This thread is about reminiscing the old days of OzFormers, maybe comparing with how things have changed with Transformers and the fandom etc.

"OzFormers and Transfandom: Then (1996) and Now (2011)."

Then: OzFormers was called AusTrans
Now: It's called OzFormers Transformers Collectors Alliance!

Then: There was no forum for AusTrans. Most of us communicated via ATT and/or email. We received information and shared works (e.g. toy reviews, fan art etc.) via a printed newsletter which griffin posted to us.
Now: We have the forum where we communicate with posts and threads, as well as private messaging. Fan works are now posted on the board or linked externally from sites like YouTube.

Then: The number of people who attended meets were quite small. I was living in Japan when I joined AusTrans so I didn't attend my first meet until I returned to Australia in 1998 -- total number of attendees: 3.
Now: We have dozens of people attending a lot of meets!

Then: I had 100-something Transformers and Ben Yee's estimated his collection at 200-something. I think those of us with 3-digit collection counts were considered "heavy hitters."
Now: It's not uncommon for people to have collections numbering in the thousands.

Then: Because I was living in Japan at the time, a lot of people were asking me to run around and buy toys for them -- and not necessarily hard to find stuff -- all regular retail figures (although Convobat Vs Megalligator and Shadow Panther were hard to find). And I didn't have a car, so often I'd be carefully riding my bicycle with its front basket overflowing with Transformers that I'd bought for other collectors. After returning to Australia I continued to interact with the Japanese fandom and often elicited their help to acquire Japanese toys.
Now: We have online Japanese stores like HLJ and amiami.

Then: "TRUK NOT MUNKY!"
Now: "Michael Bay killed my childhood!"

Then: We continued to collect Transformers episodes on VHS
Now: DVD and Blu Ray baby.

Then: Transformer comics no longer existed and were sorely missed.
Now: We have Transformers comics being produced by IDW (though we miss the quality of Marvel G1 - remember the days when you'd purchase a single issue and lots of stuff happened?! )

Then: Hasbro gave us really weird names like Cheetor, Tarantulas and Insecticon? Gimme a break...
Now: Hasbro is giving us illiterate names like Brakedown and Grappel. Grappel?!? (O_o)

...that'll do for now. What are your earliest memories of OzFormers (and Transfandom at that time) compared to now?