The original Handy Vandal’s Almanac — "Resources for Half-Life Developers" — became quite a phenomenon, for a time, and attracted a generous measure of inspiring emails.
Here are some of those emails.
"When it comes to HL editing, Handy Vandal’s Almanac is THE FIRST place I go to with questions. You are like a Norse god and it is your bible !"
– Shawn Payne AKA "Ed War" – Nov. 2003
"I’ve always enjoyed your site, and was like my number one resource when I was learning to map."
– Mike Requeny. – Nov. 2003
"Like the site! Very informative."
– Cosmas – October 2003
"I’m a new user to Hammer and so have been using your top site for help."
– Chris B. – Sept. 2003
"I just wanted to thank you for creating this website. I have used it often and it was instrumental in helping me create my SP HL Add-on [Minimicus]. I was always able to find something here for whatever subject I needed to research. Long ago as a noobie, I might have given up mapping if not for your site."
– SlayerA
"Learnt all I know from this site. Much respect."
– Terry Rowlands – August 2003
"I can’t wait to start mapping for HL-2 and look forward to working with you in the future, your site is THE site for mappers hands down."
– Nick @ HalfLife2Source.com – June 2003
"Your site is great, it has helped me a lot with map design and things to put in my maps."
– Seb Vass – June 2003
"The greatest site EVER!!! You rule!"
– "Lazermaniac" – Andrey B – June 2003
"I learned how to map from your site! Your site rocks!! I’ve got mad links to your site throughout my site: Half-Life 2 Source."
– Nick – June 2003
"This is the best website about half life ever before. i always come here when i have trouble."
– Anonymous – July 2003
"NICE WEBSITE 😀 … helped me ALOT."
– "Dark Draco jim" – July 2003
"Hey great site. Best I found for help."
– DrAcOn – April 2003
"Awesome site, been using it for years! Keep up the good work! ;)"
– "Winkworth, Jeff :: Superdude" – April 2003
"Great site mate."
– Jason Gardiner – April 2003
"I admired your site ever since I started mapping years ago. Often visited your site. Thanks for all the help (links). I thought I’d give something back by hosting Eyeronik’s and Tommy’s tutorials."
– Slackiller – April 2003
"Nice Site."
– Jordan Kapp – March 2003
"This website is useful and very helpful … keep the good work up."
– "Carl Davis" – March 2003
"I’ve been making levels for just over a month now. I always use your Handy Vandal’s Almanac resources for pretty much every thing I’ve made. I would just like to say it’s an excellent site, I don’t know what I would have done without it."
– "Bradley Mitchell" – Feb. 2003
"Hi Handy Vandal, you recently posted a response to my killtarget question on the TWHL website. I just wanted to say thanks. I also wanted to thank you for providing this website. I I have been mapping for about 2 years and your site is the most valuable asset I have in my arsenal of mapping help. I probably would have given up mapping long ago if not for your site. Every mapping problem I have ever needed to solve, I was able to solve by beginning at your site. Thanks! I was honored that you answered my post."
– SlayerA – Feb. 2003
"Brill site – helped me a lot."
– Rob Plant – Feb. 2003
"Good work … loads of information."
– Carl Davis – Feb. 2003
"It really is a great site. Keep up the good work. I appreciate it and I am sure the community does as well."
– Andy Howard – Feb. 2003
"Glad to see you’re still updating one of the most respected HL sites on the net."
– Atom – Feb. 2003
"I just want to say thank you for making the half-life mapping guide. When I first started mapping years ago I found your page a great help."
– André Jerkås – Feb. 2003
"Your site’s been a great help to me during my mapping exploits."
– "Reapz" – Jan. 2003
"If it was not for this site I would have been totally lost in WorldCraft. Thanks."
– Rick Alguire – Dec. 2002
"Your site has been a GREAT help to making my map … my map wouldn’t exist at all without this site. Thanks for all the effort."
"As i’m new to level design, i can’t thank u enough for the fantastic work u’d done with your tutorials. it’s very helpful and easily understood, just what i’ve been looking for. thanks again."
– Maxx – Dec. 2002
"And your site, has very much liked me. Many useful advice and a heap of cool links. Continue in the same way!"
– vagur – Dec. 2002
"Nice and very Helpful site for newbies like me :)!"
– JP Abriam – Nov. 2002
"Great website, a lot of great info. Thank you."
– Doug Mims – Nov. 2002
"I am a great fan of you and your work."
