I just posted something and noticed that I had joined this forum in 2002. Over 10 years now.

Few forums have lasted that long in my life. Most become boring, repeating the same thing over and over. However here I keep learning. Things change, new people bring new perspective and experience.

Just thought I would take a moment to thank everyone for a very interesting 10 year read.

I know there are many folks that have been here longer than 10 years. I think that in itself indicates the quality of the discourse here.

Thanks again. <Raises canteen cup in salute>.

Nomad

Thank you for staying with us!

When I read your post, I looked up my registration date. For me the 10 years mark will be reached next week.
I recall some interesting post from you. So thanks for staying around. I also thank Doug, the moderators and all the other folks here for the good time and all the shared knowledge.
I enjoyed being around too. I have learned a lot, acquired some knowledge and skills I may not even have heard about without this forum and some of that may even have saved me some trouble.
The way the forum members treat each other around here greatly contributes to a pleasant experience.
< Raises stainless steel mug to answer your salute and salute everyone who want to join it>

same here been here for a while.......

Well, I am half of your ETS "age" and do appreciate the forum , its administration, and population.

Great place for education and fun.

I started reading in 2006. Started trying to contribute much later, but I've most been learning about survival equipment from the more knowledgeable people here.

Doug Ritter and moderators of the forum are doing a good service to the public. We need sensible advice on the most likely survival scenarios. The practical focus, the wise avoidance of politics, and the general civility of the posters make this a nice place to be.

Not so long for me, but this place is awesome.

I echo the awesomeness of ETS sentiments. 10 years? wow! Happy Anniversary!

Boy, now I really feel old... The forum has certainly changed a bit over the years, but the people have always been great.

Greg

Bah, damn newbies...

-Blast, raising a cup of...something...in salute!

Does anyone know when the ETS forums started?

10 years and only 369 posts.

Looks like you enjoy spending a lot of time "doing" rather than talking. Good for you.

I see some folks on forums that have thousands of long posts and very little time as members. Some folks post in several forums and blogs under the same handle.

Makes me wonder if these people ever actually go outside at all......

Before me at least! I started by lurking in 1999 and it was an established forum at that time; my first post was just after 9/11. Some years back I believe ETS had a computer HD failure and had to reboot and rebuild the user list. That's how I got user #34.

Doing a bit of looking around, the ABOUT page says ETS was established in 1994 but based on Doug's postings on CompuServe. Not bad since the WWW has only been around since 1991 in the lab and 1993 in the general public. By comparison, I've been online since 1986.

OK, what was the subject of the first thread (or first ten). I'm a history buff....

My guess would be something on aviation safety since that was Doug's focus.

Sept 19, 1996

1st Post:

Posted by Dean Miller on October 14, 1996 at 09:07:19:

Hi All,

Now that I have your attention, I have a minor question
about writing messages here.

Is there an automatic reformat for page width while
writing messages, or should I do a carriage-return at
the end of each line (as I am doing in this message)?

-- Dean -- from Duh Moines

1st Reply:

Posted by Doug Ritter on October 16, 1996 at 15:55:44:

In Reply to: Newbie posted by Dean Miller on October 14, 1996 at 09:05:03:

Dean,

Congratulations! You're the first to post a real message in the Survival
Forum (tm). Talk about 15 minutes of fame.

Thanks for your positive feedback.

Doug

1st Survival Related Post:

Posted by Dave Landset on November 30, 1996 at 11:09:55:

Hi Doug, Like the web site.
Where can I, as a total novice, learn to make a snare?
What is best to use as a snare wire?

Also, I'm having some trouble locating a drop point knife locally or in the popular catalogs.
Can anyone help?
Thanks.

Thanks...Wouldn't you just know that the first survival related post would concern knives?