...on here (page 148: did this message board start in August 2001?) and it's really cool how everything remains intact from when it was originally posted. It shows how much this site has grown since then. It also made me realize how often the same topic or cases have been mentioned over and over in different threads: mods, do you think there's any way to organize threads where they are all focused on the same main topic?

It would cut down on people starting new threads about the same topic. All of the messages for a particular topic could be put in an "All Things (insert topic) Thread".

P.S.: Shout out to Kane, dynoguy, Crystal Dawn, etc. It looks like you've all been around here since it first started.

My posts from those early, early years are embarrassingly bad. Half the time, I barely sound coherent. But I do remember finding this board about a year after I signed up for an account. There were a ton of UM fans here discussing cases in those early days but the majority of them disappeared within a few years.

It's getting close to me being on this site for 17 years. That's pretty crazy. :crazy:

One thing worth remembering is that in the early days we had far less information about the cases compared to today. The archives available for us to browse through weren't nearly as wide as they are today and many of us took the segments at verbatim. It was also nearly impossible to track down updates whereas today I can only think of a handful of cases where UM is the only available source for the information known about the case.

But those early days were interesting for those of us who were around. Lots of conjecture and patchwork and occasionally for fun we'd go off to the dark side of the forum and partake in a fun game of kicking each other in the shins.

*Proudly supporting RobinW as the new host of "Unsolved Mysteries" since January 26, 1882.*

:lol: Thanks, I just noticed this handle! But I'm curious what the significance of that date is?

I posted albeit very rarely in those days under a different name, I'm only "new" in the sense of the username.

I'm trans and have since transitioned, so it only made sense to come back with a different name more befitting of who I am. I would say this would be an unsolved mystery in and of itself, who I was at the time.

But honestly I had maybe 50 to 100 comments, so wouldn't make for much of a worthwhile mystery ha!

I'm simply glad it's back and in this kind of quality, not that the old VHS rips don't have their own certain charm to them.

One thing worth remembering is that in the early days we had far less information about the cases compared to today. The archives available for us to browse through weren't nearly as wide as they are today and many of us took the segments at verbatim. It was also nearly impossible to track down updates whereas today I can only think of a handful of cases where UM is the only available source for the information known about the case.

But those early days were interesting for those of us who were around. Lots of conjecture and patchwork and occasionally for fun we'd go off to the dark side of the forum and partake in a fun game of kicking each other in the shins.

You're right about there being less information on the 'net 15+ years ago. I understand that. I was on the 'net back then, too (just didn't occur to me to look for a UM message board until many years later: was senior in HS and then went to college in early years of this board).

I'm simply suggesting that it might make for more organized reading if it were possible for the same topics/subjects/cases/segments (however you want to describe them) were condensed into single big threads.

I look back on some of my older posts and feel embarrassed about the content. I came off like a jerk in a lot of them (which wasn't my intention), but I guess no one can sense context over the internet.

My punctuation was horrible back then and I didn't know what a paragraph break is. :lol:

I laugh when I read an old thread, start thinking of what I might say, and then find a reply that I posted in that thread... :crazy: :lol:

I agree too that I'm not always proud of some of my earliest posts. I've tried to be more open-minded now. Cases like the Baskin children definitely made me rethink some of my earlier feelings.

After being on here 15 years and one month finally got an avatar to appear! So psyched!!

You've all made tremendous improvement. When you first started posting on here in the early years, I thought you were gonna be disasters but now you're UM posters of the highest-caliber. This year is gonna be the year with the most high-quality posts ever seen on this message board: bar-none. (tic)

On a serious note, who are the actual moderators now? I know Crystal Dawn stepped down and I believe LooksLikeCRicci is one of them but who are the other mods?

You've all made tremendous improvement. When you first started posting on here in the early years, I thought you were gonna be disasters but now you're UM posters of the highest-caliber. This year is gonna be the year with the most high-quality posts ever seen on this message board: bar-none. (tic)

On a serious note, who are the actual moderators now? I know Crystal Dawn stepped down and I believe LooksLikeCRicci is one of them but who are the other mods?

LooksLikeCRicci is the only mod of the UM part of the forums. There are other mods for the other parts of the SitcomsOnline forums and they have mod powers on the UM board too (I believe).

