To answer part of your question this piss hole went live in December of 2005.

That is just after the pay membership was announced from the dudes that took the original conservation cafe over after MDC decided they shouldn't play in the public comment game.

I think MDC gave it up in early 2005.

As for when MDC started it someone with a better memory than me would know better but I would guess it might have been late 2000 or early 01???