Keith “Mortin” Whitsitt

24 Oct, 2004 at 3:55am ET Article published in Tech

Comments

1. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:16am TBonZ OMG Celcho!
   
   My condolences Celcho as you know him personally, I'm so sorry. :bawling:
   
   I think in large part Mortin was largely misunderstood but I always liked Keith and I'm greatly saddened by this news. My prayers are with you Celcho, Keith's parents, family & friends.
   
   Keith was a great supporter of the Icrontic/SM folding Team, he donated much cash and H/W to the ICx/SMx project for which I was always proud of him for. This is truly a sad day for IC/SM. Thanks Keith for all you have done. :bawling:
   
   RIP Keith Whitsitt.
2. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:21am celcho thanks. i wish people could have undestood keith better. not to say that i ever did 100%, but many of the flaws that came out in real life and in the online world were probably in large part because of the mental problems he fought particularly hard once he went to college. he was bipolar and in the last year or two, i think it must have gotten worse.
3. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:27am bothered That is terrible news. I only got involved in forums because I found Icrontic. I loved it to bits but had only been a member there for a few months when it went down. I know mortin upset a few people but never knew why or cared really, I just though it was a great site. I can only wish the best to his family and friends in what must be a truly horrific situation. If he hadn't set up Icrontic I probably wouldn't be here and I'm grateful to him for that. Thanks Keith, God bless.
4. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:31am Thrax Wow
   
   I may have disliked him severely, but with the knowledge that he was bipolar, I don't think I hold anything against him any more. I've seen what it can do to people my whole life. It's a shame you go through life, only to learn about things like this far too late to ever do anything.
   
   God speed, Keith. Wish I could tell you that I was sorry.
5. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:48am citrixmeta My condolences to his family.
   
   
   ive spoken to keith many times, its a shame to see him go out like that :bawling:
   
   RIP keith...
6. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:55am RWB Sad news indeed, I never knew him or recall ever chatting with him, but he seemed to me like a good guy. My condolences to all who knew him better than I.
7. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 3:01am Camman Wow, I remember talking to him long ago when he had the "Icrontic Network" because I started my own hardware site that ran for quite a while on that network. I thought he was a good guy, I didnt know him personally or anything but I did talk to him on AIM a bunch because of the whole website thing, I never had an problems with him and I admire that he worked so hard on Icrontic, it was quite a site when it was at it's prime.
   
   My thoughts go out to his family and friends, it's a shame to lose somebody who seemed to have such ambition.
8. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 3:30am MediaMan Celcho,
   
   He is your friend and I'm sorry you had to bring us this news. I always said this of Keith...when he got to run the world...I'll would go work for him on any day. He was good to be around and good to me.
   
   The Keith I remember is the person I respect and remember fondly. All of this would not have been if it weren't for him. Please keep us informed and please rely upon us if you need a digital place to be.
   
   I knew what Keith was going through. He and I had a long talk one night long ago where he told me what he had gone through, was going through and where he planned to steer towards. I wish he had the chance to succeed.
   
   He never wronged me. He always supported me. He will always be a part of my life. I wish he had that chance to "run the world"...I'd work for him and with him in a heartbeat...the Keith I knew was a very good person.
9. 
   24 Oct 2004 ~ 3:55am MediaMan The founder of Icrontic.com, formerly APUs Hardware, lies in a Gainesville, FL hospital. Keith "Mortin" Whitsitt's mother has chosen to let her son go off life support while he lies in a coma suffering from massive damage to the brain from a gunshot wound.
   
   Keith Whitsitt started Icrontic.com in his high school days and the PC Tech website soon became world-renowned because of Keith's antics with his "Ghetto Hardware" articles. Keith's friend, a long time Short-Media.com member by the nickname of Celcho, was there with Keith...his best friend, in those early days of Icrontic. The core of Icrontic.com revolved around one of the web's best overclocking and tech support forums. What is now Short-Media.com came from the ashes of Icrontic.com after it fell victim to a hacker attack.
   
   Even after the fall of Icrontic Keith continued to support the community by making cash and hardware donations to the Icrontic/Short-Media folding effort.
   
   All of us here and across the web to all parts of the world who knew Keith remember him as fiesty, friendly and fun. We remember he got under our skin. He challenged us. He made us think. He made us mad. Most of all...he gave us a home and he won't be forgotten for that.
10. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:05am EMT I'm terribly sorry to hear this news... may Mortin's soul rest in peace.
11. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:10am Shorty Im shocked, stunned and saddened
    
    I spoke to Keith regularly on ICQ when I was at Icrontic. He was always buzzing about this and about that. A couple of times things happened and I went to him to ask what to do, he always said "you doing just great.. you decide.. I trust ya".
    
