I know that many of us will be at loose ends while Gatchamania is down. I have set up a temporary board at the following URL: Crescent Temp Base Right now the board isn't active. I'll activate it when Gatchamania goes down. The board will be removed once Gatchamania goes back up. But at least we'll have a place to meet and chat during those few days when Cep is working hard to make Gatchamania a better place for all of us. I know that there is a Facebook page set up, as well as an EONS page, but I thought it might be nice to have something that everyone could access. Clearly if you're able to access more than one of these sites you should do so, but everyone will be welcome at the Crescent Temp Base. So copy the URL now, and when Gatchamania goes down I'll activate the site for membership. Hope to see you there as we endure our Gatchamania famine!

TJ, thank you for setting this up. I do not have facebook so I would have felt very left out. One question: when can we start registering to become members? Do we have to wait until this site is down or can we register now?

I second CD in thanking you, TJ! I too don't have a facebook account, and I surely don't intend to have one any day soon for a myriad of reasons! This is a great idea of yours and I'll try to do my utmost to peek in whenever I could. Please do not be offended if I maybe be absent for some time! When I'm not chatting with you you're still all in my thoughts!

The site is meant as a temporary place only, so I'll open it up when Gatchamania goes down. Please make sure you copy the URL before then!

Originally posted by clouddancer TJ, thank you for setting this up. I do not have facebook so I would have felt very left out. One question: when can we start registering to become members? Do we have to wait until this site is down or can we register now?

I just tried to register, it doesn't look like it will be possible until the site is active. TJ, how about putting the site active July 30 in the evening? I think Cep is a few hour ahead of us and that could put the site down July 31 for those in the US, particularly west coast. Also, it would give people time to register.

Yes, I disabled registrations. I didn't want to have both sites going at once, since this one is temporary. But I like your idea Amethyst. I can make it active on the evening of the 30th.

Hopefully, Cep will register and give us updates and once the site is up let us know and those of us that are in multiple places can tell those that are in just a few.

I hope so too! But I know I'll certainly be checking back every day.

Stuck it on my Favorites list -right under Gatchamania. Thanks,TJ!

Thanks TJ. This is very thoughtful of you. I'll see you over there.

Great idea, TJ!

Glad you guys like it! But honestly, I was being selfish... I didn't think I could survive without meeting all of you and checking in every day!

Hi all! Honestly, I think a much better solution is to simply move over to the Yahoo! Groups BotP list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BotP/ It's an already established group, and spending a week over there might help encourage both that list to become more active and for people on that list to come over here after the week is over. Using a temporary list loses that opportunity to help promote this list to an audience that might be unaware of this one. James

The only downside to that is that to use it, you a) have to have a yahoo account and b) have to download yahoo messenger to use any chat besides IM. Yahoo's where my main email account is.

My problem with the BOTP list is the way it's organized... it makes it difficult to follow different threads. Additionally, I'm not sure the regular crowd there would appreciate our jumping in and taking over their board. Candi, this board will have forums and threads, but AFAIK there is no 'chat' feature. But you'll be able to post and use the same message board code that we use here, like [IMG] tags, and you can have an avatar and signature and such, like you're used to here. I believe you'll also be able to PM.

TJ, I completely agree with you on the yahoo group. The a discussion forum is much more agreeable to conversation than a mailing list. And you never know when yahoo will hold up a post just because it can. Nothing against the group over, many are here, too (I'm registered there); just not a fan of the format. BTW -- Love the new avatar. You've got to tell us about it!

Hi all!

My problem with the BOTP list is the way it's organized... it makes it difficult to follow different threads.

I'm not saying the Yahoo! Groups list is a perfect place or that it will offer you all that you want from it, only that you consider using it for one week as an opportunity to introduce some of the 651 members of that list to what's going on over here. Your route may be more akin to what is here currently, but is far more insular and wastes a great opportunity. To me, it seems as though the potential benefits of going there outweigh the annoyance of having to give up some of the familiar flashy features for, at most, 7 days. It's not like we're talking about this being a permanent move here.

Additionally, I'm not sure the regular crowd there would appreciate our jumping in and taking over their board.

If that's really a concern for you, I'll write the moderators and ask them first. But hey, if people here would rather not go that route, that's fine too. I've made my suggestion and stated my reasons why I think it's a good idea. Do what you want with it. James

James, it was a good suggestion and a nice reminder that the mailing list exists, thank you for that. It brings us up to at least four different options for places to go. Some will check them all out, some will stick to what's familiar, a comfort level sort of thing.

Originally posted by amethyst BTW -- Love the new avatar. You've got to tell us about it!

Thanks! The avatar was drawn by Yoshitako Amano, the character designer for Gatchaman. He was at Comic Con doing autographs and drawings for fans. Through an English/Japanese misunderstanding, I asked for a picture of the Swan, and he drew me (in my Swan costume) instead. I was very happy with my mistake!

Actually, most of what's going on at BoTP now (and I do check it every day) is "Today in Gatchaman History", Comicon updates, and James's expert input. I didn't know what Gatchamania was until TJ and UW let me know. Other then that, the occasional mention at gatchfanfic.com of 'this is from a Gatchamania [insert type here] challenge' when posting a story. If a chat is needed, the one gatchfanfic.com works nicely. All you need is an account; don't have to post a story or anything.

Misunderstanding or not, it is an awesome treasure!

Awesome avatar, TJ!

Thanks so much for putting up the temp board, TJ! It'll be great to still have somewhere to go and stay caught up with everyone and everything while Gatchamania gets it's makeover!

I'll definitely try to check out all of the alternatives while the board is down, so that I won't suffer too much withdrawal! Thanks for the options everyone! I have used the type of board TJ is using for the temp board before, and found it very easy to navigate!

Okay, the board registration is up and running. The URL is: http://z7.invisionfree.com/Crescent_Temp_Base/index.php?act=idx

Great! Thanks, TJ!! *scuttles off to register*

Thank you for informing us TJ. I am now registered. I will see everyone over there and watch for the activity pick up once Cep starts working on this site.

Ready to Go! (Man, I love those smilies!)

Glad to see everyone is registering! Now we'll have a place to hang while Cep works his magic for us!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Okay, the board registration is up and running. The URL is: http://z7.invisionfree.com/Crescent_Temp_Base/index.php?act=idx

Good is ok to sneek in & explode it from the inside!

Explore, yes. Explode, no.

Just registered! Thanks for this opportunity, TJ! Looking forward to play with my avatar and awesome smilies ... need to prepare for tonight's bbq! Luckily, just to keep you adjourned as asked, today, as the number of people attending has increased drastically, me and my friends have decided to meet at the beach, instead of at my house, as evening falls, and everyone has to prepare food to share! I'm just going to have to prepare a lot of garlic bread and bring drinks, etc ... at least, I don't have to cook for all!!!

Registered! GMarie - have a great time at your cookout. (YUM - garlic bread)

Marie, that sounds like the best of both worlds! You get to hang out with your friends, but you don't have to worry about prepping your house or taking all of the responsibility for the food. I hoe you have fun! I've having a BBQ this afternoon for the ILs. Ugh on the guests,. but we will include garlic bread! I'm glad everyone is making it over! If someone wants to come after Gatchamania has gone down and can't find the URL, please contact me and I'll be happy to pass it along!

Good luck with the cookout, Gatchamarie! It sure sounds yummy! See you at the Temp base!