This is a copy of a post in Crappie.com asking about the history of the site.  Just thought I'd share.

"Well, I started the site in 1996. Thats when I bought the domain name and set up the first message board. I am a computer geek so I ran the site out of my house. It was slow growing, but it pretty much doubled in size every year since I originally opened it.

Since I started the site, I've moved it from server, to new server, probably once every year or two, because of that growth. There was even a time when board members started sending me money, without me even saying a word, to upgrade my server.

Three years ago, instead of moving it to another server, I simply turned off “statistics” to reduce the work on the computer. Then at the beginning of last year, a board member, Bill P. offered me a deal to host the site at www.Highspeedweb.net, where he worked. I moved it from my home, to HidhSpeedWeb, and once I seen the statistics I freaked out. Crappie.com was getting over a million hits a day. We've finally hit the big time, but it was all good, we were still a very friendly, family orientated site.

There have been so many members participating and helping on the site over the years that I can't mention them all. It has definitely been a group effort. With the constant Spam, and the occasional disagreements, I know it has not been easy, CrappiePappy has probably been the biggest contributor, I can't thank him enough.

I got to say, crappie.com has it's own life. It is it's own phenomenon, an outgrowth of the friendly nature crappie fishing brings about. Crappie fishing is more about friends and family, than cut throat competition, and that is directly reflected on crappie.com, and the nature of it's membership.

Just so you know, yes I am a computer geek, I worked in the computer field for 25 years of my life. I was a Mainframe and Unix guy, whereas my wife, a computer geek also, is a Windows gal, Microsoft certified 20 ways to Sunday. I was born and raised in the city of Chicago, but I always had an affinity for the country. I hunted and fished every chance I could get, in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. I grew up hating the city and loving the country. My wife is from the country, a small town in Michigan, so it would figure that she would become my partner. Her family is big time into hunting/fishing. As time has gone by, and with my own family growing, I've become very passionate about Crappie and Panfish fishing. Its a wonderful way to spend time with friends and family"

Ed Moes - Crappie.com Owner/Operator

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/main-crappie-fishing-forum/108479-history-crappie-com.html

Click there to see the whole post and responces.