A bit of history about our site
 

O.k. I promised to write a bit on how this site came about, so here goes.

Last June, 2000 I was checking several boards and news groups to see if there's any information about low-carbing in Vancouver. I posted a message on eScribe-Atkins and found 2 Vancouverites on the Atkins eScribe board. I emailed them to see what they know, and if they'd be interested in sharing info over email. One said "yes", and one never replied. So, I created a list at eGroup and by the next day, the 2 of us were joined by about 5 and by week's end 10 more, and kept growing.

By the end of the month, the list was quite busy with members from all over Canada, and a few members from Washington, so we created another email list, low-carb Canada to make it available to all, not just Vancouverites.

We started our website on Geocities a month later, July 4th to be exact. it was at http://www.geocities.com/wwoha/lowcarbcanada.html The site kept getting bigger and our traffic increased, as well as the size, around 300 pages then. I simply wanted to post the info we discovered in the list to the world-wide web, since many emailed me directly to ask questions and didn't want to join a list, so I can just send them the link instead of typing the same info over and over.

The URL lowcarbcanada.com was registered 2 days later by someone else. And a year later, the URL is still under construction. I considered it a cyber-squatting incident, still do :) At the time Canadian URL registration was frozen, pending a move for URL registeration from UBC to a new entity called CIRA. I signed up not knowing if we'll get the name lowcarb.ca. After 6 months or so, we officially got it. But while waiting, I registered lowcarber.org to enable us to move from Geocities. Geocities was good, and still is for small sites, but if you have hundreds of pages to maintain, you need more power through scripting languages like Perl/PHP/MySQL etc. to mange things without editing each and every page when you want to change something, so we opted for a new commercial host (October 2000) with all these goodeis for me to play with ;)

The new list kept growing as well, and I noticed, as did some other members, like Karen, that the discussion was too focused sometimes on LC products, and chocolates, which is fine, since that was initially what I had in mind for the list. But I learned later, and thanks to Karen, to think "outside the box", and started to focus more on real food, and not focus on low-carb "products". Don't get me wrong, I still like to know and publish where things are, and how to get them, but I didn't want the info in my face (well, in my email box anyway) every day, particularly when I'm week and cravings are hard to resist.

This lead me to think about the "forums" way of doing things. If you're into exercise, you know where to look, same for products, same for recipes, jokes, etc. I had some second thoughts about the forum, first, our members didn't like my hyper mood for constant changing :) . I learned this when I wanted to change the Vancouver list to a Canada list, and the emails started coming, encouragement, anger, protest. So, I decided to create another list (o.k. I was being a chicken). Second, there was already few forums/boards on the web, why reinvent the wheel? But I noticed the existing forums at the time were all Atkins, and one for PP. So I thought a general low-carb forum should be able to fill the gap. So, last October 2000 we played with a few software packages, and for a few weeks it seemed like there's only me, Doreen, Karen, Rachel and Sharon chatting with each other, but things slowly started picking up since then ;)

Not to mention the hundreds of hours you've put into this site to keep it alive and always growing!

Wa'il, you should put this in the red bar somewhere - maybe under its own title so it doesn't get buried.

K

Thanks Tamarin

I enjoyed reading that. You've done very well in such a short time. My first impression was that you'd been here much longer to have perfected your support and useful information to such a degree.

Keep it up.

wa'il, thank-you so much for this post! it's great to know our roots! thank-you for all the time and effort and love and sweat that you put into this site! you're a real sweetheart!:D

Awwh, but how many hours did you put in? Those recipes of yours aren't just a 5 minute hack thingy, and there's over 50 of them. Plus your constant reminders of thinking outside the box :)



This red bar if gaining weight and will soon burst :)

I'll have it bookmarked for next time the question comes up.

And thanks Debbei and Fiona for the kind words. I really didn't mean to claim credit all by myself through this post. This site would literally never be here had it not been for the support of earlier members (Doreen, Karen, Rachel, Sharon) and the constant growing support of new(er) comers such as yourselves.

Wa'il

True enough Wa'il, but if this site didn't exist, there would be no one for me to nag about that old box! ;) For this, I am grateful.

K

What about including it with the "About us" statement?? Or on the Stories page. So, folks can not only read the success stories of members, they can also read the success story of the site!

Only, give it its own frame, so it doesn't get lost in the list of stories.

Just a thought.

Doreen

O.k., it shall be added to our about page :)

Wa'il

THANKS!!
 

I know for me personally, that I absolutely rely on this site on a daily basis. I get up, make a coffee, and start reading. It is like having a constant reassurance that I am not alone in this and a constant supply of knowledge and support. The great journal idea helps me stay on tract (for the most part) and I have made some wonderful new friends.

