Editor's note: An article written by an anonymous writer this week.
A couple of weeks ago we saw a change in staffing at The Buzz as ShyGuy announced his retirement from the role of Bootleggers Buzz Editor. For many this was a shame to see and I felt that this deserved more of a mention than it got so lets start at the beginning.
On July 27th 2012 ShyGuy was officially promoted to Buzz Editor and his retirement came approximately one year and one week on from this date, in other words, an extremely long stay. No one can deny that this was a lengthy term in office but what exactly does the Buzz Editor do? Well for some of our newer readers, the Buzz Editor is in charge of ensuring that an issue is published every Sunday. Certainly in ShyGuy's case this was the minimum he would do. There was much more to do week on week. A standard buzz week usually started by brainstorming ideas that we might want to write about and assigning topics to cover. As the week progresses it is the Editors job to ensure everything is on track, chase up anything which is late, ensure the articles read well, cover the points that are required and generally make sure that the buzz covers the important issues of the week.
Enough of what the job of our barmy buzz brigade entails, though, lets move onto where we tracked down our Ex Editor, ShyGuy for a chat about his highlights, memories and favourite issues. "Well ShyGuy, thanks for joining me here at Buzz HQ. You spent a lot of time as the editor, what would you say your highlight has been?". ShyGuy said "Now that's an extremely hard question." Well he's not kidding but we pushed him for an answer. "I think I have to pick the first published issue by me and FlameS, who was also a Buzz Editor at that time." ShyGuy told us. Indeed, the first issue published must be a special moment but who is this FlameS mentioned? Well for those who don't know, FlameS was the co editor of the Buzz and an HDO to boot! Unfortunately FlameS disappeared without trace and so the job of editing fell solely to ShyGuy. A slightly daunting task as we're sure you will agree but one that he did not shy away from.
A lot of time and effort goes into producing a single issue of the Buzz. Many are critical of the work that is done but I think it is important to remember that the writers and editors do it only for their own enjoyment and to ensure that the buzz continues running. We asked ShyGuy to give us a brief idea of how the Buzz will run in an average week. "The Buzz is pretty simple. As the most of the players know, all Buzz Writers have an additional forum; the Buzz Forum. Once a writer wants to write about a certain subject, like a shooting, he/she creates a topic. All writers can post information about that certain object in that specific topic. Whenever the writer is finished with the article the Editor gives him/her permission to submit the article for the next issue." With all the issues that he has helped to produce over his time as the chief, we through caution to the winds and asked ShyGuy another tricky question in the form of what his favourite issue had been. "I don't have a specific issue in mind," ShyGuy told us "however at one time only two players (myself included) were part of the Buzz Team. At that we were still able to publish amazing issues. I think one of these issues would be my favourite. But hey; all the issues were amazing!"
So we've established that ShyGuy put in a lot of hard work, time and effort as well organising a rowdy rabble of reprobates but what made him choose to step down from a position that he was so well suited to? Well we put exactly this question to him. "My full time job starts at the beginning of September. I want to focus on that, so I probably do not have any time to lead the Buzz. Also, it was not really a challenge anymore. I did not have a 'wow-feeling' after a Buzz was published". We can hardly blame him after a year of commitment. We asked if there was any advice he would pass on to our new Buzz Editor. "Keep in mind that Bootleggers is a game and when your job feels like an obligation then it is time to quit". Stirling advice for any aspect of the game and one which holds true for many of the Buzz Writers, help desk operatives, moderators and admins of Bootleggers.
There is no doubt that ShyGuy has left the Buzz with a lavish legacy. He has always been pushing hard to ensure that the Buzz is improved, whether it be suggesting new features for the readers or easier publishing for the writers there has only been one goal whilst ShyGuy has been at the helm and that is that every Sunday, the players of Bootleggers have an interesting Buzz issue to read. Having once written for an extended period under his leadership I can assure the community that there has certainly not been a more committed Buzz Editor this round as there has with ShyGuy running the show. He will be missed from the team and we can but hope that our new editor takes some tips and tricks from what is sure to be a hard act to follow.
Thanks to the Buzz for publishing and ShyGuy for the interview.
Editor's note: An article written by an anonymous writer this week.
