I don't think Jessica's comments were too bad - she was a little rude/dismissive, but she did have a legitimate point.

This site has moved from being an encyclopedia to an art-centric site. That's not necessarily a bad thing - but obviously those people who loved all of our encylopedic content are going to be missing that. And that's reasonable. One of the worst things a successful site - or business - can do, is ignore its enthusiast fans. I'd hate for us to start doing that.

On the other hand, I often say to people that there are a million anime review sites and a million sites with episode summaries and so on. So in actual fact, we were less unique in the past than we are now.

I tell people that if they want that kind of content, there are many wonderful sites where they can read it.

But if they want an anime site centered around art and community? Well, there's simply nowhere better to visit than theOtaku.com. It's as simple as that.

And now that we have a Fan Words section, it's becoming a moot point anyway. Our database is filling up with great fan fiction and articles which cover a wide spectrum of topics.

What an interesting email. I've been coming here to TheOtaku since those days of Dragonball, Outlaw Star and Cowboy Bebop sections. You have come a long way to include everyone of all interests to come to this site. Not just gamers or anime fans.

I think this network of yours, and Otakuboards included, has turned into something very fun and exciting. You must be doing something right if you keep making me want to come back here every time you send me an IM on AIM. (Yay chat and YAY cupcake game!)

MyOtaku may of had some cool features but it was turning into a dead end of sorts and you saw that. Instead of having a fanbase divided in three sections, you narrowed it down to two.

Now that I think about it, Otakuboards and Theotaku seem very meshed together ever since the updates here as well as there. Everyone has their theotaku portofolios linked under their avatars and links and references and even worlds dedicated to OB. It feels like one big happy community.

So what if Theo is not like it was years ago. You made it become more than just a 'site' with info and art' You made it into a community for everyone to love and enjoy.

"I couldn't believe that kind of dedication"
So what does she call all the time that you put into making all the incredible changes to the site, I wonder.
It just sounds like someone that has trouble adapting to change.

I've been around for a while, so I can say that the changes have been immense, and I myself had a little trouble getting used to it in the beginning, but they were all for the better.

~NGS

I see I missed a lot of drama, though Crystia has filled me in on some of it. I'm going to hope they are too young to realize how immature that kind of response is. And if they're not, that's sad.

~Nathan

o_o Well she didn't have to be rude like that. She didn't have to lie either. I haven't seen any site like this one. If I wasn't interested in coming back to place... I just wouldn't bother to answer. oO

I like your reply, if she's smart, she'll see how rude and stupid her reply was. But if she was smart, she wouldn't have sent it to begin with... oO

~Sarah

o_O That's not very nice. If they don't want to return, and they have no constructive criticism to offer, then there's no point in replying. That was completely unnecessary and actually rather petty.

I think your reply gave them a clear example of just how rude their reply was. It's important to remember to treat others how you want to be treated.

It is sad that they are that upset over the changes. I joined after so I can't compare to how it was before, but since I joined you've done nothing but add one new feature after another. So I haven't seen anything to complain over.

Anyway, hopefully you don't get that kind of stuff all the time. ^^

-Sabrina

Wow... o_O Someone's an idiot. That was just rude instead of offering any form of constructive criticism. If it were me, I would have at least tried to explain what was gone that I missed.

Your reply was perfect, since it really showed just how immature their response really was. And like Allamorph, I really hope that's not an adult cause that would be sad in my opinion. Though even if it's someone my age, that's still sad.

~*Aaryanna*~

Well this just reminded me of a question I wanted to ask you.

Why don't you ever submit any wallpapers anymore?

But that is the same type of comment I got over at AP. >_>

Damn! You're so hardcore, Adam xD

Well whoever this person is they don't know what they're talking about. You're the most dedicated Bossman (not the mention the coolest ;P) and that's exactly why this site is my favorite.

I love how you approached the problem. They must feel like a total idiot ;) It's a shame they don't see thise site the way the rest of us do. But meh, their loss. :/

~Colleen

Adam, I have just gained some new respect for you: consider me impressed.

not dedicated to anime?
ha!
i dont think that is the case one bit!
i seriously dont see any diffrence from theo and myo except from the diffrence of the layout and features,[not to mention its more convinent]its the same ppl the same dedication to anime, why should it matter if the name changed or the layout [ i personaly like the changes]
* sigh* i guess some ppl just realy dislike change....
sorry you have to put up with that stuff bossman...

So this person would rather have a site that always remains the same, that would stagnate rather then evolve and adapt to try and provide an even better experience for the users?

