Hello~!
How’s everyone doing? I don’t think I ever had to make an announcement before. I prefer not to unless it’s something VERY urgent. And in this case…it might be?
The site builder I use to host and edit Gumball Warrior, and my collection archive- TheHalberd, was bought out by another company a few years back. Everything stayed the same, I’m still able to comfortably edit my website, BUT I have recently been getting emails to migrate to THEIR building platform. (By September 29th)
Their builder is circled around businesses and shops. It does not allow much freedom, and their builder is VERY limited compared to the old one I use. It doesn’t even allow CSS/HTML editing OR allow me to edit the layout of my website. I have not upgraded yet, and I have seen many complaints of people not being able to properly edit their website, the layout changing, and some even losing parts of their website altogether. The solution that was given to them is to make a new website and start from scratch, but in my case, I'm sure you can see how difficult that will be on my end.
I fear the same may happen to my website as well- I have well over 1,000 pages and LOTS of coding put into both of my websites. Restricting or even changing the layout & navigation of my website will cause a lot of stress on my end.
I honestly hope that users who aren’t affiliated with shops or selling items will be given the option to continue using the old builder. I am merely an art blog who enjoys posting stories. If I am forced to use the new layout with their limited build, then the future of my two websites may have to come to an unfortunate end.
In the absolute WORST case scenario where my whole website is botched, then I will, with a very, VERY heavy heart, have to close my two websites down. I’ve been working on these two websites for YEARS. It’s been a huge labor of love that took countless hours to build and maintain. I left other social art sites because it simply does not give me the creative freedom.
Having my own website allows me to showcase my art like no other art site could. And I have enjoyed it greatly. I may not be as popular or well-known like I was back on my old social accounts, but it never mattered to me. I do what I do because I enjoy it. It makes me happy. And seeing users continue to read my story, and leave comments on this website has been one of the greatest feelings in the world.
Editing and building this site is my comfort zone. But because I may be forced to use a completely different platform that may not support the tools I need to continue editing my website, the comfort I used to have may become stressful and something I may not enjoy anymore. If it causes me nothing but frustration, then I hope everyone understands where I’m coming from if I have to close my websites down.
That being said, September 29th is close by. They also said late October too, but the recent email said 29th. If I’m forced to move, AND the new building platform is something I’m not comfortable with, I will make another announcement page to let you know if I’m shutting down my two websites.
Best case scenario is I’m able to use the old builder because I’m a blog, not a business. I’m really worried about the future of my two websites, but unfortunately things happen when another company buys out the one you’re using.
So, I’ll be sure to let you know the fate of Gumball Warrior and The Halberd in the upcoming month. (Or October)
But just in case it won’t let me edit my website and I get locked out, I’ll post a comment below.
Until then, I’ll continue to update my website until the day I’m no longer able to. And if I end up having to move to a social art website….Deviantart most likely, I hope you continue to follow me there.
How’s everyone doing? I don’t think I ever had to make an announcement before. I prefer not to unless it’s something VERY urgent. And in this case…it might be?
The site builder I use to host and edit Gumball Warrior, and my collection archive- TheHalberd, was bought out by another company a few years back. Everything stayed the same, I’m still able to comfortably edit my website, BUT I have recently been getting emails to migrate to THEIR building platform. (By September 29th)
Their builder is circled around businesses and shops. It does not allow much freedom, and their builder is VERY limited compared to the old one I use. It doesn’t even allow CSS/HTML editing OR allow me to edit the layout of my website. I have not upgraded yet, and I have seen many complaints of people not being able to properly edit their website, the layout changing, and some even losing parts of their website altogether. The solution that was given to them is to make a new website and start from scratch, but in my case, I'm sure you can see how difficult that will be on my end.
I fear the same may happen to my website as well- I have well over 1,000 pages and LOTS of coding put into both of my websites. Restricting or even changing the layout & navigation of my website will cause a lot of stress on my end.
I honestly hope that users who aren’t affiliated with shops or selling items will be given the option to continue using the old builder. I am merely an art blog who enjoys posting stories. If I am forced to use the new layout with their limited build, then the future of my two websites may have to come to an unfortunate end.
In the absolute WORST case scenario where my whole website is botched, then I will, with a very, VERY heavy heart, have to close my two websites down. I’ve been working on these two websites for YEARS. It’s been a huge labor of love that took countless hours to build and maintain. I left other social art sites because it simply does not give me the creative freedom.
Having my own website allows me to showcase my art like no other art site could. And I have enjoyed it greatly. I may not be as popular or well-known like I was back on my old social accounts, but it never mattered to me. I do what I do because I enjoy it. It makes me happy. And seeing users continue to read my story, and leave comments on this website has been one of the greatest feelings in the world.
Editing and building this site is my comfort zone. But because I may be forced to use a completely different platform that may not support the tools I need to continue editing my website, the comfort I used to have may become stressful and something I may not enjoy anymore. If it causes me nothing but frustration, then I hope everyone understands where I’m coming from if I have to close my websites down.
That being said, September 29th is close by. They also said late October too, but the recent email said 29th. If I’m forced to move, AND the new building platform is something I’m not comfortable with, I will make another announcement page to let you know if I’m shutting down my two websites.
Best case scenario is I’m able to use the old builder because I’m a blog, not a business. I’m really worried about the future of my two websites, but unfortunately things happen when another company buys out the one you’re using.
So, I’ll be sure to let you know the fate of Gumball Warrior and The Halberd in the upcoming month. (Or October)
But just in case it won’t let me edit my website and I get locked out, I’ll post a comment below.
Until then, I’ll continue to update my website until the day I’m no longer able to. And if I end up having to move to a social art website….Deviantart most likely, I hope you continue to follow me there.
Thank you~!
-Rhylem
-Rhylem
