User blog comment:Swordsofwrathadmin/Why you should oppose URL changes./@comment-31150508-20180819232341/@comment-5952365-20180820015417

Heya! I got a notification for this bcuz I also commented here and figured I'd read it anyways and reply :P

I think everyone already knows that the TOU says that Wikia can change whatever they want whenever they want at any time they want, everyone knows that about every site they join. However, I think what people are upset about is the parts that say "our users' needs and our business priorities". If none of the Users need or even want the changes, then I believe it's reasonable for them to be upset when Wikia/FANDOM doesn't listen. Of course they don't have to listen, and they do in fact give reasonable notice of major changes, but it isn't a needed change, or at least not in the eyes of most commenters on Brandon's blog post. I'm not saying it isn't a needed change period or that it will never be beneficial, I am simply saying that it certainly isn't viewed to be, especially by myself, however I am always open to a different view :P I believe Swordsofwrathadmin already knew this and didn't need it explained since they specifically stated that Wikia can and will do what they want and the decision making is up to them. Now, my second point was on the line, "and our business priorities", I believe people get very upset about this too. Whatever their "business priorities" are, they get confusing. On the third page of comments a User called Schwahn2 posted two days ago:

I like how Brandon mentions here:

"Reference/encyclopedic content will always be at the core of the site."

Yet, a couple comments down from this.

"Ultimately we are a pop culture-oriented site, by and large."

I feel bad for the guy, since he is the face of this horrible decision.

However, Brandon has stated:

''I don't think "an entertainment website for fans" and "a source of information" are mutually exclusive. Information and a fan community can go hand in hand, and that's what we're striving towards.''

Which will hopefully help clear that last point up. However...

"I would maintain that most Wikia contributors count themselves as wiki users rather than fans."

* Glances at Username* Aha... *Laughs nervously* Nah, but really tho, I joined Wikia bcuz I was a fan and wanted to add more, sooo...:P

Now, with this whole point:

"Most people will know what a wiki (and therefore a wikia) is or will associate it with Wikipedia. A FANDOM will probably bring to mind thoughts of fanon (which often goes far beyond the original series and can't be trusted)."

''I'm quite certain that most people who are particularly hardcore fans of something will know the difference between fanon, canon, and FANDOM. The thought process you are displaying appears to be a bit of a stretch, if I might suggest.''

I completely agree with Swordsofwrathadmin! Not only was that point completely logical and makes sense, but I do not believe in any way whatsoever that it's "a bit of a stretch" at all. The reason why I say/write this is because you say, "particularly hardcore fans will know the difference, but that is a completely different group than who I believe Swordsofwrathadmin is talking about. When they say, "Most people will know", I believe they are referring to random casual or even none fans, perhaps who are viewing the Wiki and whatever it is based off of for the first time. Just regular people or fans, and not hardcore fans. Of course hardcore fans will know the difference! But will random readers and casual fans? Probably not.

"Further, Wikia sounds broadly professional (even if the mother of the blog post writer understands that he works in IKEA) while FANDOM sounds like something a 5-year-old child would yell. Many commentators stated that they were more likely to trust a Wikia then a FANDOM. So will FANDOM do this. In spite of what I have said, yes. Why? Well because they said they would and the decision making in FANDOM is not in the community. It isn't even directly connected. "

Okay, that's great and all, but where is your evidence?

I don't understand what "evidence" you would need to understand this. Okay,

1. "Sounds more professional" is an opinion, but one I and most Users seem to agree with. Would some sort of poll be needed?

2. "FANDOM sounds childish!" Read my point above.

3. "More people trust "Wikia" instead of "FANDOM"." With what they said above previously, I believe this, and I bet most people would trust the title "Wikia" more than "FANDOM" because we're all used to "Wikia", we all recognize and know it so we're aware of what to expect already. "FANDOM" is newer, which doesn't inherently mean untrustworthy, but it does here because most people a) don't know what a "fandom" is or b) know the title to be bad or associated with "bad" people. Everyone knows that certain fandoms are bad and have done bad things, so most people would associate those people's actions with the name/title. Again, what would be needed to "prove" this? A poll? Interviews with random people on the street? :/

4. "Wikia/FANDOM decides, not the community." A) Again, back to the TOU. B) Again, how would one "prove" this and provide "evidence" for this statement? I think that the fact that they went through with and still go through with changes that nearly everyone disagrees with is proof enough.

When you say things like "but that's simply how life is. Not everything is fair", it sounds like "get over it, you can't change it", which I understand may not of been your intention, however, also setting up unrealistic expectations of "evidence" when the only real "proof" they could possibly gather would be blog comments, which isn't exactly the most official thing ever btw, isn't fair, and explaining that away with "life isn't fair!" is not, well, fair either. It sounds immature and a bit desperate. Why not bring up your own proof for why it's incorrect instead of expecting it from others with already reasonable explanations, without actually doing it yourself as well or first? People have the right mind to be upset about this as names are a very big deal to a lot of people. If it were any other big site doing this people would be just as upset as they are here and now.

Whew, that was long ^^ Anyways, hopefully this helps and/or brings up more discussions since it's going to happen regardless of what anyone says.