My wife [who was at the time my gf] was addicted to hattrack when I met her in 2004. I think at some point in 2005, there was a thread about India / Hinduism that Jac wanted my opinion on... I ended up posting using her account as it seemed a more reliable form of communication than chinese whispers...
I'd been following threads every now and then since, but didn't sign up for an account until Feb 2006 when I wanted to reply to a post about Iran, and I didnt have access to Jac's account...
There's my story, what's yours?
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
I have never been to, or heard of, this place you call "Hattrack". What's it like and why should I leave "Hatrack" for it?
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Shoulder chips, loudly wail, As the topics we derail, And the Ha'track goes brawling along. In and out, hear us shout, Counterpointing all about, And the Ha'track goes brawling along.
And it's you! he! she! With verbal artillery, Shouting opinions proud and strong. For wherever you go, You will always know That the Ha'track goes brawling along.
[ February 24, 2007, 07:59 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
That's hysterical.
I found Hatrack via Ender's Game. I signed up on a whim one breezy November morning, but didn't end up posting much of anything until the following February.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I was bored at work and surfing the web looking up authors that I liked, seeing if any of them had websites. I'd heard of Card's site before, but it had been long enough ago that it was an AOL exclusive thing. I found the place, found the forums, and pretty much devoured them, going back and reading the archives at Big Mouth Lion, which Hatrack had just (as in the week or so previous) migrated from. I didn't register until I read a post by dmichael that was just begging for refutation, though.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I found Hatrack because of blacwolve.
Plus, Hatrack is the reason your dear wife and I met in the first place! And the reason I know you, Abhi!
Crazy, isn't it?
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by Strider: I have never been to, or heard of, this place you call "Hattrack". What's it like and why should I leave "Hatrack" for it?
It's a place for all those people who pronounce it wrong. As to why you should leave Hatrack for it . . . well, you shouldn't.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
HaTrack.
Posted by Abhi (Member # 9142) on :
pssh corrct speling is overated.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I hopped over to Hatrack from Nauvoo. But I don't think I've ever been to Hattrack.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
I found Hatrack on my own after reading the Ender series and Songmaster and had some comments to get off my chest. Was blown away by the hospitality and intelligence of the people here and stayed ever since.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I signed up because of OSC's comments in one of the Alvin Maker forwards. I checked it out right away, but I had never participated in a forum before...hell, I didn't even have a computer of my own....so I didn't sign up right away. Or at least I didn't post right away.
I kept logging on at my parents house using their computer, and I was impressed with the sense of community here.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
to answer seriously I'll just quote Noemon.
quote:I was bored at work and surfing the web looking up authors that I liked, seeing if any of them had websites.
That was it. But what kept me here were the conversations and the community.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I explained how I found y'all in my Intro Thread.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I also found it in OSC's notes at the end of one of his books. I started at the Young Writer's Forum though, and it took me a few years to venture over to the "grown-up" side. Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
I have to aggree that OSC's notes at the end of his books really got me interested in him as a person. I guess it really is as he says about the power of stories.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
In one of my creative writing classes in my first year of college, a couple students mentioned this site (although not the forum specifically). So towards the end of the semester, I checked it out. I've been here ever since.
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
I wanted to follow up and see if anything had come out since Ender's Shadow, searched Orson Scott Card and this was the first site that came up. Found the forums and started playing...
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
I think I first read about Hatrack in one of OSC's afterwards in a Bean book. I lurked for a few months, forgot about it for another several, and then jumped in when I compiled that crazy-*** list of book recommendations.
I enjoy reading OSC's forwards and afterwards. Though I remember disagreeing with his thesis on Center powers (in that afterward which mentioned Kenzaburo Oe's work).
Posted by Al (Member # 1669) on :
I found Hatrack because I like OSC's work. I found it thoughtful and imagined that the same would be true of Jatraqueros. For the most part, I was right. I was originally attracted to the 'All We Atheists' thread, read a bit and couldn't contain myself; got the shakes; had to post.
What I would like to know -- has anyone ever changed an opinion because of a Hatrack thread? I have saved a few threads that I put a lot of thought into. I reread one I started -- way back in 2001 -- on legalizing drugs. I found it rather depressing: the intransigent positions of most. Perhaps it was just the subject matter. Is enjeeo still about?
I still remember with fondness the Mac vs PC thread. What passion!
Posted by Abhi (Member # 9142) on :
Yeah... I have a confession to make... I've never read a single sentence of fiction written by OSC.
I read some of his criticism of Pomo fiction, and it made me not want to read any of his writing... for fear my pomo Gods will punish me.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
I fell in love with Ender's Game in (I think it was) 8th grade. I found this site after googling Orson Scott Card, when onto the parachat first, talked to some people there, and then registered here (under a different screenname then this one). That was like 2003 I think. But before I started posting here I posted on Ornery. Then I got sick of Ornery and came here and we've been living happily together ever since. Posted by Al (Member # 1669) on :
My connection's fault that I posted twice. Not a case of GIGO, promise.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
A little birdie told me.
