I have been a member of these forums since their inception in October of 2001. They have certainly come a long way. Not only that, but the community has changed a number of times through the forums' life. There are folks that used to be around costantly that I haven't seen in a lifetime (Eowyn_74, Wisbr Pnew, Darth Muffin, clearlyfaded, MOLECULE), and there are scores of folks here that I just haven't had the opportunity to meet. We used to have some great times in the old NM and PM's Place (*flopping in the door into a vat of vinegar*, falling into an uncontrollable sleep that can't be awakened by normal means) and taking virtual tours of the Palace belonging to she-who-shall-not-be-named. Late night chat threads when only six people were posting... strangely, it seemed many of us became actual friends during that time. But that couldn't be, because we haven't even met... could it?

As the techies improved things in these forums, troll raids got fewer and further between - which is, of course, a GOOD thing. But sometimes there was the fun of being off-site and getting an IM that said, "twinbal, NJO is a train attack in the cantina". And of course, I'd go mop up troll droppings. Those days are gone. Which is okay, by all means. It's just fun to look back soemtimes. Trolls used to be a little more creative sometimes - or at least they'd try. I'll give them credit for that. Take, for example, this thread; ODE TO A MOD.

There was also a time in which I was a favorite target of trolls (or was it just ONE.. I guess we can't really tell). There were many screen names that were inspired by me, attempting to impersonate me, or just slamming me. Unforunately, some members were duped by impersonation screen names because at the time, moderator names were not blue. Here is a sampling of some the screen names that had to do with me;
Twinebell
Twineball..
Twineballs
Twineballscloned
twineballsucks
twineballrules
twineball has manbreasts
Twienball
Twine ball
.TwineBall.
Twineball sux
TWINEBALLL
I_HATE_TWINEBALL
Tweinball
TwineballWearsPanties
Twienballl
Sometimes, it was a bit flattering in a narcissistic, take control of the universe sort of way. As they say, 'any publicity is good publicity'. Come to think of it, wasn't there some scheme that a certain GlensGirl and I were attempting to mount? But that's another subject entirely.

I was hated by some for awhile. I'm not exactly sure why. It has always been my policy to handle forum matters in a calm, professional manner. Maybe not always professional, but friendly at the very least. And I have always tried to keep things in perspective. But some trolls, mainly the "mods are nazis" variety found it necessary to extend these sentiments toward me, personally. Here again, in a narcissistic, take control of the universe sort of way, is a small sampling of these instances;

TWINEBALL=IDIOT
TwineBAll
Yet another Twineball hating site.
For those who hate Twineball.
Hey Twineball
TC_protocol_droid VS twineball
Twineball is a homosexual!
twineball is a homosexual!
Hey Twineball, yah I'm talking to you...
Twineball sucks
how small are the mods #####es? (notice the poster's screen name)

When it comes right down to it, I'm glad the little troll sieges have, for the most part, come to a halt. The techies and greenies have done a fantastic job at making this community more enjoyable and more friendly.

Sometimes I yearn for the old days just for a little while and I get a little wistful. But all in all, I think this online community is a great one in which to take part. I like the way things are going... even if I'm not being told that I am a gay homosexual with manbreasts who wears panties.

Times are good.