Five years and counting...
Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:59 pm
Five years ago today I made my first news post as webmaster of the NBA Live Series Center stating in the headline that "It's great to be here". Much has happened and some things have changed since then but one thing remains the same. Although during the past five years I have discovered that there's a less enjoyable side of running a large video game website, I'm still very proud to be the webmaster of the NLSC and I do enjoy running the site and forum, modding the games, talking to my fellow NBA Live fans and yes, playing the game whenever I can. 
When I discovered the NBA Live Series Center back in 1997 it immediately became one of my favourite sites to visit. Back then I was still playing NBA Live 96 (at the time I couldn't run NBA Live 97) and was amazed to discover the world of patchmaking and the editors that Tim, Lutz and Brien had made that allowed me to modify the game myself. I had always wished that my created Michael Jordan in my Chicago Bulls season could have had accurate bio data and with the help of the NBA Live 96 Editor, that was finally possible. I became a frequent visitor, downloading the latest roster updates as well as the retro season patches and anything else I could get my hands on.
Pretty soon I was inspired to start making updates of my own and began my own website hosted over at Geocities called the NBA Live Domain. It was mainly a place for me to host my own work but I hosted some other files (including some of Shane's patches) and maintained a couple of weekly columns called the Midweek Patch Report (posted every Wednesday) and Webmaster News (every Friday). The Patch Report contained news and notes on my latest work and later, work of others in the community. Webmaster News covered site updates, future plans and other miscellaneous topics. When I took over the NLSC I kept writing the reports for both sites but eventually phased them out.
Around about July 2001 Tim contacted me and told me he could no longer maintain the NLSC as his new job at EA Sports didn't allow him enough free time for the site, in addition to the fact that it was (and still remains) an unofficial site. He asked if I would be interested in taking over in his stead. Excited at the prospect I agreed and with my first post in the NLSC news on this day five years ago I began a new online venture (or more accurately, adventure) that I hope will continue for a while yet.
After some deliberation I decided to close the NBA Live Domain in late December 2001 after a few months running both sites simultaneously. It was a difficult decision because I had grown quite attached to my work and proud of the consecutive update streak which stretched 596 days at its closure. However, it was for the best. There was little need for the NLD as most of its content had already been absorbed by the NLSC and as the larger site the NLSC demanded and deserved more time and attention. I'm proud of what I was able to do with the NLD but it was time to move on and dedicate myself completely to my new position. There would be one more news post on the NLD but that's a story for another time.
I should take some time out to say that Tim was extremely helpful during the first few months as I accepted several new responsibilities and had quite a bit to learn about running a site the size of the NLSC. Lutz and Brien were also very supportive and made me feel welcome in my new role. I have a lot of respect for those three guys and as I said in my Community Day report I was thrilled to finally meet Tim in person a couple of weeks back. He's a very cool person and I've always tried to follow his example as a webmaster and admin.
It hasn't always been smooth sailing though especially where the forum's concerned. I think it's safe to say we've had our ups and downs. I had my first challenge thrown at me less than a month into running the site as the anger felt over the September 11 attacks hit Internet forums across cyberspace and there was a lot of tension in the NLSC Forum to say the least. Since then there's been other blow-ups on the boards but we've come through them all so far. It's funny to look back on some of those threads because I get along with really well with a couple of those guys now and they remain moderators and members of the NLSC team to this day.
I've always greatly appreciated people willing to give me a chance. Not everyone was willing to accept someone new at the helm of the NLSC and I've made my fair share of blunders these past five years. But I've been given the chance to make up for my mistakes and grow (and hopefully improve) as a webmaster/admin and there's no doubt still room for growth and improvement. I'll always strive to do a better job of my duties here at the NLSC. A very sincere thank you to everyone who has supported me and continue to offer their support. I truly am grateful. I'd also like to thank everyone on the NLSC team who continues to devote time and effort to the site as I certainly can't do it all by myself.
The NLSC has also given me opportunities I never dreamed of when I agreed to take over five years ago. I never thought it would lead to an overseas trip where I would tour EA's studios, meet the NBA Live production team and get a hands-on preview of the game. It has also led to job interviews and played a part in landing me the job that I'm in today.
