Helios 31.5: Garbarsardar's Garble
Good afternoon! Today we have a special edition of the Helios for you; an interview with the new site owner, Mr. G. Barsardar, or Garb to his friends (i.e., not us). Elrond got down and dirty with the TWCenturion, so I'll hand you over promptly...
Garbarsardar: An interview
1) Tell us a bit about your self
I am Greek, married to a malaypolynesian girl, I teach Clinical Psychopharmacology in a Taiwanese University and I don't read and cook as much as I would like to. My favourite movie is Der müde Tod by Fritz Lang and I wish I was driving a Citroen DS.
2) When and why did you join TWC?
I had no idea about the game. I was searching for some information on Rome and I found TWC. At the time (spring 2005) there was a petition towards CA by Spartan (the Administrator) about the save/load bug and other issues. That drew my attention first because I sensed that there is a community here and not simply another fanboyistic website. Then I bought R:TW...
3) What is your favourite forum within TWC?
Different forums at different times. Apart from the modding fora that changed depending on the mod I was trying, once it was the Symposium. People don't understand that anymore but it was actually an honour to post there. Later VV and the 'pit.
4) When did you first join the staff?
May 1st 2006. I was "hired" by Archer (HorserArcher) the then Admin.
5) Why did you buy TWC?
Well, it's a long story. I had some part in the acquisition of the site by Ian. The initial idea was that a group of people could contribute money and buy the site from ON . Amongst them, Ian, Sim, Seneca, Mimirswell, professor420,Tac, Lusted and others. Things evolved too fast and at the critical moment the only one who had the money and the opportunity (and the guts, I might add) to do it was Ian. Since then Ian and the Hex did a tremendous job and I believe that they upheld the principles of the original plan:openness and accountability. 6 months ago Ian felt stressed and tired by his role and was thinking about selling TWC. I bought so it does not change. With that purpose and this promise to Ian and Hex and now in public to all of you. My main fear is that TWC would be bought by someone not sharing Ian's and the Hex's principles. That is the plain truth.
6) How long do you think you will own it for?
As long as I am able to perform my task. If I ever sell it it will be again to "one of us". And by that I mean any Hex member of the past year or so.
7) Why was your ownership kept secret for 6 months?
Because I was not ready either mentally or practically to assume the role of the owner and because the best person for this role could still be at the helm. If Ian was not really tired probably you would never know I bought it.
8) What do you like most about being Site owner?
Nothing. There is nothing to like. I had tons of fun before and I cannot even troll in the 'pit now. I hope that I will find a way to like my role, in time.
9) What do you like least about being Site owner?
The fact that Ian is not. And the anxiety for income, servers, ads and all that. But with this Hex in place and the Staff we have now, I am much less anxious than a week ago.
10) Where do you see the curia in one year?
That is up to the Curia. I see it exactly where it is now. I hope I'm wrong.
11) Many people are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the curia and its helpfulness to the site – where do you stand on the issue?
The Curia, in my view was the acting consciousness of the site. It was the common ground that would not let us falter and fail. And indeed all the present Staff and Hex was produced through the Curia and all our principles were generated by our interaction in the Curia. And yes it was pedantic at times, and yes there was endless bickering but it somehow worked. Of course there was the issue of the "absentee landlord" that was the "common enemy" that binded the Curia together. After Ian, the owner was one of us and there was no "enemy". The Curia devolved. Personally, I would like an active Curia even if that meant that I would have to take tons of flak.
12) What do you think is the way forward for the curia?
Devolution. The structure has to reflect the needs of the site and it should be flexible with specific departments and specific tasks as the CdeC is at the moment.
13) Do you think the Curia should be given more power, less power or the same that it has now?
I think that the Curia should be given nothing. I think that it should take it by demonstrating that it deserves it.
14) What has been your greatest achievement at TWC?
I think the Artifex rank that permitted to the modders to participate more (and to have a shiny badge.) The new Tribunal.
15) What is your main regret at TWC?
The ten times or so that I resigned from staff in anger. My failure to perform properly my role as SotH.
16) Who have influenced you the most at TWC?
I have no idea! I know from which people I have been influenced the most. Sibs, Smack, imb39, WBK, JIT, Lusted, Soren and Mimirswell. And I'm sure that there are more.
17) Who do you think has had the biggest effect on this site?
My heart says Ian but my mind says Sim. Actually one would have done nothing without the other.
18) The only criticism I have of imb39s ownership was that it was incredibly boring at times – he put stability and good management over real change and I believe he put the most neutral people in power rather than the best – Will things under the leader of the famous staff coup? Will elements of the 2006 way of running the site return?
Not only boring but worst than that: ethical. I will try my best to overthrow the current ownersh...(damn!). Seriously now, I don't understand the concept of "real change". The site is functional, there is accountability and I think that the best people get the job. The reason that there is no drama is simply that all decisions at all levels are the product of discussion and not gut reactions to illusionary perceptions of events, as it was in the past. I am open to any proposal about anuthing on the site and so is Hex.
19) Many argue that nationalism is ruining the mudpit - my editorial against nationalism at TWC has proved to be very popular – I personally think that the worst nationalists should be put on probation so when they flame they will be away from the site for a long period of time – do you think there is a better solution?
That would be a good idea if nationalism (or rather phobic nationalism because there is nothing inherently bad with a little pride for your birthplace) was a matter of specific members. It is not. Nationalism is a fluctuating value on TWC and largely depends on examples given by the most experienced or respected members. Moderation cannot be bound to ideological concepts. The only solution is active moderation and considerate interventions. That or we'll become stormfront.
20) How do you think the TW section can be improved?
By giving to the modders whatever they need. And by involving them in the decision-making process. And by letting them a considerable degree of latitude in running their fora. And by getting a new server...
21) What was the first TW game that you played?
RTW (SPQR). Inever played vanilla. Later I discovered XL for MTW.
22) What is your favourite mod?
MTW:XL
RTW: EB, FATW and SPQR because it was my first love.
M2TW: Although SS has tuned the game almost to perfection BC is another game.
23) Apart from the TW series what games do you play?
HOI2(HSR), EU3. But not since May...
24) What is the best advice you can give to a new citizen or member?
What you are here echoes in real life. Always.
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Thanks Elrond, and thankyou Garb. I hope you enjoyed this mini edition, and see you in a few days for Helios 32!
Originally Posted by Freddie
I of course kid about the last bit, but not really. 
