I've been reading through some stuff and seen dates as far back as 2005.
When did all this start? When was the first version of the mod made live? Does anyone even know?
Can probaby go a little further back then the first post. I doubt the forums was the first thing created. Used to be different forums too. I was on the team when we made it this forum. The original creators got together from another place. Starport forums is my best bet. It was and might still be a a whole community of devs that have modified Freelancer countless ways.