Hello Gatchaloons! Day by day I see that this place is getting quiet again. Its strange that we have such cycles of great activity and then a complete drop off. I realise, the more I look out across the Net that there are a large number of Gatch/BOTP fans out there, so I ask you why are they all over the place? What can be done to improve Gatchamania.net so that we can turn this site into a haven for all fans, a community hub for all lovers of the series? Please let me know, its hard for me to see newcomers visiting only to find that virtually everyone else has fallen silent. What can we do here to get more ACTIVE members? Cep - Gatchamania.net Adminsitrator

I suspect that no one site can be a haven for all fans, due to past experience of dramatic personality clashes. No site can be a haven for all, because not all people can get along together. I'm not talking particularly about past Gatchamania experiences here, but fandom experiences as a whole going back to the days of the first mailing list, the GML. Having said that, I don't have a clue how to make things busier. Every site has to have its niche. The BOTPML has a very serious, detailed fandom. Clubhouse is based around fanfic without pressure. Birdgo is based around adult discussion and fanfic. What would Gatchamania's niche be? I've always regarded it as a light-hearted place, which used to have a lot of interactive fic but that has fallen off somewhat. I think I miss the debates, which weren't Gatch related. Perhaps the thing about Gatchamania is that it's a place for Gatch fans where we don't have to stay on-topic.

One thing I miss the most from the old site is the fanfiction archive. There is some really good writing out there but unfortunately there just isn't a lot of fics on this particular site. I know it's up to the author to post their stories wherever they want but most other sites have an area devoted to just fanfiction. I find the writer's block is more of a place to ask questions and opinions from other people rather than a place to post fics.

One thing I really enjoyed about Bird Go's site was the way the screenshots were set up from each episode. The fact that you could go in and make a funny caption for each picture made it even better! I still go and visit the site there to look at the screenshots and have a good laugh... I also agree with kitten... about the fanfics...it would be wonderful to have all of the fanfics in one place...maybe categorized by genre...or author...or something... oh...and I will get back to adding Galactor mechas and captains du jour to the screenies...promise! ...and pimped out Jinpei says he'll advertise for the site... for a small fee...LOL

Well sounds like we need a fic section again. I still have the old fic section, so I will write a new one

I think Meridian got it right. The identified niches are filled, too many people had to back off at the same time. I always took the debates and rants way too seriously for my own good, but they certainly added to the site and got folks thinking. The lighter IF and RP was fun, and others enjoyed the heavier stuff. Does any group still do the heavier stuff? It was a wonderful heyday, all things working right, all folks with similar interests and lots of time available. I'd be interested in a light IF, no ownership, shorter posts welcomed. Cep, if you can set up a wiki (I'm rather decent with PmWiki), I've an idea for a variation on an IF. I could set it up on mine, but I'd prefer it be associated with a group. I'll do up an example later. But it would appeal mostly to the folks who enjoy IFing, so if they don't have time it won't do much. (Very defeatist, eh?) And, hubby is home, so my time here is done for the day. Three more groups to catch up on after going offline on Dec 20, and they'll have to wait.

I quite agree that not everybody will fit in all the groups mention for various reasons. I used to go to a site for a band that I like but a lot of people there didn't either like the band or never heard of it and I didn't get along with some of the people there because of their attitudes and some of the dbates I left alone. I haven't been back there couple of years. But with this group, I met some friendly, open-minded and like-minded mad peole who don't aloways take the serious of life.....errr....serious. I can't really think of anything myself to improve the site except for advertising on other sites (I saw the ink for the old site on a Yahoo group). Also, you have to remmber that a lot of people don't want to join in but like to read the views, stories, etc of active members.

HI There Fans and Friends!! I now it's been awhile...I keep fading in and out of this site, but it's not due to lack of interest...just time on my part. Sorries for not keeping up here. One thing that I miss from the old site is the number of threads displayed on the front page. There are only 5 shown here. If I remember correctly we had a whole slew of them availalble on the other site. I'm with Cricket! I'd like to an IF. I remember when I first started here, I'd read the IF's from the archives and was blown away by the writing... Oh yeah...and I miss IMI!! Where the heck has our Condor (and welcoming committee) gone? Anyone hear anymore from Firebird as well? Anyway, it's good to be able to stop in and 'see' so many familiar friendly faces. Lola

Lola!!! I've given up looking for you, but it's always a nice surprise to see you here. (Email me if you're on Yahoo or MSNChat sometime. I don't log in to them as often as I used to.) All this is from this site, so it's not gossip or anything, just consolidating. I assume Imi's been busy with family and her new business, but it's been ages. FireBird's son had a stroke a few months ago. No news since then. No clue what's up with Elvin Ruler; assuming she's busy with work and such, but this is a rather long absence. In Real Life, we see friends, or friends of friends, and gossip goes round. When someone disappears, we know why. Online? I've one friend who might be the person on the news, caught in a snowdrift in BC, but there's no way I'll ever know. Fortunately, I know she posts only every month or two, so I'm not worried. Cheers!

As a newbie I can't give an experienced opinion but I like Gatchamania for its diversity. Not just on Gatch but on other things as well. I personally would like to see a News area where there are articles or links to articles on Gatchaman, BOTP or any of the related incarnations. The new Gatchaman film will be out next year so articles should start coming up about that and if anyone has any news that would be wonderful.

Hey Lola! Haven't seen you for a looooooooong time, dunno what happened to Imi, one minute she was posting like mad and then since the new site came out she disappeared. FB has taken time away because of her son as Cricket mentioned and yeah where the hell is Elvie? Must have found a man mayhaps Condorfan I would like to place articles up but with little expert knowledge of Gatch myself I wouldn't really know where to look but I would be more than happy to promote someone to the station of "Gatch Newsbird" or something similar as the person who was meant to be getting articles and stuff has well, never really been that active on the site.

