Portland people ~ Portland being an island albeit a connected one, it's community was so tight at one time with it's real island mentality everyone knew everyone here, sadly that has diminished to an extent over the years, which started when the navy left, outsiders moved into the naval estate, things changed which was likely to happen the way it was done and handled.I digress, with the arrival of the internet and social sites in particular people were connectcing up again in a new way and old friends were back in contact too.
People off the island say we are a bit odd here, we don't care, we acknowledge it and don't take it seriously as we know different, every island community is different than mainland ones, it's just a mentality, not worse, better, or anything, just different.
Every island community out there knows what I mean.
Portland people online
This was the reason I set up the Portlanders community, a place where we could be an island online as opposed to the great mainland that is facebook!
A nice facebook like site based on Portland and allowing those who live here, used to, or were in the navy connect again not only to the people but the island and it's beauty... beauty that's hard to forget.
Facebook has been both a help and a hindrance to the Portlanders site I have to say, while it allowed me to connect to those I know are Portland people, and knowing they have relatives, friends who are some way connected to the place meant the site could get a fair few members fast, and it did... but then facebook has also stunted the growth, the activity level and that's simply due to the fact people would rather play stupid farm games, feed fake fish, build fake armies, whatever, mafia, you get the drift...
Now, I understand, before anyone say's it.. yes, it's the peoples choice, their time, and I have no issue with that, of course if that's what they like, great, as long as they are happy, all is well.
But it does mean I have wasted my time with the Portlanders site, I spend more time deleting spamming idiots trying to shove pill adverts onto the place than anything else.
Change is coming due to the Ning creators, which the site is built on, making their own changes and I am not yet sure what is to happen but will of course let every member know when I do know more.
This Portland person online!
I have numerous times hinted on the site and on facebook that the site needs to be used, or there is no point having it... 95% ignore it, the other 5% will miss it and they are the ones who are seeing the value of the place, they use it.
I am looking at the possibility of an alternative in case the need for it does arise... but why should I even bother?
Do I really want to spend time, effort and stress on something 95% won't even bother with and the 5% who do is to small to make it worthwhile, ie, it pay's for itself, because while I don't do it for money, never made a penny from the Portlanders site, if things start costing money.. I am not paying it all.
So it's more likely unless a real alternative is found which works, is worth it, it will close.
I feel it's 80/20 % the Portlanders site will close...
Which means I am going to be spending that effort elsewhere, here on this site for one, which I am actually considering moving to WPress just so I can add more community feel to it, blogger is lacking on so many fronts.
Portland bill needs it, I could do so much more with this site here, that I should, it would benefit all parties.
Portland Bill readers, that's you
Where does that leave you?
That's depending on where you came from to read this... ;o)
The way I see it there are three reader types here on this site...
- Portland people, past and present who use the Portlanders site, facebook and read this, they are passionate about the place and it shows.
- Non locals who have never been here that take some interest, just because they know me, or the place, or they see the post, pictures, somewhere it's shared and it grabs their attention.
- People who are looking to come here sometime, possible visitors and holiday makers.
I might be wrong, I often am. :o)
So, I need to cater for everyone when writing the post if possible, which is not always doable because you can't please everyone all of the time.
But I do my best to please those the message of the post is aimed towards.
With that in mind... expect to see some subtle changes and improvements here. :o)
