New Resources Page

[AP]

I have added a RESOURCES webpage to the Ghost Jasta sight (http://www.geocities.com/cubsfan4life1908/Ghost_Jasta.html ) which mainly has printable mission logs right now, and in the future could maybe be used for charts etc…
All DP players have different ways of recording game stats- from Harry Holman who likes his blank sheet of paper, to brand new players that like every chart possible included on one sheet. So I have gathered all the charts I have seen so far and made them available for printing off the page, and would love to add others, so check it out & lmk what you think!

On a side note, I think I speak for many MN players when I say that I agree with Stephen on changes that need to be made on the Aerodrome...great ideas. And what ever happened to the 'Ace List' ? It would be fun to have an online version with the best pilots out there from around the country!

[albpilot]

I think I made up the last Ace list, but that was a year or so ago now and I wasn't asked to do it again (which I would, I had fun and thought I turned out a decent effort, even if I was way behind deadline....). I'd imagine the next editor of the Aerodrome picked up that task.

[Stephen]

The ace list is exciting and fun. It needs to be put into an electronic format and updated regularly - perhaps quarterly - on the official site. But we all know the problems with updating the official site.

I think ISD has proven that the most important thing about a web site is to update it with current information. ISD is a nice site, but it only uses the templates readily available in Web.com's Sitebuilder and the forum is simply our version of ProBoards. There is no html on either one. They are easy to update and keep current and it requires nothing more than basic computer skills.

What makes ISD special is the fact that since its inception in 1999, it has been constantly updated, upgraded and maintained. Every DP player in the world knows that ISD has been the most reliable and consistent source of regular, current news. And I don't mean to shortchange your site, either... it is growing, its a great new place for info, and I love the new Resources page.

Its a shame that the standard of excellence is so low that you could have the best DP site in the world simply by updating a common template site.

With the ease and simplicity of today's template sites, there is no reason why DP shouldn't have regular updates and maintenance. It requires nothing more than an effort. I hope someone will step up and get the job done.

[AP]

I agree completely that something more really should be done. I have fun with the little I do with the available freeware out there for the MN site, and I really think the ISD site is awesome and wish that the DP site would try & step it up a bit more.
Mike Carr is going to be in MN the 7th of Oct & we plan on getting a game together then. I will try & have a discussion with him about the topic while he is here & see what he thinks. If it's simply a matter of someone putting in the time into the DP site I would be happy to help out. If its issues with cost or html or that sort of thing, maybe Mike would be open to a new site being created? Personally I think the ISD site could be considered the main DP site out there- you guys have a great setup with the Forum and constant updates. If the ISD group was willing and Mike was open to it maybe the ISD site could have an expanded section to include things such as the Ace List??
Ideally I think it would be cool if 'The Aerodrome' could be distributed electronically as well...but thats a whole new can of worms!

[Stephen]

As far as I'm concerned you can feel free to mention it to Mike. I would consider wrapping the official DP site into Indysquadron.com if that's what Mike thought was best. I could even manage the domain name so that when you typed in DAWNPATROL.ORG it would lead you to the Indy site, and we could set up the main page to make it clear that you are visiting a dual site - ISD and the official DP site. I think it could be done nicely and I'd try my best to help.

It would probably require a perpetual $10 per month investment from the society because I am already at the limit of the bandwidth that my account has available. I could set up a new account for the society that could be taken over by another party at any time.

It is also possible to make Drome a web publication, but yes, that's another debate entirely. But it could be done. Or maybe we could have a log of back issues on the site, just like Indy's ARCHIVES page.

Whether he likes the idea or not, one thing is certain - DP would finally have a site that is propertly maintained and updated. That would be a first.

I also have another idea for your gaming on Oct 7th but it belongs in another topic... look for it in the OTHER DAWN PATROL listing.

[AP]

I'll definately mention it to Mike then & see what he thinks. SOMETHING should be done, especially with the wingman tourney coming up.

[V]

The Wingman Tourney is not even listed on the official site. None of the society's events are.

[bergovoy]

Mike has informed Mike Marchi on this, he is the Webmaster, and I have posted in the Forum on the official site.

George

[Stephen]

That's a good thing... however, the problems with the official site(s) are far more broad than that. The site needs to be updated with fresh information on a regular basis and it hasn't been... for years and years. That's not a knock on MM because the problem predates him by a long way. I'm thankful for the site he's built, but the site needs to grow and get regular updates.

[albpilot]

cubsfan4life said:

I'll definately mention it to Mike then & see what he thinks. SOMETHING should be done, especially with the wingman tourney coming up.