    He brought a different angle to tech sites with the ghetto articles, hacking an xbox and pushing the envelope whenever there was a chance. That's how Il remember him. He had his own personal stamp on things. That was just the way he was.
12. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:18am Geeky1 I'm truly at a loss for words... he has not passed away yet, so there is still some small glimmer of hope. All I can do is post the first thing that came to my mind, which is this poem written by Dylan Thomas while his father was dying:
    
    Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
    Do not go gentle into that good night,
    Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
    
    Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
    Because their words had forked no lightning they
    Do not go gentle into that good night.
    
    Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
    Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
    
    Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
    And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
    Do not go gentle into that good night.
    
    Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
    Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
    
    And you, my father, there on that sad height,
    Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
    Do not go gentle into that good night.
    Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
13. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:27am Jimborae Thats sad news, my deepest sympathies go to his family & friends. Without Mortin none of what we have now would have happened.
14. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:41am madmat I'm saddend to hear the news of his injury, I wish my very best for celcho and his family and although I didn't know him I do know that he left his mark upon the world by creating the "family" I'm a member of today. I'm really sorry to hear this.
15. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 5:00am floppybootstomp I am deeply saddened to hear this. Icrontic was the first Forum I ever joined.
    
    If you can, keep us posted Celcho.
16. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 5:08am MoTHA_NaTuRE omg, although i never talked to him, and neither do i post often, but i started browsing tech forums because of his apushardware.
    
    all i can say is that if you are here in this forum getting advice and tips, finding friends, having fun, etc. etc. if it was not for mortin, this forum probably would not have been here.
    
    he has affected your life or routine some way or the other.
    
    take care of yourself wherever u go "mortin" :shakehead :bawling: :bawling:
17. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 6:01am Gobbles god bless...
    
    shame to loose one so young..
18. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 7:15am Enverex What.... when.. where? Don't know what to say....
19. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 8:17am muddocktor WOW, what happened? It's a damn shame to hear this, for sure!
20. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 8:27am muddocktor I'm really sorry to hear about this and my sympathies go out to Mortin's friends and family. I didn't know Mortin very well as he had started letting go of Icrontic about the time I joined, but he must have been something special to get such a great bunch of folks together posting at 1 site. To have him in mortal peril from a gunshot wound to the head is just a damn shame.
21. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 9:02am TBonZ Although, I don't know what his exact condition is at this very moment, godspeed.
22. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 9:54am Hawk Sorry to hear such sad news. If he was shot-I hope they catch the shooter. I know he was friends with a lot of people here and at IC. It's a sad day when we lose someone with such potential to change the world. Our (wife & I) prayers go out to his family and friends for comfort and healing form such a tragedy.
23. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 10:29am mmonnin OMG!!
    
    I never really knew him. I asked him one question on AIM once and that was it. He never did anything against me. Basically what I knew about him was what other people said. Most of the time it wasnt good but I was neutral with him. Knowing that he was Bipolar I will never have anything against him, ever. He made a great site in its day and because if it, here we all are.
    
    RIP Keith.
24. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 10:31am Medlock He was shot? I never knew him, but he gave me a home away from home...
25. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 10:42am wb22rules My Condolences to the Icrontic/Short-Media family and to Keiths family and friends Sorry to hear of your loss
    RIP Mortin
26. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:03am Clutch My sympathies go out to Keith's family and you celcho. I never actually got to talk to Keith, I actually never had any grduges against him. It is truly sad to hear this news
27. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:05am Dexter This is terrible news
    
    I was not a member of this community back in the Icrontic days, but have heard many good things about Keith. A knowledgeable and diverse group of personalities gathered together under his initial leadership, and that legacy lives on now here in Short-Media and over at the re-born Icrontic.
    
    My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and to all who knew him through these forums.
    
    Dexter..
28. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:36am Medlock My sympathies to Keith's friends and family, and to those who knew him here and at IC.
    
    I know what bipolar disorder does to people, I can only hope that those offended by him can understand.
    
    Though I never knew or spoke to Keith, he gave me a second home. I am very saddened by this news...
    
