To me the definition of a great fansite.. is when it is comprised of a group of enthusiastic and yet respectful fans. And when I say "respectful".. I mean of the celebrity and of other members and other celebrities. When these fans are brought together under the guise of honoring a celebrity and end up becoming close friends.. that to me is the reason I continue to participate in fan sites.
I love to see fans appreciate a celebrity for who they really are. See them as a real person behind the public persona. I love to see fans really care about the celebrities career as well as about their family and personal life. At the same time.. I love it when fans are sincerely respectful of the celebrity's private time and family.
On a great fansite you should be able to get up to date info.. as well as discuss the celebrity. Discussions might be about the celebrity's career, or the latest photos, or latest charity project .. or even about their personal life as long as it done in a respectful way. There is a line separating pure innocent interest and potentially damaging gossip. A great fansite is not a "gossip" site.
I have found over the years.. that if you find a fan site that fits your needs.. you will often find that there is a group of other members who not only like the same celebrity, but also have a lot of other interests in common with you. This is why so many fansites have active "Off Topic" areas.. where members can discuss other interests. At the same time, on large sites you will also find people who while liking the same celebrity as you.. may be totally different in other interests and life style. If a site is comprised of members who are respectful.. then these differences can lead to great discussions and sharing. I love it when I see a group of people brought together because of a common interest in a celebrity, who then go on to become close friends sharing thoughts, dreams, interests and philosophies. When this happens.. it makes a site some place that people come to for more than just info on the celebrity. They come for friendship. For me, this may be one of the most important concepts of a great fansite. It's easy to gather info and photos of a celebrity.. it is not so easy to generate an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable discussing the celeb and anything else that comes to mind.
The absolute BEST thing that can come from a great fansite.. is when that bond of friendship leads to support and good deeds. I've seen people with illnesses and family problems gain support from fellow fansite members. I've seen thousands of dollars raised for charity in the name of the celebrity.. but also done as a group project between friends. I've seen birthdays, marriages, romances, births.. all celebrated in fansite communities. I've also seen the death of members mourned in very special and memorable ways. I've seen groups of people who had only known each "online" get together in person .. for small get togethers and large world wide conventions.
This comraderie between people of all ages, races, nationalities, sexes etc.. all born from the common interest in a celebrity.. is what I consider the greatest of the "Good" part of fan sites!
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