When the original SoFurry launched at the end of 2009 there was a certain amount of displeasure with the new site. Despite this, the user count more than doubled, and by June 2011 SoFurry had over 150 000 users. Staff then launched the SoFurry 2.0 beta, an attempt to completely redo SoFurry, improving the code and addressing user complaints.

During the seven-month beta period, there were regular bug fixes (and a public list of upcoming features). This wasn't limited to submitted bugs; SoFurry owner Toumal also responded to criticisms about the site, for example on Chipotle's review of furry story sites. The project was not without problems, however, and the site at one point seemed to face copyright challenges concerning part of it's code, namely for the chat feature.

The team worked hard and on 23 January, after about three days of down time, SoFurry was reborn. I took the time to ask Toumal a few questions regarding its development and future.

Summercat will be releasing the first issue of his new furry magazine, Anthroview, at Antheria at the end of this month. I got to speak to him about the magazine and touch on some of the other aspects of the furry fandom in which he is involved.

Rakuen Growlithe: You're planning to release a new magazine for the furry fandom called Anthroview. When did you first get the idea for Anthroview?

Summercat: About three or four years ago, although it's gone through a lot of changes since then.

RG: What sort of changes are we talking about and why did it take three or four years to get to this point?

At this year's Anthrocon I was able to touch base for a few minutes with Blotch, the duo team of BlackTeagan and Kenket, and ask some questions about their latest release; Nordguard: Across Thin Ice, which debuted at AC ’11. (review)

Blotch is already famous in the fandom for their cover work on Kyell Gold’s books (Out of Position, Isolation Play) as well as winning multiple awards for their cover work on conbooks and for their first graphic novel, Dog’s Days of Summer, also available via Sofawolf Press.

Brazilian fur Hwei Chow has posted detailed interviews with furry artist Heather Bruton and FA owner Dragoneer in the international section of community portal FurryBrasil.

The interviews – named Muzzle to Muzzle – are presented in a roleplaying conversational style reminiscent of The Tame Talk Show, which Hwei produced.

High school artist and fursuit builder Ludicrousy is featured in an interview with the Orange County Register, in which she describes her move to Orange County High School of the Arts, and the discovery of her passion for costuming:

... as I started to explore my art work, I said 'You know, I can do a lot more here than just be someone who goes to college.' [...] I felt like I found what I'm supposed to do with my life.

Watch: Ludicrousy's red wolf Kawl entertains students and supports the Make It Better Project.

Fusion Magazine, published by Kent State University students for the LGBTQ community, has based its latest issue on furries.

The coverage begins with a six-page profile of the fandom featuring Robby Conte (Robbyfox) and other NE Ohio furs.

Robbyfox describes his introduction to the fandom, his trip to Anthrocon 2010, and favourably compares furry fandom to the gay community, which he describes as 'more intimidating'.

The article then gives an overview of fursuiting and a dismissive mention of Vanity Fair, before diving into quotes from sociological researcher Dr. Kathy Gerbasi, a description of a local furmeet and a sub-interview with ObliviousAlly.

Videographer Curt Pehrson gives an overview of the fandom with help from niteskunk, based largely on interviews from seven furs at Midwest FurFest 2010. [poizencat/fursuitlounge]

Read on for some highlighted quotes.

Midwest FurFest 2010's guests of honor – Vantid (Amber Hill), Redstorm (Alexis Rudd, aka The Blue Hyena) and Kipper Otter – kindly allowed me to record their answers in the "meet the GoH" panel, hosted by MFF chairman Takaza. So here they are!

German fursuit builder, author and Zeta-Pride organizer Fjordwolf tells us of the solitary life of one fur and his dog in A Furrytale. [Diadexxus/furrymedia]

Also recorded by Oddisee is The Naked Bunch, following a group of naked hikers in the Alps.

Fjordwolf's book, Mein Fruend Nobody ("My Friend Nobody"), is currently sold out; however, a sample story is available. He has also produced several music videos involving fursuiters.

In an hour long interview, the Nostalgia Critic celebrates the Animaniacs, with guests Tom and Nate Ruegger, Sherrie Stoner, John P. McCann, and Paul Rugg.

The Nostalgia Critic covers a fair amount of ground with the crew, including the abundance of freedom granted to the writers, sneaking jokes by the censors, the music, the differences between animating studios, creative influences, and Cartoon Stars' addictions. Unsurprisingly, there is also a lot of ribbing and joking around to be had.

Animaniacs ran to 99 episodes from 1993 to 1998, and one movie, Wakko's Wish, in 1999. The series also produced a spin-off: Pinky and the Brain.

Spanish furry portal Red Furros has an exclusive interview with Peggy Wang, keyboard player and vocalist for The Pains of Being Pure at Heart:

I first discovered furries on an MTV show called "True Life: I'm a Furry." I became really fascinated with them. I'm sure there are varied motives behind the lifestyle, but I guess for me, being a shy and self-conscious person, I can definitely see the attraction in expressing yourself through a character. Also, I like cute stuff. Ha ha.

Peggy's band was recently covered thanks to their music video, Higher Than the Stars.

SEMO's Capaha Arrow interviews two local furs: Island (owner of Balubeere) and Lupercus.

Balubeere was spotted by student reporters while debating Brother Jed, a local preacher who comes to the university to – in Island's words – "tell everyone they're going to hell."

Watch: Blaubeere invades the cafeteria, argues with his owner and sings for his creator.

Issue 28 of Anthro is online for your reading pleasure. This issue is dedicated to the memory of Michael W. Bard, a regular contributor who served, at various times, as the 'zine's co-editor; columnist; and occasional reviewer. The cover image, Silvermane Maintenance by Cuprohastes, incorporates two of Bard's favorite motifs -- science fiction, and anthropomorphic equines -- and the issue's editorial is devoted to Bard.

The rest of this issue's contents include stories by Billymorph, Corvus & ShadowWolf, Phil Geusz, Bill ‘Hafoc’ Rogers, and Carmen Welsh; the third installment of Michael Bergey's novel New Coyote; an interview with WikiFur's Laurence ‘GreenReaper’ Parry; and a variety of other high-quality anthropomorphic material.

The LondonFurs are on display again, this time thanks to a video interview by Babelgum. [diegowolffox and balto_mike/furrymedia]

Passion can take you a long way, as Québec-based entomologist Georges Brossard explains in a BBC interview:

I'm the bug man – a real bug man. I love bugs. I sleep with them, I dream about them. I eat them. I love bugs.

The Montréal Insectarium – founded in 1990 by a 250,000-insect donation from Brossard – attracts over 350,000 visitors each year, and offers annual insect tastings.