The Good Ole TFL Days

Tom B · November 16, 2000, 03:25 PM

I have been here on this forum for awhile. Heck I even remember on the handguns forum when we would go days without a new post. How about some comments from some of the old timers here about some funny moments or other fond memories here on TFL. Also some members lost/gone memories.

November 16, 2000, 03:40 PM

The very best of the "good old days" was when Gale McMillan would enlighten us with his wisdom and anecdotes. I never met Gale personally, but was fortunate to have been able to ask him questions via TFL. I also remember when Randy Garrett would visit us from time to time, haven't seen him around here lately...

With all the new arrivals around here, it's a different place--and while TFL's growth and popularity are good things, I miss the old family atmosphere.

freedomlover

------------------
Sic semper tyrannis

Tom B · November 16, 2000, 03:46 PM

Can someone tell us who our most senior still active poster is here. Non-moderator/non-admin.

Don Gwinn · November 16, 2000, 04:07 PM

I don't go back quite that far....but I remember when Oleg was "Cornered Rat." I also remember the day he said he was too optimistic and too happy in his life to go by that name anymore, and became just plain "Oleg."

I remember when Miss Demeanors was afraid of guns and, I think, of TFL members as well, at least a little bit.

I remember when SVT became ArmySon. I also remember the general blizzard of name changes around that time, including mine.

I remember how everyone thought I was a woman because my handle was "Gwinnydapooh."

ModIMark0 · November 16, 2000, 04:59 PM

I remember when George Hill was Kodiak.
I also recall the notice members made when the number of registered posters on TFL was '1911' (although by the time I had read it, there were 1917 members, but that number is special too/'two' in the world of firearms).

Bogie · November 16, 2000, 05:07 PM

Well, I'm fairly recent here, but I've always been known as either bogie or cosmic charlie... Was active in the old days on fidonet, etc... This is one of the more literate places in which to relax.

I think the most flattered I've ever felt was a coupla months ago when I was sitting on one of the benches at the St. Louis Benchrest Club, and Walt Berger started talking with me about the wind conditions at the range... And I hope to some day cook up my own "fat mac" wildcat.

mussi · November 16, 2000, 05:11 PM

Never joined the ranks of the FIREARMS echo on fidonet since we
couldn't get a working connect over in good' ole Europe. OTOH, I still
run a FidoNet node.

Anybody brave enough will have an Argus or binkp mailer point to
snoop.alphanet.ch and try it out.

TheBluesMan · November 16, 2000, 05:15 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tom B:
Can someone tell us who our most senior still active poster is here. Non-moderator/non-admin.[/quote]

If you are asking about 'senior' in terms of date registered, I think that could be RAE, aka Hal. Could also be one or two others, but he has been here from the start.

If you are asking about 'senior' in terms of age, I think you are asking for trouble.

Correia · November 16, 2000, 05:18 PM

I remember when Rich had a contest to see who could get the most new members to join in a month, the winner got either a surefire light or a knife (can't remember the make) I think that Kodiak won.

I joined to jump in on an argument between Rob and GRD about the use of Swat teams.

That was when there was something like 200 or so members.

Dave R · November 16, 2000, 05:18 PM

I'm one of the newby's--hopefully not part of the problem--been here around a year and really enjoy it. TFL has helped me through 3 firearms purchases and several firearms-related "puzzlers".

I enjoy most everything. Lots of good content, firearms related and otherwise.

Special fondness for FUD-files, Lawdog tales, pretty much anything Art says...

[This message has been edited by Dave R (edited November 16, 2000).]

**Rich Lucibella** · November 16, 2000, 06:21 PM

Trivia:
First non-Staff Registration goes to Rob. He only became Staff after I realized we needed to keep a close eye on him.

Contest winnners....they were all Kodiac...even if he needed to cheat.

Most posts: Kodiac (George Hill) at 6504

Most Posts by a Member: Jeff Thomas at 3359

Biggest Pain in the Butt: Tie between Mykl and the original Cornered Rat.

Toughest time: October 10, 1998...the Staff stood around on the front porch of a Memberless edifice watching all the cars go by without stopping.

Best time: October 10, 1998 at 11:04 AM...the Shiner Truck showed up.