Posted by aiua (Member # 7825) on :
Was actually looking for somewhere to hang my coats and scarves and, well, hats too, I suppose.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: I signed up because of OSC's comments in one of the Alvin Maker forwards. I checked it out right away, but I had never participated in a forum before...hell, I didn't even have a computer of my own....so I didn't sign up right away. Or at least I didn't post right away.
I kept logging on at my parents house using their computer, and I was impressed with the sense of community here.
Ditto, except for the part about logging on at my parents house.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
There was an ad for the Hatrack River website in the back of one of his books. It may well have been EG, but it's been long enough that I can't remember. I found the forum, saw what it was about, registered and haven't left yet.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
How do you pronounce of "Hatrack"?
Ha_track
or
Hat-rack
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
I've always pronounced it hat-rack.
Posted by aiua (Member # 7825) on :
I try not to, for when I try, it's a mix of the two and comes out hash-rack.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
I really don't remember how I found the site. I used to read OSC's sites on Prodigal and then AOL, so I probably googled it. But Google probably didn't exist then so I "yahoo-ed" it I suppose.
What's really embarrassing is that I regularly checked Hatrack.com for several years (and even got email notices when it was updated) before I discovered the forums.
Posted by Baron Samedi (Member # 9175) on :
I turned left at Greenland.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit:
How do you pronounce of "Hatrack"?
Ha_track
Yeah, like that.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
* Liked Ender's game * Read more of OSC's work and found some of the right-wing/religious content a bit off-putting. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable/interesting enough to continue * Eventually decided to investigate more about the author and his beliefs * Found Hatrack, found it a good counter-point to my normal science fiction forum which is more technical and left-wing/non-religious in nature
Posted by Abhi (Member # 9142) on :
quote:Originally posted by maui babe: I really don't remember how I found the site. I used to read OSC's sites on Prodigal and then AOL, so I probably googled it. But Google probably didn't exist then so I "yahoo-ed" it I suppose.
Actually, Yahoo's search engine was driven by Google in those days... yahoo didn't have their own search program :)
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
Hmm, I remember knowing that OSC had a place on aol, but I never participated in it. I think I went there once. I found the BML forums in the fall of 1998 and devoured the whole archive. I'm pretty sure I posted a bit, but I don't remember on what topics. And then the "new forum" started up and the rest is history.
Al,
quote:What I would like to know -- has anyone ever changed an opinion because of a Hatrack thread?
Not immediately, but over time I've begun to see some things differently, in part because of hatrack threads. Sometimes my opinion remains the same, but a thread causes me to look deeper into why I believe what I do. Sometimes my outlook changes because of other influences or experiences and I think back to a relevant thread. Hatrack has certainly helped me become a more thoughtful and well-rounded person.
When I think about it, I never even participated in most of those threads that have influenced me. So here's my (inadequate) thanks to those who have put so much thought and effort into composing their brilliant arguments and revealing so much of themselves: thanks, all!
Rabbit,
quote:How do you pronounce of "Hatrack"?
Hat-rack. It's a thing you put hats on. You know, a rack? for hats? K, thx.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:How do you pronounce of "Hatrack"?
Ha-Track.
Why? Because it's easier to say than Hat-Rack.
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Plus it sounds mysterious...
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
How is "Ha-track" easier to say than "Hat-rack?" I'd think it'd be much harder to consciously mispronounce something.
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
Ha-track makes me think of laugh track.
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Maybe it's easier because it's easier on the tongue to blend the 'tr' than do 't' then 'r'?
I'm sticking with the 'non-word mystery' of it all...
: )
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
I usually say Hat_rack, but sometimes I pronounce it as spelled in the thread title -- Hat Track.
--j_k
Posted by Perplexity'sDaughter (Member # 9668) on :
I'd just finished rereading Ender's Game; I read it the first time in about 6th or 7th grade, then happened upon it again one way or another at school. Once I'd finished I though to myself, "There's got to be more books by this guy!", so I Googled him up and found this place.
Still, I don't post alot, only when I can find time.Ü
quote:Originally posted by Abhi: Yeah... I have a confession to make... I've never read a single sentence of fiction written by OSC.
I read some of his criticism of Pomo fiction, and it made me not want to read any of his writing... for fear my pomo Gods will punish me.
I think it's pretty amazing, actually. How many other authors web sites have members who've never even read their books?
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
Ha-Track for me.
I found it a few years ago. Must be seven by now, it was in 2000. I was working on a book report where I needed some information on the author, so I searched a bit and came up with Hatrack. I thought it was really nifty and browsed a bit. A few months later I signed up here.
