Old Crew

Hi Alan


How far back are you talking....lol

Cheers


Stephen

G`day Alan,

Not really the old days but I have been snooping around this forum for 10 years this time next month and still enjoy it most days.

Scrubby.

I reckon I have been here since around 2004, I can remember people like Truckster, Lone Wolf, Mike Harding, iMusty, Willem etc.
I joined because I was about about to do my very first Outback trip & had absolutely no idea what to expect, I found the answers to my questions to helpful, concise, informative & to the point with no arguing, infighting or hair splitting.
I completed the 6 week, 8000km trip with absolutely no problems, nothing unexpected happened as I had been forewarned & well advised, I have been forever grateful for that advice, but would I ask the same questions today, I don’t think so.

I've been on here around 10 years, I think the issue is that places that used to be out of reach are becoming relatively easy to get to. All the places have been written about or shown on the explosion of tv shows and youtube clips to the point where you don't need to ask as many questions as you might have in the past. It doesn't help when a novice asks a question and gets shot down by someone saying they should have used the search function. That gets rid of new blood, we wouldn't want to have too many posts would we? The other thing that stifles conversation is people going on about a thread going off topic. Many times the direction it goes in can be interesting, but again the conversation gets cut and the posts stop coming. In both cases, new people to the forum are unlikely to return because the attitude is frankly unfriendly.
I'm very careful what I post these days, there are too many trolls who don't know they are trolling. It's everyone's god given right to ask stupid questions when they don't actually know the question is stupid. I think we all have to adapt to new social norms that apply to social media, even forums. It's quite easy to unknowingly offend people, and to be offended.

I have only been a member for 5 or 6 years, so relatively new to the forum.

My experience is that in recent years I have been shut down/posts deleted so many times by moderators who don't like that I link to my Canning Walker website with stories of Canning Stock Route history and live events. Apparently too many hits on the links. I am expected to post the thousands of words article and photos into these threads.

Why bother?

I’m still here!
Member since 2004, was here a year or two before that as a non-member.

Just got me wondering where 16 odd years has gone??

Hi Alan,
Enough of the old bit - lol.

I've been here from the start, I've have seen the site develop into the powerhouse that it is. Things mught be quiet on the forum, I suspect however that the huge data base of treks, blogs, places, mapping etc readily answer most queries people have.

Thanks Michelle and David.

Hi Alan,
I have been around since before the St George gathering in around 2009ish. No longer a member though.

I am still here,been a member since 2004. I look at the forum most mornings if I am in signal range,currently at mates place in Darwin,heading off tomorrow for a slow trip across the Gulf,,Roper Bar,Limmen River,Lorrella Springs etc,get back to my home base in Bairnsdale ,Vic, around start of September.

Joined around 2006 I think it was. No longer a member for a number of reasons but can't stop looking here every day.

I do miss the contributions of those mentioned by Shaker.

The moderation may have kept discussions 'tidy', but they may have also caused many losses.

Paul

Been here since 2004, help out where I can. This is truely an amazing website on so many levels.

Its a shame, in the past, to have lost some good knowledge and experience, because some were critical of what is a free resource which needed to be kept focused and accessable to all.

I think generally the internet as a communication medium is maturing, its just that not all were maturing along with it...

Can't remember when but most probably around 2005. Not many names still around from back then.

Cheers

Dunc

Afternoon Alan,
I have been a member since 2007 so have seen lots of “characters “ leave for various reasons. Many of them are still around on other forums and still providing entertainment on those sites. I am a member on other sites but EO is always the first place I have a look each day if service is available.

Cheers

According to my profile we joined in October 2007, that was a couple of weeks after our first trip to the northern island ended.
From memory i saw an ExplorOz sticker on a vehicle in Clare, South Oz, ( think the guy used the name Bats, he was a flick type guy) getting onto the site on our return home to look it up and see what's all about, have enjoyed it ever since, and have met some wonderful people through the site.
Cheers.
baz

I'm, still here (like it or not :)..since September 2004 (as a Member..January 2014 first post)...if that was the good old days.

