Author Topic: The History of Furtopia.  (Read 40781 times)

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Offline Kobuk

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The History of Furtopia.
« on: November 21, 2004, 09:30:13 pm »
Please excuse me for being a curious fur, but this has been something that I've been curious about ever since I joined Furtopia.

I was just wondering about the early history of Furtopia.

Who thought up the idea of creating this community?
How did it go from idea to Internet?
What were the early days like?, and What were some of the earliest members like?
Do any of the earliest members still visit?

I myself didn't join Furtopia until Nov. 2003, but for those furs who were here longer before then, can you share some stories/history? What was it like when you first joined?

Sorry if I seem inquisitive. Just curious, that's all.  ':blush:'

Offline Benjamin

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2004, 09:48:58 pm »
WhiteShepherd had begun the hosting here at Furtopia, of course. He runs the servers and all, and could likely fill you in on the earliest details of Furtopia's history.
Me, I got involved about two years ago. I was looking around WS's site, since I've been a friend of his for a while, and saw that he had these rather horrible forum scripts for the users to communicate on. At that point, I suggested Ikonboard and offered to help out by setting one up and admin'ing it... and he took the offer. I set up the board, designed the graphics and all, and have helped lead it toward the success it is now. A lot of work has gone into this board, and not just from me.
What was also nice was that the look that I gave the board was eventually adopted for the hosting site as well. '<img'>
Quick note here... The board here turns two years old this coming Thursday, the 25th of November, 2004. '<img'>
 
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Offline firefox_b

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2004, 10:30:57 pm »
" ...it was savage then...a mere fight just for survival...and life was short, harsh, and brutal."    '<img'>
Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, I got thrown out. -- Now, you're stuck with me!

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2004, 11:11:30 pm »
"a land without law, were the just and criminals engaged in war on the open road, and gasoline was more precious then gold"

Offline Kobuk

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2004, 11:26:29 pm »
Quote
The board here turns two years old this coming Thursday, the 25th of November, 2004. '<img'>


Happy Birthday Furtopia!

Congratulations on a wonderfull two years running and hopefully many more wonderfull years to come!

 '<img'>   '<img'>   '<img'>   '<img'>

*pops open a Mt. Dew, raises it in a toast, then chugs it in a few gulps to celebrate*





Offline Wtcher

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2004, 11:08:53 am »
I came in when I noticed that WS hadn't a web designer in his staff list. He had posted on AFF asking for people to help. This was probably mid 2002.

I refused to sign onto the forums for a very long time as the sign-up script required a gender to be filled in. One day I downloaded the page, edited the source and applied as a neutral party. '<img'>

I was never particularly active in the forums. I remember them being quite a bit smaller. The same names would keep coming up in almost every thread. There was a real feeling of closeness, you could say.
Oh, faint memory trickles, that is all; like a stream that rustles forgotten leaves and lost paths.

The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2004, 11:53:18 am »
it all started tens of thousands of years ago. When the first man emerged from the ooze. and he battled with the beasts for dominance
*Rambles on for the next ten minutes, fake FX fog rolling in behind him*
And that is where babies come from.

Offline MorbidCorvid

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« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2004, 12:18:06 pm »
Quote
...*Rambles on for the next ten minutes, fake FX fog rolling in behind him*
And that is where babies come from.


O.O *interested look*

Offline firefox_b

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« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2004, 12:36:21 pm »
Seriously, furolks...it's hard to believe that Furtopia has only been around for two years, since I can't imagine furry life without it. -- Guys, you done good!  (gives WS and the other founding furthers a standing "O"  )  '<img'>
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Offline Kada-Ru

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2004, 01:03:06 pm »
This had been a dream of WS's for several years. When we got together in 6-2001 we discussed at length about this dream and I suggested to him to 'just go for it'.

We worked out a design, on paper, very much in its' infancy, (which I still keep for nostalgia) and worked on what we wanted it to have etc. It went live on the internet on 3-21-02.

At that time it was only a hosting service. A few months later we added the forums, (giggles) as Benjamin stated, horrid but it worked. It also didn't have all the other things then that you see for the members today.

