Article on Chuck

[khosk]

Here is an article that came out in the November issue of Greenville Magazine about Chuck.

Article on Chuck (http://homepage.mac.com/khosk524/chuck.pdf)

[cockyhoskins]

Thanks khosk! Here is the text for those that don't want to download the PDF. The only thing you miss is a picture of my ugly mug:



NOVEMBER 2005 GREENVILLE MAGAZINE 75


AT THE HELM
by Lydia Dishman | photo by David Poleski

“Down here, you’re not born a boy or a girl, you’re born a Gamecock or Tiger.” B.J. Bennett

Meet Chuck Hoskins: self-proclaimed buttoned-up attorney during working hours, passionate Gamecocks fan the rest of the time. Most people could say they inhabit two personas fairly regularly, one at work, the other at play. The difference between those average Joes or Janes is that Chuck has taken a portion of his play into the workplace, and generated a pretty innovative tool.

About the time that he signed on to be the Chief Operating Officer at NAI Earle Furman LLC, which was recently ranked as number one of Top 40 real estate markets, he came upon an interesting notion that had been kicked around by marketing and public relations expert Jeff Dezen. That idea was to create a new way for people interested in commercial real estate to get to know each other, exchange information and get their hands on up-to-the-minute data. The tool for this communication would be an Internet forum. Not exactly a live chat, but a place to post and receive messages.

“When Chuck came on board he brought fresh energy and enthusiasm for this project. He took it and ran with it,” said Dezen, laughing. Took it and ran like he had the football and was clear all the way to the end zone. And so Cockytalk.com (http://www.cockytalk.com) was born. Hoskins smiles like he has a secret. “I started Cockytalk as a way to test the system and figure out how to be administrator of such a site.” For the uninitiated, Cockytalk is a Mecca on the web for the avid Gamecocks fan. At last count, over 1,000 people (mostly men) are members of the site that provides a venue to talk over statistics, see photos, answer trivia questions, trade or sell memorabilia, growl about the Clemson Tigers. In short, it is a virtual general store of all things Gamecocks.

Cockytalk.com grew quickly despite the fact that it was run in a fairly humble way. Hoskins confesses, “The server is an old computer I rigged up in my bedroom closet. It cost next to nothing.” But it provided him the empirical evidence that he could supervise such a site and that it could and should be taken to a corporate level.

A month after Cockytalk made its debut, the NAI Earle Furman sponsored site, www.FirstNameForum.com (http://www.FirstNameForum.com), went live. Though not as instantly popular as its sports-related cousin, Hoskins is confident that once it is widely announced and advertised, it will be an extraordinary networking tool.

“Take me, for instance,” he says with a broad grin. “It would have been inconceivable that I would have met Earle Furman had we not been introduced formally. But on a site where everyone is on a first name basis (hence the moniker) it is easy for people to get to know each other.” Hoskins cites the fact that he, at age 31, is not well connected to the people in the upper echelons of the commercial real estate business. He believes that the technology of FirstNameForum will level the playing .field, giving young Turks like him a way to air their ideas and opinions and network in ways they would not otherwise have access to.

The neat thing, he says, is that it is not just for employees of NAI Earle Furman. Everyone, no matter what company they are from, is encouraged to be on a .first-name basis. It is a friendly and open exchange, not unlike the folks hooked into Cockytalk. This, he believes, is what the new generation of workplace dynamic is moving towards.

Microsoft and GM have instituted company blogs, a concept not dissimilar to the forum. They and others are encouraging their employees to blog as a way of connecting with co-workers and customers. Blogs are also used to generate excitement about new products or services. Hoskins points out the FirstNameForum has a place for members to post their pictures and talk about things besides real estate. He admits he has to help it along sometimes by introducing new threads, but such is the function of an administrator.

Even Cockytalk has its quiet moments, he points out, and that’s when Hoskins will interject with a trivia question, or perhaps an irreverent comment. And what about the ladies? “My wife started a section just for female fans, but it did not last very long.”

Likewise, Hoskins reveals that there are not nearly as many women on the real estate forum as men. “This has been historically a man’s business, but that is changing too. The women are out there and they are posting.”

The most amazing feature of any forum, Hoskins explains, is the ability to be inclusive on a global scale. “I have members of Cockytalk who are living overseas. They don’t have access to televised games so I’m going to tape one and put it on a disk for them.” The opportunity to meet fans in odd places is another side benefit for Hoskins. He proudly relates being found by announcers at a local radio station who discovered the site and were pleased to .find him living in Greenville. “I now get to do commentary for them once a week.” The UPS man found him too. While delivering a package, he realized that the recipient and CockyHoskins were one and the same. Another connection made.

It is precisely encounters like these that generate hope for the success of FirstNameForum, even though commercial real estate does not evoke the frenzy that surrounds football.

