June 17, 2013
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Day 18 - The Campaign Continues
Maybe I should call this the 'Open Letter to The Xanga Team' Edition.
I appreciate everyone's perspective, here are two people who openly share their opinion on current events with @thexangateam -
@thetheologianscafe - http://thetheologianscafe.xanga.com/773937813/open-letter-to-the-xanga-team/
@soullfire - http://soullfire.xanga.com/773925467/open-letter-to-the-xanga-team/
This is the strength of our community - to be able to openly share who we are and what we are about.
While we may and should at times agree to disagree - this community shows that we care what is going on with Xanga.com.
Many have asked me why I have so much faith in these upgrades and changes that I'm trying to 'pitch' and 'sell'.
The reality is that @thexangateam had faith in me. Without reservation, they have helped me considerably with getting Autisable off the ground.
Did they ask to be paid? No, they didn't. They offered me an opportunity, and I took a step of faith.
Did they balk at me when I wanted a percentage of the revenue to be set aside for organizations that help families dealing with Autism? No, in fact the response was nothing but encouraging.
Here's a little story about how Autisable.com started - http://www.autisable.com/773788127/about-xangacom-and-the-start-of-autisablecom/
The result of countless hours of work over the past 5 years has proven to me that they have our best interests at heart.
If we work together, which is what @thexangateam wants us to do more of after 2.0 is launched, then I know it will work.
For @marc, @eugenia, @john and @bob (to name a few) to be a part of a site that has stayed active longer than a dozen years shows some serious resolve on their part.
These folks I have thanked personally, and now I do it openly. It's through their dedication and understanding that I've learned so much already.
The countless families dealing with Autism also thank them. From the e-mails and private messages I receive about Autisable helping them, I thank them.
We may not always get a response in a timely fashion, but I know they are hard at work and want to see Xanga 2.0 happen.
We also should understand the pressure they are under to deliver a new platform that will replace what we are currently using - this place many of us call our blogging home.
We criticize (yes, me included) what they are doing, and how they are doing it. But we aren't in their shoes. We don't know all the details of what they are undertaking.
I share my criticism's directly with thexangateam, with the knowledge that I don't know what their plans are.
I do get many answers at times, and I'm grateful for each and every single one of them. I'm blessed to be in a position to help where I can, and feel obligated to @thexangateam and the community to serve as best as I am able.
We may not know all the details of what they are doing, and that's ok with me. What we do know is what we can do.
We can get involved, we can contribute funding for the upgrade to keep our community going.
Will things change? Absolutely. This is the hard reality we face as a community.
But... Let's do this together - #WeAreXanga
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Stats as of this morning:
Backers 273 (10 more since yesterday)
$26,570 of $60,000 - we are at 44.28% to Goal (an increase of 0.90% from yesterday)
Still to raise: $33,430
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Let's keep the momentum going! Encourage people to donate - for us to have the opportunity to make a better Xanga.
Donate Now - https://xanga.crowdhoster.com/relaunch-xanga
If you did donate - then participate in @saintvi 's Biggest Xanga Giveaway - http://saintvi.xanga.com/773743103/the-biggest-giveaway-on-xanga/
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Comments (57)
Thanks for your hard work!
Hey, we're making progress! Thanks for continuing to bang the gong and get the message out.
Dear Joel,
In my opinion at this point I think they should be paying YOU.Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
Yeah!
@baldmike2004 - Thanks Mike. The reality is they are, but only through the result of ad revenue being generated through Autisable.
The hope with the upgrades with Xanga 2.0 is that they will be used when Autisable changes to a wordpress based site. It's the community upgrades I'm looking forward to - and need - for Autisable.
I've connected with several hundred bloggers on other platforms, and we syndicate their content on Autisable. Several of these bloggers I've discussed the pay to blog scenario - and are very open to it. Knowing that a portion of their monthly fee will be donated to a non-profit and promoting Autism Awareness is something that they would be willing to participate in.
We're all taking notes on what is working, and what isn't - with this Xanga 2.0 upgrade. From their announcement to current events, and what's to come.
I'm just blessed to be a part of this situation at this time.
Thank you, as always, for your thoughtful comments over the years. They always provide insight and encouragement.
Joel, I appreciate how hard you're working. Nothing changes my respect for you.
