Happy Anniversary to US

[russellw]

As we near the end of 2014 we reach a major milestone in the life of AFF as we celebrate our tenth anniversary since go-live date on 30th December, 2004 (although some people got a preview on December 29th).

We've come a long way. We had 917 registrations in that first week; passed 5,000 in week 20; 10,000 in week 42 and 20,000 in just over a year. We currently have ~117,000 registered users but as we purge inactive users each year, the total registrations have numbered 264,000 and they still run at about 7-800 per week.

Monthly unique visits used to run about 18,000 in 2005 but they now regularly top 100,000 and where we used to serve about 300,000 pages per month (in 2005) that figure is closer to 20 million now.

We've hosted some great events, cruises, workshops, charity events (raising more than $80,000 along the way) and built a resource for Ford lovers with the combined experience and knowledge of all the members who have contributed their time and knowledge, both past and present.

We've watched fledgling businesses grow through the forum, had some major debates on a wide range of topics, worked through controversies, legal threats, personal loss, server issues and changes in key personnel most of which has remained in the background and known to only a few.

Along the way we have been supported by some loyal sponsors, many of whom (notably ASL, Autotech, Bluepower, BPT Herrod & Stingray) joined in that first year and are still supporting us today. To them, along with all of our sponsors, I want to say a big thanks.

Likewise, we have been assisted by a small but loyal group of Donating Members, many of whom joined the first year that membership became available (2006) and are still supporting us today. Thanks to all of them as well.

While I'm saying thank-yous, I can't forget the largely unsung heroes in the back room that help keep AFF running. It's been a changing group over the last decade as people have come and gone but the current admin group (Spoolman, wulos, Falcon Coupe, Auslandau and GT) and our team of moderators have been together for a good few years now and their patience, help and support has been invaluable.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to thank each and everyone of the members who are here now, have been here and those who will be here in the years ahead for it is each of you that contributes to this community and makes it what it is today.

On a personal note let me say that I've met some great people through this forum and been constantly amazed at the depth and breadth of knowledge available within this community - not just about our brand but about almost anything you care to name and I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of it all.

We'll be hosting a major (probably last chance) celebratory event in the middle of this coming year so watch this space!

Cheers
Russ

[LoudPipes]

Happy anniversary, I'm looking forward to the next ten years.

[TRRTRY]

Well done - 10 years is a long time in the world of IT. That's about 3 generations!

[galaxy xr8]

How time fly's bye.

[XP6]

Congrats to all especially you Russell!, longest site I have joined so far!

Hope you like the present(finally thought too donate)

[Falcon Coupe]

10 years certainly did pass quickly!

No one puts in more work behind the scenes than russellw.
Many thanks for being the driving force behind everything we enjoy here Russ. You should be proud of the milestone and the community of great people formed here as a result.

It's easy to take for granted at times the huge amount of information available at the click of a button, whether it be common issues or performance modification knowledge gained by those who have spent no small amount of cash in testing and give their advice away freely.
It's all come together to make this place a valuable resource for all of us!

[cs123]

Fantastic effort by Russ and the rest of the admin group. The moderators do a great job and the site has a great positive vibe. Bit of a thankless job being a moderator, well done.

I have met some really nice people though this forum and the willingness for people to share and help is what makes it the best Ford site I have ever found.

Well done guys.

Chris

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary, AFF: a rather distinguished achievement

I echo all of the thanks that Russ has noted above, but I think the lasting nature of this forum is a testament to all those who work tirelessly in the background to make this all possible. Sure, it wouldn't be what it is without our sponsors, moderators, donating members and regular members who contribute regularly and (mostly) positively, but none of that would be able, or need, to exist without the admin team.

Thankyou to you all, and may there be many, many, many more years to come for AFF.

Craig H

[JC]

Thanks to Russ and all who keep this site running. Don't know what I'd do without AFF - I'd probably have to spend more time talking to the missus or something!

[Feathers]

10 years already. Wow. Congratulations everyone! Looking forward to many more!

[Blem]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

10 years certainly did pass quickly!

No one puts in more work behind the scenes than russellw.
Many thanks for being the driving force behind everything we enjoy here Russ. You should be proud of the milestone and the community of great people formed here as a result.

It's easy to take for granted at times the huge amount of information available at the click of a button, whether it be common issues or performance modification knowledge gained by those who have spent no small amount of cash in testing and give their advice away freely.
It's all come together to make this place a valuable resource for all of us!

[Mighty Reds]

Thanks to everyone involved in keeping Ford Forums up and running, its a great place for all us Ford/car enthusiasts.

