May 31, 2013
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future of Xanga
I just read this entry: Relaunching Xanga a Fundraiser . I would be heartbroken if this community doesn’t exist anymore. But I also confused on this free vs paid membership. Maybe we’ll find out more in the weeks to come. I think if Xanga charges a membership fee, 90% of the people will just go elsewhere or stop blogging.
What do you folks think?
Comments (62)
I love Xanga. If the membership was no more then $50 a month I think I would do it. Being here has helped me so much and going to a new blogging site would make my social anxiety spike.
I think it will still be free and the same model as Xanga is now. The only difference is that everything will be powered by WordPress. Setting up a wordpress account is free itself. With this plan they’re doing, they will help set up everything for you, including being able to choose a selection of themes and/or edit/customize your own.
Paid membership will have similar benefits as the same ones now.
It will still be Xanga. Only in the background it will be hosted and powered by wordpress.
Well, this doesn’t sound good… no matter how you dissect this, most people are going to be gone.
time to gather up a mailing list and move on.
@StupidSystemus - in the crowdhosting link it has “In the new Xanga system, people will be able to comment and subscribe
for free; the fees will only be for members who want to host a blog.” I’m assuming that if I just want to have a Xanga but not blog, then it’s free. If I want to blog then I pay.
@Foodhog - $50 a month is too rich for me. $50 a year is affordable.
@XtremePsionic - yeah…. oh man, I love this community here.
I’ll go to Tumblr, once it becomes pay-per-use.
@ElusiveWords - After reading it thoroughly, it seems that way. There isn’t much info available right now. Currently Xanga offers $25 of premium. With the wordpress model, whichever hosting service they are using and the cost of moving/upgrading and maintaining Xanga (including payment for developers/programmers/etc) They’ve determined it to be $48 for a year.
@KevEats - hehe, let’s figure out something and move it all together. I’ll ask my brother if he can automate a way to move the whole Xanga archive to another platform
i’m not updated with any such changes, but if there is a compulsory membership fee, i’d most probably be gone, despite my love of being in here.. i doubt many people would miss me, but i’d certainly be missing having a xanga..
@KevEats - I don’t know where to move to.
@maniacsicko - I will definitely miss the people here on the Xanga community.
@ElusiveWords - What @XtremePsionic said.
@maniacsicko - I would miss having a caveman (and a very educated one too) around.
I just did a post on this also. @Foodhog - I think it’s $48 a year.
@musterion99 – Yes I saw that and was way beyond happy so I am going to buy a couple years worth and help somebody out who can’t afford it.
I am so hoping that we can come together as a community and save Xanga!
I think the Xanga Team will have to create a really awesome product and make a very good sales pitch because blogging and commenting is available for free on other sites. And if Xanga wants to imitate a social network site, well, they are for free, too. Maybe some form of decent advertising is the way to go. No flashy porn ads though.
@XtremePsionic - Agree. Or we start a snail mail ring.
It probably isn’t going to work. Newspapers are finally starting to charge for their online content too and discovering that (guess what?) people don’t like it when they have to start paying for what they used to get free.
I am worried that even if we were successful in raising the money, if this change would effectively eliminate the community feel of the place. Like @beowulf222 said, the Xanga Team needs to show us that if we pay we will receive a worthy product.
@Roadlesstaken - yeah, exactly. Unfortunately if they can’t keep Xanga the way it is, then it’s practically over. At least there’s some warning, and they’ll let everyone download their archive…
Look at how the options are phrased, there are only two doors huh?..
And I guess the team will happily work for free, which makes them look great. But they won’t sell you the site, when really you guys are the reason it has any value anyway. But they’ll happily take donations.
Like Warren Buffet said, ‘Reputation is who people think you are. Character is who you actually are. Character is more important.’ The Xanga Team can work on their reputations, but that won’t change their character.
Why are these the only options? It seems to me both of the following could be better, though I might be confused, especially about option 1:
1)
Put advertisements on people’s blogs. With the hits generated, it
should be possible to pay for it with relatively unobtrusive ads.
2)
(I think this is the better solution) Make Xanga like the Green Bay
Packers-have the fans own it. I don’t know if people will pay for blogs
but I bet people would pay for a piece of the site. And the type of
community Xanga is, I think the community would be a good caretaker for
the site, same as the Packers.
Would need to figure out how to sell the shares. There could be volunteering requirements in order to own the shares.
I just think the site really should belong to the bloggers anyway. There would be nothing here without them.
I find this very very VERY sad!
I’ve made so many amazing friends here. Xanga is the best place to blog for community, and friends, and caring.
