Happy 20th Anniversary AFF

[russellw]

Who would have thought, back on December 28th, 2004 when this website went 'live' for the first time that we would still be here two decades later.

A lot of us had been members of the US based site and the somewhat erratic leadership there before it got sold off and starting a local version seemed like the only way to ensure continuity.

It's been a great journey.

We've held National Dyno days; 22 Drag Nationals at Heathcote (until COVID interrupted them); two RAID events (albeit the first one as the USA based version); multiple charity events and been a presence at most of the major AFDs and had a great time doing it all.

We've had some ups and downs along the way. From the involvement of the late (and great) Geoff Polites (FoA President) and David Flint (Tickford CEO) in this forum; through various controversies that have seen groups of people come and go (some to start other forums); to the varied resource this community has become today.

More importantly, we've raised ~$250,000 for charity. Some through events like the Christmas Cruises or charity drives but mostly through using the excess funds from both our donating members and the Google ads shown to non members and guests.

Speaking of our donating members, that small group has contributed over $90,000 to support this site and keep it running and they all have my thanks.

Likewise, in the early days when our ISP costs annually were much higher than they are now (in the $10-20k p.a range), we were supported by a large group of sponsors who also helped with keeping the lights on and their support has been invaluable.

It is, however, the willingness of our members (all ~100k of them currently) to contribute their knowledge and frequently hard earned lessons with other members who are otherwise total strangers that makes this community what it is and why it will continue for as long as there is a need.

For those who like trivial statistics.

In total, 2.5M people have registered on this forum (some multiple times as we purge inactive members annually).

They have contributed 6.77M posts over more than 400,000 threads.

We have served over 6 billion pages and although there is a view that Facebook has usurped the role of community forums like ours, the ~350M pages we will serve this year is the fourth highest annual total since detailed records have been kept (2008), albeit well behind the 2013 total of 610M.

Likewise, we will consume around 12 Tb of bandwidth this year, the 3rd highest total since 2008 and the server will deliver ~450M responses, well above the 357M p.a average.

A special and heartfelt thanks to all those who give their time to keep this site a harmonious and family friendly one by moderating the various sub forums because without their efforts we wouldn't have ever gotten this far.

Here's to the next 20 years.

[Cav]

Another 20 years, I dunno about that, I'll be 95 and hopefully still annoying everyone.

[roKWiz]

20 years. AFF congrats.

[marty351]

Bought my XE 351 in April 2004 and was around here in the early days, good reads and fun were enjoyed by all.

Still miss Laminge's and Sourbastard's contributions...

[EBSXR6]

Thank you Russell and the Administrators for the time and effort.

[aussiblue]

Congratulations and thanks for all the fun and entertainment you've provided me with.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Pretty sure Laminge added me because i was a pain in the **** ****-stirrer - and was also starting to get a ford forum off the ground around the time - either way it doesn't feel like 20 years ago. If Falcon was still around, imagine how big this forum would be now.

[FTE217]

Well done and congrats Russell for your devoted passion behind AFF……
It’s been a great ride and pleasure being part of it since its start - have made some great friends over this time as I’m sure many others have and that’s what makes the place.
Congrats again and Thankyou and the many who have been moderators past to present.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Happy 20th birthday AFF!

Can't really add much more to what's already been said, other then to reiterate a big thankyou to all those who assist in the smooth running of such an awesome site.

[OneMadMan]

Likewise, here's to the next 20 years..
I must be psychic. I just this minute sent Russell a PM asking him for some stats.
The stat I asked Russell for was:
Who has the highest post count?

I searched a few times with different 'strings' but came up empty.

I didn't want to start a new thread, and after reading this thread just posted by Russell, I thought, Cool, now I don't have to.

Russell quoted some truly 'out there' facts. Mind blowing to me.
Like how many web pages served?

"We have served over 6 billion pages".

Poor server(s) must have smoke coming out of them at times...

anyway, a massive thanks to everyone behind the scenes for keeping the infamous 'blue smoke' where it belongs... inside the computers.. not outside.

Fun fact: I reckon that when people design electrical things, they put a certain amount of blue smoke in there, and when you let it out, it is IMPOSSIBLE to put that EXACT amount of blue smoke back in...

Bastards!!!

Cheers and thanks everyone. I'm very much looking forward to the next 20..


One Mad Man

[PG2]

Originally Posted by OneMadMan

...
The stat I asked Russell for was:
Who has the highest post count?

I searched a few times with different 'strings' but came up empty.

