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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 7:35:24 GMT
I've been on IMDb with an account since May 2001 (and I'm only 29--that was the month of my 14th birthday!). It's literally been over half my life that I've known about IMDb. The boards were 90% of the reason I liked the site in the first place. It was easy to track down the one other person on the planet (sometimes it felt that way) that had watched the same very old movie or show or wanted to talk about some less-known actor, besides the ones that obviously have huge amounts of fans. You could find people talking about ANY movie, show or person, not just worldwide fanbase-level phenomena sure to have dedicated forums elsewhere. It was irreplaceable and there is no way to bring that back, no matter how many threads are started. Exactly. The damage those maggot people did with this little stunt of theirs is really deep. Well, punches go back and forth. Let's see what happens.
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 7:36:45 GMT
The boards are a negligible part when it comes to money earning. They claim to get 250 million visits but thats mainly because the IMDb page is among the first to come up when you google any movie. There are 1.7 million ratings for Shawshank Redemption, so at least that many registered users. The amount of people who use the message boards or at least the amount of signatures the petition has gotten isn't even 1% of them. So yeah, we are a disposable vocal minority. ... as far as they're concerned.
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Post by Ass_E9 on Feb 6, 2017 8:16:36 GMT
I've been on IMDb with an account since May 2001 (and I'm only 29--that was the month of my 14th birthday!). It's literally been over half my life that I've known about IMDb. The boards were 90% of the reason I liked the site in the first place. It was easy to track down the one other person on the planet (sometimes it felt that way) that had watched the same very old movie or show or wanted to talk about some less-known actor, besides the ones that obviously have huge amounts of fans. You could find people talking about ANY movie, show or person, not just worldwide fanbase-level phenomena sure to have dedicated forums elsewhere. It was irreplaceable and there is no way to bring that back, no matter how many threads are started. Your story is the kind that should be added here: getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/imdb-message-boards
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Post by rudeboy on Feb 6, 2017 9:42:39 GMT
Yes, unfortunately this is real. We can all sign the petition - I certainly did - but I don't see any realistic possibility of this being reversed.
As already noted, this is quite devastating. There are many of us who have been on these forums for many years. My current profile is dated 2003 but I had at least one prior to that. IMDb2 can replicate the wide range of general boards - kudos to those who set this up and got the word out so quickly. What is truly crushing is the loss of the boards for specific films and individuals. That is irreplaceable. One of the most enjoyable things about my life as a movie lover for the past decade and a half has been checking out the board for a film after watching it, engaging with others or simply reading what has been said, occasionally posting my own thoughts, questions or answers.
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Post by tarathian123 on Feb 6, 2017 10:00:09 GMT
Perhaps I'm grasping at straws, but would the fore-warning of closure be to give a sounding-out period of the reaction, with the possibility of mind-changing occurring? I, like many, don't like the formats of Facebook, Skype et al. The discussion-based IMDb message-boarding is my preferred method of social networking. There is still 14 days to persuade the IMDb admin to change their minds. I hope they will. Make your opinions known on getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/imdb-message-boards
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 10:26:55 GMT
Take a look at something I posted elsewhere a while back, about an imdb ex-employee's post on reddit regarding what they're really about: I don't usually frequent Reddit, but I would like to read that article, though. Found it: https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/5ruzwc/imdb_message_boards_shutting_down_effective/ Manhattan_Writer•2d This is no surprise whatsoever. I've worked at IMDb (the worst and most discouraging experience of my professional life ) and believe me, the company is a soulless, empty corporate shell that has one goal: to sell advertising. It's not about movies, TV, or being 'guardians of data' - everything is about making money. The entire site is setup to sell advertising, and movie data is simply a means to achieve that. End of story. The reason IMDb is getting rid of the message boards is simple: they can't be monetised. If IMDb could make money out of the boards, they'd be staying, but there's no cash in it for them, so they're getting axed. The sell-outs who run IMDb will have looked at the 'metrics' (a risible corporate buzzword the Data Team loves so much) and decided that traffic is not high enough for them to make any real money. It really is that simple. I've experienced first-hand the obsession with metrics, and making money (at the expense of customer satisfaction), and it really is pathetic to behold. No decision is made at IMDb without greed being factored into the equation, and believe me, they will also shut down certain data sections at some point if they get in the way of making money. Forget the fact that the site has compiled 20+ years worth of important data - if one of the sections can no longer be monetised effectively (Literature, for example), they'll just get rid of it, and dump the hard work of thousands of contributors without batting an eye. In financial terms, keeping the message boards live costs IMDb basically nothing, bar the human cost of maintenance, which - when considered in the context of the site's huge annual profit margin - is less than miniscule. Still, community cannot get in the way of making money, and trying to increase the site's earning by 5-10% every.single.year. There's no point complaining about it, making suggestions, or suggesting alternate, viable solutions - the hacks at IMDb don't give a toss. There's no money in it for them, so they're not interested. They'll fob you off with the usual hollow platitudes, but make no mistake, the IMDb that people love died years ago. Now, the site is just a shiny, corporate plaything, pimped out by Amazon for the purposes of making money, with greed - not customer focus - being its primary driving force. One final note: it probably burns IMDb that the majority (over one third) of their users come from China, the audience for which is far less valuable to advertisers than, say, the USA and the UK. Only about 5% of IMDb's users come from the UK, which is ironic considering the site originated in England. But, I digress - IMDb stopped having relevance years ago; Letterboxd is far superior.
