Solver: How do you now manage to be a full-time student and run a big site at the same time?

DanQ: I believe that this ties in largely to question #7, but with more variables to lay out. First and foremost, I could not run the site without Markos (or at least someone else with his knowledge and experience, but that is a tall order to fill). If Markos doesn't say the same thing when he is interviewed at a later date, you can be certain he'll hear about it. {grin} We both bring our strengths and our weaknesses to the table, and if I had to identify a primary weakness of mine -- especially when matched to his comparable skills -- would be that of the SQL arena. HTML/PHP wise I believe we are pretty evenly matched, and CGI wise I feel competent in some areas but not in others. Markos truly is the overall technical guru of the site, although I would by no means consider myself technically inept. I view myself as being the more chief newsie, PR guy. This dynamic can be reflected in our respective areas of university study: I am double majoring in Mass Communication/Law as I previously mentioned whereas the other half of the ACS executive is majoring in Computer Engineering (if memory serves correctly...).

Coming in a close second is time management. It is a balancing act between making the time to take care of Apolyton matters and at the same time not sacrifice my studies. Other variables to input here is time for adequate sleep, exercise, meals, job (where applicable), volunteer and family commitments. Historically relaxation took whatever time was left after all these other considerations, but over the past six months I have taken more time for myself than I have in the past. From first-hand experience that time management is not only a matter of quantity but also quality. When you've had adequate downtime, other aspects of your life fall into place more comfortably. Minimal downtime is OK for a while, but not extended periods of time. No downtime is simply not acceptable. This point has kind of gone off on a tangent, but so be it.

The third primary reason is because of the Apolyton staff. As with the first reason, I would not pretend that I am able to do it all nor would I attempt to maintain that Markos and I are able to do it all anymore. This has been this way for sometime. Ming, Rah and until recently MLeonard and MtG have been the heart and soul of keeping the forums running smoothly for so very long. Our file database managers past and present including SvenM, OmniGod and Gramphos, have been invaluable in keeping those aspects of the site up-to-date while allowing Markos and I more time to take care of administrative work that seems to grow consistently as the site does (not that we're complaining about the latter). And don't forget our newsies at present, for instance Snapcase and Locutus.

Oh, and I hear that we also have an Interview Chief who also takes care of a couple of PBEM multiplayer ladders as well. I believe he goes by the handle Dolver or Silver or something like that... ;)))

Solver: Ever had the wish to leave Apolyton, let Markos work on it alone, and never show up here again?

DanQ: Seriously and not so seriously, yes on both accounts. I certainly hope that it never comes to that -- I mean, can you imagine Markos trying to oversee ACS by himself and keep the staff in line at the same time? I think not. :D :D

Solver: If there was a meeting of Apolytoners from many countries, would you attend it?

DanQ: Yes, I would. I would prefer such an event to be held in Canada or the United States given my own geographical location, of course. Timing is tricky given school and job requirements. If you or someone else is looking at organizing something for later this year, for instance, the only time I can foresee myself being available to attend would be during the last two weeks of August (still subject to change, of course).

All that said, I do believe that multiple gatherings would be required to ensure as many as people as possible would be able to participate on the whole. Keep up the discussion on this front, folks -- it may come to fruition yet!

PAGE 1 | PAGE 2 | PAGE 3 | PAGE 4 | PAGE 5 | PAGE 6 | PAGE 7

Interview Comments? Click here to let your voice be heard!

INTERVIEWS INDEX PAGE