Back then it was all email lists, each post and reply would come to your email inbox. There was no browser based forum at the time.

I don’t remember exactly when the site became rennlist but I want to say right around Y2K-ish, after a meeting between the site operators Porsche’s attorneys.

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20200807.../porsche/pfans

And the 911 usenet group in the late 80s and early 90s.

 

Ah, I haven't heard the term usenet in years... Nice one!

Were there any specific Porsche BBS's (not wheels ) by any chance?

 

Yes there were and I believe Rennlist operated as a BBS for a bit too. I could be confusing it from the email list back then but I do remember subscribing to both

 

Interesting history, always wondered where "list" originated from. Made sense in Craig's case but not Renn's.

 

Good find, May of 1998 was the name change. I distinctly remember disliking the new name, didn't roll off the tongue quite right. But now here we are and the old one sounds strange now.

 

This makes me realize how late I was to using the Internet... really didn't get online until college in 1996.. and you guys have been on talking Porsche's since late 80's????

 

I was a little late to the game, still playing with BMW's at the time, also on BBS, and email list.
When I first started on Rennlist it was privately owned, and run from a garage. It was a badge of honor to support it, and buy a subscription to Rennlist.

Then Internet-Brands purchased the board, banner add went everywhere, and you purchasing a subscription was like paying Porsche after you buy the car just to sit in it.

 

Who remembers roadfly?

 

Oh yeah! I was so active on those boards, lots of good info, before it turned into a flame war.

 

STFU FMJ

 

Oh wow! Interesting history. I feel like a proper newbie now...

 

I have some vague memories of some sort of BBS back in the late 90's. It was the only place to get information on the 'new' 986 that was being released. During the 9 month wait from deposit till I got the Boxster, I remember endlessly surfing those 'forums'.

I also have some vague memories of those flame wars, especially as it pertained to the change from air-cooled to water cooled, and how the 996 and 986 were not really Porsches.

Damm, has it really been >20 years (sighhhhhh....)

 

Nope - but it should be called ADMlist or deviated list, because its a long way from rennlist.