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Lucky seven is what we've come upon here, isn't it? What a long time it's been. And you know what's funny about it? It gets longer every day. Strange how time works.

Now, ridiculously stupid opening paragraph aside, let me welcome you all to CoN's seventh birthday. We can now start our eighth year of life, which really is almost unprecedented among the major FF sites. It's really pretty amazing to me, this timeline. When this site started, some of the members here were in Uni; some were in high school; some in middle school; a few were probably all the way back in kindergarten. But yet, we've all come together due to our common interests (and for the most part, an ability to not suck at posting here. >_> ).

This past year has been huge. Without a doubt, the biggest year CoN has ever had by far. You all know what a statswhore I am, and what would a birthday story be from me without a little bit of stats fun? So, let's start here: in the past year, we recorded that we pushed 2,334,519 individual pages out to you all, for a total of nearly 162 GB of information. We set a new record for CoN pages delivered in a month for nine months out of the last 12. For one shiny week in April, we were even in the top 100,000 sites web-wide on Alexa's traffic monitor. Yes, web-wide. According to ISC, in January 2004, there were 230 million hosts on the internet. Some of those have no web sites, some have several. Even though we're lower now than that lofty peak, we're hovering near the 1,000,000 mark of the vast site log. So, even if you cut ISC's number in half, that still puts us near the top 1% of all sites on the internet in regards to traffic.

Oh, and we're not done yet. Give us some time to work on the projects we've got on the burners now, and year eight might be even bigger than year seven. We have some fun stuff planned, don't worry - and we think you'll like it! If you still think of us as primarily a Final Fantasy VI site, this year might change your mind. I kind of implied earlier that we are among the major FF sites on the web. If you agree, great. If you don't, stay tuned and we'll try to convince you. Unless you come to us just for the forums, then you don't care anyway and should really take some time to study your surroundings.

We do have one project that is coming OFF the burner right now to show up at your CoN dinner table. A lot of you probably know of FraudulentTommah's cool Rash project, which is a slick PHP based counter to the somewhat clunky quote management system at bash.org. Tom can tell you more himself, but launching today is the first major-site implementation of Tom's code, specially set up to work with CoN! So if you chat in #narshe, definitely submit the funny lines you've seen starting today - and if you don't chat with us, perhaps it's time to start!

Well, that's the big news today. Before I go, let me thank a lot of people for a very special year here. Of course, I have to start with Tiddles, without whom a lot of the cool stuff here would not be possible or would not be nearly as cool; Neal and Elena, who have been friends forever and the hardest working site admins that I could ask for; Phoenix for his work behind the scenes and intermittent news from Japan; Hikaroo for fab art; and finally among the staff, SSJC and Tommah, who have so often been stuck with the work that is most thankless but also extremely important to the site, and for always doing it in the most professional of manner even though they KNOW it's thankless.

We've also had a lot of help, as always, from those people who care a lot about the site and want to see us continue to grow. I can't mention everyone here because it would take forever, and I probably can't remember everyone who's helped in the last year anyway. But I'll spew off a few here - Mr_Thou, Max, Rubes, Super Moogle, Zeph, Hanyou, EvilEye, Pink_Nu1, Kappa - and of course the list can go on. Thank you all for showing what it means to really be involved with a community.

And, of course, thanks has to go to every person who contributes well to this always-expanding village. If you give your art or fiction to us to display on the site, you help us at the same time as you grow your own skills with practice and feedback. If you make thoughtful posts or create interesting chat, you dig a little deeper the hole in which we all swim. Of course, if you do none of these things, we probably still like you anyway. Well, some of you.

So there we go, that should about do it for this year, don't you think? Let's start it off with a bang.

Two final notes before I end my rambling.

1. Hopefully by now you have all noticed the ads in most sections of the main site. They show up with most page loads, especially on the main page, Final Fantasy IV, and Final Fantasy VI. It helps CoN to pay for and perhaps upgrade the server, and even maybe run contests in the near future if you click one of these ads a day. Please try it - it takes just a few seconds and really is quite literally the least you can do to help.

2. I know it's been rumored before that I might leave the site. I can't do so right now, we have too much to do in the next few weeks. So, instead of announcing an immediate permanent sabbatical from running the day-to-day operations of CoN, I am announcing that I plan to take my leave on 1 September of this year. This should give enough time to turn over the reins to Tiddles (no fighting over the order of succession, you kids), and for him to come up to speed on handling both my jobs and his.

Thank you all again for a great year, and may we all continue growing personally and as a part of CoN.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Ok, perhaps this has been discussed in great detail in chat but me the busy non-chatter is confused. What does "I plan to take my leave" mean? This could mean a number of things so please go into further detail. This might steal the show away from the original topic of CoN turning 7. Well congrats everyone.

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FFXI (Siren server)
Tauu the Windurstian Tarutaru!
White Mage & Paladin

7 years ... spectacular...


