[Tohopekaliga]

Trisphee, at least, is fine for coders. Coda & I are both professional Software Engineers, and between us we can do most anything. :P Others might have use of one, though.

[gremlin]

okii! ^^
that's really awesome!

[Panda]

Roliana is officially back, and they are giving away users 50 plats for free. I'm not digging Roli's new layout. It's burning my eyes, and so difficult to find things.

[Jester]

I think it could be a variety of things. Part I think of is not enough users or users aren't active enough. It could be less activity in forums or other things not keeping their interest.

Another reason could be the owners or mods. Though I'm surprised Gaia hasn't shut down with all the bad mods running around I know lots left because of that. It could be sites shifting too much from owners hands too much or owners or admins promising stuff they can't keep. I think people get tired of we're going make a red ball item and never seeing said item. Sometimes they aren't even given an update which is the worst. People don't want to be left in the dark.

[Espy]

As long as Gaia's still squeezing money out of its users, it's not going to shut down.

[Glitch]

I went and looked at Roli, same problem I had years ago when I last looked at it, I don't like the avatars so strongly I don't want to make an account. #1 reason people don't join avi sites.

I grew up with avi sites, they're a natural part of my life, I am so happy to be part of one now <3

[Gallagher]

the avi editor itself makes or breaks a site for me, but it would be a lie if i didn't say i've always been drawn to larger avis like we have. small, overly chibi avis never really appealed to me, and when they're small plus have limited outfit making options, it's a deal breaker. no matter how nice the art might be. pretty avis < highly customizable avis.

[Death by Mirrors]

I'm with Glitch there.

While the overall community and layout may determine whether or not people stay, avatars decide for me if I sign up on a particular site. Personally I prefer those with regular human avatars over the cutesy chibi-esque avis many sites offer, even though I admit I've also come across folks who really rocked the chibi with their outfit.

(Another major bonus is starter clothes. They don't need to be fancy, let them be plain, let them be rags, whatever - I just feel less shy saying hello to the world when not naked. But yep, avatars get people hooked first.)

[McSwiggins]

I like the bigger bases, which is why I like here and Caedon. Gaia and Menewsha's bases are pretty chibi and cutsey and while I do occasionally drop by there, I am not a fan of cutsey. Also, Roliana's avatars arent the best but I signed up anyway and my avatar is growing on me. I did take off the face though because it bugged me. But, overall, I agree. The bases for the avis have to be aesthetically pleasing to me or I wont join and if I do, I wont be very active. I mean, I'm already not very active because I am busy with IRL stuff but, it will be worse. Lol.

Community is very important also. Not to go dissing other sites but Recolor has a pretty toxic community (at least it did when I was on there 2 years ago) and I just couldnt take it, so I quit and havent even thought of returning. A community will decide how long I stay on a site. The more open and friendly a community, the more likely I will be on there as much and long as possible.

[Moonshadow]

I stick with an avi site if the people are friendly.
My first site was Ernya and I literally was afraid of the Babblesphere. There were some very mean people on there. As time went on they mellowed a bit, but there is no excuse for being rude in an avi site, I know there are differences and sometimes people can rub you the wrong way, its best just to ignore them then.

[Isis]

Cool to know Roliana is back.

Recolor's userbase is mostly from Gaia Online, so the General Discussion forum is just a hive of obnoxiousness. But once you go to another forum, it mellows out dramatically. I hang out in the Word Games section there, it's so chill.

[Tiva]

I am pretty loyal about sticking to one site… also because I forget to log in otherwise.