Community talk:Hub/Oasis

Please read the situation explanation before commenting

This wiki has moved to www.GrandTheftWiki.com
Please use the new URL rather than this one, as we have left Wikia.

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Discussion

Please use this section to discuss the Oasis skin and the move away from Wikia


This was a discussion I had with Angela Beesley (Wikia Founder) in 2007 before Grand Theft Wiki moved to Wikia:

  • ME: As for Wikia adverts, I understand that this is central to your business and so I wouldn't prevent that. As on WoWWiki, the advertisements aren't brazenly plastered around every pixel of space. Although I never run adverts on my own sites (something about ethics...), so long as they don't detract from the experience of using the Wiki, then I have no qualms with their use.
  • ANGELA: Hopefully you won't find them obtrusive. The new skins were designed to keep the ads away from the content, especially for logged in users where there is just one small ad in the top corner.

This is just another proof of the breach of trust we have seen from Wikia. They are not keeping the ads away from the content at all, and they are very obtrusive - especially on the new thinner layout. Logged in users see more than one advert, and it does detract significantly from the experience of using the wiki. Gboyers talk 22:29, October 3, 2010 (UTC)


Community Answers

Please place your answers below, in a similar format to this first post.
  1. What do you think of the Oasis skin? - I think the skin is okay, but it does NOT suit a wiki, especially GTW. It will also cause a lot of problems, and ruin our identity.
  2. Do you think GTW should leave Wikia? - Yes, but only if the community are with us. Splitting the community in two, or only taking away the staff, would be disastrous for both forks.
  3. If we moved, would you move with us, rather than staying on gta.wikia.com? Yes - it is absolutely imperative that we all move together.

Gboyers talk 22:15, October 3, 2010 (UTC)


  1. It's meh, not really my thing. I could see how it would work for other wikis, though.
  2. I'm actually 50-50 split on this. There are some good reasons to go, but also some good reasons to stay. If I had to choose, I'd say leave Wikia.
  3. I would move with you, wholeheartedly.

MAINEiac4434 22:44, October 3, 2010 (UTC)


  1. I think that the skin looks horrible, worse than the current Wikia preferred option (which I also do not use). The skin will take away the identity of GTW and create a layout that could be any other wiki.
  2. Yes and I suggested the possibility when they introduced the now outgoing skin a while back.
  3. Yes.

A-Dust 23:06, October 3, 2010 (UTC)

I didn't like some of the things i read about the new changes. When these changes take place i will be leaving. I will follow GTW if it moves and i hope that it does. Jaceysdad 23:20, October 3, 2010 (UTC)


  1. Horrible
  2. Some good reasons to stay, but maybe it's time for independence
  3. Yes.

Kanzler31 23:32, October 3, 2010 (UTC)

Make your own domain grandtheftwiki.com like you said. I'd definitely move with you guys. Kyleneu 04:29, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

  1. Terrible, put's advertising first and contend/creative design last.
  2. I support the move. But I still think we should fight to keep the skin off us.
  3. Definetly

Chimpso (Talk) 04:37, October 4, 2010 (UTC)


I have been going around many Wikia wikis leaving my input on a move:

  1. I hate the new Wikia skin (it is no longer called Oasis, just Wikia, oh, how imaginative!) It is hard to use, slow to load and fixed width is just evil!
  2. There are many good wiki farms. I plan to move Wikisimpsons to ShoutWiki and an old Wikia helper, Jack Phoenix, is a staff member there. Moving will be for the best.
  3. I am not a major contributor here. Made one or two edits. If you move to ShoutWiki, I will use that one over this one though.

