"THOACS": 'Chapter 5' Published

DanQ · September 27, 2005, 21:02

As originally anticipated, the fifth and final chapter from the first volume of Apolyton Civilization Site`s "The History of..." multi-part serial has been published. From from the full introduction:

"Seven years ago, Daniel Quick and Markos Giannopoulos agreed to merge their respective Civilization II fansites and form Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS). The joint press release issued by Quick and Giannopoulos would be the first of many, setting out what the site would incorporate, how it would operate and discussing future plans. Little attention was paid to the roads travelled to get to that point.

Within a year of this time, a general however brief history of how ACS came into being was published on-site. [..] Many... questions remained unanswered, and others still unasked. Until now. [..]

The first volume of "The History of Apolyton Civilization Site" ("THOACS"), written by Quick, documents the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the Ultimate Civilization II Site from its founding to morphing as one-half of ACS. At nearly 9,000 words, 'An Ultimate Journey' goes into greater detail than ever before publicly disclosed. Nearly 150 endnotes speak to the effort and extent of research conducted by Quick to make this work as comprehensive and authoritative as possible."

This week, the fifth and final chapter has been published. The conclusion initially intended to be separate has instead been merged into Chapter Five. Readers are invited to ask the author any questions and share any thoughts they may have about the work through ACS` `Apolyton/Community` forum to allow the greatest exposure to those inquiries as possible.

A second history volume, documenting Giannopoulos' The First Greek Civilization 2 Site (TFGC2S) in similar fashion, is just entering the planning stages. Looking even more long-term, it is hoped that a separate volume for each year of ACS' existence will also be written/compiled and distributed. That said, how well (or not) THOACS' first volume is generally received will greatly influence and perhaps even determine if, how many and to what extent future instalments are written and released.

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Dan; Apolyton CS

Harry Tuttle · September 27, 2005, 22:04

Your text size is screwy toward the middle of the chapter.

DarkCloud · September 27, 2005, 22:07

Wow Dan, you certainly went through a lot keeping Apolyton up and running in the early days.

-I'm simply amazed.

-DC.

DanQ · September 27, 2005, 22:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Harry Tuttle
Your text size is screwy toward the middle of the chapter.

Fixed -- thanks.

Quote:

Originally posted by DarkCloud
Wow Dan, you certainly went through a lot keeping Apolyton up and running in the early days.

-I'm simply amazed.

-DC.

Thanks, DC. Ah yes, the Civ site days before ACS...

While I was writing and research for all chapters in this feature, it brought back a lot of memories to say the least. Not just the bad/frustrating ones -- although those certainly surfaced the easiest -- but the good ones as well.

If you tried to tell me at the outset of Apolyton that I would still be working on it with Markos seven years later supported by incredible staff, community and industry, I think I would have at best eyed you suspiciously...

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Dan; Apolyton CS

Locutus · September 28, 2005, 13:02

Great stuff, Dan

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all 5 chapters, somehow I always manage to find time to read them as soon as they come out, in spite actually being far too busy for it

Your style of storytelling isn't exactly the most readable, but the content more than makes up for it. Amazing to read how often and how close the site came to extinction, great job on getting keeping it going!

Now I really wanna read Markos's story as well...

And I think it would also be interesting to read a similar article on the history of the first few years of Apolyton, say up to move to our own server. Though I can imagine you've just about written enough of this stuff by now

Locutus · September 28, 2005, 13:05

Edit: oops, hit the wrong button

Zoid · September 28, 2005, 16:09

Dan, isn´t it weird to write about yourself in third person? I thought it was slightly weird reading it...

Zoid · September 28, 2005, 16:19

Quote:

This revitalization of UCIVII causes Quick to stop and re-evaluate the site and its operation. At first, he only contemplates a name change to The Ultimate Civilization Site bringing Civilization, Civilization II, and Civilization: Call to Power coverage under one banner. Almost as quickly the UCIVII owner realizes that this will not help lessen or, perhaps more accurately, distribute the increasing workload138. He decides to approach another webmaster and website owner in the online Civilization community about merging their two sites. Impressed with the quality and quantity of The First Greek Civilization 2 Site's (TFGC2S) coverage of CivII, and noting its newly begun coverage of C:CtP as well139, Quick contacts TFGC2S owner and webmaster Markos Giannopoulos with his proposal140.

