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-UE

IJBM II's Two Year Anniversary

edited 2013-01-07 13:09:06 in IJBM meta
Loser

January 8th is the two year anniversary of IJBM II's creation, so it seemed like a thread might be in order. I guess last year's thread was a bit sappier than expected, but feel free to get sentimental again if that floats your boat. I do not really have anything else to say about this, but below is a questionnaire if you would like to answer it. It does not matter how long you have been here for the purposes of that questionnaire by the way. It is open to everyone.


Also, the stuff about the other sites and least favorite moments is kind of sensitive, so it is probably a good idea to avoid importing drama or insulting specific users when talking about it.


On IJBM II:



  • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



  • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



  • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



  • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



  • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



  • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


On IJBM:



  • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



  • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



  • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



  • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



  • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



  • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



  • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


Poll Question:



  • What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?

Comments

  • edited 2013-01-07 13:13:44
    OOOooooOoOoOOoo, I'm a ghoOooOooOOOost!

    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



    Somewhat. Never really thought about it much.



    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



    Nah. There are people I like here, and they talk about stuff I like talking about.



    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    I don't care about size so much as general quality of posting, and we're way above average in that regard.



    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



    Idunno. A lot's happened.



    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    Atmosphere seems a bit different. We've had people come and go, after all, and it's a relatively small community.



    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?



    Continuing to post here and trying to make it a pleasant place to be.



    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    Other than a few familiar faces (most of them now actually going by different names and using different avatars), not even a bit.



    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?



    Nope.



    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    Stopped liking the site and posting there entirely.



    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    No. I might give HH a shot at some point. Maybe. But I'm lazy and only really have time for one forum.



    Does the existence of three different Tv Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    Big site, people stopped liking it so much. Seems logical, though I wouldn't have expected it beforehand.



    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    Probably not all three. I think one or two of them will be around.



    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?



    No and no.



    What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?



    Don't look at me. I've changed my avatar twice.

  • Give us fire! Give us ruin! Give us our glory!

    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?


    Yes.


    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?


    Sort of, mostly because I have friends here.


    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?


    It's getting a little small for my taste. But I don't really know how we'd attract quality members though. By that I mean people that have something interesting to contribute and not act like assholes and get banned after a week of joining.


    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?


    Best: The Timewarp.


    Worst: Draven.


    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?


    No, and no.


    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


    Keeping the regulars, regular.


    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


    No, and that's a good thing.


    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


    No.


    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?


    Yes, I have nothing but disgust for TvTropes right now and I can't even bring myself to look at the site and cringe whenever someone elsewhere uses troper-isms.


    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


    BTL founder here, and no.


    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?


    No, but I am surprised they survived.


    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?


    Quite possibly, but don't quote me on that.


    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


    No, and no.


    What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?


    Can't think of anything that isn't stupid.

  • edited 2013-01-07 13:41:15
    Has friends besides tanks now

    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



    Not really, because I never gave it much thought.



    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



    No. I have friends here whom I've known for a while, and whom I would miss if I left.



    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    It's kinda weird how small it is now, but I don't mind because, like Clockwork said, post quality is generally acceptable-to-great, and less people to keep track of means more time to be productive (hypothetically).



    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



    Couldn't tell ya.



    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    It feels less juvenile, to me (probably helps that I'm less juvenile now), and the sense of humor is different now, so I would say yes.



    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?



    Setting good administrative and moderation precedents, which were sorely lacking in the early days, keeping people off each other's throats in times of drama, and making sure posts are still interesting in general.



    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    Nope.



    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?



    Probably not. Maybe. I don't remember much of old IJBM, honestly.



    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    "Stopped liking the site and posting there entirely." Might have stopped posting sooner than last year, actually. I'm pretty sure.



    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    I've tried both, and while I have nothing against either site, the respective atmospheres don't really do it for me.



    Does the existence of three different Tv Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    Not really, especially since they're all for different reasons.



    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    I doubt all three, but hopefully we'll be one of them.



    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?



    In spite of some overlap, these sites are all different enough that I don't see the point in a merger. And I don't know if I would want to merge them.



    What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?



    Dinosaurs.

  • edited 2013-01-07 13:55:04
    yea i make potions if ya know what i mean

    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



    Incredibly. Kinda thought the place would implode on itself.




    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



    Yes and I have no idea, respectively.




    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    Entirely too small, but I have no idea what I'd do to fix it.




    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



    No comment.




    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    Not really. To either question.




    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?



    Elephino.




    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    In several ways. It's not as openly vitriolic but there's still a lot of over-seriousness.




    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?



    Not really. the first IJBM sucked.


