Where is everyone????

Fats, are you saying that a third of our members have actively dropped out over the past month? That seems odd. Or are you noting a drop in the number of members who have been posting? I'm not sure that's something to fret about. We've seen dry spells before, followed by flurries of activity. And our "regulars" seem to be posting about as often as usual. I'm guessing any attrition might be among those who join the site, look around, decide that it's not for them, and don't return (or become occasional lurkers).

I was thinking (again) along the same lines as circes_cup. Showcasing artwork as well as stories might draw more members. I recall that Ubergirls Inc (the predecessor of SWM) had several themed galleries, and so did SWM in its early days. I don't know why these were discontinued -- bandwidth issues, maybe? But maybe we could start populating a gallery with the entries from our artwork contests, or TGK's illustrations for "The Supergirl of Smallville," or commissioned pieces that members would be willing to share.

Also: I wonder if we might feature links to related sits on our home page, Sadly, a number of sites in our wheelhouse, such as Heavenly Heroines and Girls of Steele, are no more, but there must be a few still out there catering to our interest. If they'd be willing to reciprocate by linking to us, that might bring in some traffic.

Finally: The thread got a little off-topic here, but I add my voice to those who'd like to see the vote count for the last workshop. Dru's was a well-deserved win, but I'd be curious to see how many votes Team Acenaut's story received -- especially since written feedback was much lighter than it usually is for workshop stories. Knowing that our story got votes might encourage us to write more tales of Super Lana, as a teenager or as an adult.

A couple of additional thoughts. There is no more anticipation or discussion of WW and SG does not start back up for another two and a half months. That could contribute a small part to the drop in numbers. Next question would be is there a seasonal variation to the site?

In Phoenix, the two busiest months for traffic at Sky Harbor are July and December for two very different reasons. In December, people want to go back home for the Holidays or come here to get out of the cold and snow. In July, EVERYONE wants to get out of the heat at least for a little while.

I miss the picture bank that we had in the old days, but I have some idea of the increased complexities that it can add to running the site.

Sometimes when people don't like something they just quietly vote with their feet. It can be hard to figure out what you did wrong, or didn't do right that led to the departure.

There is no more anticipation or discussion of WW and SG does not start back up for another two and a half months.

For me, this is the reason I'm probably not as active during this time (still pop in to check things, but not really post).

Atm there isn't anything out that hasn't been discussed, And there isn't anything coming out for a couple of months (SG, Flash, Justice League, Thor, etc). At least stuff I am interested in discussing.

So I'm just kicking back, drinking a bud and enjoying the summer

In the immortal words of Arnie though:

"I'll be back"



Peace.

/K

Another suggestion: Add a few lines of text under the banner on the home page, welcoming visitors, explaining that the site is for aficionados of super-powerful women in all media, and inviting newcomers to browse the Library and join the discussions on the forum.

We used to have a sub-forum ("Who are we?") where members could introduce themselves and say a few words about their particular interests. Maybe it's still there (I haven't checked), but if so it's been dormant for a long time. Maybe we could highlight that feature more.

As an independent-school teacher, I know that recruitment is just as important as retention.

In my concern, I'm just on hollydays for 1 month without computer and poor internet conectivity..
I'll ne back later

The reason I haven't been very active lately on here is really because of the constant negativity.

For example, I remember going on Greg's Ubergirls about a decade ago and chatting for hours about how great a big budget Wonder Woman movie would be. Lo and behold, we finally get one and all it seems anyone can do is shit on it. This, despite it being critically acclaimed, financially successful, and containing a number of the greatest "girl power" scenes ever put to film; a real game changer for our little sub genre.

I mean, what happened? How did we get like this?

Honestly, I just don't see the need to frequent this place if all I'm going to see when I visit is hate posts. My philosophy on the internet has always been to ignore those things that I dislike not crap on it constantly. For example, I've only visited the Supergirl forum a couple of times in the past year because I gave up on the show due to its poor writing. I don't go in there on a daily basis to remind everyone how much I dislike it. That would be insane.

For example, I remember going on Greg's Ubergirls about a decade ago and chatting for hours about how great a big budget Wonder Woman movie would be. Lo and behold, we finally get one and all it seems anyone can do is shit on it.