    -Rick
29. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 12:01pm Park_7677 I had no idea anything happened to the guy. This is defiantly a sad day :bawling:
    
    My best wishes go out to his family and friends.
30. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 12:03pm Garg I don't even know what to say. I never spoke to him personally, but his efforts at Icrontic were the foundation of nearly all of my computer interests and my involvement in Short-Media. It was always nice to know he was still out there, even long after the fall of the original Icrontic. He'll be missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
31. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 12:23pm test_tube_tony i never really knew the guy, but to all that did, i offer my condolences.
32. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 1:18pm Trinity I never spoke to Keith or got to know him as much as most of you all did.
    Without Keith & Icrontic half of us wouldnt be the "friends" we are now.
    My hearfelt condolences to his friends and family...tis a sad day for all:(
    
    Natasha xxx
33. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:00pm Nosferatu I don't think I ever spoke to Keith personally, but i've been around here since I found out about the apu's hardware from playing on their CS server and have "lurked" around icrontic and s-m since. My heart goes out to him and his family in these terrible days.
34. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:01pm Butters My condolences to Keith's family and loved ones.
    
    His articles was the reason why I visited Irontic in the first place, Hacking the Xbox/GC/PS2. Those were awesome articles.... and who could forget the CS situation....
    
    I still have the envelope that Keith's mom (or sister??) sent out with an Icrontic "Spudz" case badge. I have that case badge on my case today too...
    
    Thank you Mortin, for all the knowledge and information I've gained from the communities you've created from ApuH -> Icrontic, and hoping that you can finally find peace.
35. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:13pm FAH_WW My condolences too - I can't say I knew any of the IC guys well, but via Shorty I've got to know a few of the guys here and also at the reborn IC site.
    
    It feels wrong to say something too personal without knowing the guy involved, so I'll just say may he rest in peace, and remember him for the good stuff
36. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:14pm Leonardo Keith! God rest your soul. Keith and I never did meet personally, but I felt like I knew him at least peripherally. I remember the day I received the Icrontic case badge from him. It was an honor to receive it from the founder of Icrontic, a web site that attracted people from around the world for it's rich technical guidance on via chipsets and early AMD K7 processors. And that site was created by a 14-year-old with fire inside him.
    
    I did not know that Keith was bipolar. That is a vicious brain condition that exacts a heavy toll from its victims.
    
    This is sad day. Good things to remember though: Keith, thank you for showing me how satisfying do-it-yourself computer building and troubleshooting is. You've helped many people. I have rich memories of the early Icrontic and the great community it was.
    
    Lyndon
37. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:15pm MrTRiot :-(
    
    I never knew him...but it's always sad to see someone who contributed so much to go away like this...
    
    Rest In Peace Keith...
38. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:31pm GnomeWizardd God be with him and his family, I remember Joing Apus Hardware and watching the site grow Mort and I conversed over IM many times and he was always willing to help. God rest His soul and Long Live Ghetto Hardware!
39. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:35pm celcho they're going to pull the plug in the morning. his dad is on the way from texas to see him. he is an organ donor, and i imagine they'll be able to save some lives with the organs they harvest from him, so at least someone will benefit from the tragedy.
40. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:40pm primesuspect I just have no idea what to say, except that Keith was the reason I got into all this in the beginning. The site he created was also the first forum site that I visited, registered at, and got involved with. That involvement led to this, which is now a large part of my life and is a big reason that my life is richer for having so many new friends all over the globe. The people here have changed my life and have been members of my family. My kids call some of you "uncle".. All this is directly because of Mortin. Interconnectedness works in wonderful and beautiful ways, and all I can say as testimony to his tragically short life is that all these good things came out of it. So let these friendships and relationships serve as Keith's wonderful eulogy.
    
    Thank you, Keith.
41. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:43pm entropy Wow. I never knew him either, seeing as I joined this site quite awhile after it was founded, and had never heard of Icrontic until coming here (wasn't really into computers before this).
    
    But it's amazing how things like this work. Without him, we wouldn't be here. When stuff like this happens, stuff that worked out in such a precise way, and then the original link is broken ... it really makes you step back for a bit and think.
    
    While I didn't know him personally, I'm grateful for all that he did. Thank you and God bless, Keith.
42. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 2:53pm CyrixInstead All of the above. Icrontic was the first forum site I registered to, and I remember fondly the Ghetto Hardware stuff, one video in particular when they kicked the crap out of a computer in the back yard.
    
    I never got to speak to him but I'm shocked and saddened at the news.
    
    I remember he had some nice words to say about this site and it's folding team last year.
    
    All the best to you, your family and friends Mortin.
    
