Open Letter to Apolyton CS and the Greater Civ Community

DanQ · April 27, 2009, 21:11

Dear Apolyton Civilization Site's (ACS) and the greater Civilization community,

Nearing 11 years ago, Markos "MarkG" Giannopoulos and I co-founded ACS. We were students then -- Markos in university, and I a senior in high school. We served as Co-Owners/Administrators for more than eight years until Markos left the administration in late 2006. A university graduate, Markos had co-founded a business in recent years and that was taking up an increasing portion of his available time and energy. For the past two-and-a-half-years, I have led the Apolyton administration as Chief Owner/Administrator with Co-Owner/Administrators Wouter "Locutus" Snijders, Ming and rah with Solver joining the administration in September 2007.

Effective May 1, 2009, I am no longer the Chief Owner/Administrator of Apolyton CS; further, I am leaving the site's staff as well as its administration. In fact, the rest of the current administration is departing as well. [See press release for more particulars on this front.]

This was not a decision I came to easily, or lightly. This marks an end to an incredible era in my life, something which I have devoted countless tens of thousands of hours to and associate so much with my identity online and offline. I completed my second degree (Bachelor of Education) in mid-2005 and am continuing to upgrade my skills, still striving to secure full-time employment for the first time. I came to a comparable decision last month that Markos had come to before: in the best interests of this site and myself, the decision to step aside.

Adding my years first as Webmaster, then Administrator, than Owner as well of a CivII-dedicated fansite, I have been a fansite operator in the Civilization community for almost 13 years. This gives me the distinction of serving in this capacity longer than anyone else in the Civ community to date, and I expect it ranks high in comparison to other fan-based communities as well (gaming or otherwise). During this time I feel that I have grown to be a more approachable as well as accomplished individual than I began. I am not claiming to be perfect, but I believe I have been fair and timely in my actions for the most part throughout. Yet we all have our limits, and I know I have reached mine. My time and energy levels are no longer sufficient to be properly effective in my long-standing capacity anymore.

For all the trials and tribulations, it is the positives and highlights of my time in this role I am now turning over that I hope have made the most lasting impressions on others. More important than all the situations, places and things -- good, bad and so many shades of gray between -- are the people. I have had the honour and privilege of working with so many thoughtful and talented individuals for more than a decade 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.

With that very much in mind, I have decided that my leaving the Apolyton team will not mark the end of my active involvement in the Civ community as well. In fact, I consider this the start of my 'second life' in this regard. As many of you are likely aware, I have been leading PolyCast since about the same time that Markos left the Apolyton administration. I will be retaining ownership and otherwise control of that operation, as well as Age of Nations. I enjoy the creativity, interaction and production involved in these processes. I am also remaining an adviser to the Committee behind CivCon '09 to be held this summer.

As with anything, there are a number of challenges that Apolyton faces in the present. I, along with a small but dedicated staff, have been working away at these with admittedly varying degrees of success in recent years. I thank those past and present for their tireless contributions. I believe that they, and future, obstacles can and will be overcome. Progress has been made, but there is more that needs to be realized. But I have come to accept that my role in that growth and renewal process cannot be what it has been to date. I know it is time to make way for others who are willing and able to take on these challenges. I have had the opportunity to speak to them about their intentions and preliminary plans, and am encouraged.

I will miss the regular day-to-day exchanges of emails, private and instant messages from you, and people like you, that came from being an and ultimately lead administrator of Apolyton. Rest assured I have no intention of becoming a stranger to Poly post this transition though! I will still be frequenting these forums and other parts of this site. You will continue to hear from me with regards to PolyCast and the like, and in other ways as well I'm sure. There are still many days (turns?

) ahead.

Keep On Civ'in,

DanQ
Daniel "DanQ" Quick

Guynemer · April 27, 2009, 22:03

I don't think I'm alone in saying that I wish you'd reconsider.

Grandpa Troll · April 27, 2009, 22:24

DanQ, thank you from my heart, as stated previously, you have contributed much, as have your partners (soon to be former business associates) with no disrespect to them and what they each and collectibely have contributed.

Apolyton has been my home "officially" since 2000 with me lurking a short time before registering.

It has been my honor and privelege to serve as contributor, as a member of community, as a news editor and as a Mod for a few forums.

It has not been my honor to have on more than one occassion caused any of this team heartache, it just worked out that way

It is however my time to step to the plate and say thanks to each of you for your various contributions.

As the Cabinet

dissolves, just as an ember dissolves in midair, so shall new sparks and embers arise to take their rightful place in Civin History

Ride hard Cabinet, know you all have touched this old country boys heart and soul over the years

Brother Bruce

SlowwHand · April 28, 2009, 01:06

This is bullshit, man. I'm not kidding this time.

Robert Plomp · April 28, 2009, 04:14

Thanks again for your many contributions to the civ community!
Good luck with your podcasts! I hope you'll linger around on Apolyton!

You've always been a great admin! You'll be sorely missed.

