PeterB posted in the Concerning Shelly thread the sad news that Shelly has passed away. Unfortunately, it looks like it's true.
Shelly and I first "met" (online as we never got to meet in person) back when I was working for Windows Magazine. I ran the Win98 forum and he was one of its prolific posters, helping people who were setting up the new-for-the-time operating system. He continued to be a regular poster when WinMag was shut down and the forum migrated to PC911. And when Alex wanted to give up running PC911, Shelly was one of the ones who convinced me to take up the "forum administrator" mantle again. Without his convincing - and definitely without his help in moderating posts - this forum would never have gotten started, much less survived to this day.
During every fund drive, Shelly could always be counted on to "scare" up some donations. When someone needed help, chances were always good that Shelly would be one of the first to post a reply. During his years with PCQandA, he racked up an amazing 58,338 posts - more than 2.5 times the next highest poster in terms of number of posts made.
I got to speak with Shelly back in June. At the time, we had noticed his absence and thought the worst. I managed to track down his phone number and called him (apologizing for the intrusion, of course). He sounded weak but said he doing well. He was keeping offline more than he used to which explained his MIA status. Sadly, three months later he passed away.
So sorry to hear that. Rest in Peace Shelly. I was missing his commentary and was hoping he was ok but time waits for no man. Condolences to his family and friends.
I was new to computers and the internet when I first started lurking at WinMag. After it sort of morphed into PC911, I dipped a toe into posting. All very new to me, the idea of talking to a bunch of strangers that might not even be in the same country. I'm pretty shy anyway.
I don't know if it was my imagination, but it always seemed that Shelly took an avuncular view of me, i.e. he felt like an uncle to me. Anyone from those great days knows that he didn't suffer fools well, and could be more than a bit chippy. But to me he always seemed to have a kind word of support.
The gist of this is, that PC911 was the center of my internet life for years, and I cherished it. The OT forum was amazing in those days, and Shelly was the Chairman, the benevolent power behind the throne who stepped in when needed, or at times, led the charge.
He has always been, and will always be, in my memory.
Sad news, although not unexpected after this time. With very few exceptions we make acquaintances rather than friends on the internet. I always regarded Shelly as one of my exceptions.
Very sad to hear about Shelly. The forum definitely showed more spark and vigor with his presence. He will be sorely missed, for his knowledge, his experience and his direct and to the point asuredness. He was appreciated and respected by all.