The End (but maybe a new beginning?)
To all our readers, sadly I'm the bearer of bad news. It looks like Weird Universe is winding down to a close. We're going to have to pull the plug on this experiment in weirdness.
Chuck and Paul will both be posting their own messages soon, but basically the situation is that the site is proving too time consuming, to the point that it's interfering with our efforts to make a living. (Wish it weren't so... but that's the cold, hard facts.) So we've had to make a choice, and we've chosen to call it a day.
Having said that, I have to admit I feel very bad simply abandoning this community of fellow devotees of weirdness. So I'm searching for some way to allow the site to survive without the need for Chuck, Paul, and I to come up with content every day.
My idea (which may prove to be hare-brained) is to hand the site over to you, the readers. We'd let members post content. In essence, this would turn Weird Universe into a kind of metafilter-style blog.
I haven't thought through all the ins and outs of this yet, but if enough people express an interest to make the idea seem like it might have a shot at working, then I'll keep posting stuff (just not every day), and Chuck, I believe, will continue to post material here, but on a weekly (not daily) basis.
Of course, I can't offer people who are willing to post stuff any money, 'cause the site doesn't make any money to speak of. But I can offer an audience of a couple of thousand readers.
If no one is interested in this, then the site gets mothballed.
Let me know your thoughts!
Chuck and Paul will both be posting their own messages soon, but basically the situation is that the site is proving too time consuming, to the point that it's interfering with our efforts to make a living. (Wish it weren't so... but that's the cold, hard facts.) So we've had to make a choice, and we've chosen to call it a day.
Having said that, I have to admit I feel very bad simply abandoning this community of fellow devotees of weirdness. So I'm searching for some way to allow the site to survive without the need for Chuck, Paul, and I to come up with content every day.
My idea (which may prove to be hare-brained) is to hand the site over to you, the readers. We'd let members post content. In essence, this would turn Weird Universe into a kind of metafilter-style blog.
I haven't thought through all the ins and outs of this yet, but if enough people express an interest to make the idea seem like it might have a shot at working, then I'll keep posting stuff (just not every day), and Chuck, I believe, will continue to post material here, but on a weekly (not daily) basis.
Of course, I can't offer people who are willing to post stuff any money, 'cause the site doesn't make any money to speak of. But I can offer an audience of a couple of thousand readers.
If no one is interested in this, then the site gets mothballed.
Let me know your thoughts!
Comments
Sad day. :long:
If you can, try to keep it open for the readers to post.
If you can, try to keep it open for the readers to post.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 05/01/09 at 08:19 AM
:down:
Very sad!
I'll admit, I haven't had as much time as I would like to be an active WU participant lately, but I might just cry if it goes away!
Very sad!
I'll admit, I haven't had as much time as I would like to be an active WU participant lately, but I might just cry if it goes away!
Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 05/01/09 at 08:25 AM
"Bother," said Downcrisis as his favorite website threatened to close down. "Now all I'm left with is Cheezburgerz and Wikipedia to fill my empty soul."
Seriously, it's a sad day for all but if we can, I say let's keep it up and running and see how it goes!
Seriously, it's a sad day for all but if we can, I say let's keep it up and running and see how it goes!
Posted by DownCrisis on 05/01/09 at 08:28 AM
I too would like to see this continue on. There would still be a disproportional amount of work for you three to do (or whomever keeps the site up). I hope enough readers volunteer up their time to keep it going.
If not, we've enjoyed the ride.
If not, we've enjoyed the ride.
Posted by Paul in Athens GA on 05/01/09 at 08:29 AM
Are you-- are you breaking up with us? Baby, we can change. We can change! Those other sites we visited? That was a mistake, but we were just scared to commit. Now we see what you mean to us. We're ashamed of the way we behaved, but we want to make it up to you. Come on, give us another chance, honey.
Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 05/01/09 at 09:10 AM
If you went the Metafilter route there'd be a lot more posts about Pancakes...
Posted by Freddie Freelance on 05/01/09 at 09:43 AM
This site has been one of the greatest pleasures in my day. I would be more than happy to contribute by posting on this site. I don't mind giving up some of my time that I spend looking for weird stuff if I can share it with others.
Posted by Matt in Florida on 05/01/09 at 10:11 AM
I'm in. I promise to devote an hour per day (at work's expense of course) searching and posting weirdness.
You guys have been great, definitely the most entertaining site online.
Patty, maybe if I become an administrator, I can block all Wiki know-it-alls!
You guys have been great, definitely the most entertaining site online.
Patty, maybe if I become an administrator, I can block all Wiki know-it-alls!
Posted by mrjazz on 05/01/09 at 10:12 AM
I also regularly visit customerssuck.com and think WU could work in a similar fashion. It is a pretty bare-bones format, just open forums for people to report on their often horrific experiences dealing with the public.
They have a few moderators who mostly just keep spam off, move stuff to the correct category, etc.
They have a few moderators who mostly just keep spam off, move stuff to the correct category, etc.
Posted by StanFlouride on 05/01/09 at 10:24 AM
How about some compensation? Can't speak for anyone else I'd be happy to pay a small subscription fee. $5 a month from everyone would add up pretty quickly?
Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 05/01/09 at 10:30 AM
:down:
This news makes me cry....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzlplIeXn2g&feature=related
Those of you who remember this commercial will understand my feelings.
This news makes me cry....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzlplIeXn2g&feature=related
Those of you who remember this commercial will understand my feelings.
Posted by MohawkWarrior on 05/01/09 at 10:34 AM
unfortunately I can not afford a subscription fee. My already meager salary has been cut nearly in half due to a lack of available work. But I am more than willing to contribute my time.
Posted by Matt in Florida on 05/01/09 at 10:47 AM
I've been reading Weird Universe every day since it started up. I spend far too much company time posting weird stuff on my own website, and will happily contribute that time to WU. I have to agree with StanFlourid -- customerssuck.com is a simple & effective set-up that would require minimum maintenance by the Editors.
Posted by alysse in Colorado Springs, CO on 05/01/09 at 11:06 AM
I love Paul and Alex too! Not just Chuck
Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 05/01/09 at 11:15 AM
I kinda like Dumbfounded's idea. I will do my best to find weird and interesting things in my neck of VA. and would be happy to post them.
Posted by Silbakor in an altered state on 05/01/09 at 12:49 PM
:down:
Posted by vegas_girl in Vegas Baby!! on 05/01/09 at 12:52 PM
Well this is definitely NOT what I wanted to see when I signed on WU today. I seriously could cry. I'm not sure I'm computer literate enough to know how to actually post stuff but I'll give it a try to keep it going. I'd also gladly pay a monthly fee. I'll do whatever I can not to lose the best part of my days!
Posted by Skitt in SW USA on 05/01/09 at 01:06 PM
I think Dumbfounded's forum idea has something to it, and I also agree that the most difficult task will be moderating content. And I accept your challenge to an escrima duel to the death! :coolsmirk:
Posted by Matt in Florida on 05/01/09 at 04:33 PM
Let's try. Someone can always pull the plug later, if need be, but let's try to keep something alive.
Posted by qualityleashdog on 05/01/09 at 11:47 PM
Cuddle party? Anyone?
Posted by Pablo on 05/02/09 at 02:58 AM
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