On Monday, Dec. 19, Airlock Alpha will be going offline so that lead programmer Leigh Ashton can finish the much talked-about redesign that is scheduled to be launched on Jan. 1.

We decided to shut down the site for two weeks so that we can give you some space between what Airlock Alpha was and what Airlock Alpha will be. The new Airlock Alpha will have a fresh new look, better navigation, more features, and a new approach to handling news.

This is a project that is 18 months in the making, and we've worked hard to make this the very best site we can. We hope you like the new look, and the new approach!

In the meantime, Airlock Alpha -- although its staff will be given a much-needed vacation through the Christmas holidays -- will continue to update major news through its main mailing list. The mailing list is free, and usually is where breaking news and headlines are sent out, as well as SyFy Bulletins that might not always make the site itself. It's also where most of our contests for freebies take place, and other news about the site.

You can be a part of that, too! Simply send a blank e-mail to syfyportal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit our mailing list Web site at yahoogroups.com/group/syfyportal and register directly from the site.

Of course, you can still reach all the staff from Airlock Alpha during that time as well. I can be reached directly at michael@airlockalpha.com.

Thank you everyone for understanding and supporting Airlock Alpha's decision to end 2005 in the dark, but to wake up Jan. 1 in an all-new light! We hope you enjoy the redesign, and enjoy the holidays!

This is Michael Hinman, signing off ...