CastleCops Takes Off Badge, Shuts Down Website

Mark Edward Soper — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:38:54 -0600

Since 2002, CastleCops has been among the leading antimalware research websites, offering a Wiki, blog, malware removal and prevention tips, and much more. CastleCops founder Paul Laudanski went to work for Microsoft's Live Consumer Services team in mid-May of this year, and CastleCops, which was volunteer-driven, did not survive the transition. CastleCops' last day on duty was December 23, as the farewell message relates:

Greetings Folks,

You have arrived at the CastleCops website, which is currently offline. It has been our pleasure to investigate online crime and volunteer with our virtual family to assist with your computer needs and make the Internet a safer place. Unfortunately, all things come to an end. Keep up the good fight folks, for the spirit of this community lies within each of us. We are empowered to improve the safety and security of the Internet in our own way. Let us feel blessed for the impact we made and the relationships created.

With respect to the server marathon, by March 17 2009 CastleCops will refund contributions made through PayPal that were specifically designated for servers. Unfortunately, server donations made via check cannot be returned because we do not have the addresses for the donating entity. Unless instructed otherwise, CastleCops will re-allocate these funds as a donation to the Internet Systems Consortium (ISC.org). This organization sponsored our hosting environment for approximately the past 2 years. Please contact us [cc at laudanski dot com] before March 17, 2009, if you would like a return of your server marathon donation. Otherwise, we would like to thank the ISC for their unfettered support.

We thank everyone in creating our unique footprint and memories in time.

Love, Best Wishes and Happy Holidays, CastleCops
PST 23 Dec 2008

Need Help? Now What?

While the CastleCops website, except for its farewell message, is now offline, some of the information developed by CastleCops is now available at the SystemLookup website. Because the CastleCops website used a robots.txt file to block queries from other websites, including the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, most of its website content is currently not available in cached form.

For other anti-malware sites and services, check out this forum thread at Scot Finnie's Scot's Newsletter website. Have other suggestions? Hit Comment and share your favorite software, forums, and websites.

Another One Bites The Dust: Championship Gaming Series Closes Down

Nathan Grayson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:29:14 -0600

Legitimate sport or not, professional gaming just can't seem to catch on in North America. First, the Cyberathlete Professional League wheezed out its final breath, and now, even after striking deals with BSkyB, STAR, and DirectTV, Championship Gaming Series is sitting next to its beleaguered comrade on a fluffy, DSL-connected cloud in gaming heaven.

The reason for its closure: CGS could talk a big game, but sadly lacked the credits needed to continue.

"While the concept was ahead of its time and we are extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished, it became increasingly clear as this ambitious project evolved, that profitability was too far in the future for us to sustain operations in the interim," said the CGS team in its farewell message.

"Our goal was to be ahead of the curve in the e-sports space, and we conceived of CGS as a true sports league. We invested wholeheartedly in the venture and presented viewers with a top-notch production, but the economics just didn’t add up for us at this time."

Good luck to everyone affected by this disappointing turn of events. Our prayers are with you.

MPC readers, what do you think it'll take for pro gaming to finally earn its spot next to apple pie, happy families, and football as something printed all over McDonald's bags and cups? Er, as a crucial piece of American culture, we mean.

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CastleCops Takes Off Badge, Shuts Down Website

Another One Bites The Dust: Championship Gaming Series Closes Down