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Post by tarathian123 on Feb 6, 2017 10:55:03 GMT
I tried letterboxd. Wasn't impressed, although I confess I didn't go into it too deeply. I found that the messaging format is pretty much like Facebook which kinda put me off it.
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Post by gljbradley on Feb 6, 2017 16:18:45 GMT
Take a look at something I posted elsewhere a while back, about an imdb ex-employee's post on reddit regarding what they're really about: I don't usually frequent Reddit, but I would like to read that article, though. Found it: https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/5ruzwc/imdb_message_boards_shutting_down_effective/ Manhattan_Writer•2d This is no surprise whatsoever. I've worked at IMDb (the worst and most discouraging experience of my professional life ) and believe me, the company is a soulless, empty corporate shell that has one goal: to sell advertising. It's not about movies, TV, or being 'guardians of data' - everything is about making money. The entire site is setup to sell advertising, and movie data is simply a means to achieve that. End of story. The reason IMDb is getting rid of the message boards is simple: they can't be monetised. If IMDb could make money out of the boards, they'd be staying, but there's no cash in it for them, so they're getting axed. The sell-outs who run IMDb will have looked at the 'metrics' (a risible corporate buzzword the Data Team loves so much) and decided that traffic is not high enough for them to make any real money. It really is that simple. I've experienced first-hand the obsession with metrics, and making money (at the expense of customer satisfaction), and it really is pathetic to behold. No decision is made at IMDb without greed being factored into the equation, and believe me, they will also shut down certain data sections at some point if they get in the way of making money. Forget the fact that the site has compiled 20+ years worth of important data - if one of the sections can no longer be monetised effectively (Literature, for example), they'll just get rid of it, and dump the hard work of thousands of contributors without batting an eye. In financial terms, keeping the message boards live costs IMDb basically nothing, bar the human cost of maintenance, which - when considered in the context of the site's huge annual profit margin - is less than miniscule. Still, community cannot get in the way of making money, and trying to increase the site's earning by 5-10% every.single.year. There's no point complaining about it, making suggestions, or suggesting alternate, viable solutions - the hacks at IMDb don't give a toss. There's no money in it for them, so they're not interested. They'll fob you off with the usual hollow platitudes, but make no mistake, the IMDb that people love died years ago. Now, the site is just a shiny, corporate plaything, pimped out by Amazon for the purposes of making money, with greed - not customer focus - being its primary driving force. One final note: it probably burns IMDb that the majority (over one third) of their users come from China, the audience for which is far less valuable to advertisers than, say, the USA and the UK. Only about 5% of IMDb's users come from the UK, which is ironic considering the site originated in England. But, I digress - IMDb stopped having relevance years ago; Letterboxd is far superior. Wow. So, this means that we were all duped by IMDb for so long. I think it's time for everyone who's been a member on there to deactivate their accounts and never return.
