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vtac

vapor junkie
Staff member
Hi. I'm vtac, and I've been missing. For almost 10 years this place has been my home and my home away. For the last year or so I haven't been around nearly enough because I foolishly let personal issues get the better of me. It's humiliating and I feel awful for neglecting the people and things that mean the most to me. This includes fc as well as the more traditional aspects in life. In short, I wasn't out having fun.

--

This community is amazing and I have to say thank you so much to everyone who sent positive vibes, it means more than you might think and won't be forgotten. Of course uncertainty spawns rumors, and unfortunately some misleading things have been said recently which I feel the need to address. One that stings the most is the the assertion that I've personally been sitting back rolling in advertising money, having given up on fc. To put it simply I gave up on myself and the feeling of being powerless to do anything felt like absolute shit every day.

It's equally as painful because this site was created as an antithesis to the vaporizer-company owned "review" sites of 2007, and advertising has always been relegated to bare minimum. In truth I've embarrasingly been out of contact with a majority of fc's sponsors for nearly a year and haven't collected a dime from them despite being in a difficult spot financially.

Authenticity and trust are paradigms fc was built on and that vision has never changed. When retailers first inquired about advertising I struggled with the idea. Two years after the site started, three text links were added to the bottom of the page. It was the most unobtrusive advertising I could come up with and it hasn't changed much since.

Truly, if the goal was to make lots of money, I've been screwing that up for nearly a decade. Relatively immense amounts of money could have been made by incorporating a store into the site. I get advertising offers almost daily - some very lucrative - all of which are turned down. You don't see pop-ups or banner ads here for a reason. We don't use or allow affiliate links. fc hasn't sent a single unsolicited email or sold your information, including cookie-based tracking on my watch. All standard practices in online advertising, but we don't do it here because money isn't the impetus. I've seen a bunch of numbers thrown around, none correct. The reality is that the terms were suggested by retailers themselves and haven't changed for close to 7 years. The number of advertisers hasn't changed much either. They are loyal and so are we.

I've also heard some surprisingly disparaging remarks regarding the time it took for fc to attract members. Personally I couldn't be more proud of the fact that this community grew organically. On the contrary I feel it's upsetting when a community of great people is built using negativity, deception, plagarism, and opportunism. It is also somewhat ironic and telling when a new site pops up amidst all of this with advertising right out of the gate. I wish our former moderator all the best and would not have spoken a word on these topics, however it's become painfully clear that ugly things are being said, and in disinformation ulterior motives often lurk.

Also worrying are member reports of unsolicited emails painting fc in a negative light while inviting them elsewhere. I don't believe our member information was compromised en masse, however it's apparent that some members' private information was exploited. This is deeply regrettable and I apologize to anyone who had their privacy disregarded.

It feels terrible to be discussing these matters here. I don't like talking about myself or getting caught up in drama, however after the number of messages I've received on these topics it was impossible to stay silent. When something you love is being attacked you have to stand up. I know I've let a lot of people down and intend to make good. As always don't believe everything you hear and keep in mind that a story usually has more than one side.

--

Going forward it feels good to be back home at fc and I'm excited for what the future holds. I'm aware of the technical issues that need addressing along with some general housekeeping. Much of this is long overdue and I apologize for the inconvenience that it has caused. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who has so graciously helped out during this time, and to those helping me get back on my feet. You know who you are, even if you won't read this, thank you.

I've been told that there has been some disagreements with staff here and the blame lies squarely at my feet. I'm confident that while feelings may have been bruised when emotions ran high, intentions were good and hearts were likely in the right places. Friends sometimes fight, and misunderstanding and miscommunication often creep in to make a tough situation worse. It won't be long before those disagreements are with me directly. :D


If you've sent me a private conversation message or an email I most likely haven't responded. Sorry about that. The pile towers much higher than I've been in a long time and while an attempt will be made to get through it, please feel free to resend your message.

Thanks for making this place what it is and rest assured there are some great things in the pipeline. :)
 
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CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
I'm just glad that you are doing fine and hanging in there. This site has been a real lifesaver for me when I was going through some major anxiety. Your mind gets occupied with other conversations and before I know it I feel better.

Thank you for creating this place. I've met many wonderful people.

A group of folks coming together with many of the same views out of life and it's not just the weed.
 

