Yeah, Tuba was posting on the AOL before Opal. I was around back then, and was posting on the AOL board a few weeks before Ed “hired” the first moderator, Jane (I think her screen name was JKFabian). Up until then, he was doing all the moderating duties himself. I’m fairly certain Jane posted on this board a few time in the early days, but nothing in a long time.
Not too long after that, TubaDiva (her screen name was all caps on AOL) became a mod. Lynn was around also, and I think was the next moderator. I believe Opal started posting a few weeks (or possibly months) later.
I don’t remember for sure about some of the others (you know what they say, the memory is the second thing to go) but I believe all of the ones you mentioned started posting in that first year on AOL.
OK, so long as we’re asking nosey questions, anyone know what happened with Wildest Bill? I mean, he was the wildest bill, after all, but mostly that wasn’t enough to qualify him for banning. But something has, and I’m wondering what it was.
Since no one seems to have really addressed this aspect of the OP, I’ve come up with a list of some posters who tend to respond to particular topics. The list is by no means exhaustive, or even definitive–I’ve mostly limited it to the first one or two posters who spring to mind for each topic:
Physics questions–Look for Chronos. Not only do these draw him in, he answers them extremely well.
Astronomy/moon hoax/etc–Bad Astronomer and Phobos spring to mind.
Mathematics–Dr. Matrix is a regular poster on this topic.
Comics/SF/Fantasy–Fiver and Fenris, with Podkayne jumping in on all the Heinlein threads.
Libertarianism–Libertarian, obviously.
Christianity–Polycarp (at least if you want a discussion that’s intelligent, reasonable, and kind).
Islam–Muslim Guy has pretty much defined this category lately.
Wicca/Neopaganism–Sea Witch and I often respond to these.
Homosexuality/gay rights–If you so much as whisper “gay” while typing the OP, Esprix will show up.
Star Wars–If SPOOFE doesn’t show up, send out a search party.
Food/cooking/recipes–Chef Troy and Zenster gravitate to these threads.
Any question to which you can find the answer on Google–Duck Duck Goose, definitely. I think she mind-melded with the Google server at some point.
Balance, you forgot me! It’s been rumored that I respond to(or start) every fast food thread. I’m addicted, what can I say? (It even gave me the title of the second ‘One Trick Pony’ on the boards…pretty spiffy huh?)
Folklore has it that I used to post a lot, but then grad school happened at the same time as coaching basketball, playing basketball, and a full time job and that seriously curtailed my free time. As a bonus, school ends in 11 months, so I should be able to hop back in the horse then.
(Hmmm, forgot what my signature says. Might as well check it here.)