Thanks for setting this up and bringing such a wonderful group together!!!

Ironically, y'all know how much I weigh but the rest of my world doesn't have a clue. I wonder how many other people are willing to share this info with strangers but not with people in their immediate lives? Is it just me?

We should all have a look at what our weight is on our Driver's Licences! ;)

You're right Stina, in a way we are strangers, but we're also a community striving towards common personal goals. Here we don't judge by someones weight. We may judge by other things but you'll never have someone's eye bug here because they know what someones weight is. Because of that, we're a bit more willing to "share".

Karen

This Site
 

Wa'il...you keep nothing but improving this site constantly...I'm not just sure how you find the time.

I've surfed around many other low carb sites....and there is no doubt this in my favourite....so informative and so personal. All the friendly, patient people here make it that way. I think it's the tone that's picked up right away when you start reading posts.

I too remember back last fall when you switched to this website. I also remember my first crossing of paths online with you.. Remember I think I was a little annoyed about not being able to buy many low carb products in Canada. I probably didn't make a very good first impression!!

The growth of the "forum" has also been a great low carb journey in itself. Soon some of our friendships will be one year old...and what a great year it's been.

Keep up the great work....we do all appreciate it.

Re: This Site
 

Yes, I remember. ;)

Wa'il

This is a great story, about a great site. In a way, the qualities which many of us so admire about this site are a reflection on those few dedicated individuals who all came together to found and expand it. There is a parallael to me with early pop music and the Beatles...there were many groups around at the time, but the Beatles had a combination of talent and drive, and an ability to relate to the mood and needs of the people around the world. This site has done a similar thing. From the drive, enthusiasm, commitment, dedication, hard work and innovation of the original core characters has grown this huge and vastly successful site which has been a positive benefit to very many people, and as much a part of their daily lives as their family. And that word holds another key. The values, the attitudes, the inspiration, the support, the encouragement, the reassurance, the tolerance, and the guidance when it is sought, are all values you associate with a family. This site is so successful because it is like a big family, and even as it grows organically, they will still continue to bind it together, and to make it a truly worthwhile place to come and visit.

So, thanks to Wa'il, Karen, Doreen, Rachel, Sharon, and the amazing wonderful creation they made. Thanks, too, to the moderators who so tirelessly help these founders operate and expand it, and the loyal members who form its backbone. It's great to be associated with something special, as well as useful.

Wa'il - what a spot of luck to find in one person a low carber and a web expert and a devotee. And for you to have attracted and kept terrifically supportive moderators like there are on this site is absolutely wonderful. This is a great site.

Now that I've read the history, I think I remember one of the 'old' versions and probably stopped in a couple of times. Obviously this evolutionary end product is far improved because when I stopped in here, I stayed :)

:) Hi Wa'il,

Just thought I'd have my little say.

Occasionally through work I'm asked to look at web sites to see how user friendley they - and this is the most user friendley one I have found....I was however looking for this one for me.

It's informative, fun, 'safe' as well as a brilliant way to communicate with others - I prefere it to chat rooms because it gives you time to think about what you have written down and although sometimes we have to wait for a response from others (that isn't down to you), we do eventually get our response.

Well done on a wonderful invention on your part and to those others that were involved...you truly have done good for all of us that rely on this board for encouragement amongst other things.

I would just like you to know that when I first posted, I was so excited about it and about the responses I would get. (Even though I made a hash of it), I did eventually get there and here I still am.

The other thing is that there are friendships and communications with others being made on a far greater level and hopefully these will flourish and grow too!!

Well done Wa'il and thanks for the post, it's always nice to know where things came from or when they started.

Bez

:wiggle: :rose: :wiggle: :rose: :wiggle: :rose: :wiggle: :rose:

Hello Wa'il.

Thanks a lot for all your effort, this is a great site. You mentioned, that there was already a couple of lists and forums. I am subscribed to some of them, but this one is the friendliest and most helpful of the lot. Some of the other lists are not for the faint hearted (alt.support.diet.low-carb being a good example).
I also like the way the web-site is set up. It is user friendly, and even newbies have no problem with it.

great work

Sabine

THANK YOU
 

Thank you Wa'il for a perfectly wonderful site. It's so user-friendly and packed with great information to help us on this WOL. Thanks to Karen, Doreen, Rachel and Sharon, too! You've each taught and encouraged so many people.

It's amazing that the site is only 14 months old, a tribute to your hard work, Wa'il.

