Damn, my last reply timed-out so I'll try again!
>
> It's pretty obvious that the majority of people who were on this board even a month ago have stopped reading it entirely. Even Ian's mini-post previewing a 2008 event has barely been replied to compared to his usual posts, and mine average 3-4 replies - the normal for World Class, not PV stories. Therefore I'm posting this survey. Of course, like a tree falling in a deserted forest, if nobody's around to read it, I guess it doesn't really exist.
>
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I don't understand. Even if the board is somewhat dead, why does it need a definitive shutdown?
> Here's the survey - it has multiple choice and essay questions, but feel free to elaborate on either.
>
> 1. I would like:
>
> a) To continue participating in the PVB.
> b) For the PVB to admit it died long ago and finally close.
> c) To see something worth coming back for.
> d) Other (please specify)
>
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I think the parodyverse needs a reboot. Not an "Ultimate" esque reboot (don't worry, CSFB
, but a refresher for those who've forgotten the old characters and don't know the new characters.
>
> 2. I left, will leave, or may leave the PVB if:
>
> a) The world comes to an end.
> b) I already have left, I'm just stopping in to tell you why this survey is beating a dead horse.
> c) It's confirmed that Ian isn't coming back.
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Irrelevnt. The BZL/PVB is NOT one person. This place was around before Ian was here, and it'll be around after he's gone.
> d) It's agreed among the remaining members that it's time for it to go.
> e) There is a newer/better/busier place to post (please specify if you have left for one)
> f) CSFB! keeps posting not-safe-for-work material.
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Is this an attack on the kind of writing CSFB produces? If so, it's also an attack on the writing I produced. My writing was as violent as he was sexual. One thing I always liked about the PVB is it didn't try and censor itself like other sites. Posters who use four-letter words in their prose have just as much right to post here as posters who are squeaky-clean.
> g) Other (please specify)
>
>
> 3. I don't like this board because:
>
> a) Low participation.
> b) Recent changes that make it too ugly or too difficult to use.
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A mixture of (a) and (b) probably.
> c) Outdated technology trumped at another board (specify: "I need xxxx feature to survive")
> d) Small group makes my posts too obvious and I don't want to lose my job over it.
> e) Other (please specify)
>
>
> 4. I don't visit the board anymore because:
>
> a) It's blocked at work and I don't have time at home.
> b) I take my work seriously and don't want to get fired for visiting an illegal site.
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If you take your work seriously, you shouldn't be surfing non-work related websites when you're being paid to do a job!
> c) My work records every site/email and it's not worth being fired over.
> d) Not safe for work content on the board - I don't want to get fired.
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See above!
> e) Not safe for work content on the board - I have kids and don't want them to see it.
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Oh well. Then show your kids only the PG stories. Active posters who produce writing shouldn't have their work censored on the behalf of the children of other posters.
> f) It's too time consuming. If only it would make reading easier by _____________ (specify)
> g) I don't like anything posted here anymore.
> h) It's been made outdated by Facebook/Myspace (that's where you post my stories now?)
> i) Some technological problem (please specify)
> h) Other (please specify)
>
>
> 5. I don't reply to stories because:
>
> a) I don't see anything I like.
> b) I have no clue what's going on and don't care anymore.
> c) The Parodyverse is childish and I've grown up.
> d) I've become a professional author and I can't have my name on amateur stuff, even as a reply.
> e) I only read Ian's stuff, and if he's not posting I might not come back.
> f) The board has made it too difficult to reply.
> g) Other (please specify)
>
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These options seem a bit angry. The reason I don't post much anymore is multi-faceted. First, work keeps me busy, I've outgrown my character and yes it's been so long I not only have no clue what's going on in the parodyverse, I don't even remember my own character's status.
>
> 6. I don't post new stories because:
>
> a) I don't care to participate in such a small venue.
> b) Lack of replies.
> c) I've become a professional author and I can't write amateur stuff anymore.
> d) The board has made it too difficult to post new stories.
> e) I have a family now and the content isn't suitable for my kids.
> f) I post my stuff to Myspace/Facebook (or other place) for a better audience.
> g) I have my own weblog and only post there.
> h) Other (please specify)
>
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This question could have been compounded into the previous one. Like I said, I'm busy with work, I've outgrown my character and most of my poster-friends (DK, Finny, Nats, GE, spiffy) have long moved on.
>
>
> Note that these responses won't necessarily result in the resurgence or shutdown of the PVB. They may, however, mold the future of the board. One advantage to having our own custom software is it can be changed to keep up with trends - to a point.
>
> If everyone's left the board and gone in different directions, there's not much that can be done. But there are features like dual-linked posts and trackbacks that allow the board to remain a community center without compromising your preference for other sites.
>
>
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My last reply that didn't post was a bit more elaborate and put together better, but this is the gist of how I feel.