Hey, alot of us have joined My Space recently, and maybe a section where we could get Gatch stuff for My Space might be nice. I know someone who has made a bunch of nice contact boxes, and also, someone who as some great Photoshop stuff. I even have a few little amateurish things to share!

...oooooh...and I had to share this one...

For me, it's just that I had been completely overwhelmed by life in general. I do have a habit of drifting in and out.. in all the sites that I frequent.. ok.. not so frequently.. but now and then, I poke my head in to check on old friends and meet new ones. That's just me. I completely agree with all that everybody said though. Sometimes, it's just the need to find that little place where you feel comfortable. And both the IF and fic-archive are wonderful ideas. But to be absolutely honest with you, it's mainly the friends that keep me going online. The writing part is not that important to me. Don't take me wrong, I love it, but I do miss out a lot of those online joint effort creative fun! Having said that. I should poke my head into Bird go to say hi. So, take care all. Don't play too hard, k? Yuki

Dont play too hard you say? I Say play it as dayum hard to the line as you can baby!!! Hells yeah!!! Ah Jeez, do you what this place does for me? What it means to have a place that you can call a virtual "home" , with like minded gatchamaniacs you damn well miss to bits only to have a delicious thrill of recognition and delight electrify up and down your spine in seeing their names and avatars again on this thread??! THATS what Im damn well feeling right now !! * Biggest damn group huggleglompgigglerompfest* Ok, ive just calmed down with a post coital smoke, so I can say I would most definately agree with all the above mentioned comments! Cepster my fav pirate, can you not see that apart from the pheremones that Katse's has made sure to instil into this site, do consider its unique nature and character and what had made it successful for all these years since its inception back in 2001! The answer to your threads query is simple: BACK TO BASICS!! Go back Gatchamania's Genesis , and you will find a group of like minded fans who made tentative steps into the world of Interactive Fanfiction, slowly exposed bits of themselves through sharing their Real life experiences as well as their opinions on world events, and lets not forget the wicked and twisted sense of humour that pervaded the place bringing the site to the brink of utter chaos!! Its the fun ! fun to allow would be writers and artists to express their fanaticism for our cherished anime to shine, to grow and develop into confident and successful celebrities in their own right! fun to have even the most timid and shy members here reply even to one post and get to know the resident nutcases in here. A place to hang out and either contribute, or just read, smile at a comment or being confronted by a difference of opinion, or just being outraged by the sheer silliness to the point of joining in! Fun and aweinspiring to converse ,joke around and getting to know members that have very solid Gatchaman reputations as established and renown writers, artists and even website owners! Yes , even to this very day I still get and will continue to get starstruck by members that will always remain friends despite the passage of time or real life events. Ah it feels good to settle into drunken rambling posts again Cepster I look forward to reacquainting myself to the site again.( I better find the rubber room intact!) and take reassurance in this: once a Gatchamanic Addict..ALWAYS a gatchamaniac!

OMG IMSTER!!!! How are you doll? Not seen or heard you about for agessessess!!! *uber glompugs* Where you been?!?! Rubber room has kind of got in a state since you left Imi darl, although the youngens gatchgirl and Springie have been keeping the place alive. WHICH REMINDS ME!!! You havent been around to corrupt all new comers, theres a list woman! A damn big list of people who need to be corrupted!! Get to it!

Evil sly grin Cepster you always know to feed me well Thats why I'll always love ya . *Grin widens blows ya a kiss and casually saunters off to the Welcome thread *

Gatchamania has been lacking an Imaqtz

Imi...I'll be proud to be further corrupted by you! Welcome Back!

I think Imi must do a re-corruption course in the Rubber Room.

Imi I would love to play in the rubber room again... I tried to revitalize it awhile back but only springie and Metalliant tried to play.... was rather short lived..... Major huggles to you and I so look forward to reading and writting in response to more of your corruption....

hmm, perhaps THAts what's needed!..Cep order some more toys for the Rubber Room ! my darn joy stick broke... heh heh heh

Sure thing sweets, and whilst I am at it best get the uberdestructo 3000 cablegun pre-ordered too but in the meantime, have an icecream

gulping down icecream so I can get my hands on Uberdestructo 3000!!! Thanks for looking after moi Cep!! Grin Grin ( how appropriate for this smilie to be displayed right now...lololol!!)

Om my god Imi.... thats not a joystick.........

ooh but it is Gatchgirl it suuuure is a fine piece of "joystick" for a Condor, packing mucho macho heat... UBERDESTRUCTO 3000 Rocks!!

Originally posted by gatchgirl Imi I would love to play in the rubber room again... I tried to revitalize it awhile back but only springie and Metalliant tried to play.... was rather short lived..... Major huggles to you and I so look forward to reading and writting in response to more of your corruption....

Wwweeellllllll, nobody can do Rubber Rooms like our Imi nor can they replace her. Here's for our residend .

Imi does tend to add things to the fun in the rubberroom.... like tortures etc...

ah but Metaliant is the Smilie Master, and altho Im blushgrinning and huggling y'all with the praise I WILL be using the UBERDESTRUCTO 3000 if I dont see fics posted soon.... hmm...that Rubber Room could use a Torture Room makeover. I shiver with anticipation at how the delightful giggles could turn into screams of terror... mmmmmmmmm...... *no smilie can depict eyes that glaze over as lips curl into one hell of a roguish grin*

What about these Imi,

I've been watching the sales materials on that UBERDESTRUCTO 3000 Imi darl, its..... .....not quite got all the bugs worked out yet.....

Maybe you should get the piders in it to eat all the bugs Cep?