Speaking of the Community Day, it was very flattering when some of the producers complimented me on the NLSC and said how much they liked the website and how useful they found it as a link to the NBA Live fans. It was very cool to hear them mention some of the recent topics in the NBA Live 07 and Wishlist sections by name.
This is probably starting to sound like a retirement post which it most certainly isn't. I'm not planning on giving it up just yet. I've got some stuff lined up that I'm excited about and I think everyone will like and enjoy so stay tuned for that. Remember that I'm always open to feedback and suggestions (so long as they're civil; "You suck" isn't always very helpful) and I look forward to doing what I can to make the NLSC an even better place for NBA Live fans in the furure.
Five years on, it's still great to be here.
When I discovered the NBA Live Series Center back in 1997 it immediately became one of my favourite sites to visit. Back then I was still playing NBA Live 96 (at the time I couldn't run NBA Live 97) and was amazed to discover the world of patchmaking and the editors that Tim, Lutz and Brien had made that allowed me to modify the game myself. I had always wished that my created Michael Jordan in my Chicago Bulls season could have had accurate bio data and with the help of the NBA Live 96 Editor, that was finally possible. I became a frequent visitor, downloading the latest roster updates as well as the retro season patches and anything else I could get my hands on.
Pretty soon I was inspired to start making updates of my own and began my own website hosted over at Geocities called the NBA Live Domain. It was mainly a place for me to host my own work but I hosted some other files (including some of Shane's patches) and maintained a couple of weekly columns called the Midweek Patch Report (posted every Wednesday) and Webmaster News (every Friday). The Patch Report contained news and notes on my latest work and later, work of others in the community. Webmaster News covered site updates, future plans and other miscellaneous topics. When I took over the NLSC I kept writing the reports for both sites but eventually phased them out.
Around about July 2001 Tim contacted me and told me he could no longer maintain the NLSC as his new job at EA Sports didn't allow him enough free time for the site, in addition to the fact that it was (and still remains) an unofficial site. He asked if I would be interested in taking over in his stead. Excited at the prospect I agreed and with my first post in the NLSC news on this day five years ago I began a new online venture (or more accurately, adventure) that I hope will continue for a while yet.
After some deliberation I decided to close the NBA Live Domain in late December 2001 after a few months running both sites simultaneously. It was a difficult decision because I had grown quite attached to my work and proud of the consecutive update streak which stretched 596 days at its closure. However, it was for the best. There was little need for the NLD as most of its content had already been absorbed by the NLSC and as the larger site the NLSC demanded and deserved more time and attention. I'm proud of what I was able to do with the NLD but it was time to move on and dedicate myself completely to my new position. There would be one more news post on the NLD but that's a story for another time.
I should take some time out to say that Tim was extremely helpful during the first few months as I accepted several new responsibilities and had quite a bit to learn about running a site the size of the NLSC. Lutz and Brien were also very supportive and made me feel welcome in my new role. I have a lot of respect for those three guys and as I said in my Community Day report I was thrilled to finally meet Tim in person a couple of weeks back. He's a very cool person and I've always tried to follow his example as a webmaster and admin.
It hasn't always been smooth sailing though especially where the forum's concerned. I think it's safe to say we've had our ups and downs. I had my first challenge thrown at me less than a month into running the site as the anger felt over the September 11 attacks hit Internet forums across cyberspace and there was a lot of tension in the NLSC Forum to say the least. Since then there's been other blow-ups on the boards but we've come through them all so far. It's funny to look back on some of those threads because I get along with really well with a couple of those guys now and they remain moderators and members of the NLSC team to this day.
I've always greatly appreciated people willing to give me a chance. Not everyone was willing to accept someone new at the helm of the NLSC and I've made my fair share of blunders these past five years. But I've been given the chance to make up for my mistakes and grow (and hopefully improve) as a webmaster/admin and there's no doubt still room for growth and improvement. I'll always strive to do a better job of my duties here at the NLSC. A very sincere thank you to everyone who has supported me and continue to offer their support. I truly am grateful. I'd also like to thank everyone on the NLSC team who continues to devote time and effort to the site as I certainly can't do it all by myself.