    ~Ian
43. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 3:11pm Linc

    primesuspect wrote:

    I just have no idea what to say, except that Keith was the reason I got into all this in the beginning. The site he created was also the first forum site that I visited, registered at, and got involved with. That involvement led to this, which is now a large part of my life and is a big reason that my life is richer for having so many new friends all over the globe. The people here have changed my life and have been members of my family. My kids call some of you "uncle".. All this is directly because of Mortin. Interconnectedness works in wonderful and beautiful ways, and all I can say as testimony to his tragically short life is that all these good things came out of it. So let these friendships and relationships serve as Keith's wonderful eulogy.
    
    Thank you, Keith.

    I can't say it better.
    
    Thank you, Keith.
44. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 3:20pm Omega65 RIP Mortin
45. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:09pm rapture I remember Mortin from the old Icrontic and felt quite an impact after reading the news this morning over on the Icrontic forums.
    
    If I could feel that after speaking to the guy over the internet a few times I can only begin to imagine the pain felt by close friends and family.
    

    Keith Whitsitt started Icrontic.com in his high school days and the PC Tech website soon became world-renowned because of Keith's antics with his "Ghetto Hardware" articles.

    
    I couldnt help but chuckle at that one, the humor and actual results of those articles were always top notch!
46. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:21pm pigflipper Many of you might recognize me. I was around from the start of Apu's hardware through Icrontic up to the point where I went to BBF. After a while I came back to icrontic, never posted, but I browsed the forums from time to time to see what was up.
    
    Well, I went to high school with Keith, graduated next to him (we were near to each other on the class roster) in 2002. I had my differences with him from time to time during high school, but after we all went our seperate ways, he became someone I could talk to when I was down. He was my friend.
    
    We were planning on meeting up next week since I had to head back to my parents house for some stuff, I figured I would stop the for night in Gainesville. We had planned on getting massively trashed, just like that time we got drunk in high school during spring break. I remember him having to crawl up the stairs at my parents house because he was so damn drunk.
    
    Nor can I forgot the times with Apu's/Icrontic. The ghetto hardware articles that I partook in, especially the one where we burned the gameboy, I was walking around with no shoes on next to the fire and he dumped a huge load of gas onto it. Good times. Or destroying my old Dell Pentium 90 in Webloki's backyard then finishing it off for another ghetto hardware article. Those are some of my best memories from high school and I wish I had gotten to hang out with him more than just once or twice a year since then.
    
    
    R.I.P. Mortin, you are in a better place now.
47. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 4:51pm Bklahd I've known Keith since 5th grade, we met by getting in a figth with eachother and from then on we were best friends. I sitll can't believe what has happened to him.
    
    R.I.P. Mortin, "only the good die young"
48. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 5:37pm celcho i've actually still got that video of us tossing the case around and then shooting fireworks at it to the tune of kung fu fighting. maybe i could get someone here to post it. it's 11 megs, so it's above the max size for an attachment.
49. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 5:38pm Shorty Celcho ... PM me.. Il host it
50. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 5:47pm pigflipper I just talked to his on/off girlfriend and the memorial service is going to be held on Wednesday, they are hoping. They won't know until tomorrow. If any of you have pictures of you and keith together (I don't know how many of you have actually met him) please PM me. They are trying to get a scrapbook made.
51. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 6:27pm primesuspect I'd like to formally announce my intention to get a collection together to help the family of Keith at this time. I would like to raise as much money as possible to help his family with the funeral costs or whatever else they choose to use it for. As numerous people have stated, none of us would be here right now discussing this if it weren't for him. The least we can do for his family is to know that Keith had a much larger "family" than they might be aware of, and that we are all here for his parents, friends, and relatives at this time of need.
    
    If you wish to donate via paypal, you can use accounts@short-media.com
    
    If you wish to send a check or MO, you can make it out to:
    
    ShortMedia LLC
    c/o "The Mortin Fund"
    1401 W Girard Avenue
    Madison Heights, MI 48071-4451
52. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 6:40pm celcho http://www.dnpdynamic.com/shorty/icrontic512.wmv
    
    shorty has very kindly hosted that video mortin and I made back in high school. it was the last big thing we really did for icrontic as far as i can recall.
    
    i hope you guys enjoy it. it was fun making it, and i get a chuckle out of watching it still.
    
    his parents were divorced, and he had no siblings. he lived with his mom his whole life, so she's not going to take this very well at all.
53. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 6:42pm Kwitko I'm shocked. My condolences to Keith's family and friends.
54. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 6:50pm primesuspect What a great video, Celcho. Thanks for that!
55. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 7:24pm Linc That was a great video. Thanks Celcho.
56. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 7:51pm celcho keith obviously had a lot of fun making that one.
57. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 8:47pm Flintstone I have brought 15 or 20 computers into this world that wouldn't exist without the communities Keith created and the people whom I now call my friends.
    
