The thing I like most about Harry is, if there is something worth saying on
a subject, he will say it. Then the rest of us typing-challenged can just
pick and choose the bits we like.
In this case, I actually agree with everything he says below. Except that
this year, for me, the HOF choice was pretty easy.
I joined Skip Hughes' original vpmail list before I actually moved to Las
Vegas in 1998. Maybe it was 1996 or so? At the time, I was commuting from LA on
weekends, mostly staying at Boomtown (now Silverton) and the Showboat,
playing quarter FPDW for about 20 hours each weekend, then driving back to LA
early Monday morning to go to my real job. Glad THAT'S over with! 
Though I was mostly "self-taught" in video poker, vpmail, with Skip at the
helm, has been an educational and entertaining diversion for me over the
years, and remains so. And Skip remains a smart, practical, down-to-earth, funny,
articulate guy, whom I have always greatly admired.
For more words of praise, you can just reread what Harry wrote below. Good
job, Harry!
And thanks, Skip, for all the good times! And for those yet to come!
Brian
···
====================================
In a message dated 8/6/2006 6:41:02 PM Pacific Standard Time,
harry.porter@verizon.net writes:
Without exception all the nominees bear recognition, and hopefully
regard their inclusion in this slate as such. In mulling the choice,
my own personal experience leads me to favor Skip Hughes with my vote.
When I was stumbling around in 1999, with little idea of how to
distinguish one machine from another, I happened upon Skip's
subscription vp group. Talk about an eye opener! I'll credit my
first couple of years membership there as having laid open 80% of the
knowledge I contribute here.
While relatively modest in membership at that time, the SH Group
attracted one of the most dynamic, intelligent, and good-humored
membership of any internet group in which I've ever participated. And
my head was a sponge as some of LV's most experienced veterans let go
with what often was a free-for-all of gathered intelligence and
experiences. I was in heaven -- although the frequent bouts of belly
laughs during my browsing sessions alarmed my wife ... until she got
used to it 
What I credit Skip with is being the spark for a gathering that
inspired some of the best vp dialogue to be found and that served to
educate many -- and the quality of what rose from that spark was
exceptional.
Skip, of course, has left a long list of columns and articles in his
wake. But what strikes me most about him is that he ranks among the
most common-sensed players I know and is anxious to give the next guy
a hand in an appealing unpretentious, self-effacing manner.
FWIW Thanks for letting me voice an appreciation that's gone
unsaid for too long ...
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