Does it help to finance 'our' site if we click on the advertisements?

Wa'il....firstly. Thank you so much for creating the site....and thanks to all of co-conspirators!!

It was great to read the little history of the site. I've been curious about it since I'm a recent grad of a Cap College IT course and I was curious about the back end. I'm not sure why but I'm on a Mac and I can't use lots of the bells and whistles and I haven't tried to nail down a reason yet.

I really appreciate that this forum is here. I was at my wits end with my LC experience and even my doc was ready to have me give up. But I found this site and found inspiration and the will to carry on.

Again....thanks!

Re: THANK YOU
 

Not sure if it would. Best thing to do, I think, is only click on what interests you. I don't like to post signs like "help our site" or "visit our sponsor" etc.

Thanks for the thought. :)

Wa'il

Congrats! Our back end is Linux 6.2 server and MySQL database, and most scripts are PHP, with some Perl.



I can't think of any reason for this. I can access everything from my Linux box, just like from my PC with no problems. Let me know if you still have problems, as I'd be disappointed if it turns out we're Mac-challenged. :)

Wa'il

Wa'il...
I went and looked and discovered that everything runs fine in Netscape 4.73, but IE 5 pops up a JScript runtime error when I try to post.

So......it's not my beloved G4.

Marlaine

I'm a newcomer (only two weeks) and I really want to thank you guys. The advice, the recipes, the simple kindness and friendliness in your replies provide first-class support for all of us.

Goldie

I think it's good to revive this thread every so often so newcomers can get a glimpse of the Forum's history.

Karen

Thanks to Karen for bumping this up. I hadn't seen this thread before.

I discovered the site from something posted on alt.support.diet.low-carb (to which I've never posted, but which I would turn to every time I restarted lowcarbing :) ) -- the Banting Diet. I was reluctant to post at first because I didn't want to "trespass" on a Canadian site. (We Americans have this odd reputation for being pushy :) ) Then I noticed there were people from all over, and no one seemed to be shooting foreigners.

It's good to know the history, and I can only echo the praise. It's a lovely site, with kind and helpful people and oodles of information.

My sincere thanks to all of you.

hi alto,

Actually, the thanks go to all of "you", the members who join and are helped and who choose to turn that around and help others.

Every blessing and every success to you, and to all who read this and are inspired.

:rose: Doreen

Wa'il, Karen, Doreen, Rachel, Sharon
 

I too check in daily for inspirational advice, wisdom, a good laugh and a boot in the butt to get off the couch and exercise. LOL
With all the energy and professional advice here at the board, I thought you guys were here for years! Wow it's amazing with all your knowledge and your friendliness!
However, the most favorable part I like about this forum is that we have space to post our photos by our stats, as well, I love those Smilies!!!!! :clap:

I’ll be a member for life, thanks for all you have done to help me reach my goal!

btw......I'm curious on how many people reached goal while being a member here for 14 months? Do you keep track of that?

*<{:-{)

Thanks Everyone.
 

I cannot thank you enough for this site. It is very comforting to know that I can enter this site ask for advise and ALWAYS get a reply without criticism or fear. This site is always loaded with helpful hints and some good laughs. I look forward to checking in each day. Great job guys. Thanks.
Shell.

Most Neede Support
 

Before coming to this site, I never thought I would ever get the support and help I needed to lose my weight. You are all "angels among us", helping us understand more, learn more and conquer are weight issues and addictions. This is the kind of support I have been looking for my whole life.

Thank you
Cindy

PS, did I mention I am addicted to this site???????

Just stopped in to see what the forum was about, happy LCing all :D

Wa'il,
As you posted on this thread so long ago, I'm actually very grateful to that "squatter" for taking your first name. Otherwise, I might have thought it was only a site for Canadians and passed it over.

As it is, I'm SO glad you've made it available for all of us down under (under you, at least on the map :D ). If I'd had this site before, I might not have gone off LC-ing in the first place. As it was, I had no support.

This site is wonderful, and I appreciate all the hosts, moderators, mentors, and the like - and I just appreciate being able to share knowledge and ideas without getting our heads bitten off.

I've been on a lot of forums, and it doesn't ever seem to fail that they can turn into horrid, bickering places (and I'm talking about the religious ones, too! Or maybe especially). I've only seen one thread since I've been here in the last month that even showed hard disagreement, and it wasn't even ugly. Wow.

Maybe this should be given an award for "most peaceful forum on the web." Nah - then the nasties would show up and try to ruin it all ;)

Just wanted to let you know I do truly appreciate what I've found here. What a wealth of information! I haven't even been able to get through it.

Sh'ra