    May your next journey be easier than your last, Keith. Thanks for letting us all in.
58. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 9:04pm Garg That was a great video! Exactly how I'm going to remember him
59. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 9:21pm Linc The music just fit so well... not just the video it seemed, but the whole situation for some reason... it was weird...
60. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 9:34pm fuxor hi all,
    
    most of you might not recognize me, I used to be a moderator on the old icrontic and then here for a while after the move. Icrontic was the first forum i ever bothered reading let alone get involved in, and mortin was the 'big boss' behind it all. Although I've moved onto other time-consuming things, icrontic and short-media will always have a parking space reserved in my heart, I still come back here when i need help. I can't describe the debt i feel towards mortin and the rest of the staff, you guys became and still are my first e-family.
    
    Keith, I'll miss you man, I know you're in a better place, overclocking everyone's clouds :sad2:
    
    ps: I'm subscribing to this thread. if there's anymore information on how all this happened please post it. thanks all, take care.
    
    pss: thanks to keeb for linking me, i might not have found out for a long time if you didn't message me.
61. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 9:45pm Kwitko Celcho, that video was great. Really put a smile on my face to see Keith as we would all like to remember him.
62. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 9:56pm Xyphus Wow.. I had to do a double-take when I saw that name in the news on the front page. My condolences to Keith's family and friends, and to all those who knew him closely.
    
    I remember him well from Icrontic, though not personally. It saddens me all the same.
    
    
63. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 10:10pm fatcat I will never forget how Icrontic helped me with the KT7-Raid FAQ and the forums. RIP Keith, your services to all of us will never be forgotten.
64. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 10:49pm Bad_Karma :sad2:
    To all that knew and loved Keith I am sorry for your loss.
    
    Thanks for starting a great online community Mortin.
    
    God Bless.
65. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:13pm Linc

    AMDLover123 wrote:

    I hope you feel good about this and pay dearly for leaving a good friend and a nice webmaster to die alone.

    I'm sure there were many who felt malice toward Mortin at various times through the years. What happened to Icrontic was unfortunate and many were upset about it, but I think that was a terrible generalization to make.
    
    What was lost from Icrontic was data. Bits of info and words stored in a database. No hacker could destroy what counts most in a community: the bonds of history and friendship that keep us together year after year. That is Mortin's gift to us, and we genuinely appreciate it.
    
    In addition, I think you've done the man a horrible diservice and slandered him to suggest he would take his own life over a website. That's just sick and demeaning, especially the way you described it.
    
    I've spent the last several hours sitting here at the computer trying to contact various people who've worked with him on the internet over the years to try and let them know about this tragic event. I can't claim a true friendship with him, but I'll be damned if this news didn't hit me like a kick to the stomach. For those of us who feel like these people posting with us are our second families, Mortin was a sort of patriarch who made it all possible and held the various branches of the community together by a common association.
    
    I respectfully request in the strongest terms and as a staff member of this site that you not post in such a slanderous and demeaning way again.
66. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:19pm Ego-Crusher Mortin made a Ultima Online life possible for ALOT of people, we have all so much to thank him for what he done for us and the good time he made for us possible, the whole community that lives today are chocked and sorry about what has happened. Mortin might be gone, but to us he will never be forgotten, there is not a week when he is not mentioned and spoken, he as a fair and good administrator and did hard work for us, rest in peace mortin and hope to see you again someday.
    
    Ego-Crusher of Icronticshard
67. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:26pm kanezfan Don't bother replying to amdlover, it's just gt/meepins again.
    
    i can't believe this, i wish he would have sought out help instead of this apparent suicide. i'm just in shock. don't know what else to say. god bles him and his family, i just can't imagine what they're going through right now.
68. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:48pm csimon I'm sorry to hear about Mortin.
    My son loves the video ...I've never heard him laugh so hard ...I play it over and over and he really gets a kick out of it.
    I first came to Icrontic when I was building dad's KA7 and I've been coming here to SM ever since the hack.
    I remember xsilentdX, oppainter, spinner, equito and tex mostly ...there were quite a few more I know but those are the ones I can think of right off the bat. I also started folding back then.
69. 
    24 Oct 2004 ~ 11:51pm Linc

    Ego-Crusher (Guest) wrote:

    Mortin made a Ultima Online life possible for ALOT of people, we have all so much to thank him for what he done for us and the good time he made for us possible, the whole community that lives today are chocked and sorry about what has happened. Mortin might be gone, but to us he will never be forgotten, there is not a week when he is not mentioned and spoken, he as a fair and good administrator and did hard work for us, rest in peace mortin and hope to see you again someday.
    
