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VENTURI
Personal
Information
Member Since April 4, 2003
Date of Birth: September 30, 1964
1.) What exactly is it that you do in the Adult Industry?
What company do you currently work for? What's your job title
or duties?
I am primarily a PHP/mySQL programmer providing custom scripts, installations and support for a variety of clientele. Mishi, my soulmate and partner, and I own http://www.cyboriginal.com. My duties consist of negotiating contracts with prospective clients, analyzing their needs, coming up with a solution and a bid that is mutually beneficial to all parties and then performing the necessary programming and/or support necessary to efficiently provide that solution.
2.) When did you actually get started in the industry?
"Actually"? Hehe, I'm guessing you don't mean as a surfer… Mishi and I entered the business officially on July 4, 2001. We picked that date because of the symbolism of it being the beginning of our own independence. We actually started building sites a month or so prior but that was a very sloppy beginning.
3.) If you could change one thing about the Adult Industry
what would it be and why?
LOTS of things! But primarily, I guess, it would be to try and cleanse the Internet of free hardcore porn. That's a huge, and likely impossible endeavor, but if it could be done I'm sure we would all see sales go up and shady practices go down. I also believe that some of the disdain this industry bears would also be lifted from our shoulders. But, to quote Jody Foster in Contact: "This shall remain my wish."
4.) What advice would you offer to anyone that's just
starting out in the industry?
Research First! Before you buy a domain, before you get a host, before you sign up to a sponsor and start downloading their free content, before you even think about building a site - you have to research this business. It isn't about slapping up site, submitting it to a LL or TGP and retiring on your 2hrs of effort. It's about marketing! If you can't entice that surfer to click thru and go to said sponsor you are merely burning precious bandwidth and wasting your time. I would recommend that each and every newbie to this business - and even if you made a million in mainstream, you still don't know jack about the adult Internet - spend at least a solid month (sure as hell wish I had…) just reading the plethora of articles and tutorials and board discussions so that when they do jump in with both feet they at least have some semblance of a clue.
Secondly, get active on the webmaster boards. When something stumps you that you've read … ask a question! This is probably the tightest industry existing, and it is full of wonderful people that will go out of their way to help you (unless you're a dick to those that are giving out free advice). Trust me, we would all prefer that you get it right and become productive than flounder along - or worse, do something BAD that brings unwanted attention.
5.) Tell us about any sites you might operate or that
you're most proud of.
Right now, Mishi and I are ramping up http://www.dragonscripts.com. It is going to be a catalog/showcase of sorts for scripts we have created and are opening up for public release, and also a place for other programmers to sell their scripts. There's more to the story, but I'm gonna keep my lips sealed on that until we've got all the kinks worked out.
6.)
What are your hobbies?
Hobbies? Did you say hobbies??? I'm a webmaster for Pete's sake! I don't need no stinkin' hobbies!!! All kidding aside, I'm very much into aviation though I haven't had time and/or money to continue my pursuit of gaining my license as a private pilot. I have about 25 hours of time in the cockpit and completed one cross-country flight with my instructor. I'm hoping within the next year that I'll be able to free up enough money & time to continue this pursuit.
7.) Are you married? Have a girlfriend or boyfriend? Or
both? *giggle*
Marriage is a matter of perspective. :p Mishi and I have been together for going on 4 years, and I don't see our relationship ever ending. She is my soulmate in every way. We're inseparable. Our desks are 3 feet apart from each other, we go everywhere together even if it's just to drive a mile to the PO Box to see if there are checks waiting for us.
8.) How much time would you say you spend working in a
day and do you take regular vacations?
Workdays fluctuate, depending on how intense a given day's tasks have been, but on average I would say 10 to 12 hours, 6 days a week. It used to be 7 days a week, but we found that our burnout factor was getting too high and decided that taking a day off every week (usually Sunday) actually increases our productivity the other 6 days enough to compensate for that. Plus, you just HAVE to have some time away from the computer and try and be people. It's hard to balance your work life with personal life, but it really is essential in order to maintain your sanity.
9.) Is there anything personal or professional that you
would like to add or that you would like others to know about
you?
I am a lesbian trapped in a man's body.
10.) What's the one thing you like best about Rated Hot?
Aside from Marsha? Hmm…
The community at Rated Hot really is top shelf. The moderators, the members, it's a great mix of folks and the discussions are great. Even when people disagree with each other on the boards there predominantly isn't any flaming of anyone - even when the discussion involves politics and/or religion.
Did I mention Marsha?
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