Another fitness face has complained about her fake profile on our site and it's got me seriously considering shutting down the FWF (again). It feels like my mind is made up on this one, but if anyone has the orating ability to sway me ... please take yer best shot.
In truth, I can't put all the blame on this fitness girl's complaint; I am finding it increasingly difficult to handle my moderator duties as I go deeper into my program. And it's not like we have a vocal fan base egging us on ... yes, I'm going to point my finger at you silent tightwads as well ... you know who you are!
When the number of complaints from fitness girls exceeds the number of prospective writers knocking on my door and exceeds the number of readers attending chat sessions, you know things aren't going well for the FWF. The writers may be too polite to mention it, but a little feedback on these stories that took a great effort to write wouldn't be asking too much. Thank the gods for Daigz going as long as he was able and for readers like Karl, Luis, and Vince for chiming in whenever they could. I don't think anyone else has any excuses for silence minus being short a pair of hands.
So this is what it comes down to: (1) I have no time, (2) I have no help for HTML and maintenance, (3) I certainly have no large fanbase begging for more FWF goodness, (4) the number of writers has gone down (valiant as the remaining may be), (5) there are only so many lawsuit threats I can take in this lopsided exchange.
So unless I discover the truth of the universe in the near future (and it's a pleasant one) then we're looking at the FWF shutting down (once again).
It's the readers fault for not jumping up and down about the wonderful site or participating in the chats.
No wait, it's the lack of new writers that is the cause for this.
Ummm...wait, it is the former fitness girl who is to blame for this
No...it is only that your time is extremely limited. Period. Not the readers....not the lack of new writers....not the failed fitness girl....and not the fact you have nobody helping you with the HTML.
For the most part, you have not had anybody helping you with the upkeep in a very long time and you've done a fabulous job. As for prospective writers, this has been hashed and re-hashed. We are never going to have a glut of writers. The forum of womens combat (wrestling, catfighting, boxing, etc.) is a bit of a fetish or at least is viewed by most as such. Look at the stories section of Seaking's site. A lot of writers but only a few with more than a handful of stories and an even smaller group of 'regulars'. This is also a reason for the lack of reader participation (most of the regulars are 'closet' enthusiasts I'd guess), they are out there.
I could go on and on (and probably will chime in again later), but the bottom line is
SHAME ON YOU FOR THINKING ABOUT QUITTING. WE'RE JUST GETTING WARMED UP HERE!
Geez, I log onto my favourite (Cdn. spelling) site and this is what I get to read about. Now I'm on 4 hours sleep from Sat., 3 from last night and I'll get about 4 tonight so, although I have lots to say, I'll wait 'til later when it doesn't hurt to keep my eyes open.
Anyway, Eddie, for those of us out there who you know are out there, we appreciate everything you've done. I can't imagine the amount of thankless work you've poured into this site over the years but you've made a lot of people like me happy.
It's great that there's guys like STARR, EZJ, Nigel, Kent, Luis, Vince, tbohner, Chris and others (sorry if I didn't mention you), either writers or fans who are out there often enough to keep the site having a pulse, in terms of a bit of reaction. I, for one, am so glad to know that I can love females, female bodybuilding and fitness and female wrestling and feel like I'm normal on this site.
As far as Dawn White goes, she's a freak, a loon, a borderline psycho. It's clearly stated that the material, other than the pictures, aren't real. Good luck with a lawsuit, bitch. No one's making a dime off this. She should worry about who actually distributed all those alleged pictures anyway, or whatever, as I only half-heartedly, if that, cared what she had to say. Besides, with all these girls having pictures all over the Internet, they obviously can't mind too much. They make money off them on other sites and of course, if guys didn't get excited about them, or girls for that matter, then a market wouldn't exist in the first place.
Anyway Eddie, I'll support whatever your decision is. But, remember, the bottom line is that you probably do this because you love to do it. You wouldn't do it otherwise and put in all those painstaking nights to get episodes ready for guys like me who anticipated them like it was the night before Christmas. I'm not trying to add pressure on your decision, but it's true. I started writing the Insider because I loved it, not because it would springboard me to Sports Illustrated. Now I just don't have enough time, but I would again if I can.
