I remember well when you called me to urge me to join Dgrin! I'm sure that you have left such a foundational mark on Smugmug in those short years, the effect of you will live on for a looooong time Andy.. Best of luck. Wish I were a a quarter as good as you..
I remember well when you called me to urge me to join Dgrin! I'm sure that you have left such a foundational mark on Smugmug in those short years, the effect of you will live on for a looooong time Andy.. Best of luck. Wish I were a a quarter as good as you..
Whoa. That's a huge compliment and I'm blushing now! Thanks so much, you've been a great online friend and you are an awesome photographer and businessman - I'm glad I was able to help you in even a small way
Wow - only just saw this! All the best to you, Andy - you're a fixture here at dgrin, so glad to hear you'll still be hanging around even if moving on to other professional activities.
:cry Andy it's just not gonna be the same :cry
You will be missed more than you can possibly imagine I'm certain.
Wishing you nothing but success & happiness for whatever your future path may hold!
Thank You for everything you've done here for all of us... both known & unknown!!!
Thank you, Cindy. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here helping you and so many others. Right now, I'm frightfully busy with new opportunities, I'd love to stay on and continue to do more, hopefully SmugMug wants me to do that - if not, we'll, we'll see!
That's a little bitter/ sweet Andy. I have always liked the fact that you are super helpful and approachable - something a lot of managers in the business world need to learn. Here's wishing you more success in this new and exciting chapter of your creative life.
Thanks so much for all your hardwork on Dgrin Andy! I owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have made this community so useful. I wish you the best in whatever path you choose for your next adventure.
It's a shame you are so far away on the east coast as there is another photo hosting company out here on the west coast that looks like its business will be doubling or tripling over the next few months. They could probably use an experienced hand.
That's a little bitter/ sweet Andy. I have always liked the fact that you are super helpful and approachable - something a lot of managers in the business world need to learn. Here's wishing you more success in this new and exciting chapter of your creative life.
Cheers,
Thanks so much, shniks! I'm not sure what the future holds but it's been wonderful to work with you and so many others here on Dgrin.
Thanks so much for all your hardwork on Dgrin Andy! I owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have made this community so useful. I wish you the best in whatever path you choose for your next adventure.
It's a shame you are so far away on the east coast as there is another photo hosting company out here on the west coast that looks like its business will be doubling or tripling over the next few months. They could probably use an experienced hand.
Dreadnote, thanks for the so very kind words. I enjoyed helping you and I hope our paths will cross again in the future
Thanks guys - after some further developments and consideration on my part, I'm also stepping down as head honcho of Dgrin. I'm sure Baldy will be by with news as to who will be taking over day-to-day running of things around here I will of course stay on as a contributor here!
I haven't been on Dgrin for quite a long while, but I logged in today and look what I find! I'm in shock .... never thought this day would come! I've been with SmugMug and Dgrin since '06 and have always thought of Andy, SmugMug & Dgrin as synonomous... interchangeable..... I can't imagine one without the other. You have been an inspiration photographically and, as the head honcho at Dgrin, you have contributed so much through the years to helping us all grow as photographers, build websites and businesses, etc. You are a true gentleman, and so approachable, and have proven it time and again on this forum. My heart-felt best wishes for whatever the future holds for you, Andy. I'm sure exciting things are around the corner. :saurora
I haven't been on Dgrin for quite a long while, but I logged in today and look what I find! I'm in shock .... never thought this day would come! I've been with SmugMug and Dgrin since '06 and have always thought of Andy, SmugMug & Dgrin as synonomous... interchangeable..... I can't imagine one without the other. You have been an inspiration photographically and, as the head honcho at Dgrin, you have contributed so much through the years to helping us all grow as photographers, build websites and businesses, etc. You are a true gentleman, and so approachable, and have proven it time and again on this forum. My heart-felt best wishes for whatever the future holds for you, Andy. I'm sure exciting things are around the corner. :saurora
thanks so much for the super kind words. You've touched me, and made me smile and realize how that it's all worth it! I want to stay in touch, and always be there for you!
I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
Edward Steichen
Very sad indeed
I have been a pain in the a@@ with andy on a few occasions for issues that werent looked at nor resolved and he always made it right. You can already tell the difference with the company now. The service is not the same, the customer service people are snide and well it sucks with out him there. Already miss you brother. Time to look for an alternative.
Sincere best wishes to you, Andy. You showed me, over the years, that you really do care about helping us out, even if it took me some time to realize it (my own ignorance, not any other reason)!
Happy you'll still be a presence here. You're a good guy.
"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you?"
Thanks guys - after some further developments and consideration on my part, I'm also stepping down as head honcho of Dgrin. I'm sure Baldy will be by with news as to who will be taking over day-to-day running of things around here I will of course stay on as a contributor here!
Very very sad to hear. :cry It was some consolation to know that you'd still be here at dgrin in a major capacity. :cry
Good luck to you Andy in all that you do! My very best wishes to you! You will be missed...:cry
Thanks guys - after some further developments and consideration on my part, I'm also stepping down as head honcho of Dgrin. I'm sure Baldy will be by with news as to who will be taking over day-to-day running of things around here I will of course stay on as a contributor here!
