Printer-friendly versionI noticed that, as I write this, that the last comment on a story was a bit under 7 days ago. The last story was posted on the 2nd of December and is a part of a series.
The reason I started Stardust was as an alternative to other sites that were having some problems at the time. That was over 3 years ago and as I do occasionally I wonder if it isn't time to fold the tent and silently go away into the night. The other sites no longer have the problems they had and it seems to me that this site is ever so slowly dropping in interest among its visitors.
There are more people trying to post spam than there are either new stories or comments on those stories. Even some of the former regular story posters have stopped posting their work here since the chance of getting any comments seems to have dropped considerably.
Please DO NOT comment to me just how much you like the site and tell me that you'll be heartbroken if it goes away. I've heard that many times before. Instead, make an effort to post a comment or two on the stories already here and the few that continue to appear here instead. Yes, I know that many of the stories here have been posted elsewhere and that you've commented on a particular story elsewhere. That doesn't help an author to want to post their work here if you don't comment on the story here to make them want to continue to post here!
Stardust isn't going to go away but it could very easily stop accepting new stories and turn into a static archive of the works already posted here on a different server possibly under different management.
Bob Arnold
Stats
Bob,
I was in the middle of posting my latest double episode of 'Eve' when you wrote your piece. It's certainly true that I haven't had a comment for several months and that the number of views is a fraction of BCTS but that much didn't worry me.
I cannot, obviously, speak for anyone else and will respect any decision you make regarding Stardust - as if I had a choice of course.
Topsy
Mostly Harmless
Topsy
Mostly Harmless
Thanks for continuing to post
I do appreciate that you and a few other authors have continued to post your stories here despite the lack of comments and readers.
Bob Arnold
I tried to post a story here
but failed. It's more technical than BCTS which is about as high as my expertise goes. Sorry, but I hope this site doesn't close down.
Angharad.
Posting a story on Stardust
If you can define "more technical" for me I'll gladly make some changes to make the process easier.
Bob Arnold
the end?
If possible, I would vote for keeping it going...if and only if, you are able to do it without inordinate effort, and that there are some authors who want to post on Stardust in preference to BC/TS
djkauf
Stardust will NOT close but
As I indicated above, the site is very likely to stop accepting new stories and comments/blog postings and become an archive for the material already posted here. I see little reason to keep it going as it is now with very few new stories in a month and even less in the way of comments on what few stories are posted. An increase in the posting of stories and comments will go along way toward me changing my mind on the matter.
If ANYONE is having a problem posting a story please contact me at barnold (AT) ralabs.com and I'll be glad to post the story for you. I routinely post the stories for Julie O since I usually edit them for her. Sorry, but I'm not planning on doing any additional editing for anyone else at the moment either.
Bob Arnold
Bob, I Say
Keep accepting stories from current authors on their stories and function as a mirror site for Big Closet for when it's down. I am sure that you and Erin can set up an archive of B.C. stories through your site. I have always seen BOTH sites as Brother [you] and Sister [Erin] sites.
Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine
Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine
You do......
what you have to. I have always viewed Stardust as a premium site for quality stories, without some of the more disagreeable stuff (at least to me). However I can understand what you are saying and I am also sure feeling. It still is one of the first sites I look to. I have noticed that sometimes the quantity of stories posted elsewhere are not by most means the quality I look for in my reading pleasure. I do not comment publically any longer except in a very rare situation but if I do read a story I like I do comment privately and I do vote. I have always wondered if when I vote the author gets a name along with the vote. The fact of ones that surprise keep me coming back to wherever. I, for at least one, would miss a new suprise at Stardust even if few and far between.
Leia Marie
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Leia Marie
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
my .02 cents
Hi Rob,
I check in here every day to see if something new has been posted. Granted I'm not the best at leaving a comment, but I always read here. This is where I found the Eve story and started reading it... You also don't post stuff that would show up on other sites, since you are more restrictive (which I am grateful for).
sorry
Tenwaters
Sorry I have been a bit slow to post of late -- In my case it is more me then the site
Tenwaters
Draggin up.
Well Bob, I applaud our good intentions. I don't think I ever came over here, but I did want to thank you for your effort on our behalf.
Many Blessings
Gwen Brown
Websites R Us
Hiya, Bob.
I saw your blog on BCTS and popped on over to leave a comment.
I have to say that I see too much overlap between BCTS and Stardust. Why go back and forth to both sites when I can read what I like at BCTS? I've bookmarked this site but I even forget to check the bookmark. Sorry.
I think variety is nice. It's good to have a site that has different standards too. This site seems to encourage stories with happy endings. That's good. Perhaps you just need to differentiate yourself a little more. Maybe it would help if you specialized in genres, like only post transgender stories with sci-fi or fantasy elements. It's just a thought.
Thanks for all the work you've done on this site and BCTS.
- Terry
the future of stardust
I check your site every day and would miss it but you need to what is best for you. I do worry that some of the unique stories that are on Stardust would be lost.
I think Terry has the right idea...
Perhaps it would be best if you specialized so as this site is unique from say BC.
As she said, maybe you should specialize in thematic content: ie, Sci-Fi, or Magic, or along such lines. The site name would lend credence with that.
Or perhaps you can get together with Erin and the other Admins of BC and decide what content each will specialize, since you are a sister site, and have a connection to BC.
Somehow, you need to make this site more unique from BC, however, so it has more draw. Specialization may be the best way to go.
Just my 2 cents, for whatever it's worth.
Whichever way you go, however, I'll respect it because I can understand and respect it. After all, keeping an active site active takes a lot of time and effort. Thanks for making that effort.
hay bob yours was the 1st tg site i found
and i all ways check hear 1st this site just has stores i cant find elce where so ples if you can keep it up
it's it strange but
For the longest time i'd come by and see your blog at the top. At least this entry and was surprised that no one seemed to respond, as if they were holding their intake of breath of dread. But much to my surprise this time 2 months later i've found that there were many responses. Hmm maybe i need to reset something on my browser. Its nice to see an inflow of content again; thanks I can exhale again ...sights scthea