Ahoy-hoy. It's time for the fourth interview in our series. This one, again, will be different from all of the others for one big reason - I'm interviewing Silver. The two of us have/had so much we can discuss. This time, we chose to stick solely to NSFCD. Down the road, we'll get up closer and personal, dealing with great topics like why ladies love him, and how maiming people with a vehicle is. THIS IS THE LONGEST INTERVIEW YOU WILL EVER READ. Without further ado, I present Silverhawk79.
[spoiler]Let's start off by saying that we've known each other a long time. We've been working together since...October 2007. That's 2.5 years at this point.
Of course. We've known each other...yeah. It's been a while, heh. In fact, that number seems unreal to me still. It's hard to believe NSFCD has even been around that long.
You opened NSF in late September 07 after Metroid_Fan! was an idiot. Obviously, both were responses to NSider closing. You had some limited experience before though, running forums, am I not mistaken?
Right, I opened it after M_F! decided to become a tyrannical moron. And yes, I ran quite a few forums before that, so I had some experience. They never really took off though. I helped start Boyah, which was known as Level 1-1, then Powerspike, then Boyah. There was also SketchbookGFX, a graphics forum, that's surprisingly still going. I'm not involved with it anymore, though, and it's pretty much not anything like how I left it.
But yes, the previous forums helped me with running NSF at the beginning, but it didn't quite prepare me for the sheer number of people I had to deal with.
An interjection at this point - my first two interviews were users that weren't known to NSFCD. You're pretty well known as our founder. So, want to run down some of NSF's biggest moments - highs or lows?
Of course, the lowest of the low moment was our attempted domain theft by none other than our pal Snorkel/Judas back in the days when we were nsiderforums.net. He succeeded, to the tune of about $2000. Naturally, we didn't see a cent of it. Thank god we had a backup, otherwise we'd be dead already.
Then, there was hopping to Vaatixganon's server.
Yes, which was a pretty nice deal, actually. I didn't have to pay a cent, and we were there for about a year, with relatively few problems.
Would you count those among our best times, even with the activity decline from the beginning?
Yes. That was really our golden age, because we had NFES (Nintendo Forums Entertainment System) up and running. It was also one of our best times activity-wise, and everyone was pretty happy. If I could go back to those days, I probably would.
Of course, you'd promote me <3
Naturally. <3
Then, we had our merge with FCD, hence the CD on the end of our name.
Right. That went well, and boosted our activity even more. Of course, some people complained about it, but they got over it. We don't see the users all the time, though. We see Zies from time to time, and Orgizirtee actually posted the other day. Other than that, I don't think many of the FCD folks stuck around. It's unfortunate, but I think they felt out of place with the rest of us.
Kaso is still hanging, JBG, and a few others. Viv pops in here and there, as does Fish. And let's not forget Super and Dawei are also former FCDians.
Of course, and they're still awesome. :3
From then on though, we sort of kept getting hit with several blows. The WoW server being a rip off, transferring servers, Vaatix's depart...
Yeah. It seems like we're the only forum that's been through this much trouble. I guess it does show our resolve to keep plugging along in the face of all this, though. And oh god, the WoW server. That was so much wasted money. ;-;. The server transfer killed NFES (and lost us users), and Vaatix, well, that was a truly huge blow.
We're definitely a forum that's had some nasty lows. So, let's pick a few of our highest moments. Obviously, the opening of NSF.
Definitely. The member response was so huge that our initial server crashed within 5 minutes, haha. NFES, obviously stands out. The response was amazing, even though it was so delayed. I also believe this past March was a major high point, because we actually had a very huge spoke in activity. Granted, it was driven by you [ed's note: MYL, Rob, TK, and others were major players], but it was still amazing.
Still, NFES was awesome, and I hope we're able to get it back up and running sometime soon.
Could this be a hint for our summer plans?
Perhaps. It's definitely on the horizon, along with a possible addition to NFES, pending talks with TSK [Ed Note: the creator of virtualnes, and a staff member here for about a day.]
What do you think of our recent user loss in response to the activity of March?
It's a bit disheartening, really. We all rallied together to reach that goal, and then suddenly some of our key players left. I find their lack of faith...disturbing. *force choke*
Do you see the staff response of indifference as a drawback? Or one necessary for NSFCD to move on?
I think it's necessary, really. It sounds bad, but staff isn't supposed to be emotionally invested in matters, it skews their ability to make decisions. Also, I think that the departure of many users was a rash overreaction. I won't name names, but some of the reasons people left are just asinine.
Do you have anything you'd like to say to those users, en masse, right now? Keeping in mind, of course, it's nothing personal on either end?
I'd like to just say that they should give NSFCD a second chance and put their personal feelings aside. It's a bit silly to let one little thing ruin their forumgoing experience forever. Of course, I can't force anyone to come back, but it's somewhat of a personal appeal.
Let's talk another negative topic: Investment. This has always been an issue with us, and as it stands, we're not in good shape financially. Hell, even our investments of time are going to be an issue.
Heh. I've invested an ungodly amount of time to the site. I don't mind of course, because it's all for the good of the site, but the financial investment is a bit...hairier.
