IMDb message boards

The message boards are one of my favourite parts of this website and I really do no want to see them go. I don't really see how social media could be considered an equivalent to the boards as it tends not to allow for long answers and is much more ephemeral in nature.

Disappointment doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about this decision. Ive had almost exclusively positive experiences using these message boards. They're my favorite place on the internet.

I have contributed and helped build IMDb like so many other people who love film, by adding plots, images, corrections etc... An integral part of my motivation to do so was the experience I've had in sharing film knowledge and learning from others who use this site. And now you're going take the lines of communication away from the very people who have invested countless hours helping to build this database?

It's a complete slap in the face and a shutting out of the most dedicated users of IMDb.

Someone is attempting to create substitutes for the general boards:

http://imdb2.freeforums.net/

I'm not affiliated with that project, and I don't know who's running it.
I would not be surprised if other similar projects might exist, now or in the near future.

It appears that they've copy-pasted the IMDb board descriptions verbatim.
Will IMDb have any objection to that?

I joined IMDB 14 years ago. I logged in specifically to comment on this thread. I can honestly say that I don't watch a single show or movie without checking out the message boards on your site. Yes there's trolls but when you ignore that layer of hatred and keep going, you'll see awesome discussions and interactions with people who may have the same questions or feelings as you. There is a community here and deleting it entirely is not the answer. You think social media is your saviour? I work in social media and I assure you the trolls live and breath in that space too. Not to mention I watch tv and movies that are new but mostly old. You're telling me you'll have an Instagram post where I can discuss movies from the 40's? I checked your social accounts and it's FILLED with people who are heartbroken by your decision. I truly hope you're reading this and re-evaluating.

IMDB, What the heck are you thinking?  The message boards provide valuable information to many movie buffs like me.  For instance, the boards provide valuable info about the availability of films particularly older ones.  I for one will be visiting the site much less should this occur.  Shame on you, IMDB!

If you take away the message boards, you're gonna lose alot of users. Only a bunch of fools would do so. Why not clean the boards up rather than get rid of them all together?

This is a horrible idea. You're getting rid of something that exists no where else and social media cannot possibly replace.

Col,

When I try to post to "IMDb Poll" (https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/categories/imdb_imdb_poll), my posts show up on https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb instead.

I am able to post to "I Need to Know" (https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/categories/imdb_i_need_to_know) without any problems.

Note: IMDb IMDb Poll does not appear in Related categories, but I Need To Know does.

I tried to report the problem to Get Satisfaction, but I get this error message:
Sorry! You don't have access to the content you requested. If you think you should have access, please contact the administrator of the community.

I really do think this is an enormous mistake. So many people practically live on these boards, and you're basically giving them an eviction notice and then wiping out what they'd left here.

To not even have an archive for this, even setting aside the shutdown, is absurd. Why not just have the Internet Archive do it? Delay the shutdown, let them archive every page available, for people to read from where they'd host it.

Here's another idea: Why not just keep the boards up, but upgrade them? If the software is as... janky as you say it is, and I don't doubt you, get new software! Archive the boards, the info, everything; I've been on forums before that upgraded from one software to another -- but the administrator took the time to make sure everything would be carried over into the new surroundings. You have that option, rather than just closing everything down.

You may think that Facebook and Twitter have superseded these boards, but I can tell you they haven't: So many people use these boards who either have no Facebook or Twitter pages, or would not be able to talk to anyone they know on here anywhere else. Worst of all, there's really no other place on the Internet where people can get into these kind of formatted, topiced discussions -- this may be Web 1.0 or 2.0 in comparison to today, but really, without these boards, a very unique experience in discussion -- unique today, I mean to say -- would no longer exist.

And now, you say, they won't exist anymore. I'm not fine with that. So many other people are far less than just not fine with that. I think, if they know where to direct their concerns, that you'll be hearing from more than a few of them soon -- in fact, you may have already had. I'm not sure if they'll really convince you -- I'm not even sure if I've done enough to convince you, because, let's face it, you don't know me from Adam -- but I hope they at least inspire you to reconsider, even briefly.

