An announcement of my concern

[dfreely]

You know, thinking this over, it could be a valid concern, but perhaps not for the same reason the OP thinks.

This is, again, the biggest free autograph collecting site, and by a mile, but that is virtually the only thing keeping it afloat. There have been exoduses because people were unsatisfied with the way this forum is run, and even though many of us still remained, it can't be denied that this forum has a lot of problems. Even though the other sites that have popped up haven't unseated this one as top dog, that's really due to their own inabilities and not because Fanmail.biz is invincible. I wouldn't be too surprised if somewhere down the line, someone capable steps up, creates a better forum, and this forum starts losing membership/activity.

[margotchanning]

All I can say is I'd rather be here than Star/tiger! I love this forum and the address database is really comprehensive for a free site!

[Sasorikiller]

You know, thinking this over, it could be a valid concern, but perhaps not for the same reason the OP thinks.

This is, again, the biggest free autograph collecting site, and by a mile, but that is virtually the only thing keeping it afloat. There have been exoduses because people were unsatisfied with the way this forum is run, and even though many of us still remained, it can't be denied that this forum has a lot of problems. Even though the other sites that have popped up haven't unseated this one as top dog, that's really due to their own inabilities and not because Fanmail.biz is invincible. I wouldn't be too surprised if somewhere down the line, someone capable steps up, creates a better forum, and this forum starts losing membership/activity.

There are a lot of complexities involved when keeping a website around for the years ahead. As dfreely eloquently replied, there are problems with the website. Before discussion continues I would like it to be taken into notice that this is can be a good thing. Problems with a website can lead to a loss of members. Many problems with a website can lead to a larger loss of members. I suggest that problems be fixed, we do not lack in areas we lack in, and we continue to serve other collectors to fuel the hobby's interest. Problems can also be a positive thing though, and keep members on the website. A too-perfect website may die off as well, described in the following. You see, a perfect website is something people can come to time and time again. The perfection becomes intoxicatingly awesome, and member activity soars past previous limitations. The perfection of the website becomes normal though, and eventually sickening. Problems create diversity and engage members in dealing with the website's problems. With minor problems here and there, the forums seem more human, more imperfect.

Continue discussion.

Keep in mind that denial without facts is ignorant, while denial with truth is right.

[capmonte]

Well, what problems do people see? I admit I've only been active for a couple of months, so maybe things aren't as apparent to me.

[dfreely]

Problems can also be a positive thing though, and keep members on the website. A too-perfect website may die off as well, described in the following. You see, a perfect website is something people can come to time and time again. The perfection becomes intoxicatingly awesome, and member activity soars past previous limitations. The perfection of the website becomes normal though, and eventually sickening. Problems create diversity and engage members in dealing with the website's problems. With minor problems here and there, the forums seem more human, more imperfect.

I'm not sure how problems can be a positive thing, or how a "perfect" website may die off. I'm a member on forums that have been around for years, and are run perfectly, yet no one thinks it's sickening or any less human. If anything, it's more comforting and human knowing that the management team are actively doing a good job and solving what problems that may arise. As for problems creating diversity and engaging members, if it does so, then it does so in a negative way, especially when these problems may never be fixed.

Well, what problems do people see? I admit I've only been active for a couple of months, so maybe things aren't as apparent to me.

The whole trainee moderator system, the fact that 95% of the moderators either don't do any actual work or haven't been active members for months or even years, virtually no spam protection, disorganized categories and stickied topics, an administrator that ignores any problems and suggestions to improve/fix this forum, topics being deleted without explanation, the lack of a proper marketplace feedback system, old topics aren't auto-locked, etc.

[Sasorikiller]

Problems can also be a positive thing though, and keep members on the website. A too-perfect website may die off as well, described in the following. You see, a perfect website is something people can come to time and time again. The perfection becomes intoxicatingly awesome, and member activity soars past previous limitations. The perfection of the website becomes normal though, and eventually sickening. Problems create diversity and engage members in dealing with the website's problems. With minor problems here and there, the forums seem more human, more imperfect.

I'm not sure how problems can be a positive thing, or how a "perfect" website may die off. I'm a member on forums that have been around for years, and are run perfectly, yet no one thinks it's sickening or any less human. If anything, it's more comforting and human knowing that the management team are actively doing a good job and solving what problems that may arise. As for problems creating diversity and engaging members, if it does so, then it does so in a negative way, especially when these problems may never be fixed.

Well, what problems do people see? I admit I've only been active for a couple of months, so maybe things aren't as apparent to me.

The whole trainee moderator system, the fact that 95% of the moderators either don't do any actual work or haven't been active members for months or even years, virtually no spam protection, disorganized categories and stickied topics, an administrator that ignores any problems and suggestions to improve/fix this forum, topics being deleted without explanation, the lack of a proper marketplace feedback system, old topics aren't auto-locked, etc.

So you think that problems can only lead to a negative effect on a website, and many agree that there are problems with this website. Now the question is, has that negative effect taken place yet? And how long will it last? Will it be severe and damage the website?

[dfreely]

Considering there have been exoduses due to people's frustrations with the way this forum is run and none seem to have returned, I'd say it has already taken effect and is ongoing. As for the damage and severity, this forum has lost a lot of moderators and knowledgeable members, which only creates more problems since there's less people to watch over the forums.