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?

[DoughtyOne]

39 days

As Maxwell Smart used to say, “Missed it by this much!”

[Bob J]

“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.”

Hardly sounds like a “newbies can learn” statement, but if that’s what you read into it, knock yourself out.

[Bob J]

If you were here prior, please attend.

We’ll be using the self policing strategy.

[Bob J]

Yo!

[Bob J]

That’s why I was wondering if the suggested cutoff should be ‘98. Lot’s of original MFJ people in ‘98.

[Mr.Unique]

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?

I believe it was Video Killed the Radio Star.

I might be thinking of something else.

[Slicksadick]

Still need to get my handle changed tho.

Your not the only one who needs a handle change. someone private mailed me asking if mine was in reference to lubricating a you-know-what...
I would double my monthly for a year to get a new handle and keep my sign-up date, any takers out there in admin land?

[Mr.Unique]

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

BTW..how many do you have over there? ;)

[afraidfortherepublic]

I was a lurker in ‘97. Discovered you on Drudge. Caught my attention because I was born in Fresno.

[Hazcat]

BTW..how many do you have over there? ;)

Gee, there is some real whit. /s

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

If you don't know what the Dims are up to it's rather hard to counter.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And Yo back at ya!

[afraidfortherepublic]

My date says November 98, but I know was was here long before that. I do remember when I registered after months of lurking, however. Something someone said just made me finally sign up and reveal myself. I just HAD to answer back! :) Name? The Clinton dramas made me afraidfortherepublic.

[G8 Diplomat]

Wow...I was 8 years old when FR was founded!

BTW though, I thought I read somewhere on the home page or a link from the home page that FR was founded on September 6, 1996

[G8 Diplomat]

oh yeah—sorry I’m not trying to take up space here since I’m a newbie, I was just wondering when exactly FR did start, since it says 96 on the home page but there don’t seem to be any members with registration dates beyond 97.

[Kathy in Alaska]

November 28, 1997, was the day registration began. I was on vacation and just happened to check in via Drudge and, I think, Whitewater. Registration was required that day, so I did.

[G8 Diplomat]

Ahh, OK. Well happy 10th anniversary to FR and to the “EOTs” :)

[darkangel82]

I was 14.

[Bob J]

Jim had a forum on the old Prodigy politics board but they kept censoring them so he started his own BB with a few people who came over with him. It stayed small for a while but eventually Drudge linked his “Whitewater Files” and it started to build.

It attracted lib trolls who at first were okay but then got nasty. Before registration we used to post with full names and eddresses. Jim instituted registration to get a handle on the trolls and give us an opportunity to change to lower exposure screen names.

[Bob J]

“Wow...I was 8 years old when FR was founded!”

Ouch...

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

BUMP