     



     
    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    I still think the site is ultimately one of a good premise executed poorly, and the still semi-recent crusade through there by the assorted goon wannabees last year left a poor taste in my mouth. As for my posting habits, I got banned, so, yeah just a bit.




    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    Heapers' Hangout. I spend more time there than here honestly, and wish our quote button was the same as that site's.




    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    No. People splinter all the time. I'm amazed BTL is still going though.




    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    No idea.




    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?



    No, and hell no, respectively. I hate BTL.

  • edited 2013-01-07 14:52:02
    Diet NEET

    On IJBM II:



    • No. There are forums with only one person responding to his own posts that have lasted.



    • No. Boredom and likeminded people.



    • About right. I'd hate advertising this shit anywhere, but we have a shitton of lurkers who could be dragged out of the woordwork.



    • Draven, because running someone out on a rail is funtimes. Least favourite was the angst thread, because I don't like problems that don't have a clear-cut and easy solution.



    • I've think everybody's matured a bit. College shenanigans are becoming more of a time.



    • Funnily enough, people getting out more and doing more stuff IRL, a good mix of meatspace shenanigans and online nerd interests keeps both sides fresh.


    On IJBM:



    • Yes, minus some of the more colourful personalities.



    • Nope, those guys are the Ponychan to our /mlp/(not really, but hugbox is so overused these days)


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    • Stopped frequenting their forums a long time ago.



    • Don't know, don't care.



    • No, 'I'll start my own' is the way of the world.



    • Don't know, don't care aside from TVT.



    • Yes, and it's a terrible if amusing idea.


    Poll Question:



    • Genderflipped hypermasculine(think Jojo's Bizarre Adventure style) versions of our usual animu avatars.

  • (I'm going to answer before reading other people's responses.)



    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



    Nope. Not anymore.



    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



    Not surprised. I like the community and being part of it.



    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    Could be bigger so as to have more topics to talk about and in case it grows too small to sustain discussions and stuff. No idea how to go about making it grow.



    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



    Favourite? Halloween!


    Least favourite? I dunno, very little happened since last year that stands out negatively to me. Being a drama hound helps with that.



    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    It's become much quieter and less drama-prone, and with more discussions about fiction and making it.



    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?



    I don't know. Leeching more members off TVT? (Hey, it's what's worked in the past).



    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    Like night and day.



    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?



    I'd check it out, but unless it were like this site or the original IJBM (and I doubt it'd be either) I'd likely leave soon enough. I know very few of current TVT forumites outside of specific threads, and with no longer being interested in the site, I no longer have a reason to want to fit in.



    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    It hasn't changed, except I feel even more so that Fast Eddie is oblivious about it, and otherwise being more indifferent towards it.


    There's only one thread I (rarely) post in (the Spanish one), and merely check two other threads when I'm bored (the What Was The Wiki Like When You Discovered It one and the Absent people one). New threads never catch my interest and I almost never check outside Yack Fest.



    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    I check HH now and then, but never post there anymore. I don't know if the community is larger, but it certainly feels more lively, I'd like that.



    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    Nope, TVT has been a large site for quite a while, it was bound to happen. What I find surprising is that they spinned out of a deleted subforum, a megathread and a drama incident.



    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    Last I checked (admittedly long ago) BTL was really small and didn't have many new members, I'd be surprised if it'll stick around for that long. HH doesn't seem to be lacking in activity or members, new or otherwise, so that one might make it.


    As for IJBM, I don't know, but let's make it happen!



    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?



    I think they're very different, and that if they were merged the result wouldn't resemble what they're like right now. I certainly wouldn't want them merged.



    What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?



    Lesbians! Moe dictators! I dunno, but it'll probably come spontaneously.

  • I'm a damn twisted person
    Phone post so no quote fun times, but I second the idea of a dinosaur avatar bandwagon.
  • They're somethin' else.

    On IJBM II:



    • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?


    Yes and no.



    • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?


    Probably the people.



    • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?


    I'm fine with the size of it. Then again, there's not a lot of variety here, which makes discussion of anything kind of bland.



    • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?




    Can't really say.



    • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?


    It's pretty much gotten smaller and smaller, and that's all I really notice.



    • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


    corny subsections? I dunno.


    On IJBM:



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


    No, and maybe that's for the best.



    • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


    Unless the way it's run and the kind of people that go there have improved, not voluntarily, no.


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?


    I suppose I've outgrown it. You need a certain naivety to post there, and yet you build some disgusting modes of thinking from staying there too long. All I ever do nowadays is frequent the video game and film boards.



    • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


    Not an active one, no. Anything I'm missing? Serious question.



    • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?


    Not at all. It's natural that people would be so repelled by the site.



    • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?


    Probably not, unless they keep evolving.



    • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


    I don't think they'll merge without some bad compromises. I wouldn't want it happening, nor do I see it necessary.


