Posted: 12/18/2002 10:04:01 AM EDT
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News of TFL closing got me reminiscing about AR15.com. I believe I first stumbled across AR15.com in the fall of 1997. I got my first AR15 in the summer of 1998 as a wedding gift from my wife. Back in those days, I recall not even wanting to surf the GD forums, much less post there. And people think that it's wild now.... [rolleyes] Does anyone know the story behind the start of AR15.com? IIRC, Edward was doing a lot of the early work. Wasn't he in Kali at the time? But when and how did it [i]really[/i] begin? Then there was the email lists (which I never took part in, mainly because I didn't know they were there) and the "super secret" Beta board. Didn't the Beta board evolve into the "new" AR15.com? Those registered on the Beta board had sign up dates of Nov. 2000, while the first users on the "new" board were all Jan. 2001. Can anyone fill in the details? I wasn't as active back then (or at least didn't pay as much attention), so I don't claim to know the "true story." Let's have fun with this. Maybe it can turn into a good educational thread for new AR15.com members (or even transplanted TFL'ers). EDITED to add "history" in the subject line. |
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I will ask him tomorrow if you want "The Real Story" [:)],but for now,here is the short MAYBE IT HAPPENED THIS WAY story [;)] Once upon a time,in a Rochester NY household...... a boy named Edward grew up in a house where the M16 and the .223 were not welcome![:O] OMG-did I admit that? I was a gunner (M60) in the military and never cared too much for the M16. Being a typical rebellious teenager, he had to get interested in something dad didn't like [;)],so he read everything he could on the rifle and its counterpart the AR15 [rolleyes] When he got out of college,5 years and many $$$$$$ later,he started working in computers as a website developer and set up the maillist and the old site (around 97) to correspond with people who shared his love of the POS,er I meant AR15 [:)] Before I knew,he had a dozed fancy AR's with all kinds of accessories on them. He became a walking encyclopedia on the AR15 and became extremely knowledgeable on his irrational defense of the .223[;)] He got burned out with the shenanigans and the bickering here and passed the torch to his middle brother(GoatBoy),so he could devote his time to his newfound love....... the .50BMG. GoatBoy's first task was to develop 50 World and use it as the prototype for the new AR15.com.He did, and began to run the new AR15.com around Jan 2000(the accounts from Nov 99 are from those of us testing its functionality) Ed still visits here and is involved with the site,but is not a "frequent flyer". Things often have an unexpected twist in life,and he is now more interested in the .308 while I have gotten to [s]love[/s]like the .223[:)] Some things remain constant: He still loves the 9mm as much as I hate it.And I still love the .45 as much as he hates it. Note: No, he was never in Cali except to visit colleges and family |
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Thanks Ed!! Don't suppose there's a more credible source for this story than Ed. (Well, it would be interesting to hear Edward and Juan's perspective on it, though!) Ed, didn't the new board start in Nov. 2000 and Jan. 2001? Sorry about that Kali reference. For some reason I thought that Edward was in Kali. Oops, too many brews the night that I came up with that? |
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Yep, I remember the days of the old mailing list and when the board was pretty new. I also remember selling Ed an AR15 and told him I needed the money in a hurry. A couple of days later I got a priority mail envelope filled with $100 bills. Those were the good ole days! |
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Quoted: Well, the "old" ar15.com wasn't a mailing list, right? It was like it is now, only a little less fancy. I'd like to get the story too, just for historical purposes. The "old" board that I used to post on wasn't a mailing list; I was never in on that. No, but in the beginning there was a mailing list run by Ed in addition to the board. You signed up for it right here on ar15.com. It eventually turned into a flamefest (imagine that) and about 1/2 of the stuff was off topic. It went to a moderated list for a little while and eventually went away. A new ar15 email list replaced it, but it wasn't the same and I no longer subscribe. |
