This interview was originally done for the MystWorlds site.
Kha’tie: Thank you so much for agreeing to answer some of our questions, Tweek!
Tweek: My pleasure.
Kha’tie: Your D’ni Jazz Club Site has recently undergone an interesting change… Can you tell us the history of the DJC and what changes it’s undergoing now?
Tweek: Certainly. I started D’ni Jazz Club six years ago. It was then called Stoneship and was hosted on tripod. It was my hope to bring all information regarding the Myst universe into one place. Over time the site expanded and changed as all things do. Finally, we moved to our own domain and started focusing on just the games themselves. i.e. storyline, characters and walkthroughs.
Randomos: I have to say Tweek, I’ve always love the title of the site, and the idea of a D’ni Jazz Club.
Tweek: Thank you.
Randomos: Great idea there, how did it come about?
Tweek: Yes, the name came from back in the days of RivenGuild. On the Lyst one would find people signing emails “Bob Guild Master of the Guild of Bob’s etc” I jokingly put D’ni Jazz Clubs as my Guild and that’s where the name came from.
Kha’tie: You raise an interesting point above… Many Myst fans seem to have a real desire to make sites which pull a lot of the fragments together in one place, and you’re no different. Now that there have been several attempts, are you going to create a site for a smaller, more specific need?
Tweek: Yes. We are focusing on a few things we believe the Community would find helpful.
Kha’tie: Is that answer meant to be RAWA-esque?
Tweek: Well six years in the community has its side effects…just ask my therapist.
Kha’tie: There are several other sites found at the DJC. Can you tell us about “Beneath”? It’s so beautiful.
Tweek: Beneath started back in the Uru Beta test. It was a hidden site that was going to house my Journals after the NDA had been lifted. It was delayed and ended up being an In Character section of the site that houses journals and forums and information about The Third Path.
Randomos: So people can have a place to continue their experience of the cavern?
Tweek: Yes, Originally the Third Path side of things was going to be a fan based story set in Uru Live. Indeed it was already being put into action when Uru Live ended. We felt it would be nice to carry on regardless giving people the choice of expressing their journeys in D’ni and continuing like we were all exploring together.
Kha’tie: Will the new incarnation focus primarily on Uru? On Revelation? Or on both?
Tweek: The site has split into “sub sites” as it were. We have the KI Exchange, The Cannen, Guild of Historians and Beneath. The site isn’t really focusing on just the games themselves anymore it is more focused on aspects of the games. We have Images, Music, Story and People…all the things that are part of the games. Except Mystery, of course…but I’m sure we could fix something up for that “What colour socks is Tweek wearing today?” or something of the sort. ^_^
Randomos: Tweek, this touches on something that we discussed briefly when we first met- what changes in the community have you seen?
Tweek: A lot.
Randomos: I’ve wondered about your socks!
Tweek: RivenGuild closing, to the joker on the Lyst and Uru Live closing. Many changes, some good and some bad. It’s nice to see we have grown so much and there are so many more sites out there. Socks are a sign of oppression…liberate your feet and go bare footed. Cyan acknowledges this of course…that’s why you can have bare feet in Uru.
Randomos: Tweek, you are one of the most liberated people I know!
Tweek: Why, thank you.
Randomos: What is your interest in creating the Jazz Club? Why do you do it? I know you put enormous creativity and effort into the site.
Tweek: I think it’s a case of I want to do my part for the community and for the fans, give them something to enjoy and explore. It has become a hobby which I enjoy doing. Lately with all my real-life issues it’s been something to focus and concentrate on to get my mind off of things I’d much rather not dwell upon.
Randomos: It is a fantastic community- and so much a part of it is the efforts of people like you who give so much to it.
Tweek: It has not been easy…but these things never are. The recent closing of the original DJC and yesterdays crash and loss of the forums have been trying to say the least.
Randomos: Let’s touch on that- why did you decide to close the original DJC?
Tweek: Yes, It is a fantastic community. I have met many great people from my time here, including my girlfriend. I have always taken a laid back attitude with DJC…it’s there for people to enjoy. I’m not overly concerned with traffic etc…but getting some traffic continued to give me confidence that the site was still being viewed etc. Other sites branched out…and kind of sapped up the traffic we were getting. I felt that we didn’t stand a chance against the other sites so we closed the site. Of course, I didn’t want the site to close, so the following maddening quest was to find purpose to DJC followed as I’m sure both of you remember.
Randomos: Oh yes- and I’m really thrilled by the directions you’ve decided to go. The new site is very beautiful.
Tweek: I would just like to take this moment and say thank you for your ideas. I don’t think DJC would be around otherwise.
Randomos: Most welcome, always… I think we share a great regard for the people here. I should know this, and I’ll apologize- who has helped you with the site? We should give a mention, and maybe ask if you are looking for new assistance?
Tweek: Aside from you, Ron and Kha’tie. There is Odo’Ital, Tijara and Tech, Kehra, Jenny, Nomie and a lot more names…but this is not the Oscars and I’m not going to cry sorry…
Randomos: LOL, that’s probably good!
Tweek: No, the old team are staying on and we have had a new member join (Jenny from the Guild of Greeters) who is a fellow D’ni historian. She’s working with me on the Guild of Historians section.
Randomos: Great- How do you see the site developing in the future?
Tweek: The future is uncertain…I still have the question popping up as to am I doing the right thing or shall I let DJC lie. I’m optimistic yes but not at the same time…but I’m that way with everything ^_^ I hope it will prove to be a success. I’d like to hear people talk about sharing their KI Images at the Exchange or new news about the soundtracks being up at the Cannen. It means I’ve made an impact that people like to see and talk about…if their happy then so am I.
Randomos: I think they will be, to say the least! Certainly, for me, I’ve always had the dream of wandering into a beautiful, half-lit space, with Miles Davis playing and a number of people sitting around chatting (and having beverages…).
Tweek: Yes…well if I can steal back the Kahlo Tavern then one day the DJC will be back fully MUHAHAHAH erm.
Randomos: That is the DJC for me- I still want to go. It’s a great image of the community and part of what I find here. Ah we all have our dreams!
Tweek: Indeed we do.
Randomos: Anything else to add, Tweek? Anything you want to say to the folks?
Tweek: hmm? just one thing… Please guys…stop complaining about every little thing Cyan and Ubisoft do…These things happen such is life, but by becoming the community of complainers you are taking the fun out of it for everyone else, is that really fair? Perhaps you forget all that Cyan and Ubisoft has done for us? I haven’t and I will stick by what both teams do and decide. Sorry, I just felt that needed addressing.
Randomos: Much appreciated… a lot of people have worked really hard and we try to do the best we can. There have been disappointments, for sure, but it does mean a lot to all of us.
Tweek: No problem.
Randomos: Thanks to you too- what you do means a lot also! The DJC is a very sweet spot to hang out for a while, with some wonderful people doing great stuff.
Randomos: Thanks for talking to us today! Though we seem to have lost Katie mid way, I know we’re both grateful. Best to you Tweek, and to the D’ni Jazz Club!
Tweek: Thank you for giving me this chance to talk to you all.
Randomos: That was great! Thanks Tweek…
Tweek: My pleasure.