It's a major anniversary for r.g.p

[David Marston]

Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.

At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.

As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

[Lloyd Olson]

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Thank you David and founding Fathers ! Through thick and thin you kept pinball going !
LTG : )

[John Robertson]

Post by Lloyd Olson

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Thank you David and founding Fathers ! Through thick and thin you kept pinball going !
LTG : )

I've only been here since perhaps 1994 or so (original posting from some
other email source - started with a w... - a friend told me about this
usenet thing and helped me get onboard during the 300 baud dialup days).
As the newbie let me say thanks for setting this up! RGP was a big help
for folks back in the day and I still answer the tech stuff that comes
through when I can.

John :-#)#

[Terry Cumming]

Congrats Dave. RGP pre-dates the WWW.

Terry

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time.
(etc.)
.................David Marston

[BrianC]

Post by Terry Cumming
Congrats Dave. RGP pre-dates the WWW.
Terry

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time.
(etc.)
.................David Marston

Congrats Dave. I was in college at NCSU back then and feverishly read every message from the get go. I also seem to have posted a fair bit in the voice of a knowitallpunk back in the day :-)

Glad it has survived for 30 years. Here's to 30 more!

Cheers,
-Brian

[Riles]

Post by Terry Cumming
Congrats Dave. RGP pre-dates the WWW.
Terry

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time.
(etc.)
.................David Marston

Congrats Dave. I was in college at NCSU back then and feverishly read every message from the get go. I also seem to have posted a fair bit in the voice of a knowitallpunk back in the day :-)
Glad it has survived for 30 years. Here's to 30 more!
Cheers,
-Brian

Happy Anniversary!

[Pinster68]

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Thanks David. I was a relatively late arrival in 2008. RGP helped me get started, helped me learn who the truly smart guys were in the hobby, and helped me link up with countless opportunities to blow more cash buying pins and parts. I’m not here often, but greatly appreciate the RGP community.

Cheers!

[John Dayhuff]

Thanks Dave or all that you and the others did to get RGP up and running. I've been here since 1997 when I got my first computer. I don't post much anymore but I still check in several times a day. :)

John P. Dayhuff
Battle Creek, Mi.
269-979-3836

[Pin Del]

Post by Pinster68

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Thanks David. I was a relatively late arrival in 2008. RGP helped me get started, helped me learn who the truly smart guys were in the hobby, and helped me link up with countless opportunities to blow more cash buying pins and parts. I’m not here often, but greatly appreciate the RGP community.
Cheers!

Thanks for the update Dave !
I showed up in 2001 using my aol address & switched to gmail in 2003 .
RGP was what got me turned on enough to make this a full time hobby & I really have enjoyed the ride !. Always trying to learn something new & I enjoy the real experts still here & really miss all the guys no longer with us .

Pin-Del,
CARGPB28

[John Dayhuff]

Thanks Dave for all that you and the others did to get RGP up and running. I've been here since 1997 when I got my first computer. I don't post much anymore but I still check in several times a day. :)

John P. Dayhuff
Battle Creek, Mi.
269-979-3836

[Idlehands]

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Thank you David and the founders, I found this group in '98 after
winning my first pinball machine, didn't have a clue what it was worth
until I found this group.

While I mostly lurk, it's been a great resource and for the most part
everyone has been more then willing to share their knowledge.


--

[Butterflygirl24]

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Happy Anniversary RGP!! My first post was in '06. I'm sure that I lurked prior to that. I know that I was encouraged to start posting and to eventually start doing PF restorations before that by Al Garber #331/3 RIP!! I met him through an E-bay auction for some Firepower II plastics and had several conversations with him and showed him pics of my Firepower II PF restore and he convinced me to quit lurking and start posting and also to start doing PF restorations for others! RGP is a wealth of knowledge that has helped so many pinheads to become more comfortable and confident in maintaining their pins and keeping the hobby alive and thriving! Here's to another 30 years!!

Phoebe
CARGPB#38

[Cassandra Paras]

Post by Butterflygirl24

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Happy Anniversary RGP!! My first post was in '06. I'm sure that I lurked prior to that. I know that I was encouraged to start posting and to eventually start doing PF restorations before that by Al Garber #331/3 RIP!! I met him through an E-bay auction for some Firepower II plastics and had several conversations with him and showed him pics of my Firepower II PF restore and he convinced me to quit lurking and start posting and also to start doing PF restorations for others! RGP is a wealth of knowledge that has helped so many pinheads to become more comfortable and confident in maintaining their pins and keeping the hobby alive and thriving! Here's to another 30 years!!
Phoebe
CARGPB#38

[Cassandra Paras]

Post by Butterflygirl24

Post by David Marston
Today (11/20/2020) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the
rec.games.pinball newsgroup. I helped to get it started, so I can say
that I've been here the whole time. The specific motivation for starting
it was the high proportion of pinball threads over in
rec.games.video.arcade and some discussion about how best to isolate
pinball discussions from the rest of the arcade topics.
At the time of the launch, the online pinball fans had only a marginal
overlap with those who were visible at the few pinball shows that
existed or readers of The Pinball Trader and other fanzines of that
time. Competitive pinball was not really an "organized" thing as we now
know it. So in addition to r.g.p being a way to bring pinball fans
together, there was a larger issue of bringing the r.g.p readers
together with other silo-subgroups of the pinball community, which by
now has happened. In its second decade (2000-2010), r.g.p was also a key
factor in the survival of Stern Pinball and the emergence of JJP and the
boutique pinball manufacturers, as it bolstered their faith that there
was a community of buyers for direct-to-home pinball that would spread
news (and criticism) continuously, not just at a few events.
As we sit apart in our respective game rooms, let's toast the success
and durability of this newsgroup.
.................David Marston

Happy Anniversary RGP!! My first post was in '06. I'm sure that I lurked prior to that. I know that I was encouraged to start posting and to eventually start doing PF restorations before that by Al Garber #331/3 RIP!! I met him through an E-bay auction for some Firepower II plastics and had several conversations with him and showed him pics of my Firepower II PF restore and he convinced me to quit lurking and start posting and also to start doing PF restorations for others! RGP is a wealth of knowledge that has helped so many pinheads to become more comfortable and confident in maintaining their pins and keeping the hobby alive and thriving! Here's to another 30 years!!
Phoebe
CARGPB#38

Gocatgo (Russ) here...Congratulations! Don’t remember when I joined but used to have a lot of fun here way back when. I was a member of Team-EM and used to really enjoy helping and learning.