.:`=-~rANdOm~`-=:. Game Servers

Discussion => Discussion => Topic started by: Tiger Guy on January 20, 2016, 01:14:53 AM

Title: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Tiger Guy on January 20, 2016, 01:14:53 AM: For those who know me, you would probably assume that it would be out of place for me to make a post like this. But I feel like making one since it's been looming on my mind for a few months now.

I would like to thank everyone in the RND community. Even the people that I didn't like at one point. You guys helped define my late childhood/early adulthood.

Before I got into the RND community, I was a total newbie as this whole computer gaming/gaming community thing. I honestly did not know what I was getting myself into when I first opened up GMOD six years ago. The only experience I had of it was of a friend at school telling me about it.

I hopped around a few servers, but none really caught my eye. It wasn't until I joined the RND ZS server that I discovered a server that I enjoyed for the gameplay and the people in it. I might still have the piece of paper I wrote the forum URL on in my room, unless if my mom threw it away.

When I joined the forum and became a regular on the servers, I discovered a place that I truly loved. This place was pretty much my only hangout spot throughout 8th grade and most of high school. Even if I did not have many friends to talk to at school, I was not lonely since I knew that my online friends would be on and ready to game.

This place is where I discovered the true internet. I got used to the trolls/minges, interacting with 'interesting' people, and seeing how weird the internet can be at times. In the past I was somewhat scared of the internet, since I had an outside view in. Once I got in, I realized that the internet was not as bad as advertised.

I have had my issues with various users that were VERY publicized in the past. Part of me regrets playing such a huge part of something so silly, but another part of me is glad I did. Not because I did it, but because it taught me how NOT to engage situations in were you think something fishy was going on.

I've seen hundreds of people on here that I knew by username come and go in the past, and it's kind of heartbreaking. I wish they could have stayed, but they have free will and can do whatever they want. It might seem that I kind of drifted away from here too, but I still am here. I just do not interact with people on here as much. I am still up for playing el video juegos with you guys (especially CSGO) if I have the time for it.

Even if I use other sites now way more than this one, the RND forums still holds a special place. It was the first community website that I frequented daily for years. It helped me get used to how people communicated on the internet and how to talk to others. I do not know what I would be doing right now if I did not ever discover this place.

Many people see playing video games as a waste of time, but I see it the other way. I see it as time earned; or time spent doing something I enjoy. I see my hours in GMOD, and think "Damn, I really spent around 2000 hours having fun with my RND peeps". I do not regret any of those thousands of hours playing or talking with you guys, maybe except when I had conflicts with some of you.

I would like to thank coolz for making all of this possible, and the community for existing. It may not seem like it, but you guys were a huge part of my teenage years. If I were to do it again, I would only play on the RND servers more. I believe that I would be a different person for the worse if I never discovered this community. It really opened up my mind to different things. Six years ago I was a 13 year old with like two RL friends that only could really connect to people if I talked about sports. Now I am a 20 year old that's into many things like anime or competitive CS, but has a group of friends despite being a huge nerd. I also learned that I had to stand up for myself if I wanted to get anything in life.

I might not be in the best of times right now, but I know that I had most of them in the past with you guys. I might have only went to one party in high school/college, but the amount of times I have hanged with you guys and raised hell in GMOD/other games is worth it.

I hope it was not too hard to read what I said above, since I do have a weird way of wording things. To put it in a short paragraph;

I am really glad I spent my teenage years with you guys and would do it again if I could. This is not a goodbye, but a thank you letter to the whole community. I will more than likely be here in a few months/years and if coolz tries another server comeback. If I ever become stupid rich, I will make Yomocorp a reality and help coolz & yomo end ddos and minges for good.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: YomoFox on January 21, 2016, 02:50:44 AM: Your welcome
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: ٶȻhriʂ on January 21, 2016, 03:15:15 AM: his welcome
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Cable on January 22, 2016, 04:33:05 AM: (http://i.imgur.com/Mf9JHzi.jpg)
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: yoshi on January 22, 2016, 02:29:17 PM: No problem.

also, same.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: coolzeldad on January 23, 2016, 12:57:37 AM: I know a lot of rNd peeps share the same feelings as you, as they have shared them with me in the past or posted on the forums, although I didn't always reply to them.

However, I'm always moved by them. I'm honestly grateful to have been able to forge not only the beginnings of rNd, in the corner of my room in an old scrapped pc (before yomocorp ofc), but more importantly because it facilitated the relationships with you rNd peeps.

rNd grew into something truly special for me. I've put countless hours and put off so many things I probably shouldn't have in order to keep things going at different times. Literally so many sleepless nights, high electricity bills, difficulties with other responsibilities, etc. But if I could share one thing that it taught me, even if it does sound cliche'd, was that you often have to sacrifice to succeed.