    Poll Question:



    • What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?


    1. Pixel art
    2. avatars assigned to everyone ala a Secret Santa.

  • a little muffled

    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?
    Eh, maybe a little.


    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?
    No, and I dunno, inertia I guess? And some of the people here are cool too.


    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?
    I wish it were a bit larger, but only if we could get people who actually fit in and make quality posts. I second the thought that getting some of the lurkers to post more would be a better goal than trying to recruit new members.


    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?
    idklol


    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?
    No, and...yeah, a bit, but not too much.


    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?
    I feel like if one or two of our more active members left the site might just die. That's in my experience the most common end to small forums like this; you don't realize just how big a percentage of posts are made by one or two people until they stop.


    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?
    Barely. Actual IJBMs are like two thirds of threads now, tops. Probably more like half at this point.


    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?
    Unlikely.


    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?
    My view? Nah, not really. I still like the site in principle but find its administration insane. My posting habits have changed in that I have cut the number of threads I still post in from two to one.


    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?
    No.


    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?
    Not really.


    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?
    idklol


    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?
    No and dear God, no. No offence to the people here who are on BTL, I know there are cool people over there, but I've lurked there a bit and the culture is not anything I'd want to be a part of.


    What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?
    Tarmogoyf. Or dinosaurs, that works too.

  • edited 2013-01-08 17:09:43
    "you duck spawn, refined creature, you try to be cynical, yokel, but all that comes out of it is that you're a dunce!!!!! you duck plug!"

    On IJBM II:



    • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?


    Nah, but haven't been here back in the day.



    • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?


    See above; as of now, it's the community. Like, a coffee house. Or better perhaps, like a pub where a bunch of downtrodden, jaded complainers meet up daily.



    • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?


    Kind of big enough. I could enjoy a couple more, but it would require them fitting roughly the same mold and being roughly recognizable.



    • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?


    Can't say for sure.



    • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?


    Naaah... I guess...



    • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


    The jaded-downtrodden-guys-pub factor.


    On IJBM:



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


    No way. Early IJBM perhaps, but only so far.



    • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


    Not anymore, I'd say.


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?


    Past year dunno, but there've been crazy things. Nowadays I just lurk, but so far consider it a temporary state.



    • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


    Nah... and the rest you know. Else I don't know enough of them.



    • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?


    As I see it, I am not sure why is HH out there, otherwise nah. 



    • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?


    This site yep, but the others not sure.



    • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


    Would bring a couple new guys, seems like HH to an extent, BTL not really.

  • edited 2013-01-07 20:40:17
    probably human

    Edit: ...Whoops!

  • probably human

    On IJBM II:



    • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?


     

    Not really, to be honest. Thing's always had a fairly steady momentum of posts.

     


    • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?


    >Implying that I post, ever.

     

    Really, though, I'm not surprised that I keep lurking. Discussions are interesting, here!

     


    • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?


     

    Seems a-okay to me.

     


    • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?


     

    Shrug.

     


    • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?


     

    IJBM's changed to be more debate-focused, I think?

     


    • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


     

    Activity, regulars!

     


    On IJBM:



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


     

    Not really! Different dudes, different tone!

     


    • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


     

    Nope. IJBM's grown into its own lil' thing.

     



    • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?


     

    Sort of? I still like it, but I'm more aware of its flaws. I don't really post any more, though I still lurk.

     


    • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


     

    Nope!

     


    • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?


     

    Nope!

     


    • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?


     

    ...Nope?

     


    • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


     


    Nope!

  • On IJBM II:



    • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?


    Not really, no. The community's big enough, active enough, friendly enough and knit closely enough that I'd be surprised if this forum went under anytime soon, barring unforeseen major developments.



    • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?


    A little. I've contemplated just up and leaving a few times, but I'd have to say that it's the community. I like the people here, I like talking with the people here, and I feel like I have a place here. It's nice, and I don't want to just give that up without good reason, despite my occasional fuck-ups.



    • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?


    I think it's about right. We're large enough to generate plenty of activity, but we're small enough that we all know each other fairly well, new members don't just get lost and opinions are pretty much never passed over.



    • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?


    I can't answer this question. I was away for half of the year, and I unfortunately don't remember the first half. I had more important things on my mind at the time.



    • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?


    I think we've become a bit more authorative, but I think that's a good thing. There's still quite a friendly friendly atmosphere, but the rules are a bit firmer and enforced a bit more strictly when they're being broken, and members causing trouble are more likely to get tossed out after maybe one second chance than the numerous second chances I think I remember Chagen getting. I definitely view this as a good thing, particularly as it means there's less garbage being spewed out by crap members, which improves the quality of the site overall. The drop in shitposting is also something I heartily approve of.



    • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


    I'd have to say that it's keeping the community strong. We're friendly with each other and everybody knows almost everybody fairly well, and we're pretty inclusive of new members (from my perspective). That's what keeps us up, and I think that's what'll keep us up.


    On IJBM:



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


    Given IJBM went down shortly after I joined and I barely went there, I cannot answer this question.



    • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


    Going by the stories I've heard, not particularly, no.


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?


    Definitely. In a nutshell, I swung around in heavy support of the Facist Eddie viewpoint, and when I left it to focus on school I decided pretty quick that I wouldn't be going back to the forums there. Since the few people who used to PM me there are now here (or I can contact them on other forums/through other means), all I do now is run the pages for an RP site I'm on and occasionally go on a binge when I'm bored and can think of nothing else to do.



    • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


    No, and definitely not. What I've seen of both of those forums don't appeal to me at all, and I would be disappointed if aspects of them sprung up here.



    • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?


    Not particularly. If (faulty) memory serves, there were a lot of people dissatisfied with TvTropes, and not everybody's going to like the approach of IJBM2. Multiple spin-off boards catering to different aspects of TvTropes makes a fair amount of sense to me. I'm just glad I joined this one and not one of the others.



    • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?


    I think this one will still be here. I honestly can't speak for the other two though. I would not, however, be overly surprised if they failed. No offence meant to members of those forums.



    • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


    No, and no. As I implied above, I think that if people wanted to be here, if they wanted the various aspects of TvTropes we originally and (still occasionally) provided, they'd be here. Same holds true for me: I like what IJBM2 is, I like its atmosphere, I like its community, I like its approach. If I wanted the aspects HH or BTL would provide, I'd go there. I think a merger would be to our detriment; we're solid now, and pulling in aspects and members from the other forums would wreck that.


    Poll Question:



    • What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?


    Russian cosmonauts. Failing that, space sloths. Failing that, whatever avatar Juan has.

  • edited 2013-01-08 00:43:28

    On IJBM II:



    • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



    • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



    • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



    • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?




    • Not really

    • A little. I guess discussion is somehow more interesting nowadays than it was last year or so.

    • Too small. I don't really know how to attract more members besides putting up "hey, here's another forum" in one's forum sigs, but I don't really want to link my identity on other places with this one...

    • Favorite: dunno. Least favorite: when, whatever issues brought up in the "Malking" thread became most noticeable. More closely knit communities can be boring for me.

    • Well, I'm a little less bored here now. Not sure what else to say.

    • Dunno



    On IJBM:



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?




    • Dunno.



    • Dunno.



    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?




    • Perhaps, since I don't post there as much these days. But then, I can be like that with any forum.

    • No, although I did post on the older version of BTL. Dunno.

    • Not sure

    • Dunno.

    • No. No.



    Poll Question:



    • What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?



    Not sure. Avatar size is kinda small for me here. Maybe choose weird symbols instead of characters?

  • On IJBM II:



    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



    Nah, this place is pretty relaxed.



    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



    No, I like everyone here. I used to say that was true of TvT, but everyone I knew was banned and coming here or gone forever, and they were gradually replaced by some of the most naive people on the planet.



    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    It's just the right size for a generous amount of activity, but not so much you've have pages and pages to waste going through.



    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



    Can't think of any, though if anyone felt unwelcome or uncomfortable here at any point, they can let us know.



    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    It's been more or less the same, except with a bigger community atmosphere and thus more megathreads.



    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?



    The community.


    On IJBM:



    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    No, and Thank God for that. If we were anything like the original, we would have people coming in without approval, starting shit threads and I would have to read dozens of moderator reports from overly sensitive people who didn't like certain topics.



    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?



    That would mean agreeing to the old moderation, and that is absolutely a no-no.


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    To be honest: ALL THOSE NEW PEOPLE SUCK. They are naive as all get out. That combined with the unwarranted banning of many people showed their direction was one I did not want to follow. Like GMH I post on threads of interest occasionally, but that place is mostly dead to me now



    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    No. HH sounds like Yack Fest 2: Yack Festier, and BTL people seem to despise us. Whatever.



    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    No, although none of us are "official" that a spin-off would imply, we're more like anti-fan clubs.



    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    This one will, not sure about the others.



    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?



    No, and I don't want them too.

  • edited 2013-01-08 03:56:23
    You can change. You can.

    (Doing this blind)



    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?



    Just in a purely "Huh. That's interesting" fashion.



    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?



    These days? Sorta. I just don't find most discussions here to be as engaging as they used to be and I just kinda lost the energy to explain myself to people unless it's strictly necessary. But I like most of the people here and those who I don't like hardly are much of a presence.



