I joined TPL within the first 30 days of it starting up. That was during the month of May. At the time, there was one person who was apparently full time in charge of the forum. I think she was one of the driving forces behind it. By August she had been promoted and replaced . By January she was replaced and the guy who took over stayed with it until he was moved up in the food chain and Stokkebye was given the forum. I can't remember his name. (EDIT: It was Leonard.)
This was back when the FDA first released the deeming regulations and prohibited give aways and promotions. I think when that happened, STG lost interest and just kept shuffling the administration of the forum around.
For your consideration: There are many members of this blog that NEVER make a comment or make any visible contributions to the site, but do check in quite often and check out the different threads posted here. For example, while at the Las Vegas pipe show last year, I decided to wear my little ham radio tag (KA9FFJ) on my shirt. It's small, about 3/4" x 2 1/2". In one afternoon, as I was strolling by all the tables, I had 5 people come up to me and ask if I was the one who posted on TPL. After I got past the initial shock of anyone recognizing my posts, I asked each one if I should know them through TPL. EVERYONE said no, they never post, but enjoy checking in and reading some of the threads. One individual told me his pipe club checks out TPL, but that they too do not post. I said all that to say this; those encounters gave me a different perspective on TPL. I would say that for the first time I realized TPL isn't made up of just the few who contribute, but also the countless guys that check in from time to time. Bottom line: For those of us who are actively participating, keep it up knowing there are many on the sidelines enjoying TPL. And for those brothers on the sidelines, if/when you feel the urge, please, please know that your input, no matter how great or small you may think, is of value to this great hobby and all TPL members...
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I think you're right but also this site has run stagnant and very old school forum style.
I joined TPL within the first 30 days of it starting up. That was during the month of May. At the time, there was one person who was apparently full time in charge of the forum. I think she was one of the driving forces behind it. By August she had been promoted and replaced . By January she was replaced and the guy who took over stayed with it until he was moved up in the food chain and Stokkebye was given the forum. I can't remember his name. (EDIT: It was Leonard.)
This was back when the FDA first released the deeming regulations and prohibited give aways and promotions. I think when that happened, STG lost interest and just kept shuffling the administration of the forum around.
Good to know the history. I'm not optimistic about the future of TPL.
There are many members of this blog that NEVER make a comment or make any visible contributions to the site, but do check in quite often and check out the different threads posted here.
For example, while at the Las Vegas pipe show last year, I decided to wear my little ham radio tag (KA9FFJ) on my shirt. It's small, about 3/4" x 2 1/2".
In one afternoon, as I was strolling by all the tables, I had 5 people come up to me and ask if I was the one who posted on TPL.
After I got past the initial shock of anyone recognizing my posts, I asked each one if I should know them through TPL. EVERYONE said no, they never post, but enjoy checking in and reading some of the threads.
One individual told me his pipe club checks out TPL, but that they too do not post.
I said all that to say this; those encounters gave me a different perspective on TPL.
I would say that for the first time I realized TPL isn't made up of just the few who contribute, but also the countless guys that check in from time to time.
Bottom line: For those of us who are actively participating, keep it up knowing there are many on the sidelines enjoying TPL.
And for those brothers on the sidelines, if/when you feel the urge, please, please know that your input, no matter how great or small you may think, is of value to this great hobby and all TPL members...
That's amazing and really good to know. Great observation and thanks for sharing that.