Let me just begin by saying I think IJ is a great place, and none of my comments are meant to sound like "IJ-bashing". (Hey, why else would I have a perm acct, if I didn't really enjoy being here?)

• What can IJ do to improve its site/service/support/features?
I know a lot of this has been resolved, but continue to make improvements to keep the site running fast (even at peak times), and at avoid the down time episodes that happened periodically this year.

Also, new features are needed. I can't remember the last new feature that was introduced. (I'm not counting the whole Google +1 thing -- that's not so much a feature, as annoyance to be avoided.) To be honest, I've been here since late 2007, and off the top of my head, I can't remember any new features / options coming out. I don't mean huge features, necessarily. But simple things like new layout options (i.e., introducing new layouts you can pick from), or a photo hosting option (similar to LJ's scrapbook option or something similar).


• How do you think it compares to Dreamwidth, LiveJournal, and other blogging sites?
I'm pretty vehemently anti-LJ, so I won't speak to how IJ compares to LJ, other than to say it's much better.

Compared to Dreamwidth, IJ does come up lacking. DW has a better user interface, a lot more layouts to pick from, and a lot more features. Even simple things like DW's easy cross-posting feature (which is awesome), or the ability to expand and collapse cut tags right there on your reading page (Friend's List) without being redirected to another page. Plus, DW is completely ad-free. And, DW official communications provide evidence they're constantly working on improving the site (clearing bugs, developing new features, etc. etc.).

DW feels like it's constantly growing and improving. IJ feels like it's just in "sustaining mode" -- doing it's best to fix what absolutely has to be fixed, and just holding on. I know that's not the owner's intent, but that's how if often feels.

• What do you like most about IJ? how about the least?
What I like best is the great folks I've met here.

What I like least -- IJ is often swallowed by and mired in fandom. And hey, that's awesome if you're here for fandom (not trying to bash that in any way -- it's just not where my interest is). But if you're not here for fandom or role-playing, it can be a lonely place. I've found more non-fandom comms & friends over on DW than I ever did here.

Also (and this may or may not be related to the fandom issue), but I find more 25+ year old folks over on DW. IJ can definitely feel like a teenage/college age fandom hang out sometimes. And again, that may also have some impact on how many folks are able to support the site with paid accounts; it's a simple fact teenagers and college students don't have much in the way disposable income, so even if they love IJ to bits, they just don't have the money to support the site. It's often the older folks who have the money to help support sites they use.