I have got a list of positives and negatives about ShoutWiki here. Please read that as it may help make a decision. ☆The Solar Dragon☆ 06:25, October 4, 2010 (UTC)


  1. Bad.
  2. I prefer to leave.
  3. Definetly.

The Hole 13:02, October 6, 2010 (UTC)


  1. I hate it with a passion (I was in the first batch of beta testers), and I have made an array of essays and blog posts against it. Essentially though, I don't see how this wiki will be able to go on without a sidebar with more than 4 menus, without a sitenotice, without half its content space and without a banner.
  2. ShoutWiki is looking into snatching Monaco and implementing it on their wikifarm before it gets nuked, and this means widgets will be back there. I'd suggest setting up a donation fund to pay for a server and a domain if you're self-hosting, but admins and users will get more access to the database - and you can mould the wiki however you want it (user right names can be incredibly original).
  3. I will be quitting Wikia altogether. It's sad, but I can't do anything about it. Even though I have hardly edited here, I read this wiki a lot. I'll definitely become a full time editor when GTA V is announced and that will hopefully be when you guys have a new wiki. Just remember that you will have to make sure this old wiki does not change for the worse while everyone is gone.

{{SUBST:User:Tigernose/sig}} 19:09, October 4, 2010 (UTC)


1. The new skin sucks

2. Yes you should move

3. Yes I might have just joined but I'll always be loyal to the true GTAwiki



  1. I hate the skin it is really bland (and I thought the original wasn't too special).
  2. If the new site will be more popular than this one, yes. Otherwise, I'll still be on the fence.
  3. Of course, but it'll be hard letting go of this place, especially with so many fools on the net.

--Thescarydude 20:25, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

Leaving

because, do not leave this site at wikia.

So, this place will be completely dead?

Am I understanding this correctly? This place will beasically become a tomb with no updates due to this new skin?

Okay, that's fair enough and I will not begrudge you the right to such a course of action. Especially if the monkeys on this site, in their ivory towers, insist of forcing a new skin upon us.

But please clarify something, if we abandon this place. Will there be another GTA database we can all contribute to? With all the articles we've made here?

I simply cannot stomach the idea of leaving this place and yet having nowhere else to go. A lot of people have put in a lot of effort here. It would be a massive shame to just give up. So, any clarification will be much appreciated and hopefully sweeten the bitter pill.

Thanks!

IdesofMarch 13:16, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

The idea is that we would move to a new site, taking a copy of all content with us. However, some people might stay here and continue to run this copy. This is why we want to make sure everyone comes over to the new site, rather than trying to run two wikis in competition with each other. Gboyers talk 13:33, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for clarifying, friend. And it goes without saying that when the move comes, I'll go along too. There is no point sticking with a site that doesn't respect its users and claims to listen to them whilst flatly ignoring all of their concerns and fears. This community of ours is a great thing, all of us are drawn together by a common love of the greatest series of games ever created (In my mind at least) and it would be very regrettable if there was a deep, irrepairable schism simply because this site is ran by fools. IdesofMarch 13:42, October 4, 2010 (UTC)IdesofMarch

Randomtomato 15:55, October 4, 2010 (UTC) Would like to see you move away from Wikia as that skin is just stupid, although i would like to see GTW in the Wikipedia-esque format because its easy to use. Randomtomato 15:56, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

Monobook, the skin formerly used by Wikipedia, and Vector (Wikipedia's new skin) will be both available to anyone self-hosting and using the latest MediaWiki software. {{SUBST:User:Tigernose/sig}} 19:12, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

This sounds like a good idea to me.

  1. I really haven't liked a lot of Wikia's recent changes and I hope we can find somewhere better or else just self host. I really don't think the Oasis skin is a good skin for wikis though. I wonder if we could get in withGTANet somehow?
  2. I guess I really think we should leave Wikia behind. I'm sure we could do better elsewhere. It probably doesn't help that the subjects of this wiki are not as family friendly, so they don't even want us here.
  3. I'll be sure to go wherever you go.

ZedoMann 20:30, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

UPDATE: 3 Wikis already left

Club Penguin Wiki, Apple Wiki and Casualty wiki have left. Soon, more wikis will either: Move to another Wiki farm, or create their own site. Any thoughts on the exodus ahead? Kanzler31 22:53, October 4, 2010 (UTC)

We are toying with the idea. I want to make sure we make the right decision for THIS wiki and its community, not just blindly follow others without thinking carefully about the consequences. There is still time for Wikia to make this right, and that would be the simplest option for everyone. Gboyers talk 00:07, October 5, 2010 (UTC)

Go for it!

