The History as it Happened
The "Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Co-operative" was founded back in 1996 or so by one Mark Bonica. Slowly, writers added their names to his "list o' names", and stories were posted, and critiques were sent.
Mark Grant soon used his botware to create us a mailing list. The mailing list changed names and number several times while a balance of seriousness and off-topicness was sought.
A themed challenge was begun to provide inspiration (and deadlines) for whomsoever wished to participate. This attracted more and more people, and has become a regular staple of co-op life.
The Rising Star Awards were inaugurated, in part to bring a years' work into better perspective.
In 1998 or so, Kaolin Fire Stockinger took the reins of leadership and web design; Mark Bonica wanted to devote more time to his writing and studies. [Smart choice, Mark! One day I will follow suit! -- Kaolin] The site moved from aol (shudder) to transbay (a little less of a shudder), where Kaolin had been on good terms with people, and had fairly free reign. The look was redesigned, and major sections of the site were automated. Kaolin likes to automate things. Programmers are always willing to expend limitless amounts of time and energy to make their lives easier. :)
In late 1999, there was much strife. People felt that the co-op was stagnating. We were in another one of the "argue about anything" cycles, after a recent "not a peep, not even a crit" phase. It was decided that action was needed. A new name, a new look, and a new server were picked. A ChatRoom was added for realtime discussion and workshops. Features were added to make critiquing stories easier, and thus more likely to be done. Minor security measures were taken to help protect authors copyrights (a password was added to the archives).
In mid 2000, membership pages were done in jsp and then php to allow members to handle their subscribing and unsubscribing through the web. In early 2001 (Kaolin has been moving slowly at this point), member usernames and passwords were put into effect for the archive (instead of the generic username/password that had been userd).
Plans are unfolding...