06-20-2007, 01:30 PM
OTWA is shutting down:
Jim Wrote:First of all, let me say that any misunderstanding or issues over the last week have been totally my fault and responsibility. There has never been any 'formal' instructions for moderation here because for the most part its been so quiet, its something I thought about, but never did. So everything has been done 'off the cuff' with me as backup.
Many of the changes in OTWA that we bemoan, such as the creation of crossfire and the splitting of the forums multiple times were to save time in the areas that I could, such as moderation discussions, etc. I remember spending days on the 'latest argument' and just can't regret that thats not the case any longer. But its come at a cost, and that cost is that vibrancy is lost. A moderation argument used to garner at least 1000 posts , and its probably the most fun some folks have had in a long time (something to get passionate about).
In April, I had decided that I had to close OTWA. I would have even less time, and virtually no time this summer and I could not give users the time they deserve. I decided to wait until after eBay live, because I was hoping I'd get inspiration and ideas and it just didn't happen.
I see less and less need for OTWA; with the eBay boards and groups and blogs and other social networking sites, we just seem archaic and stale and I couldn't find anything, an iota of a reason for me to do this to you guys any longer. Our time has come, to just go quietly in to that good night.
I want you guys to post places to post together, open an ez board, eBay group etc. Please feel free to start threads about where to gather, etc...
I have a lot of people to thank for even having this opportunity to be here over the years and I'll make a special point of doing that over the next week.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
-Jim
(we'll post more details within this thread over the next week as well)
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