Airliners-India.com Forum Index Airliners-India.com
Flickr Group & Facebook
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

The story of how this forum started!

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Airliners-India.com Forum Index -> Site Related
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
sumantra
Member


Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 5:55 pm    Post subject: The story of how this forum started! Reply with quote

I joined in quite late, after lots of trepidation, and reading it as a non-member, before taking this step. I've been wondering for quite some time, as to how Aseem started it all, Nimish joined the next day, with a slew of people joining on 19-20-21 Dec and the like, and...very few of those original members being still active on the forum. Can we have those `original members' posting their views on this thread here? It will be very enlightening for me, at least. All of the `original' members were not on A.net, and social media was not the viral presence it is, now. How did Aseem get this lovely idea, how did he set it up, how did the others get the news, how and why they joined - all of this will be interesting to know, for a late entrant like me!
I read it for a long time as a non-member, preferring to read the Indian Aviation Thread on A.net instead, as this was a low-volume forum. Then things picked up, and now, even the hourly traffic is something I yearn to read, digest, and of course, comment on, and post. Thanks in advance, Sumantra.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Aseem
Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: YYZ

PostPosted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It basically started with Subin Nijhawan (MrNiji) opening a Yahoo Group. I think the name was A.net South Asia or something. He me made me, Nimish and MEL the co-mods there. It occurred to me that Yahoo group wasn't really as smooth as we wanted. So, on my own initiative created a Beta group based on current format (not this provider). I posted on Yahoo if people would want to switch to that one for the sake of convenience. That format was hugely popular and was greeted with great excitement. So, much so that Yahoo group as abandoned shortly. Not wanting to politicize the things, I kept Nimish and MEL as mods there as well. Subin I presume opted out for his own reasons. Building upon its success I registered the domain. The domain name was selected on the basis of suggestions and most votes. Oliver Cohelo, who suggested the name is not currently active. That provider was used for almost two years, till it was realized that it wasn't fullfilling the needs. The star on that format were Krishna (Karatecatman) and Avijeet. Anyway we shifted on the current phpbb format leaving all those archives there. Quite naturally, Nimish and MEL joined the very next day as it was all planned. It was kind of exercise in project management with great communication plan..........

VT-ASJ
_________________
[url=http://openflights.org/user/aseemsjohri]
[/url]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
sumantra
Member


Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, and kudos to you, and all the people involved. This has been a great effort, and a wonderful forum. Keep it up!
Thanks, Sumantra.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Nimish
Member


Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 9757
Location: Bangalore, India

PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

17 Feb 2005: Folks interested in Aviation in India only had the option to use the Airliners.net forums (even I was a watcher until I paid up the $25 on Feb 14, 2005). There were no India focussed threads, and we used to wait for bits and pieces of information about the Indian aviation market. Then in Feb 2005, Subin Nijhawan (A.netter of Indian origin, based in Germany) started up a yahoo group "anet-sa", with Oliver and Roy (Cougar) as the original members - and here's the first message on that group:

Quote:
Mr MELJOE S FERREIRA Message 1 of 2 , 17 Feb, 2005
Just Wanted to say "HI" to all the Indian/SE Asian Anetters out there.
Welcome & Thanks.
regds
MEL


The anet-sa Yahoo group grew to about 50 members in a months' time, and there was a buzz of activity as shown in this graph:


8-May-2006 Aseem posting about the concept of a forum on the anet-sa yahoo group:

Quote:
From: "Aseem Swarup Johri" aseemsjohri@yahoo.com
Date: Mon May 8, 2006 9:44am(PDT)
Subject: Experiment with Anet.SA. Beta Version.

Hi All,

Just stumbled upon an idea of changing the face of Anet.SA forum.
Rather than YahooGroup mailing list, I have created a Forum like
Airliners.net

Here is the link
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=83591

Please let me know how you like it. If it grows upon you, then we can work
to improve it better. Just to clarify that idea is not to bypass the
Yahoogroup as it is pretty much established, but to give it a new face.
Meanwhile, I am trying to figure out how to give all the group moderators
the same status over there. Its just a technical thing.

The downside being that Yahoogroup membership cannot be transfered over
there, so you folks will have to take the pain of registering again.

Lets see how it works

thanks
Aseem


8-May-2006 Aseem's introductory post on the forum. Aseem invited each of the anet-sa yahoo group members to also join the forum, and anet-sa mods to become mods here.

http://airliners-india.activeboard.com/t6892763/welcome/
Quote:
Welcome
Hi

all aviation fans from South Asia and fellow members of Anet.sa, just stumbled upon the idea of creating a forum. No intention to bypass the Anet.SA, infact would want it to be an adjunct to it.

