Site Question

[SydTheSkeptic]

Hello active Arkians.

I have a question for you.   Is there a case that can be made to make this a private site?

I'm interested in your ideas on this.  Would it change what you post here or the frequency if we did, indeed, put a lid on here?

Or can you make a case to keep it open to the public?  It's not like we do anything to actively expand our membership or the view counts.  Should we? 

I tend to think of us a site where creative video-hobbyists can share their talents and their wit without having to sidestep those who are interested in other types of online interactions.

I definitely like how laid-back this site is.  As a co-owner, it's easy to moderate and that's largely because the regulars set a more mature creative tone here.  Drama folk tend to get shunned so it self-regulates. 

And just so ya know, I "suspended" accounts that had no activity at all, as I'm not sure why people would join if they have no intention of interacting. 

Your thoughts?

[NatureJunkie]

I'm okay with this as a public site. But if the others want it private, I have no objection.

I feel a little bit like a Shaker---except for that stupid, insane celibacy business. I'm with my people here. I don't care if we're small in number. But if others want to join our sect, okie dokie, just be good and bring good stuff with you.

[SydTheSkeptic]

Thanks for such a quick response, NJ!

[lima]

I always liked it as public, sometimes I'm on other devices and just want a quick look to catch up even when I can't really respond. I also like being able to share with my family and friends others creativity, such as Bruce's recent breaking bad remake. But I guess I can do that via Vimeo.

Honestly I'm game either way if it's something you personally want to do.

[SydTheSkeptic]

Hey, coincidentally, VH just went private!   I didn't know that's where we were going (although maybe it came up in my mind for the Ark as an option..cuz for VH, it seems like a good temporary solution to the drama over there), so it should be interesting to see how it changes that site.  I'll keep ya posted.

[Geoff]

My unthought-out-spontaneous answer is to keep the site public. I can think of some minor negatives if the site went private and the site doesn't seem be suffering from being visible to curious outsiders.

My minor negatives:

1) I like being able to tell my friends to go look at a video I've posted. I prefer it--but it's not a strong preference--if they can read any comments I've received. That's why a link to the Ark is better than a link to Vimeo.

2) I hope the site does grow and change. It can only do that by attracting fresh blood. (I regard this as a forlorn hope so this is only a grain of sand on the public/private scales.)

Those are both very minor considerations and they should be disregarded if any members are feeling inhibited by being public, or if the public site is inconvenient to manage for Amy and Syd.

[ThatGirl]

I can't imagine why the users on this site would want to go private. The annoyance of having to login just to check-in would limit my use and I'd not be able to browse during the day at all.  We have always managed to stay drama-free by simply acting like adults who each have a vested interest in keeping the place open.

To Me, a site ceases to exist if it is private. With the options we've always had available to limit access to select content, I have never put a thought to such a thing.,, but that's just me.

[SydTheSkeptic]

Lovin' the input so far.  Thanks, Arkians.

[MOTC]

I don't see a reason to be private, since you can private or some-what control who sees your personal profile page and particular content you wish to post as private.

My problem is that we can't post private (meaning friends only - or arkiens only) videos.  Our videos must be at least somewhat public on Vimeo.  I hate that.  I despise that ning took away direct video uploads and then had the nerve to constantly up the price for less ability to use the site how you wish.

[BlancheNoE]

My own selfish vote would be to stay public. Like TG says, the convenience factor is big for me. At work I can see the site but can't log in so when I get a break I catch up and take notes for comments I want to leave and then drop them when I do have time which is now weekends only due to a hairy-busy work load these days. I also have the link to the Ark on my Vimeo page and it is frustrating when you want to learn more about someone and you click the offered link only to be led to an exclusive club that's hard to get in. Would I still visit the Ark if were private ? Sure, but far less often I think. My mom always said "Don't do anything you wouldn't do in front of others except have sex and defecate."  

[Chig]

Great.  So everyone on the internet will know I associate with you lot?   Oh well, I will just have to figure out how some clever way to start writing believable excuses in my resume.