I have a WordPress site, so I would go blog there.
HUGS!
I think Xanga still has a fighting chance! I already put some money down to help reach the 60k goal. If it looks like we’re not going to make it, then I’ll pull my http://www.christao408.com website address back and continue to post with it using another service provider.
I’m confused but oh well…
We need to set up a rally point. A subreddit might even be fun.
I’m not surprised. They are having the same issue a lot of sites have. How do you make money on it. I suspect Tumblr is going to go down the pooper once Yahoo acquires it. I hate Wastebook, but it is probably the best option. Google + is decent, but not enough of my friends are subbed to make it a viable option.I guess we all need to open up a bit and share other contact info.
I am a little confused as I have not seen anything. I am a free membe. I think, But trying to make money from the users – not good.
I just read the post about fundraising. I am not sure I would pay the price for membership. True I do have friends on here and would hope there would be someway we could stay in touch.
I think you’re right, we’re in it now cause it’s free. Yet we’re the only ones who sponsor the site, not like Yahoo owns Xanga.
Matt, I feel like some one died here. I have been distressed all day long. I love to write and have made amazing friends here. I have no idea where I would go to write anymore, and how I could stay in contact. I would like to support Xanga, but what if it goes belly up, then the money is gone. Chris says that he will go to another service provider. I have non such choice, because I do not know where I would go. This is a very depressing day for me.
@Fatcat723 - the $48 is a showstopper for a lot of folks. Even if Xanga continues, it’ll be like a gated community. Those that paid can still blog. Those that didn’t pay will can subscribe and comment but can’t blog or write an entry. I don’t know what to do yet. I’ll have to think this through. There are people here that I want to keep in touch with.
@istephaniemarie2 - it’s a shell of its former self now. Blogger has Google behind it. I don’t know who funds WordPress but it seems to be in good shape.
@ZSA_MD - it’s a sad day and I’m very lost. Some folks have set up sites elsewhere already. I haven’t really thought of where I’ll land. It’s like we’ve been all evicted from our town. If there’s enough money, some folks will stay but the community won’t be the same. The $48 will discourage a lot of newcomers and we need newcomers to build the membership.
@ZSA_MD - This has been a sad day for me, too — we do have 6 weeks to explore (I’ve already looked at WordPress, which is more formal and less flexible than Xanga — and there are lots of others). I’m going to wait till about the beginning of July to see how things are moving forward before I make a decision on where I will go.
I already pay for my blog here with premium plus and am willing to pay the $48 a year for it. I have already pledged that but I am really concerned about them being able to raise the money in this short amt. of time and I hope they can, but do not think they can. I have a blog at word press and will go there if Xanga bites the bullet.
@ZSA_MD - Hi and just wanted to let you know a lot of us also blog on word press and it has turned out to be easier to use than I thought it would be.
I am staying here on Xanga as long as it is here.
Well, I’m just as heartbroken as you, Matt. We should all gather up and donate. Or figure out where our future “meeting platform” will be.
@ZSA_MD - Zakiah, I’m also wondering where are you going to migrate all your lovely poems to?
@Grannys_Place - I just don’t know of Xanga can sustain itself after it raises the $60K. A lot of people will not pay $48 to have a blog when they can go elsewhere for free. A lot of newcomers won’t understand the feeling of community because of the huge gate at the front. I’ll probably pay the $48 but look around WordPress or tumblr.
@CurryPuffy - I don’t know where I’ll end up. I’ll likely pay $48 for 1 year and see how it goes. But I’ll also set up a home elsewhere too (either wordpress or tumblr).
@ElusiveWords - I am getting used to word press and really do like it
Seems weird that my teenage angst is going away! LOL I kind of knew this would happen…they were spreading themselves too thin with all the offshoot blogs and it was only a matter of time it went under. The editing on Xanga is much too basic for someone who is familiar with blogging, I think…and they weren’t really good with making it a “serious” blogging platform. Their post seems really vague though. Neither of their options seem that great……
When I read their announcement on my email I was surprised and said “oh no!” out loud – John didn’t get the gravity of Xanga shutting down…
i love xanga but i wouldnt pay for a membership when i can blog for free on other sites.
Tell me if you were going somewhere else
@ABSOLUTmichael - well, at least I have your email. I’m not sure what I’ll do. Most likely I’ll stay for 1 yr but I’ll start something at WordPress or hangout in tumblr with all the gay asian porn sites.
@stepaside_loser - I knew this day would come but I had no idea how hard it would hit me.
@rxglasshalffull - even if it survives I don’t know if we’ll be able to get new members in to build up a new community. The $48 is a big deterrent.
