I missed y’all!

Link · Post by **Link** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 11:03 am

I’m so happy to see the return of macstack. To be frank, I mourned the loss of this forum and all the wonderful friends.

So much has happened. I’ve grown up so much. I think I’m no longer the brat I used to be.

What have you been up to all these years? Do we know who is still with us?

ukimalefu · Post by **ukimalefu** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 11:15 am

Link · Post by **Link** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 11:41 am

Hi Uki! Glad to see you’re alright. How’s life? Are you still in Venezuela?

LCGuy · Post by **LCGuy** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 11:58 am

Welcome back!

ukimalefu · Post by **ukimalefu** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 12:29 pm

Link wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 11:41 am
Hi Uki! Glad to see you’re alright. How’s life? Are you still in Venezuela?

Still here, life's... Venezuela

Post by **obvs** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 2:29 pm

Our two countries are

interesting

right now.

ame · Post by **ame** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 2:58 pm

I'm back, my sincerest apologies. I hope to see everyone back, it's been so long I don't even remember anyone I might have had issues with.

I don't really even remember what my last update was on here. Still at the same job. Still at home with my parents. Divorced from the Viking for 5 years already (FIVE YEARS?!), haven't gone near anyone outside of the three godawful dates right after my divorce, did waste time "talking" to someone who turned out to have a fiance the whole time. Four nephews I spoil and spend my time watching play sportsball of various types, have amassed an alarming lego collection I can't even fucking display, and have an ungodly amount of unopened sets because I have nowhere to put them afterwards, maintaining my massive weightloss and working my ass off in the gym, have shoulder repair surgery on Monday that is way way overdue. Generally pretty fucking boring. So basically nothing has changed!

Post by **obvs** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:01 pm

Ame! Awesome! Really glad to see you!

Jdude · Post by **Jdude** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:37 pm

I've missed you all! Its good to be back.

ukimalefu · Post by **ukimalefu** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:39 pm

ConnertheCat · Post by **ConnertheCat** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:41 pm

I never delete anything it seems.

LCGuy · Post by **LCGuy** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:47 pm

ame wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 2:58 pm
have amassed an alarming lego collection I can't even fucking display, and have an ungodly amount of unopened sets because I have nowhere to put them afterwards

Firstly, welcome back! Secondly…thats the only thing stopping me from buying Lego, space it needs that I don’t have plus of course, money

ConnertheCat · Post by **ConnertheCat** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:57 pm

Yeah, I have the new Enterprise set sitting on a table (in box) because my LEGO storage has filled up. And my house has no place for more sets. I've moved on to some other things, did my first Gunpla earlier this month and I'm building something real special that probably warrants it's own thread here:

Malkin · Post by **Malkin** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 4:06 pm

Happy to see so many familiar names!

I’m currently on vacation. Hope to catch up more next week.

reefdog · Post by **reefdog** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 4:23 pm

What a wild and fun blast from the past.

ame · Post by **ame** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 4:48 pm

obvs wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:01 pm
Ame! Awesome! Really glad to see you!

Likewise!

ConnertheCat wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:41 pm

I never delete anything it seems.

I bet if I check my bookmarks on Safari at home it is still there. When I clicked to come here from the email, all my login credentials loaded!

LCGuy wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:47 pm
ame wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 2:58 pm
have amassed an alarming lego collection I can't even fucking display, and have an ungodly amount of unopened sets because I have nowhere to put them afterwards

Firstly, welcome back! Secondly…thats the only thing stopping me from buying Lego, space it needs that I don’t have plus of course, money

I didn't say I had any money lol

My dad is reallllly over the collection. REALLY OVER IT.

ConnertheCat wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 3:57 pm
Yeah, I have the new Enterprise set sitting on a table (in box) because my LEGO storage has filled up. And my house has no place for more sets. I've moved on to some other things, did my first Gunpla earlier this month and I'm building something real special that probably warrants it's own thread here:

Ooohhhh!

Pithecanthropus · Post by **Pithecanthropus** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 4:56 pm

Boy howdy! So many names from the past. I'm looking forward to reading what you've all been up to!

adndgamer · Post by **adndgamer** » Tue Feb 17, 2026 9:31 pm

w00t w00t!

Link · Post by **Link** » Wed Feb 18, 2026 1:01 am

ame wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 2:58 pm
I'm back, my sincerest apologies. I hope to see everyone back, it's been so long I don't even remember anyone I might have had issues with.