We should leave Wikia. I have checked out the new skin and it dosen't look all great. I enjoy this current skin anyway. If you leave, I will go to the new site. Just make sure that you let everyone know when the exodus will take place.Klltr 00:39, October 5, 2010 (UTC)


Hard decision

  1. This skin is like our identity, why should we get it taken by wikia.Of course wikia would like it they're all for tidyness and stuff like that.
  2. This is where its hard if we stay all kinds of problems will arise, however if we go the 2nd fork will probably get more popularity than us.However I think we should move.
  3. Hell yeah!

Edit:Think what any GTA protagonist would do,would he/she get pushed around by the boss

Please stay on Wikia

The information for everything on this site is very valuable for my videos. Also it's cool to read all of the trivia. But if you leave gta.wikia.com, I will go with you as well.

ZDUPH 10:09, October 5, 2010 (UTC)ZDUPH

You can still put videos on our new site (if that's what you meant), and all the trivia will be there as well. Chimpso (Talk) 10:16, October 5, 2010 (UTC)
Yes - we are not closing down, we would just be moving to our own website away from Wikia. Gboyers talk 11:43, October 5, 2010 (UTC)

Do it

More than anything else, we can't just let Wikia push us around. We need to be aggressive! Maybe then other wikis will follow our example. Sgt. S.S. 17:16, October 5, 2010 (UTC)

I think were all ready.

  1. What do you think of the Oasis skin?

I like it to be honest. Its pretty natural

  1. Do you think GTW should leave Wikia?

If they need to, everything needs to grow wings and fly. Its a risk. But due to the growth of population in Grand theft auto. I think we can.

  1. If we moved, would you move with us, rather than staying on gta.wikia.com?

I would move with you guys because you give us alot of information and is a fun website to be on.


I have one question: What will the new website be called? TheJustinAllenK 20:58, October 5, 2010 (UTC)

Probably grandtheftautowiki.com/net, gtawiki.com/net.
We'll let you know, don't worry. Chimpso (Talk) 00:14, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

Move to neoseeker?

Neoseeker already have their own GTA Wiki. Anyone think we can merge with them? Kanzler31 22:08, October 5, 2010 (UTC)

No. We should become our own website, with nothing else holding us down. MAINEiac4434 00:11, October 6, 2010 (UTC)


  1. Does not feel right.
  1. I really dont care,but if GTW does I think it'll be harder to find us
  1. Absolutely

GTA Wikia is really, Truly, my most favorite wikia.

Reasons Why you should stay:

I use gta wikia to hat important photos for Guns, Cars, Radio Stations, And Locations. And without gta wikia, I don't know anywhere else that provides such amazing, knoledgable information on gta wikia if there's anything that I can do to help keep the information on this site intact, I'd do it so if you need assistance, go to my talk page on my profile.

I sometimes just like to explore this wikia, and I've learned so much more about gta than I actually could playing it. And if you do move, I would really like to be told on when, or where you will be moving, this is an amazing site with great gta information. It's my lifeline to gta pictures, mysteries, and information.--Lee R. Writer of Catsville Series, & eventual cv game.

We're not closing down, just moving away from wikia. You'll be able to do all the things on the new wiki that you can do here. We'll let you know when and where we are moving when we are ready. Chimpso (Talk) 00:56, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

Ghost Leader's 2 Cents

1. What do you think of the Oasis skin?

I don't like it at all.

2. Do you think GTW should leave Wikia?

If it means GTW remains about the users and content of the site instead of advertisements, then yes, I would support the move.

3. If we moved, would you move with us, rather than staying on gta.wikia.com?

You bet I'd move with you.

Ghost Leader 07:41, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

My two cents

For occasions like this, I prefer to watch from the sidelines unless I am asked to help, but I do have some beef with Wikia central regarding the quality of generated thumbnails; after thumbnails were rendered in poor quality again last month, I've attempted to contact staff members repeatedly, but I've failed to receive any response. It's not enough to have me raging to leave, but it does show how ignorant staff members may be to the point they even ignore your messages to them. The fiasco with Oasis may also be, in part, a result of this problem.