    Ego-Crusher of Icronticshard

    Glad to hear from someone from the shard - another great community Keith fostered. Thank you for stopping by, Ego-Crusher!
70. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:24am Bklahd I remember when the site got hacked I was at Keiths house when he decided to stop the site. He didn't want to do it but he had to cause he didn't have the time to completely remake the whole site from scratch.
    
    Live in peace Mortin
71. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:46am primesuspect First of all the idea that Keith killed himself is mere speculation. I'm sure celcho will respond in this thread when he feels up to it, or has more information, but suffice to say that there is reason to suspect foul play.
    
    So Jeff, we don't need your "ooh look how mean I can be" crap. You are just a pathetic, sad kid. I feel bad for you. I hope you find happiness in your life, because you could sure use some right about now.
72. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 1:44am PEHowland I've just heard this sad news via the Short-Media press release. I never met Mortin, but worked with him on Apushardware and Icrontic, generating the original "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KA7 FAQ" and "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KT7 FAQ" for the site. Although we eventually fell out, and I moved on to VIAHardware/Sudhian, this is obviously a much bigger event than differences over a website. Sad news. RIP.
    
    Paul (Howland)
73. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 1:45am MediaMan Speculation about how Keith died or why he died is not appropriate here. Flaming will not be tolerated here. It is in very poor taste.
    
    Icrontic was hacked. There were no backups. Days after when I said that I wanted to start a site Keith offered to host. I declined and within minutes Keith sent me a link on ICQ to the Icrontic domain on Ebay. There was no controversy. Keith just didn't have the time or determination to maintain Icrontic anymore.
    
    That's exactly the way it happened.
    
    
    
    
    I never met Keith "Mortin" Whitsitt in person but I knew him well in our digital world. I cannot say one bad word about him. He was my mentor at the time and he always had a good word for me.
    
    Many around him took forum life too seriously. He never did. He never let it bother him. He always kept it in perspective. He could push back from the keyboard and laugh at himself. He created quite the community in those days of Apus and Icrontic and many had expectations of him far greater than anyone Keith's age should take responsibility for. But he did and for a long time the digital world of Apus and Icrontic thrived and grew.
    
    I could read something in Keith. He had charisma. He had good friends. He had all the makings to be very successful. I watched him slide. I watched him stumble but he got back up again.
    
    I'm nearly twice his age and I always said this to Keith. "Hey boss. When you run the world...I'll come work for you." For whatever reason, Keith won't have the chance to read those words again.
    
    And many will miss him.
74. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 2:20am godzilla525 I'm speechless.
    
    I've been around since the days of the KT7 FAQ.
    
    I would also like to thank Mortin for creating the best hardware site and for all the time and effort put into it. I will miss you.
75. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 2:20am Leonardo

    I've just heard this sad news via the Short-Media press release. I never met Mortin, but worked with him on Apushardware and Icrontic, generating the original "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KA7 FAQ" and "Paul's Unofficial ABIT KT7 FAQ" for the site. Although we eventually fell out, and I moved on to VIAHardware/Sudhian, this is obviously a much bigger event than differences over a website. Sad news. RIP.
    
    Paul Howland

    
    Thank you very much for dropping in and leaving your comments. You were a huge part of Icrontic's success; it's only fitting that you've added to our memorial thread.
76. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 2:35am SimGuy Keith's outrageously funny "Ghetto Hardware" episodes are what compelled me to become a member of the Icrontic community on today's exact date (October 24th) in the year 2002.
    
    What a way to mark a 2-year member anniversary.
    
    By running Icrontic, Keith offered us all a community in which we could meet fellow tech enthusiasts, share ideas and create friendships. Icrontic was one of the first online hardware forums that I joined and quickly became one of my favourite sites to spend time at daily. It also became one of only 2 websites that I felt completely compelled to give back to the community by becoming a staff member and helping as many people as possible.
    
