M. Carter Brown (website)

M.CarterBrown (also known as MCB or M.CarterBrown.com) is an American-based online paintball discussion forum established by paintball collector and enthusiast M. Carter Brown, who uses the username Painthappy. The website is particularly associated with vintage and rare paintball markers, pump paintball, equipment restoration, custom modifications and the buying and selling of second-hand paintball equipment.[1][2]

Originally established as a personal website, M.CarterBrown developed into a longstanding online community for paintball collectors, technicians, manufacturers and players. Its discussion archives have served as a source of information about historical paintball equipment and the development of the sport.

History

Origins and early development

M.CarterBrown originated as the personal website of M. Carter Brown around the beginning of the 2000s. An archived version dated February 17, 2001, shows a website covering programming, internet technology and paintball. The website included a link labelled "Paintball Forum", although the surviving capture does not establish whether a functioning discussion forum was operating at that date.[2]

According to recollections published by forum members in 2021, Brown collected older paintball markers and regularly searched online auctions for rare equipment. The website developed partly as a way to share auction discoveries and information about unusual paintball markers with other enthusiasts.[3]

By December 5, 2003, M.CarterBrown had an established online discussion forum with 260 registered members, 1,539 threads and 9,403 posts.[4]

The forum included dedicated sections for rare and historical paintball equipment, eBay discoveries, buying and selling markers, equipment restoration and custom projects.

The website also featured Brown's personal paintball collection, restoration projects and technical information about historical markers, including the Nelspot 007, WGP Sniper and Carter Machine designs.[4]

Expansion and software changes

In April 2006, M.CarterBrown migrated to the commercial vBulletin forum platform, replacing its earlier forum system.[3]

An archived version dated October 4, 2006, recorded 1,191 registered members, 4,317 threads and 37,517 posts.[5]

The expanded website included equipment reviews, discussion forums, member galleries, equipment trading and information about paintball events. It also offered paid memberships to support the website.

During the following years, M.CarterBrown became a gathering place for enthusiasts of mechanical and pump-action paintball markers, including owners of equipment manufactured by Air Gun Designs, Worr Game Products, CCI, Palmer's Pursuit Shop and other manufacturers.

2020 ransomware attack and reconstruction

In early July 2020, M.CarterBrown suffered a ransomware attack that disrupted the website and made its existing discussion archive unavailable.[6]

The attack affected an extensive collection of historical discussions, technical guides, equipment photographs, restoration projects and trading records accumulated over many years.

Rather than paying the ransom, Brown established a replacement forum. The rebuilt website was operating by July 11, 2020, with members required to register new accounts.[7]

In February 2023, Brown confirmed that a backup of the previous database had existed, but that it had been discarded because the source of the security compromise and any possible backdoors could not be identified.[8]

The replacement forum retained the M.CarterBrown name and community focus. Members began recreating technical guides, collecting information and rebuilding discussion threads.

Forum content

M.CarterBrown covers a wide range of paintball subjects, with particular emphasis on older equipment, mechanical technology and collecting.

Major discussion areas include:

The Armory: Manufacturer-specific discussions covering equipment history, maintenance, repairs and technical information.
Custom Projects: Equipment restoration, custom manufacturing, machining, modifications and 3D printing.
Buy, Sell, Trade: Classified advertisements for new, used, rare and collectible paintball equipment.
eBay: Discussions and links relating to auctions, unusual equipment and rare historical items.
Local Games: Regional discussions, recreational events and opportunities for members to play together.
Paintball Teams: Team discussions and community groups, including Carter's Commando.

The website also includes general discussions, paintball news, equipment reviews, technical questions and feedback relating to equipment transactions.[9]

Community and events

M.CarterBrown developed a community associated with collecting, restoring and using older paintball equipment, particularly pump-action markers.

Members also organised gatherings and participated in recreational paintball events.

Carter's Commando

Carter's Commando is a paintball group associated with the M.CarterBrown community.

According to a history compiled by forum members, an early gathering took place at EMR Event Park in Pennsylvania during Pumper's Pandemonium in 2004. Participants adopted Hawaiian shirts as a way of recognising fellow forum members.[3]

The group subsequently participated in events at EMR and other paintball venues. The M.CarterBrown website maintains a dedicated Carter's Commando discussion section.[9]

Historical significance

M.CarterBrown has provided a platform for documenting historical paintball technology, particularly equipment from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.

Members have contributed technical explanations, photographs, equipment identification guides, restoration discussions and recollections of manufacturers and products no longer in production.

The website has also served as a marketplace for collectors seeking replacement parts and obsolete equipment.

The 2020 ransomware attack interrupted access to much of the website's original discussion history. The current forum therefore does not contain a complete record of the community's activities before July 2020, although some earlier material survives through independent web archives and copies preserved by members.[6][8]

As with other community forums, historical information published by individual members may include firsthand accounts, technical observations and recollections that have not been independently verified.

References

M.CarterBrown website archive, October 4, 2006. Internet Archive. Identifies M. Carter Brown as the user Painthappy.
M.CarterBrown website archive, February 17, 2001. Internet Archive.
Mcarterbrown history. M.CarterBrown. Community discussion, February 4–6, 2021.
M.CarterBrown forum archive, December 5, 2003. Internet Archive. Historical forum structure and membership statistics.
M.CarterBrown website, October 2006. Internet Archive. Archived vBulletin website and forum statistics.
Mcarterbrown Might Be Gone Forever. Reddit r/paintball. Community discussion, July 5, 2020.
MCB is back!. Reddit r/paintball. July 11, 2020.
Been away for a hot minute. M.CarterBrown. February 22, 2023. Includes explanation by site administrator Painthappy concerning the ransomware attack and decision not to restore the earlier database.
M.CarterBrown forums. Official website and forum directory.

External links