But with that, I have to say that it was always my intention to provide opportunities for people to have fun, exchange with each other, feel at home, and have a say in the community and help shape it into what it is (I always felt like there wasn't enough of that, and there wasn't really a place for that). And because of that, since the website in 2008, rNd was shaped by dedicated members like you who were finally able to connect on a single platform and it became something way more than I thought was possible. We were able to really collaborate on a variety of different stuff over the years, even if most of it wasn't released per say.

I still regret having to shutdown the servers at their peak, I think 9 gmod servers all full every day... that was so stressful for me actually haha, but I enjoyed it at a really fundamental level. I always wished for more time, because I was always full of ideas and you guys constantly gave suggestions (I saved all of them, I have everything lol). I fought a never ending battle with attempts at automation to free time, garry's mod quirks and limitations, and rl stuff - It was awesome. Oh, and I can't forget the days of ddos. In 2006, I had originally ran the build server and whatever else parallel on the same box on a home dsl connection maintained by an ISP modem... haha. Since then I had invested in building my own network infrastructure to minimize latency to the servers, prevent certain source engine attacks, redundancy to ddos (yomocorp certified popcorn ddos protection - known by some as something similar to a frying pan), etc.

I never shared too many details of my operations, as it can be a bit of a two way blade sometimes, but it's kind of cool in a timeline sense (maybe I'll make a quick rNd history montage video lol anyway).

I'll never forget any of you. I've seen your usernames in so many logs, member lists, applications, posts, steam chats, etc., etc. For most of you I probably know your original usernames I met you by and a few of your aliases over the years. It has been years by the way... so many of them it seems a bit unreal. I would like to thank all of you as well. I have learned much with you. I am always open to a steam chat for any of you, regardless of how long it's been since we've last talked or whatever.

I don't have any plans to stop hosting this, but maybe just keep changing this place to fit future ideas when I have time to implement them (and who knows, maybe they'll take off too).

And if I become rich... I always envisioned creating a company for rNd and employing the lot of you who were interested haha, but we'll see, we'll see...

I guess the last thing I wanna say for now, is that I don't want you to feel tied down by this community. If that's the case for any of you, maybe just think of it as an available space with friends, memories, and future prospects. I know I've had my share of issues with some members in the past as well, but I was always looking for the mutual ground. I'm happy to have had the opportunity to meet everyone I did through rNd and will always keep my doors open to talk with you, or whatever else happens. Also, I wanna say to not feel bad for coming and going, or not frequenting this place as much, that's just life changing a little bit.

Anyway, this is a little draft of some thoughts... you know I never really made tldr's a component in my long posts, making you guys suffer through the bitter length of my thought fragments, but maybe I'll make one today for the sake of your time.

tldr: Thanks for sharing, it means a lot. I always think about you guys. As rNd, we have made history together, many years of it, and I don't regret any of it. It grew into something special and I will never forget it.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: TehHank on January 23, 2016, 03:58:28 AM: Quote from: coolzeldad on January 23, 2016, 12:57:37 AM
And if I become rich... I always envisioned creating a company for rNd and employing the lot of you who were interested haha, but we'll see, we'll see...
Holy shit all my want. We can sell all the pingaz we want :ainsley:
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: ๖Ϝцzsioᴎ on January 23, 2016, 02:13:14 PM: Quote from: coolzeldad on January 23, 2016, 12:57:37 AM
rnd feels

i have something stuck in my eye brb
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: yoshi on January 24, 2016, 10:05:48 AM: Quote from: ๖Ϝцzsioᴎ on January 23, 2016, 02:13:14 PM
i have something stuck in my eye brb

what'd you caught?
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Seb on January 24, 2016, 12:29:39 PM: thanks for the social skills coolz
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Mr. Franklin on January 25, 2016, 10:49:53 AM: The amount of emotions and memories going through my head reading all of this, I don't know what to type.

I mean in reality i freaking love this community, i will always love it.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: ○ Μαρία ○ on January 25, 2016, 07:37:48 PM: It is always a little bitter sweet, to know that a lot of us have come and gone, and that many of us spend our time doing other things. Alas though, this is life. People move on to other things, other social groups; however the most important part is remembering where you came from and what shaped you. Rnd was a huge part of my life, I remember more about what I did with you hooligans than half of my school life. Not that that really mattered all too much to me. Whenever I got down I was always reminded that despite the bad things that could be happening in real life, I knew I always had a family here, with you guys.

