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Sims Showcase Interview

One of those rare and wonderful finds in the sims community, Sims Showcase is a sim website that features “finds” and artists from every spectrum of online sim society. It is perhaps one of the only places on the web where you can find objects from the bigger sites like “The Well Dressed Sim” vying for viewer’s attention with skins from lesser known sites like “Chariss’s Little Sim Page”. Featuring all the best sim downloads on the net in one easily accessible place
plus a batch of reviews from various staff members, Sims Showcase is a truly unique site with quite a lot to offer.

So, all that said, you can imagine my excitement when I finally got the chance to interview Shandi, the ever-so-sweet owner of Sims Showcase. With characteristic patience and good humor, Shandi answered all the questions I asked her and gave me plenty of insight on what goes on behind the scenes at Sims Showcase.

Rachel: What made you want to start a sims website?

Shandi: Well, I was a frequent visitor to the "Sim Finder"
site back in January and February. I visited the
forum there and met some really wonderful people. The
webmaster of Sim Finder decided that she was no longer
going to update her site and she would be closing it
down. Well, I didn't want to lose contact with all
the great people I'd met there, so I decided I'd start
my own site and forum. Most of the people moved to my
site and we're one big happy family!

R: Is it difficult running a web site? What kinds of
challenges do you meet up with?

S: Yes, it can be difficult..but it's also very
rewarding! I really am a computer dummie, so that
poses a bit of a problem! I have very little HTML
knowledge, so that somewhat limits me. The other
major challenge for me is finding the time to dedicate
to the site. Also, running a website requires a great
deal of organization...and well, I always thought I
was fairly organized, but the site is proving
different! LOL

R: Who are the people in your staff?

S: I have a WONDERFUL staff! Every one of them has
contributed so much, I really would be lost without
them. Tina is one of the co-webmasters. She
physically helps to update the site (finds, themes,
etc.). Tina also is a reviewer for the site. Then
there's Wendy. She is the second co-webmaster...she
also handles the Links section of the site. Tina and
Wendy both are my right arms...they have proven to be
very valuable assets! Crissy is the sites Public
Relations Representative. She basically posts updates
on various forums for us and interacts with other
sites to improve relations within the community.
SimVeggie is one of our shoppers and moderators. She
helps to find all the great stuff we use on our
updates. Crisbaa is also a shopper and she performs
what we like to call "Quality Assurance". Basically
she is the one who makes sure us dingy webmasters
don't misspell or link sites improperly! And finally,
we have Amanda, our newest addition to the staff. She
is a reviewer for the site and has taken over the
"Artist Showcase" section. She conducts the
interviews with the artist and compiles all the
information for one of the webmasters to update with.
I couldn't do this site alone...every one of these
exquisite ladies contributes so much...so I must give
a huge thanks to them!

R: What do you think the purpose of your site is?

S: Hmmm...well I think Sims Showcase serves a variety of
purposes. First, the site really is there to support,
encourage and bring recognition to all the wonderful
sites that bring us the fabulous downloads for our
game. Second, I feel the site serves as a great
resource for all the Simmers out there. We make it
easy to find all the coolest and new downloads out
there. Which can really save people alot of time.
Third, I like to think that Sims Showcase is a support
network for everyone out there. Our forum is full of
people that are willing to help others out with
everything from technical problems, personal issues or
just friendly chat.

R: Do you skin yourself? Or make objects?

S: I wish!! No, I'm not near as talented as the people
who bring us such great stuff. I would like to try my
hand at skinning sometime however.


R: How much time do you commit to your website on a
weekly/monthly basis?

S: Wow...I'd never thought of it in hours time. It's
ALOT! LOL Perhaps too much sometimes. If I had to
make a guess, I'd say probably somewhere in the
neighborhood of 20-30 hours a week.

R: Who designs your web page? And how?

S: I designed the format of the website. I basically
just used some graphics I felt were pretty
representative of "me". I tried to keep the site
simple and easy to navigate through.


R: Are you getting ready for any big changes or
anything new?

S: Nothing that I can think of. We've kinda found our
groove I think and I think we're pretty happy with the
way things are for now. We're always open to
suggestions and possible new features for the site,
but nothing in the works right now.


R: What’s coming up on your website?

S: Well, we just recently updated our Themes section with
a Patriotic Theme. We felt in light of the recent
tragedy in the U.S. that it was our way of showing
support. Since Halloween will be here very soon, be
on the lookout for another themed update to
cooridinate with the fall season and Halloween.

R: Where do you hope to go with your site? Do you
want to expand it or just leave it the way it is?

S: To be honest, the site has far exceeded any
expectations I ever had for it. When I started out, I
just thought it would be a place for the small group
that followed me from Sim Finder...but WOW has it
grown!! We are getting large numbers of hits per day,
usually around 1700-2000 a day and we are getting new
members to the forum on a daily basis. I guess word
has really spread of Sims Showcase...which really
makes me happy. I am pretty happy with the way things
are right now, there are no plans to expand. But like
I said earlier, we're always open to suggestions!

R: Anything else?

S: Well, first I'd like to say thanks for choosing Sims
Showcase...it is a great honour! Second, I'd like to
say thanks to everyone out there that supporst Sims
Showcase, I appreciate it more than you know. And
finally, just a suggestion for everyone out there.
These sites that provide you with all these fabulous
downloads work very hard and dedicate alot of time to
their creations and websites. Take a moment and email
the webmaster just to say thanks...or great job. A
few nice words of encourgement and support go a LONG
way!

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Regards,
Sabinka
sabinka@boutika.org
Boutika Sims

Regards,
Sabinka
sabinka@boutika.org
Boutika Sims

In memory of the victims who lost their lives in the terroists attacks to the Pentagon and The World Trade Center.
A day to remember: 9-11-2001

*** "She seems to think, she seems too weak, she takes a week to get over it"***


NitesLittleGraveyard
DiaryOfAGoth

Regards,
Sabinka
sabinka@boutika.org
Boutika Sims