That said, we STILL have yet to hear from Xanga. They can NOT be too busy to thank people for their faith. To inspire people to stay. ANYTHING. But they remain mute. I wonder if they realize that this is causing many people who were on the fence, to bail. I have no respect for them, if they can't be bothered to at least say, "Thanks for your faith; it means a lot." That took me three seconds to type. If they can't spare three seconds, the problem is far worse than we imagined. I am not sure how you are able to continue to have faith in them. They've done nothing to deserve it.
@adventofreason - I understand. I did receive a text message this morning that they are working on two things: A blog post update (which they want to be clear and concise and pass along correct information) - and an e-mail campaign.
Stay tuned.
Hey Joel, thanks for doing the daily updates. You're key to keeping plenty of people involved in this project. Keep up the good work!
@DarklyLitWords - Thanks, that means a lot.
Not entirely sure why you are calling this an, "Open Letter." There is a true Open Letter for Xanga written By SoulFire. If you can answer some of these important questions, Joel, I'm certain it would help the Xangan cause.
[LINK]
@dw817 - I mention two open letters - one my soullfire, the other by thetheologianscafe. I only suggested I should call this post an open letter as well. If you don't agree, that's ok.
I'll try to answer what questions I can.
The reality is that most companies don't give prior notice of funding difficulties -- they don't give their users the opportunitiy to help out. Most companies in this situation would have simply shut down last month when server problems caused a weekend outage, or they would have limped along until July 15 and shut down then without notice. In business, often silence is mandatory -- if a company is merged/sold with another, there can legally be no notice.
Xanga has demonstrated with this fundraiser that they are willing to have us work with them to keep Xanga "on air". Many thanks for your continued efforts to work with them and to keep the fundraiser updated!I am encouraged that we are still seeing 8-10 new pledges each day, and that we are already almost to the 50% mark!
@edlives - There are 3 such recent posts now claiming Open Letter. I'm just saying that can get confusing.
Any word as to screenshots of future Xanga² ? But yes, SoulFire's questions are certainly more complex and direct than my earlier own, and perhaps - that much more important as well.
I am also understanding he received 80 RECs on that post so there is a good chance a large audience is reading and waiting - to see some answers there.
Whether it's for good or ill I told my friend Chris (he's a paralegal) about Xanga closing and how they needed $60,000 in donations. He was appalled and said that was way too much money, maybe $21,000 is needed just to transfer existing posts and accounts and transfer them to a new proposed a new site. He knows a lot more about money than I do but he may also not know the entire specifics of what is involved.
@dw817 - The money side isn't just data transfer, they have to hire a few programmers and other folks to help out as well. To be honest, $60,000 is cheap for what they are planning on doing.
No word yet from my side on actual screen shots. However, i was told this morning that they are working on a blog post, and also an e-mail campaign.
Didn't mean to cause confusion - but I understand your perspective.
@dw817 - Interesting that with 80 recs, that post is not on the front page, and yet Dan's post mocking it with half as many recs is number 1...
Lucas. if you, thought Samuel`s remark is neat... last thursday I got a great Mazda MX-5 after having made $9826 this last four weeks and-over, ten/k last-month. this is really the most financialy rewarding I have ever done. I began this 10-months ago and straight away started making minimum $73.. per/hr. I work through this website, http://www.mac22.com
Joel -- I wonder what would happen if Xanga would promise some sort of "badge" to those who pledge during this time rather than waiting until Xanga 2.0 is up and running to see it working first. Maybe even converting the meaning of the "True" badge to imply pledgers' support during difficult times ~ ~ ~
I have made preparations to use someone else's credit card to pay my "dues". I wonder if someone pays for the short one month premium will that money count as a pledge or just for the premium. Even though I vowed never to pay for premium I have to forsake my vow to help xanga to continue.
@dw817 -
You enjoy trying to feel important, relevant, informed and involved, don't you?
Tell me, what makes a "real" open letter?
I just did this post. Link
if xanga didn't work out...I'd be the one left to turn the lights out. I love it here.
@Ghillies_guide - Ghillies, I suggest you read [HERE].
@edlives - Thanks for keeping me (and us) informed.
