Neowin Interviews: ActiveWin's Bob Stein

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Love or hate them ActiveWin has been a corner stone for many Windows enthusiast sites, with almost 6 years under its belt it has quite a reputation and influence among webmasters who operate in the same field. We caught up with ActiveWins CEO Bob Stein and fired a few questions at him for your reading pleasure.

Q: When did Activewin launch, what was the focus back then and was it with this name?

Please read more for the rest of the interview

View: ActiveWin Website

Q: How did the name change from Active Windows to ActiveWin affect traffic to your site? Was there a shift in strategies/focuses of the site after the name change?

Luckily, not many changes occurred during the name change from Active Windows to ActiveWin.com. ActiveWin.com was the main domain so we turned ActiveWindows.com over to Microsoft 6 months after the name change. We have always focused on Microsoft news, so our news strategies really did not change much. Microsoft was very kind during the transition. Our site has pretty much followed Microsoft's product roadmap pretty well over the last few years. P.S.: The site name change was started by the evil Microsoft Windows ME beta coordinator, Amanda Mclellan..aka "skeeter."

Q: How quickly did you guys grow and was it expected?

Well, in 1997, there were not many Windows or IE websites. IEgallery.com was our main competitor (and windows95.com). The site grew much quicker than expected, and our early entry into the market helped out.

Q: How many people work on Activewin and are they all volunteers?

There are usually 10-15 people helping on ActiveWin.com at any given time on a variety of areas. Like NeoWin, our staff is completely volunteer. We have reviewers, news posters, content editors, and more. ActiveWin.com would not be possible without these people. Todd, Byron, Will, Matt, Jonathan, Bill, Cliff, Chad, Anthony, Jared, Alex, David, Stewart and countless others. They are the true hero's of the sites...

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, what makes you want to spend time building and maintaining ActiveWin?

I worked on AOL then MSN before starting the websites. First, I worked on the Virtual Airlines areas (mock-up airlines that use MS Flight Simulator to fly virtual routes) at AOL then MSN, in addition being the Forum Manager of the Virtual Dog Racing Forum and Assistant Manager on the Microsoft Flight Simulator Forums on MSN. On MSN I met Byron Hinson and we developed our ideas for ActiveIE. When MSN discontinued forums, that is when we decided to go live with the website. I like spending endless hours on ActiveWin.com because is such a great community and the people are wonderful. It's great to know you are able to provide news, information and help to the world. I live in Pittsburgh, PA USA. If any fans live there, please get in touch.

Q: What do you think of all the news (relay) sites that pop up (and disappear)?

I do not mind them, however I think some are created for the wrong reasons. Sites that are created to truly inform and be helpful will succeed. Other motives need to be pushed aside.

Q: What separates ActiveWin from the rest in terms of survival in this business?

Well, we have been around for six years so that always helps. We have a great user base and have thankfully established our name as an excellent resource for Microsoft related information. We try to follow and keep up-to-date with Microsoft and its' products, as well.

Q: What do you think about the current ActiveWin and its community, where do you see yourself 5 years from now? (Will you still be around?)

As I said before, I love ActiveWin.com and its community. I have met some truly great people through these avenues. In five years, I definitely still plan on being around.

Q: and finally, What can we expect from AW in the future (any big changes coming)?

Well, Will has planned on releasing the .NET upgrade to ActiveWin.com this summer. In this upgrade, expect many new features!

Thanks for your time to answer our questions Bob and we here at Neowin wish you continued success!

#1 xStainDx on 15 May 2003 - 11:39

yup they're moving to home grown built ASP .NET Web Interfaces... Will be pretty cool

(2 replies) #2 dougkinzinger on 15 May 2003 - 12:36

AW is the second best site to Neowin....

#2.1 Byron_Hinson on 15 May 2003 - 15:37

;O)

#2.2 Jason on 15 May 2003 - 15:55

Activewin is a good site.

Last edited by 9969 on 15 May 2003 - 16:43

(5 replies) #3 DrPepper69 on 15 May 2003 - 14:58

It's annoying to see Bob take credit for ActiveWin and its related sites. Byron was the true soul and has been the true soul of that entire site... he deserves much more than a one-line mention. The fact that Bob was interviewed instead of Byron says a lot about how it is now. The "volunteer only" staff wasn't the plan either. The staff members deserve a cut of the profits from that site... the money seems to go to those who deserve it least. It's sad to see the way the site has stagnated over the past 2 years.

#3.1 JaggedFlame on 15 May 2003 - 15:26

Byron left. I would think that he'd not have much to say about the future direction of ActiveWin.

#3.2 Byron_Hinson on 15 May 2003 - 15:36

I'm really not bothered, although I haven't left the site completly I am now doing reviews and I'm happy with just that. As for the advertising money's I can't comment on it. And for the stagnation over the last 2 years, again I won't say anything about that as it isn't fair of me whether I agree with you or not. I'm happy doing news on a new site with friends I get on with and thats about all I'll say!

#3.3 Byron_Hinson on 15 May 2003 - 15:36

[neoquote=#3.1 by JaggedFlame]Byron left. I would think that he'd not have much to say about the future direction of ActiveWin.[/neoquote] You're right I won't - but in saying that I haven't for the last couple of years either, make of that what you will hehe.

#3.4 Neobond on 15 May 2003 - 16:47

[neoquote=#3.0 by DrPepper69]It's annoying to see Bob take credit for ActiveWin and its related sites. Byron was the true soul and has been the true soul of that entire site... he deserves much more than a one-line mention.[/neoquote] Perhaps you failed to read the title. It says very clearly "[B]Neowin Interviews: ActiveWin's Bob Stein[/B]" also I found this answer completely honourable to the people that work on the site: [QUOTE]Like NeoWin, our staff is completely volunteer. We have reviewers, news posters, content editors, and more. [B]ActiveWin.com would not be possible without these people[/B]. Todd, Byron, Will, Matt, Jonathan, Bill, Cliff, Chad, Anthony, Jared, Alex, David, Stewart and countless others. [B]They are the true hero's of the sites[/B]...[/QUOTE] Reminds me of how I feel about Neowin.

#3.5 bstein on 16 May 2003 - 03:55

DrPepper....Who are you? How do you know the site even makes a profit? (It Doesn't, btw) I don't see your name on the list. If you have so much insight and knowledge and know who is the soul of the site why don't you help out.

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