The fall of imdb

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Back in 1998, I experienced the World Wide Web for the very first time. Before I heard of eBay, before I joined a message board, before I visited Amazon.com....there was the Internet Movie Database.

Even as the 'net evolved, the IMDb only grew stronger. More and more info, more ways to search, and at lightning speed. Sure, they were always ad heavy, but totally worth it. We used to jog from the living room to the back room where the computer was to see just who that actor was, when that movie came out, what else that director did. When we got our first laptop and put it in the living room, we realized the full potential of a movie database next to our home entertainment center. When we decided to get internet on our phones, it was because, as GD put it, "it's worth it just to have IMDb in your pocket."

IMDb was THE personification of the power of the internet. But no more.

These days, I find incomplete listings. In all the years I've been checking the site, I never felt that it needed me to assist - except within the past 6 months. On finding facts missing that I ACTUALLY KNEW, I created an account and tried to edit it. Turns out - it's a major pain in the ass. If you're adding a character to a TV show, you need to know exactly which episodes that character was in. Um, ok, I don't know that, guess I can't help.

So I turned - reluctantly - to Wikipedia. The lack of solid structure there has been a turnoff for me regarding movie/TV info, up until now. In having to go there just to verify major characters in major TV shows, I've come to prefer it. The format allows all kinds of referencing. I've learned, oh, so much from it. I've linked and linked and linked, just like the old days of IMDb.

I still go to the old schooler for my first shot....but mostly for sentimental reasons. In the last month or so, it has become inevitable that I'd get annoyed at the gaps and end up at the all-knowing Wikipedia...and even add a link or two myself with two clicks.

Sigh.

You're still around but no longer the standard. I suppose there can be only one. Goodbye, Internet Movie Database. I'll tell my kids about you.

<sniff>