Are we dead?

[~Dandrë~]

Hi guys. If you're still out there, I'd just like to tell you that I'm still here... and it appears that Meduseld is dying. (if it isn't already dead... )

There's been zero activity for several weeks, and a bare minimum for the past month. If we're still around and want Meduseld back, we better start posting soon. I mean, it would be kind of silly if we're all stopping by regularly, shaking our heads, whispering, "nope, nothing new", and going on to a different site. (which is what I've been doing for a while... Wonder if I'm the only one? )

Whatever happens, I've enjoyed our time together. I hope we meet again. May the grace of the Elves be with you always!

Yours,
Dandre

[~Dandrë~]

:/ not one single person?

[WhiteLady]

you're right. It seems like everyone has gone. ........but i'm here.

[*~*Háthawyn*~*]

I've been having internet problems for about a week, and had been travelling for a month...but now I'm back and with internet access again!

[~Dandrë~]

ok, there's three of us. does that look promising? *hugs* join the circle, maybe the fellowship can still regroup.

[Elorendil]

I'm so sorry I've been gone... I've been having a major personal crisis and very nearly had a mental break down, two weeks ago. Things are getting better, but finding the energy to post is difficult, most days. Hopefully, I will be able to return to my normal activity level, soon.

[*~*Háthawyn*~*]

I hope you get better soon, Elor!


Erm...does anybody know about Sim She hasn't been online for a looong while, that's never happened before...I'm starting to get worried here.

[MirkwoodArcher]

I'm here.

[*~*Háthawyn*~*]

It's great to "see" you here, Nen!!!

[Elessar]

Hmm, well - there was that recent sort of revival that took place, which was quite promising.

But most Tolkien-based messageboards seem to be going the same route right now, unfortunately. The ones that are surviving are the ones that have a large non-Tolkien talk base to keep discussion lively and varied. It's my opinion that Med will "die" if something drastic isn't done, in the way of expanding its discussion forums. Philosophy, non-Tolkien films, etc etc, besides just one forum for off-topic discussion. I had a lot of good times here, and I'd love to see it continue. I think another thing that we need is some new blood, new members. Dandre, you've been the single best thing that's happened to Med recently, as far as getting the place going again!

So those are my thoughts: grow (more varied forums, less of a completely Tolkien emphasis) or diminish permanently. Kind of morose, but there you go.

[Elorendil]

I think Elessar is right. With the exception of the well-established LOTR forums, most are dying out. So we have to decide if we should "diminish, and go into the West", or adapt our board to appeal to more people.

Personally, I would rather adapt than see Med die out. We can still keep the LOTR themes, etc, but I think we do need to expand the horizons of our discussions.

[Elessar]

Sim, are you around to give your thoughts on this?

[~Dandrë~]

Dandre, you've been the single best thing that's happened to Med recently, as far as getting the place going again!

Thank you Elessar! I appreciate it.

And yes, it may be kind of morose... but we do have to look at things realisticly. You don't have to look very far to realize what an amazing site this once was. You guys took Internet interaction to a whole new level.

Elorendil brought up the quote "diminish, and go into the West". Now, if you think about it, that wouldn't be an entirely bad thing. There are quite a few LotR forums left that are still thriving. What if we all decided on one that we thought was a little like the Meduseld we know and love? Then we could all become members together and sort of "blend" into the larger community. That way we could all be together, maybe form our own "house" or something. But we'd still have the larger community to draw from for activities, real strong discussion of our beloved stories, and friendship. I personally think this might be the best way for us to "re-awaken" Meduseld. We'd still be together, and together we could help spread our "light" to the rest of the Tolkien world. Because I'm sure even some of the biggest Tolkien sites on the net could use some of our support and interest.

If Sim can be found, that would be wonderful. Also, we should try to let other members who have been around recently (like Tish and Chloe and MeredithThornbank) before we make the journey into the West.

[*~*Háthawyn*~*]

erm...I'm not sure if I agree with Dandre's idea... I think all of the older members who are still here are really attached to this site, so it wouldn't be the same thing if we simply moved to another. Of course we could do that as well, but I don't see myself leaving this forum that easily. Maybe we could do both things: finding ourselves a good, active place, and also trying to revamp Med.
I will try to contact Sim, so that she can give a word on the ideas all of you have given so far.
any opinions on that?

[Elessar]

Hmm, yeah I doubt that most people will want to collectively move unless the situation gets very dire... I was in one community that did just that, moved to a completely different site because the host company that ran the forum got very ad-motivated and money grubbing. That move was actually really successful. Everyone came and the community is very much the same, just a different location. But I don't really see the same being necessary for Med unless, say, Proboards suddenly starting acting up or crashing a lot.

Erm...does anybody know about Sim? She hasn't been online for a looong while, that's never happened before...I'm starting to get worried here.

I've been wondering the same. I imagine that life has gotten busier for her lately. (I'm not sure, is she in university?)

Like I said, I think the survival of Med hinges on branching out and the creation of new forums. Maybe even having all Tolkien related forums brought into one. Or one for books and one for movies. Music, Rumors, etc could go into films and Book Club, languages etc could go into books. Not just subforums: I'd be all for a complete merge. Though subforums would probably have the same effect. That would make room for a branching out of discussion. And as I believe only Sim has that kind of formatting power unless she is able to return all discussion about it is moot. And after all, it is her messageboard, so she can do whatever she wants with it. Those are just my thoughts.