@Seranish_Shores - thank you.
@Wangium - I will, I have your email somewhere.
If you contribute, and they don’t make their goal, you get your money back.
Not sure if it’s going to work, but hope it does!
i’m gonna miss you too matt!
i’ve made so many good friends here on xanga. if you and others won’t be staying on due to the need to pay fees for a membership, then i’m not sure i too will do the same.
The thing is…what would you do if it stopped on July 15th?
@Wangium - I have an account on WordPress (just a test entry) that I opened years ago. I’ll probably move there. I might even have an acct on LJ that I used to comment but I don’t even remember the name of it anymore.
Let me see it!
@CareyGLY - I hope so too. Xanga needs you, bring the dogs and the sunsets back here!
@JonasApproved - I still check into your blog from time to time. Maybe Xanga will survive and pull through.
@rudyhou - I’m leaning towards 1 yr, see how it goes before I commit to something longer.
I hope it doesn’t close, even though I don’t write or update anymore, it still give me the chance to interact with you guys. I like reading your post,, I will miss it if xanga goes away.
It’s too bad. I was shocked to see it when a Xangan posted about it on Facebook. So many memories being shared here and so many memories of being supported by great Xangans like you. Glad we were able to meet face to face even if it was just a short hi in the subway!
I agree most people are probably gonna bail. Even if they are able to raise the $60k, I doubt people will be willing to pay to blog when there are so many other free services…
@bolt99 - sorry about the delay in responding, I missed your comment. I think a good part of the problem is the Xanga’s team inability to communicate with the community. I’m hopeful that when they say the want more community involvement, they’ll let the users be a lot more involved in the support. I’m basing this on what I’ve read in Edlives recent entries. For now, I’m cautiously optimistic.
@adamswomanback - sorry about the delay in commenting, I missed this comment. Some people aren’t returning, some have set up shop elsewhere in case Xanga doesn’t pull through and some are still undecided. I would be really sad if we can’t raise the $. It seems to have slowed down in the past few days. This apparently is normal as many people are probably in a wait and see mode.
@christao408 - sorry about the delay in responding, I missed your comment. I’ve donated as well and hope we’ll see each other on the other side. If not, I’ll let you know what my new home is.
@oxyGENE_08 - sorry about the delay in responding, I didn’t see your comment. it’s a lot of money for some people. That’s over 2,000 pesos although I don’t know what that will buy. Have you decided if you will stay?
@supanamja - sorry about the delay in responding, I didn’t see your comment.I’m not that familiar with Reddit, it seems like a very different crowd there.
@Toro69 - sorry about the delay in responding, I missed your comment and didn’t see it until now. tumblr gets a lot of traffic but a lot of it seems to be reblogging and just being “cool”. I don’t use Facebook.
@icebladz - I hope it pulls through and we’ll see each other again on the other side.
@brooklyn2028 - there’s been some updates on what the future will likely look like (see Edlives). The $48 is a shocker but I can get over that. I’m not sure if a lot of other people will. Xanga will need to show that they are providing a Premium service on WordPress which has more features and capabilities than the basic WordPress. Tumblr looks interesting but I don’t know how I can interact. The community here has been very supportive to me and it’s been great for me to interact with people like you. Have you given any thought on whether you’ll be staying or moving on?
@ElusiveWords - To be perfectly honest (to myself as well as you guys on Xanga), i still read your blogs through my subs but don’t find much time to come on to comment or write so while I would be more than happy to follow everyone here if they ported the blogs to WordPress and continue reading, i don’t think i’d pay to write. While it’s a small sum of money there are so many free tools out there too. They would have to have a really good value proposition. The hard part too is that I’ve also connected with most of the Xangans that I talk to a lot on Facebook too…
So@ElusiveWords - So i just read Edlives blog, so does that mean if I paid for Lifetime already i get a free year of blogging on the next iteration of Xanga if they move?
@brooklyn2028 - I don’t know, I think if you paid for Premium, they will prorate. The Lifetime doesn’t carry over but I think if you are in your 4th year, you might get a credit. The folks at Xanga hasn’t been exactly great at communicating this.
@ElusiveWords - No problemo. It will buy you an awesome dinner buffet. hehe Anyway, if it’s gonna be pay blogging, I won’t. I already have issues with having super little savings cos of my car loan.
btw, if this site closes, I still want to get in touch with you if you don’t mind.
Hey Matt, can you delete my comment? It’s searchable from google, and I don’t want people to find my e-mail.
ok – done. There will be a small administrative fee.