Yep, you read that correctly. Not an April fools joke.

The 3dfx Archive has been in service beginning in late 2001, meaning it's been operational for over 15 years now.

Folks will surely have noticed that I stopped expanding the 3dfx Archive and also am hardly active in the Forum since a long time now.

After investing many hundreds of hours of assembling the Files (and with the helpful assistance of other guys around the world) and investing what accumulates into many thousand Dollars/Euros over all these years, I simply think it's time to move on.

Apart from someone from Switzerland actually sending me 5 Euros via Mail as a little note of appreciation :D , no income has ever been gained from the entire Site.
As I hate Internet Ads, that was never an Option either - thus all working as intended.
Always seen the 3dfx Archive as a purely service-oriented thing, a pure investment for public service purposes.

I long planned to downsize/restructure my Servers for a more personal use and I believe after so many years it's fair to say it's a good time for these changes.

And after over 15 years, I'd go as far as to say "Mission Accomplished" with a straight face.
The 3dfx Archive and its attached Forum did their respective jobs. But now it's time for them to eventually retire.

----------------------------------------
Timeline I have in mind isn't pressing.

I'd reckon I'd take it down no earlier than mid-2017, so that leaves about 6 months of slack time.

Notes :
- the very old offer to send a set of DVDs containing the entire 3dfx (File) Archive to any location worldwide, free of any cost, remains standing
- naturally I'll keep everything archived in local storage, so there's no real deadline attached where "everything would be lost"
- just want to be positive that this Forum will go offline as well, so make sure to copy/archive anything you still need in the future
(restoring anything from Forum backups is next to impossible to me, especially anything Users might have stored in their PM folders which I naturally never had any access to)

So please plan accordingly and prepare to phase out the usage of this Forum.

--------------------------------------------

Kinda hard to tell what's the right thing to say after such a long time, other than things seemed to work out pretty well.

I want to thank all 3dfx Supporters for their long-lasting support and activities, and especially everyone keeping this Forum friendly and useful :)

So keep Jun/Jul 2017 in mind when it comes to using this Forum.

PS.
This Thread is open for any discussion, questions or requests :)

Thanks for the information and all the great work that went into this project. I somehow saw that day coming, but it's great that it lasted this long since 3dfx went down.

The FF archive still is the best place to find software and other stuff about 3dfx. I'm thinking about getting the whole archive and setting up a little server by myself (not just 3dfx related but it would be one topic).

Is there a way to "save" some discussions/topics within the forum software?   

When it comes to Forum Threads, one would have to manually Copy&Paste their Content, or use the Browser to save entire Pages locally for later offline usage.

Alternatively, I'm sure there's Software Tools to archive specific Threads.

I've just deactivated the Forum-contained "Harvester Blocking", allowing such Software to now freely crawl and download/archive any chosen content.
(haven't used one of these in a very very long time though, so if there's any issues with using such Software on the Forum content, let me know)

The Forum itself stores all content in specific numeric Files, unsure if there'd be any means to clear-read these at all. Above methods would clearly be the better choice.

I kind of expected this after you mentioned that you had shut down your scientific networks a while back.

Thank you for making the site available for so many years.

Hi FalconFly,

I think this site and forum is a great resource and I would be sad to see it go.

I run an IT company in Sydney, Australia and would be more than happy to offer you a virtual private server will sufficient resources to host the site, forums and files.

Otherwise maybe we could transfer the site and forums over and keep them in an "archive" state.

Please let me know if you are interested or wish to discuss further.

Thanks,
Michael.

While I appreciate the offer, my intent is to basically "let go" and move on entirely.

I'm just not the kind of guy that continues to do things "just because I've always done them".

So it's not really the cost or keeping things running.
It's because I simply don't have that connection to 3dfx and the entire segment anymore like I used to i.e. 15 years ago.

That's really the main movitation behind it.

I could imagine someone (with an existing Site) taking it over, though. Files are free for everyone after all, so I do reckon people will find a place for them.