Lets experiment with the idea and see how it goes.

thanks
Aseem


11-Jun-2006: By this time we got used to a forum instead of the yahoo group, so here's Aseems message asking for folks to transition over:

Quote:
vt_asj Message 1 of 2 , 11 Jun, 2006
Hi All,
Just to bring to everybody's attention that all the
threads/conversation have moved to the new fourm format. Specially
the new members must be wondering that there is no discussion going
on over here. All those who have not signed up for the new format are
requested to do so. We look forward to your active participation.
Just a quick reminder that the Yahoogroup shall remain the
cornerstone and its just the discussions that have moved. The links
are as follows

http://geocities.com/anetsouthasia

or

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=83591

rgds
Aseem Johri


18-Dec-2006: We used this forum for a few months, but it was paid ($15/month - which Aseem paid, and tried to cross subsidize through google ads), and we had some other issues. So then we announced the move to the alternate (and current forum):

http://airliners-india.activeboard.com/t9599883/we-are-moving/
Quote:
We are moving!!

folks!
we will be moving to a different service provider. Here is the preview of the new version
http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/
please wait for detailed instructions
rgds
VT-ASJ


24-Feb-2007: And then about 2-3 months later, this forum had it's 100th member!

http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?p=6317#6317

Long story, but fascinating. We've had many "waves" of folks on this forum, and I definitely miss some of the earlier members who are not around on this forum any more. However life goes on, and we keep the discussions flowing!
_________________
We miss you Nalini!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
sumantra
Member


Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nimish - this has to be one of the most informative posts ever on AI.net. Thanks a lot for this awesome compilation - I think I will read, and re-read most of the lines again, and try to get a picture of the grand hard work that all of you founding members went through, to get AI.net to its current nice state. Thanks once again, I may post a few queries, and other related posts, personal feelings, etc on this thread, in the days to come.
Sumantra.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
shivendrashukla
Member


Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 1354
Location: Mumbai, India

PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 6:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It seems that I joined up there on 10 May 2006. Does this makes me one of the original members too?? Confused
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Nimish
Member


Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 9757
Location: Bangalore, India

PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 7:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

shivendrashukla wrote:
It seems that I joined up there on 10 May 2006. Does this makes me one of the original members too?? Confused


All members here are "original" members Smile
_________________
We miss you Nalini!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Aseem
Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: YYZ

PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sumantra wrote:
Nimish - this has to be one of the most informative posts ever on AI.net. Thanks a lot for this awesome compilation - I think I will read, and re-read most of the lines again, and try to get a picture of the grand hard work that all of you founding members went through, to get AI.net to its current nice state. Thanks once again, I may post a few queries, and other related posts, personal feelings, etc on this thread, in the days to come.
Sumantra.


Yes! That is some hard work Nimish. Thnx

VT-ASJ
_________________
[url=http://openflights.org/user/aseemsjohri]
[/url]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
ameya
Member


Joined: 09 May 2007
Posts: 3671
Location: Pune,Maharashtra

PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow overwhelmed to read all this.

I remember how I joined in and let me put it here. I had just moved out of IAF where I had joined as cadet pilot and within days the A380 was to come to BOM.

I had gone from PNQ to BOM to see it and standing on an orange roadroller at the rwy 27 end road, few people came and asked if I am from airliners-india. I do not know who.

I came back to PNQ, and next day onwards got hooked to A-I.net
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Nimish
Member


Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 9757
Location: Bangalore, India

PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

^^ Wow - fascinating story here. Thanks for sharing.
_________________
We miss you Nalini!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
jbalonso777
Member


Joined: 05 Jul 2012
Posts: 1501
Location: Never, never land

PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is an amazing story!
Thank you all for contributing to this, and making it a success!
Wow - it certainly did look like hard work (to me), and its amazing to know its working well.
I came to know of this forum very late, July 2012, when Aseem sir himself posted about this site on the Airliners-India group page.

What's amazing is the fact that - so many people whom I used to admire on Airliners.net (and sometimes, IRFCA too!) are all together right here, on this forum.

Thank you ALL for creating this masterpiece!

Regards
Jish
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Nimish
Member


Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 9757
Location: Bangalore, India

PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jbalonso777 wrote:
Thank you ALL for creating this masterpiece!


Agree fully - it's the contributions and sustained interest from our members that makes the site tick.
_________________
We miss you Nalini!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
HAWK21M
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 8132
Location: Mumbai, INDIA

PostPosted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Amazing journey.....sure brought back memories.....

As a regular on Airliners.net, we needed something more to home...so came
Airliners-india.net.

regds
MEL.
_________________
Think of the Brighter side !!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
sumantra
Member


Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nimish wrote:
^^ Wow - fascinating story here. Thanks for sharing.
I''ll simply duplicate Nimish's feelings here, for you Ameya!
BTW, have you read the poem, `The Little Tin Soldier?' That orange road roller may still be there, waiting for you Smile
Cheers, Sumantra.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
stealthpilot
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 2325
Location: BLR, DXB

PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow this stirred the memory.
Sad to see some usernames not active anymore though.