Happiest Day: When we learned that LawDog was coming out of the hospital

Scariest Day: When we learned that Grayfox had been rushed to the hospital.

Saddest Day: Gale's Death

Most Promising day: Yesterday.
Rich

Morgan · November 16, 2000, 07:02 PM

Ahhh... October 1998. I was a young man sick of Shooter's Talk and their constant server problems and flame wars, eager for information and camaraderie.

The best times? There have been some enlightening discussions on firearms, philosophy, and politics, but the best would have to be the friends I've made and met...

Coinneach, Dave, Oleg, Rob, Adam... The list goes on. These are all great men I'd never have met were it not for TFL.

I can't wait to meet a few more of you guys (and gals) in the future.

George Hill · November 16, 2000, 07:05 PM

Oh Man... I'm never going to live that contest down.

And that wasnt a cheat.
I just improvised.

deanf · November 17, 2000, 05:37 AM

Rosie O'Donnell brought me here. No - really.

My friends and I here at work spent a lot of time at the rosie boards in their heyday. Rich or one of the other TFL founders was a regular poster there. While browsing profiles, I discovered this thing called The Firing Line . . . .

The Scandinavian · November 17, 2000, 06:33 AM

Anybody know what happened to Dakotalawdog? I remember he made a vast number of posts a couple of years back.

...TS

Jessica Wellman · November 17, 2000, 06:45 AM

I don't remember everything in Rich's list but I do recall quite a bit of it! (Member for the last 1 year, 4 months).

TFL has helped me come a long way in the last year!!! Thank you to the Staff and Administrators for all you do.

I remember when Dennis used to post a lot more than he does now. I always enjoyed his writing skills.

I vote for Mykl being the biggest pain in the rump.

Tom B · November 17, 2000, 07:21 AM

TS - You can find The Dog over at Unitedforums.com on the Ruger Forum. His truck broke down over there and he has been hanging around doing day work until its fixed.

Miss Demeanors · November 17, 2000, 05:13 PM

I remember quite a few of those. I miss Gale's posts as well. I do remember people calling Gwinny a girl

and ok I admit, you people made me really nervous when I first got here, and yes I *gasp* hated guns....I am not sure what happened, but now I like everyone and LOVE guns

I also remember Rich on the radio show

Jim V · November 17, 2000, 08:02 PM

I remember being here with less than 500 members, when the membership hit that number, then 600 and then again 1,000 there was dancing in the streets. I remember when we were begged to post anything (welllll, just about anything) so there was some traffic here. I remember Oleg as CR and George as Kodiak and Jim V as Jim V

. The discussions on jeans, chili, fish tacos, barbecue, and other esoteric stuff.

George Hill · November 17, 2000, 08:17 PM

I remember those Fish Tacos... That was also the time when I realized DC was a woman!

Hal · November 17, 2000, 10:13 PM

"Best time: October 10, 1998 at 11:04 AM...the Shiner Truck showed up."

Free beer has always been a weakness of mine.

The Blues Man,
Dave,
Thanks for the recognition, but there are 4 others ahead of me in the still active roster, and about a dozen or so that beat me here by a few days.

As far as the early days go, THESE, are the good old days.

chink · November 17, 2000, 10:13 PM

I remember when i first got here.
made me feel better about the AR i just purchased. That was Before AR15.com was down for a long time. Before the first of like 3 server migrations.

But, one thing that hasn't changed is that when you need information, you can get it here with minimal BS. I

Daryl Waldron · November 18, 2000, 10:49 PM

WOW!!! I recall most of that stuff. Maybe i shoud start posting more..... naaaaaa I am the shy type.

SarcasmGuy · November 19, 2000, 01:46 AM

Ditto on that swamprat..........I know I don't post much......but damn!.........I guess I've been standing in the corner for quite a while

.

Bruce in West Oz · November 19, 2000, 07:29 AM

Yeah, I remember .... can't tell how many were on TFL then, but there were only a coupla dozen regular posters.

I remember when I found out DC was a woman .. and a lady to boot. I felt very ... protective ... about that lady. (Still do.)

I remember CR and Kodiak, and nearly falling off my chair when I saw the first photo of "Gwinnydapooh"!! NOTHING like I'd visualised.

Miss D and ladyDeeJ .. I remember when you joined.

I remember when Rich had time to actually join in discussions, not just stress about the system.

I remember Rob going off on his new adventure.

I remember, unashamedly, getting misty eyed at Dennis's writings.

And Hank and Jim and Mike and ... Oh, you all know who you are.

We used to talk about shooting, and why we shot, and who influenced us, and food and wine and fishing and food and wine and hunting and food and wine and guns and food and wine ... you get the picture.

I remember the personal tragedies -- the sick children, wives, husbands, lovers -- and the feeling in my heart when these pages overflowed with letters of support.

I remember, too, a certain Aussie who hung around here for literally weeks before posting, because he was so unsure of the reaction an "outsider" might get -- and who was 'blown away' by the welcome he received and has continued to receive.

I remember "wood and metal" and "the wall".

I remember I found out members were white and black and Asian, Jewish and Protestant and Catholic and agnostic, Republican and Democrat and Independent, rich and poor, able and non-able, well-educated and self-taught, even, once, gay -- and you know what? It didn't matter a damn because were were all family!

I remember joining because the language was moderated, the topics universal, the debate always reasoned and, as Rich has said, the only road taken was "the high road".

I'm proud to consider myself an oldie, and an "adopted" family member.

I hope TFL goes from strength to strength -- in friendship.

B

Oh, yeah -- I also remember when I first joined I was "Bruce from West Oz". "Bruce in West Oz" became my current handle by mistake a few months later -- so I've actually been here longer than the record shows.

November 17, 2000, 05:37 AM	#14
deanf Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 1999 Location: N47º 12’ x W122º 10' Posts: 1,599	Rosie O'Donnell brought me here. No - really. My friends and I here at work spent a lot of time at the rosie boards in their heyday. Rich or one of the other TFL founders was a regular poster there. While browsing profiles, I discovered this thing called The Firing Line . . . . __________________ I'm a constitutional fetishist. Airplane Pictures

November 17, 2000, 05:13 PM	#18
Miss Demeanors Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 1999 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,382	:) I remember quite a few of those. I miss Gale's posts as well. I do remember people calling Gwinny a girl and ok I admit, you people made me really nervous when I first got here, and yes I gasp hated guns....I am not sure what happened, but now I like everyone and LOVE guns I also remember Rich on the radio show

November 17, 2000, 10:13 PM	#22
chink Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 1998 Location: saratoga, ca, usa Posts: 806	I remember when i first got here. made me feel better about the AR i just purchased. That was Before AR15.com was down for a long time. Before the first of like 3 server migrations. But, one thing that hasn't changed is that when you need information, you can get it here with minimal BS. I __________________ http://www.hocmen.com hel, help, I'm being repressed

November 18, 2000, 10:49 PM	#23
Daryl Waldron Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 1998 Posts: 186	WOW!!! I recall most of that stuff. Maybe i shoud start posting more..... naaaaaa I am the shy type. __________________ [SIZE="3"]Toujours Prêt [/SIZE] Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge;

November 19, 2000, 01:46 AM	#24
SarcasmGuy Member Join Date: April 11, 2000 Posts: 49	Ditto on that swamprat..........I know I don't post much......but damn!.........I guess I've been standing in the corner for quite a while . __________________ MOLON LABE !!!

November 16, 2000, 03:25 PM	#1
Tom B Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 1999 Location: GA Posts: 1,836	I have been here on this forum for awhile. Heck I even remember on the handguns forum when we would go days without a new post. How about some comments from some of the old timers here about some funny moments or other fond memories here on TFL. Also some members lost/gone memories.

November 16, 2000, 03:40 PM	#2
freedomlover Guest Posts: n/a	The very best of the "good old days" was when Gale McMillan would enlighten us with his wisdom and anecdotes. I never met Gale personally, but was fortunate to have been able to ask him questions via TFL. I also remember when Randy Garrett would visit us from time to time, haven't seen him around here lately... With all the new arrivals around here, it's a different place--and while TFL's growth and popularity are good things, I miss the old family atmosphere. freedomlover ------------------ Sic semper tyrannis

November 16, 2000, 03:46 PM	#3
Tom B Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 1999 Location: GA Posts: 1,836	Can someone tell us who our most senior still active poster is here. Non-moderator/non-admin.