Yes, it sucks when hardly you ever hear from anyone new. It's like they take advantage of all the work you do and they can't even once acknowledge it. Shame on all of you. You know who you are. As Robert DeNiro said in The Fan, "A simple thank you would be nice."
But, ultimately, I don't think that's why you do it, Eddie. The bottom line is you love to do it. Although I'm not sure what it's like to be threatened by a lawsuit, no matter how rediculous it seems, you can't let a threat from a nobody like Dawn White get you down. Do what's best for you Eddie. Maybe you need to move on, I don't know. But ask yourself if this is still something you really love to do, no matter what. If it still is, then don't give it up. And you know those of us out there who do appreciate you. And we know who we are.
This is a tough line, because of the images, and the images PRIMARILY.
It is a matter of copyright. Yet, though we are not making profit off of this, I think it is important to ask the question, whether or not, we are HURTING or HELPING the reputations and notoriety of the women by using their "likenesses" on this site.
I think the argument could be made in both directions, but, I doubt very heavily we have "hurt" any of the female's reputations, in any way, by featuring them here.
All is not lost.
But I do think we MUST change the way we run this. And change can be good.
We need to focus on those who enjoy this genre. Period.
That not only includes the writers, that not only includes the viewers, but that also includes those of whom we feature on this site.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT TURN OF EVENTS FOR US.
There is opportunity in chaos.
Follow me closely here...........
Many FEMALE wrestling companies are out there.
MANY!
This could be a great vehicle for US and THEM. Many of the females we feature here, have their own FOR PROFIT websites, and would love to find out ways to DRIVE MORE TRAFFIC to those websites, and kick up their levels of membership, notoreity, and so forth.
That most likely could include individual, independent, females like, JUST AN EXAMPLE, say Bobbi Billiard.
It also wouldn't be a stretch to think that someone like DWW (Danube Women's Wrestling) may perhaps be interested in having some of their girls featured as wrestlers, with links to their website, home pages, membership section, video library, etc.
THEY would have to follow the guidelines WE set forth to participate.
That is very important, and I will explain why later.
But, the females could participate in the action on forums like this, promote themselves, and we all enjoy in the fun.
Not only would they be a participant, but an eager spectator.
The females could either be "in character" or "not in character", but it wouldn't matter, because we would determine whether or not they are heel, face, or so on, AND, the writer's (bookers) job is to determine the outcome of the matches and how they flow.
Of course, we would listen to their input, and it would weigh heavily on certain decisions, but it would be understood that our word is final.
And, we can make a profit doing something we love.
And profit is not a dirty word my friends.
If you are not getting my drift yet, I will explain privately, in the form of a roundtable with those here who I trust.
In the meantime, it is my personal opinion, that Eddie should disable all the links to the archives and pictures until we get this hashed out. Make it to where no one can access it.
A lawsuit is not something to be taken lightly.
Win or Lose, the costs, time, stress, and so on can be very damaging.
Let's do this the right way, and make it "right" for everyone involved.
The real question at the heart of the matter is: does our trusted leader still enjoy the FWF and the process of creating episodes. If there is still enjoyment in the process, then we can figure everything else out.
Nevertheless, I have observations (not in order of relevance):
1. The FWF is not long for this world if it remains on fortunecity and should be taken down completely (and soon). Too much exposure, too many hassles, too many ads, etc. There needs to be a new method of delivery (maybe e-mailed pdfs) with a small text-heavy web site or smartgroup with profiles, records and storyline backup.
2. The FWF needs to be slimmed down to some consistent writers, maybe 35-45 girls (more girls, more complaints, more web space). It may help with time constraints (less girls, less time spent working on the (possibly more frequent) episodes.
3. This little nook in the world of websites has no negative impact on any of the women whose names & images have been used. Nevertheless, since the site makes these images easily available, the women have the right to ask to be removed (such as the requests by Jaime Koeppe & Dawn White).
4. Lawsuits are nasty and always should be avoided if possible.
5. I'd be very interested in EZJ's business plan (or idea), profitability should always be embraced.
While I really understand the lack of time, at the end of the day, the important question is about enjoyment of the process. If there is still enjoyment there, we can make the hard decisions about how to continue. If there is still enjoyment, you don't need a huge following.
