IIS reaches 2000 members!

iceman (Mike) · #1 20-02-2007, 08:19 AM

Hi all

IceInSpace has hit another milestone - 2000 registered forum members!

Mojo and I are incredibly proud of what we've achieved in the last year, and it's exciting that the growth now is bigger and faster than at any time in the past!

The amateur astronomy community in Australia is not very big, so we're pleased to be able to provide a place where all astronomers can get together, no matter what your background, where you're from or what your skill level is. Whether you're a beginner or advanced at what you do, everyone is made to feel welcome and all contributions are worthy.

IceInSpace has become a great place to share ideas, give or receive information, ask questions, display your work and talk about all things astronomy. While the size of the community has grown, we've still retained the friendly and family feel we have always had. We hope to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable here, and hope that everyone finds it, as I have, a great place to make friends.

Some of my best and closest friends are members of IceInSpace - people i've known online and in person over the last 2+ years. It's great to see other members forming close friendships and having observing nights, get togethers, sharing equipment and trusting people that they may have never met!

It's incredibly rewarding for me personally to have been able to create this "place" where people meet up every single day. The fact that this site I created, this site that mojo and I put so much into over the past 2 years, can give so much joy to people.. gives them a reason to come back and visit every day, or in some cases, many times a day

We have some big plans for IceInSpace in 2007 - some great new features are currently under development, the first of which should hopefully be launched in about a month. So please, keep coming back, keep asking questions, keep talking about astronomy!

Just a few quick thanks to those that help make IceInSpace what it is today:

- To my wife Kate, for tolerating my obsessions!

- To mojo, co-owner of IceInSpace who does an enourmous amount of development and system administration work in the background, for no reward!
- To the moderators, who do an incredibly difficult and thankless task, for no reward. Your work takes a lot of burden off my shoulders and I thankyou!
- To the IceInSpace community - there's no community without you. The site would not be what it is without you. Thankyou for your loyalty and support and helping to make IceInSpace the largest and best astronomy site in the Southern Hemisphere!

2007 is going to be big! It's going to be a great year and I look forward to continuing this journey with you!

matt · #2 20-02-2007, 08:25 AM

Congratulations Mike, and all the team!

That is a fantastic milestone and a reflection of the broad appeal and quality of IceInSpace.

I can't begin to say how valuable IIS has been to me during the last 18 months or so.

There's a great spirit of community here, and long may that last

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 20-02-2007, 08:39 AM

davidpretorius · #4 20-02-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

or in some cases, many times a day

i resent that comment.....ving and houghy would join me in being offended!

I see no evidence of this absurd claim!!!!

soo........

......how did we get those post counts so high??????

well done ice and team!

coffscoast · #5 20-02-2007, 09:10 AM

Congrats Mike, Kate and team
Only a year into astronomy but what a time it has been. THe posted pics on Comet McNaught were just absolutely amazing. Spent a few evenings with my son on local headland just in awe at its tail, saw a satellite or ISS passing overhead, some meteorites and picked out the LMC & SMC. What an incredible overhead view. Have a great year!

RB (Andrew) · #6 20-02-2007, 09:34 AM

Congratulations Mike and Terry on an astounding achievement.
Thank you for all the hard work you've put into developing the site, much of which is behind the scenes.

To the moderators I'd like to say it's a pleasure and an honor to work with you guys.

To all the members, thank you for making IIS the site it is today.

To all my personal friends that I've made since I've joined thank you for your friendship which I treasure above all else in this hobby.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #7 20-02-2007, 09:48 AM

Congratulations to the IIS Family...Creaters, Moderators, Members and spouses...

Your efforts and contributions make this place what it is...a good place to visit on the net!

I tip my hat to you all!

erick (Eric) · #8 20-02-2007, 10:07 AM

I

IIS! Thanks Mike, thanks mojo, thanks all! Am really enjoying my time here.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #9 20-02-2007, 10:28 AM

I'm not celebrating till it is 2007 (members that is)

but - my congrats to all anyway

i can't imagine my day without IIS now

geoff

1crem1 · #10 20-02-2007, 10:31 AM

Well done IIS. I stumbled on you recently. Keep up the good work!

huckabuck · #11 20-02-2007, 10:33 AM

congrats mike and mojo
i'm proud to be involved with this fine community

xstream (John) · #12 20-02-2007, 10:40 AM

Congratulations Mike and Terry! A success that just keeps getting bigger by the minute.

What can one say! If I didn't love this place so much I wouldn't keep coming back.

To my fellow Mods, thanks guys it's a pleasure and fun to have got to known and work with you guys.

To the strength in the community and the friends I have made through IIS thank you, without it IIS wouldn't be what it is to me today.

Andy Walters (Andy) · #13 20-02-2007, 10:45 AM

Well done Mike . My first post, now I have full time access to the net, you should hear more from me. A great site for us aussies (&The world). Andy

Leo76 · #14 20-02-2007, 10:57 AM

Congratulations Guys!! Let's all celebrate!!!

Keep up the awesome work!!!

Sandra

DobDobDob (Ron) · #15 20-02-2007, 11:01 AM

The achievement should not be understated, if you do the math, you will see that not only is the forum significant in terms of astronomy, it is up there with the best in any field (outside the illegal ones).

Also a personal observation, using the 80/20 rule which states (loosely), that 20% of your customers (members) will be active as compared to the 80% that are relatively inactive, it means that on a very regular basis several hundred people are brought together and actually participate. On the Net you can get 'Numbers', but to get participants, that by and large all get on so well together, is something almost unique (IMHO).

Congratulations, forums don't run themselves (even if the code seems to), enjoy the honest well wishes from the members.

okiscopey (Mike) · #16 20-02-2007, 11:45 AM

to 1crem1 and Andy Walters!

And of course, congratulations to the IIS originators, moderators and all of the knowledgeable, kind, inventive and whacky posters.

The utility of this site is brilliant - quite apart from the quality of the imparted wisdom, views and information, the layout and operation of the Forum seems kiloparsecs better than others I've looked at.

Lets all keep up the good work!

Ric · #17 20-02-2007, 12:54 PM

Congratulations to Mike and the Team, you have all done a fantastic job and deserve all the praise given to you.
IIS is doing a lot to further the cause of amateur astronomy in Australia and has helped a lot of people into this great hobby.

Well done and onwards to 3000

Cheers

toetoe (Peter) · #18 20-02-2007, 01:05 PM

Congratulations Mike and Terry for a top site. The Moderators have got there hands full now, and not forgetting the job they do as well, good onya guys.