In 7 years, CoN certainly has grown into a vast pool of complete, comprehensive Final Fantasy information, fan art/fiction, as well as a great tool in #narshe on IRC. I personally have been around since Caves of Narshe 3, back in Y2K, 4 years ago, and if that site was still up, comparing this to that site, you would never expect to think they were worthy of the same name. It's come a very very long way since I first arrived. Back in the day, there was one game covered, and at that wasnt' covered as extensively as it is now, no chat channel, and a "bulletin board"--no forum.
How time has a way of sneaking up on you. Now it's 2004 and Caves of Narshe is one of the longest tenured Final Fantasy sites on the site. And one trip to the site will tell you why the traffic is going up. It's just simply a great site. Now there are four games covered extensively, page to page of the game, good fanfiction (except for my FFIV one.. FAR from "good" ), an excellent array of fan art, a CoN store, a popular chat channel, an equally popular forum, and i'm sure more awesome features to come. I, like many of us, am a fan of the humor of the quotes off of bash.org, and I'm already a fan of the CoN QMS, as I'm sure many others are.
This has kept me coming back for 4 years, and I'm sure is going to keep me coming back for at least 4 more. Keep up the good work, everyone. I only wish that I were more in-tune with computers to help you out, but alas... I'm just the consumer.

I also would like to thank many of the staff for keeping up with this site and not giving up (except Rocky ) on it. But mostly, I think we should all thank R51 for keeping this going instead of just calling it quits and dropping the ball on this site. Thanks, man, for making, and sustaining, one of the best communities on the net (I PM'd you my address, you can send the check there ...). And good luck, chief. The Caves shall miss it's dear all-powerful, ph33ring, dictatorial webmaster god come September 2nd.


Happy 7th, CoN!

This post has been edited by Sabin on 31st July 2004 05:23

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"When I turn the page
The corner bends into the perfect dog ear
As if the words knew I'd need them again
But at the time, I didn't see it."

~"This Ain't a Surfin' Movie" - Minus the Bear

Happy Birthday CoN. Only been here half a year but i can't help but feel like part of a community. Sad to see you go Ranger. (Can only hope your taking Climhazzard with you). Sometimes a dictator is just the thing you need. I just hope we haven't seen the last of your naked mermaid.

Happy 7th Birthday CoN

I'm already preparing for the Bicentennial.

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If you've been mod-o-fied,
It's an illusion, and you're in-between.
Don't you be tarot-fied,
It's just alot of nothing, so what can it mean?
~Frank Zappa

Sins exist only for people who are on the Way or approaching the Way

I've been coming here for a while but didn't join in the fun until 2003. Its been great, and I never knew how old this site was. Yeah, you're old, admit it
I hope that this goes for another many years, and that many new newbs join. Or inmates as we call em.
Sad to see you go R51, though I do hope we will see you again. And please do keep the naked mermaid

HAPPY 7TH CON! (just cause everyone else is)

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I fear my heart and fear my soul
Life goes on, it surely will,
Without me and I wonder:
Will I ever see light again?

Life goes on...

I've only been posting for a short time, but I've visited the site off and on for about a year. At least I'm stickin' around now, and for good reason. I can't really say more than what's already been said, so I'll just wish you luck with whatever you pursue in the future, Rangers, and hope that you'll pop in from time to time.

And here's to seven more years!

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Words of Wisdom:

If something can go wrong, it will.

If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.

If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong. - Murphy’s Law

Boing! Zoom! - Mr. Saturn

Leaving September, Josh? Aw, God, that sucks! OK, I'll save the crying for September.

Anyways, lovely speech, and I can't wait till CoN expands even further. I came in Sept. 2003, and I must say, I do love this site! I tried to write a horrid rendition of the classic "Happy Birthday" song for CoN, but I don't think it will top Tom's dinosaur art.

So I'll just say, Happy 7th, Caves of Narshe!

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SPEKKIO: "GRRR...That was most embarrassing!"

This site was up before I even knew how to use a computer.

Anyway, on a short not, I have only been around here since January. Since then, I have to admit, I havent posted all that much, but I did present myself in the chat, and still do. What kept me coming back here is the people. So nice compared to other users out on the internet, welcoming, friendly and helpfull. This is one of the only public forums/chats that I have been to were the staff and oldies dont treat the new members bad. I am really glad I found this site and entered the chat. I just wish I could of found it sooner.

Thanks for the fun times CON, I dont plan on leaving soon.

Your my hero Tom.

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Yeah, I barely post.

I'll be honest with you.

The initial reason for joining the Caves of Narshe was a very egoistical one. For over two years I had played the main game of this site, Final Fantasy VI. At the time I thought I knew pretty much everything there was to know (although I know better now), and I wanted to share my findings. When I subscribed to CoN, I had never visited GameFAQs, didn't even have my own site and had never hacked anything.

