Indiamike.com has 4th Birthday.

Sama

It would really be too bad if IM ceased to exist, but I can understand how something that may have started out as a "fun" thing to do can turn into drudgery. Many businesses are like that, and IM is not a "business".

I can say for myself that I love IM and have turned a friend on to IM, she is also hooked. I leave for India this Friday and feel that I already "know" India, of course, one can never really "know" India -- but I am secure in my knowledge of what I have learned about India from this website.

I am also thankful for "meeting" several IMers especially Nick-H, AvidTrekker, Auntyji, camelgirl, and citybell. They have helped me tremendously with my questions.

But as Buddha said, all things change, nothing is permanent, and to attach oneself to what is impermanent only causes suffering.

om mani padme hum, Mike, and shanti....

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My India, 2005-2008
BE THE REVOLUTION

PRIYA

I hope this wasn't a spur of the moment decision. I'm totally devastated that you are thinking of closing down this site. It is the ONLY site where I've felt totally at home.

I can understand how inundated IM and the mods must be with decisions made on threads and pm's etc, but we will all (I think I can speak for most) be lost without our daily fix of IndiaMike.com.

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Happiness is for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. (Anon.)

Nick-H

Well, you certainly speak for me... and I'm sure you speak also for the other IM-daily-members.

It is really a very odd thing that anyone should use the expression feeling totally at home about a website. But, of course, when I read it I felt just the same!!!!!!!!!

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

PRIYA

Yessssss!!!!!

Nick-H

Oh well, suppose we might as well make the best of it while it is still here...

I'll just go and start the Do I need to take antimalarials when visiting a prostitute in India, should I book before I go, and would she prefer dollar or sterling travellers' cheques? thread... ... ...



On second thoughts, if I want Mike to keep the site opem for the next few days even, perhaps I'd better not

passingby

it will be sad indeed if Mike decides to close down the site. Or as I understod he will like to sell it to somebody.
All I know is that this website is giving him lots of headaches, as I understood people like to complain a lot or cause lot of troubles and it takes him time every evening and all weekend to sort things out with people.
You have to understand he has a full-time job, plus a wife, plus a website that needs constant attention.
maybe now you can understand why he wants to give it up.

skell

Mike, you will be completely prepared for fatherhood if that is in your future plans. Talk about needing constant attention! And you can't ever turn it off if you want a break!

Nick-H

Well, if he can sell it as a going concern there is a hope for its future.

Hmmm.... perhaps not, though. Without Mike and the present team of mods I doubt that it would be recognisably the same thing.

hfot2

What if we all promise not to send PMs to Mike or to any of the mods - or if that option just didn't exist? How do we make problems disappear?

Or am I just grabbing at straws [whatever that means]

The amount of lost information here would be catastrophic.

Not to mention the sense of community we'd lose which just doesn't exist on other websites. Someone suggested getting our fix [and info] on TT; but it's just not the same and besides they throw out old posts after a short period of time.

I'm totally ignorant about the working of the web, but I wonder if there is a website heaven where IM could live and be visited - not to mention a webmaster heaven for Mike to go to for R&R.

tonylittle

Mike you have the right to be happy.not many folks have done what you have done






TONY LITTLE

machadinha

I think (or at least hope) most of the regulars can appreciate the kind of headache it can be. Not to be my doomsayer old self but to sell it on to a party that then has a commercial interest... could be done I suppose but chances are high it would never be the same. Then again what ever is. I would personally regret it though, and it looks like many would. Boohoo.

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Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

SHIMLA

Just a small matter of managing three wives !!

Seriously, we do hope Mike does not lose interest.

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Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

emjoi

I'll just say, it's a stunning site.
I've learnt so much here.

Judi

Indiamike is such a truly brilliant site ....... and I, too, feel very uch 'at home' here. However, although it would be tremendously sad - we really will have to respect Mike's wishes on this.

Thinks ....... although this might casue more problems in the short term ...... what about making it a subscription only site? If we all paid a small fee, then Mike might be able to employ someone to deal with the day-to-day administration? [Sorry, Mike - that might not be what you want to hear - but I guess most of the regular users will be racking their brains trying to think of ways to make it easier for you ......]

hfot2

I had a similar idea about a getting funds to the site [and to Mike], and wondered about a voluntary monetary gift from all of us to the site for the anniversary. When I asked one of the mods about it in early August, I got this reply in a PM which I want to share here.

The poll mentioned below indicates that at least then there was not a lot of support for the site to be fee-based. The good news in the PM seemed to be that the site was not in need of money.

I think, sadly, but understandably, it's more a problem of Mike being burnt out and I wish I could figure out what we can do about that.

The distaff half of hfot2

PM to hfot2:
"It turns out that the Google ads are looking after site expenses and Mike no longer encouraging donations and has amended the information in the 'about this site' section.

"A poll on the subject some time ago, started by a regular member, indicated that few were prepared to pay a membership fee even though we were advertising-free. Voluntary donations only covered a modest portion of expenses and had potential for creating a bit of a conflict of interest so Mike investigated ad revenue sources, to find a way to raise some funds as long as the advertising would be minimally intrusive. I know it was slow to start in producing any revenue, so I am really pleased to learn that it has made the site self-sufficient. The site was started as a hobby and labour of love for Mike and has remained so, even though the admin side of it (dealing with mail and problems) along with a regular job doesn't give him as much time for posting anymore so it is good that it is not still a financial drain.

"Perhaps we will note the 4th anniversary of the site in some way -- and again, thanks for your interest and offer!"