I don't know, maybe because some of us expected way better? \shrug/

Honestly, I just don't see the need to frequent this place if all I'm going to see when I visit is hate posts. My philosophy on the internet has always been to ignore those things that I dislike not crap on it constantly. For example, I've only visited the Supergirl forum a couple of times in the past year because I gave up on the show due to its poor writing. I don't go in there on a daily basis to remind everyone how much I dislike it. That would be insane.

What you see as "crap on it constantly" is misunderstood imo. If we take the Supergirl forums as an example, there are many times when the episode is good it gets praised. When its poor, it rightly gets critisicsed. I would go so far as to say that a lot of the criticism Supergirl took this season from posters, actually HELPED it get better. That's the sign of good discussion.

I don't want to go to a forum where its just a circle-jerk. Where everyone is "Gee WW was awesome!" JUST because its WW on the big screen with money thrown at it. I prefer to discuss things and critique them. However, if you prefer to not to, that ofc is your prerogative. I would much prefer if you did though. If you genuinely believe what you feel about, for example WW, then lay out an argument and defend it. Who knows, by doing so, maybe like Supergirl, the second and consecutive ones will be an improvement.

Just my 2 cents.

Peace.

/K

Could be just summer and not many mainstream powerful women flicks and stuff coming out or any events happening that's worth talking about.

I was on Nixalfia the past week and went with my husband to sizecon this past weekend which was why I wasn't around. Did ya miss me?

(OOC: I really did go to Sizecon this past weekend and was very busy the past week as well. I wouldn't panic depending on your website goals, I'd imagine you do get dips and spikes once in a while.)

kikass2014 wrote:

For example, I remember going on Greg's Ubergirls about a decade ago and chatting for hours about how great a big budget Wonder Woman movie would be. Lo and behold, we finally get one and all it seems anyone can do is shit on it.

I don't know, maybe because some of us expected way better? \shrug/

Honestly, I just don't see the need to frequent this place if all I'm going to see when I visit is hate posts. My philosophy on the internet has always been to ignore those things that I dislike not crap on it constantly. For example, I've only visited the Supergirl forum a couple of times in the past year because I gave up on the show due to its poor writing. I don't go in there on a daily basis to remind everyone how much I dislike it. That would be insane.

What you see as "crap on it constantly" is misunderstood imo. If we take the Supergirl forums as an example, there are many times when the episode is good it gets praised. When its poor, it rightly gets critisicsed. I would go so far as to say that a lot of the criticism Supergirl took this season from posters, actually HELPED it get better. That's the sign of good discussion.

I don't want to go to a forum where its just a circle-jerk. Where everyone is "Gee WW was awesome!" JUST because its WW on the big screen with money thrown at it. I prefer to discuss things and critique them. However, if you prefer to not to, that ofc is your prerogative. I would much prefer if you did though. If you genuinely believe what you feel about, for example WW, then lay out an argument and defend it. Who knows, by doing so, maybe like Supergirl, the second and consecutive ones will be an improvement.

Just my 2 cents.

Peace.

/K

Exhibit A of why I'm not around very much anymore....

Mynn wrote: Could be just summer and not many mainstream powerful women flicks and stuff coming out or any events happening that's worth talking about.

I was on Nixalfia the past week and went with my husband to sizecon this past weekend which was why I wasn't around. Did ya miss me?

(OOC: I really did go to Sizecon this past weekend and was very busy the past week as well. I wouldn't panic depending on your website goals, I'd imagine you do get dips and spikes once in a while.)

I went to Sizecon too on Sat morning/afternoon. I didn't really visit the VR room and left before the cosplay, but I did attend the panels that morning, which was what I came for.

I challenge everyone to post at least one reply to one of their favorite stories. Or one image or a comment. Stir some of the old coals up. It will catch fire again.

but what is obvious is that there is a thread of negativity running through the site, an element of that should always be there as this is not some happy clappy place where everyone loves everything, but I think that the level of negativity has increased to a point that it could tip over and kill the site

Going out on a limb here, as I am genuinely curious. Could you please elaborate on this ? The reason I ask is I generally don't see this negativity tbh. Especially one so bad that it could "kill the site". Are we talking personal attacks? Vicious slurs not related to a topic? For sure those need to be curbed, there is no need for things like that in civilized discussion.

But I genuinely have not come across that in any of the threads I jump in to. Which is why I am curious.