But this isn't about me; it's about CoN. I was planning on just posting in the FF VI forums whenever that was necessary. However, the people here are far too great. I'm reluctant to call people I have never met and I've only known for half a year "friends" - call it Dutch tight-assedness - , but whenver I visit this site I feel I'm in good territory.

So even though this is only my first CoN birthday so far, I'd like to thank you. I'd like to thank all those CoN members I've enjoyed talking to - if you think I'm talking to *you*, oh reader, then I'm sure I am - , I'd like to thank Elena99 for the grammer classes, I'd like to thank all who maintains CoN and make this possible, and above all I'd like to thank R51 for creating it the way it is in the first place.

And, of course, for being in chat all those times I was sure no sane American would at that time. You must have the most messed-up time schedule ever.

And, like said earlier, I'll do the sad goodbyes when the time comes.

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The Collapse of Heaven and Earth

Well i've been here for less than a year.. but i have been to this site before.. if ya'll ever need anything pm in chat or on the fourms. happy bday CoN.

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Shinrin's Youtube Gaming

I must say, I am very impressed. This site has gone through many changes since I first came at the beginning of 2002 (though I'd been a guest viewer long before then). To maintain a top competitive site for seven years is no small task. Thanks to the dedication of the staff, and the support of its community, the Caves of Narshe has come a long way to being the top site for not just Final Fantasy, but for a long list of other games and a great place to meet new, interesting faces. I'm proud to be a part of such an active, strong community. Though many of you may not see me posting much, I've grown close to many members through the Caves of Narshe chat, which, in itself, has made huge strides in progress.

Happy Birthday, CoN, and thanks for the good times and the bad, and for the ones still to come!

This post has been edited by TheEvilEye on 31st July 2004 15:31

I love this site. The people and content, the discussons and information..... I love it all. It makes me happy to see something like this do so well. I'm sorry to hear you will be leaving, though, Josh. What future plans have you got swirling around in that head of yours?

Anyways, happy birthday, CoN. Thanks for making my days at work so much easier!

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Join the Army, see the world, meet interesting people - and kill them.

~Pacifist Badge, 1978

congrats on seven super succesful years. alliteration aside, happy birthday CoN!!!

EDIT: what? no booze? this party blows!!

This post has been edited by Malevolence on 31st July 2004 19:13

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

Happy B-Day Con, we love you

Well, anyway, it's about 5 days away from my one year anniversary with CoN, and it truly is the coolest forum and FF site on the web. All you people are really cool, well, then again, remember that this was the year that Grey Fox came aaaaah!

Seriously, thanks, R51 for making a kick-ass site. ... and so you're going on sabbatical, which implies temporary, right?

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Get me off this Disciplinary Committee so I can play any FF except for FF8!!!

Quote

2. I know it's been rumored before that I might leave the site. I can't do so right now, we have too much to do in the next few weeks. So, instead of announcing an immediate permanent sabbatical from running the day-to-day operations of CoN, I am announcing that I plan to take my leave on 1 September of this year. This should give enough time to turn over the reins to Tiddles (no fighting over the order of succession, you kids), and for him to come up to speed on handling both my jobs and his.

That permanent sabbatical part seems pretty clear to me...


But anyway, Josh, you're a great guy, and it's sad to see you go, but I'm happy with the fact that you'll still be around.

Happy 7th birthday, CoN! Hope to see you in the upper .1% of the web in the near future.

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Wow. 1,000 posts.

I miss you all now that I'm in boarding school! ;_;

I know I haven't even been here a year, but I can easily say that this is by far the best site I've ever found on the internet. I used to kind of laugh at people who would talk about their "friends" from the online world, now I am proud to say that I have found many friends from this site. While I am a member on a few forums, CoN is always the first one I check, and the only chatroom I would even consider trying to get on at work.

I am saddned to hear about your departure Josh, but I understand it completely. It must be very difficult to manage a family, full and part-time job, and a website at the same time. I am glad that you will still be around making random posts and in the chatroom, it would really suck for you to just disappear. Also, congrats to Tiddles are in order I believe. You are more than capable of running this site, your knowledge always impresses me. (Josh said I should start kissing your ass now )

So Happy Birthday CoN, here's to 7 more!

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"My impersonation of an ordinary person was flawless." - Neal

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

Congratulations to CoN! Happy Birthday Even though I'm visiting less and less, I still love this site, and it always gets better and worse sometimes Really sad to see you go R51.

CoN has grown so much since version 3 and it keeps getting better. Congrats and thanks a lot for keeping up the boards for people like us!

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Lou: There's a couple of guys fighting down at the aquarium, Chief.
Wiggum: Do they still sell those frozen bananas?
Lou: I think so.
Wiggum: Let's roll.