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Ok here's what I can offer... Not sure how Edward got into doing the site, but he had/has a passion for the AR-15. It started as a mailing list run off a Sun server and nothing more. I think 2 years later he put up a website with some information and a copy of UBB for discussion forums. (We had both gone into Internet development then and ran a paintball site on the side.) The site then started taking off... this is back in 1996-1997. I had hung around and helped with servers, networking, software, etc as I had come out of school burnt out on C++ coding and got into Network & Server support. (Worked for Xerox and Eastman Kodak!) After a few years I fell in love with development and been with it since. ANYHOW, in 2000 Ed wanted to do more for 50World and his growing passion with .50s. (This also is MY fault as I was the one who LOVED the Barretts!) Once he shot it, he had to have one and soon enough he had one delivered within a few weeks. He wanted to prototype a new more powerful (and dynamic) website for 50World and see if AR15.Com should head down that path. Well I was knee deep in Online Gaming then, I ran a very solid (and high rated) Counterstrike clan and played other war and combat type games. I was also big into the gaming scene and was building sites for people. I got sick of UBB (CGI POS) and decided to write something much more powerful, capable of handling major server loads. (The Counterstrike forums were pathetic... just like AR15.Com when too many people hit it, it would slow to a crawl and then just crash and burn!) The rest is history. Back in October/November of 2000 we put up a "prototype" forums for the new AR site. A few people (50-100 maybe) logged in to try it out and play with it. I basically continued to build and clean it up (was REAL early in its development!) Around Jan or Feb of 2001 the old site died, and I mean kicked the bucket! The drive power went and then the platters got corrupted to hell and back. I couldn't recover any data, let alone get anyone to recover it. (I tried and still have the drive because I did not care about a warranty, I want the info!!!) Since that time, the site has existed and changed here and there. I have continued to work on the forums as well as other projects like the photo server. I used to do this part time (after work!) much like Ed did, but have found a lot of free time lately. [;)] Oh and we got EdSr more involved a little after I took over because I like him more. [=D] Edward's still around, but life's been tight for him due to a number of reasons. He still makes as many events as he can and he still loves this place as much as his rifle collection. (He rarely has time to shoot either... [=(]) If anything, the site has helped bring he and I closer together and the same with the old man. [=)] Hope this helps a little bit more! |
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Alright,here is more info! eswanson: As you very well know from Full-Auto.com According to Cactus Jack I was a potato peeler who hid behind the sac of potatoes when the base was attacked and while the F-4 were flying close support missions![rolleyes] Duncan: I was not a doorgunner,but I do love those guys and their wonderful flying machines!BTW-Osprey was a doorgunner. Nah,I was a gunner in recon platoon of the 2/504 for a year and then transferred to the 2/505 when the 3rd brigade of the 82nd ABn was sent to Nam. Now for Ed's info. He said he got more interested in the rifle when he went through basic training in 89. When he came out of the Army and looked for information on it,there was nothing in one place,so in 1995 he started the mailing list. In 97 he opened the site,and it was a bulletin board similar to what F-A or gun-talk.The mailing list continued and seemed to be for those who were quite serious about the subject,Ed,col Chuck Santose,and many others like you guys! In the Fall of 2000 ,Juan started coding 50World and used it as a AR15.com and in NOV 2000 some of us from the old site went to[B] RECON [/B] it![:)]{you can't teach an old dog new tricks,can you? Ed stayed for a while, and slowly got involved more and more with his growing son,and the damn .50 Barrett [:)] Now ,he takes care of ads and other things while Juan does the other 99% of what is needed here.[:D] I just do some yelling....well,ok....a lot of yelling! [:)] That's all folks! <--------Looney Toones! |
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For those of us that weren't around back in the day, here is what the sight looked like back in the days of old. [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19981111185018/http://www.ar15.com/]November 11, 1998[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19991013024806/http://ar15.com/]October 12, 1999[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000816230515/http://www.ar15.com/]August 1, 2000[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010401224331/http://www.ar15.com/]April 1, 2001[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010926180620/http://ar15.com/]September 26, 2001[/url] |