Gamecocks followers are nothing if not ravenous for any and all tidbits about their beloved team. Hoskins admits it can border on the fanatical, and he’s not sure all the information is a good thing. “I know that now hundreds of people turn out for practices, taking notes and photos. If a player gets a talking to, everyone knows it now. I don’t think that is fair.”

But unlike the free exchange of minutiae on Cockytalk, Hoskins thinks that by virtue of being in a corporate domain, FirstNameFo-rum will not be prey to the perils of too much information. “There is an ethical code among realtors. We understand it and I don’t see anyone wanting to step over that line.”

For now, Chuck Hoskins is having a terrific time combining his work and his favorite pastime. Content to play host at the virtual “Cock”-tail party, meeting and greeting cyber friends from all over the world, he hopes to extend that role to the smaller web-venue of commercial real estate.

[GapoGamecock51]

That write up was about Chuck, but we all got props in that article! woohoo!! especially those of us over seas.


Nevertheless, I think I speak for every C-Talker, especially those of us who are regulars, that we greatly appreciate your time spent on the up-keep of C-Talk, Chuck. And that we would love to see this place grow even more so than than it already has. Keep up the good work Chuck, you'll be needed by Gamecock nation now that Coach Spurrier is here.

God Bless

[Gamecock History]

Wow, that is a great article Chuck. I did not know all of that. I just went to the First Name Forum to check it out. We need something like that for here in Myrtle Beach. The real estate market down here is just crazy.

Good job!

[Spurticus]

That write up was about Chuck, but we all got props in that article! woohoo!! especially those of us over seas.


Nevertheless, I think I speak for every C-Talker, especially those of us who are regulars, that we greatly appreciate your time spent on the up-keep of C-Talk, Chuck. And that we would love to see this place grow even more so than than it already has. Keep up the good work Chuck, you'll be needed by Gamecock nation now that Coach Spurrier is here.

God Bless


Well Spoken Indeed Gappo.................:thumbsup:

[cockyhoskins]

LOL! Thanks guys. Gapo, I always said you guys (and gals) make the site. It doesn't take much for me to host a website on a laptop. The mods and posters do all the work. Thanks for being here.

[morgan n' 7]

Well Spoken Indeed Gappo.................:thumbsup: I agree. Well said Gapo!

Great article CH.

Thanks for posting that Khosk.
:clap:

[purebredcock]

so cockytalk was born as a experiment????

im honored to be your guinea pig, chuck.

[cockyhoskins]

LOL purebred! As I have always said, I do it for fun. I never thought this site would be what it has become. At first, it was just an experiment to learn vbulletin. You guys have made it what it is, my favorite place to hang out. I am just proud to be part of it and to work with khosk, Spur and Spurticus on a daily basis. Thanks to you all!

[Section5Gamecock]

CH way to go thanks for all the time you put into Cocky Talk

[Spur's Addiction]

Great site. It's interesting to find out some of the history behind it.

[Sweetwatercock]

Great piece Chuck. We're not worthy! We're not worthy!
Thanks for all that you do!!

[Slacker USC]

Great article, great site


Thanks again for all your work Chuck!

[Cockadiddle]

Congrats, Chuck!!!

[Gaichon]

I agree with everyone that this site is top-notch and obviously ran by top-notch people. Thanks fellas!!! It's nice to get the info I need on the Gamecocks from other dedicated fans. Even at our own games I am often told that I take USC football too seriously, but not here! It's nice to find like-minded folks. Thanks again, C-Hosk!

[lazychestnut]

That was great

[blackdeath05]

That is awesome Chuck!!!! does the site still run on a old computer in your closet?

[cockyhoskins]

No. When we hit about 1800 people, we switched it to a professional hosting company. It is faster under heavy load, but it never used to go down when it was in closet! :lol:

[RGHoskins]

I see that this is old, but this is my first time seeing it. So once again brother, you've made me very proud. Congratulations to you on all of your achievements!

[tptgamecock]

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

[cockyhoskins]

I see that this is old, but this is my first time seeing it. So once again brother, you've made me very proud.

Thanks brosef!

[blackdeath05]

No. When we hit about 1800 people, we switched it to a professional hosting company. It is faster under heavy load, but it never used to go down when it was in closet! :lol:

:lol: :rotfl: :lol: :rotfl: I am glad i was busy fishing the other day when it went down or i would have been stressing and sending Cack messages on my space about it and calling thecock81 :rotfl: thank you for all that you ,Khosk, Spurticus,Spur, and Cuck do for us!!!:clap: and just think all of this is for free:bow: :bow:

[Cuck Flemson]

That write up was about Chuck, but we all got props in that article! woohoo!! especially those of us over seas.