– big_foot – Nov. 2002
"You Rock. Thanks for the excellent web-site. I bought my first copy of Half-Life two months ago. Now I’m making maps, tweaking with the SDK, and basically spending every waking hour knee-deep in the — all this thanks to you and your outstanding website.
"Your simple method of cross-referencing Half-Life lingo with everyday English is an example I think the entire programming world needs to follow. Sure, it’s great to read about things like vertex manipulation and HLVIS compiler options, but not a lot of people know (or care) about the importance of having links to resources which not only explain how to use these things, but why you’d want to use these things (or avoid using them).
"I think a lot of programmers tend to forget that the most difficult part of any new programming experience is simply learning the language. You’ve done a great job of reaching through the bubble and pulling the newbie in on his own terms (now, of course, he’s having trouble getting out).
"Thanks for making Half-Life even more fun!"
– Matt Blevins – Dec. 2001
"It’s cool having your Almanac … a great resource."
– kevin
"runab0ut" navia – Sept. 2001
"I’d be nowhere without the Almanac."
– James – Sept. 2001
"Great Stuff !!!!"
– Edmund Dickinson – Aug. 2001
"Awesome site. Xen Rebels looks INCREDIBLE. It’s just what I always dreamed with a xen twist, oddly…good luck!"
– Ms.Maul – July 2001
"As soon as I discovered your site I was amazed. Great links and helped me create advanced entities along with fixing my compile errors."
– Greg Clary – July 2001
"Nice site. Thanks."
– Broos / Corpsinhere – July 2001
"I would like to thank you for the tremendous help you are offering all the newbies like myself :)"
– Sune Volfing – July 2001
"Your site has been the key to my success."
– Craig Pierson – June 2001
"Thanks for creating such a great resource …. Your site is helping me out IMMENSELY!
– Steve McCallum – June 2001
"I love your almanac. You rule."
– Mr. Rizzo – May 2001
"I love your Hany Vandal site. It’s the most valuable tool for editing that I know of :)"
– Ellis Farmer – May 2001
"Vandal – U RULE!"
– Steve MacCullum – March 2001
"Great resource, responsible for the large saddlebags that sit under my eyes."
– Danny Hinchin – March 2001
"Thanx you’ve really been a big help to me and my mapping efforts. Thanx again."
– ASQMD-lixid -March 2001
"I just had to drop you a note to say what a great job you do for us HL (and other) gamedesigners. I am a hobbyist/wannabepro leveldesigner and just a minute ago a question popped up once again that had been bugging me for some time and again your almanac came to the rescue with a link to the info I needed.
"This is what it should be about: stuff you need, easily accessible, and no distractions.
"Keep it up man, we love you for it!"
– Brite – March 2001
"Your page is awesome and I use it all the time."
– Nick Johnson – Feb. 2001
"Thanks for your dedication to running THE best HL reference site on the net."
– Richard Beech – Feb 2001
"The closest thing we have to an ULTIMATE editing site. "
– Peter Goudswaard – Feb. 2001
"Your site is an incredible resource!"
– Mataleone – Jan. 2001
(Author of Mondo Bizarro — Portugese language Half-Life site)
"Your site rocks as an index!"
– Peter Lok – Dec. 2000
(Author of Making of Reactor Raid)
"I just wanted to say that this site is quite impressive … good job on the website, thanks."
– Mick G – Dec. 2000
"I just wanna say that your site has really helped me edit HL … Thanx man"
– AX – Dec. 2000
"By the way, your site kicks ass. I use it all of the time. Thanks."
– Matt Silverado – Dec. 2000
"BTW fan bloody tastic site 🙂"
– Jason Owen – Nov. 2000
"Congrats on a great website – god knows how u get the time to do something as cool as that. Keep up the good work dude."
– Steve Ward – Nov. 2000
"I love your site. It has helped me do everything that I know about Half-Life."
– Jeff – Oct. 2000
"BTW, your site kicks butt."
– Jason Fourier – Sept. 2000
"Hey, this is such a groovy site!!!! I used to have to search and search for info, but it’s all here!!! Keep up the good work!!"
– G Begbie – Sept. 2000
"Your site has helped my mapping skills out immensely. Thanx for all the help and skills."
– Ken Bryant – August 2000
"I love this site … it has taught me so much about editing … great job … you’ve been a saint to all mappers."
– Greg Hartwig – August 2000
"Your Almanac site is the BEST Half-Life editing resource I’ve ever run across! Thanks for making this resource available (heaven knows how much longer it would take to find simple tutorials, etc. without it!)"
