With an unusual and unexpected tie, with 28 votes each, I hereby announce that the Audiokarma Member of the Year for 2005 has two recipients this year!

Our first recipient of the AK Member of the Year award is no other than our own Glenn McDonald, EchoWars, for the third year in a row :)

Glenn is a very special member of our site, as said by this member:

"Well, this was a bit of a challenge for me, as there are a number of
AKers who consistently demonstrate their fine character and raise the
bar..... but in the final analysis I would have to say the EchoWars
gets my vote!

I hesitated because I know he has received this honour two years
running... but I can think of no other AKer who always demonstrates
such patience and grace while sharing his expertise, and passing on
knowledge and advise to those with less technical expertise and
experience!

Glenn has made a direct impact on rekindling my interest, and has put
up with my frequent newbie questions!

I am proud to be able to follow in his footsteps and pass along some
of the tidbits I have learned along the way."

Our second equally deserving recipient of this year's Member of the Year award is Ernie Burke, aka luvvinvinyl :)

I couldn't have said it better than this member did:

"I would like to put a vote in for luvvinvinyl. I feel that Ernie (luvvinvinyl) has been a bit of an unsung hero, as was put in the call for votes post, in the services he has provided both as a member and as a moderator. Be it stories about red heads or willingness to help any who need it, he has been there as one of the best members. As a moderator, I’ve found him to be incredibly fair and reasonable in his actions, capable of separating personal feelings about those involved and passing judgment as AK’s Solomon. From what I’ve seen, much of this work occurs behind the scenes, but that makes it all the better. For, as a member, I appreciate a quiet warning and the opportunity to correct one’s error, as well as a reasoned argument for why something might violate the rules or is in poor taste from a moderator rather than the unseen hammer fall."

You both are the embodiment of what AudioKarma is, and in the true spirit of friendship I humbly extend congratulations to you both :)

congradulations echowars and luvvinvinyl.

Amen ! -Sandy G.

Couldn't have been given to two finer men; Along with my admiration, you both have my undying respect as well. Congratulations Gentlemen!

Alright! Congratulations to two very deserving gents who've helped make AK the great place that it is.

- JP

A BIG :thmbsp: TO BOTH :yes:

I would also like to add that this year was very close, as the next two people were seperated by only 5 votes......merrylander, and Terry Dewick :)

:yippy: Congrats Guys! :yippy:

Scott

A threepeat and a newbie!

You'all both deserve it.

Congrats!

Pete

It was a great year, congrats guys! Here's to many more :beerchug:

EchoWars?? does he work on tube equipmen'...??

Congrats to both winners....its high praise to come on top of a list with so many outstanding fella's on it.

Congratulations Guys!

Carl

Sincere congratulations to both gentlemen, and to the voters, as well, for having excellent and discerning judgment .

Congrats. Lots of nice, deserving people on this board. :thmbsp:

Congratulations to both very deserving members! :thmbsp:

Congrats guys, could not have picked two better people for this award!!!!! Thumbs up mates!!!!

Geeze, I guess I will have to file away my acceptance speech until next year :D

Seriously, Congrats to the both of you. The outcome was not at all a surprise :thmbsp:

RC

Could we get Burt Parks to sing
"Here they come, Mr. AudioKarma member of the year......"

Congradulations to both of you!!!

The # 3 & 4 choices ain't too shabby, either, or I guess in this case, #2 & 2A... <grin>-Sandy G.

Fine and deserving gentlemen, both! You two embody what AK is about to me: helping, encouraging, guiding, and moderating, all without attitude. Congratulations!

:beerchug: :beerchug: :beerchug: for the Winners! Very deserving duo! :banana:

Congratulations to you guys!

I just joined this forum last year, when I unknowingly got "the bug." I'm still quite the newbie when it comes to gear, and although, I try to check in as often as I can, I don't have the luxury to read and post as often as I would like--two small boys keep me very busy at home!