My posts from those early, early years are embarrassingly bad. Half the time, I barely sound coherent.


Me too. I go back and read stuff I wrote and want to argue with myself about what a jerk I am. :lol:

Me too. I go back and read stuff I wrote and want to argue with myself about what a jerk I am. :lol:

I'm guilty of the same thing.... :) I read older stuff that I wrote and I'm like, "Oh, shut UP! You sound so pompous!!!'

I'm guilty of the same thing.... :) I read older stuff that I wrote and I'm like, "Oh, shut UP! You sound so pompous!!!'

For me, I'm less concerned about the jerk factor and more embarrassed over the fact that my comments seem like they were written by a 4th grader, both in thought and grammar. In reality, I was 21-23 years old at the time. So....yeah. :crazy:

Please disregard any comment I made prior to 2004-ish.

Yes, that is absolutely the rare and outstanding feature of this forum, the availability and activity of old threads combined with the dedicated familiar participants. Unlike any other board I'm aware of you can leave this site for years yet be confident on return that you'll recognize names and topics, with not much transition or awkwardness attached.

I remember a decade or so ago I was occasionally chided for bumping a thread that had been resting or 2 or 3 years. Now it happens with threads that have been dormant for many times that duration.

Some -- many -- forums zap older threads, never to be seen again. True crime forums deserve bumpability but it's not a given without proper impressive people in charge.

Many posters in this thread have expressed a lightened attitude over the years. Nope. With myself it's probably the opposite. Deservedly so. I'm increasingly incensed at the disgusting trends in true crime cases, ones I was only partially aware of a decade ago. That Lieutenant Kenda actually brags about it on his show: "Tell me a story that makes sense." I want to scream. That tells you right there that people who are the victims of an unusual crime have virtually no chance, during those back room interviews and in public opinion. All the opposition has to do is weave a story that makes more theoretical "sense" than what the victim is describing and the simpleton side wins.

I now often have to take long breaks from this forum due to that reality. It's one thing when posters on sports forums have no clue what a statistic is worth, etc. But when somebody's freedom is at stake and aspects like bed wetting are trotted out in one case after another as the motive, and swallowed, it's difficult not to be irate.

Hey, we solved that one. What a nice story. On to the next one.

I will say that more older cases from this program have been solved than I would have forecast when I joined.

Actually solved. Not filed away as the nursery rhyme we chose to believe.

"Yes, that is absolutely the rare and outstanding feature of this forum, the availability and activity of old threads combined with the dedicated familiar participants. Unlike any other board I'm aware of you can leave this site for years yet be confident on return that you'll recognize names and topics, with not much transition or awkwardness attached.

I remember a decade or so ago I was occasionally chided for bumping a thread that had been resting or 2 or 3 years. Now it happens with threads that have been dormant for many times that duration.

Some -- many -- forums zap older threads, never to be seen again. True crime forums deserve bumpability but it's not a given without proper impressive people in charge."


I've been on many online message boards (sports, etc.) and this is THE ONLY message board I've seen on the 'net that has threads and messages from its conception. It's indeed a rare treat to have something like this.

I've always enjoyed that this site keeps old threads. I started posted only in the last few days. However, over the last (longer than I can believe possible lol) whenever I would get on a UM binge on youtube I would come here and search the segments that interested me.
Thanks for being such a knowledgeable interesting board!!

I've always enjoyed that this site keeps old threads. I started posted only in the last few days. However, over the last (longer than I can believe possible lol) whenever I would get on a UM binge on youtube I would come here and search the segments that interested me.
Thanks for being such a knowledgeable interesting board!!

We're kind of a big deal. :)

We're also glad you're here, JustVisiting! :wave:

We're kind of a big deal. :)

We're also glad you're here, JustVisiting! :wave:

I'll second both of these sentiments.

I love this forum. Glad I found it at the best time for me. I was devastated when lifetime real women cancelled the show literally the week I called to get that channel. From this forum I have learned so much about the show and life in general. There are so many intelligent posters. the moderators are good people and not too (hall monitorish) like so many social chat rooms these days. In fact they are so good you really don't know that they are any different than anyone else if the thread is going like it should.

There are still threads I have not had time to read through. As far as my posts no Ragrets. Back when I joined the forum I was homesick and had to let everyone know I was Texan. And I was too much into the ghost segments.

