The Dink Network

I first started The Dink Network as a small web site called "redink1's Smallnet" just over six years ago. It was competing against the other, established Dink sites such as Smokin' E's Dink Page, The Dink Woods, The Dink Source, The Dink Smallweb, and a multitude of others.

But, through sheer perseverance, this web site survived as the others gradually stopped updating. What followed was a long period of change, as the name changed to 'The Dink Network', staff members came and left, message boards were changed and changed again, and different designs were played with.

It has been one heck of a six years. But there's one more change that needs to take place...

Within a few months or years, after Generation 9 and Miasma 3 have been implemented and I am assured they are working correctly, I am proud to say that Tal will take over as webmaster of The Dink Network.

Read the comments for more information.

I plan on still being around, but as more of a shadow gliding this way and that. I probably won't post much, if at all.

As for my D-Mods, I am not quite sure. After working on Initiation off and on for over a year, and having it come out as flawed as ever, I'm a little bit tired of creating D-Mods.

I do plan on releasing Initiation either late this month or early next (waiting on some voice acting while I squash some bugs the beta testers experienced).

I'll probably cut Paragon down to Romp/Quest status, and I do want to finish FIAT v1.00 as I had originally envisioned. The final chapter may end up as a romp.

So what is it that makes you leave? getting bored of this stuff?

Ah man, it had to happen , but I understand your reasons - even the King has to move on. 6 years is a lot of time and I appreciate all that you've done with your site. Good luck with whatever you do next...

With Tal stepping up to the throne I'm sure things will be very interesting, and the network will be alive more noobies to find.

Wow, you can just give up that sort of life and death power? To Tal?

In all seriousness:

1. It is literally impossible to burn your bridges here. No matter what you say, no one will judge you if you leave completely, or if you return. They will simply take it in stride.

2. Dink is not finished. But of the authors who have created "excellent" Dmods, none now remain active. Dink is, in many ways, still a unique product, but one day it won't be: someone will trick up something which gives the user even more control, and comes with bigger source and graphics libraries. Until then Dink will limp on.

3. In your shoes, I would regret spending my time WMing. I mean, that can't look all that great on a resume. But you've done, as far as I can tell, a dang good job.

4. You don't spend six years on something like this and forget it completely. We all know that. But you may well forget it for months at a time.

5. Your link is to yourself instead of Tal.

6. I have to complement you on the way you're done this, which is both classy and honest. But as I said above, even posting this cannot compell you to leave. No one will judge you if you change your mind, or if you don't.

7. I'd say good luck, but I don't know what with.

It's kinda weird to be sad about this, I mean, this is just some website, and you're just some webmaster. right? no man, this site is the coolest one I've ever visited, and I blame you. You rawk man. The good news is ofcourse a successor already has been found, and a good one at that. I wish both you and Tal good luck with your new goals, but we will never forget you. And dude, don't expect ME to believe you'll just be a shadow and all. Wanna bet you get the DMOD virus at a time and you'll start working on one again? Just wait

Tal is a good choice!
If you don't make a 1 post a week atleast, we will report you as missing
Or a psycho-killer on loose
Peace out man!

Shut up man!

To further clarify, I expect to remain as active as I have been up until the change takes place. I'm not sure if that was clear.

As a general reply to several posts:

So what is it that makes you leave? getting bored of this stuff?

Not really. There's always something new to do as the webmaster of The Dink Network, and I'm still learning new things to do with D-Mods.

What it boils down to is I have few friends, fewer enemies, and I have this weird idea that this might be the kick in the rear I need to make that change (well, the enemy count can remain the same). I suspect I am already too late, though.

MiloBones: I don't think I'm going to change my mind. I was originally going to leave in the summer of 1999 or 2000, but there wasn't really anybody to take my place, and I dropped that idea for a while.

And thanks for your kind comments, and yes, Tal roxorz.

Well, it's been a long time friend, but a good time.

Good luck, and so you know, it's never to late. Never.

Long live the King.

hmmm. technically redink is not really leaving at all he is still going to be around the community doing things here and there (probaly) only change is that Tal will be the new webmaster (which will be interesting ) (my thoughts)

Yeah, man, whoever your guidance councilor was in highschool really dropped the ball on this one. I mean, they warn you about drugs, pregnancies, but they forget to caution you about RPGs. The re5pect must be more addictive than heroin.

nononononnononno. tal?!? he cant even do a fudgeing 'ask tal' right.

seriously tal dont fudge this up or im comin after you.

Why? I think Tal would do a good job. It would definitely be a bit...different, though.

Eheh, it isn't as if Dink is the major reason for the things I mentioned, but it is an outlying, supporting factor.

Aww... You have been the greatest webmaster ever. Dont leave

Anyone smell that? GET YOUR BOOTS, cause you're knee deep in some BULLCRAP!

I think you're in denial

You've been awesomely great. I for one will really miss you when you're off making these new changes in your life. Good luck in all your endeavors. I know you will succeed in whatever you do. Best of wishes to you. When you actually kick off this channel, I will be !