    While the original Icrontic no longer exists in its' previous form, the close-knit community that was created there still largely exists today in the form of many of Short-Media's active members.
    
    Thanks Keith for providing a community from which all of us have gained so much.
    
    The legacy of Mortin & the original Icrontic shall live on, and each of us are a small part of it.
    
    For whatever you do... this Spudz' for you.
    
    ~ Adam "SimGuy" Hughes
77. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 3:18am Xander I never really knew him all that well but he was one of the first guys to welcome me to icrontic when I first joined.
    
    My condolences and prayers go with his family. He is with God now and no longer has the problems of the world of today.
    
    It's the unusual people you meet in life that define what it truely means to live.
    He will be missed.
78. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 3:26am EQuito OMG, this is so sad. I can't believe what I'm reading...
    
    Apu's Hardware was the first forum I've ever registered to. At that time I was unemployed so all I did was just be there day after day. In fact, I was the winner of the first giveaway for most posts in a week or something like that.
    
    Mortin and I communicated very often back then and we had our differences sometimes but overall I think of him as a friend and the one responsible for all of us being here remembering him.
    
    Where ever you are Keith, God bless your soul and thanks for giving us good times, good friendships, great memories and that wonderful place called Icrontic.
    
    My most sincere condolences to his family and friends.
79. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 3:52am PirateNinja Like so many of you Apus/Icrontic was the first forum I ever registered to. Keith was also a strong supporter when I built my first computer, and helped me many times. I wish the best for his surviving family and friends. It really gets me bad when I see such a good young person go.
    Much like the honoring of bart williams, I believe smx20 should honor Keith's name.
    
    
    May your soul rest in eternal peace.
80. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 4:14am Adrian-Wong Hello, everyone!
    
    I'm Adrian, from Adrian's Rojak Pot.
    
    I never really knew Keith but I remember corresponding via e-mail with him in the past. But even if I never knew Keith beyond our e-mails, it is still a great tragedy when someone loses his life.
    
    All of us at Team ARP would like to extend our condolences to Keith's family. It must have been a really difficult decision for his mother to take him off life support.
    
    Let us all remember him for person he tried to be; and the contributions he made to the tech community.
81. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 8:50am IC-Games Like many people here I ran into Icrontic looking for help, the KT7A to be percise was giving me trouble. After an initial post and kind help I was hooked and spent the next three years there.
    
    Its Shocking news. I have spoken to Mortin before and he certainly was very keen and held a special fondness for his community that he created. I may have had my differences with him at times (as a lot of us did) but hold nothing against him, especially after learning he was bipolar. In the end Mortin was always more than the sum of his parts, he was the creator of everything we have here, the reason everyone at Icrontic and SM are friends still. His loss is our loss.
    Many thanks to Shorty and GK for giving me the opportunity to comment.
82. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 8:52am BLuKnight It's really hard to take this in. I too first started out by accidentally running into icrontic.com. (First time I ever joined a tech forum.) Keith will be missed. He made me laugh and had one heck of a site. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
83. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 9:09am Red-Plague If my memory serves me right, I stumbled upon the Icrontic website right about the time of the "X-box dissection". (I think it was an x-box...). I could not believe someone was actually dismantling one of these things (at the time they where like gold-dust where I live). I thought the guy was completely crazy, I then read the Getto articles and my suspicions where confirmed. Top class stuff. I asked alot of "odd" questions relating to specific hardware, but always got a response and help when I needed it. Testimony to the community he had created.
    
    I never met the guy, I only knew him by reputation on Icrontic. I was truly sorry to see Ircontic go after the hack. After reading this thread, I took a trip down memory lane...
    
    http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.icrontic.com
    
    Alot of the links don't work but you can see the effort the guy put in.
    
    To the family and friends, my condolences.
    
    RIP.
84. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 9:55am GHoosdum Sometimes Keith and I agreed, and sometimes we disagreed. Despite any disagreements, I've got nothing but respect for him, as he's the one that made all this possible. I'm very sorry to hear this, and I'll be sending a little something along to the fund that Brian started.
85. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 10:21am hobiedude16 wow, i never knew keith did so much. this girl i know was dating keith (i never met him) for like a year and a half, and a couple days ago, i found out what happened. i live here in gainesville, so i kinda know what happened, considering i know some of keith's closest friends and what not. if i get a chance, ill go get a picture of the wall on 34th street where keiths gf, and 2 best friends have painted a memorial thing. it is a sad thing to hear, even if i never met him
86. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 10:26am Linc

    hobiedude16 (Guest) wrote:

    if i get a chance, ill go get a picture of the wall on 34th street where keiths gf, and 2 best friends have painted a memorial thing.