– Tom Claydon – August 2000
"I am very happy to have found your site. A very good one!"
– Marcus Wendt – July 2000
"Awsome site …. Keep on rockin."
– Pete – July 2000
"I know I have praised you before, but one time just doesn’t seem enough. The mere existance of your site has saved a small village from getting eradicated by a frustrated knifeman. You are the one who gives me relief from the desperate pain of ignorance, which is not a bliss but a burden. Without you, the stress would have degenerated my brains and all the remains of reasonable logical thinking typical to human beings would have concentrated on different ways to kill very painfully. If it has been written so, my coming level will rise up from the shadows to the light and glory and I shall be a celebrated hero second only to you."
– Kahvi -July 2000
Your site is the first place I go to for editing help. Keep up the great work!"
– Bapman – July 2000
"I decided to get into mapping again, and wanted to tell you thanks for your site. It’s helping me get started again. Just wanted to let you know what you do here is appreciated."
– JP – June 2000
"I’ve been using your Handy Vandal site for ages – it’s great!"
– Steve Cook – June 2000
"Your ‘Handy Vandals’ site is very impressive! Thanks for assembling and maintaining such a great source of references for Half-Life and related editors."
– Scott Jordan – June 2000
"Your half-life site is amazing! There is simply everything."
– Barney-boy – June 2000
"Hey your site is amazing …"
– Shan – June 2000
"You’ve put together an awesome site! Cheers on that one bro!"
– Trev – June 2000
"I think it’s a great site and it helps many people easily find the tutorial or information that they’re looking for."
– Greg Kuchyt, Lambda Editing Development Center – May 2000
"Without your site I would have probably entered the state of slight frustration which would have caused me to take a huge kitchen knife and cut innocent people and painting houses with their blood while listening to gospel music. Thank you."
– Kahvi – May 2000
"Whenever I have a question about mapping or something related to HL editing I go to your site. It’s been a huge help to me."
– Matt Herting – May 2000
"Just wanted to let you know how helpful your site has been …. Keep up the good work."
– bloodhag – May 2000
AWESOME editing site … found the answers to speeding up my CS maps ONLY at your site (and the links there in). Hats off to you."
– Ed War – May 2000
Your site kix arse! Simple and easy to get through – keep up the good work!
– GIT_Bozza AKA [CG(Leader)]Bad – April 2000
"… Your web page is the best for half-life editing EVER. "
– The EnIgMa – April 2000
"Thanks for a job very well done."
– The Student – April 2000
"… a big THANK YOU for creating The Handy Vandal’s H-L Almanac. Your site is invaluable!
– SlowHandd – April 2000
" … great collection of material, which has helped me continue mapping through tough obstacles."
– Mark Rhodes – April 2000
"I usually don’t write to anyone concerning their web sites, but I must say that both of these sites have been extremely beneficial to me …. Your sites are so good, they were the first ones that I bookmarked. Just thought I’d send you a quick note of thanks."
– Bapman – Feb. 2000
"Your site has been very informative and helpful. Very well done."
– Tim Mucaria – Feb. 2000
Your almanac has been a life saver for me when it somes to half life map making. I love it!
– Jason Schultz – Feb. 2000
"Wot an excellent site, definitely the best editing site I have ever seen."
– Andrew O’Shaughnessy – Jan. 2000
"… An amazing resource …"
– juddhunter – Jan. 2000
"One of the best resources on the Web for editing Half-Life … I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much information for a single editor in one place! I’m still in the process of wallowing in the files and tutorials, but the sheer amount of information is both exhilarating and somewhat mind-numbing.
"As a purely amateur designer who may have dreams of greatness, I applaud your efforts to help make the editors and the world of personal game design more accessible to the common man …."
– Richard Browder
– January 2000
"I am writing to thank you for the infinite help I’ve received from The Almanac. As a novice Worldcraft user I found it difficult to understand and complex to use but now thanks to all the information I’ve gathered from your superb site I can now finally see my idea become reality …"
– B. Naylor – Jan. 2000
"Thanks for putting this resource together … a huge help to me in learning how to make maps. Great job!"
– Erich Brown, aka Vorlex – Jan. 2000
"… I just happened to visit your site and found it very exhaustive and very well compiled, please accept my congrats on your work…."
– Mukund Vasishta – Jan. 2000
"Awesome Site!"
– Russ – Jan. 2000
"Thanks for your site, it’s helping me a lot."
– James Parham – Jan. 2000
"A great site …!! Keep up the good work."
