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An Introduction
Updated December 16, 2006
So, you’ve stumbled into the sub-forum called “‘The Countdown’ Club” and you’re wondering “What the phlox is this?” Allow me to answer a few questions here, but before that, I’ll give you a brief history of the Countdown.
The Countdown originated from the time when TrekUnited was raising funds to finance a fifth season of Star Trek: Enterprise. The first Countdown, the ‘Countdown to $50,000’, was started by Mr. Sevens. It originally started off with people simply acknowledging new donations, but it quickly grew to center around partying for each subsequent donation and worship of the counter, with hopes to elicit another donation.
Rather quickly, the $50,000 mark was topped and the ‘Countdown to $75,000’ began. Soon after that, three anonymous donors from the spaceflight industry stepped forward and pledged $3 million dollars to the TrekUnited campaign. We moved on to the ‘Countdown to $3,075,000 and experienced a huge surge in donations. The ‘Countdown to $3.1 Million’ followed with four installments. Upon the attainment of that goal, the ‘Countdown to $3.15 Million’ began. The random parties and Counter worshipping continued for a few weeks, with each thread being closed after reaching 1000 replies. At one point, a thread reached capacity and was closed in eight hours time. Anyway, for insanity’s sake, each thread was given a unique title involving the word ‘Counter’, like ‘VI: The Undiscovered Counter’, or ‘VII: First Counter’. After reaching the eleventh edition of ‘Countdown to $3.15 Million’, the modified names of Star Trek: Enterprise episodes were used, such as ‘Part 11 – Broken Counter’ (Broken Bow) and ‘Part 23 – Dear Counter’ (Dear Doctor).
Once the 26th edition (Counter One) was reached, the Counter had frozen at $3,144,173.00 and was not responding to the desperate pleas of the now proudly labeled ‘Counterists’. It was announced soon after that the TrekUnited fundraising campaign had reached its end with an unequivocal ‘NO’ from Paramount regarding fan donations. Tim Brazeal (the TU campaign leader) stopped raising funds and began returning the donations to those who had contributed. It seemed as if the Countdown was no longer needed.
The Counterists, valuing the relationships formed and the unpredictable fun that was the countdown, moved to the Miscellaneous section of the forum and started a new set of threads titled ‘The Countdown’. After some forum reorganization, The Countdown actually ended up with it’s own sub-forum. And from here, I will answer some questions.
Q: What the phlox is The Countdown about?
A: Nothing. We’re here to enjoy ourselves. Think of it as a free-form discussion, or even as a room of sorts. Come as you are, join the conversation, have fun.
Q: I’m looking at the list of Countdowns in this sub-forum, and it not all of them are there.
A: Some of the early Countdowns were left in place because of sentimental reasons, others are going to be left buried in the dark corners of this forum because of content issues.
Q: Isn’t this all a bunch of spam?
A: Technically, yes. Do we care? No. However, in order to conform with forum rules and regulations and similar stuff, I kindly ask that you keep all posts to at least four words (not counting pictures and smilies and stuff).
Q: Why does The Countdown have it’s own sub-forum?
A: Don’t ask me.
Maybe it’s because of the sheer number of posts and threads, maybe its to keep us contained and in our own little pool. Or maybe they just don’t like us… 
Q: Were all the regular posters dropped on their heads at birth or did it happen later?
A: We’re not really sure what happened to all of these folks, but there’s something ‘different’ about them.
Q: Why does the Daily Top 10 always read like Countdown Roll Call?
A: Due to the conversational and humorous nature of The Countdown, fighting addiction is not an easy task. People get drawn in and are unable to escape. That, or we have no lives.
Q: These threads read really random. How random is it?
A: It’s not as random as you may think. Sure, there are random outbursts and sudden topic changes, but for the most part it’s one continuing train of conversation.
Q: What the phlox?
A: Believe me when I say: ‘You don’t want to know.’
Q: Is mild verbal abuse of the moderators allowed?
A: Yes. In fact, unless the discussion has taken a serious tone, most everything in The Countdown consists of mild verbal abuse. Don’t take any insults seriously.
Q: I thought you said there were only 1000 posts per thread. I’m seeing 2000.
A: Oh, right. After a while, it was decided that because the Countdown threads were moving so quickly that 1000 replies just wasn’t enough. Thus, the limit was raised to 2000. Nothing special, just more insanity for each thread. Except, now it's 1000 posts per thread for database reasons. Oh well.
Additionally, the current Countdown thread, whatever number that is, is to be the only thread open at one time, to avoid confusion and extraneous crazy posting and whatnot...Q: Is there a level that we should keep content below?
A: Yes, PG-13. Just use your best judgment and people will let you know if you’ve crossed a line somewhere.
Q: Are pictures of dental work allowed?
A: *twitch* Yes, as long as it’s not too gory. *twitch*
Q: Is this really some sort of exclusive high-brow club? Do I need a membership, or at least a green card?
A: High-brow? *falls out of chair laughing* Anyway, no. The Countdown is open to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, creed, political preference, intelligence, blah blah blah, insert politically correct stuff here. In short, it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, how many posts you have... whatever. Come from startrek.com for all we care, as long as you're here to have fun with these crazy folk.
Abandon all hope, Ye who enter here!
Posted 18 May 2005 - 05:27 PM
