Dreamwidth?

[norwich36]

So I've been playing around with the idea of buying a seed account at Dreamwidth when they go up for sale on April 30, since apparently this is the only time ever they will be selling permanent accounts, but the fact that only a few people on my f-list seem to even know about the project makes me question whether it's worth shelling out that much money. So: a poll.


[Poll #1375329]

For those of you who checked the last radio button, here are some good resources to read about the project:
Links to a bunch of posts explaining why this project was undertaken--see especially this one , in which synechdochic explains why she undertook this project; Dreamwidth's wiki page; a post explaining how Dreamwidth is different than other fan-run journaling sites ; a post by cathexys about why dreamwidth is right for her ; and a post by zvi_likes_tv about getting started on Dreamwidth , for those lucky enough to have closed beta accounts.

Comments

[anoel.livejournal.com]

I think it's going to take some time for people to hear about Dreamwidth and switch over but with the cross posting option more and more people will do it, see it's the best choice and stay there permanently. So I'm getting a permanent account to support an amazing project, get a name there to last forever and not have to worry about paying and because I truly believe this will be fandom's home for the future.

[mskatej.livejournal.com]

I don't want to leave LJ because I like being at a service that isn't just for fandom (I really don't believe we need to be *more* insular), but if everyone migrates I may change my mind.

[shopfront.livejournal.com]

I'm planning to buy a permanent account, because I figure if we do end up migrating there, I'm happy to keep up payments and support the site that way. I was a lot younger when I bought a permanent account on eljay, and yearly paid account payments were dependent on my parents, so that security of features was the biggest incentive for me to purchase one here. Now that I'm older and regular account payments are down to me and not really something I'm concerned about being able to keep up, that's no longer an issue, and I er on the side of if you have a permanent account once you've been on the site for x amount of time you're no longer an asset for the people running the place.

Not that I'm concerned at this stage that lessening my/our ongoing financial worth to Dreamwidth will mean we'll get put on the back burner for the people running Dreamwidth (after all, if I got the same vibe from them that we've gotten from LJ the last few years, I wouldn't even consider moving over at all) - but given that I now can, I'd like to support the site more in the long run if we end up staying there long term. I'd say to hell with it, buy a permanent account, and just continue to invest in goodies for friends and other ongoing ways to financially support them, buut... I know myself too well. Good intentions will turn into one of those things I kept meaning to do but somehow forgot about if I have the convenience of constant extra features for myself, heh. I figure there are probably quite a few people hoping to snag a permanent account anyway, so they won't have any trouble selling as many as they need/want to.

So while, yes, of course my long term use will be determined by how successfully we built a community there, I'm hopeful about that building effort, and my account choice isn't really reflective of how committed I am to the service. I'd also really, really like to migrate completely and leave livejournal behind altogether. *crosses fingers*

eta: also, after reading the comments, my two cents are that while I don't expect the userbase will be as diverse as it is here (at least not for quite some time, aside from perhaps other niche groups that are invested in having a friendlier home like fandom is invested in it), I'm not too concerned because I'm pretty much on livejournal for the fandom. Given that they've stated that a more diverse userbase is necessary for the site to be around for a long time, it's not something I'm too concerned about happening. If fandom ends up having a higher chunk of the userbase than we have here though, that won't bother me at all! :P Also that, yes, it'll take some patience for us to really rebuilt the community feel there and get our bearings. I'm more hopeful for it happening though, because this seems like a bazillion times better option that IJ, GJ, JF, etc., which all failed because there was no incentive for the stragglers to go join the initial masses that grabbed accounts there and considered moving.

[melusina]

Slight correction - I'm buying a paid account (or getting an invite) as soon as possible and moving permanently, albeit gradually. I can't justify the expense of a seed account right now, although I desperately want one. . .

I think it's going to be the next big migration, although it will certainly take time for people to make the transition.

[huzzlewhat.livejournal.com]

I'll buy a paid account — the seed idea is attractive, but money's a bit tight right now, and I can't justify it. But I want to claim my name, and if it's as good as the buzz indicates, it might just be my main base in the future. But... I bought a permanent (very cheap) account at InsaneJournal, in case the Great Fannish Migration happened, and it didn't. And since I'm on LJ for the fandoms, I'm a little wary.

[serenography.livejournal.com]

I know nothing about this, so thanks for the information and links. I'll definitely check them out.

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

I didn't pick an option - I am planning on (a) finding out if they support cross-posting using semagic. I don't have time to manage a seperate blog. then I will need to test out the authenticated RSS feeds (so I can aggregate content from LJ and other blogs), then I will buy a month to month paid account to test it. If it works, I might spring for more,.

interoperability is what will drive me.

[skuf.livejournal.com]

I don't have $200 to throw at something like that, but I plan to cross-post there (i.e. to IJ/DW, since I'm not posting at LJ), hopefully making it my primary journal, if it feels as welcoming and open as IJ. I don't need a seed acount for it :o)