In this issue of the Insider, I had a chance to sit down and talk with our beloved, Owner/Operator, Jordan. We discussed many things, from the simple beginnings of GTPlanet, all the way to GTPlanet's future. So let's get started on our journey of the Planets past, present and future
What made you decide to create a Gran Turismo-based website?
I first got the idea while playing around with MSN Groups (then known as MSN Communities) on January 12, 2000. I was really impressed by how easy the service was to use, and I really wanted to create a good site, something that I could work on. I had always played around with worthless homepages on Geocities and Homestead, etc., but this time I wanted to create something with real content. After some thought it suddenly occurred to me that my newfound obsession, Gran Turismo 2, would make a great subject, so I opened the community and immediately began working on it. After four and a half years, and moving the community to GTPlanet.net, I've never stopped.
How many versions of GTP have there been since its creation?
There have been a total of 6 versions of the site, with each new one getting a little bit better and better as my design skills improve. I only wish I had done a better job of archiving the old sites, as I'm afraid some may now be lost forever. The first two designs were created with Microsoft Frontpage 2000, then Macromedia Dreamweaver 4.0, and the last two versions (5 and 6) were both created with Macromedia Studio MX. Hopefully I can get a copy of Macromedia Studio MX 2004 for version 7, even though the new design is already underway.
In the beginning, how quickly was GTP discovered, and was it as quickly as you had hoped?
The first month or so of GTPlanet was pretty slow. All 6 or 7 of our active members who moved over to the new site from the old MSN Community kept the conversation going. I made it a point to reply to each and every message posted to keep things new and fresh and it seemed to work. We got our big break, though, from Gardner Trask the 3rd, the owner of the GT3.com domain name. I had contacted him about purchasing the domain name, and although he didn't want to sell it, he happily offered to direct his visitors to GTPlanet with a link. He did this a few days before GT3's release, and GTPlanet got hit hard from the thousands and thousands of people visiting GT3.com. I was not expecting this huge explosion of growth, and unfortunately I was on a week-long road trip through California and Utah's rough country, where internet access was scarce. I wasn't able to fix a lot of the problems that came up, and I had a ton of work to do when I got home. But, nevertheless, I was extremely happy and excited that GTPlanet grew so fast.
How many forums did the site start with?
I don't know the exact number, although I believe it was about 10 or 12.
Who was/were the first member/s and are any of them still around today?
Phil, Misnblu, and Talentless are three of the oldest original members. Phil has since started a career with Vauxhall in Great Britain, and Misnblu only stops by occasionally, but Talentless has remained as a frequent poster to this day. I really miss our old member "Fangio", from MSN, who few will remember. But, those who do will remember one of the friendliest and most entertaining members of any online community I've seen.
When you needed help with GTP, who did you turn to?
In the beginning, I could pretty much feel my way around FrontPage 2000. It was the forum aspect of the site that really gave me a hard time. I put out a call for help on the old Ikonboard forums (when we used the software back in the day)in need of assistance for the first style, and Corey from Xpiso (<a href="http://xpiso.com">http://xpiso.com</a>) offered to help me free of charge. The site would be NOWHERE it is today without all of his hard work, and helping me get the whole thing off the ground. I still need help with GTP all the time, now with more server related issues, and I work with various different Linux system administrators I have contacts with depending on the nature of my problem.
How did AltF8 become a part of GTP?
AltF8 used to run one of the most popular Gran Turismo content sites back in the day, where he hosted manyexclusive videos and screenshots. We started working together and I hosted his site's forums in the GTP community, but since that time Alt has moved on to different projects that do not involve Gran Turismo.
Anyone behind the scenes of helping make GTP run?
It's just me. I manage the server, create the design of the pages, administer the forums, gather the site content, deal with the advertising networks, handle all the support issues users may have with the site, and pretty much everything else that has to be done.
What were your decisions behind GTP's various looks?
Whenever I'm browsing the web, I'm always keeping my eye out for various design elements and colors that I could use on GTP. I grab a screenshot of them, and store them away in a folder on my computer. Then when I feel creative I open Fireworks MX and play around with the different ideas. Each version of the site could have turned out about 20 different ways, I just keep making changes and adjustments until I find something that feels right to me. My designs are all obviously heavily influenced by Microsoft's bright modern style, as I think it contains some excellent color schemes. However, I do hope to make the next version of the site very simple and functional with a very unique color scheme. But, like I said, that can change the next time I work on it!
Why did you decide to use vB as your site set up?
Not long after we got began getting traffic from GT3.com, our Ikonboard forum software started showing its inabilities to perform under load. I thought I loved it at the time, but it was simply too slow and buggy to handle all of our traffic. I had always heard of vBulletin and their professional grade software, and I knew that it would be able to handle all of our growth for years and years to come, and it has done just that. It would all be a matter of server hardware after that point.
Who was the first Moderator and when did you recognize a need for them?
If memory serves me correctly, Corey, Talentless, and Misnblu were the first moderators. I first reconized their importance when I was away from the site on my vacation during our GT3.com experience and things got a little out of hand with the volume of posts.
Are there any Mods that have played a special role in the evolution of GTP?
Oh yes, most definitely! All of our moderators, have, of course, played a special role in the evolution of GTP. However, Sage really stands out in my mind for his huge effort to get this <i>GTP Insider</i> online. I'm confident it will be a popular section of our community from now on.
What does the future hold for us here at GTP and how will it be applied to the next version of GTP?
The next year ahead of GTPlanet will be unlike anything myself or the community has ever seen before. Aside from the period of growth from GT4's launch, I hope to provide more features and ways to use your GTPlanet account. As we speak, I'm working with a popular online photo site to provide all GTP members with 500 MB of free web space to upload their pictures and photos, which should be available in a few weeks. I'm also working with the JGTC to help promote the series' first race in the United States.