Lots of competition for online interaction these days (e.g. facebook plus multitude of other travel type forums) so no surprise its a bit "quiet" compared to past I suppose but its still a happening thing.
Got to say D&M are people to be admired for getting it started and turning it into what it is. Wish I was half that clever.

Cheers
Greg

Happened to chance on ExplorOz years ago, when I may have supposedly been doing research on the Company computer. To say I was hooked would be an understatement! People were going to all these remote places, and writing about their travels, while I was chasing cattle, fencing & dealing with staff.

Joined March 2003, after lurking for a while.

Allan, I’d suggest the forum is evolving, into what I don’t know? Have noticed a few comments lately, that look like they’ve been plucked out of Facebook. Something about “popcorn. A week or so ago, the forum was quite busy, with constant update to threads, for a week or two. There seems to be patterns too, where weekends are quiet, but pick up Sunday night.

Have noticed some posters are now “demanding” the replies adher to the subject, because they don’t want any OT deviations. One would think they actually “owned” the thread.

As someone commented earlier, there is a wealth of information within the site which will ensure the site will live on..............maybe forever.

Bob

I'm still here ;)!!

One of the facts people don't fully understand is how ExplorOz works. Whilst some people only think of ExplorOz as the Forum, it really is just one part of a whole big picture. The Forum cannot exist without the site and probably the reverse is true too. So when it comes to criticising the Forum, reflecting on the changes, the comings and goings, the moderations, and good ole days, its all missing the point if you're not looking at the whole thing. (Places, Treks, EOTopo, ExplorOz Traveller, EOTrackMe, etc).

The biggest influence throughout the past 18 years of ExplorOz operation has been technology. Just as society has adapted so has our offering.

Remember, ExplorOz was here before Google, before Facebook and YouTube etc. But now we don't sell paper map products but have produced our own maps and own app.

I don't see much different in the Forum to be honest, but we're very pleased to see it has survived for 18 years. My database also shows our very first Member, (M11) is still financial. We will not name him, as he has never once posted on the Forum. I can also tell you that we have another 8 Members with member numbers under 100.

I just spoke to our newest Member today who joined with M# 12718.

It's lovely to hear from some of the longer term Members. Anyone from 2001 wanting to speak up?

Joined April 2003, around a bit before that. Great site with lots of information. Social media and competing diversity have probably provided competition for people's time leading to the site being quieter. However, it is hard to beat the information available on this site. Well done to the founders.

Regards
Pete_G

Well its the moderation thats controlled this forum!, I should Know been kicked out of here more times in the last 10yrs than anybody,......BUT!!!, have enjoyed the site and still do, they just need to loosen up a bit and all will be like it used to be!..LOL.


Cheers Axle

2001 - 2002 from memory, though I don't comment often.

Gday
I have been around since early 2006 and my first gathering was at Warraweena in up the top of the Flinders.
I have never been in any organisation longer than EO , well i have been married longer but i dont think that counts.

All I can say,thank goodness its not a facebook forum lol, shit would hit the fan then.

It appears I have been around since April 2011 lot of good information can be sought from this website not only from the forum , people come and go.... but I do think you don't get as much BS here as you mite on other forums.
It's funny how you get to know some people without knowing them at all, even the trolls
The forum maybe quiet one moment and then when you go back to it there may have been 10 new posts.

I seem to remember when VKS got a bit of criticism for enclosing advertising information about EO starting with their publication?

Also threads about shoelaces, mounting of white letter tyres. And atrocious behaviour by a few members of a 4wd club camping at a certain island campsite. No names.

Got no idea how long ago that was.

Happy travels, Graham.

Still a lurcher, been poking around since about 2004, but can't remember when I joined. Lost a little interest in the place shortly after the 'big purge' a few years ago. Recall many characters that I just don't see anymore and the laughs had along the way.
Times change I suppose.

Cheers......Lionel.

August 2002 for me

Have enjoyed ExplorOz nearly every day since then

I am a newbie here, only been a member 6 years but as a life member I will be around until . . . . . .

See a few people come and go but there are a lot of great members, some who I have met, and they more than make up for the odd asxxle.

