Alpha_7]

A Big thanks Family Stark, to all the mods and those behind the scenes and of course anyone that has hosted a mini-meet or shoot over the past year. In particular my own Santa Thanh, thanks for all the deals!

I'd also extend thanks to everyone on the forum thats contributed to make this one of the greatest communities I've had the pleasure to find and participate in. Heres to a evern better 2006!

[losfp]

Cheers to everyone for the impending festive season. I've hung out on a lot of online forums, but I think I can safely say that this is one of the few that I can consider a true online community. The helpfulness and camaraderie displayed by the posters has been amazing - no newbie questions are ever too stupid, which I am truly thankful for

A special thanks of course to the mods and to Birdy, whose generosity and kindness has benefitted everyone on the forum (including myself in the last couple of weeks!)

Avagoodone everyone.

[avkomp]

I definitely believe this is the place to be to learn share an interest in photography and to have issues resolved quickly too.
Its good to see the community continuing to grow.

May next year continue to bring more of the same.

Steve

[Manta]

A bit off topic but here's a stat for you, regarding the last 16 months of this forum:

Birdy's post count = 11761 (as I type this)

At an average of five minutes per post (some a shorter but many are much longer) this would mean Thanh has spent more than 40 days, 24 hours a day, posting here, and that doesn't count the posts lost during the hack problems.

And all of those posts have been helpful, humourous, inciteful or all three.

What a contributor!

[sheepie]

From across the Tasman, Christmas wishes to all from my family. Everything about this community we have here has been a positive for me, and may it continue well into the future. I value the friendships I have made here tremendously, and thank Gary for having the foresight to create it.
To all, a happy and safe Christmas, and I'll see you in the New Year

[Oneputt]

Well said Gary, and a big thankyou to you and Leigh for all of the work that you put in to this forum. It is greatly appreciated.

[huynhie]

Merry Christmas to all forum members.

Looking forward to more mini-meets and shoots in 2006!

[daniel_r]

Well said.

I'd just like to acknowledge my gratitude toward Gary and the other moderators for fostering the community here, and guiding it toward what it has become. The spirit here is unique, there are very few other forums out in the WWW that have the same appeal.


To birddog, you really are a good man. I extend many thanks to you for not only welcoming everyone at your base most weekends of the year and not to mention the serious effort and dedication of your input here. Without your bargains, many of us would not be able to access the equipment we do (or certainly far less of it ).

The general user community shouldn't be overlooked either - we really do have some impressive talent across a broad spectrum of areas. The PotW/PotY clearly demonstrates this. Additionally, what makes this forum different is the inclusiveness of new members irrespecitve of their background or skill.

Have a good break everyone and all the best for 2006.
Drive Safely.

D.

[gstark]

Simon,

And all of those posts have been helpful, humourous, inciteful or all three.!

Some would even ave been insightful too.

But yes, your point is well made.

There are many here without whom this place would not be what it is, and while Thanh is clearly a standout, there are others, such as your good self, Matt K and Scott (MHD), all of whom were recognised at our Christmas dinner, without whom functioning, as we do, would indeed be a challenge.

[Manta]

I can't believe I mispelled that.....

Maybe I meant that Thanh's posts often incite members to rebel against their better financial sense and splurge on new lenses...

Yes, that must have been what I meant....


Oh and I certainly agree that Birdy is one of a great crew that keeps things hopping around here. I'm honoured to mentioned in the same sentence.

[radar]

Thanks to you Gary,

and thanks to all contributors big and small, each and everyone of you make a difference to this community both online and offline.

May you all have a safe and happy holiday season.

Cheers,

André

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[mudder]

To Gary, Leigh, Thanh and the many others that have made this site the place it is...

Since joining I have found nothing but positive, friendly, helpful advice and met some great people who all share a passion for photography, this place has a real family feeling that no other forum could hope to achieve...

Merry Xmas and a safe and happy new year to all, and thanks for all the help from the many members here...

Cheers.

