Alex28's message to Addic7ed users

[alex28]

 

Ah, good ol` 2008. The economic crisis was getting a foot in the door, SpaceX made it to orbit and we set the standards in the subtitle scene. #casualFriday

 

You see, back then all of us TV addic7s, subtitle hungry viewers and fans of Prison Break, Lost and "They don't make them like they used to" shows had to wait days for getting their tv show dose. This pretty much happened on a regular basis, since the only ones (not really but you get the idea) releasing the subtitles were our Chinese friends (whom we thank to this day).

 

Then from nothing, we came. We improved world wide releases times (to a point where we spoiled everyone) and we set quality standards. I like to say we invented it (not really but hey), we perfected it (we did!) so no other website can beat us in the subtitle game (and it didn't). #KindOfABigDeal

 

So here we are almost 10 years later, with still no furniture in my living room, Netflix has more subscribers than cable TV, GoT was leaked in Spain and all we got was some Instagram live streams and some Addic7ed subtitles were aired on TV (kudos for keeping the credits tho *pops one open*). Great times, great times indeed.

 

A lot happened for us in these 10 years. From 2, we now have more registered users than Fiji has population (no kidding, we do!), we have more files than we'll ever watch episodes (550k) and we annoyed you with ads more than we liked (which doesn't happen anymore, I hope). Chances are, if you ever used a subtitle, we had something to do with it.

 

And we're doing it for free. Some say the best marketing stunt we did was halting the releases for a few days, a couple years back, when others were using our files without crediting our authors. While it annoyed some, we proved a point (world wide releases were delayed a lot) and we protected the hard work of the people that make everything possible.

 

If you're an avid addic7 and stuck with us from the start (or even a few years later), you know we lost momentum in the past years. We have the design and features that would only win first prize if we'd compete head to head with a 3rd world country government made website (not sure if these contests are held, they hate competition). I find myself to blame for the lack of momentum we're facing - life got in the way; but I'm willing to change that.

 

A few dog years ago (~3 months) we removed the annoying ads you kept complaining (and were right!) about. We also setup some donation systems to raise money and resume development. If you think you can't make a difference by donating just 1$, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room. Every little thing can make a difference in the long run.

 

Here's what's on our To-Do list:

 

* Resume interaction with visitors and users

* Re-open a suggestion thread (RIP my Inbox)

* Raise money to change the design.

* Add useful features or improve current ones.

 

If you're interested in any of the above, here's what you can do:

 

* Post suggestions in this thread

* Help Addic7ed grow by telling your friends about it, uploading files to the database or improving the overall quality of the existing content (editing or starting new translations)

* Donate here whatever sum you can. (We'll grant you VIP status that doesn't do much these days, but you can brag about having a different color in the comments section - that's gotta be worth at least a buck)

 

Looking forward to 10 years from now, when electrical cars will be a thing, Bitcoin will be accepted at my local supermarket (you heard it here first) and ABC will have finally release the real Lost ending we've all been waiting for so long.

 

Keep it up, you're awesome!

With love,

Alex28 of Addic7ed, the first user, the co-founder, the website and forum head Admin, payer of the bills, keeper of the light

 

Edited October 20, 2017 by alex28