RIP, Perfect Imagination

[stgulik]

Got an email this morning from Perfect Imagination, the beta-testing site, reporting its own shutdown. They'd closed the site to new people looking to become accredited betas, so it's not a complete surprise, but I'm still sad. Without a site like this, it will be hard for non fanfic-writing betas like myself to prove their creds and get "work."

Dear everyone,

Unfortunately after many years of service, Perfect Imagination will be closing fully, and all content will be deleted on July 1st 2011.

Sadly, we no longer have the time, resources or inclination to maintain a site that's use is rapidly declining, nor to offer further expansion.

Thank you for your support and participation over the years, and we greatly appreciate your contributions that helped make P.I. great.

If you have any links to the domain, then we recommend removing them before the site closes to prevent confusion.

Again, many thanks for your support, and best wishes for the future.

The Perfect Imagination Team

Comments

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear that, but please believe me I sent my email before I saw this posting - would this help? Believe me, you'd get credit.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

When I say "work," I mean it's a hobby. With fanfic, I don't get paid to beta any more than the writers do to write - it's all in fun.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

I know PI was more than potter fic and SS/HG.

But it does take time and money to run that site. The economy is shit with a real unemployment rate around 20%.

Maybe someone could take the site over, but they need to be prepared to handle all the work and expense that goes with it.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm aware a site like PI would take a massive commitment of time and money. I don't blame the owners for their decision, but I'm bummed about it anyway. If someone were to take it over, they'd have to figure out a way to make the site financially worth the effort. Hmm.

[justpinkpastel.livejournal.com]

I was trying to become a beta, and right after I took the test, I got an email saying they weren't accepting any beta's at the moment. I was quite upset, but I figured it would only be a bit of time before I could take another test.

But this sucks. What horrible news. I can completely understand that this isn't the best time for most people's finances, so I can't really blame them for having to shut it down, but it is rather upsetting.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

I always thought PI's approach to beta accreditation was more sensible than fanfiction.net's. But again, probably no way to make enough money off the concept to put that kind of time in. Too bad.

Mugglenet's forum has a Beta Guild, and they're kicking around the idea of a standardized test. I'll try to PM you with a link.

[darklotus1211.livejournal.com]

Sad news indeed, but if you're interested, and in case you're not aware, GrangerEnchanted now has a register for betas, and are gladly welcoming those with PI accreditation (as they should). Here's the link to the page:
http://grangerenchanted.com/enchant/viewpage.php?page=beta

It wouldn't surprise me if other sites don't start doing the same thing. I'm pretty sure there's a beta resource at the petulant poetess, too -

It's a pity they couldn't keep it going, even via LJ - now there's a thought - an LJ community for betas! (I know what's going to happen now... there'll already be one, and I'll look like a right wally. Then again... what else is new? It's a fair cop!)

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

No, I was not aware that GE had its own accredited betas. Very cool! I just emailed them for a beta test. Thanks for the link.

Hey, I'm new here. If there's an LJ beta community, I'm as much a, um, "right wally" as you are!

[sometimeselkie.livejournal.com]

*stalker-wave*

My first thought when I got that e-mail was of you and how bad my advice had been, though I didn't know it at the time. You managed to sneak in under the wire, did you? I hope you managed to pull a couple of jobs from it.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Your advice wasn't bad, trust me! And I appreciated your taking an interest. I had gotten accredited at PI in February, so I spent a few months on the board and got enough work for experience's sake.