[MercurySilver]

this place is great
i get told at least once a week that im on the pc too much
80% of the time im on the thing im in here

learnt heaps and hopefully will learn a lot more and get plenty of help along the way while slowly doing up the xb
people are willing to share their knowledge, without making people like me who dont have too much of an idea about engines etc and dont call you a complete dumbo in the process
like many others we are here to learn from the guys and girls that have done it all before

some of the knowledge here about diff models (eg in the early x series area) is unreal, this fits that ,they werr different to this model but you can use these instead etc
unreal knowledge

[Dauphin]

Congrats to the AFF team and thanks to all the contributors over the years. It is an essential resource for Australian Ford enthusiasts. Keep up the great work!

The stats are fascinating, Russ!

[Bearman]

10 years already?? Wow, that has gone quickly.

A huge thanks to russelw for getting this all up and keeping it going. Big thanks also to all the key support folks as well. This is a great place to be and talk about cars.

Although this is a Ford forum and has a natural Ford bias I am blown away by how balanced and well reasoned most contributors are regardless of the badge. Just illustrates the calibre of everyone here and of the moderators in keeping it all going.

Happy 10th birthday FF.

[supershifty]

I'd like to add my most gracious thanks to the members, admin, and the moderators for making this site the best Ford site. I've only been on here a short time compared to the 2004 initial start.

I'd never actively participated in a forum before the AFF, just lurked and looked for information. I found the AFF to be well administered and moderated. A lot of other forums engaged in ****ing contests and abuse of others for others opinions which was tolerated - not for me! The AFF is way different and hence joined in 2012, became a DM not long after.

One thing led to another and I gradually met fellow SE QLD AFF members and Ford enthusiasts, something I'd never had considered before joining, but way it is. Have met many like minded folk and formed some mateships and friendships from the AFF community.

There's many members I'd like to meet and have an ale or two discussing cars and **** in general, however time and distance gets in the way. We'll just have to stick with the forum!

Cheers! and all the best for 2015.

David.

[EA2BA]

Geez, time flies just checked my join date.

Join Date
30-12-2004

[TheSneakiness]

Been a long time now... congrats team

[Geez Louise]

WOW! How quickly time goes by!

Here are a few interesting facts about 2004. Hopefully I have them all correct!

* The Fiesta, a global Ford product, has been offered since 2004.
* Since 2004, the Ford Territory has been built on the same production line as the Falcon. The Territory (technically a crossover) has regularly been the most popular SUV in Australia since its release.
* The FPV F6 is an automobile which has been produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles since 2004
* The average price of unleaded Petrol in 2004 was 97.5c p/l
* The number 1 song in Australia's Top 40 countdown was "Shut up" by the Black Eyed Peas
* World of Warcraft was released for PC
* George W Bush was named People magazines person of the year.
* Facebook was released to College students

however, the most interesting fact is that AFF - the place we all love to visit, talk about our second family (our cars....in some cases it make be some peoples first family), a place where we can make lasting friendships and have a laugh with, was launched.

Congratulations russellw on creating such a great place for all of us to share our passion. To you sir...I tip my hat!

Cheers
Col

[Jason[98.EL]]

well done on providing us all with a great forum Russ we love the place and even though I am not as active here these days I still like the place

Thankyou again guys for a job well done

[davenl5l]

10 years that's longer than my practice marriage !! love this forum good people , good advice and not too many trolls

[v8der]

I own two V8's because of this site

Thanks Russ

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by supershifty

I'd like to add my most gracious thanks to the members, admin, and the moderators for making this site the best Ford site. I've only been on here a short time compared to the 2004 initial start.

I'd never actively participated in a forum before the AFF, just lurked and looked for information. I found the AFF to be well administered and moderated. A lot of other forums engaged in ****ing contests and abuse of others for others opinions which was tolerated - not for me! The AFF is way different and hence joined in 2012, became a DM not long after.

One thing led to another and I gradually met fellow SE QLD AFF members and Ford enthusiasts, something I'd never had considered before joining, but way it is. Have met many like minded folk and formed some mateships and friendships from the AFF community.

There's many members I'd like to meet and have an ale or two discussing cars and **** in general, however time and distance gets in the way. We'll just have to stick with the forum!

Cheers! and all the best for 2015.

David.

Ditto here. I have certainly found AFF most beneficial in learning about how various things work, and performing improvements and fixes which greatly enhanced the enjoyment of BA and now FG ownership.

Then there are a few members that I have contacted about various things, and found them very helpful with their advice. Who would I have gone to if it wasnt for this forum?

Would I still be driving a Ford if it wasn't for this forum? Perhaps not. But I certainly wouldn't be enjoying car ownership regardless of make, the way I am these days.

Well done to Russell and his team for a well run and valuable website.