I'm not fond of uprooting myself to another wiki, but I can migrate when the situation demands it. I have contributed heavily to Wikipedia years ago (just when I simultaneously wrote my first articles in this very Wikia), but when stringent copyright guidelines saw much of my screenshot deleted en masse, I was spurred to simply leave Wikipedia behind and move to Wikia. If Wikia is hell bent on pushing forward a heavily commercial-driven web design that impedes the presentation of an article, there is no doubt that I will move to a better wiki, especially one that is readily forked from Wikia.

Still, I'm not going to say if I'll leave or not. I'll just wait and see. - ZS 09:11, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

To add to my first bit, the thumbnail lightbox is also something that I've never liked. While it can be argued that it's for user friendliness, it would had been better if they had an option to disable it for those who do not have a need for it. I've recommendation this option to a corresponding blog post, but I've never been referred back to. That was the first sign that Wikia is screwing up. - ZS 09:43, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

My Answers

1. What do you think of the Oasis skin?

i think its a sleeker look, but much less efficient :(

2. Do you think GTW should leave Wikia?


well thats up to the admins i suppose but under these circumstances, yes i think you should move it.

3. If we moved, would you move with us, rather than staying on gta.wikia.com?

without thinking twice, yes i will be apart of the new wiki if you move! MegaHyperNova 09:21, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

Input on situation

1. New Layout -- Meh.

2. Independence from Wikia -- Go for it.

3. Loyalty -- New Grand Theft Wiki FTW.

--Gsu eagle 31049 15:55, October 6, 2010 (UTC)


1. Rubbish. Too web 2.0 in appearance only. Ruins the look and feel of the site. 2. Absolutely. If they didn't even give us the option to keep the old theme, and possibly to pay a small fee to stop adverts (which I would gladly pay) then clearly they look out only for their own interests. 3. Sure. I love this whole series of games, and I especially enjoy the community that's been created on this site.

Wikia give small wikis the choice to pay a small fee to disable adverts. However, since we are quite a large wiki, they make a lot more money from us, so they don't give us that option. Gboyers talk 19:55, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

A comment from Wikia

Hi all, I just wanted to comment on the thought that you won't be able to give this wiki a distinctive look. I've been looking at backgrounds and color schemes over the last few days... the new Theme Designer makes it very easy to create something individual. There are so many wallpapers out there that would make a fantastic background for the wiki. If you'd like help with that, please let me know.

And on a more general note, I just want to say that I hope you will stick around on Wikia. It's a big change that we are going through, but I honestly believe that it will result in a better Wikia for GTA and all communities here. -- Sannse<staff /> (help forum | blog) 18:39, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for your input - I appreciate your work over the years, and I have enjoyed being part of Wikia, but this is a bit deeper than you seem to be making out. I understand the level of customisation available, however this is only a tiny part of the issue. The smaller content area, image uploader usernames in articles, adverts getting more and more priority over content, the demotion of our logo to being the size of a page title, the wiki navigation being invisible compared to the wikia navigation, the talk page button being tiny, the history button being hidden away - these issues are all worth kicking up a fuss over. With this feedback being ignored by Wikia en-masse, there is a big lack of trust and it can probably be safe to say you won't change these things ever, and will probably bring in worse changes and even more adverts in the future. It's not a case of "getting used to it", it's that the content and community will be worse than it is now. If the suggestion is that we can't leave, then we would be entirely at the mercy of Wikia, and that's not why we're here. There are dozens of users just on this page that have expressed deep dissatisfaction - not just with the new skin but with Wikia as a whole. How can you justify ignoring it? As the leader of this community, I can not ignore its voice. Gboyers talk 19:52, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

Changed my mind

Guys, I think you're overreacting a little. It's honestly not a big deal, and certainly not worth leaving Wikia over. Yes, the layout will be altered, but underneath it all, we'll still be the old GTA Wiki.