Then WS chatted with Benjamin about redoing it and like magic it was created anew! It is still the same now as it was when Benjamin took over because it looks great. The only difference between then and now is it has GROWN tremendously with the wonderful furs you see today! Yes, many are still around from the beginning but not as active at times as life has a way of getting in the way of having fun.

WS can describe more about his feelings and the things in the background that keep Furtopia running. How it used to be in our apartment, run on 8 separate computers and is now hosted elsewhere because it had grown so immensely that it needed more space. (smiles)

Offline Sskessa

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2004, 01:58:23 pm »
Wow, that is so cool....I wonder who the very first members were...*goes to snoop around in the "members" page*
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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2004, 02:02:03 pm »
Quote (Sskessa @ Nov. 22 2004, 12:58 pm)
Wow, that is so cool....I wonder who the very first members were...*goes to snoop around in the "members" page*

the first members were the worlocks, who aided the beasts in their neverending struggle against the first men

Offline Wtcher

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« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2004, 02:55:44 pm »
Now there's one name just won't go away. '<img'>
Oh, faint memory trickles, that is all; like a stream that rustles forgotten leaves and lost paths.

The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2004, 03:35:03 pm »
Quote (Wtcher @ Nov. 22 2004, 1:55 pm)
Now there's one name just won't go away. '<img'>

huh?
are you with the warlocks?

Offline Kada-Ru

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2004, 03:39:33 pm »
<font color='#EEEEEE'>DJ Vix-N (4-11-02) and Kattywampus (4-12-04) were our first website applicants. (smiles)</font>

Offline Running_Wolf

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« Reply #15 on: November 22, 2004, 03:52:16 pm »
Wow. Just thinking of it is mind-boggling! Starting from barely anything and turning into Fur Central in the space of two years! Now THAT'S Gotta be an achievement you're proud of!


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Offline Kada-Ru

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« Reply #16 on: November 22, 2004, 07:07:35 pm »
(giggles) We just keep things running, you, the members are who built it up to what it is today. (smiles)

Offline Benjamin

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« Reply #17 on: November 22, 2004, 09:47:01 pm »
Yeah, we just put the tools in place and the users have done much of the rest here in order to make it a success. '<img'>
 
Benjamin

Offline Sporty Fox

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #18 on: November 22, 2004, 10:00:55 pm »
Quote
(giggles) We just keep things running, you, the members are who built it up to what it is today. (smiles)

Quote
Yeah, we just put the tools in place and the users have done much of the rest here in order to make it a success. '<img'>


  To both of you, WS, all the rest of the staff, and those furs who joined in the begining and kept the dream alive until it grew-

                     THANK YOU *and a big hug*
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Offline Rune

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #19 on: November 24, 2004, 10:43:12 am »
Way back mechine!

It's really cool! You can see what the website looked like when it was first made. You can even click the links and see what the forums, and other things looked like.




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Offline -Otakon-

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« Reply #20 on: November 24, 2004, 10:59:17 am »
Quote (Rune @ Nov. 24 2004, 5:43 pm)
Way back mechine!

It's really cool! You can see what the website looked like when it was first made. You can even click the links and see what the forums, and other things looked like.

Wow, that's awesome. '<img'>
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Offline Kada-Ru

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The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #21 on: November 24, 2004, 01:02:42 pm »
Rune - Boy, does THAT ever bring back memories of the old days! LOL

The History of Furtopia.
« Reply #22 on: November 25, 2004, 08:52:54 am »
...it was so, it was not, in a time long forgot...
Sorry!! Couldn't resist!!
Keep up the excellent work all you furs involved in the running of this place!!

P.S.
Anyfur know where the above quote is from? I can't remember.

Offline SatisWindpaw

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« Reply #23 on: November 26, 2004, 08:00:00 pm »
Happy birthday, Furtopia

*fweet on a plastic toy horn*
*tiny sprinkle of confetti*
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Offline HockeyRaven

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« Reply #24 on: November 26, 2004, 08:15:08 pm »
Happy Birthday, Furtopia! Weee!
Fruitcake is a legitimate gender in my book.