Dear Friend,
Good day to you, I know that my message will come to you as a surprise, but never mind, I am Mr Dr Daniel Wilson A Manager in Bank Atlantique Togo Republic here in my country Togo Republic west Africa, In my department here in the bank I discover an abandon sum of $6.8Million United State Dollars, that belong to one of our biggest customer here in this bank, who died years ago in a plane crash with his family, I contacted you so that you will help me see that the total sum of $6.8Million will be transfer into your account in your country,
Upon the receipt of your reply and indication of your capability, i will give you full details on how the business will be executed and also note that you will have 45% of the above mentioned sum if you agree to handle this business with me while 50% will be for me and 5% for any expenses that may arise on the process, Because i don't want anyone here in our bank to know my involvement until you confirm this fund into your account and ask me to come over for the
sharing as i indicated.
Full Name........................
Full Address ............................
Telephone .........................
Age / sex ......................
Occupation..........................
Thanks and have a nice day.
From Dr Daniel Wilson landline +22822486256, danielwilsonutb@yahoo.com, danielwilson/yahoo/com cell +22893024311
@Lost_In_Reverie - That's not due to Dan, or Xangateam, that's due to the algorythm of top blogs. Soullfire's post was at top blogs yesterday. The Algorythm helps to ensure equal time for Xangans on the front page.
@mlbncsga - I'd be right there with you.
@danielman456 - seriously? We call this an epic fail comment.
@slmret - great idea!
@PPhilip - I think you're better off making a pledge than paying for Premium at this point. If you want Premium let me know and I'll give you enough Minis that you can buy it with points. That's how I got mine this month.
Oh, and I've decided to extend my Etsy fundraiser/giveaway until next Sunday night, if you can make a plug for it here in this week's posts, if you don't mind. All sales and custom orders will be pledged to Xanga. If people leave their Xanga username in the Notes section during checkout, they will be entered to win a free subscription! https://www.etsy.com/shop/FrauleinPfau
Seems like the donations are coming in slowly, but at least they are still coming! I still have high hopes that we can make it through
Great
@edlives - E-mail campaign. Good because I've been thinking about just going to every site I can and leaving a comment for people to donate. I'd probably waste a day, annoy people, and get no where. But if xanga could e-mail every user at once, that would be better.
@FalconBridge -
I'm told one is in the works. 
@Lost_In_Reverie - I sometimes wonder if it is not the actual number of views or even recommendations but the propensity to which pages are viewed, comments are entered, or recommendations are made per hour. Thus no matter how popular a single post is, it will have it's time and then give way to new ones that have not been yet read or recommended that are also quite popular.
That's how I'd write the filter.
Which means Theo's 'mocking' post won't stay at the top unless he gets a continual flow of page views and comments on it.
At a more paranoid level it could be because Xanga thinks SoulFire's direct questions are hitting a little too close to home and they don't want to see him further featured for it.
You're doing a great job though. I just hope more Xangans go and pledge while the time is still right. Speaking of which, I pledged today.
@dw817 - It's an algorythm. Expect Dan's post to be moved down and/or off the list by tomorrow - just like soullfire's was. It's an equal time algorythm based on views/recommends and eprops. At least that's how it was explained to me when the top blogs became more automated.
@KnightInCROATIANarmor - Thanks! Glad to hear!
@edlives - If that's the case, since one user gave Theo 1,000 eProps in a single post, that might've shot him to the top. I hadn't considered those tricky little MINIs controlling traffic !
Here's 5 for ya anyways, spend them in good health !
@dw817 - It just made me roll my eyes because I saw that Dan has been timestamping the post (His post was originally from yesterday, just like soulfire's) - trust me, I've heard the whole "There's no front page bias anymore, it's just an algorithm" but sometimes I raise an eyebrow. I mean, Dan's post was also posted yesterday, received less traffic, he's number one. Soulfire's post is nowhere to be seen in spite of the fact that it was still receiving traffic today when I commented on it, and the top 20 on the front page feature posts just as old (up to 1 day) with far fewer comments/recs/etc.
I know, I know. It's an algorithm. It's automated. Nothing to see here. ;)
@edlives - Are you relaying such ideas to XangaTeam, or should I send a message?
@edlives - DanTheFag is an SEO "professional." He knows how to manipulate algorithms. Xanga's algorithm is not very smart, unfortunately, so he was able to penetrate it with his laughable skill set.
