MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 4,655 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Frankenstein'ed LM Linea Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Vac Pot: 1922 Silex Drip: Krups Moka Brew Roaster: Hottop
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 1:53am Subject: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
Jim Schulman made the decision recently to leave the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years of being part of it, doing lots of great things to help start these forums, and make them run smoothly.
Jim is one of the founding "beta test" members of CoffeeGeek. Anyone you see with a December 19, 2001 join date is part of the early group, but Jim was helping test the CoffeeGeek site back in October and November 2001. That's how long he's been involved with this website.
When we launched the forums in mid 2002, I did all of the moderating myself, but I quickly realised I would need some help, and Jim was the first person I approached. Jim and I go back a ways, into the alt.coffee halcyon days, and while we sometimes disagreed on things, I had a healthy respect for him, and felt his scholarly, "gentleman" approach to discussion and debate would be a great addition to this website and the new forum community.
And it was a good assessment. Jim has helped literally countless numbers of newbies, seasoned consumers, and even veterans by answering the tough (and easy) questions. Sometimes many times over. I remember we had periods where questions like "how much coffee should I use" were asked almost daily, and Jim would jump in, answering the same way, never pulling the "use the search" card that's so easy to do for a moderator or forums' vet.
And he's been doing it for years. And he's been keeping the forums running smoothly in his own way. And at times when he slowed down, his participation was missed - but, thankfully, those slow down times are tempered with over 3,700 posts by Jim and the vast majority of them are helpful discussion and debate, like this one, or this, or moderating here and helping out here and there.
Personally, I'm very sad to see Jim step back from his moderating roles. I'll be even more sad if he stops participating on CoffeeGeek. I hope this won't be the case. A lot of what made this community grow and evolve in the first place was because of Jim Schulman, and his impact on coffee and espresso is wide - not just here, but all over the Internet, and in person. His amazing efforts in evaluating equipment, in writing standards on water for consumers, on cupping coffees through www.coffeecuppers.com , on his debates and positions on espresso and coffee... all of these things have been invaluable contributions to helping advance the science and art of coffee and espresso.
Jim has made espresso more popular. Jim has made the science of coffee and espresso more approachable. Jim is responsible for many "converts" in the consuming coffee world, people going from just plain instant to something better. Many professionals, many coffee-related business owners, many baristas, many roasters all owe something, something not direct, but nonetheless tangible, to the efforts of people like Jim Schulman because in many cases, people like him have helped increase the understanding of quality coffee, and the appreciation of it. Appreciation creates demand. 'nuff said.
We're sad to see Jim go from the moderating team. But I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for all he's done for this community, for coffee in general, and for me. Jim's one of the unsung heroes of the modern day coffee world: a consumer who becomes a major influencer.
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 8:27am Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
As a comparative neophyte on CoffeeGeek I've got to say that I, too, hope that Jim continues to participate on the fora even though he'll no longer be doing so in an official capacity. Quite a lot of the truly enjoyable and educational reading experiences I've had here have been provided via Jim's posts and other contributions. Thanks, Jim, for helping to make this site a great destination and for your consistently collegeal demeanor and interaction. We've all benefited. Enjoy the respite.
E d C u s t a r d pseudo-barista
"...the extreme of banality allows us to catch a glimpse of the sublime." Umberto Eco
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 10:46am Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
I too would like to express the hope that Jim will continue to participate in the forums. We all need the benefit of his knowledge and understandable way that he imparts it. Thanks Jim!
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 1:26pm Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
If I were asked to select the most respected participant in online coffee fora, Jim Schulman's name would be at the top of my list. His encyclopedic knowledge of all things coffee, his inventive mind, and his unstinting willingness to share experiences are unmatched. Jim, you are in a class by yourself. Thank you for all you've shared with the coffee community.
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 6:28pm Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
Thanks Jim for all the help you have provided here (...it's all still here, just a 'search' click away!) For me, it has been all your posts on home roasting and profile control that has helped me the most. I have saved countless batches and time in dialing in my roast by following and experimenting with your advise. I have found it to be SPOT ON! Hope we continue to hear from you. Thanks again.
KimberlyMacIntosh Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Washington the State Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Millennium, Salvatore... Grinder: Nuova Simonelli MCI... Drip: French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600 & Fresh Roast 8
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 10:43pm Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
I am sorry that Jim will not be moderating anymore, but I hope I continue to see his postings here. His style of writing was always so genteel. Jim is a great and patient teacher, I always looked forward to reading his posts because I knew I would learn something. Even though I have never been able to completely get thru the insanely long water faq!
Caf4Brains Senior Member Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Chicago 'burbs Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: LaSpaz Vivaldi II Mini Grinder: Macap M4 Stepless Drip: Aeropress, Bodum FP Roaster: SC/CO
Posted Wed May 28, 2008, 10:04am Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
I appreciate the respectful replies that Jim wrote. He's one of those folks that I'm sure I would enjoy knowing personally. Jim, best wishes for your future and thank you for the guidance that you've given us.
Luca Moderator Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 2,621 Location: Melbourne, Australia
Espresso: H: Maver W: FB-80 Grinder: H: Super Jolly W: Brasilia... Vac Pot: Hario TCA-2 Roaster: Sample Roaster at Work
Posted Thu May 29, 2008, 8:25am Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
Jim,
You have certainly left an indelible mark on the coffee corner of the internet, both through your hard work at CG over the years and through the insight that you have shared with all of us. I have always found your concision and thoroughness inspirational and I can only hope that more people will begin to follow the review format that you and Bob have worked out for coffeecuppers.com
Posted Thu May 29, 2008, 7:39pm Subject: Re: Jim Schulman leaves the CoffeeGeek moderating team after six years
As I read through this thread I can't help but think about the many times Jim has inspired and informed me. I see Jim as a great teacher and an eager student at the same time, and I'll echo the sentiment that Jim is easily one of the most respected coffee luminaries I know of.
I'm saddened to see Jim resign as a moderator but I feel sure that we'll see him continue to contribute ion his own ways....
Jim - I wish only the best for you. If you feel this is what is best for you then I can only offer my most sincere support. I also wish to express my heartflt gratitude for everything you have contributed to me personally and to the coffee community at large.
Many many thanks to you.....it's true that you have left an indellible mark already and I feel that is just a sign of what's to come.
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