November 16, 2000, 04:07 PM	#4
Don Gwinn Staff Emeritus Join Date: March 9, 2000 Location: Virden, IL Posts: 5,917	I don't go back quite that far....but I remember when Oleg was "Cornered Rat." I also remember the day he said he was too optimistic and too happy in his life to go by that name anymore, and became just plain "Oleg." I remember when Miss Demeanors was afraid of guns and, I think, of TFL members as well, at least a little bit. I remember when SVT became ArmySon. I also remember the general blizzard of name changes around that time, including mine. I remember how everyone thought I was a woman because my handle was "Gwinnydapooh."

November 16, 2000, 04:59 PM	#5
ModIMark0 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Minneapolis,MN, U.S.A. Posts: 243	I remember when George Hill was Kodiak. I also recall the notice members made when the number of registered posters on TFL was '1911' (although by the time I had read it, there were 1917 members, but that number is special too/'two' in the world of firearms).

November 16, 2000, 05:07 PM	#6
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	Well, I'm fairly recent here, but I've always been known as either bogie or cosmic charlie... Was active in the old days on fidonet, etc... This is one of the more literate places in which to relax. I think the most flattered I've ever felt was a coupla months ago when I was sitting on one of the benches at the St. Louis Benchrest Club, and Walt Berger started talking with me about the wind conditions at the range... And I hope to some day cook up my own "fat mac" wildcat.

November 16, 2000, 05:11 PM	#7
mussi Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2000 Location: Berne, Switzerland Posts: 757	Never joined the ranks of the FIREARMS echo on fidonet since we couldn't get a working connect over in good' ole Europe. OTOH, I still run a FidoNet node. Anybody brave enough will have an Argus or binkp mailer point to snoop.alphanet.ch and try it out.

November 16, 2000, 05:15 PM	#8
TheBluesMan Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 15, 1999 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,558	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tom B: Can someone tell us who our most senior still active poster is here. Non-moderator/non-admin.[/quote] If you are asking about 'senior' in terms of date registered, I think that could be RAE, aka Hal. Could also be one or two others, but he has been here from the start. If you are asking about 'senior' in terms of age, I think you are asking for trouble.

November 16, 2000, 05:18 PM	#9
Correia Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 1998 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 3,740	I remember when Rich had a contest to see who could get the most new members to join in a month, the winner got either a surefire light or a knife (can't remember the make) I think that Kodiak won. I joined to jump in on an argument between Rob and GRD about the use of Swat teams. That was when there was something like 200 or so members.

November 16, 2000, 05:18 PM	#10
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I'm one of the newby's--hopefully not part of the problem--been here around a year and really enjoy it. TFL has helped me through 3 firearms purchases and several firearms-related "puzzlers". I enjoy most everything. Lots of good content, firearms related and otherwise. Special fondness for FUD-files, Lawdog tales, pretty much anything Art says... [This message has been edited by Dave R (edited November 16, 2000).]

November 16, 2000, 06:21 PM	#11
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	Trivia: First non-Staff Registration goes to Rob. He only became Staff after I realized we needed to keep a close eye on him. Contest winnners....they were all Kodiac...even if he needed to cheat. Most posts: Kodiac (George Hill) at 6504 Most Posts by a Member: Jeff Thomas at 3359 Biggest Pain in the Butt: Tie between Mykl and the original Cornered Rat. Toughest time: October 10, 1998...the Staff stood around on the front porch of a Memberless edifice watching all the cars go by without stopping. Best time: October 10, 1998 at 11:04 AM...the Shiner Truck showed up. Happiest Day: When we learned that LawDog was coming out of the hospital Scariest Day: When we learned that Grayfox had been rushed to the hospital. Saddest Day: Gale's Death Most Promising day: Yesterday. Rich

November 16, 2000, 07:02 PM	#12
Morgan Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1998 Posts: 945	Ahhh... October 1998. I was a young man sick of Shooter's Talk and their constant server problems and flame wars, eager for information and camaraderie. The best times? There have been some enlightening discussions on firearms, philosophy, and politics, but the best would have to be the friends I've made and met... Coinneach, Dave, Oleg, Rob, Adam... The list goes on. These are all great men I'd never have met were it not for TFL. I can't wait to meet a few more of you guys (and gals) in the future.

