The forum turns 12 years old today
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 12:16 pmWell, the forum turned 12 years old today. It went live on 11/1/2004 and the first post was made (by me) on 11/2/2004
We have come along way in that time. For several years we had very few members with very few posts.
Slowly word got out and we now have 1,402 members, 17,274 posts, and 4,244 unique threads.
Some other things that came out of the forum are the online price guide http://www.AntiqueSlotMachinePriceGuide.com), the serial number registry (http://www.CoinOpRegistry.com), restoration DVDs (http://www.IBuyOldSlots.com/dvd), COPS (http://www.CoinOpPreservationsSociety.com), YouTube videos, and most recently posting coin op referrals in the for sale section.
The most important thing though has been people helping each other and the proliferation of the history of these fascinating machines. I especially want to thank the historians who participate in the forum
. I would list them but probably accidentally forget to mention someone 
and I don't want to offend anyone. We all know who they are.
There have been some bumps along the road but for the most part it has been a good run.
I am currently working on a way to tie the price guide and the serial number registry together. More information on that to follow if I ever get it done.
A week ago I was tempted to pull the plug on everything. After multiple phone calls and emails from the members I have decided to keep things up.
For now, I will do my best to keep all of this running and try to treat all members fairly. You may not agree with everything that I say or do but I try to do what is best for the overall community. It is a time-consuming effort. It is somewhat disappointing that COCA has not embraced or even acknowledged the forum but it is what it is.
Dave
We have come along way in that time. For several years we had very few members with very few posts.
Slowly word got out and we now have 1,402 members, 17,274 posts, and 4,244 unique threads.
Some other things that came out of the forum are the online price guide http://www.AntiqueSlotMachinePriceGuide.com), the serial number registry (http://www.CoinOpRegistry.com), restoration DVDs (http://www.IBuyOldSlots.com/dvd), COPS (http://www.CoinOpPreservationsSociety.com), YouTube videos, and most recently posting coin op referrals in the for sale section.
The most important thing though has been people helping each other and the proliferation of the history of these fascinating machines. I especially want to thank the historians who participate in the forum
. I would list them but probably accidentally forget to mention someone and I don't want to offend anyone. We all know who they are.There have been some bumps along the road but for the most part it has been a good run.
I am currently working on a way to tie the price guide and the serial number registry together. More information on that to follow if I ever get it done.
A week ago I was tempted to pull the plug on everything. After multiple phone calls and emails from the members I have decided to keep things up.
For now, I will do my best to keep all of this running and try to treat all members fairly. You may not agree with everything that I say or do but I try to do what is best for the overall community. It is a time-consuming effort. It is somewhat disappointing that COCA has not embraced or even acknowledged the forum but it is what it is.
Dave
to all from France