Open Letter to Apolyton CS and the Greater Civ Community

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm just letting you know of the visceral reaction that results from that... to some, feeling like a ripping off of a part of Poly, since that's the name of the podcast.

[Robert]

All Dan said is true and we (Jeroen and me) do fully support Dan in all of his decisions.
Of course we hoped that PolyCast would remain on apolyton, and it's only to us to blame that this didn't happen, but that doesn't mean that Dan has the full right to move it to somewhere else. Especially if you know that Dan did this with the intention to help Apolyton moving on.

I'm proud that it'll continue to be called 'PolyCast'!
For the record, Dan could also have decided to close all of Apolyton and continue PolyCast only. From that perspective he allows Apolyton to continue to be named 'apolyton', even when it isn't bound to Dan anymore.

once again: good luck Dan! You deserve it.

Robert

[Cartimandua]

I'm just letting you know of the visceral reaction that results from that... to some, feeling like a ripping off of a part of Poly, since that's the name of the podcast.

This is ridiculous and immature, to say the very least.

[Asher]

This is ridiculous and immature, to say the very least.

Was certainly far more mature than this post of yours.

[DrSpike]

One point I want to clarify in preface: I transferred ownership in Apolyton -- I did not sell it. (If I had sold it, I would have said I sold it.)

As for my retaining ownership in the PolyCast series of podcasts, including its name, this was part of my transfer of ownership agreement with Robert. Not only is PolyCast the series' established name, but the name reflects its roots. Roots that I am proud of. I find it unbelievable that I am now being labeled by some as a "traitor", a deserter, and an all around someone who does not care about Apolyton. That could not be further from the truth; I guess that there will be always be critics who try to find fault with anything that others do.

As Robert or Jeroen would tell you, I have been quietly behind the scenes continuing to make this transition as smooth as possible. I am providing my time, energy and experience, to the extent that they wish, along with sufficient financial support to cover current operating expenses for the next several months. Before this, I put a considerable amount of time and emotional energy into ensuring new, clear ownership was set in place as I stepped aside. I did what I did because I care about ACS. Had I not cared about the continuation of Apolyton, I could have simply shut it down.

If you are disappointed in my decision to move PolyCast off of Apolyton's server, I can understand that. Nonetheless, I find that using that as a basis for calling into question my integrity within the Apolyton community, given my many years of freely devoted service to its development, is unfounded and disheartening to say the least. I believe that my record demonstrates that all I have done has always been in good faith and for the benefit of this community.

I have gone out of my way to explain my position on this matter because I want to impart, to the best of my ability, my reasons for it. It has been an emotional rollercoaster for me for months with regards to my decision to leave the Apolyton staff and administration, while aiming to stay involved in the Civilization community. As I have alluded to before, I would be disappointed if people were not disappointed that I was leaving my leadership position on Apolyton. But I am at a loss to understand why anyone would attack me or anyone else, personally, who made a similar decision.

There's nothing more that I can say to explain further what has been an extremely painful process for me.

Dan, we've disagreed on a few things (and I hope you learnt from each of them ) but I want to say please don't feel you have to explain yourself further. The worse thing you can do is get into a long debate with trolls here who care more about creating drama than they do about building community - something you have done far more to support than all of them put together.

[Hercules]

I broadly agree with Dr.Spike.

[Dinner]

The worse thing you can do is get into a long debate with trolls here who care more about creating drama than they do about building community - something you have done far more to support than all of them put together.

Jesus Christ, so now anyone who disagrees with your point of view is a troll? That's brilliant, that is.

[OzzyKP]

As I said to Robert and Jeroen, I came to the conclusion that it should be easier for them to establish themselves as Chief Owners/Administrators of Apolyton if I am more "out of the picture" publicly.

I'm still not entirely clear why continuing to host PolyCast on Apolyton would be harmful to the site or to the new administration. Is it a bandwidth issue?

I'm not suggesting you change the name of it, it is entirely yours and you retain full ownership and can do what you like with it. I think some of the feelings that you are turning your back on Apolyton would be mitigated by a clearer rationale for why you made the decision to take PolyCast to another site.

[Asher]

Jesus Christ, so now anyone who disagrees with your point of view is a troll? That's brilliant, that is.

DrSpike should read -Jrabbit's thread in the OT. His technique is obsolete, trolls in the 21st century have moved on from calling other people trolls and now call them liars.

DrSpike, if you cared about creating community you would do something for this site aside from asskiss the people who have decided to leave. Yes, Dan did a lot over the years and in a lot of ways I am grateful. But that's not relevant to this discussion. It is perfectly reasonable for Imran and others to explain why a lot of the people -- many of which are not what you dismissively call "trolls" -- feel that this is the wrong decision. The fact that Dan has done a lot for the site doesn't mean we can't discuss this or ask him to reconsider.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Especially if you know that Dan did this with the intention to help Apolyton moving on.

I'm not sure how much I buy this. I will echo Ozzy. How does this help Poly move on? I don't think our administrators would be intimidated by Dan being somewhere on the site.

[Straybow]

Fair winds and following seas, Dan.

[Krill]

While I'm the last person to comlain about PolyCast leaving and no longer tying up resources on Apolyton, I do feel the name should be changed; DanQ notes that PolyCast elludes to the beginnings, fair enough. But the name should also ellude to the present if that's the case.

ie PolyCast Emeritus etc

[Lancer]

Funny how the same people who berated the PolyCast are the ones who seem to most regret its loss. :drama:

Ahh well, life can be a little bit funny sometimes.

DQ Happy trails.

[Asher]

Funny how the same people who berated the PolyCast are the ones who seem to most regret its loss. :drama:

Ahh well, life can be a little bit funny sometimes.

DQ Happy trails.

Imran's the co-host and nye is a fan, last I checked.

I don't really care about it. As I've discussed in the OT, my opinions on Polycast are not favourable.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, really.. I don't see how I necessarily berated Polycast, when I've been trying to pimp up the show I'm on for years .