I kept continuing in the Young Writers section, but after its discontinuation resurrected this account and have been mostly lurking ever since.
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
For me "ha" is a very odd and even difficult syllable to pronounce. At least it is when the "a" is like the one in "hat" or "apple". When it's like the "a" in "ah" or "omelette" (wait, that has an "a"?) it's very natural.
And, come to think of it, the "tr" in "track" is really pronounced more like "chr", at least in most American accents. Weird. I think it has to do with the asinine "r" sound we use.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
The "t" in Hatrack is more of a glottal stop than an actual t sound for me.
I found Hatrack by looking for it--I figured OSC had to have a website. I got hooked on "Uncle Orson" long before I ever ventured over to the forums.
Posted by Tinros (Member # 8328) on :
I was given Ender's Game and The Golden Compass for my birthday when I turned 14. I read The Golden Compass first, but the description for Ender's Game kinda put me off- aliens were never really my thing. But she insisted it was a good book, so I read it and got hooked. I finally got around tor eading the intro and the notes at the end, and he mentioned people on the forums at his website helping him out. So, I decided to check it out. And after lurking for a few months, I joined.
Uprooted, I pronounce it that way too.
Posted by Azile (Member # 2312) on :
I heard about an Ender's Game movie and ended up here. I still stand by my original assertion that Haley Joel Osmond should get the part.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: How do you pronounce of "Hatrack"?
Ha_track
or
Hat-rack
I personally like Ha_track. But when I say it I guess it sounds like Hat-track.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Having owned several hatracks in my life, I say hatrack. I've never heard the word "hatrack"-- as in a rack you hang your hats on-- pronounced any other way, although I've heard all three pronunciations for Hatrack.
Posted by Richard Berg (Member # 133) on :
I first looked up the site due to a reference in one of the books; don't recall which. Uncle Orson's columns in the mid-90s were infrequent, but the standard for "active website" was a lot lower then too. Suffice to say they were interesting enough to draw my teenage mind back now & again, occasionally even into the forum. I don't remember exactly what made me finally register and post -- I'd never participated in a web forum before. I probably had a crush on Morgan Majors. That was summer of '97.
"HA-track." My memory says this pronunciation comes straight from OSC (either an Alvin book or the original short story, don't recall). There's a good chance this is a false memory, however, and my source is actually from something a HS friend told me, claiming to have sourced it in turn from OSC.
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
I'm here because of erosomniac. He bugged me to join, so we swapped forums. He's now a regular on the forum I frequent, and I am here.
Posted by Nato (Member # 1448) on :
I had just gotten a broadband connection, and I needed something to use it on, so I signed up for this forum. Like many, I started on the other side, but I moved over here when I realized I could handle a much faster forum. It's slowed down over here a lot since then, but I'll still check in. Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
It's hatrack. Like a rack with hats on it. If it's weird to pronounce, just pronounce the two words by themselves. Hat. Rack. Hatrack. I can't imagine calling an American frontier town (even a fictional one!) "Hah-track". Slightly bizarre.
Anyway, I found Hatrack when I was 19, after reading Ender's Game for a guy I was dating. Guy or no guy, I fell in love with the book and read everything else in the next 3 or 4 years. I lurked on the forum and posted a bit until I went to Brazil for 19 months...and then when I got back, it was all Hatrack, all the time. I hosted get togethers, met OSC, met many Jatraqueros in person and have moderately kept up with the board. Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
It's not 'Hah-track'; the 'ha' in 'Ha_track' is the same 'ha' sound in 'hat', it's just that instead of inserting a very short pause after 'hat-', the pause is put in before the t.
Posted by Lavalamp (Member # 4337) on :
I was always here. Hatrack just kind of oozed around me.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
quote:Originally posted by Al: What I would like to know -- has anyone ever changed an opinion because of a Hatrack thread? I have saved a few threads that I put a lot of thought into. I reread one I started -- way back in 2001 -- on legalizing drugs. I found it rather depressing: the intransigent positions of most. Perhaps it was just the subject matter.
People do change opinions over time, and what they read on hatrack influences them. For instance, I converted to LDS in 2001, and that would never have happened had I not met a handful of Latter Day Saints that I encountered on hatrack, that prompted me to start investigating the church. So that's a pretty big change.
For many people, I think the change happen over time, and somewhat imperceptibly. However, a year later you will sometimes notice that someone you were discussing a subject with is now arguing your side, using the same arguments you used, and acting like they thought that way all along. Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Ah, the magic of Google.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
What fascinates me is how these sorts of threads bring posters that mostly lurk out of the woodwork . . . *grin*
When I tried to register, the entire forum was shut down for months. (Not because of me, forbye . . .) So, I registered with the Writer's Forums first and participated in a couple of writing-critique groups, and then Hatrack re-opened (pronounced Hat-Rack *wink*) and through this home away from home, I've learned about other perspectives, holding my tongue, sharing my thoughts with a bit more tact, and met some wonderful folks along the way.
