10 years older ...

... but I'm still here.

When, 10 years ago today, I decided to join ATS and do some posting (there was someone wrong on the Internet that day), both as a way of spending some of my free time reading about some interesting subjects and a way of improving my written English (something I only do on the Internet), I never thought things could go this way, and that, after 10 years, I would still be here, reading it every day (except on two occasions when I had Internet problems) and much more involved in this amazing international community that ATS is than I ever thought I would be in any thing.

If I'm still here today it's because, even with all the ups and downs ATS has had in these years (and despite what some people say), I still think ATS is the best online community I have ever seen and I am proud to be part of it.

Thanks everybody for making ATS what it is, even the bad moments, because life is not made just of good moments, and sometimes the bad moments are better at making us stronger than the god ones, and all those moments, good and bad (and some ugly ones too) are part of the reason I come back to ATS every day, something I hope I will be doing for some years more.

PS: I hope I haven't been part of some bad moments for too many people, but I'm sure there are some people that were affected in a bad way by what I have written in some of my posts. For all those people, sorry for any wrong doing from my part, it wans't my intention to make you feel bad.

a reply to: ArMaP

Congratulations

How do you feel ATS has changed during your 10 years here? What was it like 10 years ago in comparison with today? Do you feel the primary goal/objectives of ATS has changed over the years?

a reply to: ArMaP

Dayum!! Congratulations on a decade of not disappearing. It's always sad to think back on the folks who, one day, just up and left.

a reply to: ArMaP

Firstly my hearty congratulations on making the decade mark
9 years behind the bell for me a mere whipper snapper.

I must whole heartedly agree with you on everything you wrote, without ATS I would be a lesser man than I currently am

I still have days like this


But now I laugh easier and get offended very rarely

Cody

a reply to: ArMaP

I'm old school and amazed at not only this site but the internet as a whole. Instant access to world events and information discourse has changed my outlook and knowledge more than I could say. Thanks ATS, you've done me a world of good.

originally posted by: Silicis n Volvo
Congratulations

Thanks.

How do you feel ATS has changed during your 10 years here? What was it like 10 years ago in comparison with today? Do you feel the primary goal/objectives of ATS has changed over the years?

The biggest difference (besides the look) is that ATS has become much bigger than it was 10 years ago.

10 years ago I could look around and read many posts on many different sections of ATS because the amount of new posts and threads was smaller on the subjects I am more interested in, so I had the time to read the new posts and then look for something different from my favourite subjects, while now I don't even have the time to read all the new posts and threads posted on my favourite forums.

I think that may be part of the reason some people say ATS has changed.
ATS didn't really change (only as much as we do, as ATS is made from what we post), but the bigger amount of posts on what we are most interested in makes us neglect all the other areas, so we get more and more stuck on specific things than on the whole.

originally posted by: Snarl
Dayum!! Congratulations on a decade of not disappearing.

Thanks.

It's always sad to think back on the folks who, one day, just up and left.

That's true. In all these years I have made many new friends, and, unfortunately, lost some of them, but that's life.

originally posted by: cody599
Firstly my hearty congratulations on making the decade mark

Thanks.

I still have days like this

But now I laugh easier and get offended very rarely

Yes, ATS can have both of those effects on people, we just have to learn to choose the best one.

Ten years. Impressive.

I've been using the Internet for almost 25 years. But I've never spent a decade in one community. Mostly not my fault. The communities disappear or dry up.

Ten years ago. Different world back then. George Bush was still in his first term. YouTube didn't exist. Many people were still using dial-up connections. And had AOL email addresses. MySpace was the new up and comer. Facebook was just some little site a few people at Harvard knew about. You probably owned a DVD player, but not a widescreen TV. Apple didn't make your phone. And it wasn't very smart.

Different, different times.

a reply to: ArMaP

Glad to have you as a mod and member ArMaP and glad to see you are still enjoying ATS after 10 years. People come and people go but I like consistency with regards to membership.

Here's to your next ten.

ETA: And your English is impeccable.

a reply to: LightSpeedDriver

Thanks.

When looking at older posts I can see that my English is really better than it was, but I think I still haven't got the right way of making my sentences.

a reply to: cody599

that .gif is immensely funny

You are a staple...one of those members whose thoughts we all look foward to reading, members and lurkers alike. I personally always appreciate your combination of cool logic and calm civility.

Congrats on 10 years my friend!

a reply to: ArMaP

10 years is a looooooooong time when one is bored and just a wink of an eye when one enjoys !!! Congrats !!!

You've been here twice and a half longer than I have, almost day for day. I can't even imagine what you've learned since then but one thing I do know, is that I always enjoy seeing your common sense in your various replies here and there. I'll also admit that you are one of my favorite members from Portugal..

to another ten !!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

a reply to: ArMaP

You are deserving of a reward pops, maybe some bronzed dentures to mark the occasion?

I jest of course. It is a remarkable achievement and congratulations to you, a day in cyberspace is a long time, let alone ten years. I have only been a member for two years but I've been visiting ATS since '05 and maybe it was one of your threads that eventually drew me in.

Kudos for the effort, here's to the next ten years

a reply to: ArMaP

CONGRATULATIONS BROTHER!!!!!

We are better off with you here

It's been a pleasure man. Always enjoy your input and friendship.

originally posted by: Necrose
a reply to: cody599

that .gif is immensely funny

Thanks I love it.

Feel free to take it and use it

Cody

a reply to: ArMaP

Congratulations....
Why aren't you a supermod? You certainly deserve it.