Yet I am so impressed with the collected knowledge, civility, and helpfulness of this forum community. Big kudos to Kamakiri, the moderators, all who help out with the technical foo to keep this site running!

My main point being, if you guys are chosen as AKers of the year, it means a lot. Congrats again!

Congratulations Glenn and Ernie,

Alan

Works for me! Congratulations to the two winners -- the top 4 are all "best of class" from my perspective!

Well deserved, Glenn, Ernie, Rob and Terry! :beerchug:

Murray

way to go Glenn and Ernie! :thmbsp:

Most worthy recipients!!

In their honor I've just tossed a donation into the AK coffers. Hopefully, it will be used to get them each a pound of some high-end Kona coffee or a bottle of bubbly or case of something else they each like to imbibe while admiring that well-earned "AK Man-o-the-Year" plaque on their wall(s).

LV, EW, congrats to you both. Two fine members with superb reputations, both deserving. You two do this place proud!
Tom

Congratulations, gentlemen. I'm proud to be among the ranks of such upstanding fellow AKers. Okay, maybe "among the ranks" is a bit of a stretch :D - Mark

Congratulations Glenn and Ernie, well deserved! As far as being a runner-up I feel that I had my 'award' on the occasion of my recent birthday.

Rob

Congratulations Glenn and Ernie, couldn't have happened to two more deserving people that I'm proud to call good friends :thmbsp:

I think Scott said it best. Two of the most deserving you will find here. Congrats guys !

Alright! Congratulations guys! :)

Glenn is a very special member of our site Does that qualify me for the Special Olympics?

(I'm sure a few would say 'Yes') :D

Takes a great bunch of guys to make the site what it is, and I'm proud to be part of it. My humblest thanks.

Glad to help when I can...now if only I can learn to raccoon a wooger.

Congratulations guys you two deserve it!

Congratulations to the winners, as well as the runners up!

All of you deserve credit for your contributions to AK!

Glenn, you're the main reason why I'm still an "AKer" (you know what I mean). It seems to me that a guy with your technical expertise could easily make a living charging for the insight and advice you generously give to all of us for free. Congratulations... and thank you. :thmbsp:

Congratulations Glenn and Ernie, couldn't have happened to two more deserving people that I'm proud to call good friends :thmbsp:

Yeah, what Scott said! :thmbsp:


Retro

I have been here as a member only a short time and for what I have learned and seen, congratulations to both of you! Well deserved!

AK IS a great place, with so many wonderful people. I learned, recently, just how very proud I am of our community.

I am humbled and grateful. Actually I am more than a little awestruck, that I am included in the company of gentlemen whom I hold in such high esteem, for their character, service to AK, and their expertise.

My heartfelt thanks to you all.

Congrats to you both. Excellent choices.

JD

Congratulations to two well deserving gents... :music:

Congratulations gentlemen. I have learned that there are certain members who's posts I always read. You are at the top of my list. Thanks so much for all you contribute. I will make a donation to AK in your honor.

Congratulations guys! Absolutely the right choices here and the guys who I think of when I consider the best of AK.

Congrats Gentlemen! :thmbsp:

Congratulations to the winners and runners up! My thanks to all of you for your contributions.

cubdog

:thmbsp: Congrats to Ernie and Glen :thmbsp:

This is one fine community of folks. There are many very helpful and kind hearted individuals here ready to help. I hope someday when the knowledge and experience ratchets up a bit I can contribute in some way as well.

Congratulations to the celebrated, and thanks to all of you who make this a great place to be a part of.

EchoWars and luvvinvinyl, you exemplify the character of the site, and provide the path for everyone else to follow.

:music:

Congratulations to both of you. :thmbsp:

Awesome! Well deserved all around!

clay

Well deserved to both Echowars and Luvinvinyl...great contributors...and cheers to all the others that received votes!...the community is much richer with such great members...a

You both earned it! Mucho thanks for your contributions to AK!

Congrats EchoWars and Luvinvinyl. Now take the next three and a half minutes off...

