news Eric Lyon changes departments at NamePros

[Eric Lyon]

I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for all their contributions to NamePros over the years. It's been a rollercoaster ride with a lot of ups and downs, and I’ve really enjoyed it. If it wasn't for all of you, NamePros wouldn't be what it is today.

Since 2009, it has been a wonderful experience assisting all of you and shaking some of your hands in person at events/conferences/meetups. I hope to continue doing that as I travel around the United States with my family on the adventure of a lifetime.

However, in August 2017, my family experienced a tragedy of losing our house, cars, and worldly belongings to the Hurricane Harvey floods. Since then, my time has been more limited/restricted, and I haven't been able to dedicate as much time to NamePros as I used to. Fortunately, due to the great moderation team that we have in place, things have kept operating smoothly and most members haven’t noticed how much less I’ve been working. We have a great team of moderators who have stepped up over the past few months and kept this ship full-steam ahead and growing.

In addition to my time availability, I have received death threats from scammers we’ve caught over the years, and I’ve had people show up unannounced at my residence (even as late as 11 PM) recently. This may not have been as big of a concern when I was single; however, I have a wife and toddler now that do not need to be subjected to this type of safety hazard.

The majority of people that I’ve met online are professional, kind, and respectful. Unfortunately, it only takes a few crazy people (it only takes one, really) that get set off or caught trying to scam someone, and they could seek (and have sought) to harm me or my family.

It’s sad and unfortunate that I have to be concerned for my family’s safety based on previous experiences with troublemakers threatening, stalking, coming to my residence, using my family in their unfounded slanderous attacks, etc., but now that we are going to be traveling more in a motorhome, security is an even bigger concern for my family’s safety, especially since we are all in a smaller, confined area without as much protection (no concrete walls to safeguard us).

While I take it day by day in keeping my family safe and building/adapting to a new lifestyle for us, I feel that I should move from community administration to another department with a more flexible time schedule. This will allow my family and me to focus more on getting everything situated that we need to on our new life journey.

A change in atmosphere and departments will be good for me, and I'll be officially transferring from “Community Admin” to “Member Services” on March 23, 2018, to better reflect my current role and time spent working on NamePros. Fortunately, members won’t notice much of a difference thanks to our incredible team, and I'll still be here to help you and answer questions. I love NamePros, and I am not leaving you; I am just moving to another department that fits better with my hectic schedule, new lifestyle adjustments, and safety concerns.

With the above said, NamePros has decided to eliminate the single-person admin roll. For admin-specific matters, please use the Contact NamePros section, and for all other matters, our member services and moderator team (me included) will look forward to assisting you.

Thanks for understanding,

Eric Lyon

 

[MapleDots]

I ran a good sized forum in the past and shut it down when I received similar threats. I had people show up at the door at night and I was concerned about my family. I shut the forum down with a 15k member base. It was an automotive forum and I could not believe people would threaten my family over a deleted post.

I know exactly how you feel.

 

[lambo.com]

I'm disgusted and sad to hear of what you have experienced. Noone should have to go through that.

I support anonymous admins to ensure noone else has to go through such an ordeal.

 

[creataweb]

Crazy world we live in. Stay safe.

 

[WhoaDomain.com]

Death threats? Show up at your doorstep? really? never knew this stuff happens. That's unfortunate. Good luck Eric.Be Safe.

 

[Kate]

Eric, you are not alone.
On the occasion I have had to deal with hackers, stalkers and pranksters because of something I posted on NP. But I never had someone show up in front of my house.
It's one reason why I value privacy online (which is not the same as anonymity). I never post publicly in my real name. I just don't make it easy for strangers to hit me.
It's nothing serious, but as you can see it's not just forum admins. Sometimes regular members can be a target too. The Internet is a battlefield where rules of honor do not apply.

 

[Michael Cyger]

@Eric Lyon Thank you for all you've done at namePros. You've contributed a tremendous amount to the forum; I know you'll continue to do so in your new role. And I am relieved to hear that you're simply changing roles and not leaving.

 

[deez007]

Shocking that people would go to this extent and actually track you down plus make threats at you and your family.

Sad that you have to deal with cr@p like this over and above your recent turmoil with Hurricane Harvey.

Hope this departmental move gives you guys some peace of mind and less stress/drama to deal with.

 

[MapleDots]

Wow, death threats? That is unbelievable... Good luck with your new role!

Trust me.... when you have a busy forum that is quite common. I got it a few times a year, especially if you banned someone.

I even had a member publish all my personal details including the name and address of my wife and kids. It was a crazy time in my life and I was running a few thousand a month profit on the site but in the end I shut it down cold turkey.