I'm impressed with how many of the regulars are still here, still posting, and still so sharp and full of great insights.

I've always been a very occasional poster, as I didn't often feel I had much to add to well-established stories and updates, but always loved this place. It's the only forum I've come back to again and again.

You know what's super exciting to me these days is how easy it is to make great avatars now that the show is streaming! I can eventually get a much more HD version of my creepy dude. :p

eta: typos!

You know what's super exciting to me these days is how easy it is to make great avatars now that the show is streaming! I can eventually get a much more HD version of my creepy dude. :p

Can't wait. :eek: :eek:

I'm impressed with how many of the regulars are still here, still posting, and still so sharp and full of great insights.

I've always been a very occasional poster, as I didn't often feel I had much to add to well-established stories and updates, but always loved this place. It's the only forum I've come back to again and again.

You know what's super exciting to me these days is how easy it is to make great avatars now that the show is streaming! I can eventually get a much more HD version of my creepy dude. :p

eta: typos!

I'm in the same boat. I've been around here for years, but don't post often. However, the release of these new episodes has brought me out of my shell a little bit over the past couple of weeks. We'll see if that trend continues.

hey i was wondering how do start a new thread any help would be appreciated thanks.

Main screen for the UM board. Look at the left side, right over where all the threads are listed. Between the sub-forums and the main forum threads. Blue TV button that says "New Thread." Click it. :)

thanks lookslikecricci!

I'll second both of these sentiments.

Thank you both!! I'm excited to be a part of such a great board!!

I've been a member here for over 14 years now. I was checking my older posts and they were much lighter and fun then more recently. Perhaps moderating for as long as I did made me bitter and hardened. :lol:

I've been a member here for over 14 years now. I was checking my older posts and they were much lighter and fun then more recently. Perhaps moderating for as long as I did made me bitter and hardened. :lol:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I've always been bitter and jaded. I just have a rockin' sense of humor about it. :)

The forum is way more active now than ever. They're were like 160 viewing after midnight the other night. More than any other forum on here. And if we get an influx of imdb posters, it will be even more active.

The forum is way more active now than ever. They're were like 160 viewing after midnight the other night. More than any other forum on here. And if we get an influx of imdb posters, it will be even more active.

I sometimes feel like the UM board is the only thing keeping this whole site up and running.

I sometimes feel like the UM board is the only thing keeping this whole site up and running.

:lol: Thanks for that. Made my day.

The forum is way more active now than ever. They're were like 160 viewing after midnight the other night. More than any other forum on here. And if we get an influx of imdb posters, it will be even more active.

I'm guessing that is why you were told to be on your best behavior. How about it, Sport?

I'm guessing that is why you were told to be on your best behavior. How about it, Sport?

Did we just become best friends?

Did we just become best friends?

Never in a million years.

https://media.giphy.com/media/rzBUxFJm1EJ20/giphy.gif

Yes, for millions of years.

Aww, thanks BFF!

Okay, Brennan and Dale... you're killing me. :)

https://media.giphy.com/media/rzBUxFJm1EJ20/giphy.gif
:rotflmao:

Never in a million years.

I can never tell if you're trolling or not, but most of your replies are hilarious, and I don't know why.

I just wanna say how thankful I am for the regular posters, moderators, and to have found this site. I know I don't post much, but I read this message board all the time.

At first, I couldn't believe there were other people who loved UM as much as me. I watched it on NBC and CBS with my Nana when I was a kid. I used to say home from school (scared effing ****less) to watch it on Lifetime and again at 8:00.

I joined back when we were all watching on the forbidden site, but I've literally watched UM in some form every day since they became available on the internet.

Anyway, thank you to all the people who keep this forum full of interesting and unique information about this thing I love that I can't get anywhere else.

Can't wait for season 3 already :)

I just wanna say how thankful I am for the regular posters, moderators, and to have found this site. I know I don't post much, but I read this message board all the time.

At first, I couldn't believe there were other people who loved UM as much as me. I watched it on NBC and CBS with my Nana when I was a kid. I used to say home from school (scared effing ****less) to watch it on Lifetime and again at 8:00.

I joined back when we were all watching on the forbidden site, but I've literally watched UM in some form every day since they became available on the internet.

