Transition 2009: Executive Changeover

[DanQ]

The oldest, continuously operating Civilization fansite is undergoing a complete executive changeover. In what is the most significant change in its administration since one of its co-founders left its ranks two-and-a-half years ago, its other co-founder is following similar suit.

Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS) Chief Owner/Administrator Daniel "DanQ" Quick is leaving that role and the site's staff altogether effective May 1, 2009. He reached an agreement to transfer controlling ownership to current staff member Robert Plomp (formerly "CyberShy"). He, in turn, is splitting that role equally with fellow Civ fan Jeroen Schweitzer to become Chief Owners/Administrators. Following their own respective considerations in turn, the rest of the site's current administration are leaving those capacities as well. Co-Owners/Administrators Wouter "Locutus" Snijders, Ming and rah and Co-Administrator Solver have also all decided to no longer be apart of the ACS staff, to coincide with Quick's departure.

Quick intends to continue to be an active part of the online Civilization community, however. He will be retaining ownership and otherwise control of PolyCast, an ongoing series of podcasts on Civ, and Age of Nations, a now concluded dramatic machinima series based in the Rise of Nations game engine. He will also continue to serve as an adviser to the Committee behind CivCon '09, the Civilization convention to be held this August in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

"Apolyton Civilization Site is a big name in the Civilization community. We're excited to get a leading role in the future of this site," says Plomp. "Daniel Quick has been very important to it, and he'll be sorely missed. We are quite positive that we'll be able to deal with the issues Apolyton is facing these days, and it's our goal to have Apolyton remain an important source for Civ-related information and communication".

"This was not a decision I came to easily, or lightly," Quick says. "I have been a fansite operator in the Civ community for almost 13 years. I have had the honour and privilege of working with so many thoughtful and talented individuals who share a passion for the computer (and now also console) strategy game known as Civilization. I have made associations, connections and friendships that I value very much and look forward to continuing and growing beyond the here and now.

But I know that my stepping aside is in the best interests of Apolyton and myself. It is time for me to make way for Robert and Jeroen who are willing and able to take on the challenges this site faces. I have had the opportunity to speak to them about their intentions and preliminary plans, and am encouraged."

"As we speak we are busy investigating and considering some pretty awesome possibilities for the future," Plomp adds. "Thanks to Dan for all the work he has put into Apolyton, and all the enthusiasm and dedication that has made Apolyton an important source for Civ-related content for a decade!"

Quick and company have served as Apolyton's first Cabinet, the internal name given to the site's administration, since November 2006 (with Solver joining its ranks the following September). Quick co-founded the site with Markos "MarkG" Giannopoulos in July 1998, who left the site's staff earlier this year. Quick has written and posted an open letter to the Apolyton and greater Civilization community on his decision here. ACS has been an independently owned and non-commercial operation since its inception.

[Grandpa Troll]

The oldest, continuously operating Civilization fansite is undergoing a complete executive changeover. In what is the most significant change in its administration since one of its co-founders left its ranks two-and-a-half years ago, its other co-founder is following similar suit.

Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS) Chief Owner/Administrator Daniel "DanQ" Quick is leaving that role and the site's staff altogether effective May 1, 2009. He reached an agreement to transfer controlling ownership to current staff member Robert Plomp (formerly "CyberShy"). He, in turn, is splitting that role equally with fellow Civ fan Jeroen Schweitzer to become Chief Owners/Administrators. Following their own respective considerations in turn, the rest of the site's current administration are leaving those capacities as well. Co-Owners/Administrators Wouter "Locutus" Snijders, Ming and rah and Co-Administrator Solver have also all decided to no longer be apart of the ACS staff, to coincide with Quick's departure.

Quick intends to continue to be an active part of the online Civilization community, however. He will be retaining ownership and otherwise control of PolyCast, an ongoing series of podcasts on Civ, and Age of Nations, a now concluded dramatic machinima series based in the Rise of Nations game engine. He will also continue to serve as an adviser to the Committee behind CivCon '09, the Civilization convention to be held this August in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

"Apolyton Civilization Site is a big name in the Civilization community. We're excited to get a leading role in the future of this site," says Plomp. "Daniel Quick has been very important to it, and he'll be sorely missed. We are quite positive that we'll be able to deal with the issues Apolyton is facing these days, and it's our goal to have Apolyton remain an important source for Civ-related information and communication".

"This was not a decision I came to easily, or lightly," Quick says. "I have been a fansite operator in the Civ community for almost 13 years. I have had the honour and privilege of working with so many thoughtful and talented individuals who share a passion for the computer (and now also console) strategy game known as Civilization. I have made associations, connections and friendships that I value very much and look forward to continuing and growing beyond the here and now.

But I know that my stepping aside is in the best interests of Apolyton and myself. It is time for me to make way for Robert and Jeroen who are willing and able to take on the challenges this site faces. I have had the opportunity to speak to them about their intentions and preliminary plans, and am encouraged."