We may do other things with our lives, but the fact that we always remember in our minds to come home and keep up with one another, well that just always really touches me. Rnd is one of those places that can never really die see, because it's player base was more than just there for gaming. No, it was there for friendship and bonds that can never be replaced. Those memories we made growing up, will always be with us, and that is really amazing. I feel just so honored, to have gotten to meet all of you, and experience and learn what I have. This place made a huge difference, for me, for you all, and that is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for.

Thank you Coolz. For giving us a place to have good times, bad times, and all the more to come. Because while we are still here, and keeping up with one another, rNd will always live on.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Loke on January 25, 2016, 10:15:51 PM: nobody called me a fag so you guys are pretty cool.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Cheesicle on January 26, 2016, 10:14:07 PM: The good ol' days :') Fucking around flood servers with Frank and Don... 'Twas many years ago
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Deathie on January 26, 2016, 10:39:36 PM: Quote from: Cheesicle on January 26, 2016, 10:14:07 PM
The good ol' days :') Fucking around flood servers with Frank and Don... 'Twas many years ago
I was going through the old forums.

Hot damn did we have a lot of servers and traffic.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: coolzeldad on January 26, 2016, 11:10:23 PM: Quote from: Cheesicle on January 26, 2016, 10:14:07 PM
The good ol' days :') Fucking around flood servers with Frank and Don... 'Twas many years ago

O snaps, the first big non-russian ddos was cause of flood haha
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Loke on January 27, 2016, 08:03:19 AM: Quote from: coolzeldad on January 26, 2016, 11:10:23 PM
O snaps, the first big non-russian ddos was cause of flood haha

What was with the russians, anyways?

Did somebody wreck Putin to the nines or someshit?
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: xxMingebaggerxx on January 27, 2016, 08:48:29 AM: <3 ya :)

And dont end us minges :)
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Shawn on January 27, 2016, 07:20:03 PM: Quote from: Loke on January 27, 2016, 08:03:19 AM
What was with the russians, anyways?

Probably cuz i kept kicking them out of ZS Lol dam were they annoying Lol
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Tezuni on January 31, 2016, 03:00:36 AM: russian ddos omg I remember that shit
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: [Valor]iPounce on January 31, 2016, 06:57:10 PM: I don't remember any ddos :^), maybe it's just my lag
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: xxMingebaggerxx on February 01, 2016, 12:28:30 PM: I remember when on wirebuild there were amraam missile launchers :D :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9jnIeLr_e4# (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9jnIeLr_e4#)

He.. he.. he..
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Don on February 16, 2016, 10:45:31 AM: Heh, it's been like 3 or 4 years since I was last here, but Frank linked me to this thread so whatever.

I can fully agree with you Tiger, without RND and all you guys that I knew back then my early teenage years would've been much worse than they already were, and while I left in not-so-good taste I guess, I still think about this community and all the great people I met here from time to time.

I'd write a full tl;dr post but after all these years I wouldn't even know where to start so w/e - except that I'd be totally up to play some L4D2 with anyone that wants to, even if it's at like 2 AM for me.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: ○ Μαρία ○ on February 16, 2016, 08:55:32 PM: Quote from: Don on February 16, 2016, 10:45:31 AM
Heh, it's been like 3 or 4 years since I was last here, but Frank linked me to this thread so whatever.

I can fully agree with you Tiger, without RND and all you guys that I knew back then my early teenage years would've been much worse than they already were, and while I left in not-so-good taste I guess, I still think about this community and all the great people I met here from time to time.

I'd write a full tl;dr post but after all these years I wouldn't even know where to start so w/e - except that I'd be totally up to play some L4D2 with anyone that wants to, even if it's at like 2 AM for me.

Funny enough I was just thinking about you today, even though we never really talked or anything lol. Perhaps it's a bit strange, but I often go back and think about all the members we used to have, whether or not I knew them or not. You were pretty active at the time I joined up.

It's nice of you stop in and say hello again to the community though. Good to see you, hope you are doing well. I know the guys in TS3 are always down for L4D if they get enough people so I am sure you wouldn't have any objections.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Juan_Ambriz on February 16, 2016, 09:16:22 PM: This was all extremely hard for me to read.

As Marie stated it's honestly bitter sweet to read this as my mind gets an overflow of memories, feelings and a wanting for the past
but when don't I want that?