Quote (Rangers51 @ 31st July 2004 00:02)

2. I know it's been rumored before that I might leave the site. I can't do so right now, we have too much to do in the next few weeks. So, instead of announcing an immediate permanent sabbatical from running the day-to-day operations of CoN, I am announcing that I plan to take my leave on 1 September of this year. This should give enough time to turn over the reins to Tiddles (no fighting over the order of succession, you kids), and for him to come up to speed on handling both my jobs and his.

Wasn't that last year's prank?

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"I had to write four novels before they let me write comic books."
-Brad Meltzer

Are you pulling something on us again Rangers?

--------------------

I fear my heart and fear my soul
Life goes on, it surely will,
Without me and I wonder:
Will I ever see light again?

Life goes on...

Wow. I can't believe it. I've been here three years already, and that the CoN is seven. Seven! I have little relatives just as old as this place. Anyway, Josh, if this is permanant or not, I have to thank you. You have made the only site that I have religiously gone to every single day, even if I don't post, in the whole time I've been on the internet. It has given me a lot of things. I never would have believed you'd let me be a staff member just because of my drawings, in turn you gave me confidence. I met a handful of really wonderful people, even though some not-so-wonderful people have emerged over the years and you me some life-long friends that have been there for me when I've had big and little problems in my life. It sounds silly to say, but I doubt I would have met any of what I consider my closest friends if you hadn't made this. Sure there is a chance I would have met them at another site... But I met them here gosh darnit.
Anyway, to make a long story short, whether you're the CoNMaster or not, I will always luffs joo as the wonderful friend and person you are. (So on hiatus or not, you'd better keep in touch with me!)
And now that I've made this post far too long, cheesy, and personal,
Happy Birthday again, Caves of Narshe.



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..DDR..Maine..
..Hikaroo-chan no Deviantart..

<Tiddles> And I love how people suggest "Why not call it my great name?????" when their name is clearly the worst thing ever.
<Tiddles> "How about ; Mozilla Xplorer & Mozilla Xpress."
<Tiddles> How about you die in a fire?

It's makes me smile that CoN is seven now.

But...

Quote (R51)

So, instead of announcing an immediate permanent sabbatical from running the day-to-day operations of CoN, I am announcing that I plan to take my leave on 1 September of this year.

This makes Zephie sad. :'(

This post has been edited by Zephir on 2nd August 2004 22:44

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~Status Report~

* Completed... Dragon's Head
* Completed... Soldiers of the Empire: Disciples (release pending)
* In Progress/Undecided... Of Love and Betrayal
* Planning/Assembly... Where it all Began

i didn't even see that about R51 leavin. that's a crappy birthday present.

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moé in the streets, senpai in the sheets

I've been busy recently, but a little birdie told me it was CoN's birthday... though he told me to late.

I should stop relying on birds for my important information; they're cute to look at, but not much upstairs.

I remember coming here back in... '98 maybe? When I came back to join in on the fun in March of this year, I couldn't believe this was the same site. Almost nothing was the same. I can't wait to see what sort of things will happen in years to come. Happy birthday CoN!

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"It is a part of human nature to be evil, and it is a part of human nature to destroy evil, therefore, when evil is destroyed, so will be the human race..."
- Atma

Happy Belated 7th, CoN, and congrats, Josh and staff for kicking major ass to make this place what it has become. Though I frequent maybe a fraction of how often I used to, I've been around here for a few years now, and the further along we go, the more impressed I become. You guys have really come a long way from that little site a certain R51 started up 7 years ago. So far, it's been a great trip, and here's to many more to come.

I'm not sure if this is a prank or not, but should you decide to give up the reigns as CoN overlord and God, then I hope, at least, you stick around the neighbourhood, it would be a tragedy to lose your sarcasm...er...you. Either way, Monsieur Josh, you've done good here, joining everyone here together under the banner of the Caves Of Narshe, hell everyone's made some good friends over these forums and that never would've happened without you. So whether it's gone for a break, gone for good, or always lurking in the shadows, thanks dude.

No sad faces this time. Once again, Happy Belated 7th, CoN.

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Okay, but there was a goat!

Well, I've been here a couple years now and what can I say that already hasn't been? The place is full of FF and intelligent conversation, so I always find myself coming back here. Happy 7 Day.

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The clouds ran away, opened up the sky
And one by one I watched every constellation die
And there I was frozen, standing in my backyard
Face to face, eye to eye, staring at the last star
I should've known, walked all the way home
To find that she wasn't here, I'm still all alone

-Atmosphere "Always Coming Back Home to You"

And I remember when CoN was just a baby. *sniff sniff* I was among the first boatload of people that Josh harangued into coming to visit his widdle site. And now it's all growed up!

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Veni, vidi, dormivi.

Happy Birthday CoN (I know it is old news but what the Heck), oh FT that Happy Birthaday image is cool.