"As we speak we are busy investigating and considering some pretty awesome possibilities for the future," Plomp adds. "Thanks to Dan for all the work he has put into Apolyton, and all the enthusiasm and dedication that has made Apolyton an important source for Civ-related content for a decade!"

Quick and company have served as Apolyton's first Cabinet, the internal name given to the site's administration, since November 2006 (with Solver joining its ranks the following September). Quick co-founded the site with Markos "MarkG" Giannopoulos in July 1998, who left the site's staff earlier this year. Quick has written and posted an open letter to the Apolyton and greater Civilization community on his decision here. ACS has been an independently owned and non-commercial operation since its inception.

Thanks for all the hard work DanQ

Ming,rah,Solver and Locutus, I thank you, through ups and downs,passions and persistence, you folks have charted ACS through an oft riddled bay of opportunities, to the open waters that lie ahead.


Thanks for allowing me a home to explore the Civin experience I so aptly follow this day, for almost a decade I have been here, and it will allways have a special place in my heart and soul.

Thanks will never be enough, but they are what i have to offer at this point

Brother Bruce

[Wezil]

I'd just like to be the first to criticize the new ownership.

If I need a reason I'll make one up.

[Guynemer]

Seriously.

Ming may be a bastard, but he's our bastard. This is some weak sauce.

[Jon Shafer]

Thanks everyone. Apolyton will always be one of the places I call home.

Jon

[Asher]

So what happens to the OT? I'm trying to figure out if the "Nazi" approach will be taken to moderation?

If so, where should we all meet up?

[Wezil]

Isn't the poster formerly known as Cybershy one of the God People?

[Guynemer]

Indeed.

[Wezil]

Oh no.

[Wezil]

From the other Forum:

Did you finally tire of us Ming?

Will you be staying on as a moderator?

Questions needing answers. Who's in charge of PR with this new regime?

[Ming]

So what happens to the OT? I'm trying to figure out if the "Nazi" approach will be taken to moderation?

In my discussions with them, they have yet to finalize any real plans or "approaches" at this point in time. Actually, I don't they really know what they want to do with site yet.
Hopefully, they will make the changes needed to increase game coverage and traffic. The OTF still represents significant traffic for this site, so I'm sure they will keep that in mind for any decisions they will make.

I hope everybody will give them a chance to see if they can raise Apolyton to a new level.

[Guynemer]

Everyone deserves a chance, of course. However, my natural optimism is severely tempered by some aspects of this news...

[Asher]

Isn't the poster formerly known as Cybershy one of the God People?

That was my initial thought, also...

[SlowwHand]

Screw it. I don't love anyone that doesn't love me back.

[Robert Plomp]

Jeroen and me are still in the process of making plans and ideas for the future of Apolyton.
Jeroen, as an outsider, has some very interesting approaches to online communities and gaming sites and I'm really excited about that.
We're also in the process of bringing a new administration together.

It's quite a loss for Apolyton that all of the current administration will lay down their position. Dan, Ming, rah, Locutus and Solver, thanks for all the hard work! Good luck with your new projects and plans! I'm sure that we'll keep in contact!

Robert

Isn't the poster formerly known as Cybershy one of the God People?

http://www.queentube.net/video.php?t...#39;s%20People

[Nikolai]

Whoa. I figured something was prone to happening, but this? Ming and rah gone? I mean, those two ARE Apolyton... Dan quitting? Solver too? This was much change at once... Will all former staff move on from the site in general too, or will you continue posting here?

Well, well... Good luck to CytberShy and That New One.

[Jeroen Schweitzer]

Hello Apolyton,

The first thing I want to do, is to thank the former Admin team: DanQ, Ming, rah, Solver and Locutus, thank you for this great site and all the care and energy you have put into it! I hope you will all stick around and keep on sharing your insights and comments with the Apolyton community!

Thanks guys, for the interest in the transition. In the coming weeks we will be working on our plans to move forward with Apolyton, which we will present to you all for your feedback.

Wezil, thank you for your initial critisism and, although we will not only be listening to yours, I hope you keep it coming so we can at least feel critisised in a balanced manner. In fact, I want to invite everyone to chip in, since a good community site is a site that serves that community.

As for nazi politics, Asher, we want the site to be a friendly place for everyone visiting, and as far as I am concerned, undiscriminately friendly is kinda what the nazis were not...

Ming, thank you for the vote of confidence! As for coming changes, Robert and I are planning to keep what is there, as a basis for our plans. We don't want to cut into any living flesh so to speak, but we are planning measures to increase game coverage and traffic, more on that soon.

PS. CyberShy is one of the god people, but even though he claims otherwise I am not, so that should balance out quite nicely :-)

[Paddy]

Dan,

thank you for all of your work and detail

take care out there

[Solver]

My thanks to Dan, Ming, Rah and Locutus. It's been a pleasure to work with you in my time both as a staff member and as an administrator. To Rob and Jeroen, best of luck in taking Apolyton through the next chapter in its history.