Anyway, thank you to all the people who keep this forum full of interesting and unique information about this thing I love that I can't get anywhere else.

Can't wait for season 3 already :)

Welcome...:wave:

I can never tell if you're trolling or not, but most of your replies are hilarious, and I don't know why.

I'm not a troll. I guess I have a different perspective than most on this board. I don't try to hurt anyones feelings on purpose. That being said, if my comments do hurt someone's feelings, oh well. And oh yeah, I'm a huge believer in physical evidence. Anyone can come up with theories and motives. Circumstantial evidence has put many innocent people behind bars.

https://media.giphy.com/media/rzBUxFJm1EJ20/giphy.gif
I assume that's not the deadly English chair.

We are on a record pace for posts in a year already. It doesn't hurt that they are streaming episodes. The amazing thing is that this board has always been fairly popular even when Lifetime wasn't airing the episodes. Thank you UM fans! :)

This board and the Unsolved Mysteries Online fan site was started on July 21, 2001. That was the day Lifetime brought back the show with new Robert Stack segments. We didn't have many posters in those early days. It's nice to see many regulars still posting.

Approximate posts by year:

2017 - 2293
2016 - 7449
2015 - 10593
2014 - 10161
2013 - 10020
2012 - 9516
2011 - 13105
2010 - 13507
2009 - 13016
2008 - 11327
2007 - 14784
2006 - 10849
2005 - 7017
2004 - 3142
2003 - 2118
2002 - 730
2001 - 251

7,977 threads / 133,858 posts currently (including the sub-forums). Although it would be a good idea to combine all cases into one thread, it would be very time consuming to sort through nearly 8,000 threads.

The post which began it all - http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=25834

100,000 posts was reached on August 23, 2013 - http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=316120

We are on a record pace for posts in a year already. It doesn't hurt that they are streaming episodes. The amazing thing is that this board has always been fairly popular even when Lifetime wasn't airing the episodes. Thank you UM fans! :)

This board and the Unsolved Mysteries Online fan site was started on July 21, 2001. That was the day Lifetime brought back the show with new Robert Stack segments. We didn't have many posters in those early days. It's nice to see many regulars still posting.

Approximate posts by year:

2017 - 2293
2016 - 7449
2015 - 10593
2014 - 10161
2013 - 10020
2012 - 9516
2011 - 13105
2010 - 13507
2009 - 13016
2008 - 11327
2007 - 14784
2006 - 10849
2005 - 7017
2004 - 3142
2003 - 2118
2002 - 730
2001 - 251

7,977 threads / 133,858 posts currently (including the sub-forums). Although it would be a good idea to combine all cases into one thread, it would be very time consuming to sort through nearly 8,000 threads.

100,000 posts was reached on August 23, 2013 - http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=316120

Instead of lumping all of the cases into one thread, just delete everything else this on this forum except for us. I kid I kid :p

Yes, I'm guessing that the Season 1 and Season 2 (although somewhat compromised) Stack episodes being available for viewing on Amazon Prime has something to do with the increase in posts, lol. I would guess it has almost nearly everything to do with the increase in posts.

All kidding aside, thanks for the info., TJ! I'm someone that's interested in those types of things (the numbers, activity, etc.).

I've been a member for 11 years, though it feels like more because I lurked for several years before joining. Reading the old threads from the early-mid 2000's is great because that was the best time on the forum. There were so many great posters back in the day, such as crushed velvet, yuppielawyer, Skunk Ape, greatgarrett2 and many others!

Reading the old threads from the early-mid 2000's is great because that was the best time on the forum.

Yes before a certain long time member started arguing and being obnoxious and driving members away. :rolleyes:

http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/2427116/85029793.jpg

Yes before a certain long time member started arguing and being obnoxious and driving members away. :rolleyes:

Someone here is petty enough to do that? I don't believe it!!

