The forums, which are still viewable using thanks to internet archives, were a hotbed of problem-solving, discussion, and joyful discovery. Imagine a digital summer camp for researchers. “It was so much fun. The contest was structured so well. We had to learn so much to be competitive and I met so many people along the way.” As stressful as it could get, especially as the improvements to the algorithm slowed down and the years rolled along, the teams were buoyed by a sense of community.