I'd like to rebut a couple of points, as well:

  • "Wikia will remove our CSS customisation options. All we can customise are a pre-determined set of colours and backgrounds. We are unable to have our distinctive banner or similar big logos or customisations." We will still have customisation options, certainly enough to make the wiki distinctive, anyway.
  • "This skin removes Grand Theft Wiki's identity, and just makes us look like part of one central Wikia site" Guys, we are part of Wikia Gaming. Why would we want to look different to Wikia if we're part of Wikia?
  • "The entire top section of every page is about Wikia and linking to other Wikia sites. The Grand Theft Wiki logo and our navigation is placed part-way down the page, making it a lot less obvious" We are part of Wikia, so I feel it's only right that we link to other wikis. Our navigation still works, doesn't it? Regardless of how "obvious" it is?
  • "The talk page button is now hidden. It's a tiny icon near the search bar, completely separate from the edit button." Does it still link to the talk page? Yes? Then what's the problem?

Seriously, leaving won't accomplish anything. The skin will take some getting used to, like the new one on Wikipedia. I didn't like the new Wikipedia skin at first, but now I've adapted to it, it's fine for me. It'll be the same deal here.

So, in conclusion, are we going to act like a bunch of children over this, or are we going to be mature, and just give it a go? Sgt. S.S. 18:54, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

I absolutely understand your point. When Monaco came in, it took a bit of getting used to, but we saw it was for the better. That is not the case with Oasis, which has so many major flaws and will not benefit us. As for being part of wikia, I strongly disagree. We are our own wiki, our own community. We were created separately, and will continue to be separate. Wikia is our host, and a network to which we affiliate, and it has brought us many benefits. However, those benefits are being outweighed by the problems, disrespect and lack of control this community has in its own content. It's not like we're just a group of pages on Wikipedia, we are our own website with our own customs, culture, leaders, helpers, policy and lots of other things - we still deserve our identity. Not every wiki has a strong community like ours. The navigation might technically work, but if people can't see it easily, they won't use it, so it doesn't work. As for the talk page button, it no longer encourages users to discuss articles, it's only there if people know it is. I know it's there and I still have trouble finding it when I want to discuss an article. There are many other issues (see my reply to Sarah above) which I think are worth being upset about, and the voice of this community is clear - they don't want it. We've tried it out, we've given feedback, and Wikia have ignored us. I do not want to be on a site where the feedback of thousands of users is just ignored and dismissed out of hand. Gboyers talk 19:52, October 6, 2010 (UTC)
I Also can understand this guy, but the Wikipedia example wasn't the best. One note: The new skin is optional and wasn't that bad (in fact I like it) while on the other hand, Oasis is MANDATORY, and it is a terrible, ugly looking skin.Kanzler31 22:40, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

Stay

The skin isn't even that bad, creating your own site will just cause you problems and eventually it's just going to fail, just stay on wikia. The Tom 19:55, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

What makes you so sure we'd fail at our own site? Plus Wikia doesn't even like us here.
"...and complete disrespect for this wiki and its community." ZedoMann 00:04, October 7, 2010 (UTC)
ZedoMann is right - if enough people move over to the 'new' site, then we'll be absolutely fine. We'll have all the content, images and even user accounts from here, plus whatever skin, extensions and settings we want. Those that choose to stay will find themselves editing an empty wikia, with almost all of the regular users agreeing to move with us to be away from Wikia and run this site properly. If we stay, we'll all just be under the thumb of Wikia, and the many unhappy users will just leave altogether. I'm just trying to do the best thing for this wiki and this community. If staying at Wikia turns out to be the better option, then that's what we will do. Gboyers talk 00:35, October 7, 2010 (UTC)

Why are you all been so pathetic the there's nothing wrong with Oasis it just a more modern Monaco. The Tom 21:55, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

