The Scalable Readout System as a common initiative - a personal review

<!--HTML-->When the RD51 collaboration formed in 2008, the community initiated efforts for a standardised common readout system, the Scalable Readout System (SRS). The APV25 chip, originally designed for the CMS silicon strip detector, was the working horse within the first decade reading out gaseous detectors. Meanwhile, the VMM chip has taken over and further ASICs were (Timepix, SiPMs) or are currently (Timepix3, SAMPA) included. The SRS found many applications, not only in its core field. I will review the system and collaborative effort from the perspective of a user and developer involved over the last decade.