    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    I'd say it's too small and it could use an expansion, but it's not something that the forum really needs. It's just something that would make it much more compelling to me.



    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?



    I dunno. Everything relating to BTL and TvT? There're also some of our beloved banned users like Falconfly or Draven.


    Favorite, though? The timewarp was sweet. But most of my experience has been pleasant here so...if I had to say a favorite moment, I'd say it was most of my time on the forum.



    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    Nah, by the beginning of 2012, I had pretty much realized that IJBM was my kind of community. I think that it has become slower, though. And less people seem to be posting these days outside of the Updates thread.



    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?



    I dunno, keep posting and interacting with each other?



    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    No Chagen shit-threads make this already a much more different place.



    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?



    Nope. I just don't find the idea of being on TvT compelling these days and god knows I've tried to go back and keep in contact with some people I liked over there who refuse to get a tumblr/IJBM/Steam/IRC account but overall I just disagree with almost every principle the wiki and the forum are based on.



    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    I still think it's shit and I finally managed to mostly ragequit. I pop up every blue moon on the Magic thread, which is a really nice place but besides that, meh.



    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    No and to be honest, I think they're very incompatible forums. That and I kind of loathe BTL (With no offense to Milos, TNS et al who I think are really great people but I just dislike the atmosphere over there)



    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    See the first question.



    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    BTL seems kind of volatile but the last time I saw anything regarding that place, they were in plain server change and I felt like there was a big dramatic rupture in the community so...I dunno, I might just be under the wrong impression, and like I said, it's not like BTL doesn't have people who I respect so there has to be something going on there, right?




    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?




    As mentioned before, I believe them too incompatible (Although these days it's starting to feel more like IJBM is a sort of a meeting ground for people from HH and BTL, considering how many of our semi-regulars hail from both places)

  • edited 2013-01-08 17:06:13
    if u do convins fashist akwaint hiz faec w pavment neway jus 2 b sur

    On IJBM II:



    • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?


    Not really.



    • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?


    I like the atmosphere - like Gacek said, it sort of reminds me of a smoky pub full of rough patrons that is, nevertheless, charming once you get to know it.



    • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?


    A bit of fresh meat wouldn't hurt, to add some flavor and get things going.



    • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?


    The timewarp was fun. As for my least favorite moment... I have no idea. Even Draven and Falconfly were amusing to deal with.



    • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?


    I don't remember how I used to view it when I first came, honestly. And yes, I believe it has changed a lot - basically, going from a forum dedicated to bitching about stuff to a more-or-less ordinary forum about media discussions. We need more bitching, it can be fun.



    • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


    Keeping the regulars regular.


     


    On IJBM:



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


    Not much, if at all.



    • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


    No. I just don't like the current TVT community.


     


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?


    I stopped posting roughly a year ago, for reasons all of you are already aware of. I've actually been toying with the idea of going back just for the hell of it, but didn't go through with it. Last I checked, my username was redlinked and troper page nuked, whatever that means.


    All in all, while my view on TVT is still overwhelmingly negative, there are a few people towards whom, looking back at it, I have been unfair to, for all their faults. I feel that apologizing would be the right thing, but I believe it's too late for that, and I am too weak a person.



    • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


    HH is way too inane and often immature to my taste, and I'm a founding member and moderator on BTL. All in all, I currently view it in the same way as a parent sees their retarded, malformed child - it's the way it is, but it's still your kid and you love it. It definitely had potential, and it's not a bad place now, but it has left a bad taste in many people's mouths, many regulars have left and it is dying. As a moderator, I feel that I am partly to blame, as I just stood there and did the Hamlet thing while everything was going to the dogs.



    • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?


    Nah, it's expectable when it comes to a big, flawed community.



    • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?


    Like I said above, I believe that BTL is, sadly, dying. HH, perhaps, although it may lose activity as many of its members could outgrow it. IJBM, probably.



    • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


    If BTL dies, I'm pretty sure that many of its members who wish to stick with the community will fully migrate here, so a merger between the two is possible. Maybe HH, too. All in all, it may not be a bad idea.


     


    Poll Question:



    • What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?


    I have no good ideas.

  • No rainbow star

    On IJBM II:



    • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?


    Nope. We have enough members and turnover that the number stays stable, yet not so many that the forum goes to shit



    • Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?


    Nope. And the community



    • Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?


    About right, although I do sometimes post to Reddit threads that ask for small sites to try to get some new blood here



    • Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?


    Favourite: *Shrugs*


    Least Favourite: A certain event involving me that caused a massive shit storm



    • Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?


    Iunno



    • What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


    A good, steady stream of new users that isn't high enough to kill the site?


    On IJBM:



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


    Not at all. Heaper's Hangout, on the other hand...



