This is TOS's "Really Big Deal"? Lo! How the mighty have fallen!
Indeed. Contrary to what some may believe? I take absolutely no pleasure in seeing this happen, either. I don't think you do anymore than I.
I think I really and deeply miss the home I came to love...and which, I know, doesn't exist anymore and never will again. So much changed in so short a time....and largely by complacency and a deliberate move to relax all rules and restrictions for decent conduct among adults, to favor numbers over quality. (sigh)
How the mighty fall, indeed. Just damn sad to watch in slow-motion this way. So unnecessary.
Hmmm. A thought just occurred to me. Since TOS has been having money problems, I'm wondering if in all actuality, Ben Swann has bought controlling stock in TAN.
It actually makes sense as he could easily tie it into his other site and promote the "Truth in Media" site that much more.
Beware the man who has one gun, he probably knows how to use it.
It wasn't that long ago, I would have said no way, no how, to such an idea. The "Three Amigos" are too absolute and iron fisted in their control from the top, and over every aspect of site operation.
Then again, I saw two of the three say in absolute terms, they would never pimp the membership for money directly....so principle seems to have taken a flyer for the duration over there, and integrity has become the punch line to a bad joke. So..... Who knows? They could have sold a controlling interest through sheer desperation to save..whatever they figure they have left to save.
(Well...the top guys pull a personal income from that place, so damned skippy, THEY have something to save at any cost)
If at a minimum, Ben is a vested co-owner, he could siphon off members to TIM, leaving eventually a bare bones TOS, which would be along the likes of GLP.
For some reason, it reminds me of those insects that you find in the window sill. You look at them and see a insect, but know that they are hollow inside. Just a carcass.
Beware the man who has one gun, he probably knows how to use it.
Well, when you come to stand for nothing in particular, so you can include everything equally? Anything which made a place special or distinct is the first thing lost in the process.
Given the true and legitimate archive of public fears, dreams and interpretations of daily news events TOS actually is over the past 10+ years? Its particularly sad to see such a resource in its own right, run into the ground the way that seems to be happening. (Referring to both things seen as a staff member inside, and now things becoming plainly visible from the outside)
Ahh well.. Times change. People change...and once upon a time, people thought both Compu-Serve and Prodigy were too big or 'too cool' to ever go away, too. (some of the same factors killed both of them, too, to stop and consider that a bit...eh?)
I had only been a member there since 2011, but had lurked for years, I used to think it was a great site. I didn't join any social media until after I retired and could speak freely. In such a short time, I have seen so many changes (you don't fix something that isn't broke comes to mind) that I was perplexed.
And every change had it's problems as well. It seems that the beta testing didn't go so well, but they stayed with it regardless. The emoticon fiasco is a classic example. The majority didn't like what was offered, yet the TAN staff ignored them.
Makes no sense to me when they ask for feedback and when they get it, they either totally ignore it or give snarky answers in return. Not to professional if you ask me.
Beware the man who has one gun, he probably knows how to use it.
I had only been a member there since 2011, but had lurked for years, I used to think it was a great site. I didn't join any social media until after I retired and could speak freely. In such a short time, I have seen so many changes (you don't fix something that isn't broke comes to mind) that I was perplexed.
And every change had it's problems as well. It seems that the beta testing didn't go so well, but they stayed with it regardless. The emoticon fiasco is a classic example. The majority didn't like what was offered, yet the TAN staff ignored them.
Makes no sense to me when they ask for feedback and when they get it, they either totally ignore it or give snarky answers in return. Not to professional if you ask me.
Were you part of the Beta testing for 5/3? I don't recall who all was in the group. I wasn't staff yet, but had been a part of that by volunteering. I have real mixed feelings on that, to this day. In the plain analysis? I think we all came to love the new system...because we loved the community, and there was no choice left to anything better.
I mean, I never much cared for the new vs. the old simplicity and very clean/fast feel of the entire site. 100% and total compatibility with the new generations of devices was the priority tho, and everything else was second, IMO.
(There were other very real and tangible technical problems mandating major change, too, as I learned later...but the type of change could have been much more seamless....and the whole damn U2U system crashed ANYWAY...so arguable as to success, too)
The emoticons tho..raises the point of real mixed feeling. The reaction to those wasn't just clear...it went clear over into mean and outright cruel for the viciousness some took it to. Veteran members. People whose opinion cut, and cut pretty deep for the harsh way it was delivered. I think it hurt some feelings that were open during that period, and rarely ever had been or likely ever will be again for a couple people in particular. The damage done there...colored a hell of a lot to come in everything since, in a strong personal opinion. It was the Emoticons and reaction to 5/3 as a whole...but Emoticons came as the last big issue for all the venom to seemingly come with.
The thing to sit back and ponder with a frown is...how that wasn't anticipated when the mood was already turning more vicious, even then, and by conscious decisions made with respect to enforcement and handling of policy on the forums. They made their own bed for the real nasty bed bugs to come out in.
Yea, I volunteered for the Beta and tried it for a bit. I can't say that as a user I was happy with it either. I liked the older format, but that was incompatible with other devices as you mentioned so I see the logic of going to the 5/3.
But then again, I am something of a luddite. I don't have neither a tablet or smart phone. I do know how to use them, but see no need for them in my life at this time.
Beware the man who has one gun, he probably knows how to use it.
Not surprised by it since they started the shakedown bit with the donate button .. then selling out even more helping the ex-nsa whiny little girl hawk a book of office politics that it lost at .. pathetic .. at least c.i.a guys dont cry like little girls when they get axed .. not to mention they were smart enough to set up retirement accounts .. the fall started with the link to farcebook .. it accelerated with the shakedown and subsequent events ...