The evolution of Operation Sports (2002-present) - JohnDoe8865's Blog

JohnDoe8865's Blog

The evolution of Operation Sports (2002-present)

Posted on November 10, 2008 at 05:01 PM.

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So here we are, November the 10th, 2008. I first joined Operation Sports back on July 21st, 2002. We had probably less than 700 members and maybe 50 that were regulars and active at the time. Many of those regulars from back then are sadly gone now for one reason or another. I miss many of the old guard, some of them were like real friends to me. It was indeed a sad day when OS splintered. I won't get into the issues that caused the riff, I just wanted to give a nod to all of those that were "OS Originals", and are no longer here. You all made OS possible so that it could be what it has become today.

I can't believe I've (mostly) been here for 6+ years. OS has become like a second home to me. It is usually my first stop on the internet when I log on, and my last stop before I log off.

The evolution of this website has been, whether you agree or disagree with the direction, incredible. Back in 2002 the front page was something that everyone skipped to get to the forum. A lot of people still do that, but now you at least know that OS has a front page. And while the writing and content, in my opinion is a far cry from what it was back when Shawn, Clay, Mark and others were here, at least there is content. I want to give Daniel Hee (hdaniel)a huge shout out for the work he has done over the years updating the news on the front page and so much more for the site. Also Steve absolutely deserves a huge high five and a frosty beverage for dedicating himself to a site that we all love. He has also worked tirelessly to ensure OS' future.

The idea of using OS as a hybrid kind of social networking site is a brilliant one in my opinion. Social networking sites are not just for 15 year old girls and perverted old men, despite what many would have everyone believe. I personally believe this will be an unqualified success. I know it has renewed my interest in the site and the idea of more user created content is the future of the website in my lowly opinion.

I was once a moderator for Operation Sports way back when. We used to have a Rosters forum where people would send me their roster for whatever the hot game was at the time, and I would upload it to the OS server via FTP. I was a roster admin, lol. It was a simpler time and sometimes I do find myself missing it. But there is no doubt that the one constant in life is change.

This website and the forums that made it famous have undergone many changes over the past 6 years. The forums have been upgraded to new providers, new code, they have seen the Everything Else forum come and go and even briefly saw a Babes forum. I wish my memory was good enough to detail and chronicle every change that I have seen and been a part of here at OS. They are too numerous to mention.

OS is still, at it's core what it intended to be in my opinion. It is a place where sports and video game fans from all over the world, from all backgrounds, from all walks of life can come together and discuss the happenings of the day, the week, the year in the sports and video game world.

It's a place to exchange ideas on the latest games, to nitpick the latest annoyances with the new games, a place to argue that your team is better than mine. But it is a place that at the end of the day, most of us even if we don't agree with others, at least respect the opinions of those we disagree with. No place is perfect, but I think by and large the mostly 21+ crowd here at OS are some of the best, most intelligent people using the internet in 2008.

And that is why I stay.