    • If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?


    Nope... Maybe...


    ...I'm a hopeless addict


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:



    • Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?


    I think my account there is gathering dust



    • Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


    Yes. No



    • Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?


    Eh, it was bound to happen. Heaper's Hangout was the best thing, though, as it leached the heavy shit posts from here. It's like IJBM's spam forum



    • Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?


    This one and HH for sure



    • Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?


    No. HH and IJBM have different feels. No comment on BTLS as I don't go there


    Poll Question:



    • What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?


    Pokemon. Of the seXY variety (Because Pokemon X and Pokemon Y hardeeharhar)



    • In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?


    Not at all. Heaper's Hangout, on the other hand...



    I've been thinking the exact same thing.

  • >"About right, although I do sometimes post to Reddit threads that ask for small sites to try to get some new blood here"


    >Reddit


    I'm obligated to complain about this due to childish site loyalties.

  • Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?

    The first year, I was. Now, not so much.


    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?

    Only a bit. I come here because my computer's wireless card is fucked up and I can't properly connect to #yackfest anymore, so this is the next best thing.



    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?



    Too small. The thing is, it's hard to get new people in, because the purpose of this site has become to host a community of people that came from a specific site at a specific time... I guess if the lurkers thing is true it could be them, then. Provided I liked them.


    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?

    I've been mostly absent throughout the last year.



    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?



    Were Chagen, Vorpy and co. around one year ago? If so, yes.



    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?



    Moisturizer



    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?



    It very vaguely resembles IJBM back in the old days when it was just a regular informal discussion forum, but that's about it.



    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?



    Well, as far as IJBM's premise is concerned, it was just an informal discussion forum. If you mean restored as in "with similar people and topics" then maybe, it would probably be entertaining.



    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?



    It (both wiki and forum) stopped being amusing altogether, I started to only check out the threads of things I was into. Then I got into stuff they weren't into, and I pretty much stopped checking it out.



    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?



    No, and if what I heard about them is true, I hope not. In fact, it'd seem as IJBM II had plenty of aspects about both those forums that were eventually abandoned.



    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?



    Nope.



    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?



    Ñope. (It's like Nope, but extra Latin American)



    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?



    Does that kind of thing ever actually happen?


     



    What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?



    I'd say Ouran High School Host Club, but I don't think it'll catch on.

  • edited 2013-01-10 13:09:50
    Loser

    Stormtroper,
    It's become much quieter and less drama-prone, and with more discussions about fiction and making it.


    I agree that there does seem to have been a transition here from complaint forum spin-off to media discussion forum. There are probably pros and cons to that that other people could describe better than I could, but it certaintly is a big and (in my opinion at least) unexpected change from what IJBM II once was.


    For example, the first IJBM II anniversary thread was much more focused on moderation, incidents of drama, and TV Tropes talk. While part of that might have just been because of the design of its questionnaire, it does seem to be the case that the "TV Tropes refugee" aspect of the forum has decreased somewhat. Unfortunately, as I think Noimporta rightly points out, the size and composition of the forum's makeup have not reflected that change much.


    Basically, even though the overwhelmingly majority of IJBMers post sparingly (if at all) on TVT, I sort of feel like the userbase itself is still strongly associated with TVT.


    Schitzo,
    Not an active one, no. Anything I'm missing? Serious question.


    Some of the people here who are active on BTL might be able to help you out there, but one possibly positive thing about HH is that it is more active than IJBM is and the moderation style is arguably a bit different. My impression is that people post more about creative stuff they have done there too, though I might be off on that.

  • yea i make potions if ya know what i mean

    HH isn't more active than this place. 


    I kind of wish it were sometimes, but it's not.

  • You can change. You can.

    Failing that, whatever avatar Juan has.



    Finally, someone with taste

  • edited 2013-01-10 23:47:21
    Loser

    Super Lazuli,


    HH isn't more active than this place.


    I kind of wish it were sometimes, but it's not.


    My mistake, sorry about that, I guess was just thinking of how fast the trash heap can move sometimes.


    Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?
    I guess so, but it was probably predictable that it would not disappear.


    Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming
    back?
    I am somewhat surprised that I keep posting here, but what other people said for why they still are here probably applies for me too.


    Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?
    I think the site could benefit from a larger community for the reasons stated above. Based on what other people said I am beginning to be persuaded that IJBM’s community might be an alright size though.
    Actually recruiting people is pretty tough I guess. At the very least, I feel like it would be feasible to at least try to get some Heapers over here that are not already members.


    Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?
    I am not sure about favorite moment, but my least favorite ones are probably any of the drama incidents that led to bans this year.


    Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?
    I cannot say I totally care for it becoming smaller and more community-oriented, though I cannot really complain either since it seems like moderation has improved substantially (as Legionnaire mentioned) and people tend to be reasonably chill. Super Lazuli's point about it being overly serious also seems legit to me and I feel like it might be something worth keeping in mind.
    As Stormtroper and Ironweaver pointed out, the site more closely resembles a general media discussion forum now than it did before and there seems to be less wonderposting.


    What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?


    I am not sure. Having IJBMers collaborate on something could be a way to give it more of a purpose even though that kind of stuff may not be necessary for its survival.


    On IJBM:


    In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?
    I barely remember the original IJBM, though I feel like the complaint threads are at least a little like it. The media discussions seem to be something else entirely though.


    If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?
    I suppose I might lurk/post there for a week or so to see if it seemed alright and then go from there.


    On TV Tropes/Spin-offs:


    Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?
    I think I pretty much decided that investing a lot of time in the site did not make a ton of sense when I was not exactly dedicated to it or contributing much and when there were plenty of other people around willing to work on it who were more passionate and capable. As for posting habits, I went from posting mostly in the TRS forum to not posting at all.


    Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?


    I am a member of HH, though I mostly just lurk there. I sort of wish IJBM II was as creative as HH is and maybe a bit less serious like that site, but that is about it.


    Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?
    Yes, if only because I had never heard of sites spinning off from a forum like that. It does strike me as being particularly odd, as Stormtroper mentioned, that they have such different sources (though I suppose the reasons for IJBM and BTL being formed may be a little similar) .


    Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?
    I do not know enough about BTL to judge. Based on how close-knit HH’s community seems to be and how active it is, I could definitely see it surviving for a long time. As for IJBM, seeing as it has gotten this far, odds are that it will survive, albeit most likely in a more skeletal form unless it picks up some new members/calls back some inactive ones.
    Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site?


    I think it is physically possible but it is probably extremely unlikely given the differences in the sites’ userbases and atmospheres and the logistics of actually doing something like that. Sorry that this question is a little silly by the way.
    Would you want them to be merged?
    As dumb as it may sound, I kind of would, if only because there are some former tropers on HH (for example) that I would like to see on IJBM and vice-versa. Plus, I feel like having a bigger site with subforums might be nice, though that is probably just a personal preference.



    Poll Question:


    What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?
    An Ouran High School Host Club theme sounds fine to me.

  • edited 2013-01-11 04:32:42
    Creature - Florida Dragon Turtle Human

    > Are you surprised that IJBM II is still around?

    In some ways, yes; in others, no.

    The extended TV Tropes community contains a lot of ex-tropers who are interested in maintaining contact, but don't want to do so through the site for various reasons.  We are, de facto, a community of primarily ex-tropers, and there's definitely an audience for us to serve.

    That said, for a little forum that was created to continue the essence (whatever that was) of a subforum that was to be axed, I am quite surprised that we're still here.

    > Are you surprised that you are still posting on IJBM II? What keeps you coming back?

    I'm not surprised that I'm still around; in part because I'm a mod, I kinda have a responsibility to look over the place, and besides, this place is great for wasting time.

    What keeps me coming back is that the people here -- all of you, that is -- are just so awesome and cool to hang out with.

    > Do you think that IJBM II's community is too large, too small, or about right? If you believe it is too large, do you have any thoughts about ways of attracting new members/bringing back inactive ones [no worries if the answer to the second question is no]?

    I think our community is rather small, and I'd like to see a more diverse crowd frequent our forum.  Right now we're almost exclusively a bunch of teenage/young-adult male ex-tropers who like discussing videogames and anime, and I'd like to get more people who enjoy discussing more things.  As much as I like media discussion threads, I also like the unpredictable meatspace/philosophy/politics/life-is-like-this threads, and I liked how on the old IJBM I could spring them up all the time and thanks to the speed (or volume, alternatively) of the forum, they wouldn't seem too much and they'd also actually get interesting responses, some of which developed into thought-provoking threads.

    I'm not really sure how to recruit new members.  I am aware that IJBM's activity does frequently revolve around several very-frequent members, and I'd like us to have a broader userbase.

    I think what we could do is to try to attract back a bunch of old members that aren't currently active but are definitely still around in the TVT meta-community, such as being active on Heapers Hangout or something.  This especially applies to those people who left us very early on (like, within our first few months) because of drama or stupidity that we had a bit of a reputation for back then.

    As for new people, from outside the TVT community: being a general-topics forum with a creative media emphasis, I'm not sure we have a natural base constituency other than the one we're currently serving.  However, please feel free to invite your friends over; a cozy little forum like this one is an awesome way to keep people connected.

    > Just looking at this past year, what are your favorite and least favorite IJBM II moments?

    I don't really remember in a "this year in IJBM" logged sense.

    > Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?

    The atmosphere has changed a bit; I'd say that what started off as (what I'd hoped to be) just a general chat forum has definitely taken on a media emphasis, and actually, come to think of it, I guess I'm okay with it.  It makes sense given our userbase, and no point in being a killjoy about it.

    I do enjoy seeing meatspace-oriented posts though.  It's always refreshing to see people on the internet talking about non-internet stuff.

    > What do you think is the most important factor for keeping IJBM II alive in the future?

    Maintaining a userbase.

    The good news is that various community activities are popping up.  Plug.dj, people organizing MtG matches, and stuff like that.  I'm trying to let y'all know when UE streams his gaming, and I might start streaming gaming (or other things) myself.

    > In your view, does IJBM II of today resemble the original IJBM?

    Only barely, in the sense that it's a general-topics forum with a media emphasis where people go to complain about stuff.

    The atmosphere, the speed, the language, the posting style, and more are all very different.  IJBM I was extremely fast and shitposty; IJBM II is much slower and more thought-out, thoughtful, and polite.

    > If the old IJBM was somehow restored to TVT, would you want to post there?

    Sure, though that ain't gonna happen.  And even if it did, it wouldn't be the same as this place.

    > Has your view of TV Tropes changed in the past year? Have your posting habits there changed at all?

    I've since given up on the wiki.  I had a few pages I was planning to make there, but the YKTTW interface is just too clunky (last I used it, at least), and there have also been various administrative decisions that I think were ill-advised, so I've decided that, apart from being a contributor of minor corrections, I won't bother with editing it.

    I stand by my opinion that TVT ought to be a site for encyclopedically cataloguing tropes and features of all creative and media works, and thus ought to be an analysis tool (though not a presenter of analysis).  However, I no longer put lots of effort into arguing with people over site policy in order to make the site such; I've given up in thise sense.

    I still post on the forum, though I pretty much only check my thread watchlist.

    > Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?

    I'm a member at HH, and I think I was at BTL way back when it started.

    HH kinda stole our shitposting crowd.  I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing.  On one hand, I personally like shitposting, and I think an occasional dose of shitposting helps liven up this forum a bit when it gets a bit slow.  On the other hand, some of you don't like shitposting as much, and seem to be glad that it's become minimal.

    That said, I think our two forums are on good terms with each other, and I'm cool with that.

    BTL I know kinda hated us for some period of time a while back during the P5 controversy (a.k.a. Second Google Incident) at TVT and there were some rather epic three-site conversations going on between IJBM, BTL, and SomethingAwful (four if you count TVTF).  I hope that's subsided since, though I haven't followed BTL.

    > Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?

    Not really.  With a community the size of what I call the extended TVT community, you have tons of people, many of whom can get together and share common interests.

    > Do you think that all three of them will still exist two years from now?

    I will defer to the Medic.

    > Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site?

    It's technically possible, but you'd end up with three crowds of people using one big room, basically.

    Right now, people (some of whom are members of multiple sites) use each site for particular purposes.  Given the partially shared userbases, you'd also get some mixing-together of purposes, which some people might not like (see my earlier observation of some people here liking the lack of shitposting).  Both IJBM and HH are configured to show the first page of all threads, by default; if you combined just these two sites, that would basically mean people who came to the combined site for the shitposting would need to sort through the serious topics, and vice versa.  I guess we could use subcategories and stuff, but that would just be a bit clunky.

    > What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?

    [CLASSIFIED]

  • edited 2013-01-21 00:04:30

    I won't answer questions I can't feasibly answer, as a non-regular poster.


    "Are you surprised that IJBM is still around?"


    Yes.


    "Has your view of IJBM II changed since last year? Do you think its atmosphere has changed?"


    I used to think this place was full of sperglords. It is, but there are plenty of cool people too.


    "Are you a member of either of the two other spin-off forums (Heaper's Hangout/Beyond the Lampshade)? If so, are there aspects of those forums that you wish IJBM II had?"


    I helped found and post on BTL, and wish this place was more like it since it's more active here.


    "Does the existence of three different TV Tropes spin-off boards surprise you at all?"


    I'm not as spergy about it as I was before, but the point stands that TVT's moderation is fucked and its inevitable that people would create different forums.


    "Do you think all three of them will exist two years from now?"


    BTL is hard to say. We aren't getting very much activity right now but it's like that, posts dry up and then some drama happens (like that huge SA vs BTL vs IJBM melee a trois) that gets things rolling again.


    "Do you think that those three communities could ever be merged into one site? Would you want them to be merged?"


    Many current posters on BTL post here too. Personally I'd hate some people from here to mix with mai precuz betul or whatever.


    "What should IJBM's next avatar theme be?"


    Goatse.

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