Since 1998, the various iterations of RTF have been a big part of my life and many of yours. Today marks the change in yet another move of the RTF forums to new servers and a new network.
The difference today is that while I may remain as “janitor”, it will no longer mean that I'm the owner of this resource. RTF is now owned by VerticalScope. VerticalScope manages a number of specialised online communities, including many Outdoor, Hunting, Fishing and Pet forums. They are now accepting RTF under their network and will primarily be managing the day to day technical issues of the site. Aside from some new admin accounts you will see logged in, there is little that will change about RTF.
How does this affect you? Well, it really doesn’t. The goal is to keep the culture, the feel, and the community intact. You can log in as you always have and continue to use the resource just as you’ve done over the years. This really is best for the resource.
I’ve had changes in my daily life, my career and other things that have made me question how to best insure the future of RTF. RTF is not going away. In fact, the strength of the retriever community presence is part of what made RTF attractive to Verticalscope.
Thanks so much to all of you for making RTF the valued resource that it has been to the global retriever community. You’ll still see me around, both here as well as at some retriever events down the road. I’ve got this new puppy named PJ that needs to get some line time…
Dang. I haven't been a member long,but I appreciate your work. I hope this site will continue as it has under your leadership. It has been helpful to me alresdy. I have much to learn. I hope to continue to gain knowledge here.
Good luck Chris.. The UNIVERSE opens doors for us.. Its up to us make the decision to walk through them... Exciting times ahead for you I am sure... I wish you the best,,and thank You for what you did here..
Member then "Crappy" Fishin rods you purchased? Put em to work...
Thanks for all you've done, Chris. On a few occasions, you've offered to address matters with me over the phone. Can the "janitor" still do that? All the best to you.
The times they are a changing. Again. Chris you have done an incredible and often thankless job here. RTF has introduced me to people and places that will always be with me. Even if the changes disintegrate the old community, the spirit shall live on.
I want to echo all the compliments to Chris and the job his has done with this forum. Buddy, as you continue to sail forward in all of life's challenges, may the wind be at your back and the sea be welcoming. Hope all other challenges appreciate you as much as we do here.
Was that Chris I saw getting out of the stretch limo and into a private helicopter? haha. Thanks for the site Chris I've gotten a lot of enjoyment from it. Tim
Jeeze Chris, the place won't be the same without you. Thanks for your steady hand on the tiller all these years. I always wondered if there is life beyond dogs, I guess you'll find out. I vaguely remember, fishing, flying, travel, backpacking and other fun things I used to do before dogs, dog training and trialing. Have fun!
Finally, after 12 years I get use to how RTF works and you go and do this.
Brother Chris, you deserve all the thanks we can muster for the service you began and worked so hard to grow. Best to you and yours and thank the family for letting us borrow you for our own selfish entertainment.
Good for you Chris, you have busted your ass for us and I appreciate it.
I know some of these changes you are going through are tough but keep your chin up. You are a fine man and father and you got guys like Bill Stoune to hang with!!!
I know you aren't going away and we will always stay in touch. Now get out there and get PJ ready for a Derby
"Hey....You know that guy named Chris Atkinson....yeah, the guy who judged our NAHRA test last weekend....Yeah the guy that was haning out with Polock....yeah, that guy! Well, they say he has some kind of Dog Site on the internet....oh, they were drinkin some polish licquer....wownowska!!! (or somethin like that!!lol)...Anyway, I checked out that site and it is COOL...!! "
Thanks Chris for ALL the years I've had to check out your site, for all the friends I've made, real and virtual!!! For all the stuff I have been able to learn and share... For giving my Cody a pass or two (or fail too!!) But most of all for all the memories...! Don't go too far....We need your reasonable attitude to keep us tempered as you have in all these years...I miss the old days...But I know all about change and moving on too!!! Good Luck with your dogs and your life!!! Don't know what I would have done without this resource...Hope to see you around here still.....
Best Wishes
Earlene Lacy
Geez, this reads like somebody died! If anything, sounds like Chris is finally going to get to live again. If RTF crashes this weekend (that crap will keep you up all night), now its someone else's problem!
Chris, thanks for an awesome job in creating and maintaining this forum for all these years. Go spend the Million$$ you earned!! ;-)
Seriously, enjoy life away from the constant headaches and concerns of site ownership.
i hope they keep the same format or operating whatever system. a couple other outdoor forums changed their programming or whatever and the new layouts sucked...seemed slow and ads everywhere popping up....plus i am getting older and resisting change everywhere....
thanks for giving us the RTF. I read it almost everyday and have learned a lot about retriever training from it. my dog KASEY is a much better dog because of the help you gave me. Good luck with your new dog hope we see you at the park some day
I hope that you find not being "on call" 24/7/365 to deal with technical issues on the site provides you a lift as you move into a different phase of life.
Best wishes, thanks for starting a great resource where I too as many others have said met some great people and received some good information.
Enjoy the more relaxed participation on the site and hope to read about you and PJ in the event results section.
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