I hope you do reconsider, and avert this shutdown. You may not think it'll affect your bottom line, but, please, rethink before you do this. Take a step back, and reconsider. There's really no need for this.

I know this, and so many other people know this. Please, don't.

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled So very disappointed in the decision to eliminate the Message Boards!!!! It is o....

Bummer!!

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled It's a MISTAKE to retire the community forum.

How could anyone 'in charge' think that this is a good idea? I mean, having a Forum dedicated to discussing relevant movies is (yet another) one of the things that distinguish IMDB from other sites like rotten tomatoes, etc. Sometimes a film/ series moves me so much (or conversely, vexes me so sorely) that I'm moved to discuss them. IMDB is the only appropriate venue that I know of where I can do this and in doing so I'm likely to draw forth the musings of the wider internet community in relation to said discussion.

Our forum is a good thing! I mean, I learned a deeper and more meaningful appreciation of the nuances of film making, by reading analyses and tirades of other enthusiasts (and critics). Critics reports in and of themselves are a dime-a-dozen. So too are plot summaries and film synopses.  And yet, our Forum allows us to dissect ideas/ themes/ plots/ motives/ and so forth... In other words, a film review by a critic is often static and unengaging. It only tells us what this one film-snob thinks, or more likely serves as a tool for the critic to put down to show his superiority over us mere mortals. The forums, on the other hand, were dynamic. The to-and-fro of opinions, the always endearing "100-Things-I-Learned-From-Film"X"," and a positive environment for people to learn, or experience confirmation bias...

Despite the readily apparent drawbacks, forums are tools of learning. Knowledge has never been earnestly served by restricting access to information. Forums are a marketplace of ideas and and a trading post of opinion. Despite the drawbacks, it fostered knowledge and learning. Do you know how many times I've seen someone post a version of the following:

"I've been a fan of the site for 'z' time-period now, but I just HAD to create an account to respond/ comment to this film/ comment/ idea..."

It's possible others haven't noticed this as often as I noticed it, because that was akin to the first thing I ever wrote on these boards. I too became a member to comment on something that was important at the time, but which I can no longer remember. Taking away our Forum means that this expression will never again find voice.

So, please. I implore you; Don't shut down our Forum.

Peace

Raz

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Please Don't Disable the Message Boards.

IMDB is not just a place for submitting information to Titles, it's also a place where people can discuss things, that's something I like doing, and I'm sure you'll find that it's been nice that I have been doing it, and made pretty good posts: http://www.imdb.com/user/ur60315666/?ref_=nv_usr_prof_0

The Message Boards are also the only place where you can actually know the other IMDB Users that submit information. You can't expect IMDB to just be a place for contributing. Others who've used the Boards couldn't agree more, IMDB is the one place where they can discuss things like this on pages like these:
*http://m.imdb.com/title/tt2527336/board/threads/265709040/
*http://m.imdb.com/title/tt2527336/board/threads/265706943/

This includes sharing our thoughts on stuff, sharing our ideas on stuff, sometimes questioning the information on the pages, and it's even a place for making News Updates, something the IMDB User Poweranimals tends to do pretty frequently, like here, with all do respect: http://m.imdb.com/title/tt4488724/board/threads/265394538/

And here's a list of his posts, giving news updates on upcoming episodes is pretty important to him: http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1849596/boards/

I as much as others am pretty outraged about this. Please do reconsider. Where else on IMDB would we do what I just mentioned? I wouldn't be surprised if there were other posts regarding this.

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Will IMDb ever bring back the message boards there is petition to save them?.

IMDb are shutting down the message boards when this happens IMDb will be dead just like Yahoo Answers and Google Plus there is a petition too save the message board but will there a petition too bring back the message boards when they are gone.

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Please don't shut down the message boards keep them they are very important too I....

There is a petition to keep the IMDb message boards please don't let IMDb shut them down they are part of the IMDb they have been for a very long please talk too the staff to see if they can change their mind it's the trolls to deal with not shutting down the message boards.

This reply was created from a merged topic originally titled Will the message boards of IMDb ever be saved there is a petition to save them?.

There is a petition too save the message boards of IMDb they are shutting down soon will IMDb change their mind and decide too keep them if enough people sign the petition.