There is no reason to assume that Grand Theft Wiki would fail as a stand alone website, especially as it did so before coming here to Wikia. The people who have voiced their opinions to stay, include yourself, have completely missed our argument for moving away from Wikia. You think that the Oasis skin is the reason, well its not. It is, however, the straw that broke the camels back. This is about Wikia constantly breaking its promises to this community through its continued increasing of advertising in the content space, something they said wouldn't happen, and their continuous lack of communication with the individual wikis that actually make Wikia money. We have voiced our dislike of Oasis along with countless others over the years that we've been with Wikia and they've completely ignored us and carried about their own business. The whole idea about a wiki is that the community gets to decide, but on Wikia the community is ignored. If Wikia had not constantly broken its own promises to us and constantly ignored the concerns of not only out community but others too, then it would not have the current problems with wikis leaving. A-Dust 23:55, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

Sites shouldn't have more ads than content, and since this skin just broke the camel's back why not try our own place where we could only take space for ads where needed (if needed) and probably even have a nicer site? ZedoMann 05:21, October 10, 2010 (UTC)

There arn't more ads than content it's not even bad your just all been pathetic because you don't like change. The Tom 10:02, October 10, 2010 (UTC)

Actually I love change. I've been beta-testing the Oasis skin for weeks, and I've had time to "get used to it". Although it is pretty, it is difficult to use and makes the wiki worse. Things like hiding the talk-page button and showing usernames on image captions are all stupid changes, not good changes that we'll get used to eventually. We never said there were more ads than content. If you are logged out, you see a lot of adverts, including some inside the content area - on big pages you get them showing halfway down the page!! This is unacceptable, and goes against what the wikia founder personally promised me (at the top of this page). That is why we have moved. Gboyers talk 10:26, October 10, 2010 (UTC)

I've Also Change My Mind

this editor is pretty easy to use, i know because i'm an admin of my own wiki, My Wiki, and its not just pre-determend colors you can insert any hex code you want, so there is a bit of customization to this but i really think the staff should give us more options, like maybe an update? anyways i'm staying i like the look i gave my wiki, oh and backgrounds are also customizable :) MegaHyperNova 22:44, October 6, 2010 (UTC)

My Answers

  • 1. I think it works for some wikis, but not the GTA Wiki. With all out tables, galleries and single images, it would be too squishes.
  • 2. Yes, but only if we regain traffic.
  • 3. I would definitely move.

--Hehe5 04:29, October 7, 2010 (UTC)

skin

I hate this skin so I am moving away from this wiki as soon as the option to use Monaco is removed. -- PK2PK2 08:20, October 7, 2010 (UTC)

To answer the questions...

  1. I think the new skin is okay, the only real problem I have with it is the longer load times.
  2. No, not at all. Leaving won't accomplish anything. Plus, if Wikia wouldn't close gta.wikia.com, it might even be counter-productive.
  3. I don't want you to leave, but if push came to shove, I suppose I'd move with the community.

Sgt. S.S. 16:35, October 7, 2010 (UTC)

Technically, leaving will acomplish a lot. We will have full control over our wiki, we will be able to customise every aspect of the wiki, not tied down by wikia regulation and staff. We will be our own wiki, and many people will move with us instead of staying on this copy, which will hardly see any activity. Chimpso (Talk) 01:46, October 8, 2010 (UTC)
  1. What do you think of the Oasis skin?

It does look junked up. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it, but I can see the problems.

  1. What do you think of the Oasis skin?

Yes. A big fail on wikia's part for not understanding the concept of wikis--content created by users for users. Not listening to member feedback on future direction is like cutting their own throat.

  1. If we moved, would you move with us, rather than staying on gta.wikia.com?

Of course support the new site. Again, the people who come to the gta wiki for info often contribute. I imagine most people would go to the new site, word would spread quickly and google results would change relatively quickly too. Yaksox 05:25, October 8, 2010 (UTC)

screw the oasis skin, how dare they. dont be forced to leave this wiki, use a petition and make a certain amount of people to sign it! good luck...

dont give up!Jzawo 06:45, October 8, 2010 (UTC)je

if you were to move, send me the http/address to my email englishjzawo@y7mail.com , i love gta wiki and im stuck to it!


