The Future Of ToS.

[Eltu]

We have all been asking ourselves the question - what is going to happen to ToS in the future? Will it still be here? Will the userbase remain in the friendly and compassionate state it is in now?

There is one, simple answer to all these questions: ToS is what you make it.

It has always been, and will always be, a member's community. And this has to become especially clear at this time. Why?

Avatar, the beautiful movie it is, will still fade over time. Its message will most definitely not, but eventually we will run out of Avatar related things to discuss. We are currently there - the Avatar centered topics are decreasing in number, and ToS is slowly becoming less of a fan forum... and more of a family.

I have heard some concerned voices lately. People are talking about how some unfriendliness has begun to show - and some of this has occurred, I agree. What has happened, is that the worse sides of human nature has shown themselves. There will ALWAYS be some conflicts among a group of people. What differs us from the rest, is how we treat these conflicts. And it is in these situations we must act like a family. If someone shows unfriendliness, throws insults or feel generally unhappy - we must be there to support the person in question. If we just give dislike back, the worse sides of human nature will take over - and I know that nobody of you wants this to happen.

I urge you ALL - if you feel dislike, annoyance, or even hate - don't spit it out on the other people in here. Share your troubles, your feelings - to solve what is troubling you, instead of letting it hurt other people.

And from the other perspective - if someone says something that affects you negatively - don't share the same back - try to help the person in question.

If there should be a situation that simply cannot be resolved - use the report function and I or any other admin will try and aid as soon as possible.

Also feel free to read the "Our forum" thread (link in my signature) if you have not already.

We have to understand, that just because we have conflicts, it does not mean we have lost our sense of community - conflicts are a natural part of any group of people.

And ToS is a place where we can SOLVE all our conflicts, where going through this can make us better persons.

If we can act like a true family, ToS can last forever.

[Cyan]

Eltu this would all be good, if it were true.

[Eltu]

Make it true. Nothing stops you.

[ZenitYerkes]

There is friction even in the best families.

This is not an AF that got the crisis later on, this is ToS and that means that we are here to stay, at least I will and will do my best to keep this place alive. Heck, I'm writing this from the Netherlands in an hotel with 153 restrictions on the Internet. I DO appreciate this place.

It will slowly evolve. I just hope into someting better, but it's up to the people here and where we want to go.

[Eltu]

Exactly. I guess my main point is...

There will ALWAYS be SOME conflicts here, it's a part of human nature - but as long as we handle them like a group of friends, this place can remain a true family forever.

[Na'vi_supporter]

I hope we will keep this place alive. I don't want to leave and I don't want to see this place empty and ... ! No that mustn't happen. ToS became so much integrated into my life, that it would be devastating to see its death.

[Eltu]

As long as you feel this way, ToS will stay.

[rasomaso]

I'm more afraid of new members coming in, with significantly less friendly attitude, which would make the "good" members leave. Didn't this happen to A-F in fact?

[Eltu]

That is correct.

But trust me, the staff will keep a good eye on such members, and take action if needed

[EywaBlessMe]

As with all sites, there will be an initial surge, and then a waning, especially as older participants, and dilitantes leave.

[Eltu]

"All sites" build upon one central thing - a common interest, a subject, something to discuss and revolve the site around. As you say, after some time the interest for this common subject will wane.

However, ToS is not one of these sites. Avatar was this central point of discussion - but the forum has grown past this. As I said in my original post, we have become less of a fan forum, and more of a family. We can discuss all sort of things - not based on a common interest, but based on EACH OTHER.

This is why I think ToS might very well remain here for a very, very long time.

[Eltu]

Deleted your previous post, Cyan.

SERIOUSLY - as I said in the delete message - if you really dislike the forum so much, LEAVE. Don't spew out negative, destructive comments everywhere.

[Cyan]

But really i was not being that bad,
it was constructive, the only way i will be positive is if you listen to what i say, it agrees with everything you said.

[Txum_kali'weya]

Yay ToS!!
I've never gone a day without posting. For the last 6 months.

[Eltu]

Cyan, you have to make up your mind once and for all.

If you don't like the forum as it is, and don't see any way for it to change, just leave it, for everyone's best.

If you think it can change for the better, leave your suggestions in the feedback forum and we will look into it.

Simple as that.