The startup of this site is almost to the day and month Ant and I started up gpsmappers.net 2 years back. Same forum look and feel. Same reason for starting a new site - some huge shifight at MSM - at that time, the shifight was over who owned the maps. Some very familiar dudes are here ...
Some key differences. Back then, Ant and I controlled who could register via personal invitations whereas at MFM, anyone who wants to can sign up.
The other key diff is that Ant went back to MSM after some time - I just continued to stay away from MSM and never went back at all over the 2 year period. A lot had to do with the fact that my life was turned upside down a bit but I really lost interest in the site with all the infighting.
Also, we now have a lot of new active folks ...
We actually had a very peaceful time at gpsmappers.net but it lost the "big community" feeling over time. Ant went back to MSM and kicked some serious life in it, until of course, the latest troubles ..
And now we have our Noah dude back there, Adil's gone from boh sia to controlling MSM, and we are out in a new site to "seek refuge" from the crap at MSM ...
Amazing how things change and go full cycle ..
The few constants though in all this:
1. Once a mapper always a mapper ... no matter how far and long you go away, the lure of filling white space on your map is too hard to resist. All it takes is one chat with Ant to bring back the interest...
2. Stay clear, clear of money ... money is the start of the end of it all. Extremely, extremely proud to say that of the old mapper hats, meaning those of us in the game since 2004/2005, Ant and I are the only 2 idiots who have consistently and clearly said "screw the money, this is a hobby". The payback is not money, its the kick of helping others and encouraging others to contribute to help everyone - this is priceless ...
The nightmare scenario I have been warning all the other mappers whenever the topic of making money comes up has happened at MSM. Really, really sad but this is the reality of life. People are willing to forsake friendships and comeraderie for the sake of cash ...
If Ant is cool, will try to get some conversation going, just like the good ole days .. I totally admire and respect Ant for his determination and tenacity to keep the community flag burning .. I definitely do not have as much stamina as he has in this regard ..
OK, getting off my soapbox now ... Here's to mapping by the community for the community ... Looking forward to being more active again, now that my life is a bit more settled, until the next big change in my life in 2 months time ...
