Can you believe we are at the finish line of 2025? It feels like just yesterday we were ringing in the New Year, and now here we are, looking back at a year that was quite literally transformative.
Before we all head off to enjoy some well-deserved downtime, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the wins, the laughs, and the legendary moments you created on THWACK this year.
A Year of Legends and Lore
We kicked things off in March by bringing back the heat with our 2025 Bracket Battle. This time, it was not about the tech. Instead, it was about the companions! We pitted the world’s most iconic sidekicks against each other in our Legendary Pet Pals tournament. After weeks of fur-flying competition, Scooby-Doo snagged the crown, proving that a well-timed "Scooby Snack" and a great community can overcome any mystery.
Speaking the Language of Community
In April, we decided to get creative with how we talk to one another. We celebrated Morse Code Day to help launch the return of our vSWUGs, but not before our April Fools' stunt where we enforced a Haiku-only comment policy.
Data flows like rain
Points and Store will return soon
Peace in the uptime
A Walk Down Memory Lane
For International Museum Day in May, we opened the "THWACK Gallery." We spent the month reflecting on our favorite collections, from iconic Mission themes to the legendary SWAG items of years past. While we all have our favorites, one particular individual blew us all away by showcasing a SWAG collection so massive it practically deserves its own wing in a real museum!
Celebrating YOU (and the Loot!)
This year was all about celebrating the people who make this site run: You. We gave out over 50 major prizes across nations to our Mission and vSWUG winners. From LEGO sets and drones to high-end headsets and top-tier tech laptops, the mail trucks were busy!
- Question for the comments: What was the one prize you had your eye on this year, and what do you hope to snag in 2026?
We also want to give a massive shout-out to our 2025 MVP Roster. To the THWACKsters who jumped into the forums to troubleshoot, guide, and mentor others: you are the backbone of this community, and we appreciate you!
The Sounds of SolarWinds
Whether you were commuting or just needing a break from the screen, you tuned into our podcasts in record numbers. We asked the experts behind the mics for their favorite moments of 2025:
23 Years and a New Horizon
From Chrystal’s "12 Comets of Solar Bytes" (keeping our monthly newsletter flaming bright!) to celebrating THWACK’s 23rd Anniversary, we have connected in so many ways this year. Between reconnecting at our THWACKcamp Community Sessions during SolarWinds Day and seeing the community rally together, it has been a year of true partnership.
The biggest milestone of 2025 was undoubtedly the migration of THWACK to a brand-new platform. Moving a community with over two decades of history to a whole new site is a massive undertaking, and we want to say a huge thank you for your incredible patience as we settle into these new surroundings.
We are still fine-tuning the experience and polishing the details to make sure everything is perfect for you. This new site is a foundation for the future, and your feedback is helping us build the best version of THWACK yet. We are committed to making this a faster, better, and more intuitive home for you to share your expertise for the next 23 years and beyond.
Thank you for sticking with us, for your grace during this transition, and for being the best part of SolarWinds.
Happy Holidays, THWACKsters! We will see you in 2026!?
