Allpar’s Tenth Anniversary

We’ve come a long way in ten years - longer in fourteen, which is the length of time some of Allpar’s content has been posted on the Web:
1994, started at cyberwar.com/valiant/
1995, moved to mordor.com/~valiant/
1996(?), moved to z.simplenet.com/cc/
1998, moved to allpar.com and valiant.org; hosting moved to Esosoft
1999, moved to Esosoft VPS, which turned out to be Verio in reality
2001 (?), moved to dedicated server at Hostrocket in New York
2007, moved to a new dedicated server in Michigan

I still remember the excitement of our first advertiser paying $20 per month for the right to a banner ad on the home page; that covered the costs of running the site! Then, eventually, Year One started paying enough to cover the costs of the size and an odd dinner out every month, and I basked in the warmth of a small profit and a well-known, reputable advertiser.

Not long after registering Allpar.com, it passed 10,000 visitors in a month, and I was thrilled to have finally equalled the success of my old college newspaper! The viewers kept coming, fortunately, along with numerous people who contributed greatly in those early years - Daniel Stern; Bohdan Bodnar; Gene Poon; and many others.

Along with allpar, I also sponsored and led the creation of the rec.autos.makers.chrysler newsgroup, which took more argument than one would think; it was one of the first, though not THE first, specific-brand auto newsgroups. As a part of that, I started the Chrysler FAQ. All three are still around. Thanks to everyone who supported all of these efforts with your help, your words, your information, your photos, your referrals to friends, your links, and your visits.

This year, let’s celebrate.

Based on input from the forums, here’s what’s certain to happen:

1) Special logos celebrating ten years
2) Cake at Carlisle
3) Focus on the information and articles from 10 years ago.

Likely to happen:

1) 10 most influential vehicles, 10 most influential figures, 10 most popular threads, or maybe the 10 most interesting events that have occurred at Chrysler during allpar’s existence.

2) Guesses for the future of Chrysler in the next 10 months and the next 10 years (10 months will be easy to check and that person will become the leader for what might happen in the next 10 years)

3) Anniversary mugs and/or reusable coffee-cups (nonspill variety)

4) A biography brief in which everyone can be involved

5) Allpar 10th Anniversary clothing

6) Celebration at the WPC Museum (we have to settle on a range of dates and then contact the Museum)

Do you have more ideas? Let us know!