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 18:02:27 GMT
Take a look at something I posted elsewhere a while back, about an imdb ex-employee's post on reddit regarding what they're really about: Found it: https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/5ruzwc/imdb_message_boards_shutting_down_effective/ Manhattan_Writer•2d This is no surprise whatsoever. I've worked at IMDb (the worst and most discouraging experience of my professional life ) and believe me, the company is a soulless, empty corporate shell that has one goal: to sell advertising. It's not about movies, TV, or being 'guardians of data' - everything is about making money. The entire site is setup to sell advertising, and movie data is simply a means to achieve that. End of story. The reason IMDb is getting rid of the message boards is simple: they can't be monetised. If IMDb could make money out of the boards, they'd be staying, but there's no cash in it for them, so they're getting axed. The sell-outs who run IMDb will have looked at the 'metrics' (a risible corporate buzzword the Data Team loves so much) and decided that traffic is not high enough for them to make any real money. It really is that simple. I've experienced first-hand the obsession with metrics, and making money (at the expense of customer satisfaction), and it really is pathetic to behold. No decision is made at IMDb without greed being factored into the equation, and believe me, they will also shut down certain data sections at some point if they get in the way of making money. Forget the fact that the site has compiled 20+ years worth of important data - if one of the sections can no longer be monetised effectively (Literature, for example), they'll just get rid of it, and dump the hard work of thousands of contributors without batting an eye. In financial terms, keeping the message boards live costs IMDb basically nothing, bar the human cost of maintenance, which - when considered in the context of the site's huge annual profit margin - is less than miniscule. Still, community cannot get in the way of making money, and trying to increase the site's earning by 5-10% every.single.year. There's no point complaining about it, making suggestions, or suggesting alternate, viable solutions - the hacks at IMDb don't give a toss. There's no money in it for them, so they're not interested. They'll fob you off with the usual hollow platitudes, but make no mistake, the IMDb that people love died years ago. Now, the site is just a shiny, corporate plaything, pimped out by Amazon for the purposes of making money, with greed - not customer focus - being its primary driving force. One final note: it probably burns IMDb that the majority (over one third) of their users come from China, the audience for which is far less valuable to advertisers than, say, the USA and the UK. Only about 5% of IMDb's users come from the UK, which is ironic considering the site originated in England. But, I digress - IMDb stopped having relevance years ago; Letterboxd is far superior. Wow. So, this means that we were all duped by IMDb for so long. I think it's time for everyone who's been a member on there to deactivate their accounts and never return. Quite correct, emotionally manipulated, all of us, through our sensibilities for artwork and whatnot. Your idea is very good. user antmac thought about it too and it seems to me like quite a lot of people feel the same way too: Perhaps we should delete our accounts ahead of the shutdown, just to make sure... Beat IMDb to the punch and take our posts with us, so to speak. (link to thread: imdb2.freeforums.net/thread/381/imdb-freeze-posts-leave-delete) I went ahead of schedule myself. Didn't even have to bother deleting my account, they wiped it all out for me in a fit of rage most likely, the little maggots. Out old school. I say fk'em. Leaving them our accounts and full control to do with it as they will is just like waiting around to be kicked again till the last minute. I think someone should boycott them or something big time, amazon and all of them, bring them down right to the ground for what they did, till they're nothing but an internet myspace or less. Some people here have suggested to keep accounts with them, but I say for what? So they can keep profiting from it somehow while herding profiles around like cattle? I don't think so. I say fk'em and let them all rot in hell.
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 18:15:05 GMT
Wow. So, this means that we were all duped by IMDb for so long. Big time. Played for suckers all along and finally knifed right in the back. It's exactly what I'd do to say the least.
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Post by gljbradley on Feb 6, 2017 19:59:25 GMT
Wow. So, this means that we were all duped by IMDb for so long. Big time. Played for suckers all along and finally knifed right in the back. It's exactly what I'd do to say the least. Also, I think those who've ever contributed to any piece of trivia to any of the movie or TV pages should delete them all and save them somewhere hopefully for the future.
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 20:33:24 GMT
Big time. Played for suckers all along and finally knifed right in the back. It's exactly what I'd do to say the least. Also, I think those who've ever contributed to any piece of trivia to any of the movie or TV pages should delete them all and save them somewhere hopefully for the future. It sounds like a great idea to me. We built up/grew up the site, let's dismantle it and bring them down with it. I think you should make a thread about this: "Let's Dismantle IMDB" or something like that. Then spread the word. I'd back you up. If you don't create the thread, maybe I would do it or maybe someone else might do it instead. @silentsiren provided this link for saving entire imdb threads: web-capture.net/
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Post by MCDemuth on Feb 6, 2017 20:47:34 GMT
So, in short: The problems IMDb had are easily fixed, but those in charge are just too lazy to do anything about it and would rather shoot all their toes off. In short, they're all a bunch of maggots. sCUM, just like I told them straight to their face. You know, now that I think about it, I think I'm the FIRST whose entire data was deleted by imdb, how about that. I've heard a lot of people are going to delete their data... And close their accounts... Does that mean all those existing reviews will be gone too? I also wonder, without so many people going there now, who will write new reviews... as well as other trivia and stuff? I also believe IMDb just signed their own death warrant.
