Community Spotlight: ArmEagle 
How did you first discover PotBS?
Friends on IRC had been mentioning the game for a while. And I managed to hook up during the pre-boarding event and I quite liked it.
When the data API was first released, you took it and ran with it, as shown on your website. What drives a person to put so much work into a tool like this?
I like to fool around with webpages like this. I was actually quite new to the whole game and honestly thought someone with an existing fansite would use the API to enhance that themselves. But I started to fiddle around just because it seemed fun to play with. Soon I had something working though, and I showed it to some people on IRC. Then after a bit more work I was so far that it would be a waste not to publish it for anyone to use. And encouraged by the comments I received I added a few more features over time.
What’s your favorite nation/career combination?
Well, I’ve mostly just played my one British Freetrader. I have started a few other combinations, but never really felt to continue with those. Not because I didn’t like them, but because I wanted my Freetrader to advance. Also because back then the game was somewhat lacking in replayability.
Since all my friends were choosing for the British nation I simply followed their lead. Though it was a bit of a safe bet and later I’ve surely thought about what it would like to be part of a smaller nation like the Spanish or French. But I liked my Freetrader and didn’t want to start over again (yet).
What makes a good community member, in your eyes?
I guess it’s mostly just liking the game and wanting to do something more, something to make the game or the community a little bit better.
What’s your favorite part of PotBS?
The developers (and other staff). My first MMO was from a small independent company. And the main developer would often be on IRC, talking to the players. Since then I’ve played a few other MMOs, but you’re often just a customer, a number. FLS gave me back the feeling from that first MMO; the community and the care and enthusiasm of the developers for the game.
What recommendations can you make to someone who wants to be active in the community, but doesn’t know where to start?
Many players just play (online) MMOs and hardly read the forums. I think the first step is to be more active on the forums. Try to help people with questions there. Just by reading the forums regularly you gather a lot of knowledge about the game. And you can use that to help other players.
When an MMO has an official IRC channel being in there really helps to grow your bond and feeling for the game. And then there are often many fansites that could use some help. As an easy start you could sign up to edit a wiki. Just stick with websites you use yourself and think you can be of help with though.
