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RIP James Caple-Nisby, aka “AlphaMeridian”: friend, moderator, Arsian

Long-time Arsian James Caple-Nisby has passed away at the age of 29.

James Caple-Nisby, right, at an Ars meet in 2001

A devoted member of the Ars Technica family and long-time leader in our gaming and hardware communities has died suddenly. James Caple-Nisby, known by nearly everyone as AlphaMeridian or just “Alpha” for short, leaves behind family and friends who remember a kind, giving übergeek who left us far too soon. While all details are not yet clear (we will provide updates as we get them), it appears that James died in his sleep from a heart attack on Monday, March 28. He was 29 years old.

Alpha joined Ars within months of its birth, registering back in 1999 and quickly becoming one of the most helpful and selfless people on Ars. In the summer of 2001, when James was only 20 years old, he became one of the first volunteer moderators in the OpenForum, first taking on Other Hardware and then eventually Gaming, Extra Strength Caplets, our gaming forum. Alpha was always gregarious, whether he was laying down a verbal beating on a terrible poster, dealing with the Ars staff in IRC who always teased him for his choice in gaming (GUNBOUND? GUNBOUND!), or threatening to post office furniture questions in Other Hardware.

I will remember James for being an amazing peacemaker who always looked on the bright side of life. Idiotic things like IRC channel fights (which seem doubly idiotic in retrospect) could suck in all kinds of people, but it was usually Alpha who led people back to their senses. He even wrote a code of behavior for one of our channels, because he cared so much about people getting along and moving beyond stupidity. If there was ever a man who was a real mensch, it was Alpha.

We will update this thread throughout the day with details on how you can honor James’ memory, details on the service, and other matters.

Update:  A memorial-graveside service will be Friday, April 8, 2011 at 10:30am in Eastwood Memorial Gardens, 7500 Wares Ferry Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 with Rev. William C. Larkin, officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of James to your local AHA (American Heart Association).

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