[TheForge] Help a sinking ship?

[Peter Fels And Phoebe Palmer]

Keenjunk has gone down recently with unfortunate consequences. It hurt 
the blacksmithing community and narrowed the educational resources 
available.
Abana's purpose to a great extent,is to support the  accessability of BS 
  knowledge...thus ABANA's purpose suffers the loss as well.
Last time I visited, ABANA's website was near mortibund, despite a 
substantial economic investment.

Anvilfire is teetering on the edge of collapse.
Anvilfire in it's present form is an invaluable resource for 
blacksmithing, it's forums are active, it's Iforge "demonstrations" are 
straightforward and extensive and the site has a great deal of other 
material.
It was built up over the years, primarily by the efforts of crusty old 
Jock Dempsey. He has put his heart and a fair part of his life into it.
He is towards the end of his economic resources, about to loose his shop 
and Anvilfire isn't self supporting yet despite the huge # of hours he 
puts in as editor, web master, programmer, Guru, photo editor and so on.
He needs secretarial help and bookkeeping, i think,first, new puter 
equiptment and enough time so he can swing a hammer and earn a few bucks.
For the good of the art/craft, we need to set aside the egos involved 
and make sure that Anvilfire survives...no, thrives.
I think that ABANA should stop defending it's institutional territory 
and contribute substantially to Anvilfire's support....quickly...
Doing so would be an extremely cost effective way to effect ABANA's core 
intent....and be the best thing for blacksmithing in general.
In my mind I can see a bunch of chests puff out and lower lips pout out 
at this proposal....Hey folks, time to go for a larger overview on this 
one......Respectfully,   Pete Fels