When does a site begin to die?

[Onyx]

OIC. Hmm yeah I'd say that's rather a turn off and likely to lose you part of your userbase.

[Gabby]

" I don't know how the thread went, but unbased fears sounds so familiar about that community. So much tension and so much stress for trying to communicate in general."

It's still a WIP. It's pretty divided, a lot of people have said no support and not given a single reason because 'they didn't want to be quoted and refuted.' Which me and the other supporters found rather ridiculous - if you post on a public forum, especially on a controversial topic, your argument will probably be (respectfuldisagreed with. Many of the no supporters have threatened to quit and are acting very exclusive towards people who would like to sell their art for USD. I am yet to see anybody on the supporting side act in this manner.
You can't just tell someone to 'go do that on another site,' that's how you lose members entirely, and permanently. (Like the site did when it first banned USD.)

I know who you're talking about, actually, because one of the members you're referring to brought it up in conversation with me. If you would allow a moment for me to explain, perhaps then you and your supporters might understand the situation better. The site we're talking about has a horrible time handling any argument with any sense. It's usually a personal onslaught of non-whimsical attacks-- "I don't support because this idea would never be used, who would use it? It's just useless I mean there is so much we don't use already I don't see a point." The only positive criticism presented is made in a condescending one-sided way with no respect to anything the user said. It gets to a point where it's just not sensible to argue, even if you know the person debating wouldn't handle it that way, there are so many supporters you recognize that would. So, it's not so much about 'the heat of an argument', it's more like how it's handled. If you don't mind me making a metaphorical comparison, it's the same way you would handle school if you were being forced into drama at lunch. You don't want to deal with all the dramatic remarks, so you eat your food in a bathroom stall to avoid it. It's the same concept with this site. If you make a suggestion, there's such a dramatic response that practically nothing you addressed is being practically, logically, or even intelligently debated in a critical discussion. I'm sure you're dealing with those type of situations with your art sale USD suggestion (that's also been mentioned to me before)

Everyone's top argument seems to be 'it's not fair to offer USD because not everyone can afford it.' Um, the internet is full of things you can't buy, this would just mean the things you can't buy happen to be on the sim site you play. xD

Exactly. You didn't even have to verify what I just said, lol. It's right there. I bet things haven't changed at all. I bet you try relentlessly to emphasize your argument and the opposing debater keeps bringing irrelevant facts into the discussion. It's irritating, hence why people don't feel motivated to fight against it (they have multiple times in the past).

That's another sign the site is dying, the members are rigid and close-minded to possibly beneficial changes.

The owner's attitude is no different. Nothing practical has been added, except art which cripples the motivation for artists to submit their own images at all.

I feel like I'm missing half the conversation here, with not having any clue about what the site in question is xD What does this selling for USD mean? Selling site related stuff or just selling art privately?

Selling art privately. I'm going to encourage Centauri to make a thread about this on here. If she's up to it she could really hit home with some strong key points that I heard through the grapevine she was making..

The site isn't to be named yet :/ I will eventually call it out, but now isn't the best time for it. You know how there's a time and place for everything? This would be one of them.

[bauss]

A pet site begins to die, when you see the owner and staff not checking in daily, and there is a lack of updates.

[rusticshadows]

I'd say when the owner pulls a disappearing act, or can't fund their site anymore. That's gotta be the most discouraging thing to staff and members alike to see that your owner hasn't been on in weeks, or has and has just been avoiding duty. Something like that starts to seep downward. First the owner, then the staff becomes discouraged and either leaves for more encouraging ventures, or becomes less active themselves. Then because of the lack of updates the members just go elsewhere or become inactive themselves.

[Ajax]

I think when the owner leaves, or when the staff stop being as active as they could be.

[cpvr]

A pet site begins to die, when you see the owner and staff not checking in daily, and there is a lack of updates.

If the site has been around long enough, their numbers will decline. Owner comes back and starts updating again, site rises again. That's a trend I've been seeing lately. So its all about your fan base - are they still posting on the forums and playing? Then the site is not dead.

I think when the owner leaves, or when the staff stop being as active as they could be.

Ya, that's very true. If a owner takes a year off, their numbers will drop a whole lot. The owner of a pet site is the one with the vision to have the site, and the staff members carry out their vision. If you have staff lined up that can work on the site while you're away, then it won't die off.

[Ajax]

That's right, the sites need to get like that if the owners going to go away @cpvr

[cpvr]

I'd say when the owner pulls a disappearing act, or can't fund their site anymore. That's gotta be the most discouraging thing to staff and members alike to see that your owner hasn't been on in weeks, or has and has just been avoiding duty. Something like that starts to seep downward. First the owner, then the staff becomes discouraged and either leaves for more encouraging ventures, or becomes less active themselves. Then because of the lack of updates the members just go elsewhere or become inactive themselves.

+++ Especially without leaving a clear direction to the staff members and what needs to be done.

That's right, the sites need to get like that if the owners going to go away @cpvr

Surprised it doesn't happen more often than not.