The tech side of the site is great if I am honest. The addition of a gallery that is easily accessible would be a pretty cool addition. I look forward to seeing that.

Peace.

/K

fats wrote: There is not one post or one thread that I can point to and say that this is the negative element, it's a general trend that seems to have crept up on the site over the last few years.

Fats

Frankly, I'd say this trend has crept up on the entire Internet over the past few years. I'd be really surprised if you could point to a publicly-accessible website that hasn't been touched by it.

Interesting discussion.

For my part, I think SWM is one of the most positive sites around, with just enough intelligent and critical discussion to be interesting. The discussions about negativity don't match my perceptions at all.

God help us if we became like the Supergirl TV forum that was syrupy sweet and dull beyond salvation. It's always so refreshing to come here and read posts from people with adult brains and experience within the genre. And with experience and critical thinking comes critique, which is the best part of discussion.

That's why I'm here and active. If that were to end, I'd have to find some place else to feed my brain. I can't live on Fruit Loops forever.

Shadar

LustMonster wrote:

fats wrote: There is not one post or one thread that I can point to and say that this is the negative element, it's a general trend that seems to have crept up on the site over the last few years.

Fats

Frankly, I'd say this trend has crept up on the entire Internet over the past few years. I'd be really surprised if you could point to a publicly-accessible website that hasn't been touched by it.

I watched a conference about this a few months ago. A lot of the older sites are experiencing this. It seems the crux of the matter is this: when sites this old were founded, the Internet was considered a new forum for community, bringing together fans of somewhat obscure stuff in a safe environment. But in the last few years, basically since the domination of social media, the whole thing has become more of a space for venting negativity, Not saying that's correct, but it's what the online conference was about.

Agent00Soul wrote:

LustMonster wrote:

fats wrote: There is not one post or one thread that I can point to and say that this is the negative element, it's a general trend that seems to have crept up on the site over the last few years.

Fats

Frankly, I'd say this trend has crept up on the entire Internet over the past few years. I'd be really surprised if you could point to a publicly-accessible website that hasn't been touched by it.

I watched a conference about this a few months ago. A lot of the older sites are experiencing this. It seems the crux of the matter is this: when sites this old were founded, the Internet was considered a new forum for community, bringing together fans of somewhat obscure stuff in a safe environment. But in the last few years, basically since the domination of social media, the whole thing has become more of a space for venting negativity, Not saying that's correct, but it's what the online conference was about.

Interesting point. I remember well when the promise of virtual communities were the stuff of SF realized. Finally, everyone could have a voice, and not just the voices that came through letters to the editor or defined news media. I was fortunate enough to be on the leading edge and lived through that period.

That promise seemed to last for a glorious ten years, and then trolls and an influx of people who had nothing good to say arrived.

But I still don't think that applies here. People bring in knowledge and ideas and cool things they have found, and are generally well regarded for it. Sure, we critique published material and movies/TV, but the tradition of critiquing plays and other "performance art" goes back centuries. Shakespeare had his critics.

I can't think of a single active contributor here who is truly negative. But many are critical of things for reasons that are generally rational and explained and usually personal, but they have good things to say when things please them. Happiness is very individual. An intelligent critique of a movie makes me a lot happier than some saccharine-coated accolade.

Like it or not, comic book themes are now mainstream, and that means that every kind of opinion is being expressed. We're not kids sitting in the corner smiling insanely over some beloved comic book anymore, lost in our own imagination. Now we're part of the larger world.

Or so I see it...

Shadar

God help us if we became like the Supergirl TV forum that was syrupy sweet and dull beyond salvation. It's always so refreshing to come here and read posts from people with adult brains and experience within the genre. And with experience and critical thinking comes critique, which is the best part of discussion.

An intelligent critique of a movie makes me a lot happier than some saccharine-coated accolade.

My sentiments exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself Shadar

Peace.

/K

LustMonster wrote:

fats wrote: There is not one post or one thread that I can point to and say that this is the negative element, it's a general trend that seems to have crept up on the site over the last few years.

Fats

Frankly, I'd say this trend has crept up on the entire Internet over the past few years. I'd be really surprised if you could point to a publicly-accessible website that hasn't been touched by it.