The Forum has its ups and downs, I have been moderated a few times, but if you don't have rules I do not think it would be worth reading. It is definitely the lynch pin of the whole site as it is where we communicate with each other.

All I can say is well done M & M.

Chris

I've been a member since 2004 and a registered visitor for a year or two before that.

Yeah, a lot of the older characters have disappeared over the years. Earlier on, the site was a bit more "liberal" and members got away with a bit more.
Now the Forum rules have tightened up, moderators are more vigilant and some of the characters got their nose out of joint when told off or censored and pulled the plug. Such is life!

I was also wondering about who the long timers were about a year ago and worked thru the members lists and looked up the join dates
found about 7 members with a 2001 next to their name
I came across some of Michelle's old trip blogs when planning a Cape York trip in 1999. this was pre EO.
guess they evolved into EO a few years later. Thanks David and Michelle.
my own membership dates from 3/6/.02 ( member # 218) and that makes me the oldest from the ACT.
the site has always been a wealth of information and I definitely enjoyed the discussions that often ensued when the "experts "disagreed.
things are quieter these days but all of us are a few years older now ,.its still good to reflect on everyone's contributions over the time.

cheers
Howard

Well I've been here a long time 12 or 13 years maybe, enjoyed it thoroughly and learnt a few things along the way. A few of the original guys have passed away, a few who were not happy, took their bat and ball and moved elsewhere and I guess some have moved away from 4x4s, camping and caravanning. I don't think the forum has changed a lot except for a lot of useless banter, although E0 as a business has, evolutionary and technologically and for the better of course. David and Michelle have done a great job in getting this, their business and this site to where it is today. I'd like to see more technical posts on the forum or a section dedicated to ideas, builds, home made gear etc. There are a lot of talented members on the site and it would be good to share some of their clever work. Michael

And there was I thinking I was a newbie, but my profile says I joined Apr 26 2005, and certainly was a consumer of the site for some years before that. It’s given me the confidence to strike out over unfamiliar tracks and lead others into places they’d have never gotten to, so thanks to David & Michelle for providing the site and to the many hundreds (or thousands) who have contributed.

I have particularly enjoyed the contributions of John & Val over the years, until Val’s death a few months back. All the best John. Also those of Motherhen, Stephen L & Idler Chris (both of whom I was delighted to see at Ooldea last year), Phil B, Mick O, Equinox, Doug, and many others that don’t come to mind just now. Thanks to all for making my life better and getting me out bush whenever I can.

May there be many more years to come.

I have been around since 2007, posts occasionally, read daily - like what I see. Just sold my Landcruiser (sad) so what's next - I don't know? great job M & D keep up the good work!!

Hi Alan
10 years for me, yes the forum is not quite what it used to be with alot of the old colourful posters not around now for variuos reasons. Joined up after finding an EO sticker on the ground in the northern Flinders. Been hooked ever since and meet many old members annually and have travelled with them also. As said above there are alot of other forums around now where once EO was the main one.

Murray

Saw the question about past members and thought gee I have NO idea at all how long ago I joined. Had a look and my first post was Feb 2004, think I was a looker on for a while before I did my first post.
cheers, Anne
PS Still at Drysdale River Station, 33 years this year !!.

I'm still around. I'm on my way to a second lot of Long Service Leave lol. Earnt my first lot. I started sniffing around the site in late 2004, first posted in 2005 when the girlfriend and I hired a camper trailer and headed up the Bore Track to Innamincka. I may have posted in 2004 but for the life of me I cant remember the handle I used to use. Joined in 2007 after returning from my round Oz sojourn and took up the life time option the minute it was offered.

Yes the site is a different beast from the one it was way back then and for the reasons Michelle and a few others have outlined rather than anything negative. Some of the old scallywags have passed, some started to believe their own propaganda which was always going to have a negative outcome. Some didn’t like being told that they had to treat other forum users with respect so moved on to start their own little facepage fiefdoms where people are able to go along and listen to them talk about themselves (except for the times when they want you to tell them about themselves!). There are still a few scallywags about (I’m talking about you Axel) and that’s what makes it interesting.