 

[equity78]

Eric you know I know where you are coming from. Never heard about people showing up at your door. Back in the early days of the .tv subforum on two occasions I talked members out of showing up at someone's door. And it was all over an opinion, nothing serious. You should never care what other people think about your domain names if you like them.

Posters get some pushback but nothing compared to a mod or admin, nothing close.

All the best.

 

[johnn]

Put a sign at your door:
"Guns Collector"
"Proceed with Caution"

 

[Eric Lyon]

I have to believe that the death threats are due to Lyon's outspoken political views
on NP's Official USA Political Thread. I never thought that thread was a good idea.
It should be removed as it has nothing to do with domain names and creates
hostility between Namepro's members.

I don't think I've really participated in the political thread. Could you provide a link to a post in that thread where I commented on a political topic to refresh my memory?

Thanks

 

[vwblubug]

Eric,

I appreciate you and Amanda so much, and I am thankful for your help, honesty and fairness!

It is unbelievable to me that people can be that ignorant and unprofessional, absolutely unreal!

Thank you for taking all that crap for so long, for the purpose of keeping our stomping grounds safe for us. It’s time you think about you and yours, totally understandable and well deserved!

I truly hope you are happy in your new role, and I pray for your success and safety.

God Bless,
Peace and always!!!

 

[BaileyUK]

Death threats? Show up at your doorstep? really? never knew this stuff happens. That's unfortunate. Good luck Eric.Be Safe.

people invest thousands in domains, some without any real knowledge of what they are doing, particularly the ongoing cost. couple that with some sense of community betrayal and there is a big chance your dealing with unstable mindsets

 

[BrandMart]

Good luck and keep safe. Build your life again and come back even stronger.

also, now that you are changing to Member services, we gonna get a new Admin?

 

[urljunky]

I've already missed you in the professional appraisal section. @Eric Lyon Don't think for a second we haven't noticed you spending less time around or we won't miss you in the future.
All Namepros staff are professional, thorough and selfless, BUT they are not Eric Lyon.
Enjoy your family, keep them safe and live!

 

[Isac]

Death threats, Really ? Stay safe. And Thank You as i learned lot from you.

 

[MasterOfMyDomains]

Very troubling to hear this Eric. I am sorry you and your family have to deal with anything of this nature.
Be safe and take care. Thank you for all the contributions you have made.
There will be more, we all hope.

 

[Bob Hawkes]

I had no idea @Eric Lyon. I am shocked and disappointed that we live in a world that this would happen. I have not been in this community so long, but I already know of the central, positive role you have played in making NPs all the good things that it is. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude. Know that the thoughts and concern for you and your family are shared by so many of us. Take care and be safe. And thank you.

 

[Name Trader]

Just read the news that Eric will be stepping away and moving to a new role. https://www.thedomains.com/2018/03/...-at-his-door-eric-lyon-is-moving-to-new-role/
What shocks me most about this is the fact that he has received death threats and even had people showing at his door. Now ain't that sick?!

Anyway, just wanted to pass my gratitude to Eric for his exemplary service to this community and I'm sure he'll still play a big role at NP.

All the best in your new adventures!

We all wish you the best in your new role at NP and for the adventures which lie ahead,

 

[VOR]

"Exemplary service" ?? He was nothing more than a bully to anyone that wasn't a well known domainer . I certainly don't wish him ill will but his practices/attitude wouldn't be tolerated in most business circles.

Nothing that happens in the domain world would be tolerated in most business circles.

 

[Kate]

I know Eric is moving from one place to another but maybe he happens to live in a stand your ground State right now. Who knows. Go mess with him at your own risks

 

[xynames]

I run two internet forums (as admin and owner) in the top 100000 of Alexa rankings for traffic for the U.S. My actual identity is cloaked on those forums except to paid clients, and I don't post the forums' actual URLs anywhere (including here) where someone could figure out who I am. And if you don't know what I mean by all that, Don't ask! I won't tell.

Before even starting the forums I thought about all the issues on the 'net and made certain I did things in the way I did.

 

[Acroplex]

Having met Eric in person at NamesCon, along with his wife and child, I'm appalled by the threats he faced.

Eric, you're an outstanding guy and a true industry professional. Good luck my friend, family comes first.

 

[frostify]

I want to sincerely thank you Eric for your dedication to this now thriving community that you helped build from the ground up. You have been the great equalizer in trades and ensuring a fair market for everyone here on NP. You have guided many newcomers and many of us look up to you. Thank you for all that you've done and we are sorry for the real life grievances this has caused (people showing up at your residence). I wish you and your family a speedy recovery from the hurricane. Know that many of us have your back.

Thank you for all you've done.

Regards,
Julian (aka @frostify)