That doesn't mean that Fats doesn't have a point, though. A few pages back in this thread, someone used "pretty strong" words to describe his feelings towards the peril-content that's being promoted by some posters on this forum.

It is not the first time it happens. I think that there is a seasonality in the audience/content for superwomen. Like crops? I don't know. I remember a couple of times lurking here the amount of content skyrocketing, and then suddenly... 'where is everybody?'

I've always lurked here to see what was on the 'radar' and the library. I'm not a lurker because I don't want to hang in here, I love all the stuff on the front page, but there is not enough content to make me visit so frequently. And I'm not just saying about user content, I'm talking about the mainstream content as well.

I think that the 'userbase' numbers never changed, my theory is that time from time, the userbase get thirsty for content. And seriously, the last year was rich in content across the board, crowned by WW. Both rich from users and the mainstream. No we are back to the 'off season'

...

A nice easy to use user gallery would be useful and might help to bring more content. I could do more renderings just for here, but if it is only visible in the forums, it would be buried. So I have to place it elsewhere to not be lost, or make a thread just for myself, which I don't feel comfortable. It feels like self-promotion and not sharing.

...

Since you guys talked about workshops, I'm one of those guys who would like to be in it, but not in a form of a competition. To me, 'workshop' should be a collective effort to build something together. I know that some writers/artists are adamant about their vision, but some would like to do something 'bigger' along other people. I wish there was a story 'BE chain adventure' just for superwomen, or something alike

...

About the site's presentation, yeah, the first impression feels that aims at superwomen comics, and not superwomen in general. Our universe is much more diverse than DC/Marvel canons and capes. But I wouldn't fret about it, I think most people can see it by browsing the stuff.

...

Negativity is the new normal. I don't see it going away. Internet made everyone more anxious, and people get triggered easily. I have to police myself to not trigger anyone, here and elsewhere.

...

One thing that I always thought that is problematic on SWM is the vast index of topic categories. At times, I don't know where to post. There isn't enough superwomen content in the world to fill all these categories. It should be simpler. Do we need 'Superheroine transformations' or 'Favorite Cosplayers'? Or the 'Completely off-topic' in the 'Off topic discussions'?

I don't know the complexity or the amount of work to do so, but a system with 'tags' and 'likes' would be smarter, and more open and organic.

I agree with shadar. I've been with SWM from the beginning, and I've always found the conversations on the forums to be civil, reasoned, and free of rancor, so I've been puzzled by the recent comments about "negativity." My impression is that the nastiness is largely confined to the threads dedicated to the Supergirl TV show and the Wonder Woman movie -- which I don't visit. (I binge-watch Supergirl and haven't yet seen Wonder Woman, so I want to avoid spoilers.)

I know that the tone of the Supergirl thread made one very active and giving member walk away in disgust. And of course we all remember that fats needed a break from it.

I think the overwhelming majority of those who post on the forums contribute something positive to the site. So thank you for that. To those who might be about to post something hostile in tone -- please pause and ask yourself if you want to be the guy who drives member X, Y, or Z away from the site. I'm all for the free expression of one's opinions -- but I'm also for civility and reasoned disagreement.

Sarge395 wrote: I challenge everyone to post at least one reply to one of their favorite stories. Or one image or a comment. Stir some of the old coals up. It will catch fire again.

Sarge, with all the talk of negativity on the forums, I want to take a moment to thank YOU for your contributions to the site. You've been with SWM from the beginning, you're always adding to the conversations, and you've been generous with thank-you's -- to say nothing of the prizes you offer to the workshop winners. You're one of the people that helps to make the site a community. Thank you for your service!

I have been a member of this site and its predecessors for a long time. It never ceases to amaze me
How large the collective knowledge base of its users are, be it movie/entertainment insiders to Silver Age fans like Argo and me. We have movie makers, artists and of course authors as well. There have been many contributions to it from legends of the genera like Marknew and Conceptfan along with current stars like D_K_C. There really is no other place like it.

There certainly has been a world wide slide in manners and common curtesy, especially in digital and social media. Even our elected officials and their staffs at least here in the USA have managed to drop an already low bar even further. I suppose it was inevitable that at some point in time this site would be affected by digital negativity. But having said that, it still is my favorite place to hang out.

We have been through tough times before ( like when the site was hacked) but we have always come back stronger. Hopefully, we will come back from this little bump in the road as well.