Discussion
Spuffington said:
Part of me thinks we should be organising a meet or something in Matt's honour. Clearly no way of gauging how his family feels about this, but feel it would be a fitting tribute to him.
BMWLand was a relatively tight-knit community amongst its core supporters and we were only so because of Matt's forum. I can't help but think it would be good for us to organise something to show how much we appreciated what he did for the community.
What are other people's thoughts and is anyone in touch with any of the Mods who knew him personally or may be liasing with his family? Clearly, if the family want to grieve in peace, that's understandable but remember a really big and overwhelming support for the family of a chap who sadly passed too early on S2ki UK a few years back and was a big comfort to his family.
I'd love to help keep BMWLand alive in Matt's memory but sadly have no IT skills but happy to be called upon for anything else which could be done.
Re the meet - I'd very much second that. It's a really good call. Even though I've never met Matt or really knew him, I feel very sad about it all. You get a flavour of a person through their deeds - and BMW Land was clearly the product of a benevolent personality.BMWLand was a relatively tight-knit community amongst its core supporters and we were only so because of Matt's forum. I can't help but think it would be good for us to organise something to show how much we appreciated what he did for the community.
What are other people's thoughts and is anyone in touch with any of the Mods who knew him personally or may be liasing with his family? Clearly, if the family want to grieve in peace, that's understandable but remember a really big and overwhelming support for the family of a chap who sadly passed too early on S2ki UK a few years back and was a big comfort to his family.
I'd love to help keep BMWLand alive in Matt's memory but sadly have no IT skills but happy to be called upon for anything else which could be done.
Obviously, it would be wonderful if the forum could continue, but I've no idea about the practicalities involved. I fear that it won't be all that easy. That said, I really hope it does continue somehow. It's an excellent resource and friendly community and it would no doubt be a very fitting legacy to the work he put into it.
It's very sad.
Spuffington said:
Part of me thinks we should be organising a meet or something in Matt's honour. Clearly no way of gauging how his family feels about this, but feel it would be a fitting tribute to him.
BMWLand was a relatively tight-knit community amongst its core supporters and we were only so because of Matt's forum. I can't help but think it would be good for us to organise something to show how much we appreciated what he did for the community.
What are other people's thoughts and is anyone in touch with any of the Mods who knew him personally or may be liasing with his family? Clearly, if the family want to grieve in peace, that's understandable but remember a really big and overwhelming support for the family of a chap who sadly passed too early on S2ki UK a few years back and was a big comfort to his family.
I'd love to help keep BMWLand alive in Matt's memory but sadly have no IT skills but happy to be called upon for anything else which could be done.
Dunno, I'm a bit split on this. Sentiment is laudable, genuinely, just not sure how it would play out and how it would be perceived.BMWLand was a relatively tight-knit community amongst its core supporters and we were only so because of Matt's forum. I can't help but think it would be good for us to organise something to show how much we appreciated what he did for the community.
What are other people's thoughts and is anyone in touch with any of the Mods who knew him personally or may be liasing with his family? Clearly, if the family want to grieve in peace, that's understandable but remember a really big and overwhelming support for the family of a chap who sadly passed too early on S2ki UK a few years back and was a big comfort to his family.
I'd love to help keep BMWLand alive in Matt's memory but sadly have no IT skills but happy to be called upon for anything else which could be done.
Edited by Osinjak on Saturday 25th July 19:53
A few of us BMW Land regulars are on this thread - http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,11661....
BMWLand was an exceedingly helpful and friendly forum, and I'm very grateful for the advice and help I've received over my many years of BMW ownership.
RIP Matt.
I've no idea what could be done to possibly resurrect the site, but as web software developer with many years of web app and database development experience, I would be happy to help in anyway.
RIP Matt.
I've no idea what could be done to possibly resurrect the site, but as web software developer with many years of web app and database development experience, I would be happy to help in anyway.
I can confirm that Matt Hinton the administrator of BMWLand passed away on 30th April after a long traumatic illness. He leaves a wife (one of my closest friends) and 18 year old son. He is the Matt Hinton on muchloved.com and if anyone wants to donate to Lymphoma Association, it would be fitting and appreciated.
The passwords of the site were on his laptop and the family are trying to break into the laptop (they have sources to help with this) and also decide what to do with the site. As you can appreciate the site's future is on the list of many administrative items Mrs Hinton needs to address following his death and I ask for some space whilst she decides. I will send her the link to this thread, I am sure she will appreciate the thoughts for her and her family.
The passwords of the site were on his laptop and the family are trying to break into the laptop (they have sources to help with this) and also decide what to do with the site. As you can appreciate the site's future is on the list of many administrative items Mrs Hinton needs to address following his death and I ask for some space whilst she decides. I will send her the link to this thread, I am sure she will appreciate the thoughts for her and her family.
Terrible news 
Can I just point out that it should be possible to boot the forum database server into rescue mode (or if a Windows server, boot a Linux rescue VM), mount the disk and get the data off (assuming it wasn't encrypted, but I doubt that). If anyone wants some assistance with this I'm sure one of the guys in the office would be more than happy to help ...
Condolences to the family.
Can I just point out that it should be possible to boot the forum database server into rescue mode (or if a Windows server, boot a Linux rescue VM), mount the disk and get the data off (assuming it wasn't encrypted, but I doubt that). If anyone wants some assistance with this I'm sure one of the guys in the office would be more than happy to help ...
Condolences to the family.
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