Hey, understand and thank you for your previous work!

My main concern is all the various websites linking to specific files will be broken etc.

Do you plan to let the domain go or will you keep that? I'm happy to mirror the site.

Thanks again!

hay wait I have a server...

Can I get a copy of the archive So that I can host it?
I don't think Id be able to host the forums. But the archive I most certainly can.

I'd be more than happy to host the entire thing and maintain the forums if you're interested.

Thanks for all those years that FalconFly has been active! I've always appreciated the forum and files. Especially in the periods when 'new' prototypes and information were found!

I'll soon(tm) implement adequate Notes on all Download Pages, but it's fairly clear that many deep-links will indeed become broken.

However, that's the responsibility of all Sites linking directly and any Webmaster is well aware of the risks when doing so (as opposed to hosting files locally).

Just to be clear on the Forum :
It's mainly legal reasons that prevent the Forum from being transmitted, as it naturally contains all Accounts, Passwords and also Private Messages.
Even if those are somewhat encoded, I can't and won't transmit these for above reason.

All I need for the File Archive DVD to send is any valid Shipping Address.
Postage won't kill me for these, so that's all good ;)

PS.
The DVD will include all 3dfx Archive Webpages, so all Descriptions etc. will remain intact. Should make any re-hosting elsewhere fairly easy.

I'm interested in hosting elsewhere, would you require any names/copyright to be changed or would you be happy with a 1-to-1 replica?

Could I tempt you in exporting specific yaBB database tables? :D (for example threads, posts and users). Without passwords, PMs etc?

Thanks,

I will probably take you up on the DVD offer at least. Happy to pay postage.

What happens with the Files is really not relevant, although I wouldn't want to see a complete 1:1 replica.

I don't hold any Copyrights, so my name for example is of no relevance ;)

As I said, no Files of the Forum will be exported. Saving certain Threads of interest to Disk should be easy.

sorry to hear about this, but ofcourse understandable.

You did a great job keeping the site and archives up and running and updated over the years, this has always been my place to go if I needed anything 3DFX related....be it drivers or info.

I would love to get a copy of the files in the archive, I might host it somewhere in the foreseeable future......and ofcourse happy to pay postage for it.

If you let me know what postage would be to The Netherlands, I can send you that through paypal :)

Thank you so much for being a big part of my passion for graphics cards, I've always enjoyed visiting the forums and being able to download the necessary files.

I totally understand where you are coming from, unfortunately, I had to 'move on' several years ago, but am usually lurking here once or twice a week.

I think all of us can understand the dilemma, and for what it's worth I think you probably made the right decision.

This should give enough time for any old users that only very occasionally come by to see what's what. Maybe you could send an email to those who haven't been on the boards for a certain amount of time.

I for one will miss everything. Thanks for all your hard work and investment over the years.

@FalconFly I'm sorry to hear the news that this place is shutting down as I've always considered it home for all things 3dfx related.
I thank you for keeping this place going for this long as I've learned a lot over the years by reading the useful information posted by the various users and having the links to download all the sw needed to test the cards in my collection.

Best wishes for the future,
G1nX

A sad day indeed.

Thank you for the space and friendship Martin, if you are ever in my corner of the States the first round of drinks is on me!

Gary

FalconFly, has ben a pleasure to be here all this years. Thank you for all.

Take care,
Oscar.

Quick Update on the DvD :

I've pretty much completed the raw Server dump, now I'm just looking if I can fit it on one single DVD for ease of purpose. Doesn't look like it thou ;)

I'd rather include all the temp images and various image archives, as they include quite a bit of 3dfx Hardware images that might go lost otherwise.

I reckon sometime next week I'll send it all out, but don't quote me on that ;)

PS.
Having received numerous requests for some form of Forum File backup (which got all denied due to legal reasons), I'm still investigating if I can't find a way to export a somewhat functional read-only Version of the public pages and pack it onto the DVD set.

No idea if that experiment is successful though, so far all Tests with various Software have failed (quite miserably).