I'd be happy to keep the official Ace list updated. That'd be a blast.

[Stephen]

That would be great. The Ace List is something that I really enjoy and would hate to see go away.

I'm open to suggestions on how it should be approached and I do NOT want to diminish Mike Marchi's excellent efforts on the official site... but the simple fact is that DP's official site - regardless of who built it or who maintained it - has never been consistently updated or kept current.

I'd think that more people would be concerned about it. We've had a LOT of people on Indysquadron.com who said that our site was the only site where they could find current information on the game. I'm proud that our site is thought of that way, but in truth the Indy site should be second best. The official site should be the best in DP. It is our storefront to the world and it needs to be current.

Soooooo.... a) does anyone else agree, and b) what plan or thoughts might you have?

[joseki]

Hi guys,

Hmmm... plans and thoughts. Guess I'll go with option B. I notice that there are several offers of maintaining an on-line Ace List. And It seems to be a considered opinion that there could be more done about on-line DP all together.

Let me add a little ground-fire into this discussion. We would all like to have excellent sites and given the choice we would all choose to visit a well maintained shiny site that offers us lots of pickings as we surf. The problem with that is the commitment it takes to continue with the original ideas.

Let me offer up a few possibilities on the Ace List mentioned above. If you choose to keep it and maintain it, how often will it be maintained? Arizona flys about once a week, if not more. That could mean having people knocking on your door to update as soon as they fly. Moving names and keeping track of who is on top becomes extremely difficult. And thats just the four to 10 players from one small group. Lets multiply that by 3 to 5 times for adding in other groups. Your talking alot of effort there.

I imagine if we asked Stephan how much time he puts in on what he terms a "template site" that you'll find it takes more time than you think. I'm guessing 1/2 to a full hour every night and more when he updates the Dispatches.

I have always found that if you really want something done you have but to volunteer to do it. I used to run a non-profit organization and at the beginning I'd have most of the group come up to me stating that it would be a great idea to undertake project "X" (insert what ever project you desire) Most of the ideas were fantastic. Some weren't but my reply was always

"Thats a Grand idea I'm so glad your volunteering to take charge and see the project gets done."

Out of the 100+ ideas brought to me 5 were actually implemented. That being because the individuals were willing to make that kind of commitment. If YOU really want something done step up and volunteer. If you just say "Gee it would be great if..." and do not accept the commitment to carry through on your idea then its not ever going to get done.

Stephan if you are really serious about putting in the time and effort to add the DP site into the Indy site, I'd say go for it. Make the effort to talk to Mike yourself and encompass his thoughts into what you wish to do. I would guess that your plans will fall on fertile ground and grow to fruition.

Well thats more than my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps. ~~J

[Stephen]

joseki said:

Moving names and keeping track of who is on top becomes extremely difficult. And thats just the four to 10 players from one small group. Lets multiply that by 3 to 5 times for adding in other groups. Your talking alot of effort there.

For two years we ran an ace list here on this site. I had a poor method of updating it and the maintenance was higher than I could manage. Rather than have an area of the site that was not properly maintained, I chose to drop it. The way to do it would be to have a better format than I had access to and update it once a month or once every quarter.

I have always found that if you really want something done you have but to volunteer to do it.

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting your post, but it sounds as if you're saying that I should either drop it or go do it myself.

I will not criticize others for not doing more because everyone has their own situation to deal with. However, I am at the limit of what I can do. I am volunteered out.

If the society wants ISD to absorb the official site I will try but I will not initiate the suggestion. Further, I think it is at best a second rate solution.

The fact is that the society needs its own site, it should be well maintained, and it is feasible and realistic for an average Joe to step up and get the job done while still working a job and having a life. I encourage that and would like to see it happen.

Again, pardon me if I've misinterpreted your post.

[joseki]

You've pretty much summed it up Stephan. I was pretty sure you were running at or near capacity and your doing a great job. Don't let anyone talk you into doing more than your comfortable with.

I also appreaciate you mentioning your trials and tribulations with the online Ace Page. Makes the point as to how difficult it can be.

But yes. If anyone would like to see more done, it should be strictly an "I volunteer" approach, not a "I volunteer you" kind of thing.

Apologies if I made it sound like the whole post was to you Stephan. Up until the last paragraph where I mention you by name I had intended it to read as You being the reader of that post.

[albpilot]

admin said:

It would probably require a perpetual $10 per month investment from the society because I am already at the limit of the bandwidth that my account has available.

Well, I mentioned before that we could always start to reimburse you from the Sqdn fund too, if you want to go that route.