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Quoted: For those of us that weren't around back in the day, here is what the sight looked like back in the days of old. [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19981111185018/http://www.ar15.com/]November 11, 1998[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19991013024806/http://ar15.com/]October 12, 1999[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000816230515/http://www.ar15.com/]August 1, 2000[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010401224331/http://www.ar15.com/]April 1, 2001[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010926180620/http://ar15.com/]September 26, 2001[/url] Boy...lookin at those pages bring back some memories. |
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Ed Sr., Juan and Edward: Thank you! This is exactly what I was hoping for. Though I thought it would have come from some of the regulars at that time, not the creators of AR15.com!! Hopefully this thread will be of help to new AR15.com members, and give some of us who've been around here a bit of nostalgia. Anyone else have anything to add to this (factually or storytelling)?? And finally, I think that the Avila's have demonstrated what a huge impact a few people and an idea can have. Just think about the incredible impact that AR15.com has had on the organization of RKBA efforts around the US, bringing new shooters to the black rifle (and firearms, self defense, freedom, etc.), as well as forging friendships. It's really quite amazing. Guess I just talked myself into the Platinum Team Membership next time around. [:D] |
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Ah yes, the old days. I remember in the late 90's sometimes waiting 10 to 15 minutes for each page to open. Yes they were some wild times but we still treated each other like family. Well most of us anyway. I also remember Edward's AR collection being quite a bit larger than 12. [;)] ColtShorty© "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." |
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Cool thread. I didnt realize I had been lurking that early. I recognize the Aug 2000 board. Back then, I wasnt sure the difference between an AR or M16 and was afraid to post any questions. I just knew I wanted one and lurked the board to learn. Then the LEGP came along and next thing you know....Bob's your uncle. Is there anyway to find my first post? |
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Quoted: For those of us that weren't around back in the day, here is what the sight looked like back in the days of old. [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19981111185018/http://www.ar15.com/]November 11, 1998[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19991013024806/http://ar15.com/]October 12, 1999[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000816230515/http://www.ar15.com/]August 1, 2000[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010401224331/http://www.ar15.com/]April 1, 2001[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010926180620/http://ar15.com/]September 26, 2001[/url] Wow, I remember when the site got a new look in 2000 and it wasn't very long before AKnet had the exact same scheme and colors. :) I never did post much though. tony |
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Quoted: Being a typical rebellious teenager, he had to get interested in something dad didn't like [;)],so he read everything he could on the rifle and its counterpart the AR15 [rolleyes] Before I knew,he had a dozen fancy AR's with all kinds of accessories on them. He became a walking encyclopedia on the AR15 and became extremely knowledgeable on his irrational defense of the .223[;)] Hey Ed Sr., How they hell did you get Ed Jr. confused with Juggernaut? BTW - you forgot the part where Juggernaut constantly has to prove he knows more than you about all-things firearms [:D] The Kid's about worn me out! X |
| Wow I didn't realize I had ghosted this site so long before joining. Back in 98' I was lookin at a 16" Bushmaster shorty some guy had sold back to the gun shop cause it was 'too loud' but I didn't know anything about Bushmasters. So I started lookin around the net and found this place and after reading some posts on different brands and the ideal rifle article I went and bought that shorty. I had to look at xbigfootx's post and dig up my receipt to make sure about the year, man how time flies. Informative and entertaining, guess it's about time I joined for real. |
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Quoted: For those of us that weren't around back in the day, here is what the sight looked like back in the days of old. [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19981111185018/http://www.ar15.com/]November 11, 1998[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/19991013024806/http://ar15.com/]October 12, 1999[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000816230515/http://www.ar15.com/]August 1, 2000[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010401224331/http://www.ar15.com/]April 1, 2001[/url] [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010926180620/http://ar15.com/]September 26, 2001[/url] On page 3 of GD in the second link above, lordtrader organizes a shoot where 9 of us show up. That group grew into [url] www.webshooters.org [/url] Since then we've had many shoots, camping trips, and training classes. Over 70 people came out to our shoot last weekend! It's amazing what can happen from just a post on ar15.com. |
