8, going on 9.
What am I, nuts? I’m still doing this?! I neglected to notice that the 22nd was my ‘weblog anniversary.’ December 22, 1999 was when I began writing this weblog (called ‘array.editthispage.com’ back then) on the Edit This Page servers, via Userland Manila weblog software. Never saw any others in NM until 2000, and even then they were few and far between.
We dared to measure and judge the world by our own yardsticks. At the time, I felt like I was late jumping on the bandwagon ... the Blogger kids were first in numbers. Speaking of which, the experience and culture of the first waves of webloggers need to be documented soon, before they are forgotten or disappear from ‘net servers completely. I think the historical record of weblogging must be documented in print ... especially in these times, when those who have had a weblog for less than a year can hang a shingle out as a ‘blogging/podcasting/vlogging expert’. Last thing we need is one of the popular post-9/11 webloggers deciding to write one, judging their prehistory by revelation or interview rather than experience. In most articles I’ve read, early weblogging gets minimized beyond recognition. The definitive chronicle of our early days needs to be written by someone who was ‘first wave.’ We helped shape the software, we learned by doing ... sharing what we learned, rather than sitting on it and trying to monetize it. Others have come in droves, but they would not be able to do so without our first perilous voyages across the empty sea of internet.
Happy Anniversary to the cascade of other former ETP’ers marking milestones out there. Hal, Andre, Andrea, Susan, John(s), James, Karl, Alwin, Jeff, Dave, Sam, Brent, Sheila ... everyone I’ve read and enjoyed sharing online friendships with. We got to enjoy weblogging in a kinder, gentler environment - I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. I was reminiscing the other day about Carpe Diem, The Curmudgeon Who Teaches Statistics, Black Hole Brain, and all the others. Simpler pleasures, back then.
Comments:
Happy Anniversary, Garret! My eighth was on the 4th. Of course, I haven’t been doing such a good job of keeping up lately… Anyhow, it’s great to see that you’re still here! And Andrea too!
Jeff
Happy Anniversary from an old ETPer as well 
It *was* simpler back then
Today I was recalling how Edit This Page started up weeks before the beginning of the 21st century as we all waited to see whether the Y2K bug would prevent our march into technological paradise.
Marching on . . .
Wow! My eighth was on the 23rd. I had completely forgotten. It was a ‘kinder, gentler environment’ then, in many ways.
Keep up the good work!
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Happy Weblogiversary, Garret! Ah, those early days… I’ll celebrate my weblog’s eighth on January 25th. I felt late jumping on the bandwagon back then.
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