A backup of the forum would be awesome. I'll try to save some threads, but the entire forum archived properly would be much, much better.

It's sad that you have to close the site and the forum, but it's understandable, it was nice while it lasted, I aquired some nice cards here and I met some cool people.

Thanks for that!

Hi All,

I did an index/copy of the entire site (including forums as html pages).

Obviously only public pages, linked files etc, but should have 90% of everything, hope that is okay :)

http://falconfly.vogonswiki.com

Thanks FalconFly for everything.
;)
It has been a pleasure to be here all this years, unfortunatelly not from the very begining.

Regards.
Radu

Thanks for keeping the informationen. Great loss for the community, but I guess it was kinda predictable.

Farewell...

michaeldale wrote on 30.01.17 at 11:40:40:

Hi All, I did an index/copy of the entire site (including forums as html pages). Obviously only public pages, linked files etc, but should have 90% of everything, hope that is okay :) http://falconfly.vogonswiki.com

Oh, sweet :)
Saves me from buzzing around with Software that failed to archive even a single Forum page.

I have been inactive here for several years now and I just read that information on VA.  :'(

Being inactive here, means not that I did not use the archive during the last years.

Well I do respect the decision and I just want to say THANK YOU for the great effort to the community.

Alright, small update on the deliveries : Planning to send out a full Batch next week on Monday.

Been holding up on that, waiting for more Addresses to send to, but now it's a big enough Batch to really make it worthwhile.

(was busy with other stuff in the meantime, so 3dfx related stuff was left on low priority)

Thanks 8-)

Hello! I'm a member of 3dfx community all these years and it is very sad to hear such news from you. I want to help you to save your website without any finances from you and free for all people from community. I will send you PM with my thoughts.

I recommend Teleport PRO to backup complete Falconfly site. It can by use later on DVD as read only, with working links.

Alright, everyone who asked for a DVD copy of the 3dfx Archive so far got it sent out today :)

As usual, allow for typical postal (DHL) delivery times.

FalconFly wrote on 27.02.17 at 22:39:42:

Alright, everyone who asked for a DVD copy of the 3dfx Archive so far got it sent out today :) As usual, allow for typical postal (DHL) delivery times.

Still possible get a DVD for me in the near future?
The reason why I haven't mail you with my address is that my address is going to change soon since I have to move to another location...

goriath wrote on 28.02.17 at 14:08:59:

FalconFly wrote on 27.02.17 at 22:39:42: Alright, everyone who asked for a DVD copy of the 3dfx Archive so far got it sent out today :) As usual, allow for typical postal (DHL) delivery times. Still possible get a DVD for me in the near future? The reason why I haven't mail you with my address is that my address is going to change soon since I have to move to another location...

Sure, I'll still have the Files locally so you're in no hurry, nothing will be lost.
I can send out more DVD sets at anytime.

PS.
On the existing DVD Shipments :
- they're currently going out in air-cushioned Envelopes and "should" make the postal trip unharmed
(just the 2 DVDs in a single basic casing, so don't expect any bells & jingles ;) )
- in case they arrive damaged/in bad shape, please let me know

Although they're free of charge, should you wish to cover the cost, you can send a token of appreciation via PayPal (falconfly@ewetel.net)

FalconFly wrote on 28.02.17 at 17:38:58:

goriath wrote on 28.02.17 at 14:08:59: FalconFly wrote on 27.02.17 at 22:39:42: Alright, everyone who asked for a DVD copy of the 3dfx Archive so far got it sent out today :) As usual, allow for typical postal (DHL) delivery times. Still possible get a DVD for me in the near future? The reason why I haven't mail you with my address is that my address is going to change soon since I have to move to another location... Sure, I'll still have the Files locally so you're in no hurry, nothing will be lost.

Thank you Martin :)


Quote:

Although they're free of charge, should you wish to cover the cost, you can send a token of appreciation via PayPal (falconfly@ewetel.net)

Surely I will do.