I believe there is still a lot of life in the FWF and I hope it continues. We should exchange e-mails (which should be taken off the site, by the way) and sort through the best method in which to continue.
It's tough to hear but I'm behind the Main Man as usual. It's kind of like the E3 going under: it's sad but not that surprising, and not surprising if it returns...someday.
As for the upset fitness girls, it doesn't matter if we think they're overreacting or acting like undeserved divas. They're real people and they may just disagree with being put in a fantasy wrestling league...or seeing their fictional jabronie @$$ get kicked. It's their right. But I agree that a threat to sue the FWF is pretty cheap, majorly uncool, and downright greedy... especially if the excuse is that their careers are somehow threatened by this fed. Heck, the FWF may keep their names afloat in the 'net long after they've failed to achieve Cory Everson, Monica Brant, or Amy Fadhli-level immortality.
I hope things work out for the V-man. Maybe someday there'll be a return when he has the time to indulge in this without faux divas breathing down his neck. If not, there've been a lot of years to look back on. Everyone can take a bow.
Thanks for all the feedback fellas. I've been reading each post and digesting all the arguments. We should probably continue the discussion away from prying ears/eyes. I'm gonna make myself available Sunday morning in the chatroom and MSN messenger - probably starting at 9 a.m. and going for as long as people are present.
BTW I did away with the email addresses, Hacksaw. Good heads up.
As usual, a Sunday won't be a good time for me, Eddie. Regardless (and predictably, it was everyone you would have expected to respond) I think our core group all have good ideas. You guys should hash them out and I'm sure we'll come up with a viable solution.
Just remember, the fact that Eddie has no time will be a major roadblock, no matter what we come up with.
Just keep me in the loop. I have lots of ideas of my own. I just can't get much sleep lately.
Well, I decided to check in and the main page is missing, and when I go hunting (fortunately, I flagged the forum page), I find this.
I've been a fan since I don't remember when, and if I haven't been effusive enough, I apologize. I would like to participate more, but I'm afraid I've never been particularly good at writing fights, and the chats usually conflict with my schedule in one way or another.
I would miss this site if it were to disappear, but ultimately, you have to do what you think is best for you.
Eddie you do what you feel you have to do. It is a shame that you are getting grief for a hobby, a time consuming one I am sure, but still a fun hobby. And for as little traffic the site seems to generate response wise I am surprised any fitness lady would even bother you. But so be it. What ever you decide I am sure we all can live with.
Since it seems the FWF is dead, I thought I'd chime in with my two cents worth.
THE BITCH IS DEAD!!!! LONG LIVE THE BITCH!!!
Since I can't seem to let go of anything, I've thought about a new fed and since this has been my primary hobby for the last few years, I will try to get a new site up and running. The format (written matches) will be the same and you'll be familiar with a bunch of the women. However, you will have to register to join the new site (don't worry, it will be free) and pics won't be as plentiful, but the action will be outstanding as ever.
This probably will take a couple months to implement, so your patience will be appreciated. As a reward, a sample opening will be posted on another thread. Enjoy!
There's always hope Damien. The FWF shut down once before only to return with a vengeance! If a second resurrection happens, expect the site's layout to be different visually and structurally with the belts/wrestlers.
But I don't want anyone building their hopes too high - I don't see myself doing this anytime soon. Perhaps the itch will return that brought about the last jump start. If not ... then I'd be just as happy if Starr or EZJ or anyone else carried the torch.
Is it possible to atleast post the old episodes and data even if we are no longer making new ones. I have about half of them saved but it is an inconsistant list.
I have no way to host them but i can send them to people via you send it. If u want them find me in the yahoo group. Or if u have the complete collection let me know. For other sites like this I have posted all the files on edonkey. Sadly edonkey is almost gone. I am using aries now so they will be on that network soon.
Thanks for reminding me Tbohner. The RapidShare links on the Yahoo group have expired, so I will be using a new host for the archived episodes. Here's what I've done so far. The rest to follow in the coming weeks.
** I've only had time to upload each file. I haven't tried downloading them to check for integrity. If any of the files refuse to open (or look awkward) please let me know.