– Kelvyn Bartlett – Jan. 2000
"Thanks man, that’s a great help, your site is the best I’ve found."
– Sam Wright – Jan. 2000
"I can see from what you sent me that you’re a busy guy … thanks again for the volunteer work you do for the gaming community."
– Steve Everman – Dec. ’99
"Great site you’ve got … keep up the great work."
– Lard – Dec. ’99
"Thanks for the help you gave me … making maps for Half-Life — I wouldn’t known most of the tricks and Tutorials without your web page."
– Wayne Ranger – Dec. ’99
"I have been designing HL deathmatch maps for several months and your webpage is the most valuable resource I have found so far …."
– Michael Ryeburn – Dec. ’99
"I just wanted to thank you for your unbelievably helpful Almanac. I can find everything I want here that has to do with HL Editing, and I browse on through probably ten times a day. Again, thanks, and keep up the good work."
– J. Terry a.k.a. The Fixxxer – November 1999
"Your site has an incredible amount of help."
– Mad Doc – Nov. ’99
"Your Half-Life web site ROCKS!!! It is absolutely the best resource for beginning mappers like myself. This email is just to let you know that your site has really helped me a lot. I can find just about everything I could possibly want to know on any subject when it comes to Half-Life editing."
– Don Valentine – MapMakers – http://mapmakers.bizland.com – Nov. ’99
"Great site, has been an invaluable aid."
– Andrew Taylor – Nov. ’99
"Keep up the legendary work!"
– Ozz. – November ’99
"You have the best page I’ve seen for finding information so far."
– orion555 – Oct. ’99
"Great pages! Thanks for your efforts."
– Desmond Fletcher – Oct. ’99
" … Absolutely amazing site … "
– XDewBackX – Oct. ’99
"Extremely good site you got there dude — most useful so far."
"It’s a bible!"
– [D5] Tayeule – Oct. ’99
"Keep up with the good work … your web page has made [fixing game design problems] less of a headache."
– Heath Fedorczak – Sept. 99
"During the past few days I have searched all over for a good Halflife sites and yours is the most professional I have found — it is informative, well laid out and it works — keep it up guys, you are doing a great job. I just wish that other sites were as well thought out as yours."
– Chris Regan – Sept. ’99
"I found your site and I really like it. It has helped me a lot in level editing."
– MQuatorze – Aug. ’99
"You have a wonderful site and I would like to thank you!"
– Steve Everman – August 1999
"The pages are very well put together. Actually, I couldn’t even do my work without them. You have got the best tutorials and links for Half-Life editing I have seen. When I need to know how … this is the place."
– Collin – Aug. ’99
"While not as flashy, your website is the undisputed best for Half-Life level builders. You don’t have much redundancy either, and link directly to those who have written stuff up before. It’s functional, quick to use, easy to navigate, and that’s all that matters. Kudos."
– David Neelands – July 1999
"Keep up the awesome work man! I go to your site every night to get knowledge and make maps."
– Eric J. – July 1999
"I also want to thank you for your page, I have learned so much from it!"
– Kelly McClintock – July 1999
"Great site you’ve got here."
– Henrique, Portugal – July 1999
"Hey man, great page you’ve got, full of cool tutorials."
– Claudio \"NoodZ\"" – June 1999
"Great site with loads of info …. Keep up the good work."
– Matthew Evans – June 1999
"Thank you for your great page! It’s my most important source of HL editing information."
– Crid – June 1999
"I checked out your site … it looks like an excellent resource for people who want to find editing sites."
– Sluggo, Mod Central HL – March 1999
THE HANDY VANDAL REPLIES:
I’d like to say Thank You to all of you who have sent kind words and helpful advice. Without your encouragement, contributions, and corrections, the Almanac would have remained what it was in the beginning: a list of bookmarks.
The original Almanac is not online at this time, I regret to say. Around the summer of 2004, I found that my interests were shifting away from game design, and towards more practical pursuits, such as working jobs that actually paid money. When I switched internet service providers in 2009, I left much of my old web site content offline, with the intention of updating it (which hasn’t happened yet, other than this page).
Moreover, my interests have shifted: rather than specializing in Half-Life or any other particular game, I’ve cast my net widely — thus “Resources for Game Designers”.
The glory days of the original Handy Vandal’s Almanac are behind me now, but I am grateful for the adventures of earlier years, and the kinds words from many generous correspondents, to whom I say again: Thank you!
– Karl Jones … the Handy Vandal