I don't really even remember what my last update was on here. Still at the same job. Still at home with my parents. Divorced from the Viking for 5 years already (FIVE YEARS?!), haven't gone near anyone outside of the three godawful dates right after my divorce, did waste time "talking" to someone who turned out to have a fiance the whole time. Four nephews I spoil and spend my time watching play sportsball of various types, have amassed an alarming lego collection I can't even fucking display, and have an ungodly amount of unopened sets because I have nowhere to put them afterwards, maintaining my massive weightloss and working my ass off in the gym, have shoulder repair surgery on Monday that is way way overdue. Generally pretty fucking boring. So basically nothing has changed!

Good luck with the shoulder surgery! I was always curious about why you called him the Viking. I'm imagining a big burly norse man, like Thor but slightly less civilized than in the movies.

ame · Post by **ame** » Thu Feb 19, 2026 8:01 pm

He was! 6'4", every bit of 375lbs, bald, massive red goatee (like a foot long). It's mostly gone white though from what I saw in a few photos from my nephew's graduation last year. His mom and aunt and I are still close. I still chat in passing to the niece and nephew, but no contact with him or his sister.

And thank you! FRANTICALLY trying to get prepared.

Alden · Post by **Alden** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 12:31 am

taps keyboard

Good to see y'all. HOW ARE WE ALL SO OLD NOW?!

Things good here, live in pittsburgh, been here for over 10 years. Nothing particularly interesting to report

Post by **obvs** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 1:05 am

It's weird to think about posting on MAF being 16 and now I'm in my 40s.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to hobble on down to get some prunes from my fridge...

Jehannum · Post by **Jehannum** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 1:49 am

The horrors persist, but I remain silly.

SUPERTRAMP · Post by **SUPERTRAMP** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 5:19 am

Whats up pals? Its good to be back.

LCGuy · Post by **LCGuy** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:03 am

obvs wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 1:05 am
It's weird to think about posting on MAF being 16 and now I'm in my 40s.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to hobble on down to get some prunes from my fridge...

I was 14, still practically a kid, now I’m 41. Where did all the years go?

Vulture · Post by **Vulture** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 10:03 am

Can I just say I completely gave up on this site existing, and couldn't more surprised and excited that it was back and in the correct format for maximum enjoyment?

ConnertheCat · Post by **ConnertheCat** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 12:59 pm

LCGuy wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:03 am
obvs wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 1:05 am
It's weird to think about posting on MAF being 16 and now I'm in my 40s.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to hobble on down to get some prunes from my fridge...

I was 14, still practically a kid, now I’m 41. Where did all the years go?

We can still go to "Teens with Macs" though, right?

ame · Post by **ame** » Fri Feb 20, 2026 3:14 pm

Alden wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 12:31 am
taps keyboard

Good to see y'all. HOW ARE WE ALL SO OLD NOW?!

Things good here, live in pittsburgh, been here for over 10 years. Nothing particularly interesting to report

I guarantee we've talked about this more than once, but where in Pgh? I was in Wexford/Cranberry/Zelie area. But it's been like 25 years!

Lombo · Post by **Lombo** » Sat Feb 21, 2026 2:37 am

I think I joined MAF in 97, I remember that I worked for the biggest ad agency at the time doing Web-Stuff. I was 23. Meaning that I'm now 51 going on 52. Holy fucking shit. Iam happy to see the resurgence of this forum as Reddit sucks more and more. I hate Threads, FB and Insta. I tolerate Mastodon but do not spend a lot of time there

Post by **obvs** » Sat Feb 21, 2026 3:25 am

It's absolutely amazing how reddit went from useful to just bloody awful.

Every major social media site seems to be about fighting.

Jehannum · Post by **Jehannum** » Sat Feb 21, 2026 9:47 am

obvs wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 3:25 am
It's absolutely amazing how reddit went from useful to just bloody awful.

Every major social media site seems to be about fighting.

I quit all of them, partially as a way to narrow my circle to people who I really care about, partially as a way of limiting my public attack surfaces, and partially to focus my energy on changing what I can reasonably hope to change.

Social media became a real shitshow as GWB exited and Obama came into office, and it's only gotten worse. Errybody just showing their ass out there.