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Quoted: Hey Ed Sr., How they hell did you get Ed Jr. confused with Juggernaut? BTW - you forgot the part where Juggernaut constantly has to prove he knows more than you about all-things firearms [:D] The Kid's about worn me out! X Hi Andy! I guess a lot of us who have children who take an interest in firearms go through the same hassle! [:)] I know you would agree on two things. 1)We did a good job by getting them interested in firearms rather than what some other kids get interested in nowdays! 2)They both know more about weapons than we do![:D]....maybe I should speak for myself,so I apologize if [s] you are still denying he knows more [/s] that is not YOUR case! [;)] |
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Quoted: Quoted: Hey Ed Sr., How they hell did you get Ed Jr. confused with Juggernaut? BTW - you forgot the part where Juggernaut constantly has to prove he knows more than you about all-things firearms [:D] The Kid's about worn me out! X Hi Andy! I guess a lot of us who have children who take an interest in firearms go through the same hassle! [:)] I know you would agree on two things. 1)We did a good job by getting them interested in firearms rather than what some other kids get interested in nowdays! 2)They both know more about weapons than we do![:D]....maybe I should speak for myself,so I apologize if [s] you are still denying he knows more [/s] that is not YOUR case! [;)] Your right Ed, I can't complain too much, I have built in Armorer [:D] And.. I can ask him all the stupid questions that I wouldn't dare ask on the board! [thinking] |
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The changes we have seen, the absolute frikken disasters that have happened...As one of the early Texas bunch, I remember shoots, before most of the guys even knew there was a site at all.....and some of our old friends don't come around anymore. I saw Zed at the last gun-show and it was like I had found my brother(My brother has been missing for two years). Thanks for the work guys and let me speak for the whole north texas crew....you have changed our lives and given us contacts to some of the best friends we have ever had....I never thought that I would look forward to a guy named bunghole coming to MY apartment.... |
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I started checking out AR-15.com sometime after the Aug. 2000 look... I had just gotten a good paying job and was interested in a post ban Colt 20" HBAR. I searched the internet looking for info and price comparisons and found THE SITE. Been on ever since. BTW - I still got reamed on the Colt ($1,200) but it was the only one in town like I wanted at the time and it was worth every penny. |
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This is great stuff to read about! I started lurking here in early 1999. A good friend of mine introduced me to Greg from the Jersey City Armory. Greg used to sell A LoT of stuff on the board (most of it was to me!!!) before Jersey City put him out of bisness. He used to tell me about this cool RBAD guy [8D] and how he hosted his website. The rest is history. I do recall my first hundred or so posts and people would make Navy jokes directed towards me. I just did not get it, I had NO IDEA that navy guys were called squids. BTW, people have been calling me FrankSquid for years. My name is Frank and I sell squid so kiss my hairy Italian ass, like this. [:X] |
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Quoted: This is great stuff to read about! I started lurking here in early 1999. A good friend of mine introduced me to Greg from the Jersey City Armory. Greg used to sell A LoT of stuff on the board (most of it was to me!!!) before Jersey City put him out of bisness. He used to tell me about this cool RBAD guy [8D] and how he hosted his website. The rest is history. I do recall my first hundred or so posts and people would make Navy jokes directed towards me. I just did not get it, I had NO IDEA that navy guys were called squids. BTW, people have been calling me FrankSquid for years. My name is Frank and I sell squid so kiss my hairy Italian ass, like this. [:X] So, you're saying you were never in the Navy? [:D] Marcinko says otherwise. [;)] |
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Wow!! When I clicked on the Aug. 2000 board link archive and saw the "Phoenix Rising" headline, It brought me back. If that same page had been on todays board, I wouldn't have given it a second thought, as it just seemed so natural! Great thread! edited becuz i coont speal pheenex write. |