:-)

Well as has been said there are many fine individuals on this board who could have one this.

I struggled with which to vote for but in the end it's a great thing to see both gentelmen win!

Congratulations Ernie and Glenn! Both of you uphold the AK spirit!

Congratulations, and more importantly, thanks for all you do to make this a great place :tresbon:

I realized this morning over coffee, that I had totally forgotten my manners last evening. I would like to thank the members who voted for me, though I am not quite sure why you did so. Regardless, your kindness is appreciated.

Rob

Splendid results !!!
Congrats EchoWars and Luvinvinyl... :thmbsp:
merrylander, and Terry Dewick ... :thmbsp:

A new meaning for the " FANTASTIC FOUR " ... :yes:

Congratulations to two well deserving individuals. Both of you are an inspiration to the rest of the AK community.

To all AK members who take the time to make Ak a valuable resource, I thank you as well. Each and everyone who gives unselfishly of their time can be proud of your efforts.

Cheers,
Joe

Congratulations to you both!

Well said by all! Congratulations!

Right on, EchoWars! :thmbsp: Right on Luvinvinyl! :thmbsp:

Congrats to both of you.

Way to go Ernie :thmbsp: Congrats there EW. :banana:

Ron

Two good guys like that, we ought to do more......... let's send them out on a date together!

Two good guys like that, we ought to do more......... let's send them out on a date together!

<insert ROFL smiley here>

OK...but he better shave close.

OK...but he better shave close.

Is EW a redhead? :para:

No pixplsthx

congrats tothe FAB FOUR all the other helpful people here on AK we all need to pat ourselves on the back for our undying love for all thing audio video cameras

Congrats guys!!! I'm relatively new around here, but it is clear to me that both of you guys are certainly very deserving! :thmbsp:

Congrats to you both! As a new comer I appreciate the help you both give to those of us who request it. You're both an asset to AK. :ntwrthy:

Congrats you guys! Well deserved!!

Ron

:beerchug: To the 4 horsemen of AudioKarma!

Was there ever any doubt?
This pair is THE STANDARD BY WHICH ALL FUTURE MODERATORS SHOULD USE.
Glen - Ernie, thanks for just being here! :thmbsp:

Two good guys like that, we ought to do more......... let's send them out on a date together!
OK...but he better shave close.
EW, I think you have me confused with THOR. HE is the one who sports the 'porn star'!

Congratulations, guys! :tresbon:

Ditto to all of the above AKers...well deserved!

Two examples of great forum members, and two people who have both personally given me a helping hand in this wacky hobby of ours. Congratulations , and thanks, to you both!

Congratulations to both of you! Well deserved. :thmbsp:

Terry

Congrats to both of you GENTLEMEN, a well deserved honour.

Chris

And I'm glad to say I've met both these guys before and everything said about them is true.

:thmbsp:

Glenn and Ernie - what a great pair of guys when you end up with two winners! :banana:

Paul

I have been visiting this site for a month or 2 now, it is very rare to find a forum without attitude, too find a forum on this scale and still with no attitude is quite unbelivable. i felt i have not been here long enought to vote so i didnt, but i will do next year for sure. :D

Congrats to anyone who was nominated for this award and a big well done to the 2 winners :ntwrthy:

I have agree with Madhatter, this forum is the only one I've ever been on that has no attitude or snobbery and lets new guys like me feel welcome without having to prove we're worthy.

Congratulations to the two winners who answer questions without making me feel dumb and treat everybody with respect. Way to go guys!

Its just plain fun being around winners. Congats to you both :thmbsp: and I'll PM my email so you can send me all that free stuff. :banana:

Here, here!!

You both deserve it!!!! :music: You both make the AK better!!Eric

Congratulation to the dynamic duo! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, opinions and friendship. Look forward to the coming year.

Congrats. Well deserved.

Ron

Belated but well earned congratulations to both. I've had no direct dealings with LV but have been much impressed with Merrylander.