History Question for Randy
Mar 9, 2006 | 10:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: Kimpton IC, Hyatt Diamond, Gold Marriott, Lifetime Platinum Starwood
Posts: 8,664
History Question for Randy
http://www.thelobby.com/2006/03/who_...od_lu.php#more
I was just wondering - what IS the history behind flyertalk? Thanks!
I was just wondering - what IS the history behind flyertalk? Thanks!
Mar 10, 2006 | 8:20 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
I've read Randy's outline of the FT history posted many times, but had never read Starwood Lurker's far more recent background, vis-a-vis FT.
Not sure where the connection is between the two (if there is one), but an interesting link. I've always been curious that a few more large Airline/hotel Corporates have not decided to follow suit.
Not sure where the connection is between the two (if there is one), but an interesting link. I've always been curious that a few more large Airline/hotel Corporates have not decided to follow suit.
Mar 10, 2006 | 10:26 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
I was just wondering - what IS the history behind flyertalk? Thanks!
Posted by Randy Petersen:
FT doesn't exist for anyone but those who contribute. And as you all might know, FlyerTalk in 1998 did not exist as it does now, only as a subset of WebFlyer. It really wasn't until the good graces of Catman, Rudi, NJDavid* that FlyerTalk came into it's own on 11/1/99,
However, FlyerTalk did exist briefly in 1995 and i think that PremEx might be the only one who did participate in that experiment.
Anyway, a great history of growth and i think you'll all agree that beyond the occasional outburst of opinions unrelated to FlyerTalk, it has made us all that much richer for our miles, our points, our travel experiences and having come off a great visit with members in Seattle, our new friends.
However, FlyerTalk did exist briefly in 1995 and i think that PremEx might be the only one who did participate in that experiment.
Anyway, a great history of growth and i think you'll all agree that beyond the occasional outburst of opinions unrelated to FlyerTalk, it has made us all that much richer for our miles, our points, our travel experiences and having come off a great visit with members in Seattle, our new friends.
Posted by PremEx:
My first post on FlyerTalk doesn't exist any longer. Not even in Archives.
That's because FlyerTalk V1.o was a short lived experiment back in 1995(?) that unfortunately quickly degraded to usenet levels of bile that made a bad day in OMNI look like a ladies' garden party by comparison!
So Randy quickly put it out of it's misery and resurrected it again a few years later in May of 1998 with the FlyerTalk we all know and love today. I guess you could call it "The Passion Of The FlyerTalk."
That's because FlyerTalk V1.o was a short lived experiment back in 1995(?) that unfortunately quickly degraded to usenet levels of bile that made a bad day in OMNI look like a ladies' garden party by comparison!
So Randy quickly put it out of it's misery and resurrected it again a few years later in May of 1998 with the FlyerTalk we all know and love today. I guess you could call it "The Passion Of The FlyerTalk."
I found out about the original FlyerTalk via a phone call a loooong time ago with Randy Petersen about a frequent flyer issue. He mentioned it to me. It was a short-lived experiment that was quickly flooded by usenet types of trolls and porn peddlers...so Randy shut it down.
Then a year or two (?) later, Randy started up another version of FlyerTalk in 1998, which is pretty much what you see today. I found out about this one from Randy too, during another phone call about a fantastic United Mileage Plus--->Hilton HHonors exchange promotion (ah..the good old days) that was going on. He mentioned it to me then.
Having recalled the sting of the first attempt at FlyerTalk...I just lurked a few weeks until I was sure that Rudi, Catman, Matt Wald, and several other early members were not apparent axe murderers or web psycho-stalkers. I'm still not totally convinced about a couple of them!
It was a much more civil place and the inhabitants seemed to genuinely want to learn and/or teach and/or share their experiences to help one another, so I stuck around a spell.
Then a year or two (?) later, Randy started up another version of FlyerTalk in 1998, which is pretty much what you see today. I found out about this one from Randy too, during another phone call about a fantastic United Mileage Plus--->Hilton HHonors exchange promotion (ah..the good old days) that was going on. He mentioned it to me then.
Having recalled the sting of the first attempt at FlyerTalk...I just lurked a few weeks until I was sure that Rudi, Catman, Matt Wald, and several other early members were not apparent axe murderers or web psycho-stalkers. I'm still not totally convinced about a couple of them!
It was a much more civil place and the inhabitants seemed to genuinely want to learn and/or teach and/or share their experiences to help one another, so I stuck around a spell.
You may notice several threads and posts by one FlyerTaker...MileMonitor. This was actually Randy Petersen sort of clandestinely "seeding" the brand new FlyerTalk by starting threads to get conversations going.
Last edited by PremEx; Mar 10, 2006 at 10:50 pm
Mar 10, 2006 | 10:58 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
Due to the wonders of technology, (NOTHING is secret on the web!) here is the first link I believe to Flyertalk, as it was seen in April/May 1998 on your screen. Note the contents box for Inside Flyer May 1998 blurb on the RH side which dates it clearly - ignore date line across page top.
If you look down to "INTERACTIVE" half way down central table, there is a link called "FlyerTalk - NEW! interactive frequent flyer discussion" which gives you the VERY earliest version:
Also: Right now we are running a special promotion to celebrate the launch of FlyerTalk in which we are giving away 1,000 miles a day for ten days. Get in on "Can We Talk?" and win miles just for talking to other frequent flyers!
So what are your waiting for? Start talking!
Randy or others may recall these winner members that week:
Can We Talk
Winner's Circle! 5/13/98
5/14 Gercohen
5/15 birdyy
5/16 Gercohen
5/17 Flying Dutchman
And HERE are the FT forums as they were in May 1998.
The United board had 21 posts total at that time.
If you look down to "INTERACTIVE" half way down central table, there is a link called "FlyerTalk - NEW! interactive frequent flyer discussion" which gives you the VERY earliest version:
Also: Right now we are running a special promotion to celebrate the launch of FlyerTalk in which we are giving away 1,000 miles a day for ten days. Get in on "Can We Talk?" and win miles just for talking to other frequent flyers!
So what are your waiting for? Start talking!
Randy or others may recall these winner members that week:
Can We Talk
Winner's Circle! 5/13/98
5/14 Gercohen
5/15 birdyy
5/16 Gercohen
5/17 Flying Dutchman
And HERE are the FT forums as they were in May 1998.
The United board had 21 posts total at that time.