I also have a complimentary, groovy, personalized, signed copy of Shadow of the Giant Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :
I only joined the forums last March. I don't remember when I started checking on the home page for updates on when OSC's next books would come out. I read Ender's Game somewhere around 1998 or '99, and then proceeded to read everything OSC ever wrote.
I got interested in the forums because of the Alvin Maker books. I remember reading that they existed and that the people on them played a role in developing some of the characters.
I still consider myself a lurker. Mainly because I still don't feel particularly articulate when writing in this format. But I love reading what people think. This is a great place for opposing viewpoints and discussions that generally don't turn into namecalling or rudeness.
Posted by katdog42 (Member # 4773) on :
I started reading the forums about eight years ago, but didn't sign up for quite awhile. Mostly I was just browsing for information on Ender's Game, which happens to be my all time favorite book. Before that I disdained discussion boards, but I found a discussion about the book and started reading it. I liked some of the opinions and soon moved over to the other side to see what kinds of topics were being discussed. I loved the fact that many people can have mature conversations about relevent issues without all the stupidity that I've seen in some other places. So I stayed. And I love it!
Posted by Abhi (Member # 9142) on :
jhai, how did you find hatrack?
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
I think it's rather curious that sometimes I recognize a username and then am surprised at how low their post count is. It's as though the portion of hatrack posts that I read (which is rather small) is somehow skewed towards lurkers' posts. So much so that I start thinking that lurkers aren't lurkers. Weird.
(This is in response to Luet's post, since it definitely applies in her case.)
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Perhaps I'd command more of your attention if I got lurkier?
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: Perhaps I'd command more of your attention if I got lurkier?
MORE?! Inconceivable.
Also, I googled my way to Hatrack.
Posted by krynn (Member # 524) on :
i honestly cant remember how i found hatrack. someone might have told me about it, possibly my dad. hmm, i cant even remember when i signed up for hatrack. anyway to find out?
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
krynn, the exact date is in your profile: November 21, 1999. Nov 99 is also showed under each of your posts.
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
I took a class from OSC and our first assignment was to read an article on Hatrack.
I didn't have much else to do that week, so I visited the forums, and got sucked in.
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
Awww, Tante, you've already got my attention. Posted by jeeshkid (Member # 9885) on :
first, I found hatrack by typing www.endersgame.com, but I didn't realize there was a forum. Then, I realized there was supposed to be an Ender's Game movie so I googled that and it took me to the other side. It took me the longest time to realize yoou could get to the forum page from the main page so I didn't know about this side for a long time. Then, I lurked for a few years and finaly got my own user name!
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mike: Awww, Tante, you've already got my attention.
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
So it's only some prolific posters who you think post too much?
*sniffle*
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
I found Hatrack in the midst of looking for information about OSC. I was really impressed by his writing and I wanted to see if there were any more books to read. I looked at the forums and started posting as "Wetchik" on the "Other Side". I found that it wasn't fast paced enough there, posts were too far and few between.
That's when I discovered you guys, though I haven't been visiting much lately, I should change that. I've been too occupied with grief lately...
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
(((((Nick)))))
Posted by CalvinMaker (Member # 2032) on :
I also heard about it in one of OSC's note at the end of his books, but for a few months I just checked the front page for news updates and occasionally hopped into the parachat, until I found AKA in there one day and she convinced me to join the forums, along with a nice, long, welcoming email telling me all about the forums, etc. I still remember somewhere in that email she said something about fritos making great mini-torches.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Hello, stranger. Fancy seeing you about these parts. Posted by DevilDreamt (Member # 10242) on :
I started coming here because I was interested in OSC and I wanted to be a writer.
This is my third account. I tend to take extremely long breaks from here only to get sucked back in after the format and nature of the forum changes and my ancient account has been deleted.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
I found this forum from watching an interview with OSC on the Fast Forward website.
I didn't partcularly like the cut of his jib, but I thought I'd check out the web site. I enjoyed his reviews and started to read the forums for a couple of months before actually logging in.
I have since read Ender's Game and another one (the sequel who's name escapes me for the mo'). I wouldn't call myself an Orson Scott Card fan (especially as his work is pretty hard to find on this side of the Atlantic) but I enjoy reading the forums and interjecting my 2p's worth.
I also keep forgetting that this site is really an authors "fan" site. The Hatrack* forum is really an entity in it's own right.
I think the thing that really hooked me was the concept of the Hatrack Secret Santa. Ho Ho HO!
* surely pronounced Ha'Trahk? or was that Bouquet?
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
That's hysterical. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
I can't imagine calling an American frontier town (even a fictional one!) "Hah-track". Slightly bizarre.![[Kiss]](graemlins/kiss.gif)
![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I've been too occupied with grief lately...