    We'd appreciate that very much! Thank you for stopping in.
87. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 10:27am shadco My condolences to his friends and family.
88. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 11:03am hobiedude16
    hopefully that works.
89. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 11:19am QCH As with many others here that came from the original Icrontic/ APUS Hardware community... I had never evolved myself with an online forum until I came across the APUS hardware site. I learned tons of things in the early days. I joined Icrontic in 2002 and I really enjoyed the being a member. I never had any business dealings with Mortin, just read his articles and posts. From that I considered him a good guy. Seems like many of the draw backs had to do with management of the site not the quality of the person.
    
    I whole heartedly agree with the sentiment that without Mortin, we would not be here. Plain and simple...
    
    Was George Washington a GREAT guy, He owned slaves, did some tobacco farming, rebelled against the government... those traits wouldn't necessarily make him a great guy, but he helped forge the United States of America. For that he is worshiped and honored with a holiday. Mortin... You are the forefather of Short-Media & Icrontic. Without you, many friendships would not be... for that I honor you and your legacy.
    
    <center><font size=4 color=red>Rest in Peace, Keith Allen "Mortin" Whitsitt, rest in peace.</font></center>
90. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 11:28am gtghm My prayers go out to his family and friends, terrible tragady indeed.
    I didn't know him much, but I remember stumbleing into Icrontic a year or so before it got hacked trying to get help for my Abit KR7 board. During my search for help Icrontic was the place where I found that a person could get help in a personable way. He was instramental in creating a place where all could come and get help and also make new friends.
    
    Thanks Mort for your time and effort in makeing your vision a reality of bringing those in need of help to a place where answers to problems could be found. Many of us dream of things like this but never take action, you did, and its obvious by all of the responce here your vision touched so many in so many different ways, RIP dude.
    
    "g"
91. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:18pm LSDsmurf Hi,
    
    I'm Thomas from DV Hardware.
    
    I didn't knew him personally, except maybe from a few news e-mails.
    
    My condolences to Keith's family and friends.
92. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:36pm csimon Idunno how to get in touch with Oppainter or Dtung or Mr_Icee...maybe some of you might have an idea.
93. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:38pm kanezfan i just can't believe this is really happening. i can't get over this.
94. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:43pm kanezfan lol do you guys remember when he had that avatar, the one with the asian couple caught having sex in their car, the guy had this look of total shock and surprise on his face. he was a funny guy, great sense of humor. i just can't believe he's gone like this, it's a tragedy, i can't believe this.
95. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:46pm csimon I remember ...I actually thought it was a pic of him for a while. duh!
    I was just thinking about how everyone made fun of xsilentdx and his avatard ...poor fellah.
    
    remember preppy hot stunchez?
96. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 12:52pm kanezfan i know my site never amounted to anything, but mortin was the guy that inspired me to try it. i thought if a 17 yr. old kid can do this, i can to. i was wrong, it's much harder than it looks. i'm just in shock over this news, this is terrible. we should have some sort of online memorial of sorts, and i definitely think you guys should name a rig or an award after him. i know i keep saying it, but this really sucks.
97. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 1:20pm DanG My coldolonces go out to his friends and family.
98. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 1:21pm Linc

    csimon wrote:

    Idunno how to get in touch with Oppainter or Dtung or Mr_Icee...maybe some of you might have an idea.

    I'm working on that, and getting in touch with several other former members. Consider it handled.
99. 
    25 Oct 2004 ~ 1:58pm Lars Hi everyone.
    
    My name is Pastor Tim Larson. Keith Whitsitt's mother belongs to my church in Southfield, Michigan and has asked me to lead a modest memorial service for him in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday. I didn't know Keith at all, but his mother is much loved and respected in our congregation and I would like to do his memory justice for his family’s sake.
    
    Are there any stories about Keith you can think of that I might share at the memorial service that capture his true spirit? I would appreciate any input you all would like to offer. I've registered with the forum -- so I believe you can email me privately if you wish.
    
    It is obvious Keith was an unusually gifted and influential person. I’m amazed by the outpouring of sympathy by you all. I will make sure that his mother is aware of your comments.
    
    God bless.
100. 
     25 Oct 2004 ~ 2:00pm Lars PS -- I probably won't mention his avatar though...