The first posts on TUG forums, back in 1996

Dave M · Jan 14, 2008

In another thread, Fern mentions her first post on TUG, way back in 1996. Some nostalgia and links....

Fern Modena said:
I just found (presumably) my first post on TUG, back in 11/96...it was an "intro" note.

Does this look familiar? November 14, 1996, in Fern's Cafe (on TUG):

The cafe is open for business...I have some coffee at hand, and some nice easy chairs...sit down for a bit, and tell us about yourself. Where are you from (you can be general here)? Do you own a timeshare? What is your favorite sort of a vacation? Are you amenity oriented or location oriented? I'll start this off....

All of those first forums are here

Joe L · Jan 14, 2008

OMG i remember Prodigy. OK i'm older. I use to post there regarding wine. Robert Parker, a wine critic, posted there and i got alot of advice from him. It's amazing how far we have come in such a short time.

Also, Fern was the first one to private E-Mail me after 911. I spent alot of time there and her words were so comforting. She may not remember, but i always will.

Fern Modena · Jan 14, 2008

Joe,
Of course I remember. I'm touched that you do after all this time. It makes me feel good to know that what I wrote meant something to you.

Prodigy was the beginning of "talking timeshare" for me. I began there in about 1990...

Fern

Bill4728 · Jan 14, 2008

Before I found TUG, I found the TS Guru Fern Modena. I loved your site and was sorry when it is gone.

The lifetime awards are richly deserved and in Fern's case doublely so.

Hoc · Jan 14, 2008

I, too, was disappointed when Fern took timeshareguru down. Probably for the best though. I used to use it mostly for all of the reseller links, and I have way too many timeshares as it is.

I remember Parker's contributions to the wine board on Prodigy. Loved it, and used it all the time. I didn't find TUG until 1999, though, when I bought my first timeshare resale and posted to ask whether the price I was considering was a good price. Fern helped me then, too.

JoAnn · Jan 14, 2008

How well I remember Fern's Café!!! I must have "found" Tug in mid-
97, or a little earlier when I had questions about Massunutten, which we were going to visit that September. We had some great conversations with Fern and others.

About a year later (correct me if my time is wrong, Fern) DH & I had an exchange into NOLA and we met Fern, Gerry, Bruce & Patricia (from UK) and another couple. What a fun time that was. Brings back a whole lot of memories. Thanks for reminding us, Dave. :clap:

dawg · Jan 14, 2008

I bought my timeshare, in 1999, through a resale site that was listed at timeshare guru. Fern's site was a big help for me back then. I also miss that site.

Dale

Amy · Jan 14, 2008

Now I can't remember if I discovered TUG via timeshareguru or vice versa when I first started researching timeshares because of a Hilton Hawaii promo flyer -- all in late 1999. How quickly time flies.

Pat H · Jan 14, 2008

Fern's first post couldn't have been in Nov. 1996. I think the 11/96 post was for the start of Fern's Cafe. I joined mid 1996 because I saw TUG mentioned in RCI's Endless Vacation magazine. The site was about 2 years old when I joined (I think). Of course, I had just bought a ts from a developer a few months before finding TUG! :wall:

DebBrown · Jan 14, 2008

That post really does look familiar! I followed Fern to TUG from the prodigy timeshare group. It's hard to believe that its been so long.

Deb

Cathyb · Jan 14, 2008

Yes, and Fern did a wonderful thing about that same time adopting me as a sister during my bout with breast cancer. She is a jewel!

MuranoJo · Mar 8, 2012

Very interesting, the history of Fern's Cafe! I saw one name I recognize: John Cummings. I didn't join TUG until '02, but it seems even then Fern was hosting a late-night chat session.

"Roger" · Mar 9, 2012

Pat H said:
...Of course, I had just bought a ts from a developer a few months before finding TUG!

I think that is how it worked for all of us back then. You bought your first timeshare from a developer (step 1) and then, trying to make it work, find TUG or the timeshare guru (step 2) and then you found out about resales (step 3). Back then the internet was just getting up to full speed and you didn't investigate things like you do now.

The way I look at it is: Back then, buying one's first timeshare from a developer was just an entry fee to then learn more about timeshares (and, in the future, buy resale).

PStreet1 · Mar 9, 2012

I, too, remember Fern's Cafe. Then, when we were in Las Vegas, we met Fern and Jerry--saw their brand new home. Good memories.

The first posts on TUG forums, back in 1996

Dave M

Joe L

Fern Modena

Bill4728

Hoc

JoAnn

dawg

Amy

Pat H

DebBrown

Cathyb

Tug Review Crew: Rookie

MuranoJo

"Roger"

TUG Review Crew

PStreet1