Robin has left SRP

Robin decided to have his account permanently closed. It therefore no
longer accepts incoming private messages. In order to preempt speculation and rumors, we (Robin and I) decided to inform you about his reasons for stepping down.

Robin was heavily involved in co-ordinating our efforts to build a central
knowledgebase for all things straight razor (known now as our Wiki), as well as other efforts in developing the various components that make up our site.

During our discussions about the redesign of the site, we both came to
realise that we had different ideas about certain - mainly technical -
aspects of SPR's future course. Eventually, we came to the conclusion that we should agree to disagree. Since Robin's primary role was that of the head of our development team, he felt it was a natural step to step down permanently.

I would like to thank Robin for his loyal support of SRP's aims, and everything he has done here.

Stepping down as the head of our development team and having his account permanently closed sound like two different things. I am sad to hear this. Robin contributed quite a bit not only to the content of this site, but also played a significant role in making SRP what it is today. This is our loss.

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Originally Posted by RayG

Stepping down as the head of our development team and having his account permanently closed sound like two different things. I am sad to hear this. Robin contributed quite a bit not only to the content of this site, but also played a significant role in making SRP what it is today. This is our loss.

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Yep, I agree on all scores. Had wondered where he was.

This is a real shame. I will miss his great, comprehensive reviews that are a great source of reference and unmistakenable wit that often made me smile behind the computer screen. Best wishes.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

During our discussions about the redesign of the site, we both came to
realise that we had different ideas about certain - mainly technical -
aspects of SPR's future course. Eventually, we came to the conclusion that we should agree to disagree. Since Robin's primary role was that of the head of our development team, he felt it was a natural step to step down permanently.

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I don't want to appear to rock the boat, but as mentioned, it's one thing to step down from that role, but another to have your account closed.

I truly believe his absence is a severe blow to SRP as a source of unbiased information & analysis of methods & theories.
Site development work goes largely, & no doubt unfairly, unnoticed. However, looking at the reviews section, you quickly realise that a significant amount of the useful content has been contributed by Robin.
He is a man who requires a certain amount of scientific fact to back things up, rather than simple acceptance without thought. It does appear that he can be fairly uncompromising with regards to his own views, but there is nothing wrong with a man who has conviction.

Thanks Robin.

You're my boy Robin....You're my boy.

YouTube - Dust In The Wind[

I knew of this...his username title showed it a while back (Former SRP developer). I appreciated his insights and input.

I agree with Ray in saying that stepping down and permanently closing his account are two, entirely different things. As such, I believe there was more to it than that.

I just don't understand how different the thinking/philosophy must have been to prompt such an abrupt and total departure/resignation from SRP :shrug:. But to me, this action (whether unilateral or not) signals a major, yet fundamental philosophical change in SRP's thinking for the future of the site. Time will reveal what this is.

This site's functional attributes have his signature all over them and I, for one, hope that whoever takes over will do half as good of a job as he did...There's a lot of shoes to fill and it is my sincerest wish that we don't start seeing this "evolution" run its course backwards.

I, will miss Robin's inputs and comments, and review (and etc, etc, etc...) very much. That void is already apparent...that voice (or vocal commentary, if you will) is now missing.

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Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

to me, this action (whether unilateral or not) signals a major, yet fundamental philosophical change in SRP's thinking for the future of the site.

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Or a major fundamental difference in one developer's vision of changes that in his opinion were needed for the site. Or something else entirely...
Stop looking for a conspiracy or assuming that the administration of SRP has done something wrong. Most of us don't know all the facts, and there are a lot of reasons that someone might leave and request to have their account closed.

Thanks to Robin for the work on the Wiki and database, thanks to SRP and it's administration for being what it is, and thanks to Bruno for the notification.

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Originally Posted by HNSB

Stop looking for a conspiracy or assuming that the administration of SRP has done something wrong. Most of us don't know all the facts, and there are a lot of reasons that someone might leave and request to have their account closed.

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Who's looking for a conspiracy? All I said was these things are usually a departure in two peoples' way of thinking. No assumptions, and no blames (on SRP or Robin).

I wrote that poorly. Only the first line of what I wrote was in regards to your post bladerunner. I was just stating that SRP hasn't necessarily changed their vision for the future. (I don't know if they have or not...)

The comment about looking for SRP to have done something wrong was in reference to some of the other posts.

I didn't mean to offend.

No offense taken :). Point taken

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Originally Posted by HNSB

I wrote that poorly. Only the first line of what I wrote was in regards to your post bladerunner. I was just stating that SRP hasn't necessarily changed their vision for the future. (I don't know if they have or not...)

The comment about looking for SRP to have done something wrong was in reference to some of the other posts.

I didn't mean to offend.

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So does this mean that regular Joes can go back to writing reviews unscathed? :w

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

So does this mean that regular Joes can go back to writing reviews unscathed? :w

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:D

That did make me smile, despite myself.

Actually, this is not the first time this has happened.
When Byron decided that he did not have the time to be part of SRP anymore, he also requested that his account be closed when he stepped down. I suppose that was his way of affirming the decision to move on.

Robin is not the first to resign, and also not the first to request his account closed. After his request we mailed back and forth a couple of times, and decided that this announcement would be the best way to avoid backroom speculation.

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Originally Posted by ben.mid

:D
Originally Posted by Ryan82 http://straightrazorpalace.com/image...s/viewpost.gif
So does this mean that regular Joes can go back to writing reviews unscathed?