Aseem, Nimish and MEL .... great job guys its been awesome, also a shout out to MrNiji and Cougar
_________________
eP007
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
HAWK21M
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 8132
Location: Mumbai, INDIA

PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One long journey.......Amazing start......slowed down at times.....but never the less a forum we are all proud about.
_________________
Think of the Brighter side !!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
abhijith16
Member


Joined: 14 Sep 2010
Posts: 1575
Location: DOH/IXE/MEL

PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was a silent observer for 2 years. And now I can't stop going to this forum. My quick bite on the aviation scenario is in this forum!

Thank you Nimish, Aseem, Sumantra, Meljoe, Krishna, Jason, Balagopal, Rishul, Varun and countless others for making this forum my favorite!
_________________
<a><img></a>
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Aseem
Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: YYZ

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

.... and how can one not miss "Texdravid" Twisted Evil
_________________
[url=http://openflights.org/user/aseemsjohri]
[/url]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
abhijith16
Member


Joined: 14 Sep 2010
Posts: 1575
Location: DOH/IXE/MEL

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aseem wrote:
.... and how can one not miss "Texdravid" Twisted Evil


I haven't forgotten that firebrand Republican guy!
_________________
<a><img></a>
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
HAWK21M
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 8132
Location: Mumbai, INDIA

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah Texdravid was interesting.....

Dont forget Karatekatman.....for fantastic news.......still keep in touch with him......hopefully he'll return to the forum one day.
_________________
Think of the Brighter side !!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
sumantra
Member


Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aseem wrote:
.... and how can one not miss "Texdravid" Twisted Evil

HAWK21M wrote:
Yeah Texdravid was interesting.....
So much hatred towards some particular communities, and some people in particular, and open near-abusive language and name-calling. Personally, I didn't like that part about him.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Aseem
Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: YYZ

PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sumantra wrote:
Aseem wrote:
.... and how can one not miss "Texdravid" Twisted Evil

HAWK21M wrote:
Yeah Texdravid was interesting.....
So much hatred towards some particular communities, and some people in particular, and open near-abusive language and name-calling. Personally, I didn't like that part about him.


We tried to know Texdravid personally, and he came out to be innocent straight talking guy. He was fun, but unsuitable for serious forum like this. Though I would want to have an open heart mudslinging session with him. LOL

VT-ASJ
_________________
[url=http://openflights.org/user/aseemsjohri]
[/url]


Last edited by Aseem on Thu Oct 17, 2013 6:35 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
sumantra
Member


Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi

PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aseem wrote:
Though I would want to have an open heart mudslinging session with him. LOL
Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
HAWK21M
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 8132
Location: Mumbai, INDIA

PostPosted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Amazing mix of characters that joined,posted,quit,stayed on...... Smile
_________________
Think of the Brighter side !!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
TKMCE
Member


Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 957

PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting, I have been on and off for a long tme, never got myself kicked out -although I must say I tried my hardest sometimes Very Happy and to be blunt (there I go) I found some of the moderation occasionally unbearable and I am sure they felt the same way about me as well Smile

Highlight of course for me was meeting a few members at Mumbai many years back, a couple of times for a sort of informal mini meets. One time included some spotting as well, for which I made it on a day trip from PNQ where I had been visiting relatives and also another time when I had an evening to kill at BOM on a business trip, called up Sean Mendis and he quickly organised a small get together the same night with a few others members. I remember this second trip clearly because Sean who was driving me down to the mini meet suddenly remarked that the aircraft is landing on the secondary runway at night which he said is unsual and I found the reason the next day when trying to get back home I was badly delayed because the day before some trespasser had apparently packed off with some part of the ILS (I don't remember which) carting it off for scrap metal:)

Regrets?? Well being in BLR for quite a few years but never making it for a mini meet or even getting to know some of the active members... Well .. there is always the next time!!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Aseem
Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 2841
Location: YYZ

PostPosted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We worked really hard to keep you. Our moderation expertise did reach their elastic limit. Twisted Evil

VT-ASJ
_________________
[url=http://openflights.org/user/aseemsjohri]
[/url]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
HAWK21M
Member


Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 8132
Location: Mumbai, INDIA

PostPosted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Amazing....how time flies.....Best part is that FB has helped to put faces on those of the forum we used to know by Usernames earlier Smile
_________________
Think of the Brighter side !!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Airliners-India.com Forum Index -> Site Related All times are GMT + 5.5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group. Hosted by phpBB.BizHat.com