After waiting a few days, I'm replying to back up chip's request. Although I have been a user since March (and I sometimes consider myself an "old-timer" :-), the monastery apparently exists since at least a few months earlier (vroom has been a user since Nov last year). I would ask vroom the following questions, if he has the time and inclination to answer them:

• How did you came up with the idea for PerlMonks?
• How was its evolution? Was there a "first try" that you just never made public?
• Any other historical snippets that you care to share with us.

Knowing the history of PerlMonks (at least informally) can only increase our sense of community, which is a good thing, IMHO.

Best regards,

--ZZamboni