November 16, 2000, 07:05 PM	#13
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	Oh Man... I'm never going to live that contest down. And that wasnt a cheat. I just improvised.

November 17, 2000, 06:33 AM	#15
The Scandinavian Member Join Date: November 4, 1998 Location: Scandinavia. Posts: 84	Anybody know what happened to Dakotalawdog? I remember he made a vast number of posts a couple of years back. ...TS

November 17, 2000, 06:45 AM	#16
Jessica Wellman Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Corydon, Indiana Posts: 423	I don't remember everything in Rich's list but I do recall quite a bit of it! (Member for the last 1 year, 4 months). TFL has helped me come a long way in the last year!!! Thank you to the Staff and Administrators for all you do. I remember when Dennis used to post a lot more than he does now. I always enjoyed his writing skills. I vote for Mykl being the biggest pain in the rump.

November 17, 2000, 07:21 AM	#17
Tom B Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 1999 Location: GA Posts: 1,836	TS - You can find The Dog over at Unitedforums.com on the Ruger Forum. His truck broke down over there and he has been hanging around doing day work until its fixed.

November 17, 2000, 08:02 PM	#19
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	I remember being here with less than 500 members, when the membership hit that number, then 600 and then again 1,000 there was dancing in the streets. I remember when we were begged to post anything (welllll, just about anything) so there was some traffic here. I remember Oleg as CR and George as Kodiak and Jim V as Jim V . The discussions on jeans, chili, fish tacos, barbecue, and other esoteric stuff.

November 17, 2000, 08:17 PM	#20
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	I remember those Fish Tacos... That was also the time when I realized DC was a woman!

November 17, 2000, 10:13 PM	#21
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	"Best time: October 10, 1998 at 11:04 AM...the Shiner Truck showed up." Free beer has always been a weakness of mine. The Blues Man, Dave, Thanks for the recognition, but there are 4 others ahead of me in the still active roster, and about a dozen or so that beat me here by a few days. As far as the early days go, THESE, are the good old days.

November 19, 2000, 07:29 AM	#25
Bruce in West Oz Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 1999 Location: Western Australia Posts: 995	Yeah, I remember .... can't tell how many were on TFL then, but there were only a coupla dozen regular posters. I remember when I found out DC was a woman .. and a lady to boot. I felt very ... protective ... about that lady. (Still do.) I remember CR and Kodiak, and nearly falling off my chair when I saw the first photo of "Gwinnydapooh"!! NOTHING like I'd visualised. Miss D and ladyDeeJ .. I remember when you joined. I remember when Rich had time to actually join in discussions, not just stress about the system. I remember Rob going off on his new adventure. I remember, unashamedly, getting misty eyed at Dennis's writings. And Hank and Jim and Mike and ... Oh, you all know who you are. We used to talk about shooting, and why we shot, and who influenced us, and food and wine and fishing and food and wine and hunting and food and wine and guns and food and wine ... you get the picture. I remember the personal tragedies -- the sick children, wives, husbands, lovers -- and the feeling in my heart when these pages overflowed with letters of support. I remember, too, a certain Aussie who hung around here for literally weeks before posting, because he was so unsure of the reaction an "outsider" might get -- and who was 'blown away' by the welcome he received and has continued to receive. I remember "wood and metal" and "the wall". I remember I found out members were white and black and Asian, Jewish and Protestant and Catholic and agnostic, Republican and Democrat and Independent, rich and poor, able and non-able, well-educated and self-taught, even, once, gay -- and you know what? It didn't matter a damn because were were all family! I remember joining because the language was moderated, the topics universal, the debate always reasoned and, as Rich has said, the only road taken was "the high road". I'm proud to consider myself an oldie, and an "adopted" family member. I hope TFL goes from strength to strength -- in friendship. B Oh, yeah -- I also remember when I first joined I was "Bruce from West Oz". "Bruce in West Oz" became my current handle by mistake a few months later -- so I've actually been here longer than the record shows.