NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ashockney" data-source="post: 270944" data-attributes="member: 1363">If it ain't broke...Break it!Name:  As a fan, I say keep ENWorld for the nostalgia and relevance to all of us who've been here, as fans, and for all those we hope to pass this tradition on to.  It provides a sense of history.  I love to tell the story of the origin of the site to others.I think that branding is a business concept, that has more to do with how to maximize the profitability of your site, and I don't think it belongs in this discussion.  What do I LOVE about ENWorld (in order of importance):*LOVE the dirt, the juice, the stuff, and the scoops. *Industry professionals: Monte, Sean, Ryan, Anthony and others*Industry paragons: Gary, Dave, Peter, and all.*Crunchy FREE DnD stuff - new spells, items, feats, prestige classes, etc. (regardless of publisher)  * What has buzz and WHY - 3rd Ed PH, Epic, EQ RPG, NWN, etc.* DM Tools - Creature Catalog, Generators, Character Sheets, etc.* DM Advice - What do I do? Here's what I did! & Storyhours* Messageboards - for all above plus min/max, Iron DM, etc.By the way, there's no better place on the web to get all of the above IN SPADES.  Kudos.What I like, and use sometimes (in order):*Forgotten Realms updates (particularly WOTC)*Info about new and upcoming WOTC and S&S stuff*Watch for open calls and d20 contests and updates*Categorized resources like Errata, Black Pages, Links*Cool new non-dnd stuff like d20 supers or d20 modernWhat I wouldn't miss (in no particular order, no offense):*Chat Rooms*Settings*Reviews on the myriad of non-major d20 published stuff*EN Zines*Hosted Sites (wouldn't miss from main page)*RPG Store*WOTC Product Schedule*Advertisements - a necessary evil, sometimesWhat I drool for:More from the industry icons -- Why were decisions made, what are the numbers behind it, where is the industry going, what's great that we can't miss...use your site as leverage for more interviews, deeper analysis and the biggest scoops.  Reviews:  I agree with Monte Cook's statement that Reviews should be done only by those that have a vested stake in the success of the industry.  Therefore, if the review isn't by an icon of the industry, I really don't have any interest in reading through it.  I would be interested, however, in seeing Amazon.com style listings of reviews with information like top 10 sellers in retail and top 10 sellers online.  If you wanted to find out more info, you could jump into a messageboard/posting of all the comments from the many reviewers/purchasers.  I would ENCOURAGE the designers and writers to RESPOND on those same threads...let the buyer make the final decision.  Hot products will get many, many reviews, giving a better overall system for reviews.Calendar:  I'd certainly love to see an all inclusive d20 publishing calendar of upcoming releases.  I love hype!  But I'd like to pick through it for myself, and leave it to scoops from yourself or others to get the "buzz" on what's HOT and WHY.  I love the idea of the "status" being listed for each product (on time, delayed, published) for each.  It would be cool if you could click on the link to go to a messageboard post with press releases and/or reviews of the product in question.  Let publishers pimp all they want but move it off the main "scoop" board and behind the d20 product catalog.More FAN Community Stuff - Community gatherings, community bonding (ie, q&a or messageboards dedicated to finding out more about each other, interests hobbies, etc.), community gaming events, community cartoons (PvP is awesome, there must be others like it out there), community contests (Iron DM, best new module, min/max, BADD) What makes me cringe:Regular Updates - I'd hate to see us end up with less scoops.  I'll take some crap mixed in with the scoops in order to get the most and best scoops!  I love being able to find something, ANYTHING, to read about DnD each day.Pre-fab Press Releases Posted In Full Automatically - Hate 'em.  Don't do it.  I won't read through them.  There's too much crap, and this will take up too much space, lessening the liklihood that I'll have the time to visit regularly.Politics - Sorry, but the ennies make me cringe.  As do reviews.  As do posts from my favorite administrator feeling like he's turning tricks and not getting paid.  I'm sure there are ways that you can make this work, but I neither understand or appreciate the ENies.  Contests that determine winners and losers IN THE INDUSTRY are political, period.  Mission Statements - this is modern management crap at it's finest!   Doesn't it make you cringe to think about doing something like this?  I'm sure it makes everyone else cringe, too.  If I were a consultant or an advisor, however, I'd tell you that it's  a natural part of the process of DEFINING yourself (or your entity), and it should be done.  I would encourage you to overcome the willies, set aside the time, and do it.Ok, having said all that, I'd like to close with the disclaimer that ALL OF THE ABOVE is directed towards making ENWorld the PREMIERE fan-based web site on the internet.  If your mission is to become the most PROFITABLE COMMUNITY site on the internet, I've got completely different comments (because what I love, is only relevant in so far as it is MAKING YOU MONEY, and the rest is garbage that is COSTING YOU MONEY).  Please note that these are MY opinions only, and are not intended in any way to offend the many fine publishers, freelancers, hosted sites, campaign worlds, and reviewers at ENWorld.</blockquote>

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