Nikolai · April 28, 2009, 04:40

Thanks for all your works all these years Dan! Poly wouldn't have been what it is, and has been, without you. Good luck with whatever faces you.

OzzyKP · April 28, 2009, 09:30

Thanks for everything Dan.

Supr49er · April 28, 2009, 10:32

Thanks and best of luck.

DanQ · April 28, 2009, 10:33

Thank you for the kind words Bruce, Robert, Nikolai, Alex, Supr49er.

Originally Posted by Nikolai

Poly wouldn't have been what it is, and has been, without you. Good luck with whatever faces you.

Originally Posted by Robert Plomp

You've always been a great admin! You'll be sorely missed.

I'm humbled.

Originally Posted by Guynemer

I don't think I'm alone in saying that I wish you'd reconsider.

I appreciate very much your saying so. Reaching this decision was difficult -- the process has been an incredible emotional rollercoaster for me, and I know I am not alone in the outgoing administration in saying so. But knowing that Apolyton will continue to operate post my departure made that decision that much easier to come to.

Originally Posted by SlowwHand

This is bullshit, man. I'm not kidding this time.

How so?

Originally Posted by Robert Plomp

Good luck with your podcasts! I hope you'll linger around on Apolyton!

Yes, I will still be around here.

yin26 · April 28, 2009, 11:15

Congrats, Dan!

I know that might sound strange, but it's inevitable in life (or at least healthy) to engage in new projects every so often. As you note, your work with/for Apolyton has been not only incredibly long in duration but also notably wide in scope. "Real Life" for you, too, has reshaped itself, so it's only natural that your outside projects would reshape as well.

My thanks to you personally for all you've done for the Civ community over the years, and I look forward to the news ways we might see you engaged!

Cartimandua · April 28, 2009, 12:00

We will miss you Dan! The site just won't be the same without you at the helm. At least you are sticking with PolyCast

Theben · April 28, 2009, 14:54

Good luck, Dan & company. The site will definitely be different without you.

Yin, did you ever eat that CivIV box?

duke o' york · April 28, 2009, 15:02

DanQ very much.

I'm so sorry

Guynemer · April 28, 2009, 15:38

Originally Posted by duke o' york

DanQ very much.

Solomwi · April 28, 2009, 16:22

Originally Posted by Theben

Good luck, Dan & company. The site will definitely be different without you.

Yin, did you ever eat that CivIV box?

You mean you missed the video?!?

Yes, he did (much to his credit), and yes, it was as glorious as you thought it would be.

DanQ, thanks for all you've done.

Theben · April 28, 2009, 16:36

Originally Posted by Solomwi

You mean you missed the video?!?

Yes, he did (much to his credit), and yes, it was as glorious as you thought it would be.

DanQ, thanks for all you've done.

I need a link.

Gibsie · April 28, 2009, 16:56

Good luck with whatever it is you'll be doing!

Chieftess · April 28, 2009, 17:22

Good Luck! Wow, it seems like yesterday I was on Dan's "The Ultimate Civ2 Site" website.

chequita guevara · April 28, 2009, 17:58

I am not in favor of this change.

ChrisiusMaximus · April 28, 2009, 18:33

Good luck for the future Dan

.

Lancer · April 28, 2009, 19:26

Keep up the PolyCast Dan!

yin26 · April 28, 2009, 19:56

Originally Posted by Theben

Yin, did you ever eat that CivIV box?

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?t=146254

Ah, the memories...

Grandpa Troll · April 28, 2009, 20:04

Originally Posted by yin26

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?t=146254

Ah, the memories...

Imran Siddiqui · April 28, 2009, 20:21

(but it was a really nice letter to the community)

Imran Siddiqui · April 28, 2009, 20:22

Wait... yin is a Born Again Optimist? Did I.... win?

(j/k)

yin26 · April 28, 2009, 20:24

LOL! MarkG I think it was forced that label on me. I protest!

See, Dan, lots of great memories. Thanks.

notyoueither · April 28, 2009, 22:47

So long, and you're welcome for all the fishes.

But seriously, thanks for your efforts, Dan. You and Mark built a site that could accommodate all sorts of flotsam and jetsam. I appreciate what you did.

Zoid · April 29, 2009, 01:15

What? Who? Why? I know that the site has gone through some changes and rough patches lately. But this?

However I want to wish the outgoing Cabinet all the best and thank them for all the hard (and mostly unappreciated) work they've done for this site over the years

Oh, and Yin sighting!

aneeshm · April 29, 2009, 04:51

So long, Dan. Wish you the best of luck for the future.

DanQ · April 29, 2009, 11:01

Thanks Annalee, Solomwi, Gibsie, ChrisiusMaximus, notyoueither, Zoid, aneeshm.

Originally Posted by yin26

Congrats, Dan! [..] My thanks to you personally for all you've done for the Civ community over the years, and I look forward to the news ways we might see you engaged! [..]

[L]ots of great memories. Thanks.