Before I get to the big news, first I need to apologize to all of our members for a glitch that occurred yesterday that sent a batch of email notifications to our members for posts that weren’t accessible. We are very sorry that this occurred and have ensured that it doesn’t happen again.
Secondly, we have big news that is connected to that glitch. Maybe you picked up on the clue in the paragraph above. More on that in a moment.
As hard as it is for Kalima and I to believe it, next month represents the 10th Anniversary of PlanetPOV. Yes, we began PlanetPOV in Bill Gates’ old garage (metaphorically), just months into the first year of the Obama presidency. I’ll bet it seems like a long time ago to many people today…the last two years seems like a decade all by itself.
Kalima, KQuark and I founded PlanetPOV to create an open, friendly and thoughtful community where folks could express their opinions on whatever really matters to them in an environment that displayed a strong commitment to free expression. We had our experiences at sites that were heavy-handed with censorship, allowed trolls to invade and attack earnest members and held up the opinions of media pundits as superior to the opinions of real people (you wouldn’t want a typical pundit’s batting average if you played ball).
So as long as we’re talking about playing ball, now that I’ve done the windup, here’s the pitch…
…PlanetPOV is going to be launching a brand new website to celebrate our 10th Anniversary!
Everything you like about The Planet will still be here but there will be a new, modern look and easier functionality. Our re-launch will take place on Monday, May 27th and we hope you join us then to discover the new Planet. We’ll have an open bar and a soft serve ice cream station for the kids. Virtually, of course.
We are still working on the design of PlanetPOV 2.0, which was the cause of that accidental email barrage yesterday (once again, we’re incredibly sorry that) and no doubt we’ll be making some adjustments here and there even after it debuts but we think you’ll like the new look of The Planet.
We will also be adding a new quick start guide in the FAQ menu that will describe the new functions and how to do everything you want to do at the new PlanetPOV.
We’re very excited about bringing you our new site on our 10th Anniversary and looking forward to the next 10 years of thoughtful discussions, respectful debates and enjoyable chats right here at PlanetPOV.
News Flash! Sorry for the off topic but trump caused the earth to shudder here.
Trump landed in Japan and we had quite a big earthquake in the afternoon. Not surprisingly he has already criticised Japan on trade, still believing that anyone would buy big U.S. cars that would not fit through our narrow streets or find space to park. He then criticised Joe Biden in a foreign country. Abe needs to have his head examined if he believes anything trump tells him. Just imagining that this madman is only miles away, makes my skin crawl.
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What’s with the hair?
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Trump knocks trade advantage while urging Japanese business leaders to increase investments in U.S.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/05/25/business/trump-knocks-trade-advantage-urging-japanese-business-leaders-increase-investments-u-s/
Happy 10th Anniversary to AdLib and Kalima! – I only started this thing called blogging in 2012, it was a long journey to venture into all of that technology in the net universe. The next year it was an absolute delight to find the Planet! Amid the tempest of turbulence that I kept encountering, the Planet was a beacon of serenity.
A tremendous thank you for the incredible decade of your dedication and efforts. – And even though I just found this news, I knew that barrage of Planet emails had to be glitch. 😉 Looking forward to the launch!
Aquarius, so glad you took that flood of emails in stride and knew it was a glitch!
Thank you so much for all the kind things you’ve said about The Planet and how you’ve contributed to making it the special place it is.
Looking forward to seeing what you think of the new Planet, it’s orbiting its way here very soon now!
Hi Aquarius and thank you for your kind words. We are glad that you decided to make The Planet your second home. Thank you also for understanding the flux of emails. Annoying, yes, but a genuine tech kerfuffle, that AdLib fixed as soon as he noticed. Unfortunately it wasn’t quick enough for some. I got them too and neither of us are here 24 hours a day.
Thanks again and we hope you will enjoy the new site.
I bless the day I discovered POV! Sanity and calm in a blizzard of rubbish. Wonderful people with so many talents and life experiences. I feel so honoured to be a small part of a great group. the new site will hopefully become as familiar as a pair of favourite slippers in no time. Congrats Kalima and Adlib on a mammoth undertaking. Talk soon!
Thanks, ppo. We are equally happy to have both you and Fergi here with us. Enjoy the new site and see you later.
Thanks for all the kind words and all you and Fergie do to help make The Planet what it is (The Planet’s character comes from its members).
I do think the new site will become very comfortable to Planeteers and offer even more ease and functionality than our current site.
It should be a lot of fun!
Hats Off to Kalima, KQuark and AdLib for their pioneering work on The Planet begun ten years ago.
I have very much enjoyed my time here with a special nod to the experience that Vox Populi offers. We are at a critical time in our Planet Earth’s History with the American Experience being particularly distressing. The Planet (Earth) needs places like the Planet (POV) as places to gather a community interested in honest dialogue and good company. The redesign is exciting and life giving.
Thanks to all, who over the years, have kept the vision that the Planet promotes alive and ready for today.
Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts, Murph!
You are so right about this being a very important and critical time in the destiny of the US and the world. I think that makes it more needed than ever to build communities of conscience that bring people together to have discussions that are needed.
And we are grateful to you and all of our members, who are truly the ones who made The Planet what it has been…and what it will be!
Thanks, Murph. It’s been quite the ride but we are still here doing what we have always done, fighting for the truth, equality, dignity and democracy. It’s been difficult at times losing people to Twitter and Facebook, but we still believe that nothing compares to a place where we feel safe, where conversation and opinions can grow and flourish.
Thanks for the shoutout and we hope to welcome new members and welcome back old members too.
Looking forward to the Grand Opening of the new site, AdLib! And no worries about the email glitch. (I didn’t even receive any of the multiple mailings — should I feel hurt and left out?) We all know that these things happen during new growth spurts. And after all — isn’t that what “delete” buttons were made for?
Thanks so much for the many hours of hard work you’ve put into this brand new baby. I know it’s gonna be great.
This email glitch was exactly the opposite PR of what launching the new site was supposed to do so it is a bit frustrating and I completely understand those who were unhappy about receiving that mistaken batch of emails.
A number of folks have been very kind and understanding and that has helped balance out those who were rightfully displeased. Moving forward now, that’s what we do.
Thanks so much, I’ve enjoyed designing the new site (though not the bugs of course) and as long as our members enjoy it, it will end up so worthwhile.
Exciting news, for both of you. I think I have an old email address on file but I looked at how to change it and don’t see anything. I will look again.
Hi Sue! Click on your Profile at the top right of the Home Page, click on “Edit My Profile”, then change your email address for SueInCa. Great to see you again.
Hi Sue! Looking forward and hoping to see you and your wonderful contributions on the new site. I wish I could count the times when the religious right has done something even more astonishing than we could have imagined (think AL Abortion Bill), that I’ve thought to myself: “Sue saw this coming a loooong time ago. And talked about it on the Planet before most people even knew what was in the works.”
As 2020 approaches we need voices like yours more than ever!
Oh my, how easy was that, Kalima? Thanks to Adlib for helping out a lame duck, though.
Still a lame duck, this was meant for Kalima 🙂
Lol!! Got it! Happy to help.
Kalima, thanks for being on top of this while my head was buried in site design! You’re the best!
That’s what we do. 🙂
Your email address is updated as is your PlanetPOV membership card which entitles you to unlimited free drinks and appetizers at Vox Populi. This offer is limited so act now!
So good to see you!
Thank you everyone, I will be here on Monday to check out the new look. I liked what I saw in the Beta testing so do not expect to be surprised lol. I will be sharing the site on FB to see if some of my more astute political friends want to join.
Fantastic! And yes, it will be the site that you beta tested, with minor revisions (hopefully!).
Will be great to see you then and sharing the news with friends in your social media is very appreciated!
One day and counting…
Looking forward to the new website- Thanks for a great 10 years of informative and fascinating articles!
Thanks so much, Carmen! Thanks so much for your support of and such kind words about The Planet!
Thank you, AdLib. It’s been an interesting 10 years where we experienced the painful loss of two of our most vibrant voices and dear friends. We met many new people who shared their ideas and opinions. We laughed and cried. We saw and have so far survived the most appalling and corrupt political upheaval in our lifetimes and yet we are still here doing what we had always planned by giving people a chance to speak freely about what is important to them. No nasty trolls. No bad behaviour will be tolerated, and everyone able to post an article on subjects they are passionate about.
Thanks for the partnership in something we started and still believe in. I raise my large MB mug of tea to another 10 years. Cheers, and thanks for all you do.
Who is bringing the fireworks?? Did you order the launching pad? Do I need to bring sushi from Ginza?
Thanks back to you, Kalima! I do miss KQuark and Bito and wish they could share our 10th anniversary with us but they will always be a part of The Planet. Tough times and fun times, an historic presidency and an infamous one.
I have been very humbled by the community here at PlanetPOV, the depth of knowledge and conscience, the concern for truth and the wit and sense of humor that’s truly clever. As you say too, all in an environment of free expression and respect (trolls and other unenlightened attackers have been shown the door quickly).
I will toast you with my Morning Blog mug too, you’ve been the best partner and our adventures along with our fellow Planeteers have been so valuable to me.
Oh yeah, fireworks will be arranged, circus acts, a live concert, a chili cook-off and plenty of fried sticks of butter and sushi. An…extravaganza indeed!!!
Happy 10th anniversary (see, I didn’t forget our anniversary…this time)!
Thank you!
Yes, quite a year. You remembered my birthday too.
Again thank you for everything you do, and for understanding without me ever having to utter a single word. See you on the other side of many changes. All of them good I hope.
I can’t help but remember, you have the best birthday parties! And I swear, I will get that tail pinned on that damn donkey next time!
See you on The Brave New World on Monday!
A brand new world sounds awesome.
I think it is!