JediDefender.com Forums

Announcements => Announcements => Topic started by: Jeff on May 17, 2009, 06:25 PM

Title: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Jeff on May 17, 2009, 06:25 PM
I am excited to announce a few big changes you’ll see coming soon to JediDefender.com. 

First, JediDefender.com has been sold and transferred to new co-owners - Paul Mundheim and myself, Jeff Smentek.  Both of us are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to play larger roles in the development of JediDefender.com and its online community.  We’d like to thank the former owner, Chris Berry, for all of his hard work and dedication to the site over the past 6+ years. 

Second, JediDefender.com is pleased to announce the addition of Han’s Hideout (http://www.hanshideout.com) as an affiliate site.  The loyal Hideout readers will be happy to know that the site will still be maintained going forward.  You’ll still find the news, features, and Hasbro Q&A sessions you’ve come to expect, as well as new columns, rants, and more.

In addition to the changes listed above, over the next few weeks you’ll also see a number of other changes coming your way:

If you have a suggestion on something you think we can do to make JediDefender.com a better place to visit, please drop by the Suggestion Thread (http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=19222.0) or send us an email and let us know! 

Stay tuned for more and thanks for reading!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: I Am Sith on May 17, 2009, 09:53 PM
Congratulations Jeff and Paul, and thanks Chris!  I can't wait to see what the new era at JD will bring...
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Matt_Fury on May 17, 2009, 11:06 PM
Good news.  Chris...you started a hell of a site and it looks like you've passed it onto some good hands.

It will be interesting to see the new changes.
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Dan on May 17, 2009, 11:44 PM
Excellent news!  Jedidefender became my # 1 site a long time ago, and it looks like it is headed back to the top!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: JediJman on May 17, 2009, 11:49 PM
YAY!   :D
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: P-Siddy on May 17, 2009, 11:53 PM
Congrats to Jeff and Paul! Thanks for all you've done, Chris!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Darth_Anton on May 18, 2009, 10:15 AM
Congratulations to Chris, Jeff and Paul! I know we're in good hands for the future.
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: evenflow on May 18, 2009, 10:39 AM
Congrats!  ;D
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: stormie on May 21, 2009, 10:54 AM
Congrats to everyone.

So, I'm interested to hear the backstory on all this. Why'd Chris leave (is he still going to be around to post)? How did Paul and Jeff make their ways to taking the helm. And why the sudden 180 for Jeff; from resigning as staff member because he needed more free time, to becoming co-owner and webmaster (seems like that'll zap even more of his free time).

I'd also like to know what other major changes or ideas you two have for the site.

Just hecka curious about all of it.

 
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: no-wan on May 23, 2009, 04:51 PM
I'll just hafta come back to your Lab and see what's on the Slab !!   :D
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Padawan Wagaboodles on May 26, 2009, 04:28 PM
I've appreciated the more regular updates of recent. Let's get this place active again!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Jeff on June 11, 2009, 11:00 PM
Just a few updates in case you haven't been following along...

- JD is now on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/JediDefender/120907846928?ref=mf) (which caused me to finally join facebook).  Click on over and check it out...

- JD is now on Twitter (http://twitter.com/jedidefender) if you're into that sort of thing.  Come read us tweet/twitter/whatever!

- Yes, we're still working on making the Sarlaac Pit private (http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=19276.0).  It's ending up taking a bit longer than I would have liked, but better to do it right then to just do it quick and wrong.  Regardless, it's still happening eventually.

- Like the new Forum Ranks (http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=342.msg429715#msg429715)?  We thought it was finally time to add a few more categories and retire the sabers...


That's it for now... stay tuned for more!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: clonebuyer111 on June 14, 2009, 05:10 PM
I am curious like stormie too I would like to hear the backstory as well , please share.
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Angry Ewok on June 14, 2009, 08:32 PM
I'll try to answer a couple of those questions for you guys - there's no backstage drama, or bad blood, or anything juicy like that, that brought on the change. Chris is still with us and still a very important part of the site. Really, the ownership change has just refined what everyone's duties are - we needed to focus on everyone's strengths and balance the workload better and so far that has been very successful.

I can't speak for everyone, but I know I'm doubling my efforts.
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: A.J. on June 24, 2009, 08:39 PM
No wonder there hadn't been any front page updates for awhile  :P. I'm sure you guys will do a good job with this site though  :D.
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Jeff on December 8, 2012, 12:38 AM
Meet the new boss, same as the old one. (http://www.jedidefender.com/index.php?id=17)  ;)

In case you're too lazy to click the linky, Paul has decided to retire from site ownership.  All of us on the staff would like to thank Paul for his dedication to the site over the past 3+ years. Paul will still be on staff here, he's just opted out of ownership.

Thanks again for your work over the past few years, Paul! :)
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Dan on December 8, 2012, 08:06 AM
Having had the pleasure of listening to your passionate dedication in person at many of the Minnesota meetings, I am sure this will be a good thing for the site.

Congrats on taking the wheel, as we head in to some uncharted new territory of Star Wars collecting! New movies, new owners, and who knows what else!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: McMetal on December 8, 2012, 09:05 AM
Congrats Jeff, the new front page looks nice, glad to see a smooth transition of power!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: P-Siddy on December 8, 2012, 09:26 AM
Congrats, Jeff!  And thanks for the good times, Paul!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: JediJman on December 8, 2012, 11:57 AM
Congrats to the new owner!  Great to have the main page back.  Looking forward to the new era!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Phrubruh on December 8, 2012, 12:22 PM
Congratulations you guys! The site looks great.
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Mister Skeezler on December 11, 2012, 10:35 AM
Great job, the redesign is nice and clean!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Jesse James on December 11, 2012, 02:13 PM
I can't take any credit for it, but I will, and so thank you. :)

I like the new look too...  I'm excited for the future of the hobby in general, with new movies, hopefully new TV shows, new toys...  And can't wait for what new changes await!
Title: Re: JediDefender.com - Now Under New Ownership!
Post by: Ryan on December 17, 2012, 09:19 PM
Thanks for everything Paul!

Jeff, I'm looking forward to the future of Jedi Defender under your lead. I'm digging the updated front page.

And if you can bring Matt out of his hermitage, all the better. ;)