Goodbye 2009 and Hello 2010
The past year has been nothing short of a whirlwind for The Retroist. The site's growth has far exceeded my expectations, and I've been doing my best to keep pace with the surging demand. At the beginning of the year, I made the crucial decision to transfer the site to a new server. This move has provided the much-needed breathing space for The Retroist to flourish over the last nine months. However, as we approach 2010, I can't help but sense that another server migration may be on the horizon, complete with all the opportunities and challenges it entails. I, for one, can hardly wait, for I have a slew of fresh retro gems I'm itching to share, and this new server will furnish me with the digital real estate required to do so for at least another 12 months.
In my quest to keep up with the times, I ventured into the world of Twitter. The experience has been nothing short of fantastic. Not only have I had the pleasure of forging new friendships, but I've also reconnected with some old pals. Twitter has proven to be an invaluable feedback channel for the site, and I'm eternally grateful for it.
Now, let's delve into what the site offered in 2009. This was the year The Retroist introduced its very own forum—a place where retro enthusiasts gathered to share their thoughts and opinions on all things nostalgic. To the countless individuals who visit the forum week after week, I extend my heartfelt appreciation. Your passion for retro topics fuels the growth of this digital haven (with over 2000 posts and counting). While I could once name all the contributors by name, the forum has reached a point where it's constantly buzzing with new voices. However, if you take a peek at the Leaderboard, you'll find the unsung heroes who keep the forum vibrant. Atari or not, I'd love to partake in some old-school gaming with each and every one of you.
In early 2009, a dear friend named Jonathan managed to convince me to embark on a podcasting adventure. Admittedly, I had my doubts initially. But here we are, 39 episodes later, and I must admit that it has surpassed my wildest expectations. My heartfelt thanks, JJ.
The podcast and the growing site brought with them a fresh wave of contributors who've poured their passion into The Retroist. Jonathan, who hosts his own podcast called Rotting Flesh Radio, has become a regular voice on the show. His relentless dedication to his weekly epic casts is nothing short of inspiring. Almost immediately, one of the site's earliest readers, metagirl, joined the ranks as a writer, delivering her unique Top 5 lists on the podcast—a segment that has proven exceptionally popular. Kill Screen, also known as Tom, crafts posts for the site, joins me on the Retroist Broadcasting Company Podcasts, and adds a dash of his infectious enthusiasm to the mix. I'm eagerly looking forward to creating more podcasts with Tom and, perhaps, meeting him in person for a game of 2nd edition D&D. Brian Boone, another site contributor, has been a delightful surprise. His writing for the site allows me to experience The Retroist from a different perspective—one of a fan. About halfway through the podcast's life, Mr. Christopher Tupa made his entrance, offering his help and artistic talents. He's been creating podcast illustrations week after week, earning praise and admiration from listeners and giving me a sense of childish glee every time I see his email before a show goes live. What he puts on that screen has now become my visual memory of my past.
And last but certainly not least is Peachy, who, I think, hails from the land of Italy (he often goes on about Europe, but who's counting?). Peachy contributes posts to the site, collaborates on the podcast, and has become my midnight sounding board when the rest of the world is fast asleep. His infectious love for video games and deep well of pop culture knowledge have been invaluable. I'm grateful he reached out to me.
So, what does 2010 have in store for The Retroist? More podcasts, commercials, scans, and posts, naturally—this train shows no signs of stopping. But there's more to come. We'll be launching several new sections on the site that will delve into specific pop culture categories in greater depth. I'm deeply involved, but with the help of site participants, these sections are poised to be nothing short of amazing. If you're interested in joining the adventure, don't hesitate to shoot me an email. I'm teaming up with Christopher Tupa on an illustrated web project that's set to kick off this month, and I couldn't be more thrilled (or super excited). Peachy, who's been crafting some fantastic music for the podcast, has been hard at work on a delightful album of tunes that will grace the site. Trust me, you're going to love it.
Keep in mind that you can be a part of The Retroist in 2010. The news submission link at the top of the page has been open for over a month, and I'd love to hear from you (yes, you!).
The only limitation to this site seems to be the amount of time I can pour into it. And I'll tell you, it has truly started to dominate my life—but in the best possible way. I thoroughly enjoy every moment of it, and as long as you enjoy reading and listening, I'll keep on keepin' on. Thank you all for an amazing 2009. Onward and upward to 2010!