Using realistic numbers, how much would NSFCD need to stay alive another year?
Around $150, give or take a few. Our server bill is $12 a month, which is a very generous quote from our host. Multiply that by 12 and, well, that's $144. As it stands right now, we have a grand total of...$0 in Paypal, and I have about $80 in checking. So yeah, we could be in some real trouble if I receive the hosting invoice within the next month. This is the part of the interview where I sneakily beg for donations.
Brilliant!
(psst donate to silverhawk79@gmail.com)
We're really on a negative roll, so we may as well connect this one a bit more. A few members, both staff and not staff, have suggested that, perhaps, we should consider closing NSFCD down. Do you see this as something to consider?
No. The only reason I would ever close NSFCD down is if we were flat broke and had literally no other way to host the forums. I plan to keep them going for as long as possible, even if we drop to maybe 2 members online per day.
NSFCD will not be closing in the near future, then?
Not at all. I predict us lasting at least another 2 years, unless some catastrophic event causes us to shut down prematurely.
Then let's look to the future a little bit. First, 8th-Circuit.com is hosted by us. What do you think about the site? Do you think it's growth will be useful for NSFCD in the long run? Or will it just be a commensalist relationship?
I like the site, though admittedly I don't visit very often. It's not a reflection of the site's quality by any means, I just don't visit blogs too much. I do believe 8C's growth will benefit us in the future, for sure. There's a vast realm of possible joint ventures that we can do with them, such as contests, promotions, etc. I actually believe we have something set up with them in the future, but I can't remember off the top of my head.
We do, haha. That's why I deal with site relations. Speaking of that, our two ambassadors. What are your thoughts on our new program?
I think it's a pretty good idea. We have many "partner" sites that we have some sort of "stake" in, so to speak. PY was pretty innovative coming up with the idea.
Both sites we're pursuing interests in seem receptive of the idea.
Indeed. It reminds me a little bit of our earlier SIT program. Which is good, because after awhile, our whole SIT group stagnated and got bored. We don't want this happening with our Ambassador program. If it does, we'll just take 'em out back and shoot 'em....I mean <_<
In speaking with the other admins on Hadaway and Ichimonai, I've found that they seem interested in creating a network of sites. 8th-Circuit would likely be on board, too. Do you think this philosophy could be one NSFCD pursues in the future?
One of inter-site connectivity? Certainly. It would be a great way to expand and keep relevant, along with giving the other sites free exposure as well. The Ambassadors will be key in achieving this.
brb cat
also hi mack's kitty :3
Sticking more to NSF now, we have a bit of an issue this summer. You're gone. What's going on for you this summer?
I'll be gone for a little over 2 weeks for a Boy Scout trip to New Mexico. Philmont Scout Ranch, yeehaw. Gonna be hiking somewhere between 70-80 miles, believe it or not. (with a 40+ pounds of packs on).
That's pretty impressive. You can train for the Olympics with Computers. [Ed's note: brb biking]
Only if I don't get arrested for breaking Canadian boating laws first.
What's going to happen while you're gone?
Well, you will be temporarily in charge (scary, I know ), and hopefully nothing catastrophically horrible happens. If it does, well, I won't be able to help until somewhere around the 1st of August. I'm a little nervous, to be honest. D:
It is a scary thought D:
Then again, I've left for 10 days before, while at Scout camp.
Then, to top it off, I'll be gone as I move off to University.
Yeah. It's kind of a scary summer.
I think we have a few users in the same boat I'm in. Do you forsee this as an issue? A big group adapting to a new setting?
A little bit, but I don't think it will end up as big as we think it will. Of course, activity might drop a bit, since they'll be in college and won't have endless time to be on NSFCD. NOT LIKE THAT STOPPED ME LOL ;_;
Summer is looking to shape up nicely for us, sans our own departures, though. We have a few surprises in store...
Indeed we do, and I think the users will like them. I hope...
We tried Camp NSFCD before. It failed. Do you think a major event over the course of summer would work...say, The Amazing Race?
Yes, I think it'll work out nicely. Rob's Survivor game is going along surprisingly well, despite negative predictions from a certain someone *cough* :3 (Ed's note: I wonder who...) and Light's Big Brother game worked until it fell apart at the end, and he got lazy. So we can definitely handle larger forum games, as long as they're organized well.
It was also mentioned, not sure if you were there, that'd we'd try something called "Summer Nights" where one night every week we host a game event, trivia, and just generally chill. (A sleepover without being overnight, or an extended TF2 Bro Night) Do you think this is going to be something that will take off, or flop?
Sounds like it would work out nicely. I know a lot of users try to participate in our sleepovers, but they can never stay up all night (LIKE ME D: ). This would be a nice way to include everyone and boost activity, not to mention just a good way to have fun.
Activity wise, do you think summer will beat our March Madness?
Well...we can try, but it all depends on what we get going this summer, to be honest. I think if we try, we can do it easily. Of course, MYL, TK, and Rob helped spur that activity in a major way.
I think a big point of March Madness, to me anyways, was about showing what our community was capable of. Sure, it was organized to have prizes, and all of that. But the goal was to show that NSFCD is not dead. I recently showed you how many individual members log in every day.