[stubbsy]

Compliments of the season to all who inhabit this little sanctuary in cyberspace.

Thanks to Gary, Leigh and the other mods for keeping us all in line.

Thanks to the generous and ever helpful birddog for his assistance in satisfying our lusts and to he and his lovely wife for hosting us for mini meets.

Thanks also to Poon (our HK connection) for all he's done for us in the past year too (even finding those Benros tripods for us).

And finally thanks to everyone else I haven't mentioned (yes that means YOU) since this place is what it is, not just because of the time and generosity of those named already, but also because of the rest of the bunch that choose to hang out here.

[johnd]

Thanks to everybody involved with this forum. It certainly is a great place to hang out.

Cheers, John

[Jonesy]

well done everyone, esp the Mods, the Starks and Birdy.

Thank you so much for a great place

Cheers for the holiday season and 2006

[rokkstar]

Merry Christmas to everyone here. It's a fantastic community that I am honoured to be a part of. I've made some great friendships here and am looking forward to getting more involved in 2006.

[dooda]

I remember clearly when I first started, I posted like a madman. I had so much to learn and most of it I learned here. Many were like the older wiser brothers that stepped me through.

I'm quite happy with my progress as a photographer, and as a result spend much more time shooting and getting involved in other ways than posting here, but this place is where I was schooled, and so I'll always come back and comment and post the odd picture. I appreciate it, and hope to meet you all sometime in the future.

[phillipb]

It's all been said already, but I would also like to join the chorus in wishing everyone the best for the Christmas and may all your photographic wishes come true in 2006.

[johndec]

Just to add my two bobs worth I too would also like to give my thanks to Gary, Leigh, Birdy, the Mods and everyone involved here for making this little corner of the net very special.

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas (feel free to insert your religous festival of choice) and a prosperous New Year

[joet]

Chryssine and myself echo all the sentiments expressed here.

We are all part of an international family made possible by Gary, in particular, but well supported by Leigh, all the moderators and all the helpful and active members on this forum.

Birddog, of course, stands out even in such august company - his generosity of spirit, time and more tangible deeds in the bargain department (with assistance from Poon) are only exceeded by the support his family gives to everyone.

Our best wishes to all and may 2006 be all that you hope for.

[mic]

Bottoms Up

Mic

[samester]

hey gang,

i'm an irregular poster but seem to clock on regularly enough and would also like to express my gratitude to the entire dslr community.

thanks to garry and the mods for keeping the site alive and ticking over and a big thank you to birdy for his hospitality and assistance with camera gear (even though i'm a difficult customer!!).

all the best for chrissy and new years - there's always a spot in my tinny if anyone wants to come out for a fish some time.

cheers,
sam

[Geoff]

hey gang,

- there's always a spot in my tinny if anyone wants to come out for a fish some time.

cheers,
sam

I can vouch for this - have been out with Samester once before and would highly recommend it Lots of fun!!

[MATT]

Yes Merry CHistmas sto all,
This year has been one with a steep learning curve.

Thanks go out to all of you.

Be safe this christmas


MATT

[Slider]

Gary, Thanks for the opportunity to be part of such a great group.

Have a fantastic Christmas.

[Paul]

Good luck to everyone in 2006, enjoy your holidays and remember those great moments of 2005!
Lets hope 06' brings us a bit more peace to the world and less tragedy than we've seen this year.
Looking forward to more award winning shots next year plus all the laughs with everyone in the forum.
This is such a great planet!

[PiroStitch]

The year's not over yet so make the most of it It's been a fantastic year so far and the only place we can go from here is up and up. Look forward to 2006 and hopefully I can make it up to Sydney, somehow...

[bago100]

Darn - everything that needs to be aid has been said already
So there is not much more to say other than a huge thanks to all of those involved in this forum.
If 2005 was anything to go by, 2006 is certainly going to be a wonderful year.
Keep on snapping those pictures
Cheers
Graham

[Killakoala]

I've missed Christmas, but happy new year to all forum members and may your 2006 be even better.