I hope you stay as a frequent contributor, your frankness is very useful.
Good riddance! This guy was a big part of the problem at SM. A COO who spends virtually all his time on user-forum answering questions that could (and should) be answered by lesser-paid employee is a joke and a poor use of company resources. Those of you who (rightfully) complain about SM inabilty to release new features in a timely manner need look no futher than Andy. As COO, the web development would come under his purvue.
And, while I'm at it.. don't beleive all the SM PR crap that has been posted on DGrin in recent days. This is a slow moving company that has a huge backlog of features. Just go look at their bug website (I forget what it is called). There are pretty darn good feature requests out there from 8 years or more ago. SM is a non respsonsive company that can't figure out how to get from point A to point B.
Maybe a new COO will help, but I doubt it. They are too far down the road. They need to start from scratch. I've been in software development since the early 80s and I can tell software that is unmaintainable. And SM is just that. This is not a website that can be turned on a dime. Not even close.
A COO who spends virtually all his time on user-forum answering questions that could (and should) be answered by lesser-paid employee is a joke and a poor use of company resources. Those of you who (rightfully) complain about SM inabilty to release new features in a timely manner need look no futher than Andy. As COO, the web development would come under his purvue.
I think that's what makes a great COO, someone who actually listens and interacts with the customers on a daily basis. You just don't see that very much anymore.
Those of you who (rightfully) complain about SM inabilty to release new features in a timely manner need look no futher than Andy. As COO, the web development would come under his purvue.
A COO can have many different job descriptions. I don't think the development organization reported to Andy at Smugmug.
Good riddance! This guy was a big part of the problem at SM. A COO who spends virtually all his time on user-forum answering questions that could (and should) be answered by lesser-paid employee is a joke and a poor use of company resources. Those of you who (rightfully) complain about SM inabilty to release new features in a timely manner need look no futher than Andy. As COO, the web development would come under his purvue.
And, while I'm at it.. don't beleive all the SM PR crap that has been posted on DGrin in recent days. This is a slow moving company that has a huge backlog of features. Just go look at their bug website (I forget what it is called). There are pretty darn good feature requests out there from 8 years or more ago. SM is a non respsonsive company that can't figure out how to get from point A to point B.
Maybe a new COO will help, but I doubt it. They are too far down the road. They need to start from scratch. I've been in software development since the early 80s and I can tell software that is unmaintainable. And SM is just that. This is not a website that can be turned on a dime. Not even close.
Interesting assessment. I'd like to hear your opinion on Facebook.
Good riddance! This guy was a big part of the problem at SM. A COO who spends virtually all his time on user-forum answering questions that could (and should) be answered by lesser-paid employee is a joke and a poor use of company resources.
An interesting perspective, but I beg to differ. I always respected the fact that Andy as COO was on this forum answering questions and contributing in many ways. That type of hands on experience and exposure is what makes for a quality manager. A large part of why I have enjoyed my relationship with smugmug through the years is due to the relationships forged here on DGRIN.
My biggest fear at this point is that this relationship will be lost if SM becomes too corporate and separates itself further from it's customers.
Best of luck in your future endeavors, Andy. Thanks for all of your help to me personally in the past.
Good riddance! This guy was a big part of the problem at SM.
Wow..someone needs a hug
Let me guess you didn't get your smugmug strap on time. I don't see a bright future for you around here, so I would like to sneak in a Good riddance!..for you now..in case I don't get a chance later
Gary
I gotta say, this is just too much of a coincidence. Andy announcing he's stepping down as COO (I had no idea that was your title) and now stepping down here. In the meantime, Smugmug announces increase in price. Say what you will, but I know that Smugmug didn't just decide to raise their price overnight...this was coming down the pike.
I wish that Andy could be more forthcoming in the exact reasons. I know when COO's leave, the real reason isn't known until a few years later...unless you are a VERY close friend.
The times, they are a'changing...or something along those lines. Losing my sis, Thusie, last year and now to lose Andy here, at the place to which she introduced me what seems forever-ago, is a reminder that no matter what we think or do or want, life has and will always stubbornly follow its own path.
I clearly remember when Smugmug was small and so very, very much a family; that was always an important selling point to me and though few of us are related by blood, we are related in perhaps more important ways - respect and joy in each other's lives (as Richard Bach once put it). Like any family, we've had our "moments" but we also know that home is the place where, when you need to go there, they have to take you in.
I wish you well, Andy. And I thank you for all your patience and all your kindnesses. I hope that even though you won't be mowing the lawn and taking care of the yard here anymore you'll still show up for those long evenings spent sharing adventures and talking about everything and nothing at all.
An interesting perspective, but I beg to differ. I always respected the fact that Andy as COO was on this forum answering questions and contributing in many ways. That type of hands on experience and exposure is what makes for a quality manager. A large part of why I have enjoyed my relationship with smugmug through the years is due to the relationships forged here on DGRIN.
My biggest fear at this point is that this relationship will be lost if SM becomes too corporate and separates itself further from it's customers.
