s an additional note, I figured I'd add in a few things GTPlanet has survived. These are just things I happen to remember from the past few years, so some of you older members and newer members will have to fill in a few things. I don't mean any disrespect, just pointing out some interesting aspects
MSN community evolves into GTplanet.net A handful of different things aligned and Jordan came into possession of the domain name
www.gtplanet.net and this forum was born. It was a transition that tested Jordans programming and knowledge of computers. A learning exercise in magnitude. I wasn't here at that time, so Loudmusic might have to fill you in.
GTF closing. With the GTF closing way back in January 2002, there was a huge load of GT'ers that had no home. Thus began the migration to GTP. This was the second big step that Jordan had to undertake as he ran GTPlanet. I was one of those migrations. A few other members are still around. The load on the server cranked up a notch and the massive influx of new members tested the moderating staff. This was also about the time when a moderator was first banned.
Closing of the HMRCWG and Color Blue threads. It was a stomping ground of many and a well enjoyed feature. The server load from that thread equaled the GT forums combined. It's closing created confusion and hurt feelings. The need for a conversation thread was realized and these closings in turn gave birth to the Conversation Forum.
The Initial D craze. This episode on GTP created a mass of bantering and bashing back and forth. It was a wild time. People claiming drifting was faster, or grip was faster. Many people were banned. This episode created a sequel when the GT3 drifters forum was created. There was a constant flame battle that waged through out GTP. Enveloping the OLR section, the rumble strip, the GT3 forums and more. Complaints and attitudes were vented and posted. Some thought it was ruining the game, to others it only enhanced. And still the Drift vs. Grip battle waged on. Bannings were threatened, bannings were given. New people came in, new people added. The furor eventually died down to a quiet murmur in the over all current. With the coming of GT4, the drifters forum was old hat, and only new members needed to be guided in proper use.
Nitto Racing. With the advent of the Nitto racing program, there was a barrage of young members slamming the PC forum. Non-stop questions about ratios, times and glitches, NOS, and teams, hacks, ice money?, and various other aspects of the games. Threads would stay on the front page for about 2 hours. Constant bumps to stay on top. We'd find Nitto Ratios threads in odd spots and unrelated areas. It was resolved to two main threads that simply went wild. A ratios thread and a Discussion thread. These two eventually became a victim of their own success. A google for "Nitto" had GTPlanet showing up ahead of Nitto1320.com in the results. The staff finally came to the conclusion Nitto discussion was draining more from the server than many other parts of GTP. Nitto Discussion became the first and (so far) only banned topic for discussion (outside the obvious ones like tubgirl and porn).
April 1st, 2005. Yes, perhaps the biggest April fools joke ever instigated on GTplanet. There was a frenzy in every direction. Moderators and Super moderators and admins going off the deep end. Members in an uproar, hurt feelings and bruised egos abound. Hacked passwords and banned people. It tested many members patience and dedication to GTP. It tested the entire staff (well, those that weren't already asleep) to function as a unit, in fun and under pressure. Members and staff performing amazing. Second guesses and detective work on staff and members was incredible. Far surpassing what we all thought was possible.
Modertion of Threads in the GT4 forum. We've survived the initial onslaught, but still have the occasional small fire to control. This topic was a hotly contested and off-topic posting was showing up in various different forums. The moderators worked to keep in under control and in a readable fashion. Many old members hung in there and posted with ease. Helping, correcting and guiding new members. It was something new for regular members and something unheard of to new members. It had it's ups, downs, complaints and thanks. Overall, we have tackled another big step.
That's my list of things GTPlanet has survived. I'd like to see others post up there thoughts.
AO
What's with all the different fonts?