Yes before a certain long time member started arguing and being obnoxious and driving members away. :rolleyes:

That's (expletive deleted)

That's (expletive deleted)

Edits aside... yet another blast from the past. I've missed you and your slightly inappropriate avatar! :)

Edits aside... yet another blast from the past. I've missed you and your slightly inappropriate avatar! :)

Hello there, I thought the expletive was appropriate to the situation 😂 I'll behave now lol

That's (expletive deleted)
Nice to see you back on here finally! Taking a break from harassing me to cause trouble on here I see. ;) :p

Member since 2004, although I didn't start posting to discuss cases until 2007. It's been a great ride. My postings have dropped in recent years, thanks to life (I've got a toddler now) and such, but maybe with the episodes streaming I'll do more. Saw a segment about lost wwii letters last night I don't recall ever seeing before. So maybe we are entering a brave new world!

I love that so many posters (myself included) have returned to the board in the last several months. Brings back so many memories... It's sort of like our own Resurrection Mary story. :lol:

That's (expletive deleted)



:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I love that so many posters (myself included) have returned to the board in the last several months. Brings back so many memories... It's sort of like our own Resurrection Mary story. :lol:


OMG. I had *almost* forgotten how much Lifetime liked to replay that one. :)

<-------

Looks at post count.

Realizes that I have no life.

<-------

Looks at post count.

Realizes that I have no life.

You do. UM is lyfe.

<-------

Looks at post count.

Realizes that I have no life.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

That's funny... You have a sickness, but so do the rest of us. :crazy:

(You're just a little more dedicated. ;) )

<-------

Looks at post count.

Realizes that I have no life.

This is the first post of yours where I can say I agree wholeheartedly with you

This is the first post of yours where I can say I agree wholeheartedly with you

Lmao. Jesus christ.

Ohhhhh boy. :rolleyes:

Dag nabbit, Dale and Brennan! Go do some karate in the garage! Or build some bunk beds in your room! Either way, just be quiet so you don't wake the neighbors! :)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6f/e3/62/6fe362b2f8f19144ccba7626d0f7e8fc.jpg

Dag nabbit, Dale and Brennan! Go do some karate in the garage! Or build some bunk beds in your room! Either way, just be quiet so you don't wake the neighbors!

My name is not Dale or Brennan. Nor is it a combination of the two. So you cant be talking about moi.

Dag nabbit, Dale and Brennan! Go do some karate in the garage! Or build some bunk beds in your room! Either way, just be quiet so you don't wake the neighbors!

My name is not Dale or Brennan. Nor is it a combination of the two. So you cant be talking about moi.

If you want me to be creepy, I *do* know what your name is. :eek: :eek:

If you want me to be creepy, I *do* know what your name is. :eek: :eek:

:brent :clap

If you want me to be creepy, I *do* know what your name is. :eek: :eek:

LOL LOL LOL @ LooksLikeCRicci

I admit it - I came out of my on and off again lurking hole due to amazon streaming! I'm so glad I've started participating everyone's been really great. :wave:

I managed to get through the abbreviated two season already lol. Any idea when more are going to be released.

I'm going to have to start stalking the forbidden website for other segments. :lol: :happyface

Crystaldawn - did I read that you have dvds of old segments for sale? If so, how much and I want lol.

LOL LOL LOL @ LooksLikeCRicci

Crystaldawn - did I read that you have dvds of old segments for sale? If so, how much and I want lol.

Sorry they haven't been available for years. :)

Sorry they haven't been available for years. :)

Oh well - thanks anyway! It was worth asking. If that ever changes please let me know!

This thread has turned into a Lost Loves (Update!) reunion. (tic) No, it is pretty cool to see some of the "old-timers" come back out of posting retirement. :winkgrin

This post of yours, I can say, really hits home with me and my private investigative work.

Thanks man. It's a lonely world out there.

Thanks man. It's a lonely world out there.

Lol.

This thread has turned into a Lost Loves (Update!) reunion. (tic) No, it is pretty cool to see some of the "old-timers" come back out of posting retirement. :winkgrin
Still waiting on the update from all the good mid 2000 posters to make the boards great again. :rolleyes:

#MSOGA

#MSOGA

All right, who's getting the red hats made?

#MSOGA


It totally took me a minute to figure that one out.

Cars, you're a nut. I've said it before-- I love that the streaming (and other factors) have brought lots of you out of hibernation! A busy forum is a fun one!

#MSOGA
Thank you for that.

OMG. I had *almost* forgotten how much Lifetime liked to replay that one. :)

What? Resurrection Mary? I've never seen that segment...

:D

You do. UM is lyfe.


I didn't choose UM...UM chose me.