...

Cheers and thanks everyone. I'm very much looking forward to the next 20..


One Mad Man

The boss himself, russellw.

[Interceptor]

Congratulations and thankyou to all those who have made AFF's continuing success possible!

[Itsme]

Congratulations to Russellw & the Admin team for an excellent Ford Forum, twenty years is an excellent achievement, since you have so many other social media platforms to compete with.
Also, congratulations to all AFF members who contribute & support this forum for its success.
Cheers

[OneMadMan]

Originally Posted by OneMadMan

The stat I asked Russell for was:Who has the highest post count?

Russell comes through again. Thanks Mr.

Here's the details.. no surprise that Franco is in the top 5






All the best guys,

One amazed Mad Man

[genebaby]

Time does go fly!

Congratulations to Russ and AFF!

[Interceptor]

Oddly, I just npticed that apparently I joined up here on the 30th december 2004..... 20 years ago today....
I honestly didnt think I'd been here that long!

[OneMadMan]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Oddly, I just npticed that apparently I joined up here on the 30th december 2004..... 20 years ago today....I honestly didnt think I'd been here that long!

Cheers,


One Mad Man

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Oddly, I just npticed that apparently I joined up here on the 30th december 2004..... 20 years ago today....
I honestly didnt think I'd been here that long!

I did something similar... I noticed the new 15 year badges and thought "I wonder when I'll be hitting my 20". Turns out it's less than a week away.

I never realised I joined this forum so long ago in such a stage of its infancy.

So while AFF is coming of age, and a big congratulations to it, on the flip side all it does it make me feel old.

Happy Anniversary!

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by arm79

I did something similar... I noticed the new 15 year badges and thought "I wonder when I'll be hitting my 20". Turns out it's less than a week away.

I never realised I joined this forum so long ago in such a stage of its infancy.

So while AFF is coming of age, and a big congratulations to it, on the flip side all it does it make me feel old.

Happy Anniversary!

It looks like we joined on the same day! Like, "where has the ford forum gone?" "Oh, there..."

[galaxy xr8]

How time flies, it only seems like yesteryear that I switched over from the old to the new AFF.
So many familiar names still abound many new, what a ride and fun filled journey it's been.
Congrats AFF team and a huge thank you to all for the past 20 and a huge thank you in advanced for the next chapter.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

It looks like we joined on the same day! Like, "where has the ford forum gone?" "Oh, there..."

Does that fall under a "great minds think alike" situation?

[mad2]

Originally Posted by arm79

Does that fall under a "great minds think alike" situation?

Ps. your doing awesome Big Boss

[DJM83]

I believe i was also on the US FF. Id love to go back and have a look one day.
AFF tells me i joined 11/01/2005
20 years eh.
So good to see it thriving among the facechook car pages.

Well done to the Admin/Mod team on the great work/keeping Cav in check!

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by arm79

I did something similar... I noticed the new 15 year badges and thought "I wonder when I'll be hitting my 20".

Funnily enough, thats the same reason I found out when I'd joined!

[Syndrome]

When this forum was launched 20 years ago FoA was at the top of it's game. Territory was released and the Geelong engine plant was almost at capacity. F6 Typhoon was a new bench mark in Australian performance.

It all died so quickly once the late Geoff Polities was moved on to other parts of the Ford Empire.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Well done to the Admin/Mod team on the great work/keeping Cav in check!

I think a round (or two) of donuts is warranted to the Admin/Mod team for keeping that bloke in check!

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I believe i was also on the US FF. Id love to go back and have a look one day.
AFF tells me i joined 11/01/2005
20 years eh.
So good to see it thriving among the facechook car pages.

Well done to the Admin/Mod team on the great work/keeping Cav in check!

I expect your 20yr badge of honour won't be far off mate !!!

Thanks AFF mine just came through appreciate it !
Joined 4/1/05 !

[PepeLePew]

How many of those original crew are still here and still working to keep this forum great.....'eh Facebook will kill forums'. Well often right, here well wrong. Congrats Russell, i remember being on the 'other' thinking 'who are these misfits', 'what is this Australian thing and why do we need it' (i wasn't deep in the politics or otherwise of the 'other' place. Oh hello, and been here ever since. It's a interesting measure when the fraction of your life you've spent it is like wow, divorces come quicker!

[EBSXR6]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

I think a round (or two) of donuts is warranted to the Admin/Mod team for keeping that bloke in check!

We are the Cav, resistance is futile.