Interview #1 Lenny Interviewed by: Granger Date of Interview: 4/09/12 Follow ConverseMB on Twitter
Granger : Hey Lenny thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me today. How are you? Lenny : Sleep deprived. Thanks for having me.
Granger : So tell me how was life growing up as a kid? Was there anything you remember that has always stuck with you to this day? Lenny : No one wants to hear about my boring childhood. Let's get to the juice.
Granger : Okay that's fine with me. So when did you first get into forums? At what time did you start deciding that it was time to administer your own forum? Lenny : Ummmm. I got into forums around 2005. I started off with a gaming forum called "Videogame Network" on Forumer until I moved over to InvisionFree in 2006.
Granger : What was the first forum you registered on when you moved to InvisionFree, and what was the first forum you created on the software? Lenny : It was actually still "The Videogame Network" - we did really well. We had a really tightknit community....I still have some of those guys as friends on my Facebook.
Granger : How did that forum die out? What were the final stats of the forum? Lenny : The forum died out when I left it for ZNB. The final stats were 22,712 posts and 205 members on the IF version. And around 15K on the Forumer version.
Granger : Why did you decide to leave the forum? What was the point behind making ZNB? Lenny : Running two forums was too time consuming. ZNB had more potential and I was starting to lose interest in videogames - so I just closed down VGN and moved on. Ultimately, I made ZNB because I loved to report and I thought a news forum would be fun.
Granger : How long have you been interested in reporting? How hard was it to start ZNB off when you first thought of the idea? Lenny : For a really long time! Which is why ZNB was such a great help to me. Ummmm...I started exploring the concept of opening my own news forum around 2006 when the InvisionFree News Network was open. I spent the next two years figuring out the direction of ZNB, building hype of it...I wanted everything to be perfect.
Granger : Why did you want everything to be perfect on ZNB? Lenny : Because I hate half-assing things. I hate people who open 7 forums within one month. If I'm going to do something, I want to do it right.
Granger : So when you opened ZNB it was a success? For those that don't know what ZNB is mind telling them what ZNB stands for? Lenny : Yeah the forum was amazing. The opening days were so successful. ZNB stands for the Zathyus News Broadcast (although when it opened it was called the Zetaboards News Broadcast - ZBNB).
Granger : How many phases were there to ZNB, and how long was it open for? What made it stick out from other forums that made the members stay? Lenny : It opened in July 2008 and closed in March 2011. ZNB had too many phases to count. LOL. It probably stood out because it was a neutral forum. It wasn't just about design, or advertising or videogames - it gave everyone the opportunity to meet up in a neutral setting.
Granger : What were some features on ZNB that were new to the foruming world? Lenny : Probably the use of BB code tables for the news stories on the "Newspaper" theme. People tried so hard to replicate them but couldn't. Helios was amazing for all his hard work and help on that forum.
Granger : How many staff members were on ZNB in total? Who worked the hardest to help make ZNB what it was in it's glory days? Lenny : Again, too many to note. LOL. We went through reporters like water. And all of the main staff members worked hard to make ZNB what it was....they know who they are.
Granger : What made ZNB die down? What was the reason for closing it, or how did it close? Lenny : ZNB closed because Reid wants to act immature. ZNB closed because ZNSupport wants to act like ZNB was some meance to the network. I mean, if the snowglobe wasn't as influential -- then why did they consider ZNB's reports, or actions so important? There are tons of forums out there that get away with much worse. Maybe if ZNSupport focused less about what ZNB was saying about them, ZNR wouldn't be dead...and Zetaboards wouldn't be living in the social media darkages.
Granger : So you think it is ZNSupport that caused the closing? Lenny : I don't think. I KNOW. I have the entire conversation from the ZNSupport staff room. Cody from Outline actually celebrated ZNB getting shutdown, smh.
Granger : Well that's interesting. What was your reaction when ZNB got shut down? Lenny : My reaction was.....Mixed. On one side, I was happy that I didn't have all that responsiblity. On the other side, I knew I fucked up but was still angry that ZNS took it as far as they did.
Granger : Some people say ZNB also closed because of all the drama and trolls that were on the forum. Do you agree with this statement or do you disagree, and why? Lenny : It closed because we had an empty leaks forum. So I disagree with that statement.
Granger : After ZNB you decided to make a sequel forum to ZNB called ZNDispatch. What was the point in making this forum? Lenny : Good question! LOL. ZNB getting shutdown left a bad taste in my mouth. Dispatch was like a rebound -- and we all know that rebounds rarely work out.
Granger : How long did Dispatch last, and was this your last forum that you were ever going to do since it didn't work? Lenny : Dispatch lasted for a few months....and yeah, that was my last forum.
Granger : Winding down a bit from ZNB and forums one last question about foruming. In your opinion what makes a successful forum, and why? Lenny : Dedication. If you're dedicated, you won't let it fail.
Granger : Now onto a few random questions before we close. What do you currently do in your life? What is are your goals and assets for your future? Lenny : I'm currently the Editor at my college paper! Super crazy, but fun. I hope to go into the media one day - but I'm not sure in what specific role.
Granger : Do you watch any TV shows or movies? If so, what are your favorites? Lenny : TV: New Girl, Glee, X-Factor U.S., 90210. LOL. I like lots of shows though. Movies: Mission Impossible 4, Live Free Die Hard, Spiderman 2, Toy Story 3. LOL.
Granger : If you could write a letter to your past self or future self, what would you say and why? Lenny : I would say....relax and don't get hung up on what other people think!
Granger : What kind of music do you listen to? Do you have a favorite artist or song? Lenny : The Queen of Pop, Britney Jean Spears. Bow to the pop legend.
Granger : Thanks for the interview Lenny. I appreciate it. Have a good day! Lenny : Thanks for having me!
Interviewed by: Granger
Date of Interview: 4/09/12
Follow ConverseMB on 
5:09 AM May 19