That did make me smile, despite myself.

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Me too, as did the part of your post about conviction, Ben! :)

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Actually, this is not the first time this has happened.
When Byron decided that he did not have the time to be part of SRP anymore, he also requested that his account be closed when he stepped down. I suppose that was his way of affirming the decision to move on.

Robin is not the first to resign, and also not the first to request his account closed. After his request we mailed back and forth a couple of times, and decided that this announcement would be the best way to avoid backroom speculation.

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I know Bruno...but, I am still going to miss his presence.

Ladies and gentlemen:

I was grateful for Robin's intelligent and well-written posts.

I was grateful for Robin's well-thought out reviews.

I was grateful for Robin's no nonsense approach to everything.

Most of all, I am grateful for Robin's friendship.

Regards,
Obie

I for one am fairly certain the Illuminati is behind all this.

Best of luck to Robin in his future endeavors! :tu :tu

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Originally Posted by bassguy

I for one am fairly certain the Illuminati is behind all this.

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He is probably being detained at Gitmo or Area 51 as we speak!

My gosh, is nothing sacred with you guys?

He's not even "cold", and there's a NEW user with the "Robin" username.

Heck, even the Cavaliers retired LeBron James' number!!

Is nothing sacred??

:w

Q: Has Elvis left the building?

I guess this is Just the way of things.
People come and go, priorities shift, goals change.
As I understand IT, BeBerlin has been a resource to this site for some time. For that he has my gratitude. Surely he's role will be filled by someone else in due time. Life goes on and all that..

I have missed his posts in recent months. I remember reading some his reviews and posts while lurking before joining. That man can write exceptionally well and is a true critic. His Blenheim Bouquet review of Pehaligon's cream was so enticing that I departed with a whole £35, which was the most I had ever spent on a shaving cream!

A valuable member here and you will be missed. I especially liked his 'how to write a review' that slaughtered over enthusiastic noobs that gave one liners like 'this is the best stuff ever!'

Robin's stern German response was something like 'So you've only tried one other cream before this? Well good for you, but what authority have you to even attempt to review another? Awesome, a true character.


While on the subject of characters, some of you may remember Seraphim. Where's he gone? He was a cynical shaver as well.

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Originally Posted by Scipio

A valuable member here and you will be missed. I especially liked his 'how to write a review' that slaughtered over enthusiastic noobs that gave one liners like 'this is the best stuff ever!'

Robin's stern German response was something like 'So you've only tried one other cream before this? Well good for you, but what authority have you to even attempt to review another? Awesome, a true character.


While on the subject of characters, some of you may remember Seraphim. Where's he gone? He was a cynical shaver as well.

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I'm not sure how you can classify that as "awesome", but I digress....

As for Seraphim, if I'm not mistaken he left in a bit of a snit over the whole Gold Dollar thread debacle. Haven't seen him here for a while.

Every person who joins this site makes a contribution to it whether a member or higher and eventually circumstances change and people depart. We are all thankful for their contributions whether big or small and the site goes on. Does anymore have to be said on the subject?

scipio,

Re Seraphim

I think he posts on the Straight Razor pages of B&B.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

See now this is why I find this site refreshing. This isn`t going to degenerate into an argument or slanging match is it? It`s so nice to be a member of a forum full of such gentlemen :) I`m afraid I`m too new here to comment on Robin as I know nothing about the situation but I just wanted to say that......

Thanx for the heads up Bruno. I'll miss Robin's input but change is the only constant.
I'm sure the Wiki will be well managed but glad it's not my job. I broke it once :p

Stepping down and closing one's account are 2 entirely different things IMHO. I just have this feeling there's more going on than only a difference of opinion on
certain technical matters.

Bruno, I am afraid you have not preempted speculation.

This is the problem of official announcements: their only purpose is to tell the audience what's considered safe for them to know, which is not necessarily the whole truth.

nuf said on this topic gents.

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Originally Posted by Kees

Stepping down and closing one's account are 2 entirely different things IMHO. I just have this feeling there's more going on than only a difference of opinion on
certain technical matters.

Bruno, I am afraid you have not preempted speculation.

This is the problem of official announcements: their only purpose is to tell the audience what's considered safe for them to know, which is not necessarily the whole truth.

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"Young man, you act as though the Sword of Damocles is hanging over your head" Ohhhh, you must be psychic!!! Speculation is as Speculation does.......

Oh My........we have entered the INTERNET ZONE!!!!!

Yeah Bruno, quit trying to be so honest with people will ya........:)

Have fun,

Lynn

Sigh... Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I've long since accepted that there will always be people who don't try to work with us, but try to stir the pot instead. However, it annoys me that some people apparently think that I would be stupid enough to lie, much less lie in public.

I mentioned that Robin resigned, and that he requested his account closed. I mentioned that we created this announcement together. And I am still friends with Robin, just like before he resigned. I would have to be monumentally stupid to lie about any of those things when I know that Robin will also read this.

As for not knowing everything: you are right, we don't always tell everything. We have various good reasons not to. Not to hurt people, not to violate their privacy, not to get into legal trouble, not to wake sleeping dogs, etc. This is why we don't usually discuss reasons for banning people. That is between them and us.

This is also why I posted this announcement: that Robin was not banned (or asked to leave or whatever).
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.