To everyone in the community, let me second the suggestion to give the new owners a chance. We all know that some people are quite quick to criticize anything that's being done, but give the new administration the fair chance that they deserve.

[Grandpa Troll]

Dan,

thank you for all of your work and detail

take care out there

This is a good sign, The gods of civilization have sent Paddy to bless this transition, what could be asked for more, thanks Paddy for the kind words

GT

[Drake Tungsten]

Ming and rah gone?

I remain undecided on the rest of this.

[Metaliturtle]

Knowing Dan, this was a difficult decision, months in the making. I know a lot of time was spent making sure that Apolyton could continue after Dan left. Really, Cybershy and Jeroen 'Albert' Schweitzer took on a lot of personal expense to keep Apolyton up and running rather than see it collapse.

It will be exciting to see this site's transformation in the years to come.

Meanwhile, I remain moderator of nothing here on Apolyton

[Murg]

Jeroen and Robert you have some big shoes to fill.

DanQ, Solver and Locutus (and the other team members though I haven't had a chance to interact with you), thank you for everything you have done for Apolyton and for the Civ community in general. Im happy to see you are staying involved in the podcasts and I look forward to continue hearing from you on all things Civ for a long time to come.

[Asher]

Hello Apolyton,

The first thing I want to do, is to thank the former Admin team: DanQ, Ming, rah, Solver and Locutus, thank you for this great site and all the care and energy you have put into it! I hope you will all stick around and keep on sharing your insights and comments with the Apolyton community!

Thanks guys, for the interest in the transition. In the coming weeks we will be working on our plans to move forward with Apolyton, which we will present to you all for your feedback.

Wezil, thank you for your initial critisism and, although we will not only be listening to yours, I hope you keep it coming so we can at least feel critisised in a balanced manner. In fact, I want to invite everyone to chip in, since a good community site is a site that serves that community.

As for nazi politics, Asher, we want the site to be a friendly place for everyone visiting, and as far as I am concerned, undiscriminately friendly is kinda what the nazis were not...

Ming, thank you for the vote of confidence! As for coming changes, Robert and I are planning to keep what is there, as a basis for our plans. We don't want to cut into any living flesh so to speak, but we are planning measures to increase game coverage and traffic, more on that soon.

PS. CyberShy is one of the god people, but even though he claims otherwise I am not, so that should balance out quite nicely :-)

It's been so long that I've forgotten how to do the DL dance...

[OzzyKP]

Dan, Ming, et al, thank you so much for all your work over the years and personal investment of time and money to build and develop this site we all enjoy so much. This is a great community that I have enjoyed being a part of for almost 10 years now, thanks for all you've done.

Robert & Jeroen, thanks so much for stepping in to take over the site! It is a big responsibility and I really hope the outgoing owners and everyone in the community does all they can to make the transition as painless as possible and offer their support.

We need to come together and make this site work. We have a clean slate now, so everyone please make the new owners feel welcome and help them get established.

I'm excited for the future!!

[Supr49er]

Change can be scary, but I'm very willing to wish Robert and Jeroen the best, and I will be optimistic.

Best of luck to Dan Q, Ming, Rah, Solver and Wouter.

[DanQ]

Wezil:

I will third the suggestion that the new administration be given a fair chance to get underway.

Thanks everyone. Apolyton will always be one of the places I call home.

Will all former staff move on from the site in general too, or will you continue posting here?

I will continue to frequent, and post, here.

Dan,

thank you for all of your work and detail

take care out there

Thanks, Paddy -- good to hear from you!

Knowing Dan, this was a difficult decision, months in the making. I know a lot of time was spent making sure that Apolyton could continue after Dan left. Really, Cybershy and Jeroen 'Albert' Schweitzer took on a lot of personal expense to keep Apolyton up and running rather than see it collapse.

It will be exciting to see this site's transformation in the years to come.

True through and through, and well said.

My thanks to Dan, Ming, Rah and Locutus. It's been a pleasure to work with you in my time both as a staff member and as an administrator.

Right back at you.

Thanks also to Murg, Alex, Supr49er -- and Robert and Jeroen themselves -- for the kind words.

[Nikolai]

It's a little unclear for me whether or not Ming & co will continue as mods or disappear completely from the team?

[DanQ]

To confirm a point someone asked me via PM earlier today: ModCast and RevCast are included under the PolyCast banner, in addition to the flagship show called PolyCast itself (re: "... ongoing series of podcasts on Civ.") As such, all three of these shows will continue to be produced post-transition and be fully owned by myself.

It's a little unclear for me whether or not Ming & co will continue as mods or disappear completely from the team?

They will no longer be moderators either.

[Nikolai]

They will no longer be moderators either.