Several email exchanges later, the foundations of Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS) are hammered out. UCIVII and TFGC2 cease to exist as separate entities.

...and the rest is, as they say, history

Really great stuff, Dan! And be sure to pass this along to Mr Quick. He did a splendid job also

MarkG · September 28, 2005, 20:07

Quote:

Dan, isn´t it weird to write about yourself in third person?

it's a natural for a civ webmaster. after all, caesar did it too (if you read Asterix comics

)

DanQ · September 28, 2005, 23:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
Great stuff, Dan

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all 5 chapters, somehow I always manage to find time to read them as soon as they come out, in spite actually being far too busy for it

Thank you for the kind words, and for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read the instalments!

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
Your style of storytelling isn't exactly the most readable, but the content more than makes up for it.

I like how you worded this. The storytelling isn't the greatest, but the content is just too good to pass up.

OK, I think I like my variation better.

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
Amazing to read how often and how close the site came to extinction, great job on getting keeping it going!

You generously forgot to mention how insane you thought some of those efforts were at the time. In hindsight, I do. You're not going to disagree with me, are you?

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
Now I really wanna read Markos's story as well...

Convince Markos to send me the materials I've asked a couple of times for...

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
And I think it would also be interesting to read a similar article on the history of the first few years of Apolyton, say up to move to our own server. Though I can imagine you've just about written enough of this stuff by now

At the time I finished writing this feature, yes I was tapped out. However, that was earlier this year and I'm willing to get the next serial started which would be documenting TFGC2S's days [see related point above].

Apolyton's early(ier) years would follow.

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr Zoidberg
Dan, isn´t it weird to write about yourself in third person? I thought it was slightly weird reading it...

It did feel a bit odd at first, but I knew it was the right way to go. Writing it from a first-person perspective didn't seem to fit.

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr Zoidberg
...and the rest is, as they say, history

Really great stuff, Dan! And be sure to pass this along to Mr Quick. He did a splendid job also

Thanks, Zoidberg.

Mr. Quick says "hi" and "don't mention it".

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Dan; Apolyton CS

PLATO · September 29, 2005, 00:22

Fantastic story Dan. I have enjoyed every chapter immensly. It clearly comes through both the amount of work you have put into this site and the true love you have of the game of Civilization!

Thank You!

Boris Godunov · September 29, 2005, 00:47

No mention of me? Harummph, some history.

Zoid · September 29, 2005, 15:30

Quote:

Originally posted by DanQ

Thanks, Zoidberg.

Mr. Quick says "hi" and "don't mention it".

DarkCloud · September 30, 2005, 11:43

Boris- you weren't even born on apolyton at that time

Locutus · September 30, 2005, 12:47

Quote:

Originally posted by DanQ
You generously forgot to mention how insane you thought some of those efforts were at the time. In hindsight, I do. You're not going to disagree with me, are you?

Well, I always knew you were insane, nothing new there

Then again, during his lifetime everyone thought Vincent van Gogh was insane too (heck, most people still do)

Quote:

Convince Markos to send me the materials I've asked a couple of times for...

Maybe we should take his latest project away from him and only give it back when he delivers, I bet that would motivate him

Quote:

I'm willing to get the next serial started which would be documenting TFGC2S's days [see related point above].

Quote:

Apolyton's early(ier) years would follow.

DanQ · October 2, 2005, 10:06

Quote:

Originally posted by PLATO
Fantastic story Dan. I have enjoyed every chapter immensly. It clearly comes through both the amount of work you have put into this site and the true love you have of the game of Civilization!

Thank You!

All I can say to this is... thank you.

[the smilie above cannot convey my thanks fully]

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
Well, I always knew you were insane, nothing new there

Then again, during his lifetime everyone thought Vincent van Gogh was insane too (heck, most people still do)

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus
Maybe we should take his latest project away from him and only give it back when he delivers, I bet that would motivate him

--
Dan

Theben · October 3, 2005, 22:17

I just read all 5 chapters. All I can say is: wow. You really went through a lot to keep the site online. And you were only 15-16? Damn fine job!