Honestly I do not know what to say there is so much to say that I am just.. speechless

Basically I have been on here for 7 years and this community defined my Middle school and half of high school life. All of you are family to me and it really sucks that people leave ~~and have lives to live.~~
and have lives to live.

ugh

Basically,

Yolosw4g420
:fullheart:
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Yellow Killer on February 17, 2016, 04:31:30 AM: rNd has really defined what I did in most of my free time around my middle school and high school years. I have to owe it to coolz. He's created something great for people to play in and mingle and anybody can join in on the fun whether you're in New York, Mexico, or Antarctica. I also have to owe it to the community members. They're the ornaments on the Christmas Tree and they've made my experience here very memorable. From building ridiculous forts with Ageis Cade kits in ZS to building life changing contraptions in Wirebuild, to hearing all the stuff that goes around and comes around in TS3, it was awesome being involved in all these activities with a gathering of friends that wanted to have fun. I can't say thank you enough. Maybe I'll pay someone to skywrite a Thank You note lol. But in all seriousness, it's been a fun adventure and I'll still do my best to participate in any future events that happen if it means to have more fun with you guys. Thank you :) -Santiago C.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Gate on February 17, 2016, 05:54:49 AM: I always pop up randomly every year or couple months or so to remind people that I still want ZS back, and I didn't know or talk to much of you back when all the servers were still up and my alias was gateofoblivion, gate aegis, gate (the human aegis). But I miss it so much man, after all these years and having grown up I still constantly think about the good times I had with you guys and how much fun it was, back then in middle school times were really hard and I had no friends with a computer worse than a potato and these servers provided me a place to go to just have fun and get away from everything. The nostalgia I get from thinking back to the old times are something that hasn't been replicated since, the fact how zombie survival wasn't just a fun game mode it truly felt like a home for everyone where everybody knew each other and enjoyed playing with each other, where anywhere else I go to now it does not feel right or quite like home. And it saddens me when I had to take a break because I had no PC to come back to find RND servers were gone and I feel like everyone moved on without me in a sense while I still cling to the good 'ol glory days of zombie survival but maybe it's time to just embrace the good times that were had and accept that what I want is no longer possible.

With that being said I want to thank the RND community for making it what it is today and thank you coolzeldad for conceptualizing an idea for a community and seeing it through and providing all the servers. And though many people have come and go and it's been many years, I think it's absolutely amazing this forum is still active and all of you still talk to each other which with a place as big as the internet and long after the servers are gone I think make this community something truly special.

Christopher "Geesung" Lee

(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/631862291231018481/F5845C098FF9CF065E10213682178FD0687C0A4A/)

(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/630729409626455956/F3AE4E64858883198D07C4EF86FB6F0CC0E83EF0/)

(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/631862291231011650/D0A1E1FEBB4F2753731342B63A7E43C9EC3AEF02/)
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: yoshi on February 17, 2016, 07:24:09 AM: I would say something really heartwarming and long but all I can think of is that zs and ttt was pretty fun.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: TehHank on February 17, 2016, 11:47:56 AM: Ill just be repeating what everyone else said. The only regret was that i wished i lived in an American Timezone to experience more shit.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: GingerSlush on February 17, 2016, 01:32:46 PM: Holy shit, Santiago linked me this thread and I just got flooded with memories from 2011-2013. It feels so long ago. I'm sorry that I've really been dead since then... but hey, don't be afraid to message me to play something. I miss playing with the community in general. c:
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Loke on February 17, 2016, 01:56:48 PM: we should all play minecraft agen
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Prox on February 17, 2016, 03:01:29 PM: I don't think that I could count all the sleepless nights I had due to playing with you guys. RND made every weekend just a little bit more special then it already was because I knew that on those days you guys would get on earlier and I could allow myself to stay awake all night. I can still remember the feelings I used to have when after a long day I could just sit down and chill by playing Gmod, L4D2, GTA 4, Minecraft or that omgpop thingy with you guys. As I was listing the games we used to play I realized that wow, we really did a lot of shit online together.
This other time I decided to look through my old posts and man did it bring a lot of memories especially for someone as emotional as me. On top of all of that, communicating over TS3 and forums gave me an incredible boost to my English language skills and now I can strongly say that I can speak English fluently, sometimes I even think in English instead of Lithuanian in my mind.
And lastly, it was really nice to see, and to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure if it would even happen, but the fact that we were able to start a L4D2 versus game a couple of days ago really brought me hope that we could start playing together from time to time again. Granted though, it probably won't be as often as it used to be, but considering that most of us just simply don't have that much time anymore, it is still something worth being happy about.
If only a few other people would come back from inactivity to play with us together again, then it would be as close to the old times as it could possibly get.