We'll miss you redink. I guess it's better that yo leave now and pursue your other goals. At least you'll remember Dink in its greatness, before it looses its charm and you're only left with sad memories. Stick around for awhile though. You'll be sorely missed.

I and the others wil miss you redink1 you have been a great webmaster, the tal was a good choice

Well...Only thing that i can say is what others have already said...

Well Dan, you've done a lot for the Dink community by being the webmaster of now the only Dink fansite around. Thanks a lot

Good luck with everything you're gonna do after Tal takes over the webmastership

Well... That certainly came unexpected. I wouldn't have ever gotten involved with the Dink community if it weren't for Redink... The timeline job is what drew me in in the first place.

Anyway, it's funny, I was thinking some time ago about how long you've been around and you didn't show any signs of fatigue or quitting.

Either way, I wish you luck in whatever further endeavours you'll pursue, even though they're still some time away.

I think it's fair to say the community will never be the same again after you leave, whether you admit it or not. Tal may do a good job, but he's no Redink

It will certainly be sad to see Dan the Man go. Not only has he contributed far more the the community than anybody else (with 49 files to his name! Will Initiation be the big 50 and bowing out d-mod?) but he has, essentially, created the community in many respects. After all, I doubt many Dinkers associate any other site with Dink, above this one.

We will all sorely miss him.

Oh yeah, and well done Tal! I'm sure you will make a good (and intriguing) webmaster when the time comes.

I think I've seen 5 years of redink1's rule. Each of them having been a good year, and that's of course due to all of the people who have been around and whom I've become friends with.. but the one person that earns the respect is the one guy who kept it all going. Really, I think it's a dang good job you did with the whole mess of us.

(I'll sound like a kiss-ass, but what the heck: do you have that tradition of "Friend-books", those things that you give out to friends so that they can fill in their personal info? Well, they ask for Your Idols, and I generally keep filling in Dan Walma as one of them. Just so you know.)

Dear God...

ReDink...youve given more to this place than ANYONE! Not only D-Mod's, but as webmaster. Normally webmaster would mean little, but with a place teeming with flames youve endured it like...uh...Dink would I guess?

The first forum I went to I was a member there for two years and became a pillar of the community. Then the adjoining website that the forum belonged to died...and so did the forum. It was from there that I wandered here...

What are we gonna do? I mean Tal seriously is just as witty as you and just as well meaning...its not that were gonna be lacking a webmaster, but what about all the D-Mod support? There's gonna be a huge void where your insight used to be. I can only pray another author can make files as good as you or Simon Klaebe can...who knows...maybe I will.

I suppose with all youve learned from using DinkC maybe you want to be a programmer or do some computer based work...you'll go far not only with your knowledge, but your unstoppable will to make things!

(sob's),
The Vault Dweller

How many times do we have to tell you? It's RED-INK, not RE-DINK.

I DONT CARE! It just makes more sense that way...besides until ReDink corrects me I wont stop!

Not so Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

You will be missed. I wish you much success in all your future endeavors. Will we ever find out who won the age old bet between you and Merlin? (If this is a joke, I swear you will loose that bet )

>^..^<

Hey STD, I mean VD, STFU! It's RedInk1, and I think I would know, I've known him since 1999, and I used to call him ReDink.

Shut The fudgefully Up your's,
The Noob Cannon

Suddenly, everything makes sense...thanks WC!

Hey have you considered being webmaster? I think you or Tal could do it. Anyone want to vote...oh wait RedInk1 established a Monarchy so he chooses the successor...

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

Was that a.. sarcastic comment?

Actually, you're both wrong. It is simply 'redink1', no capital letters whatsoever. I don't really care how people pronounce it, though I've always thought of it as 'red ink one'.

And no, VD, The Dink Network is not a Monarchy. The Dink Network is a benevolent dictatorship.

I added the capital letters on purpose, just to show how to say it.

You did a great job, and I'm sure Tal will too.

Take care of yourself, wherever you go, and best wishes.

!

It's Rey! Hi!

Wow, disappear to the middle of nowhere for a while and this happens. Sad to see you go, redink, and congratulations Tal!

youve done a great job with this site redink1, good luck with whatever your going to do next, and tal was a good choice.

even though i'm just a n00b, i'll miss you.

I'm sad to see you go man, what changed between the time I last mailed you and now?

I'm not sure. I think I was a little bit in denial, or I may be going insane. Or maybe I had waffles too much for breakfast.

I think Redink1 is going insane...he just said he had "waffles too much for breakfast" when he should have said "too many waffles for breakfast".

Forgive me Im bored.

,
The Vault Dweller

OR he meant that he had eaten the waffles too much for breakfast, instead of eating them for lunch.

You are already insane (like the rest of us here) Mr. redink1, shortage of banana's in your area?? (refering to waffles instead of banana's for breakfast).

Man, did you know you could make waffles with banana's mashed in the batter? That just kicks ass! Oh man I had waffles today for lunch...I should have done that. Now I just want a banana!

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

Why are leaving, redink? You made some kickass mods in your time and handing over power to the dark-side-turned Tal ( ) hardly seems necessary.