We'll let you all know when we move. Chimpso (Talk) 08:05, October 8, 2010 (UTC)

  1. What do you think of the Oasis skin?

oasis?terrible....the most terrible wikia skin.

    1. If we moved, would you move with us, rather than staying on gta.wikia.com?

yes.i support the new site. Gta_indonesia_mania 19:28, October 8, 2010 (UTC)

I think GTW SHOULD leave wikia, because if you look at ait the benifits are greater than the cons. Mabye after copying everything into the new site, delete everything on this site rendering it useless. Second, i would follow wikia to the new site, and mabye you should create a youtube channel and post videos advertising the wiki. Third, I HATE OASIS SKIN!, it horrible it destroys the sense of well GTA, i try to actually avoid the site now because of the oasis skin, as much as it hurts. Well thats it come on move! what are you waiting for!!!!! Worldwar77 01:06, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

Bluesboyjr's opinions

  1. I set my Preferences to the new skin and browsed this Wiki for a while, and I can't say I like it. My biggest issue is loading times - each page takes noticeably longer to turn up, though this may be a temporary problem or a problem on my end. The option of backgrounds is a bit of a con, as you can only see a small slit at the top and bottom. I can't see your issues with advertising - the only ones I saw where the one in the sidebar (which is unfortunately bigger and moved to the right for some reason); although, I haven't checked what the site would look like to a non-member. Other problems are relatively minor - each image on a page unnecessarily gives the name of its uploader, the articles do seem a little bit squished, and some articles may need some time and effort rearrange, e.g. tables. However, a lot of my issues can be rooted down to my overfamiliarity with Monaco.
  2. My opinions are quite split on this one. On one hand, I'd like the Monaco skin back as much as the next guy, and a little bit of independence never hurt anybody. On the other hand, you have your issues with maintenence. Would advertising alone keep you out of the red? I know of some successful indepedent fanwikis (my favourite would be the beautifully organised Homestar Runner Wiki, but they often have to rely on donations. Plus, you have your problem of reduced traffic - a lot of fans searching for a GTA wiki would end up on the old Wikia site. Have you considered some sort of a partnership with another GTA fansite (the most popular I can think of is GTA Net)?
  3. If the Wiki moves, I'll move with it. Simple as. Bluesboyjr 10:51, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

Leave

I Would leave. I Have been using this site for over two years now (without a account) and when i heard about this i just had to sign up and show my support for leaving. grand theft wiki has been great help for me completing games and finding out information i didn't know about gta. the only problem is that people would still use this site rather than the new one. however you could advertise it on your youtube channel telling people to go to the new site. also the site just looks wrong like this. so go on grand theft wiki leave wikia! GTADUDE360 12:36, October 9, 2010 (UTC)




What do you think of the Oasis skin? I don't like it as much compared to the original skin, you're right it removes much of the identity of the site.

Do you think GTW should leave Wikia? Certainly if it managed to maintain its reliability, community and its individuality.

If we moved, would you move with us, rather than staying on gta.wikia.com? Of course, here you will have people with some very entertaining opinions, and it is always interesting to have a variety of differentiated people on the forums. If I were to stay on gta.wikia.com, then I think the forums would be much quieter. The only problem would be that if we were to move, then more people would come here, so you would have to find a way to alert people that the people and information from this website to go to grandtheftwiki.com. AtomicLlama 13:55, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

Been trying out Oasis...

And I don't like it. This hardly looks like a wiki anymore. I could barely find the talk page link. Why is Wikia screwing us over??? MAINEiac4434 18:32, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

1.I liked the old skin very much and if the new format does not allow the old skin to be diplayed then no i dont like:P

2.No i think we should stay at wikia

3.If we go independent then yes i would move with you guys

Hmm

What do I think of the new skin? Its okay, I prefer the old one better though.

Should GTW Leave wiki? Hmm, I really dont know, there are the advantages and disadvantages.


And finally, Yes, I'd go to the new site, but I will still also lurk around the old one too.