Nevertheless, I think I speak for every C-Talker, especially those of us who are regulars, that we greatly appreciate your time spent on the up-keep of C-Talk, Chuck. And that we would love to see this place grow even more so than than it already has. Keep up the good work Chuck, you'll be needed by Gamecock nation now that Coach Spurrier is here.

God Bless

Speaking of Growing Gapo back in November of 2005 there were around 1000 members. Look at us now about to hit 3700 members.

Great story Chuck. :thumbsup:

[GamecockSeven]

i'm glad this got bumped back up, never got to see it before. cool article!

[spurmanski]

How does a guy at 31 become the head of an important cog in the Greenville wheel AND, moreover, run a very sane website (oxymoron) where there is almost no arguing..little of the shrillness about Clem and other competitors and only sensible criticism of the program and coaches with almost NO criticsim of our student athletes.

By the measure of others, the guy has been out of Lawr School for less than six years.....tinkers with furniture and website building and of course company building. I had no opinion on the guy other than thinking he was just another one of those wierd Cyboes who just hadnt yet let the website morph into a beatboard for those dropping passes, calling the wrong plays or choosing the wrong colors. THAT AINT GONNA HAPPEN and why.

The article did a great job of mentioning the surface of CH's short career of accomplishments but there's a reason for that and it's this. I've only hung out with him a couple or three times in person and communicated by PM a few times...but I've seen in his demeanor on this board as well as his very appropriate, cordial and respectful postings on most other Gamecock boards a respect for others and their opinions that almost teaches them to return respect in kind. When CH says this place is for the enjoyment of all thing Gamecock he actually means it...with no monetary competitiveness with other sites in mind. Others have recognized that so that he neither attacks nor criticises other sites. This is a fairly big departure from the 7-8 year history of Cocksites. Since he is always positive and since this board has come this far without being snitty those who reside and visit here have come to expect respect and positivity.......they emulate the publisher and new residents (as they come) get the idea...feel the love...and respond with respect.
:clap:

Well, I've been know to be hard to understand, at times, and maybe the above gets wordy to the point of confusion (I dont know). This, however, is my article for better or worse.

This is the probably the last time I will slobber all over the keyboard with praise for CH.......any more and I fear that some might start lookin at me funny.
:rotfl:

[theuscerock]

i'm glad this got bumped back up, never got to see it before. cool article!
same here, dont know how i missed it...but really great read
and i have to say that was a great article on a great guy
Really classy and well spoken individual
Glad that the little test site has brought me some great friends and something to keep me busy on those days i have nothing to do in the office
But also such a great place to be a Gamecock and read about Gamecock news!

Keep on keepin on CH!

[buzzcock]

Job well done CH. Kudos!:kill::kill:

[scgirlinky]

:clap:

I really enjoyed reading that article!

[COCKDIESEL]

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Man Chuck your almost like the inventor of the Common Forum. Even if your not when you run for President you can tell people you are.

[blackdeath05]

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Man Chuck your almost like the inventor of the Common Forum. Even if your not when you run for President you can tell people you are.

:lol: :rotfl: :lol: :rotfl:

[ValdostaCocky]

WOW when I left people in Greenville didn't know how to read and Now we have a magazine and you're in it WOW!..I'm so proud LOL nice article though

[willy]

so cockytalk was born as a experiment????

im honored to be your guinea pig, chuck.

Very well said purebredcock. Double Dittoes to that.

:swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc: :swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc::swingcoc:

[gotrice?]

Well your experiment was a success CH congratulations.

[Spur]

Great article, chuck.

I just read this for the first time

[cack]

just read it again ... just over 1,000 members ... HA ... now that's funny

[Gamerooster]

Bump for all new Cockytalkers.

Now, you know the rest of the story.

[22cocky]

Chuck, didn't see this the first time around well done young man and thanks for the site it is the best around, for us out of towners

[gamecockfandrew]

There's no doubt about how much every one of us appreciates how much you all do. This is the most welcoming and influential gamecock site on the web period.

[cockyhoskins]

:lol: That's an oldie!

Thanks for the bump.

[SpuR48]

Wow, that's news to me. I'd just joined when the article came out. very cool indeed.

1,000 members? LOL We're closing in on 9k, and I have a feeling that 10k will be right around the new year.

[SAETerrier]

Great article! I had never read this before. A successful experiment indeed-Congrats Chuck!

[GoCCUChants]

Awesome article about an awesome website. I spend countless hours on this website. When I am sitting around, this site is always up, just incase anything new pops up. I'm a cockytalk addict. Thanks Chuck.

[ColaCock]

No. When we hit about 1800 people, we switched it to a professional hosting company. It is faster under heavy load, but it never used to go down when it was in closet!

So you finally got the courage up to "come out of the closest", eh?
:rotfl: