Get to know the team: RickC

[HoTmetal]

Name: Rick "RickC" Caudill Age: 29 Location:Riverside, California, United States of America Quote: "You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want"- Zig Ziglar Position: Marketing Lead

• Do you have pets?
  No, not at this time. Though I had a dog named Reno, and a 55 reef tank But I had to give them away. They are currently with family up in northern CA
• What is your favorite color?
  Blue
• What kind of music do you like?
  Mostly rock, some rap, Pretty much anything but country(well 98% of it) and techno.
• What do you do on your free time besides spending time on SMF?
  I'm allowed to not be on SMF?  j/k Hobbies mainly. I'll post more on that if anyone is interested.
• What are your goals/dreams in life?
  Wow, where to start? I have soooooooooo many of them. To work on planes -done
  I plan on owning my own business someday. Obtaining my four year degree. I would love to own a Mill, lathe, and a lil tool room CNC machine so I can tinker with some of my own creations at home.
• What got you involved in SMF?
  There's a long version, and a short version to this story. Short Version:
  YabbSE.  Back in the day...
  Long version: I was working for UC Davis and a few co-workers and I started an investment club. The club grew in size, with people who had varied work schedules. We needed a place to post information that would be accessible day and night. I was already in school, so I took on a few web design classes. My obsession grew from there. A friend turned me on to PHP. I'd never heard of it before. I quickly found out about it, and more importantly YabbSE. We began to use it for our investment club website.
  
  The SMF project took off sometime after, I loved it so much I became a Charter Member. As a CM, I was always impressed with how well organized the community was. I started spending more and more time on the boards and fell in love with the community.  One day I was snooping around on google and came across SMF's wiki. I PM'ed the team and asked why it wasn't linked anywhere. I didn't know it at the time, but it was the workings of what today has become the "Docs" site.
  
  Later on, a few SMF fans started a group to "promote SMF". Since I knew some of the SMF team, I asked Joseph (the PM at the time) for permission to do certain things. The last thing we wanted was to do something against the SMF team's wishes. Before long, 3+ of our little group left the project to join the SMF team. This basically killed our little side project. But I would regularly keep in contact with those members, and others on the team. I didn't know it at the time but I was being stocked watched. I was added on some time later.
  
• Who do you admire? Why?
  There's a ton of people I admire. For sanity reasons, I kept the list short.
  Ben Rich-Took over skunkworks for Kelly Johnson. Helped design some of the greatest planes in aviation history. U2, SR-71 (He was responsible for the retracting cones in front on the jet engine, that enabled it to set every speed record there was) F-117, and many others.
  Deming My hero for QC.
  Zig Ziglar An inspirational (Christian) salesman. 
  Don Herbert
  The OG Mr. Wizard. I used to watch this show every day as a kid.
  The SMF Team
  Mythbuster stars Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. In a nation that outsources more and more of its skilled manufacturing workforce, its godsend to see two mechanically inclined individuals become TV icons and have a show where their skills are put to use. (their fan club site uses SMF btw.)
  


• Are you into sports?  If so which ones?
  Not as much as I used to be. I used to be big into football, baseball, boxing, and wrestling. I don't follow my teams, or the sports like I used to. I do watch UFC and other MMA's a lot though... My cousin fights under Jeremy Horn in Utah
• What is your dream job?
  It depends really...
  Since I was a kid I always took things apart, to see how they worked. I also was fascinated by airplanes. As a young one, I thought I wanted to do special effects, but as I grew older, airplanes became my passion.
  I currently work on C-17's and KC-135's as a structural maintenance and repair tech. (In the past I was a machinist/welder on the kc-135's. )It doesn't get much better than this for me. I guess maybe if I owned the planes, but I don't think I got the funds to purchase
  
  I guess in a perfect world, I could own my own business that brought in enough money to where I didn't have to work much (or at all), It would give me the time to volunteer on other projects and or allow me the time to pursue school, other hobbies, interests and disciplines.
  
  
• What was your first screenname?
  Hmm MSN it was ru12_ or roosterTSi if your talking about forums aka_pLaYer if your talking about online gaming (MOH)
  
• Do you have any piercings?
  Nope.  Had my ear done as a kid.
• Are you a lefty/righty or ambidextrous?
  I am left handed, or as I say "right brained"
• Do you have any tattoo's?  If not do you wish/plan to get one?
  No and Maybe, if I can think of something I want on my body for the rest of my life...
• Do you have any siblings?  If so, how many of each?
  Yes... 3 bothers, 3 sisters. (I'm the oldest)
• What are some of your favorite websites?
  http://simplemachines.org -- I spend the bulk of my time here
  http://garf.org
  http://chairforce.com --
  http://finance.yahoo.com/
  http://www.fool.com/investing/
  
• Do you play computer games?  If so, which ones?
  Not now. (too addicting).I was BIG into MOHAA/BT online.. Played with the CGS clan. I loved rifles only rooms or FFA's
• Do you play video game consoles?  Which ones?
  No... Not these days. I did PC game hard core for a bit. I may get a PSP soon.
• Are you married or planing to get married?
  No, and no comment.
  
  
  
  • If so do you have any kids?
    Yes.
  • How many kids?
    1 a Boy
• How many languages do you speak?  If so which ones?
  A few...English, Worser English (hehe), some Spanish and good old fashion Pig-Latin 
• Do you drink?
  On occasion, I love my beer. "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Benjamin Franklin.
  
  
• Do you smoke?
  Sometimes
• Did you play hookey from class?
  Yes, when/if needed.
• Do you have a license?
  Yes, and a Govt. one too
  
  
  
  • Do you own a car?
    Yes, a few... 2002 PT Cruiser, 2001 Chevy Blazer, and  1986 Dodge Conquest TSi.
  • Have you ever been stopped for speeding?
    Yes, twice.  Not in along time though...
• Do you obtain a good amount of sleep daily?
  I get about 5 hours a day
• How do you sleep?
  In a bed, unless drunk
• Have you ever been on an airplane?
  LOL, Everyday. Actually I'm probably one of the few here that's really been on them, as opposed to just in them. Been on the wing, the tail you name it. NOTE: being on the tail of a C-17 when its windy is a kinda freaky. Ever seen Dirty jobs? I've been in the fuel cell, and trust me, it stinks something awe full.
• Have you ever broken a bone?
  Nope
• Do you wear jewelry?  If so what jewelry do you wear?
  In my job profession, its not allowed. (Can't even wear a wedding ring)
• How do you dress?
  Depends on the occasion.  ABUs... Pants/Shirt... I rarely wear shorts out in public, except to swim. There was a time when I was a docker/polo shirt guy, (didn't own a pair of blue jeans) now I wear it all, depending on mood/occasion.


• How many keys are on your keyring?
  Depends on the keyring. I have 4 of them...
• What time do you go to bed?  What time do you wake up?
  I tend to be in bed by midnight and I'm up and drinking coffee by 5am
• What's the freakiest thing you have done?
  Um, WOW, trust me, you really don't want to know.
• Do you live alone?
  No
• How many hours a day do you spend in the computer?
  4+
• How many hours a day do you spend in SMF?
  3+
• What is your favorite beverage - coffee, tea, soda, beer, other?
  Coffee, Beer, and Water. Don't care too much for soda.
• What do you hate?Hate is a strong word, how about pet peeves?
  Well without standing on a soapbox and preaching...
  Those who can't drive, but do.
  New trends. ( You know the ones that you can tell won't last...)
  Poor customer service.
  People with poor work ethics.
  (I reserver the right to add more later )
• What do you love?
  Family,SMF, Airplanes, Computers, tools, toys,gadgets, gizmos
• What is your religion?
  Chirstian-non denominational
  
• What is your hair color?
  Dark Brown
• How tall are you?
  5' 8"
• How much do you weigh?
  175 (about) lbs.
• What's the feature on SMF you can't live without?
  
  
  
  • As an administrator?
    Permissions Permissions. Permissions!
    The ease of updating/maintenance. ( I remember using boardmod...hehe ) and SSI's
    
  • As an end user?
    The me tag and Spell check..
    

[Coldfx]

Who's your SMF hero? *Links to my profile*

Oh, and when you played football:

What position? And what league did you play (Freshmen, JV, V, etc)?

[HoTmetal]

Who's your SMF hero? *Links to my profile*

Oh, and when you played football:

What position? And what league did you play (Freshmen, JV, V, etc)?

SMF hero? Of course there's Unknown, but I'd have to say the team as a whole. Getting people across the globe who volunteer to work towards a common goal, is just an awesome experience.

I never played American football in a league, use with friends. I did play football (soccer) all positions but goalie for 6 years until 10 grade in high school . I gave it up because I was a better wrestler

[metallica48423]

• What is your favorite color?
  Blue

Thief

You sleep about as much as i do

I always saw you as a taller guy for some reason, dunno why lol.

What happened to letting this sit in Full Team Chat for the team to answer first? ah well

As an end user?
The ease of updating/maintenance. ( I remember using boardmod...hehe ) and SSI's

I think it means 'end user' in terms of the members of a board, not a person who downloads the product (smf)

I'd be a little afraid if any random member could upgrade/maintain or code things for my board

[Elmacik]

As an end user?
The ease of updating/maintenance. ( I remember using boardmod...hehe ) and SSI's

I think it means 'end user' in terms of the members of a board, not a person who downloads the product (smf)

I'd be a little afraid if any random member could upgrade/maintain or code things for my board

It gathered my attention too. I think rickC is so fatherly to his members that he shares all the information..

