This is essentially the other half of Jon's "I Quit" post. While Jon is now working on Goats full-time, I'm working on Goats no-time, except as part of a larger project.
For the past year or so, I've been taking the underlying core of what makes the site work, and adding a layer on top of it to make it work for multiple sites. Last year's launch of megaGAMERZ was an initial test of the system, and really helped iron out some of the underlying bugs. Yesterday, Real Life made the switch, and is now, like Goats, a customer of Dumbrella Hosting.
Despite running a couple of very large traffic sites, we're still theoretically in beta testing, while I finish adding the features I think are necessary to be a high-quality webcomic hosting company.
My goal is to be a replacement for the high traffic sites that currently have a completely customized design, running on software they've assembled the bits and pieces of themselves. I don't think that artists should have to worry about maintaining a MySQL server or that their php or forums installation has all the latest bugs patched. At the same time, they shouldn't have to sacrifice the layout or design of their site to have those features. If you're a webcomic, then that's as much a part of your identity as the comic itself.
So, why Dumbrella Hosting? Well...why not? I'm working with the inimitable R Stevens on this, and it just made sense to use a name already known for high quality in webcomics for high quality in hosting comics.
It's been a fun 9 years as as part of Goats, and I'm really happy that I can use what I've learned in that time to do something that keeps me involved with the webcomics community and lets me really leverage my skills, which are decidedly not in drawing comics. In short, I'm really looking forward to making the technology that I think has made the Goats website one of the best and most unique in the community available to other artists.
A very nice job with G. Dean's site, I must say. I hope others join you soon.
Of course, having Real Life as a customer is going to add fuel to all the rumors flying around that Blank Label and Dumbrella are planning to merge. But hey, without strange rumors, the Internet would merely be informative.
Dumbrella Hosting != Dumbrella "murder of webcomics artists"
Since I'm no longer part of Goats, my status as part of "Dumbrella: the collective" is actually indeterminate, but more importantly, using the hosting service doesn't commit an artist to some predetermined business model or collective or anything.
This is a strict "you pay us money, we provide you with a service" system. Making the money to pay is the responsibility of the artist, my job is to provide them with the tools to do so.
Dumbrella Hosting != Dumbrella "murder of webcomics artists"
Yes, I know that and you know that, and pretty much everyone who hangs around here will know it, too, when they read your announcement. But using the same name will generate a not unexpected amount of confusion. It's a lesson Keen learned with the whole 'spot versus 'space business. However, it's not a big deal. Just don't be surprised when you get the email queries from webcomic artists wondering if signing up for Dumbrella Hosting automatically makes them part of the collective.
And you'll always be part of Goats, big guy, ... in our hearts.
As far as I'm concerned, Phillip is just as Dumbrella as ever. He's just his own entity as opposed to directly being part of Jon's pod.
As far as Blank Label is concerned, they can always join under our name :)
Phillip is so very Dumbrella - why, he was part of the latest round of temporary body art, featuring exclusively the art of the men of Dumbrella.
But not Sam Brown, because he did not show up for SPX.
Plus possibly there would not have been enough space for Sam, because there are a lot of Men Of Dumbrella and I am not a very large person.
Regardless, Phillip, I still fully expect you to attend Goats-ish events, in order to have a more sociable face on this lovely webcomic (ie: one that does not run away when young women approach).
Personally, I would like to see more more of your comics on post its.
It's a unique alternative to 'traditional' filler strips which other comics don't have access too. And they're funny.
You should patent them!
and what would Stephanie say about all this?
As I recall, something incredibly rude and anatomical.
Good choice. I have no idea what it looks like from the back, but from the reading end of the thing, your code has made Goats one of THE most functional webcomic sites out there. You SHOULD be leveraging that. Congratulations.
(-Nick Fagerlund)
Although mentioned with other content in other posts, I'll ask plainly here: Will there never again be post-it note comics and Phillip appearances in conventions?
Congratulations, Phillip. The place will not, and literally would not, be the same without you. Good luck with Dumbrella Hosting, and come back to visit us once in a while.
Feh, enough rank sentiment. Where's the beer?
No, Phillip will not be going to conventions because that would be pretty much the best place to meet new clients (and talk with existing ones).
While Phillip is starting his own venture, he very much remains an integral part of both Goats and Dumbrella. Think of this more as a business restructuring than a parting of ways.
Hopefully he will still be attending conventions, doing the occasional post-it note strip (when the muse strikes him), and drinking heavily with me at the pub every Thursday.
If you are a webcomic artist looking for hosting that will provide you with the tools to turn your art into a functional, profitable business, there is no better alternative than to put youself in Phillip's hands. He has been in the business of hosting webcomics longer than anyone else. He has a degree in computer science and an MBA and knows how to use them both.
The tools that Dumbrella Hosting provides are robust, time-tested, intuitive and provide almost infinite flexibility and customizability. I'm proud to be a customer and I will continue to work closely with Phillip to suggest improvements and changes to the system that will make it even better.
I would not have achieved the success I have without Phillip's business savvy, his technical prowess and his love for the art form. And now you have access to his talents as well.
Thanks for the first nine years, Phillip. Let's open that bottle of Bruichladdich this week and drink to the next ninety.
Deerboy, why do you hate America? :(
Because he hates freedom, obviously. That seems like the main reason these days.
Wait, I distinctly remember that we voted for Not enough sausage-based cuisine. [goats.com]
Why? Maybe because I saw some blonde bimbo on Headline News explain that Colbert was 'overshadowed' by the Bush twins' 'hilarious performance' as an explanation as to why we were not going to see clips of the real show.
Oh, wait, was that a rhetorical question?