The NLSC has also given me opportunities I never dreamed of when I agreed to take over five years ago. I never thought it would lead to an overseas trip where I would tour EA's studios, meet the NBA Live production team and get a hands-on preview of the game. It has also led to job interviews and played a part in landing me the job that I'm in today.
Speaking of the Community Day, it was very flattering when some of the producers complimented me on the NLSC and said how much they liked the website and how useful they found it as a link to the NBA Live fans. It was very cool to hear them mention some of the recent topics in the NBA Live 07 and Wishlist sections by name.
This is probably starting to sound like a retirement post which it most certainly isn't. I'm not planning on giving it up just yet. I've got some stuff lined up that I'm excited about and I think everyone will like and enjoy so stay tuned for that. Remember that I'm always open to feedback and suggestions (so long as they're civil; "You suck" isn't always very helpful
) and I look forward to doing what I can to make the NLSC an even better place for NBA Live fans in the furure.
Five years on, it's still great to be here.
Last edited by Andrew on Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:10 pm
Congratulations Andrew, you have done a great job maintaining this site 
Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:27 pm
And 5 years more .
I would like to thank you Andrew for all of the fantastic roster updates that I regulary download,I hope you will keep on with roster updates in the future for 07,but if you don't I will understand.Hey everybody has his own life to take care of first,right.
Not mention how you run this site.How you keep cool when someone insults you and take care of that mess in a civil manner.
Congratulations to the best admin in the land of internet .
.
I would like to thank you Andrew for all of the fantastic roster updates that I regulary download,I hope you will keep on with roster updates in the future for 07,but if you don't I will understand.Hey everybody has his own life to take care of first,right.
Not mention how you run this site.How you keep cool when someone insults you and take care of that mess in a civil manner.
Congratulations to the best admin in the land of internet
.
Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:52 pm
congrats mate keep going much love and your my hero 
Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:10 pm
It's funny to look back on some of those threads because I get along with really well with a couple of those guys now and they remain moderators and members of the NLSC team to this day.
yeah three guesses who that is.
Five years, that's insane... when you think about the fact that high school is like 6 years, it's pretty strange to think we've been posting here for most of our teenage lives. Obviously you do a great job, everyone knows that, and especially in the last year or so I think you've really raised your game with all of the new additions to the forum and whatever that probably wouldn't have happened in the past. I think the fact that we now have absolutely no competition (apart from Mikki's Pinoy forum
) is a testament to how well this place is run.
Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:20 pm
Yeah Andrew, you are our man! Really one of the best admin I have ever seen
Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:03 pm
Congratulations 
Sun Aug 27, 2006 5:04 am
Congratulations, Andrew 5 years is a lot of time, it's more than I've been posting here. You know, I always have a difficult time when I try to tell something about you, because everybody has said what I wanted already
Anyway, you're the G.A.O.A.T., and hopefully you'll be THE admin for a long time.
The hat looks like a fucking pizza.
Congrats, Andrew
5 years is a lot of time, it's more than I've been posting here. You know, I always have a difficult time when I try to tell something about you, because everybody has said what I wanted already
Anyway, you're the G.A.O.A.T., and hopefully you'll be THE admin for a long time.
The hat looks like a fucking pizza.
Congrats, Andrew
Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:30 am
Andrew wrote:It has also led to job interviews and played a part in landing me the job that I'm in today.
Mind me asking what is your job? Great job on the site, I think it is a great compliment for me to say, all this patching and updates on NLSC is the only thing that keeps the Live series above the 2K series!! I think 2K missed out by not producing the games for PC. You the mvp of site admins
Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:48 am
Congrats on your five years You've done a great job around here on your own, and with the recruitment of your mods to keep everything under control here. The patches, organization, etc., is a testament to the growth of the community. If it weren't for this community, we might've not been getting any PC releases. One day, if you do leave the NLSC, it'd be nice to see you at EA, telling those sobs to make improvements if Live 07 doesn't pan out. Congrats to the finest admin I've ever seen 
You've done a great job around here on your own, and with the recruitment of your mods to keep everything under control here. The patches, organization, etc., is a testament to the growth of the community. If it weren't for this community, we might've not been getting any PC releases. One day, if you do leave the NLSC, it'd be nice to see you at EA, telling those sobs to make improvements if Live 07 doesn't pan out. Congrats to the finest admin I've ever seen
Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:50 am
congrats on five years I don't see how on earth you could run this site any better, good luck in running the site in the future
I don't see how on earth you could run this site any better, good luck in running the site in the future
Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:06 am
Congratulations Andrew! You are definitely one of the best administrators out there! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the NBA Live Forums. I'll keep bringing that new info for the forums buddy! 
Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:16 am
5 years already eh? well congrats on helping keep nlsc what it is
Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:30 am
Damn, you came in 97?! 
I dont even remember what I was doing with myself back then (best hint is embarassing my family with my behaviour in boarding school).
I'll start first by commending you on the effort you have put into keeping this forum civilized. You give the members quite a long leash which in certain cases has led to them to abuse it, but for the most part it has been great in that we can share ideas/views without being overly censored. Another great characteristic of yours is how you lead by example which can be seen in the way you post and try to maintain a sense of respect coming from both parties.
Anyways congrats, your 5 years old! Hope youll be here 5 more years....and 5 more after that....and after that.....after that....
I dont even remember what I was doing with myself back then (best hint is embarassing my family with my behaviour in boarding school).
I'll start first by commending you on the effort you have put into keeping this forum civilized. You give the members quite a long leash which in certain cases has led to them to abuse it, but for the most part it has been great in that we can share ideas/views without being overly censored. Another great characteristic of yours is how you lead by example which can be seen in the way you post and try to maintain a sense of respect coming from both parties.
Anyways congrats, your 5 years old!
Hope youll be here 5 more years....and 5 more after that....and after that.....after that....
Last edited by dada on Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:33 am
COGNRATS! Started back in 97'... must have been great here for you to keep you on this site. 5 years is a long time and I hope you continue your work here.
CONGRATS!
Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:44 am
Thanks for the kind words everyone.
Not at all. I'm an Internet Support Technician.
caml17 wrote:Mind me asking what is your job?
Not at all. I'm an Internet Support Technician.
Sun Aug 27, 2006 11:30 am
congrats....must have taken a lot of dedication to be webmaster at such a young age, but you've done everyone proud
Sun Aug 27, 2006 11:30 am
Congrats Andrew on five great years
Wow i was 9 when you first took over the NLSC.
Wow i was 9 when you first took over the NLSC.
Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:55 pm
Since this is a much bigger milestone than any post count, where are the shoutouts, huh? 
You know how we rate you, what about your thoughts on us forum members?
Hehe nah. Without sounding cliche, i'm going to anyway. Thanks for all your years of hard work to NLSC. Your continued professionalism (did i spell that right?) and detication is greatly appriciated. NLSC would struggle without someone of your ability. Thank christ we have Andrew on the team!
You know how we rate you, what about your thoughts on us forum members? Hehe nah. Without sounding cliche, i'm going to anyway. Thanks for all your years of hard work to NLSC. Your continued professionalism (did i spell that right?) and detication is greatly appriciated. NLSC would struggle without someone of your ability. Thank christ we have Andrew on the team!
Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:24 pm
professionalism (did i spell that right?) and detication
You spelled the big word right but not dedication.
Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:35 pm
Congratulations Andrew
Sun Aug 27, 2006 3:53 pm
congrats andrew! you really deserve it!
5 years of handling the nlsc and still counting...
almost 10 years in the nlsc and still counting...
amazing!
5 years of handling the nlsc and still counting...
almost 10 years in the nlsc and still counting...
amazing!
Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:33 pm
Gundy wrote:professionalism (did i spell that right?) and detication
You spelled the big word right but not dedication.
that is pretty funny.
Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:39 pm
Congrats on the milestone Andrew. 5 years is a really long time, especially managing a huge website with a constant influx of idiots and spammers and whatnots, yet you've done a great job and made this place better and better. I couldn't imagine anyone doing it better than you. Here's to another 5 years:
Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:50 pm
Gong xi ni! Congratulations, been great to find this amazing Live site... You're definately one of the best webmasters, close to members and been an asshole...