KarateForums.com's Upcoming 25th Birthday

[Patrick]

Hey all,

May 21 will mark 25 years since KarateForums.com launched. I know. That's pretty wild. Thank you for being a part of it.

Obviously, I want to mark the occasion. Amongst the staff, we're kicking around some ideas. For example: We'll dig into the stats a bit and come up with some interesting lists and data. Maybe we could open up a submission form for members to talk about what the community means to them and publish those stories. And the ideas build from there!

But I wanted to put out a public call, too, because I'd love to hear from you and any ideas that you might have. If you'd prefer it be private, please send me a private message. Obviously, I can't make any guarantees on any particular idea, just because it's based on the time I have available, but it would still be wonderful to hear more about anything that comes to mind for you.

Thank you for reading this.

Patrick

[Zaine]

25 years! In internet terms, that's basically an eternity! We truly are among the OGs of the information super highway.

I would love to write a longer post about this community and the impact that it has made on my life. That said, I have an M.A. in English and Creative Writing so it might be long. I have word counts to hit . I know years ago we did a video call. I think for 25 years, it would be cool to do a series of video interviews with some of the people here. Ask them about their backgrounds and how this forum has impacted their lives. I know that is going to require no small amount of editing, but perhaps there are people here who would like to donate their time to assist. I would be happy to be the interviewer for some of the videos. If nothing else, I think an interview from you about the creation of this site and the last 25 years would be very appropriate. From iFroggy to today. Creating a forum that has thrived 25 years is no small feat. Staking an enduring place on the internet requires some amount of luck, but it is also clear the amount of hard work you put into this place. Documenting that journey sounds like an interesting use of time.

[sensei8]

1 hour ago, Zaine said:

25 years! In internet terms, that's basically an eternity! We truly are among the OGs of the information super highway.

I would love to write a longer post about this community and the impact that it has made on my life. That said, I have an M.A. in English and Creative Writing so it might be long. I have word counts to hit . I know years ago we did a video call. I think for 25 years, it would be cool to do a series of video interviews with some of the people here. Ask them about their backgrounds and how this forum has impacted their lives. I know that is going to require no small amount of editing, but perhaps there are people here who would like to donate their time to assist. I would be happy to be the interviewer for some of the videos. If nothing else, I think an interview from you about the creation of this site and the last 25 years would be very appropriate. From iFroggy to today. Creating a forum that has thrived 25 years is no small feat. Staking an enduring place on the internet requires some amount of luck, but it is also clear the amount of hard work you put into this place. Documenting that journey sounds like an interesting use of time.

I hope you DO get to write about KF and how it’s impacted your life; I look forward to reading it.

[KarateKen]

How about a huge Karate tournament where we all fight each other? 

All kidding aside, 25 years is a long time for a message board.  This site started around the same time I took my first MA class, which was in the fall of 2000.  

I don't have any ideas right now, but if I think of anything I will let you know.  Unless you do want a huge Karate tournament where we all fight each other! 

[Patrick]

Thanks for giving it some thought, @Zaine and @KarateKen. No Karate tournaments just yet. 

John, I appreciate the kind words and the specific ideas you shared. We should definitely incorporate interviews and/or essays in some form - short or long; text, audio, or video. Even if it is just a few text prompts to encourage members to reflect or 60 second video where a member talks about what the community means to them. As you noted, there are differing levels of time commitment there, but they'd all be fun.

At minimum, I'd love for you to write that longer post, and I'd be happy to sit for an interview with you via any means you'd like. It's hard to say this without sounding a bit rehearsed, but in hosting celebrations like this over the years for various milestones (which are all archived here in the KarateForums.com Announcements forum), I think it's important to place the emphasis on our members. But if you (and possibly others) would find it interesting to hear from me and have me reflect, then I'm happy to do it. So, please feel free to start to piece that together or think about it. We can also brainstorm privately, as well. I look forward to it.

Thanks again,

Patrick

[Zaine]

I definitely agree with the instinct to focus on members. I think it's that, in part, it is precisely that instinct that has made this place so enduring. That said, as much as you're the admin here, you're also the first member. Let me figure out what works best and I can send you a message and we can set something up.

I will definitely type up that long post and plan it for the 25th anniversary. That will give me plenty of time to sort out my thoughts and put something that doesn't ramble. I'm also happy to be involved in brainstorming some questions for members to answer so that they can share their own experiences. 

[sensei8]

14 hours ago, Patrick said:

video. Even if it is just a few text prompts to encourage members to reflect or 60 second video where a member talks about what the community means to them.

I’ve always said this, concerning what KF means to me is this…

”KF means everything to me because it has always allowed me to escape away from the Shindokan bubble that I’ve been part of for the past 60 years.”

Even today, this still bears true!! Great members abound here at KF, of which, many have become great friends.