Link · Post by **Link** » Sun Feb 22, 2026 12:55 am

Lombo wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 2:37 am
I think I joined MAF in 97, I remember that I worked for the biggest ad agency at the time doing Web-Stuff. I was 23. Meaning that I'm now 51 going on 52. Holy fucking shit. Iam happy to see the resurgence of this forum as Reddit sucks more and more. I hate Threads, FB and Insta. I tolerate Mastodon but do not spend a lot of time there

Glad to know I'm not the only one who hates all of those. Believe it or not, I was forced to reopen my IG because a professor insisted that I post my clinical cases. I never do, or if I do, it's just a story. I hate having to go through the trouble of posting pictures of myself or what I have done. I like my privacy.

Jdude · Post by **Jdude** » Sun Feb 22, 2026 11:36 pm

Jehannum wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 9:47 am
obvs wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 3:25 am
It's absolutely amazing how reddit went from useful to just bloody awful.

Every major social media site seems to be about fighting.

I quit all of them, partially as a way to narrow my circle to people who I really care about, partially as a way of limiting my public attack surfaces, and partially to focus my energy on changing what I can reasonably hope to change.

Social media became a real shitshow as GWB exited and Obama came into office, and it's only gotten worse. Errybody just showing their ass out there.

I blame facebook and their willingness to act on the discovery that users interacted with the site more when the users were angry.

Geesie · Post by **Geesie** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 1:03 am

obvs wrote: Fri Feb 20, 2026 1:05 am
It's weird to think about posting on MAF being 16 and now I'm in my 40s.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to hobble on down to get some prunes from my fridge...

Prunes are delicious.

Malkin · Post by **Malkin** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 5:23 pm

Link wrote: Sun Feb 22, 2026 12:55 am
Lombo wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 2:37 am
I think I joined MAF in 97, I remember that I worked for the biggest ad agency at the time doing Web-Stuff. I was 23. Meaning that I'm now 51 going on 52. Holy fucking shit. Iam happy to see the resurgence of this forum as Reddit sucks more and more. I hate Threads, FB and Insta. I tolerate Mastodon but do not spend a lot of time there

Glad to know I'm not the only one who hates all of those. Believe it or not, I was forced to reopen my IG because a professor insisted that I post my clinical cases. I never do, or if I do, it's just a story. I hate having to go through the trouble of posting pictures of myself or what I have done. I like my privacy.

This is known as creepy tree house and has been discouraged for years. That's a completely unacceptable request by your professor imo.

Link · Post by **Link** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 8:10 pm

Malkin wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 5:23 pm
Link wrote: Sun Feb 22, 2026 12:55 am
Lombo wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 2:37 am
I think I joined MAF in 97, I remember that I worked for the biggest ad agency at the time doing Web-Stuff. I was 23. Meaning that I'm now 51 going on 52. Holy fucking shit. Iam happy to see the resurgence of this forum as Reddit sucks more and more. I hate Threads, FB and Insta. I tolerate Mastodon but do not spend a lot of time there

Glad to know I'm not the only one who hates all of those. Believe it or not, I was forced to reopen my IG because a professor insisted that I post my clinical cases. I never do, or if I do, it's just a story. I hate having to go through the trouble of posting pictures of myself or what I have done. I like my privacy.

This is known as creepy tree house and has been discouraged for years. That's a completely unacceptable request by your professor imo.

I had never heard of that.

What he’s asking us to do is to post before-and-after photos of our clinical cases, especially surgical ones (always with documented patient consent and without any identifying information). The context matters a bit: this residency program is brand new. My class is the first one through. When we started, we were seriously lacking in materials and institutional support needed improvement (it has improved significantly).

Since then, he’s managed to negotiate and secure a lot of grants and donations from suppliers whose products we use regularly: implants, bone grafting materials, soft tissue grafts, sutures, etc. Those companies obviously expect some degree of visibility in return. So from his perspective, this isn’t about forcing us into influencer culture. It’s more of a goodwill gesture toward the companies that helped get the program off the ground.

There’s also a secondary benefit: it gives the local dental community exposure to the type and quality of work each graduating resident is capable of. In theory, that could help with referrals and professional positioning after graduation.

Importantly, our grades and evaluations are not tied in any way to social media activity. There’s no academic penalty for opting out. Also, after we the residents gave the suggestion, an instagram account for the residency program was created for this purpose, to which he considered a better idea than what was originally proposed. We are not posting these cases in our personal accounts like I led you to believe unless voluntarily choose to do so.

I still hate to go through the process of selecting the images, creating a caption, and creating the post. I feel I don't have the creativity and motivation to go through with that. And, I always feel like I could've taken better pictures than I did.

Malkin · Post by **Malkin** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 8:25 pm

Ah, gotcha. That is a much more understandable and better situation. Way to hustle, prof!