KarateForums.com Turns 17 Years Old!

[Patrick]

Hey all,

Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com. Today, this community is 17 years old.

It seems like good discourse is continually under attack online. The ability to have a productive conversation, without being derailed, where people can disagree without being personally attacked, is something that a lot of people online are missing, and striving for. Even if the topic is not a hot button issue like politics or religion, this seems to have become harder and harder over the last 17 years.

But it's something that we have here at KarateForums.com, thanks to a mix of amazing members and solid community guidelines consistently applied by a dedicated, thoughtful team. Those standards set the playing field, and veteran members light the way for newer members, giving them an example to follow. As my friend Chris once said, whatever a community is, it becomes more of. If we allow X, then we become X.

That we have been able to create such an environment for so long is a testament to long term commitment from our community. Thank you to all of our members who help to maintain this atmosphere. If you're reading this, that's probably you!

Thank you to my current staff - Brian/bushido_man96, Danielle/DWx, Alex/tallgeese, Noah/Wastelander, Bob/sensei8, Devin/Lupin1, Liam/Nidan Melbourne, JR/JR 137 and Mo/mazzybear - for their steadfast support of the community, and for the serious, considerate way that they approach this community, and the role of being a guide and moderator. Thank you to the former staff members who made a difference.

The reality is that our community is in pretty rare air when it comes to longevity. There aren't a ton of closely managed, active online communities that are 17 years or older. I'm interested to see what the future holds for us, and I'm grateful for all of the members who make KarateForums.com a part of their day. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Patrick

[sensei8]

There are milestones, then there are MILESTONES!! KarateForums.com is one of those MILESTONES, this is for certain.

With the flash of light, KF came and did what few ever do within this sensitive industry. An industry that sees the comings and goings of the plethora of forums as often as the waves in the oceans go this way and that way to its end.

The steadfastness of KF's success lies with Patrick!! His consistent administration of KF brings its harsh criticism from the variety of places and people, but that's OK because as John Lydgate's famous quote states...

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”

This is very true of Patrick's managing style. A style that I've grown to respect and depend upon. His mentoring of his staff, past and present and future, is as unwavering as the rainbow is in the sky after a rain.

What’s a leader without any followers? Just a guy taking a walk. I've yet to see this of Patrick and/or KF. Patrick IS that consistency that takes no prisoners, and this, too, has earned my respect and it's what I depend upon.

I've made many life long friends here at KF, and I pray that I'll earn many more friends in time; thank you members, thank you all!!

Patrick is a firm example of what Spencer Johnson, M.D., spoke about in his book, Who Moved My Cheese?, in which he unearths change, and how change can make you or break you without change breaking sweat. Patrick, continues to change KF across the board to attract new members in a positive way.

I'm proud to be part of KF's Staff and one of it members. I'm even much more proud to call Patrick my friend; these aren't idle words!!

Happy 17th Birthday KararteForums, and may your have many, many more in the future!!

[tallgeese]

Congrats, Patrick! Such a milestone! This site truly is one of the best sites for martial arts discourse on line! The civility here is unmatched in just about any other format. Thanks for holding it to that standard!

[MatsuShinshii]

Congrats Patrick, all of the moderators and members here at KF. Lets make it 18.

AAAHHHH! To be 17 again.

[LLLEARNER]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KarateForums!

[singularity6]

I thought I did this before:

"Happy bday!"

[Zaine]

Happy birthday KF! KarateForums is now the same age that I was when I hit 1st dan! It certainly doesn't seem like it has been that long.

[DWx]

Congratulations Patrick and KF

[Tempest]

You mean KF is old enough to play seniors now ehh?

Armbars for everyone!!!

In all seriousness, happy birthday to us as a community.

[bushido_man96]

Congrats, Patrick! Such a milestone! This site truly is one of the best sites for martial arts discourse on line! The civility here is unmatched in just about any other format. Thanks for holding it to that standard!

I couldn't agree more! Congrats on hitting this great milestone, Patrick! And here's to 17 more!