Deathstar32 21:38, October 9, 2010 (UTC)

Leave

Hello guys, how is everyone doing? Moving to your own site with hosting is the smartest step you can make, it will give you leverage and full control of your site. Your site is featured as a direct link on one of my forums, at GTAChronicles.com -- because out of all the gtawiki's out there I have but the upmost respect for your profesionalism and the quality of your content. With that said, it also gives my members a place to get the knowledge they need about their favorite characters and some history of what makes GTA so darn awesome. I would like to wish you guys the best of luck, and on whatever you decide to do? Rememeber. The community will follow.

Regards Mike Mikegtac 01:12, October 10, 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for your support, Mike. It means a lot to know that everything we do is worthwhile, and that fans appreciate the effort that everyone in our community puts in. I think the opinion on this talk page is clear, the users have spoken, and I'll make sure to keep everyone informed about our new location. Gboyers talk 01:19, October 10, 2010 (UTC)

Leaving is a better option than staying here.

I really hate it how Wikia decided to mess up so badly. I absolutely loved the Vocaloid wiki and I don't know how that's going to turn out once they find out it's switching to Oasis.

1. I don't like it personally because it promotes advertising over content, which is just wrong in my opinion.

2. Leave Wikia because it would be like living in hell when this happens.

3. I've been a frequent contributor here, and yes, I will go to the new site and abandon this place when Oasis comes into effect. Fluffy Clouds 03:46, October 10, 2010 (UTC)


Moved

Thank you everyone for your support. It means a lot that you all care so much about this wiki, and it makes everything that this community does worthwhile.
Given the overwhelming part of the community being in favour of leaving Wikia, we have now moved!
You can now find Grand Theft Wiki at www.GrandTheftWiki.com
Please join us on the new site, instead of staying here. Re-register your account under the same name, and join in the celebration! Thanks everyone!

Gboyers talk 10:05, October 10, 2010 (UTC)

So what will happen to this one? Will we just leave it as is? Or should we copy the latest versions of each page, and paste them onto the new site, and then delete the pages on Wikia? Or do we just leave it be, and let the few people who didn't come with us to grandtheftwiki.com maintain gta.wikia.com? MAINEiac4434 03:27, October 11, 2010 (UTC)
Wikia will keep this site open, and will ban anyone who deleted pages or makes it unusable for those users who choose to stay. If you want to take that risk, go ahead. If not, try and encourage everyone to go to grandtheftwiki.com instead of here. I'd also support changing the name of this site to GTA Wikia not Grand Theft Wiki. Gboyers talk 08:50, October 11, 2010 (UTC)
Okay, lets just keep Wikia as-is, but make sure to bring all the images over (some pages are still missing them on the new site) and change the name of this site to GTA Wikia. MAINEiac4434 13:43, October 11, 2010 (UTC)
What is wrong with this one, nothings changed on itNT92 16:41, October 11, 2010 (UTC)

1-It sucks

2-Yeah

3-I dunno

From Wikia

First thing, Gboyers: sorry I missed your reply above. Yes, I understand that the customization isn't the only issue for you, and I respect your choice to edit anywhere you want of course. But I very much hope you will come back to us, obviously you are a highly respected editor and not someone we would ever want to see move on from Wikia. This new look is very much a work in progress, so it's possible some of your concerns will be addressed as we find out how it works in practice... I hope you'll keep an eye on progress over the next few months.

That said, if you have decided to move on, then it's no longer your right to decide the future of this wiki. Which is why Uberfuzzy has reverted changes where necessary, and removed the rights of those using this wiki to promote another.

For those who have decided to stay, you may want to consider what theme to set here - possibly something more specific to GTA? I'm not sure if you will need new admins, or if any of the current admins will decide to stay (or to edit on both wikis) -- please let me know if you need any help with that.

I know this is a hard time for this wiki, but I believe it can come out the other side just as sucessful as it has been in the past. Thanks all -- Sannse<staff /> (help forum | blog) 22:08, October 11, 2010 (UTC)

Return to "Hub/Oasis" page.