OntheFence

tadpole256 · Sponsored Links

First, I would like to apologize for the excessively long delay between the first and second interviews. I will work hard to ensure that does not happen again...

This week's interview is with our lead Moderator, the self declared "Warden" of the site, OnTheFence...

1) Your name is Todd, but you post on the site as "onthefence". Did you choose that name in reference to your stance as a political moderate, or because you were "on the fence" about the site when you started?

It is a definite reference to my political stance. I go left or right depending on the issue.

I can’t even remember if left or right is liberal or conservative, I am
on the fence so I don’t get stuck on one side or the other.

2) You are currently a site administrator, and the appointed "Warden" of the site, but what do you do in real life?

Did you like “Grouchy Bastard” better? I am Operations Manager of a
midsized [sic] Direct Mail Marketing Company, (that’s my Day job) I am also
partner (with my Brother, my Father just retired) in a Mobile DJ Company

3) I know you are deeply involved with you're children and serve as
their scout master. How do you enjoy that? What are your opinions on scouting?

I am a Webelos Den Leader, My oldest Son is a Webelo 1 Scout (4th
grade). It’s fun with a purpose, it has been very rewarding to me to
watch them transform from a bunch crazy kids .I truly enjoy Scouting,
the big joke among leaders is “it’s only one hour a week”

I have met so many great people, adults and kids. I am not going to get
on my soapbox about Scouting, but it is a great organization that does
great things that you never hear about. You only ever hear about
Scouting when something bad happens.

4) How does your family feel about your participation on Defending the Truth?

To quote my son, “your on stupid Defending the Truth again?!?! Get me
some ice cream”

5) You've been with DtT since it began. Did you think it would make it
this far?

Honestly no, it was kind of discouraging at first, we “knew” just about
everyone that joined at first it Fun to try to figure out who everybody
was by how/what they posted.

Most of that first wave of members got bored and moved on. It wasn’t
until the second wave of members where we started getting people signing
up from all around the country that I thought this might go somewhere.

6) I know that you are a friend of Jon's (RidinHighSpeeds) family, how
did you get involved with DtT?

Jon and I used to work together. We spent many days chatting about
everything and anything, I didn’t think twice about joining when Jon
sent me the link to check it out.

It was much different than the site you see today.

7) How has your continued participation on the site effected you? Has it made you reconsider any of your own views?

Somebody always posts something that makes me at least rethink my
position, maybe not always change it.

8) If your wife were a DtT member, would you have trouble "moderating" her?

I would hope she wouldn't need "moderating"... ...let me go see if she needs any moderating now.

9) As an Admin, you not only have to moderate the users, but also the mods & super-mods, myself included... How do you feel about that?

How do you feel about it?

10) As it stands DtT makes just enough money to cover costs... None of us are really making any profit, would you describe your efforts to
improve the site as "a labor of love"?

People make money doing this?!?!?!

11)How did you meet your wife? How long have you been married? When are you going to encourage her to sign on to DtT?

She was the friend of a friend and we used to wind up at the same places and she worked at the coffee shop I used to get my coffee at every morning.

Our first date came about after Hurricane Bob in 1991, my Dad had tickets to see Ziggy Marley, but because of the hurricane 2 million people were without electricity so he had to work. Score 2 tickets to Ziggy for Todd.

I could not find anybody to go with me.

The morning of the show I was getting my coffee, I told her to cancel her plans she was going with me to the show.

We had a great time and have been together ever since. We've been married for 12+ years.

Let me sleep on that last one

12) You are a Navy man, you served your country with honor as a Mineman, what was that like? How did that impact your personal views, and does it influence your beliefs today?

Actually I was an Interior Communications Electrician. I served on 3
Mine Sweepers. MSO’s (Mine Sweep Ocean) were 172 feet of cutting edge
1950’s mine countermeasure technology….did I mention they were made of
wood?

13) You left the Navy a long time ago, would you serve again in today's
Navy?

Yes, I think I would.

14) What do you think is DtT's greatest strength? It's greatest weakness?

(No Answer Given)

15) Please explain your avatar, is that you're daughter?

Yes that is my Daughter, we were on vacation in the happiest place on
earth. She was pouting about not being able to do something or get
something, I told her there is no pouting at Disney World. My son
snapped the pic. He wants to know why I don’t use a picture of him for
my avatar.

16) Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Where do you see DtT in 5
years? Do you think you'll still be involved then?

I’m a plugger, I can’t see that far into the future, I imagine I will
still be here.

17) Did you participate in any online forums before DtT?

Sure, SA (when it was free), [H]ardforums, overclockers, anandtech,
Tweak3d, Genmay, TFT project, ProDJ, DJAdvantage, BBQ4U, Tradersden, …..
I’m sure there are more

18) As a moderator, what do users do that annoys you the most?

If I told you they might stop doing it, or they might do it more…

19) If the election was held today, who would you support and why?

I haven’t gotten there yet…

I really want to vote for a Democrat, Hillary and Obama don’t really do
it for me.

I think I am leaning toward Guiliani, since he tried to clear up his
stance on abortion I like him more.

20) Do you have anything you'd like to say to the entire DtT community?

Thanks, DtT would be nothing without it’s members. Y’all come back now
ya’hear.

Next week, I'll be interviewing another one of our longest lasting members, Jaaaman! Be sure to check back next week! As always, thank you for visiting and participating at Defending the Truth!

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