There's just no pleasing some people, I suppose. >>;

Ouch. That's harsh. What were they thinking?? I mean, lots of people don't like change, but it's up to them to adapt to it...and not to badmouth all the hard work you've put into this site. I loved your response. It was very clever and sharp in retort. It's just like during a debate when you're trying to overturn the other side's argument with fallacies. XD It's great!

I'm so sorry that you have to put up with that though!! Stay strong through it! I know you can handle it. After all, you ARE the bossman around here. This site is wonderful, and it's great to always be improving.

Oh, and they should've at least proofread their email. "Ment" and "accoulnt" do not make for a valid point...

Take care~

Adam 1, Rude person zilch. It's easy to be a jackass when you're hiding behind a screen. Perhaps if they had taken the time to explain why they didn't like the change instead of resorting to emotional manipulation, it wouldn't have been so bad.

But alas they did, so turning it back on them was only fitting. Pity they're unlikely to learn anything from it. I suspect that SomeGuy is correct in how they will respond. Though if they do, I will get a good laugh out of it. lol

~Crystia

Nice job, Bossman. She needed that, big time.

It just shows that like many people, putting in the effort to not only adapt to change and learn from it, was clearly too much for them to handle. The day I turn into the old spinster sitting in the back whining over changes, is the day someone needs to put me out of my misery.

It's only natural that you're going to have some things about a change that you don't like, but to just blindside all of it? That's kind of sad really. Especially since it sounds like they didn't even stick around to give the change a chance.

In the end, I find that kind of attitude really sad. No matter where they go online, they'll never escape some form of change. The advances in technology will see to that.

Anyway, most of us know better than to think what that person did. We did stick around after all. ^_~

Poor Adam! I think this site is not like all the other ones, to the contrary. But that's not what I'm going to rant about. Yes, you do have a point. And I would punt somebody if they sent me an email like that.

o_o;...sheesh...some people just don't have any tact, do they?

Anyway, you have my support with regards to the changes! ^^ (Even if some of them throw me off from time to time. ^^;)

Dang.

I've never seen you act like that, lol.
She was kinda rude about it, but i do kinda see her point. I wouldnt leave just cause of that though. I would leave for different reasons that would be happening at one time.

I hope that everything turns out good.

-kittens 3

Wow, I can't believe you have to go through things like that, Adam~ I don't think anyone will be missing her~

I really love this site, you're doing an amazing job with it~~ ♥ Keep it up, Bossman~~ xD

Oh whoa. o.O Who is she kidding? Ha, if she turns against you and starts flaming theO, she's gotta get thru a whole community of people. No chance, Jess, no chance at allllll~

And Adam, you're doing a great job! I like all the stuff your doing to this site. :D

I know that must hurt you to read things like that. But, hey, you're not truly making an impact on society until you elicit some rather nasty comments from people. It shows that you have sway. Too bad some people are just insane, petty and out of touch with reality and feel a need to share those qualities with the world. We all wish they wouldn't. >.<

And (obviously) thousands of people love your site, me included. Think of us, not her. ^_^

...yes, please delete your account, I would be very upset to see your style of comments on any of our visitors' works.

Ha. That was pretty funny and I think you handled it well.

you go Adam! i love the site=)

I like how you deliberately misspelled "meant" in your response to match hers. Interestingly snide attention to detail, which unfortunately will go completely over her head.

I'm also still totally enjoying the bitterness that websites can generate in people. If she's over seventeen, I will be extremely surprised, and incredibly saddened.

And of course now she's gonna go around to all her people and her sites to tell them about this horrible e-mail she got, and maybe even how you posted it on your blog and everything, which leads to a flame war that essentially no one in the world will care about.

Good times.

*sighs* Classy, ma'am.

I've read a lot of things about this place over on deviantART from people who left who are literally clones of this letter. While they disliked the changes as far as the specialized pages and things like that, I'm sure many people would be satisfied with the inclusion of specialized Worlds. I remember this place from 2004 and I can say that most of the changes have been pretty good (I'm sure there's sticking points for everyone though). I don't think most of those who left even gave Vibrant a shot...

...'cause any shallow moron can call anything horrible, unspeakable things, but it unfortunately takes a brain to constructively critique.

Someone actually bothered to reply to those? And with scathing commentary?

Well, it's nice to see comeuppance being issued. Good work, Bossman. And I have to admit that your dedication at tracking down all those addresses and manually creating a message for all of them is pretty impressive. Most site owners use bots or something.

ouch! sorry that you have to put of with this stuff!