Vitolo

Vaporist
For the last year or so I haven't been around nearly enough because I foolishly let personal issues get the better of me. I
Everyone lets personal issues cloud their vision during overwhelming times... this is how we are built.
Heal among friends, @vtac ..... it is a safe place to be.
Remember also, that when personal issues cloud our thinking, and overwhelm us, it is only human to personalize things.
Please try hard to not personalize or find reason to blame yourself for what is past, and now chronologically out of your control. I can admit to the past, but I can not beat up on the @Vitolo of a year ago, as he no longer exists... and I can not look down upon the @Vitolo of today for the past, because he ain't the same guy.
The only things we can change are our tomorrows.
Your work here is testimony enough of your intent.
Your return and this post are testimony to your loyalty to us.
Welcome home.
 
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biohacker

Well-Known Member
@vtac i've been here in some form since they beginning and want to thank you for the past 10 years and let you know how much we appreciate your work and this forum!

I'm looking forward to the future of FC and having you back!

@Vitolo - your words have had a massive impact on my day today....so thank you for your wisdom and life experiences.... i'm going to re-read that a few more times.
 
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biohacker

Well-Known Member
I certainly hope you are talking about combustion as your peek on the other side. To try and make a competition or choosing of sides, would be low brass. Especially coming from a person who's been here from the "beginning". :hmm:

I haven't combusted since I fucked combustion in the summer of 2006.

And I think you misperceived my words, so please send me a PM ;) Nobody is choosing sides or making anything a competition, so please don't bring stuff like that up.

And for the record, I much prefer it here over GrassCity. But thanks for your concerns.
 
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1DMF

Old School Cheesy Quaver
I have no idea what this is about @vtac, but have nothing but kind words to say about every person I have spoken to on this amazing forum, that quite possibly saved my life. I thanked everyone in a personal post and I will do it again - Thank You.

As for intrusive advertising, if you visit my own hobby dance music site, you won't find any advertising whatsoever other than the free music the artists on my label give away.

I run this for the love of EDM and always swore I would never use intrusive advertising.

Whether one day I need to monetise my site who knows, I do it for love and a passion for music, and this will always come first before any annoying pop-ups / unders / overs - piss right off-ers!

Nor would I ever sell the information my members or visitors provide me. I even removed Google Analytics so I could say fuck-you to the EU Cookie Directive & Google. I wrote my own analytics that doesn't use cookies!

So if I'm reading between the lines here, I understand how difficult this can be, especially if you want to stay true to your heart and where others opinions are involved, or the good will of volunteers.

I hope you find the right balance because, your forum is awesome, the people are awesome, this community is awesome, so what ever has been going on behind the scenes I hope you all find peace, and this place continues to thrive.

Good luck and god bless!
 

Vitolo

Vaporist
I certainly hope you are talking about combustion as your peek on the other side
I am not sure I understand.
I searched the page using a careful eye, and found no reference to a peek on the other side.
And I think you misperceived my words,
You are both long time and well respected members and I am sure a PM would clear up any misunderstanding.
I sure was confused by it.... But I realize that members have a period of time to alter or edit words out of their posts... and so I now believe that this confusing interaction involved some editing of words.
Let's forget that, and all get back to rejoicing that @vtac is safe.
 
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biohacker

Well-Known Member
God bless YOU again for your words of wisdom, which I have also passed on today to touch the heart of someone else I care about. You are a true asset to this community, as one of the originals. So nice again for @vtac to let us know he's around, and i'm looking forward to the future of FC with new mods!

It's so weird to see all the different cycles of FC....ups and downs, new members, etc over time.... and everything that vtac said in his note came as a surprise....because I had idea what was going on behind the scenes with accusations, etc.

I really respect the ad-free forum, and vtac's firm stance on no advertising. Class!
 

underdog

shade-tree vapor engineer
Manufacturer
Welcome back @vtac we're glad to see you and to know that you're keeping on keeping on with FC.

FC is the only community online where users and manufacturers can mingle and interact in an organic way and that's a really wonderful thing for all of us. It's a place with a real sense of inclusion, welcoming both neophytes and experts and I really think one of the only places out there where users (for the most part) really feel like and treat each other as friends and family.

We're grateful for FC, we're grateful for you. You've got our support, loyalty and friendship (if and when you want it) and we've got your back. :2c:
 

Vitolo

Vaporist
I'm feeling a little Schpilkas in my gazinka.
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