IPR turns 5; Paulie Turns 41
After a 36-hour period of nonstop work by Jason “GE” Seagraves, IPR went live 5 years ago today with our first post, on May 20, 2008. Our predecessor site, Third Party Watch, operated between May 2005 and May 2008 before being purchased by Richard Viguerie right before the Libertarian presidential nomination in 2008, which led to the creation of IPR and Green Party Watch. TPW limped along for a few months after that, but was never the same.
In the past year, IPR was sold for the second time, this time to Warren Redlich. We have dealt with, and continue to deal with, an increase in troll attacks, and thus more debates on what to do about it, if anything. Some cosmetic changes in site appearance have been made, but a more large scale revision is being planned. Unlike in past years when I took breaks, we currently have Chris Lesiak, Jill Pyeatt and others posting just as many articles as I do when I am here. We’ve finally fixed the problem of author bylines not appearing in the articles when they are not accessed from the index page.
Among sites that are similar to ours, more have come and gone (or come and remained pretty much dormant) in the past year. Ballot Access News is the only one that comes anywhere close to the active commenting “community” we have here.
We no longer have the same sitemeter system for measuring traffic that we did in past years, so traffic comparisons between years and multi-year measures are no longer possible. Four years ago today we had over 3,300 posts and close to 49,000 comments. Three years ago today we had almost 5,500 posts and close to 89,000 comments. Two years ago today, over 8,200 posts and close to 130,000 comments. A year ago, over 9,600 posts and over 162,000 comments. Today we have over 11,100 posts and over 195,000 comments in the course of five years.
By sheer coincidence, since I was not there when the site started, I (Paulie) also turn(ed) 41 just as IPR turn(ed) 5. I can’t immediately think of anything too fun about the number 41, other than 4+1 = 5. Maybe I’ll celebrate the 20th anniversary of my 21st birthday and drink accordingly. I’m back on facebook now, and my phone number is still 415-690-6352.
Thanks to everyone who writes for, reads and comments at IPR!
Thanks for the acknowledgement. Peace to all of the IPR peoples.
Actually I’m not; just wish I had more energy and could multitask better then I already am doing.
CQ @ 21: “I’m simply a blogger and opinion writer.”
You say that as if you’re disappointed in yourself somehow. Blogging and writing opinions is more than most of us are able to do, so you should be happy you’re able to contribute what you can.
Congrats! IPR has been through a lot, and still endured through it all. And though I have my own opinions about the owner of IPR, I must admit things have really picked up steam here, and he certainly has done quite a satisfactory job at managing it, regardless.
Unfortunately, when I tried going on my own with ITPN&V -I thought I could establish an alternative that would last just as long and would also prosper… But, with other political and personal matters that have taken up my time, along with volunteer writers which didn’t contribute often… I was wrong in the end, and so I closed shop.
Unlike back in my younger days, I cannot devote myself to political journalism 100% anymore; I don’t have the patience for it now, and again, have too many things political that keep me occupied elsewhere.
Besides, I think its obvious that my time in the field of journalism has passed, and now is time for people like me to pass the torch to people like Chris Lesiak- whom obviously has the energy and zeal to do what I used to be able to do, and should be given a fair playing field to move up and progress in his career here and elsewhere.
So I guess, besides the political projects & activism that I have going on right now on my end, I’m simply a blogger and opinion writer.
Congrads everyone. Love this site!
#HighFive for same phone number!
Happy 5th birthday
Anybody know what happened to some of the formerly active commenters on the first post? Like GE and Ross?
Happy birthday Paulie and IPR! It’s been an interesting 5 years.
Happy Birthday to Paulie and IPR!
“I don’t think there’s been any increase in troll attacks. Your skin has just become progressively thinner.”
This.
These are two birthdays worth celebrating:
Congratulations and Thank you to both IPR and Paulie.
Five.
That’s exactly how many toes I have on my middle foot.
Congratulations to Paulie and IPR. Thank you for working on this website. I read it daily.
Happy birthday!
“We have dealt with, and continue to deal with, an increase in troll attacks”
I don’t think there’s been any increase in troll attacks. Your skin has just become progressively thinner.
Happy Birthday to Paulie and IPR. Let’s hope both have many years remaining!
Five years is an accomplishment. Well done to everyone who has ever been involved.
Even though it’s still early, I’ll have another drink in Paulie’s honor!
Here’s an extra champagne click for Paulie’s birthay! Have some fun today, Paulie! Happy birthday!
cheers to IPR and all the hardworking volunteers that keep it going. Thank you!
Happy birthday IPR and Paulie!
Paulie and IPR:
Happy Birthdays and keep up the good work!!!!
As much as the recent troll outbreaks have driven me nuts, it validates to me that our site is accomplishing something.
**clicking sound of champagne glasses**
Happy birthday to us!!