History of this Site

[n/a]

I've really enjoyed reading the posts of this site and the great mix of members...but who started it? Was it you Cees? Anyone know how long it has been active and who helped get it going? Where did you get the construct for the posts...was it "canned" software or custom code? Very interested to know.
Thanks.
regards,
Joe

[mdsalemi]

Joe,

The website is simply a virtual "venue" for The Pagoda SL Group.  Originally started on Yahoo Groups some years ago; Rodd Masteller, Cees, Doug Kim, Achim, Tom Sargeant,Richard Madison, and a few others all were original members and board. When it became "bigger" and more involved, and turned into a real group with a board of directors etc. the Yahoo offering was deemed too limiting, and a real, hosted website (i.e. one that costs some money) was formed.

As far as the software goes, I believe it is the Snitz.  You can read about it on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snitz_Forums_2000

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Cees Klumper]

Michael summed it up pretty well. On the Yahoo! site, it was Rodd Masteller who started the discussion about forming a true 'Group'. At the very first Tech Session that Joe Alexander put together, in the summer of 2002, Rodd, Achim Ahlert, Tom Sargeant and I got together to make plans in earnest. Doug Kim, Richard Madison, Peter Reuhl, Dan Caron, Albert Chavalera, Bob Geco and Roger Polls then joined in with the four of us to establish the Group, with a formal Charter signed by all of us volunteer Board Members, located in 5 different countries. Peter and I met with Daimler Chrysler in Stuttgart to present the Group, and the website was constructed late 2002/early 2003. The site was launched in March 2003, and got off to a flying start, with most of the members of the Yahoo! forum coming over to SL113.org. Since then, we have welcomed over 400 new basic members to the forums each year and are now the most active and largest W 113 dedicated community worldwide, with members in over 50 countries.
We started publishing Pagoda World early 2003 as an added benefit for our Full Members. We currently have 268 Full Members and it is through their support that we can pay the bills.
I think it is safe to say that we have reached a stage of permanence and with the addition of several new Board members, we are ready to take the Group to the ´next level´ with more live events, the start of compiling a definitive Ownership, Repairs and Maintenance Manual, and so on. It is very gratifying to see everything that the great people of this Group have created. All in the spirit of helping each other ´make the most out of owning our Pagoda´!

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[66andBlue]

Let me add my hearty thanks to all the 'founding fathers' for their efforts to get this site going and to keep it running.
Considering the amount of valuable advice that is being distributed here, my membership certainly was one of the best investments I ever made.


Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[TA250SL]

As a member who's been here since the beginning, it's been great to see this group grow to nearly 1600 members with about 37,000 posts in just under three and a half years.  This is definitely the most active and fastest growing Pagoda website anywhere.  It has been a constant source of pleasure to follow the many interesting topics that are discussed here every day, and I want to thank the founders and members for making the Pagoda SL group a great success.

Tom
Early 1967 250SL
Euro version    
Los Angeles

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by cees klumper

Doug Kim, Richard Madison, Peter Reuhl, Dan Caron, Albert Chavalera, Bob Geco and Roger Polls then joined in with the four of us to establish the Group, with a formal Charter signed by all of us volunteer Board Members, located in 5 different countries.

In case anyone is interested:
http://www.sl113.org/membership/charter.asp

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420