Strenght in numbers: Why ToS?

[Dreaming Of Pandora]

Hey Forum,

This is my first post here and it might just get me hated here already in ToS but here goes.

I've been a member of AF since the beginning of January and am a loyal member to that forum.

I just want to make clear that I have no problem at all with people who have left AF over the layout change and have come here instead. The skin change was by far the darkest time in AF and anyone who was around for that would understand that we didnt look like 'true' Avatar fans during then. All the idealism about understanding and loving one another became irrelevant for the couple of days during the rather nasty debates about the skin change. I wouldnt blame any of you for not wanting to stay in AF.

During this dark era I was invited by one of your own (Tudhalyas), I would've taken him up on this offer but I decided the continuity of AF was more important than leaving for a forum skin.

Why? Strenght in numbers.

Is two less-active forums really better than one big forum where all our friends are in one place, where we can have it like the 'good ol' days', and generally enjoy Avatar as a family?

Over time, both these forums are gonna lose members because there's gradually more members going to ToS but ToS isnt active enough to keep members active in it.

So why move? Why thin ourselves out amongst two forums? Werent the times when we were all in one big forum the best? Is a background image really that important?

Recently AF went under another big change, for the better! They've introduced a Default layout for people who cant stand the older skins, that's a reason to come back. Lon is currently bringing in new features and is also organizing a meeting between James Cameron and AF members (not entirely sure about ye).

This is why I dont get why people stay here, is it better here? For what reasons? Are the two forums all that different now? Personally I dont see the difference (apart from some good members we lost to this place).

Some people say ToS is more "Avatary", how exactly and if there's a good reason I could forward your ideas to Lon.

Everyone has their reasons for being here, I may not know exactly what these are but I respect it nonetheless. I dont see the end of these two forums being a good one, I see it more as a gradual seeping away of members from both sites (because neither will become active enough to retain members). The more regular members from both sites in one place, the better and more enjoyable it will be.

The unification of ToS and AF (there's actually a group for this on AF!) is the best solution, I feel. Some of my friends left AF for here and it hasnt been the same since, and Im definitely not the only one who feels this sadness.

We need you back.

Obviously Im not expecting the majority here to agree with me (ye wouldnt be here otherwise) and I will respect the answers you give me (as long as they're nice )

I See you all,

Eywa ngahu,

Chris