Best of luck in your future endeavors, Andy. Thanks for all of your help to me personally in the past.
I agree with you, Mitchell. I have had more than a couple of issues with SM service (I'm one of the very few who think it's not actually that good) and even when I wasn't being patient or when I was having problems, Andy was very patient and professional with me.
Oh, and I mainly think the customer service isn't that good because even though you get a response back REALLY quickly from the heroes, they don't really seem to do anything much more than supply a link to the Dgrin forums. You end up fixing the problem yourself. So what they're actually really good at is answering email fast, with very nice messages.
"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you?"
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Well I look forward to meeting you here:)
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and I do believe its true.. that there are roads left in both of our shoes..
Whoa. That's a huge compliment and I'm blushing now! Thanks so much, you've been a great online friend and you are an awesome photographer and businessman - I'm glad I was able to help you in even a small way
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Would love to meet up, Caroline! Stay tuned
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Thanks, Divamum!
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Thank you, Cindy. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here helping you and so many others. Right now, I'm frightfully busy with new opportunities, I'd love to stay on and continue to do more, hopefully SmugMug wants me to do that - if not, we'll, we'll see!
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Cheers,
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It's a shame you are so far away on the east coast as there is another photo hosting company out here on the west coast that looks like its business will be doubling or tripling over the next few months. They could probably use an experienced hand.
Tickled Pixels
Tickled Pixels Blog: "A walk in Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm"
Thanks so much, shniks! I'm not sure what the future holds but it's been wonderful to work with you and so many others here on Dgrin.
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Rae, it's truly been my pleasure!
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Dreadnote, thanks for the so very kind words. I enjoyed helping you and I hope our paths will cross again in the future
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I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
Edward Steichen
I have been a pain in the a@@ with andy on a few occasions for issues that werent looked at nor resolved and he always made it right. You can already tell the difference with the company now. The service is not the same, the customer service people are snide and well it sucks with out him there. Already miss you brother. Time to look for an alternative.
Happy you'll still be a presence here. You're a good guy.
http://mcq.smugmug.com
Good luck to you Andy in all that you do! My very best wishes to you!
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I hope you stay as a frequent contributor, your frankness is very useful.
And, while I'm at it.. don't beleive all the SM PR crap that has been posted on DGrin in recent days. This is a slow moving company that has a huge backlog of features. Just go look at their bug website (I forget what it is called). There are pretty darn good feature requests out there from 8 years or more ago. SM is a non respsonsive company that can't figure out how to get from point A to point B.
Maybe a new COO will help, but I doubt it. They are too far down the road. They need to start from scratch. I've been in software development since the early 80s and I can tell software that is unmaintainable. And SM is just that. This is not a website that can be turned on a dime. Not even close.
I think that's what makes a great COO, someone who actually listens and interacts with the customers on a daily basis. You just don't see that very much anymore.
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An interesting perspective, but I beg to differ. I always respected the fact that Andy as COO was on this forum answering questions and contributing in many ways. That type of hands on experience and exposure is what makes for a quality manager. A large part of why I have enjoyed my relationship with smugmug through the years is due to the relationships forged here on DGRIN.
My biggest fear at this point is that this relationship will be lost if SM becomes too corporate and separates itself further from it's customers.
Best of luck in your future endeavors, Andy. Thanks for all of your help to me personally in the past.
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
Let me guess you didn't get your smugmug strap on time. I don't see a bright future for you around here, so I would like to sneak in a Good riddance!..for you now..in case I don't get a chance later
Gary
I gotta say, this is just too much of a coincidence. Andy announcing he's stepping down as COO (I had no idea that was your title) and now stepping down here. In the meantime, Smugmug announces increase in price. Say what you will, but I know that Smugmug didn't just decide to raise their price overnight...this was coming down the pike.
I wish that Andy could be more forthcoming in the exact reasons. I know when COO's leave, the real reason isn't known until a few years later...unless you are a VERY close friend.
I clearly remember when Smugmug was small and so very, very much a family; that was always an important selling point to me and though few of us are related by blood, we are related in perhaps more important ways - respect and joy in each other's lives (as Richard Bach once put it). Like any family, we've had our "moments" but we also know that home is the place where, when you need to go there, they have to take you in.
I wish you well, Andy. And I thank you for all your patience and all your kindnesses. I hope that even though you won't be mowing the lawn and taking care of the yard here anymore you'll still show up for those long evenings spent sharing adventures and talking about everything and nothing at all.
PJ.
"Where beauty moves and wit delights and signs of kindness bind me; there, oh there, whe'er I go I leave my heart behind me." (Thomas Ford, 1607)
I agree with you, Mitchell. I have had more than a couple of issues with SM service (I'm one of the very few who think it's not actually that good) and even when I wasn't being patient or when I was having problems, Andy was very patient and professional with me.
Oh, and I mainly think the customer service isn't that good because even though you get a response back REALLY quickly from the heroes, they don't really seem to do anything much more than supply a link to the Dgrin forums. You end up fixing the problem yourself. So what they're actually really good at is answering email fast, with very nice messages.
http://mcq.smugmug.com