The number honestly surprised me.
It's actually quite overwhelming, isn't it?
Yeah. A lot of them don't post in the super-popular boards (Power On, mostly), so nobody realizes that they're actually active.
How do you think we bridge that gap? These interviews are one way, obviously, but is there any other way? A few users have mentioned closing Power On for a day, offering up incentive for posting in other boards. More community wide activities, etc.
Closing Power On would be an interesting way of doing that, but it wouldn't be justified. Admittedly, I spend most of my time in Power On too. The board of the month is helping with this too, giving users an alternative to Power On and other such boards, along with highlighting various semi-neglected boards.
Most definitely. We saw a huge surge in Pokemon (HG/SS helped), and we're seeing favorable results. Anime discussion popped up, 1999 was amusing, and Power Down is still a part of our forum.
Definitely. The Pokemon board is incredibly active now, thanks to the new game and news of the new series already in the works.
Board of the Month was, largely, my idea to try. In all honesty though, we have done it before. First with E3, then with The Conduit. Are we straying too far from gaming with the new method, or is a return in order?
I think we've got a healthy mix of gaming and non-gaming going on right now, to be honest. I probably wouldn't change it up too much from what it currently is.
Board of the Month wise, is there anything you can announce (even though I run it :B)
Well, we're probably going to see the return of the E3 board, for E3 2010. Past that, we haven't made any decisions too far into the future, but we can promise that they'll be interesting enough to warrant discussion. Especially since my knitting board got shot down. ;(
Next month's is set as well, if I'm not mistaken. I can say it's actually a returning board - do you think it will be a hit?
I think it will be, especially with several major series receiving new games in the near future. As for which series it will be, I think it would be more fun to let you all guess on what it will be.
Haha. Wow, it's been quite the NSFCD chat for the past while. Let's end it with one more related discussion. Pick your poison sir. Any NSFCD related topic you like.
How about...your face. >:3
You know as well as I do, it is coming. In fact, regardless of the results of "The Game is Afoot". I think now is as good a time as any to clarify that we're trying to compensate for missing out on Easter where we had an Egg hunt planned.
Yeah, that kind of fell through. I was a bit disappointed, but we didn't plan it through too much.
From what you know of the challenge, would you consider "Afoot" to be difficult?
I know of some of the details of it, and I still think it's difficult as hell. If people can't solve it, will you show your face, regardless?
Yes, but I would like to see a good effort at it. It's all in good fun. In fact, this is a precursor to what's coming later this year.
I'm sure the users are relieved about that.
So yeah, you'll see my pic. As always though, it's on my terms.A point of interest about the game is that after the "88" is figured out, it has one more half.
Just don't come crying to me when Mack really is a cat. |:
I'm hairless
A cat's a cat. :3
That said, here's another tip sleuths - this interview is chock full of necessary bits of tid for completing my challenge.
Finally, this whole chat has been discussion of NSFCD. Of course, that's to be expected when you're dealing with two administrators of the site. Let's leave it to say that this interview, for everyone's sanity
is Part 1 of 2. This one, on NSFCD. The next, a more personal introspection in what makes Silver tick
The next interview will be terrifying. Just you wait.
Do you have any closing remarks?
Not really, except ur mr ghey <3
<3
That's Silver!
Wow, this Silver fellow sounds fascinating.
I'd shake his hand if I ever met him.
Believe it or not, I actually reminisced while reading this interview.
Oh cool, two separate nods to me, Myl, and TK.
Also, thanks for the faith in Survivor, MACK.
Silver ily.
[USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST].
This is the boss and I'm sick of waiting
I want Pikachu and this time don't screw it up
Good interview. It made me remember things.
[spoiler]huge spoke in activity[/spoiler]
Cool interview, bro.
I should be next. :3
I thought I was going to be interview #4. </3
Oh boy, my only mention in the interview is how "lazy" I am. :| Thanks a lot, Silver. >:(
But in all seriousness, good interview. It's one of the few that actually kept me reading the whole time.
Quote from: Light on April 24, 2010, 01:38:25 PM
Oh boy, my only mention in the interview is how "lazy" I am. :| Thanks a lot, Silver. >:(
But in all seriousness, good interview. It's one of the few that actually kept me reading the whole time.
I still <3 you. :3
Nicely done and an interesting idea, these interviews. I wouldn't mind having one of these, if it's possible in the future. It could bring the users here some insight to what Ichi is, how Ichi works and who I am. (maybe in a different order)
Quote from: Potestas on April 29, 2010, 07:57:08 AM
Nicely done and an interesting idea, these interviews. I wouldn't mind having one of these, if it's possible in the future. It could bring the users here some insight to what Ichi is, how Ichi works and who I am. (maybe in a different order)
I'd love to do one in the future, but not too soon. It's something I can bring over to Ichi with the right touch.
Quote from: Sherlock on May 01, 2010, 10:27:28 PM
I'd love to do one in the future, but not too soon. It's something I can bring over to Ichi with the right touch.
No problem. Do everything in your own pace.