IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Danny is an outspoken webmaster, an excellent writer, and will often get involved in a good debate on the boards on some of the most important industry issues…

YNOT: Welcome to YNOT’s “In The Spotlight”, Danny! Can you kick things off for everyone with a little bit of information on the companies you work for?

Danny: I work for Pulse Web Ventures, the parent company that owns XXX Storage, Adult Webmaster Gold, and a variety of adult websites.IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Danny is an outspoken webmaster, an excellent writer, and will often get involved in a good debate on the boards on some of the most important industry issues…

YNOT: Welcome to YNOT’s “In The Spotlight”, Danny! Can you kick things off for everyone with a little bit of information on the companies you work for?

Danny: I work for Pulse Web Ventures, the parent company that owns XXX Storage, Adult Webmaster Gold, and a variety of adult websites. I manage the website portion of the business. A couple of my primary functions include editing and marketing for Adult Webmaster Gold.

YNOT: What is your mission for Adult Webmaster Gold?

Danny: The mission of Adult Webmaster Gold is to encourage forward movement and innovation in the industry, to promote ethical business practices, to give guidance and instruction, and to invite open debate on all issues. We have a number of changes in the works to accentuate these goals.

YNOT: What makes Adult Webmaster Gold unique?

Danny: Well, at a time when the Net is inundated with resource sites, it’s hard to stay entirely unique. After several years of trying to stay ahead, I’ve finally settled into a role I feel comfortable with. I decided to focus on the things I do best. I’m a philosophy student, I’m a free thinker, I’m a creative person, and I love debate. So my goal, which is already underway, is to transform AWG into a hub for progressive thought, innovative ideas, and intellectual debate. Of course, we’ll still have resource listings, articles, and news, but we’re also going to bring questions and ideas to the attention of our visitors that other resources either avoid or haven’t thought about.

YNOT: Sounds good! Fortunately even though there are plenty of resource sites out there, the focus is often different with many of them, but of course actual useful resources are nice!

Say, just out of curiosity, what kinds of activities and hobbies are you into, before I start hitting you with the ‘hard’ questions…

Danny: I’m a writer, a philosophy student, a musician, and a kung fu master (OK, far from a master, but I’m working on it).

I like b-movies, mostly horror and kung fu. I read quite a bit – my favorite writer is Frank Herbert, who was a genius. I listen to music constantly… mostly experimental groups like Mr. Bungle, John Zorn, Skinny Puppy, Fantomas, The Melvins, Techno Animal, and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. And I love playing computer games. If anybody wants to play some Medal of Honor, get in touch with me!

YNOT: Very Interesting. You should get together with YNOTBob if you haven’t already when it comes to games like Medal of Honor.

Alrighty then… I know you have been around for a while. How did you get started in the biz?

YNOT: That’s kind of funny that your wife suggested you do a gay webcam, as opposed to you trying to convince her yourself. Got any other funny stories?

Danny: Well, my wife and I went to the Party at the Mansion at IA2000 [Editors Note: Internext was formerly called IA2000] a few years ago, which to this day was one of the craziest tradeshow parties I’ve been to. We had been hanging out with a couple of temporary industry high rollers (long story), and they wanted to go check out the fetish show in the pavilion out back. Of course, we were all drunk, and one of the guys with us thought it would be fun to volunteer to get whipped… particularly after he saw the girl who was doing the whipping. So he let them tie him up, and stuck his ass out to be whipped. But suddenly the girl turned and left the pavilion… and in came a huge 6’ 6” transvestite to replace her. Of course, he started screaming for them to let him go, but it was too late. The transvestite started wearing away at his ass for a good 3 or 4 minutes before they finally let him go. I think he was pretty embarrassed and pissed off (understandably), but for us, it was one of the funniest things we’d ever seen.

YNOT: Too hilarious!

Now, let’s get into some serious discussion here. I happen to personally know that you are an excellent writer and debater when it comes to important issues. Let me ask you, what changes would you like to see made in the adult Internet industry, and perhaps what areas need to be improved in your opinion?

Danny: I’d like to see us take some responsibility for our actions, and start turning our attention to the future. Most of us in the industry are now career adult webmasters. If we want to protect our careers, we have to begin thinking about self-regulation, public relations, and lobbying efforts. We need to be more organized, or else we’ll always be vulnerable to the porn-opposing media, law enforcement zealots, and Singing Senators.

YNOT: How are we going to make that happen?

Danny: Well, I think change will happen, whether by choice or legislation. But we really have to stay open, dynamic, and responsive to people’s concerns if we want any change to remain positive. There are discussions popping up on boards, in conversations, and at trade shows that show an increasing willingness to take measures to protect our futures. I would urge everyone reading this to begin thinking about these things now, because they really are important.

YNOT: Can you give us some of your personal hates and loves about our industry?

Danny: I hate the fact that my job has turned me into a computer-chair-potato, endlessly drooling on myself as I stare blankly into a laptop display day in and day out. I love the fact that I share the same fate with thousands of other vegetables (webmasters) who also no longer have lives. The great thing is that there’s friendliness and helpfulness between so-called competitors that I don’t believe exists in many, if any, other industries. Sure, we have our share of assholes, and there are those who can’t get along, but we generally are like a giant ant colony – working together at different jobs toward a common goal. I believe this closeness is inherent in the fact that, in this business, making friends is the surest path to success. We survive on link trades, affiliates, and trust, so friendliness is part of the game. And what other industry has parties like ours?

YNOT: Theatre people are pretty out of control I’ll tell you! Totally different vibe, but some pretty insane parties nonetheless.

Do you see any major changes for yourself any time soon?

Danny: I’m happy right where I am. The only change I really hope for is to get to a point where I can work fewer hours to make time for other things. I try to get involved in political issues that are important to me, but I just don’t have the time to devote to them.

YNOT: What would you be doing if you weren’t working in the adult Internet?

Danny: If I wasn’t in the adult Internet, I’d be a science fiction writer and a progressive political activist.

YNOT: What is your outlook on the future of the adult Internet?

Danny: Well, as soon as John Ashcroft puts the finishing touches on his greatest hits album, I think his attention will be focused on ridding the world of pornography. I honestly think that we have the constitutional advantage, as well as the support of voters, so I hardly think this will become the industry apocalypse many have predicted. However, it’s definitely past time we start thinking about self-regulation and public relations.

YNOT: Can’t say I argue with you there! Got any newbie advice?

Danny: A $1000 donation to Reverend Robert Tilton is the quickest path to prosperity!

Other than that, keep up with the wealth of articles available at various resource sites. I still find myself inspired by many of the articles I read. Keep up with the popular boards, as that’s where you’ll find the latest news, announcements, trends, and discussions. They’re also a great way to make valuable friends and contacts. Networking is essential. Be sure to attend trade shows. Not only are they fun, but they can really benefit your business in a variety of ways.

YNOT: You know it! Alright, last but not least, describe yourself in five adjectives for us…

Danny: Creative, relaxed, peaceful, cynical, progressive.

YNOT: Thanks for playing along and being our guest this week Danny!

To contact Danny and learn more about him and Adult Webmaster Gold, please visit his YNOT Webmaster Profile.