@Lost_In_Reverie - soulfire's post rotated off At exactly 24 hours from the time it was posted and my post will rotate off at exactly 23 hours from the time it posted. Mine was at the top for longer because it shot to the top two within an hour of the time it posted. Soulfire's post was posted before mine but took sometime to get to the top. Go back and look at soulfire's post and look only at the comments. Ignore the views and recommends. Now look at the first comment on that post. Look at the time the first comment was posted. Now go to the 20th comment on that post. I am talking about the 20th individual comment. What is the time of the between the first comment to the 20th individual comment? Now go to my post. Do the same. You can see two things. The first thing you will notice is his post was posted before mine causing him to rotate off earlier. It was about 23 to 24 hours but his clock started before mine because he posted earlier. Now the second thing I want you to notice when you look at both comment sections is that my comments for the first 20 comments came faster shooting me to the top faster. That did in fact keep me at the top longer. An algorithm made all of those decisions.
I hope the goal is reached, Xanga continues, and this is not just a short-term fix. I am a Premium member, have been for several years, and would have bought LIFETIME when I could. Right now donating money is impossible, as I have absolutely nothing coming in, only expenses.
There's a lot of frustration with the lack of communication from the Xanga team. I can understand that they are heads down and working feverishly towards the deadline. Perhaps they can help us by setting the expectation of how much communication we are going to expect. I don't need a daily update. But a weekly one and perhaps something more frequent as we get closer would be good. An acknowledgement of the contributions to date would help as well. Sometimes when an organization is going through change, they need to manage this process with the end users. (sorry if I sound like a change management consultant).
As always, thank you for the updates.
We all appreciate what you're doing for Xanga, but at the end of the day, the best campaign cheerleader would be the Xanga Team itself. It's like having a fundraiser for Obama, but without Obama showing up. They're asking everyone to essentially to blindly invest money and take a leap of faith. That's a hard sell especially without a consistent line of communication.
@Lost_In_Reverie - Well, that's one reason I like where I'm at now. Their Front Page not only lists popular posts but all new writers as well, posts that have not been read, and posts that have not received any comments.
I like the fact WC lists these elements too so, "no child is left behind." I hope if/when future Xanga arrives they will consider these new items as being something good and useful to add to their front page.
As it is with Xanga right now, it's never lonely at the top, but it certainly is at the bottom.
@lonelywanderer2 - from their latest update, we premium members should be receiving an email as well.
@tjordanm - well, he's connected to over 30,000 accounts on xanga. If any of us were connected to that many people, we could do a bit of manipulation as well. The only difference between him and most other xangans was his effort at connecting with as many people as possible.
@slmret - I think they have been listening, based on their recent update
@dw817 - If you want to hit the front page, post now. Even in the height of Save Xanga mayhem, its so dead that I was able to make the front page today. There are front page posts with three comments on them - I'm sure you could sit atop Top Blogs for a hot second.
@Lost_In_Reverie - Sorry but I really don't think I would want to be on the front page of Xanga. Asides, Joel is the one wearing the nice business suit and it's unlikely you'll ever catch me in one.
I think he and a few other well-placed Xangans deserve to make the headlines for now.
@dw817 - Glad the suit hides the fact that the picture was taken in the mens room of a 5 star hotel.
@edlives - Odear, who was taking the photo ? LOL !
@dw817 - it was a self portrait. The lighting was good- so was the backdrop. I needed a halfway decent pic.
:) LOL
Joel, Thank you most sincerely for all that you are doing. Your stamina and honest perseverance humbles me. I wish I could do more than what I have done. I am encouraged with today's stats. God Willing we will take this ship ashore.
Once again, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.
@dw817 -
Well, that's one reason I like where I'm at now. Their Front Page not only lists popular posts but all new writers as well, posts that have not been read, and posts that have not received any comments.
Xanga has something similar. On the front page at the top, click on Explore. Then click on Most Recent. You will then see a lot of new posts, even without comments.
@Lost_In_Reverie - If @dw817 - has Friend, Footprint, or Sign-In lock on, he won't get on Top Blogs. You can't have any locks on.
@musterion99 - Hm ! This is good information. They do indeed have it a little buried in the menus but I found it. Minju, I still like to meet and greet those people who are completely new to a blogging site and befriend them - as well as leave encouraging comments on their 1st initial post.
Writer's Cafe easily gives you that option. *Gentle Smile*
As for making top blogs - should Xanga resurface and get their security options in order additionally, I can and will release Friend's Lock - and not until then.
Besides, I've already made Top Writer in 3-separate categories where I am now. I'm good where I am ATM.
I Never ever found such edifying blogs.
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