I am not participating in the boycott. Why? LJ is a business, and LJ is no longer the hobby once started by Brad Fitzpatrick.
So when the airlines decided to charge money for second luggage, was there an outcry for the injustice. I doubt it. We accept the change because we need to get from Point A to Point B and the quickest way is by flying. As customers, we willingly cough up the extra money because our travel plan is more important to us than the airlines charging the extra fee.
Or the customer finds another means of travel.
SUP is changing the branding on their services. It’s their choice, they are entitled to decide the products and services they want to offer their customers.
As customers we have a decision to make, either try the new products or go somewhere else.
With this notion of journaling and friendlists, I think we forget who we are. We are customers using a platform service owned by a company. LJ has become a business model for which the owner wants to enhance the offering as they see fit. We cannot expect SUP to have the same personable touch as Brad. We cannot expect SUP to consider our suggestions and implement every single one of them simply because we asked. How many companies do you know act to satisfy their entire customer base. They will choose the elements that will benefit their bottom-line and their business goals. If the change suit the customer, then all is well. The company will have developed customer loyalty and the customer will have the services they desire.
Will LJ achieve their goals? I don’t know and frankly, I don’t care. There are other similar platforms on the net just like LJ once were as there are many stores offering the products I am interested in. If I become dissatisfied, I can leave for a different pasture.
The real problem I see is fandom, making sure we stay intact and accessible to other fans and the continuance of the things we enjoy and love. I will become upset if fandom end up scattered over the net.
