The net has lost a TRUE pioneer

[shurlee]

Jim Wilson passed away Tuesday. [memorial.jimworld.com...]

Some of you may not know who Jim is but there would likely be no webmasterworld were it not for him. I joined Brett's link farm back in 2000 by reading his tips in Jims search engine forums.

At the very least, it would be a different SEO world without Jim's influence. He willed be missed.

[thejenn]

Shurlee, Thanks for posting this. He will be sorely missed by many through the 'net.

Jim's family will be accessing the Guest Book at the memorial site, so I'd encourage anyone that wishes to share with them their thoughts on Jim visit it. He's left a lasting impression online that I don't think his family fully realizes. This is an opportunity for those who gained from his wisdom to say thanks.

It's a sad day for the SEO world.

[excell]

JimWorld was a kickstart for many and we will remember Jim.. RIP... big man.

[tedster]

Jim's "payment" information on his early forums basically said: After you've learned something, then turn around and help someone else. I remember that big hearted philosophy nearly every day.

[crash]

That payment method is still true tedster :)

[ncsuk]

I would post in SEF but as excell and jenn know I cant but I've mailed John and offered my condolances and I will do the same.

Ive read your 2 testimonials on the site and found them very moving. By the sounds of it jenn he was your mentor as such and so I cant imagine how you are feeling right now.

Hopefully everything will continue to grow from this and all his dreams will be realised. I offer my condolances to his family although they dont know me.

[WebRookie]

My sincere condolences to Jim Wilson's family. Of the first two places I began researching SEO, Search Engine Forums was one of them.

After you've learned something, then turn around and help someone else.

A great philosophy of his and one to carry on in his name.

[Clark]

Awww man...that's too bad. He really was a pioneer and his forums were a great start for me and a precursor to this forum. Condolences to his fam.

[SEGuru2]

Well,

I'm somewhat at a loss for words, and those of you who know me...know that statement sys something about me. I am never at a loss for words.

Truth be known, SEF was really where I hung my hat first. Jim extended to me Moderation duties for the Excite forum, and a couple others.

I respect Jim immensely for what he has built and the people he has helped. A legacy is truly what is left behind in the lives of so many that were touched by his efforts.

I used to read that newsletter religously, ya know.

My heart goes out to his family and the extended one that is feeling this loss.

[Ove]

Very sad news
Rest in peace

/Ove

[oilman]

ah - the good old days - I remember them well - I was armed with a copy of WebPosition Gold and an SEF login and password. SEF is where I got my start and learned soo much new stuff. Jim built quite a community and won't soon be forgotten.

RIP Jim - you've left a legacy.

[sem4u]

RIP Jim

SEF was the first forum I joined and I learnt so much from that site in the early days.

[Bradley]

I gained my internet marketing experience by first visiting Deadlock.. I then was referred to Search Engine Forums and the wealth of knowledge I gained exploded. His resources helped me launch a small internet business "back in the day". I am grateful for his willingness to help others.

[WebGuerrilla]

Promote or Die

I can't even begin to explain what a profound impact that statement had on me when I first stumbled upon VirtualPromote.

A broke, out-of-work Father of two small kids struggling to build a new career doing something no one I knew had ever heard of.

Jim's site and newsletter was one of the main things that kept me focused on the mission. If it wasn't there when I got started, I'd probablly wouldn't be where I am today.

RIP Jim

[Brad]

Rest in Peace, Jim.

[Go60Guy]

Very sad to hear it. I think a lot of us around here cut our teeth on Virtual Promote and SEF. I certainly did.

[jeremy goodrich]

First forum I ever visited was SEF.

The place was huge (to me) and confusing, and amazing. Jim did a lot for the industry, when this industry was just getting started.

One hopes that we will all, in our own way, leave such an amazing legacy behind.

Rest in Peace.

[Brett_Tabke]

My sincere condolences to the family of Jim Wilson. There were an are many people who can talk, but few who can take that and put it into practice. Jim was always a such a doer that SEF was just such a natural outgrowth of what he'd already been doing. I think there are atleast two dozen community sites -- including this one -- that can point to SEF as a starting ground.

[stevegpan2]

Is searchengineforums.com same thing as this forum or better?

What is Jim's major achievement? Can someone summarize them?

Thanks,

[JamesR]

SEF was definitely a foundational block in my career. That is sad news, sincere condolences to the family.

[ncsuk]

Steve I would recommend you go and look for yourself. There is a link on the first page of this posting which goes to the SEF site and more specifically the memorial section where you can find out all you need to know about the great man.

[nancyb]

SEF and GHF were the first places I found when I went looking for help with my new website. I didn't know what I was doing on the net, but after a short time learned so much from these sites. Because of his example, I was inspired to add his "Helpware" icon on the bottom of my home page just in case I could help someone else.

I am taken aback by the depth of sadness I feel at this news.

[Clark]

webguerilla...you were a mod at Jim's site, am I remembering correctly?

[paynt]

I started there myself, over at Jim’s World. Ditto the feeling expressed here by others. It amazed me that there were other people out there talking about search engines. I’m grateful that Jim’s forums actually led me here to Webmasterworld and how much I’ve grown since then. Thanks Jim!

Congratulations to Jim’s mods for their fine work and respectful memorial.

[RoadRash]

I too got my start at SEF, almost 5 years ago now. Jim will be missed, I hope to see the sites continue under the same management.

Donation to Jims family on its way.

[rmccollom]

My condolences to Jim's family. Jim's World was the first place I found too.

Here's to one of the pioneer's of SEO!

[EBear]

Like others, when I first got into this business 6 years ago SEF was the centre of my working day. Without the help and advice of somany there I would be poorer and less wise than I am today.

More importantly, Jim's theory of "Helpware" was one of those things that made you really believe in the web. While every shark in the business world was jumping on the dotcom bandwagon, he and his community were a constant reminder that there are always good guys out there. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

[chris_f]

It was Jim's websites that started me off on the path I am on today. My upmost condolences to Jim's family.

We have lost a true influence and industry starter.

Chris :(

[candidboy]

I remember when I started learing SEO few years back, his forums were the one which I visited often. In fact when I got my first informative site up, it proudly displayed logo of helpware.

His forums surely helped us all learn how to walk on tight ropes of this SEO world.

He will be missed :(

[Fiver_321]

Without doubt if it wasnt for Jim I would have a 9 to 5 job. If it wasnt for his work at SEF about 5 years ago - maybe even 6 - my own life would be dull and I would never have got my own business and a real head start in this game.

Basically - Jim started my life off in the real world - a MASSIVE IMPACT for me.

Very sorry to hear of his passing away.

:(