The Future of 2000AD Review Options

[gavinhanly]

OK - as alluded to in another post, I'll be finishing the site up in the fairly near future. Not immediately, though. The end date I'm looking towards at the moment is the 24th July - mainly because I'll be going on holiday then and it would seem like a natural time to make the break.

Until then, things will carry on as normal, with perhaps a few more features than usual as I look to get a few ideas off my chest. The first of those will go up in a couple of weeks when I get back from another, more imminent, holiday. Reviews will carry on weekly, although I'll be taking a break next week.

The site's been running for 7 years and for much of that, it's been a joy to work on. Writers and artists have proven to be a lovely bunch when contacted, and the help I've had over the years from all the contributors to the site has been invaluable. In addition, the feedback on the site from the fans has always been much appreciated. Keeping the site going as a fan resource has been one of my primary reasons for carrying on.

But there comes a time when the cons of running a site like this outweigh the pros, and that time has indeed come. I'm pulling together another (non comic related) site which needs much more of my attention. 2000AD Review takes quite a bit of time to keep running week in week out and a couple of things have happened with it recently that have led me to the very hard decision to let it go and concentrate on the new venture.

Whether that means the site shuts down completely, I haven't decided yet. But it shouldn't be underestimated how much it takes to keep this site going, and I'm not convinced that I'll be able to find anyone who would be willing to take on the work needed to keep it going every week (considering it pays, well... more or less nothing). But if anyone can convince me that they're willing to run it, then I'm certainly willing to listen.

It, however, will still be around as a static online resource as long as Rebellion are willing to host it, and I'll work the details out with them closer to the time.

In the meantime, business as usual. And if you ever fancied writing a review for the site - now's the time..!

[Judge Olde]

Gavin, I've had a great deal of pleasure from this site over a good many years myself. I've always enjoyed the banter & discussions on here loads too. When you aren't too busy I'd be interested to maybe have a chat & get some idea of what sort of amount of work you have to spend keeping this site going. I'd really hate to see it go static or vanish for good. But as I am sure you have some idea - we appreciate all that you've done here. Cheers, hope you have a good break too. Ollie

[AlSaysPop]

I'll repeat what I said on the other thread about 2000AD Review being a necessary part of the 2000AD-related internet, and I only hope someone with the time and the ability to handle it steps forward. It's been a real boon over the years and I'd hate to see it go - that said a site this well-produced obviously takes a lot of sweat and tears to keep running and I can't begrudge you wanting to lay the burden down.

[mechanix81]

As above. I've been here about five year, give or take, and it's the first site I visit whenever I go online. To have well considered opinions on something I love has led to me possibly spending an equal amount of time reading this site as I do reading 2000AD itself.

The forums have been, for the most part, a pleasure to be part of, and contributing to the site itself has been a real honour. However, I wouldn't want Gavin (or anyone else) to be putting more effort than they were prepared to into the upkeep of the site, so I totally understand why its gotta be this way, and at least if Rebellion were to host it, its not like all our memories would disappear into the ether...

Regardless, what are we going to do to mark the end of the site?

[random chance]

It will be a Shame to see this Extremely fine website close down. As far as fan community go this is the only one i have ever bookmarked or taken part in. the presence of 2000ads contributors and the members submitting the articles and review always made this site feel more like a creative community then a place for fan boys to bitch about continuity. It'll be a bit like your favourite pub closing.

[Robert Frazer]

I've only been here for about a year and a quarter but it's been an enjoyable one, and Gavin has had the patience of a saint putting up with my constant delays in finishing reviews! I'd hate to see 2000AD Review shut up shop - would it be possible to select another webmaster to take over your position, Gavin, or maybe spread the burden amongst a few admins?

[clergyman]

Sorry to hear that.

I would love the forum to continue and am hereby volunteering to be an admin if that would help preserve it.

Would I be right in thinking that it's the reviews themselves that take up all the time? Perhaps a blog format (and skip the synopsis) would reduce the workload without losing the essential purpose of the site...

[MC Hammer of the...]

Sorry to hear this Gavin. It does go through peaks and troughs but, when there are enough people contributing regularly, the forum here is great fun and I always enjoy reading the more considered takes in the reviews section, compared with the snap judgements we all rush to post the minute we've read the Prog.

Thanks for all the work you've put into the site over the years too and I do hope it's able to continue in some form.

Pete.

[Fantastic Mr Fox]

Woah, bad news. I'm a bit gutted about this.

[Emperor]

But there comes a time when the cons of running a site like this outweigh the pros, and that time has indeed come. I'm pulling together another (non comic related) site which needs much more of my attention. 2000AD Review takes quite a bit of time to keep running week in week out and a couple of things have happened with it recently that have led me to the very hard decision to let it go and concentrate on the new venture.

I can't comment on the bad things but it is a great resources for an area of comics that doesn't get as much online love as it really should and it'd be a shame for it to end now.

I wonder if it would be possible to keep spread the load (and some of the pain) that would keep things rolling along. I'd be happy to help with... proof reading perhaps and have good web fu if anything technical needed doing.

[Rob Williams]

Sorry to hear this, Gavin. I've always enjoyed reading 2000adreview. You've somehow managed to cultivate a far more reasonable atmosphere around this place than the majority of comic fansites.

[MangaMax]

stomm Been away from the sites for a while now as i haven't thought the comic has been much cop just lately, but, when i dip me toe in, this one i've found to be SO much more pleasurable than the main one.
It'll be missed Gavin
E

[alexf]

I'd like to agree with all the above views that this is a great website, which really succeeds in promoting positive, friendly and often enlightening discussion.

I can only begin to imagien how much work it's been for Gavin to maintain, and the fact that the's updated it every week pretty much without fail for seven years is to be highly applauded!

I'd love to keep submitting reviews for the Progs, Megs and occasional reprints, but I have little admin skills and even less web fu, as anyone who's ever looked at my blog can attest.

Does there need to be an active administrator to keep the forum going?

[Arthur Gruber]

I can understand why Gavin wants to hang up his spurs: thanks Gavin for giving us this site for as long as you have.

I can only reflect everyone else's sentiments by saying that I read this site more than I read 2000AD itself - it's the first site I visit everyday (several times a day). The community spirit is it's endearing quality and is something that I would grealt miss.

I just hope that all the offers folk have put forward to share the admin of the site can be taken up to allow the site to continue.

[Bolt-01]

Ah Stomm! I've finally got some time to check on message boards properly again and what do I find? Sheesh.

Gavin- many thanks for putting up so many of my strips and pictures over the years, and it was great to meet you a Dreddcon too.

This has been a great site- but remember folks- it ain't over till Tony Tubbs sings.

I'm sure that alot of the features will be picked up and continued, in fact I'll see what I can do to help with that.