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Post by tarathian123 on Feb 6, 2017 20:52:35 GMT
I just deleted one of my lesser IMDb accounts. My film reviews (I saved them elsewhere) and message board posts on that account are all gone.
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 20:57:33 GMT
In short, they're all a bunch of maggots. sCUM, just like I told them straight to their face. You know, now that I think about it, I think I'm the FIRST whose entire data was deleted by imdb, how about that. I've heard a lot of people are going to delete their data... And close their accounts... Does that mean all those existing reviews will be gone too? All of it. Something else will come up. It always does. I'm quite sure of it. Probably amazon too, and the three fronts behind this awesomely stupid move. I hope to see them in rags, all of them.
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 21:01:48 GMT
I just deleted one of my lesser IMDb accounts. My film reviews (I saved them elsewhere) and message board posts on that account are all gone. Cool move. I hear a bunch of people are also deleting their amazon accounts.
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Post by MCDemuth on Feb 6, 2017 21:10:21 GMT
Perhaps I'm grasping at straws, but would the fore-warning of closure be to give a sounding-out period of the reaction, with the possibility of mind-changing occurring? I, like many, don't like the formats of Facebook, Skype et al. The discussion-based IMDb message-boarding is my preferred method of social networking. There is still 14 days to persuade the IMDb admin to change their minds. I hope they will. Make your opinions known on getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/imdb-message-boards I have a Facebook account. But something happened about a year ago, and I just wouldn't load properly anymore. I couldn't get it to work, So I quit using it... IMDb talks about people using Twitter. What a joke! Twitter has a character count limit on each post. It won't allow everything I just wrote (ABOVE) into a single "Tweet"! It would be impossible to review or discuss movies on Twitter. I have only made three tweets, and that was because I need to contact someone who insists on only using that... ANY other means of communication is better that Twitter. But I also agree... "the discussion-based IMDb message-boarding is"... also.. "my preferred method of social networking."
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 21:46:46 GMT
Perhaps I'm grasping at straws, but would the fore-warning of closure be to give a sounding-out period of the reaction, with the possibility of mind-changing occurring? I, like many, don't like the formats of Facebook, Skype et al. The discussion-based IMDb message-boarding is my preferred method of social networking. There is still 14 days to persuade the IMDb admin to change their minds. I hope they will. Make your opinions known on getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/imdb-message-boards I have a Facebook account. But something happened about a year ago, and I just wouldn't load properly anymore. I couldn't get it to work, So I quit using it... IMDb talks about people using Twitter. What a joke! Twitter has a character count limit on each post. It won't allow everything I just wrote (ABOVE) into a single "Tweet"! It would be impossible to review or discuss movies on Twitter. I have only made three tweets, and that was because I need to contact someone who insists on only using that... ANY other means of communication is better that Twitter. But I also agree... "the discussion-based IMDb message-boarding is"... also.. "my preferred method of social networking." A very bad joke.
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j2
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Post by j2 on Feb 6, 2017 21:51:12 GMT
I'm actively looking for a handful of men who'll help me create one BETTER permanent option against all this crap. I'm so fed up with it that I'm willing to put a couple of years of work into it personally. I had enough of this "facebook twitter [others]" garbage. Gotta stop.
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mattjoes
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Post by mattjoes on Feb 6, 2017 23:25:51 GMT
Do you really think IMDb will be stupid enough to close the area that gets more traffic? I have no reason to doubt the message board traffic is negligible compared to the total website traffic. Do you? I'm sure the decision makes sense from a business standpoint, but I imagine IMDb, like other sites, has a mission statement, and it wouldn't surprise me to see this decision actually runs counter to it. To some extent, it goes against the passionate film fans the website was built upon. It's more of a matter of integrity/"social responsibility." Unless of course trolling has something to do with the boards closing and they will be reopened some day, after dealing with that problem.
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