This forum is like any other. It matures and morphs with technological and social change. It will look and feel different again in 10 years time but it will always be a fantastic reference source and a way to interact with a community of like minded individuals.

It is an avenue to meet and travel with some fantastic people as I have been fortunate enough to experience. Next week I’m heading off to Rudall River to celebrate and remember one of those friendships. I’ll be back in September so no, I haven’t forgotten the EO forum, I’m on long service leave!

Safe and enjoyable travels to you all and in the coming months on the road, I’m confident I’ll be spending a few nights around a campfire with EO forumites that I already know, or am yet to meet.

Cheers

Mick

G'day Alan

If my memory serves me correctly, I signed up with ExplorOz way back when this site first started so my recollection is 1999 into 2000.

I was a paid member for a long while and at the time my wife and I were running a four wheel drive tag along tour service out of Newman, our aim way back then was to educate the adventurous folk who toured into or though the region, on the real history of what is the Pilbara, geologically, ancient habitation and sacred sites, plants and wildlife 'the stuff of life"

I even had the gall to correct Michelle on a point of history and the need and care we should take in recording such history, because it's extremely difficult to undo an in correct statement once accepted in the mainstream of life.

Yes, I got moderated once for daring to show the licence plate of my vehicle, I was pinged for 'self promotion' apparently PICTOURS was telling the ExplorOz followers all about me and my tag along tours, I got miffed by this moderation and subsequently let my membership slide into oblivion.

I still contribute at times trying hard to stick to what is relevant to where I still live ~ the Pilbara. I'll go off on a tangent at times simply because I see, hear, feel and experience the massive changes going on right here and now and I still believe the as yet untouched parts of the Pilbara are very well worth fighting for maybe it's a vein attempt on my part at times, but if I feel it needs to be said I'll say it, honestly no sugar coating so it goes down like a sweet treat.

I no longer operate the tag along tours, but in the 17 years I ran the tours many ExplorOz members, past and some still current joined a tour and many of them actually stated they had learnt a thing or two about the real Pilbara a few even shed a tear or two.

My view today is vastly different when it comes to voicing an opinion on the Pilbara, I'll go to the elected politician who lays claim to fame in the region, state my case with evidence and images, some times they squirm uncomfortably and mostly they feel sympathetic about the 'case' but in truth they won't/can't do 'jack diddly' because they might lose favour in the eyes of the mining lobby.

Nearly wen't of topic ~ hey.

Safe travels, Adventurers and yes the Pilbara is worth much more than it's resources.

Joe Fury

Another “archived”.. chubbed... Yaled.... sanitised

Somebody’s eyes watered, obviously

As per OP

I've just checked into the forum for the first time in a while. Can't remember how many years ago I joined but since John died suddenly 2 1/2 years ago a lot has changed for me, although I am still travelling.

I've put my name down to attend the Gathering at Kilkowera station in October but probably won't get there, although I would really love to. One of my twin daughters expecting twins later in the year and I'm obviously going to have to lend a hand!

I'm packing up and heading off as far north as Cooktown, leaving in a couple of weeks and travelling with a friend, with a slide on wute camper and boat in tow..in search of places to fish, camp and walk. I'll be driving my 28ft 6 inch motorhome and will be living in luxury.

It's been interesting reading everyone's remarks in this thread, as I met quite a few of you a few years ago at the gathering atTrilby.

Regards,
Heather

Hi Alan

Not sure what qualifies as "the old days" but I have been a member since 2006 and "lurking" prior to that.

Similar to Michelle's (from EO team) comment, I find the EO Site more than just a forum, in fact, I tend to stay away from the forum unless a topic appears that I have a particular interest in, or insight to offer and tend to only view it once or twice a month these days...

I have always been attracted to member blogs, although there seem to be fewer written these days, which is a pity as reading about people's trips is fascinating and often provide an insight into places to go, experiences to be had.

But on "old crew" - it is good to have some familiar faces still around, but the lifeblood and longevity of the EO site will be it's ability to continue to attract new visitor's and readership.

Travel well and cheers,
Baz - The Landy