[nickbail3y]

> but the community felt like an academic one

How do you know what the development environment 'felt' like? Are you Roger Dingledine or Nick Mathewson?

And I doubt that you will find any evidence that it was used before being made public. Using TOR before it was public would be like screaming, "HEY I'M HIDING SOMETHING! AND I'M US MILITARY OR INTELLIGENCE!". The whole point of releasing it was to gather a userbase. Otherwise, TOR wouldn't be very anonymous at all.

[Mizza]

I was working on a related anonymity project at the same time, funded by the same grant giving organization. I lurked and participated, I have met RD and NM IRL, and I have been a hidden service operator for many years. That being said, I am only at the far periphery of the project. But, I have been out here for a while and I stand by my original statement.

[nickbail3y]

Well despite our differences in opinion, I respect your contribution to anonymity and privacy. And I'm a bit envious that you've met RD and NM.

[petertodd]

They're just normal guys, who are quite approachable - go to the right conferences and you'll meet them.