...That I did not receive an e-bot for this thread "Again" It's a conspiracy I tell ya. The PTB must not want me continuing this thread (And probably several others too...lol) Anyway...I did in fact get COM for January and I'd be delighted to answer your interview Mikej (Even though technically ,you do not exist here anymore) 1) Did you ever think you would make it as Complainer Of the Month (COM)? [Answer] Actually,It never even entered my mind. But I knew that once I set my mind to it,I'd do my very best at complaining. I knew I had A lot of competition here at Renderosity but I thought I might have a shot if I only put my heart into it (notice I didn't say "Mind") 2) How did you get into the complaining business? Was it a natural development, or did you receive any advanced training? [Answer] I started long ago when I was on staff both here and at another site,that I realized that there was a market for complaining.I seemed to find myself on the receiving end of it mostly, so I guess you could say there was some advanced training.After a while, It did seem to come naturally though. I also realized that I would have to complain about "Something" in order to be a card carrying member here at Renderosity. 3) Who were your influences? Are there any "Complainiacs" you'd like to credit? [Answer}] Oh yes, I had MANY influences,but it might be in bad form to name names here.Besides,they are now my competition so I don't want to draw any publicity to them. (You all know who you are..and I'd like to thank you all VERY much) 4) What is your favorite complaining software? Notepad? Word? Or do you just improvise it in the reply field? [Answer}] I mostly improvise on the fly, Complaining really doesn't take much thought so if I launched a program with the intent of writing a complaint,I probably wouldn't get very far as I might actually "Think" and therefore either ruin the complaint,or realize it's not worth complaining about in the first place. FIRE-AIM-READY, I always say when it comes to complaining. But since I have Outlook open all of the time anyway..I tend to use it to compile my complaints.It also has a spelling and Grammar checker. Very handy. It save me from have to edit posts after they have been posted in the reply field.(Which is another thing I intend to complain about in the near future) 5) Is there any type of formula you use for creating a new complaint that you could share with the newbies? [Answer}] Basically...I use the "Shoot From The Hip" method of complaining.That is,..I complain immediately as things come up.(Without thinking at all), but I've also used the "Bottle It Up" approach as well,in which I save all complaints until I just can not take it anymore and then release them all in one big complaint-fest.I've found this approach better for the end of the month complaint.Sort of a "Grand Finale" to push ahead of my competition. 6) Do you practice complaining much at home, or do you find it more inspiring to seek out complaint material in places such as Renderosity.com? [Answer}] Amazingly,I complain very little at home.I'm a single father of my 10 year old daughter.and I GET a lot of my material FROM her. She is an inspiration to me and I'm sure I wouldn't have won without her influence. 7) Are you intending on becoming a Complaint Merchant here? That is, are you currently working on any new complaints for the MarketPlace? Do you have a Complainer's Resource Kit planned? [Answer}] Although I've always said I would keep my complaints free,I have been kicking around the idea of becoming a "Complaint Merchant" here at Renderosity. I've talked with some beta testers willing to test my complaints in exchange for a license to use my complaints for personal or commercial use. If all goes well.and I begin to see a profit,I'll consider a Complainer's Resource Kit . But if all doesn't go well.I'll be complaining about that too.So it's a Win Win situation. I'd be a fool not to explore this idea. 8) Was it difficult for you to break into the world of semi-professional complaining? [Answer}] Well...As I said,...It's very competitive. Especially here a Renderosity. I've found it relatively easy at other sites but Renderosity has some of the best complainers on the net. I'm confident though,that if I can make it here,...I can make it anywhere. For the right money,..I'd consider going Pro,if I could get the right sponsorship.I've already been approached by "Piss-and Moan"magazine to write some complaints and do complaint reviews. 9)What advice could you give to those who seek to make a career out of complaining? [Answer}] Firstly "DON'T THINK !" The most important advice I can give is to be as mindless as you can be when writing your complaints. If you think even for a split second,you may find that your complaint is not justified,and end up not complaining at all. Secondly...NEVER DO ANY RESEARCH. By all means,do not read any recent threads that might include the subject of your complaint...just open the forum,and just fire away..if you do research,you may very well find your complaint was resolved and there was a good reason for the thing you are complaining about. This also makes it so staff members have to say over and over again,the answer to your complaint. Thirdly Under no circumstances do you apologize for your complaint. Remember that Renderosity "OWES" you something even if you do not shop at the marketplace. If you find you are getting too much flack from your complaint, back-paddle as much as you can,or request the thread to be locked to save yourself any further embarrassment. If that doesn't work,simply go back and delete all of your posts in the thread so no one will know what has been said. Well..anyway..Thanks for the interview. I'm sure I'll find something to complain about it once I've posted it. Tom <~ January 2006 COM

“The fact that no one understands you…Doesn’t make you an artist.”