The first book I really remember waiting for was Winters Heart, which came out in 2000, so I went looking for theories and friends around that time. I guess I started lurking on wotmania back then, joined and became an active member across a few forums - TV & Movies with Lost, Books whenever I needed suggestions for other series to read, and of course, the Wheel of Time forum. I even dabbled in the Role Playing forum a few times, but never stuck around for long.
Back in 2000 I was finishing my undergraduate degree in Music and Communications outside Boston. I got married in 2001 and moved out to Kansas City to study Theology. Three kids later, I now live in Eastern Europe and still remember my wotmania days with fondness.