ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area 25 Years of ECN Forum

We're approaching 25 Years old!!

We started with text-based discussion software in or around 1999 and then this software in Oct 2000.
(Screenshots to follow if I can find them)

A lot of History here!!

Thank You to the Moderators and all Participants!!

25 Years --- That's a long time!
Scott

Hey Scott!!

You were among the early Members here!
Many thanks for all your contributions especially the work you did in the Technical Reference Area

Seems like I joined only yesterday . . .

Back in the 90s I was still working in the field and there was a lot I didn't know. Luckily my local Inspector was a Great Guy and if he wasn't busy or out in the field I could sit down with him and he'd explain or answer any questions I had. At that time there was really nowhere else to go. I didn't think My local ECs were about to help out their competition (Me).

I thought it would be great if there was a place to ask questions semi-anonymously without feeling stupid and others would help without worrying about losing work to other local ECs. I had access to some Business Conference software (which I was told cost $10k at the time) and the first ECN 'Forum' was born.

It was pretty slow going for awhile. I don't remember the first post, but I remember the second... (or might've been an email) I believe it was Bjarney, asking why I didn't answer the question. So, I explained to him I wasn't necessarily a qualified source of info on the subject and was trying to get dialog going between others. He got it and was a valuable contributor for years after.

I got a lot of my early code training on BBs like this. Back in the olden days Prodigy had a "careers" forum where a number of electricians and inspectors hung out. At the time I was building computer rooms for IBM and had a lot of training in electrical and HVAC. Some homeowners dubbed us "a Secret Society" because of all the jargon and obscure code references but I figured out the secret handshake. The name stuck. We even had T shirts made (Thanks Harold Endean)
Joe Tedesco was a road warrior for IAEI and he pitched his whole road show out there for us and 6 of us went on to get IAEI certified. I parlayed that into ICBO and SBCCI certification and a Florida license.
These are the Northeastern guys and their certificates. The 2 Florida guys didn't get up there for the photo.
I actually got all 3 certifications. Residential, commercial and plan review.

Haven't heard from Harold in awhile.

No doubt, Joe T was a Pioneer and driving force in the Industry!!
Joe's contributions to this Forum and perhaps Electrical Safety in general were very significant.

I contacted him last week but he said he's not very active right now.

Bill,

QUOTE:
I contacted him last week but he said he's not very active right now.

Congratulations to Joe Tedesco!

Scott

I think we all may be slowing down a little. I put my license into inactive status so people would stop asking me if I want to come back to work

Congrats on the 25 years Bill!!