FR Anniversary Thread - NOV 28th 2007

FR | 8-21-07 | Bob J

[Bob J]

ANNOUNCING

Nov 28, 2007
6am EST-12pm est

FREE REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY DISCUSSION THREAD FOR OLD TIMERS

('97 Sign ups only please)

Although FR was in it's creative/formative stages prior to, November 28, 2007 shall be the 10 year anniversary of Jim formalizing the FR website through registration. I will be hosting a thread for all '97 signups to discuss the early days of FR, where it has gone since and opinions about where it is likely or should go in the future by those who have the unique perspective of watching it's evolution and progress from the beginning.

If you are an EOT (extreme old timer), please mark the date and attend. If you know an EOT please inform them or ping them to this thread. If you know and EOT who doesn't post anymore, ask them to return for this one day of reflective enlightenment.

This will also be a unique opportunity for newbies (anyone after '98...heheh) to read the thoughts and opinions of those who help start this site and propel it to stardom. I'm announcing this way in advance so we have the opportunity to contact as many EOT's as possible

Should be an interesting thread!

NOTE - My apologies to any '98 and later signups, a line has to be drawn somewhere. I thought about extending it through '98 but would that be too many people, too confusing? Thoughts?

[Brian Mosely]

Checking in....

[Bob J]

Good to see you Brian.

[Triple]

bob - was there a re-sign-up at the end of 1997?

I seem to recall something along these lines.

Triple (aka noob)

[Bob J]

Don’t know to which you refer. Before Oct ‘97 there was no registration,, people mostly just signed their real names. When we started getting infiltrated by skank libs and personal threats, Jim instituted the registration system to get a handle on posters and make it possible to boot the trolls.

Early on there was like a hundred people on FR and you could read ALL the articles (and responses) posted in an hour or so.

[Bob J]

You know, now I do recall an earlier registration that Jim had to take a mulligan on...can’t remmeber why.

[Allen In Texas Hill Country]

Jeeez, I missed by 2 months. And I’ve gone to some of the Freeper meetings in Cal. Thats when I lived back there. No problem, there’s always got to be a timeline.

Still need to get my handle changed tho.

[Triple]

I am pretty sure that I delayed making my (re-?)registration in feb 1998, but I could be wrong - that was a long time ago.

[Hazcat]

How inclusive of you and I am soooo sure to give a rats a$$ about This will also be a unique opportunity for newbies (anyone after '98...heheh) to read the thoughts and opinions of those who help start this site and propel it to stardom. Gee we 'newbies' can learn so much from you 'oldies'.

This crap is the same as the post count stuff at DU!

Get over yourself.

[NCC-1701]

Just out of curiosity, what was the first thread on FR and who was the first one to post to FR? Is there any record of that?

[Bob J]

I’m going to guess it was “Welcome to Free Republic” by Jim Robinson...heheh.

[Bob J]

It’s an established cultural consistency on FR that any one poster's definition of “newbie” always includes anyone who signed up after yourself.

Don’t take it so hard, it’s just a joke. If you don’t want to hear some perspective from the people who help found FR, than go read a Paris Hilton thread.

[mike h]

Hey Bob, great idea it will be interesting to see how many are left. ;-)

[txroadkill]

Just out of curiosity, what was the first thread on FR and who was the first one to post to FR? Is there any record of that?

 

It says "Already Posted"

[Bob J]

I think there are more than most beleive. Many just stop posting but don’t leave the site entirely.

[Hazcat]

Don’t take it so hard, it’s just a joke. If you don’t want to hear some perspective from the people who help found FR, than go read a Paris Hilton thread.

Look, if you want to get together we others that signed up around the same time as you fine but don't give me the 'newbies' can learn crap.

Oh and thanks for the idiotic remark about Paris Hilton.

Did that help you feel superior too?

[JRios1968]

Already posted here

[Tanniker Smith]

I signed up in 98, but I remember being around long before that. I was doing the Bill CLinton Joke-of-the-Day Page starting in 96 and I know I was crossposting early on.

[IronJack]

Hey, Bob. I recall the registration dates being reshuffled sometime around late '99 or so. I certainly wasn't a member in '97, but I don't think my registration date is accurate either.

I still remember the FireTalk days, and those "virtual meetings" with the avatars and folks roaming around the virtual conference room ... And Mojo and Hurtgen and Connie and Brian and all those dear old souls ...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Stopping by....