What new features and content would you like to develop? GTPremium?
I would love to develop the online competition aspect of GT4, and move the site away from our general game information content. Racing leagues, clans, and tournaments are all things that I want the future GTPlanet to focus on. GTPremium is on hold at the moment, as there are many other aspects of the site (such as the ones I just listed) that need my full attention.
Are you trying, or have tried, to connect yourself in anyway, as a website, to Polyphony Digital to obtain information about the GT series? If not, how do you obtain your GT info?
I have been contacted by Polyphony Digital and SCEA, but it is usually because they are upset about information getting leaked out too early or false rumors developing. All of the latest info and news is brought to the site by our users, I simply provide the medium to publish it to the world.
Of running the GTP website, what tasks do you enjoy doing the most, and what tasks are the most aggrivating to you?
Without a doubt, I get the most enjoyment out of creating each new style and design. Creating something that I know will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people gives me a great sense of satisfaction. I also enjoy reading some of the posts and threads out there, and watching how different people interact with each other. I really hate dealing with the server, however. I'll be first to admit that I'm no system administration expert, so when I can't maintain the server properly I run into serious problems like the recent Apache issues we've been having. I want to spend my time on making the site better, not keeping it online.
Why GTP.net and not GTP.com? I remember GTP.com went to some defunct teddy bear company. Have you ever thought of obtaining the .com name?
My mom is actually the one to receive credit for coming up with the GTPlanet name, and I liked it and decided to keep it despite the .net address. I was disappointed that I couldn't get gtplanet.com, but it was registered long before I got into the online world. I only wish they would sell it to me now, but they won't respond to my requests.
What are your impressions of the GTP forums?
I'm very pleased with the way it has turned out. The community is quite mature now and it is still growing at a good rate. The GTP Forums are actually ranked as one of top 300 forums in the world by Big-Boards.com, and I'm really proud of that. This is probably one reason I find it irritating when people hold unrealistic goals and ideas for the site, when in fact, if they understood the dynamics of online communities, they would understand just how well GTP performs in comparison.
What are your impressions of GTP's unique, diverse, and shall we say irreverent group of members.
I still can't believe how diverse the people are across the site, and how many bizarre things they can come up with to talk about. There are so many stereotypes that can be seen, it's amazing. There's the Japanese fanboys, liberals, AOL users, street racers, real racers, students, moms, dads, artists, athletes, and musicians from all over the world in one place. Most of these people would congregate in one community or another, but the common interest of Gran Turismo has brought them all together, which makes GTPlanet all the more interesting, and our name all the more appropriate.
What forums do you enjoy reading. (Rumble Strip, ect.)
I enjoy reading the GT4 Forum, all of the Automotive forums, the Rumble Strip, and Opinions.
Have you met any of the GTP members?
No, I have never met anyone from the site.
Does the wide range of member locations surprise you considering the humble beginings of GTP?
Yes, I expected most traffic to come from the United States. All of our visitors from the Middle East to Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Croatia were a pleasant surprise! </dd> I remember that GTPlanet was mentioned in a issue of Sport Compact Car, did that effect membership?
Yes, I recall many of our members, even a few of our moderators found the site via the Sport Compact Car article. I have about 4 copies of that magazine, and hopefully we'll be featured in a few more with GT4's release!
How do you promote GTP elsewhere?
I really don't do anything in particular to promote the site, word-of-mouth and good Google page rank seems to bring in quite a bit of traffic.
A bit about you...
Has developing websites always been a passion of yours? Any outstanding circumstances that made you get into website design?
It wasn't a passion until I started GTPlanet. I've tried creating other sites, like SportsCarSpot.com, HotorNotcars.com, and a few others, but I just can't gather the enthusiasm to put the necessary work into them like I have for GTPlanet.
Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years time? Are you trying to further a career in computer or website design?
Well, of course I'd love to be making the rounds of the F1 World Championship in ten years time, but that isn't likely to happen! But yes, I would love to work with large corporations on their branding and public image, and design their websites too.
How does your love for Gran Turismo play into your own life?
The amount of time that I must work on the computer to keep GTPlanet running has affected my life quite a bit, but I don't mind it too much. Of course it has completely turned me into a huge racing fan, and now I've visited Laguna Seca twice and have been to all but the first United States Grand Prix.
Would you use GTPlanet.net on your resume?
Yes, definitely.
What does Jordan do in his free time? Hobbies, activities, ect. ect.
I enjoy playing golf, tennis, weightlifting, boating, and swimming. I consider web design my major hobby, but I won't include that here as I suppose it is rather obvious!
Has GTP been a burden on your home or family life?
In many ways it has. When it requires so much of my time, I often don't get to spend it watching TV or eating dinner with my family. It is especially irritating when I'm wasting that valuable time trying to fix some stupid configuration error on the server, and not doing something that I really enjoy. The simple fact that something HAS to be done right then really takes a lot of the fun out of it.
Finally, is there a GTP life expectancy? Are there many years left in you to upkeep GTP?
I've put so much hard work into GTPlanet that it would be nearly impossible for me to let it go, I can't really imagine not having a website to maintain. But, I'm entering a new chapter of my life this fall as I move to college, so now is really not a good time for me to predict what the long-term future holds.
Well Jordan, on behalf of all of us here at GTPlanet, I'd like to thank you for taking the time with this interview, and providing all of us with this wonderful creation of yours. Best of wishes to you and GTPlanet, may it be our home for many years to come.
Really, though, while I've received several serious offers, I'm not sure it's something I could ever part with - to say its my "baby" would be an understatement. 