And Don, it is damn good to see you passing by the forums and still having that L4D2 spark in you.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: ItchyDani3l on February 17, 2016, 07:53:41 PM: I feel like writing a similar letter but I don't think I really have time.

I'm kind of similar to tiger guy.

I played on RND alot during high school, and now I'm 21 and working full time and going to school part time, and I've moved on to playing other games with the little of the free time that I have.
I really appreciate that you guys are still around.

Add me on steam if you remember me and you'd like to keep up with me every once in a while.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Deathie on February 19, 2016, 01:00:43 AM: Do any of you guys remember Trinity?

I remember him making fun of me for being a furry and getting really upset about it.

I still can't believe I was into the furry thing.

Also, nostalgia servers soon.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Deacon on February 20, 2016, 01:24:08 PM: Never really thought I'd find myself back here again...Thanks Juan.

It's been said a lot, and I know I'm a bit late to the party...but it seems we all have similar stories. Finding our way here, to this ragtag group of players we learned to call friends.

It's always meant a lot to me, being a part of this community. I had always tried to do my part, give my best support, and in the end that was my downfall. But the wonderful part is the lessons learned in these games with friends stick with me to this day: how to have FUN. To be able to kind of let go of that social anxiety, and as a result, grow as a person. To come online every day, see the people we enjoyed playing with, and not think twice about jumping in and playing for five hours straight.

And thank you, coolz in particular. Many important lessons are learned from authority figures, even if you never considered yourself one. There's something to be said about being a leader, through both the good and the bad.

Just...

Kudos, to all of you. Thanks for all the feesh.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Monorail Cat on February 21, 2016, 02:50:42 PM: I played TTT a TON during my early highschool years. I would play it almost every second I could. After I was supposed to go to sleep, I would read a few chapters in my book and wait until my parents fell asleep. Then, I had to sneak past their bedroom and walk down the horribly creaky stairs just to get to the computer. Then I would stay up for HOURS just doing TTT. Sometimes, one of my parents would catch me. I would hear them coming down the stairs, so I would have to close out the game, open up Word, and pretend that I had fallen asleep while writing an essay. It worked the first few times, but not much after that. Like Prox, I cannot even estimate how many nights I stayed up to play with you guys. 10/10 best time I had here.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Cake Faice on February 26, 2016, 02:17:48 PM: Damn this whole thread had me thinking. I was in 7th grade when I started playing Gmod and in 8th grade I got involved with RND. Now here I am in my 2nd year of College. I sucked ass at making friends irl until maybe junior year of HS so I ever really had was online vidya and found myself at home with RND. Wirebuild and ZS (when it worked) was the shit and I can't believe that much time has passed. I've put in almost 2000 hours of my life on Gmod with a good 75% of that being towards RND. Although I wasn't very popular I managed to make some great friends here that I still talk to every once in a while outside of gaming as if we were real life friends. It's almost sad that I can't take pleasure in Gmod anymore or any video game for that matter nowadays (last one I actually enjoyed is FO4). I kinda started getting more socially outgoing in real life, made new friends and established relationships, and got my life somewhat on track so I started having less and less time for video games.

Recapping and getting sentimental isn't exactly my thing but seen our oldest members here post again, I figured I should pay my tribute here too since most of my teenage social life took place here. Good to see the old members posting here and glad to be apart of this place. If I'm not at work/school/out of the house I'd be glad to play a game every now and then with you guys.
:ainsley: :ainsley: :ainsley:
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: ursus on February 28, 2016, 01:09:49 PM: I am honored to have been your village asshole. 10/10 would be bad person again
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Deathie on February 28, 2016, 06:35:02 PM: http://oldforum.randomgs.com/index.php?topic=5210.0 (http://oldforum.randomgs.com/index.php?topic=5210.0)
back when funposting was allowed
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: ๖Ϝцzsioᴎ on February 28, 2016, 07:01:36 PM: Quote from: Deathie on February 28, 2016, 06:35:02 PM
back when ~~funposting~~ shitposting was allowed
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: blαh2355 on February 28, 2016, 08:27:05 PM: Quote from: Deathie on February 28, 2016, 06:35:02 PM
http://oldforum.randomgs.com/index.php?topic=5210.0 (http://oldforum.randomgs.com/index.php?topic=5210.0)
back when funposting was allowed
Jesus about 190 posts in a day.
Title: Re: A Thanks to the RND Community
Post by: Сєşάя on March 09, 2016, 05:06:01 PM: Ohhh the gold times :)