[HoTmetal]

• What is your favorite color?
  Blue

Thief

yeah... I liked it.. I wanted the color to be HOT Pink but.... hehe

I always saw you as a taller guy for some reason, dunno why lol.

I get that alot... Not sure why... MY dad is 6'4'' and my son is on track to me 6+, it must skip a generation...

What happened to letting this sit in Full Team Chat for the team to answer first? 

Oh, snap! I missed the memo.

* rickc  Feverishly awaits Amacythe's whip...

It gathered my attention too. I think rickC is so fatherly to his members that he shares all the information..

lol Yeah trust... No ... As an end user, it would be the me tag....

[metallica48423]

thats one i've never seen used as a favorite feature.

Personally i like the ease of navigation between topics and individual posts, including editing and removing.  All stuff that i remember having to go into an Admin CP before in other board softwares, but thas me .

SO now a few questions:

who is your celebrity dream date?
what sort of work do you do?  You seem to have somewhat a background (or at least a strong sense of direction) in marketing from what i've seen from working with you on the team.  (or am i just plain wrong? )
What is your favorite beer?

[shadow82x]

Why did you wait so long?

• What kind of music do you like?
  Mostly rock, some rap, Pretty much anything but country(well 98% of it) and techno.

Wait did you say some rap?

[HoTmetal]

Why did you wait so long?

• What kind of music do you like?
  Mostly rock, some rap, Pretty much anything but country(well 98% of it) and techno.

Wait did you say some rap?

Timing.
Well when I 1st joined the team, I thought it best to allow those who've been on the team longer to get their "getting to know the team" post out 1st. Then I got busy doing things here at SMF. When we did some theme/2.0 upgrading, the blogs were only visible on the board, not via.
"http://blogs.simplemachines.org/". The blogs are up and running, and 2.0 beta is out, I thought now would be a good time.

Yes some rap. Where I grew up 70% or more listened to rap. I really always listened to everything. IMHO there good music and bad in each of the Genres. (even country )

[tumbleweed]

I notice you are flying the "patch" Habu as for the legendary SR-71.

Are you just a fan of this skunkworks wonder?

Or did you maybe work on it somehow?

Just wonderiong is all.

tumble

[SleePy]

This question would of best been asked in private. But I have sent rick a message to check this out.

**EDIT... Merged topics **rickC

[tumbleweed]

This question would of best been asked in private. But I have sent rick a message to check this out.

My mistake was just chit chat is all. Feel free to delete this post if you feel it is not appropriate.

tumble

[SleePy]

I don't mind. it might attract some users attention

[HoTmetal]

This question would of best been asked in private. But I have sent rick a message to check this out.

Indeed

I don't mind. it might attract some users attention

But agreed For the record :
I have NO problems answering any questions in public. (or in the CM area )

I notice you are flying the "patch" Habu as for the legendary SR-71.

Are you just a fan of this skunkworks wonder?

Or did you maybe work on it somehow?

Just wonderiong is all.

tumble

hehe, glad you noticed.... A good Q... The SR-71 and I have some history.

My bet friends' dad worked on them...

Now I'm in the AirForce and I'm a HUGE fan of the SR-71, skunkworks, and Ben Rich... (the man who ran skunkworks after Kelly Johnson). I saw the SR fly as a kid and it was the plane that made me want to join...

The SR-71 isn't flown anymore, but the 1st base I was assigned to, used to fly them. So there's pics of them everywhere.... We even had one on static display. I used to work @ a machine shop in the local area. Our owner bought a TON of tools when the local base got Brac'ed (closed) [Base Realignment and Closure]
including a tool box marked "Not for use with the SR-71" .... The base I'm at now , has one on display...

Hope that helps

[tumbleweed]

Having working in the Aircraft Industry for about 10yrs. Never get did get a chance to work on anything behind those black doors:(

Intersting story for sure Both Ben Rich and Kelly Johnson are famous for their designs that came out of the SkunkWorks.

Ben for his leading edge plane F-117
Kelly jeez that guy had a hand in way to many designs to post here.

Good Stuff thanks for sharing!!!

tumble

[HoTmetal]

I thought I should merge the two topics.
The Ironic part is I just changed my avatar for the SMF photo contest. HEHE

[tumbleweed]

Yep my question is looking a bit silly now.

Black ops and all Patch what Patch? I just see a bunch of fellers standing next to a wall. LOL

tumble

[Thantos]

people who change their avatar suck

[metallica48423]

so what's that mean for those that use dynamic avatars just so they don't have to spend the time to change it?

[Thantos]

That we have skills and are lazy.  Plus we suck