Aplogies for posting this so lately. Personal priorities prevented me from doing so earlier. Here is the proposal I sent to the VEHC: --------------------------- Firstly, I would like to apologise for the crudeness with which this proposition is written. I have never written a proposition before, and am finding it very hard to write about this particular idea.     Have you ever wondered what its like in other clubs? What its like to be a cog in a machine they call the Emperor’s Hammer? Do you draw conclusions from what people say, or have you been told by the “cogs” themselves? Do you think people have wondered what its like to be in the Vast Empire? People may want to know, but have never been able to interact properly with VE members – apart from in the odd competition. Pitch     My idea is this: A News Network encompassing the entire  Star Wars online world; Everything from news fresh from LucasFilms/LucasArts to command changes in the Galactic Empire. It would be a completely dynamic Network, in which members could post news reports, interviews, editorials and even comedy. Why? To bring these members together, for them to get to know each other, and to interact with other people from this amazing community.     This News Network would not be a normal News Network. It would simply be a place for people to come together, and do one of several things. These are: ·    To find out news about Star Wars topics from dedicated volunteer reporters ·    To read editorials on anything a volunteer editorialist chooses to write about – anything from the lack of competitions to how their club is running. ·    To find out news on Star Wars Clubs topics, again from dedicated volunteer reporters ·    To read forums to interact with other people ·    To recruit new people looking for clubs     Should this be accepted as a VE project, I plan to implement it by building up a core of dedicated and loyal Editors/Editorialists/Reporters etc to start a small News Network. I would also plan that the Ambassador of the Vast Empire would “spread the word” to find more people willing to help. After some time, the network would gain faster momentum, and we would be able to build up a large team of dedicated staff – to build a hugely informative online News Network, all run under the supervision of the Vast Empire. Implementation     However, why should this be implemented? As a way of extending the Vast Empires influence and fame? Perhaps. As a way of showing to everyone else that we are just as good as them? Perhaps. Or to bring people together, looking for information and a bit of light-hearted fun, and to make this massive community a much better place? Cost     How much money would such a project require? Very little – almost certainly none. The main part of the website itself would be ideally on a clubs server; the Vast Empire’s if possible. However, don’t be alarmed by the space. It is my aim that a large number of articles would be produced every day, taking up a lot of webspace. These articles, however, along with the main bulk of the site, could easily be kept on a free server, as they are simply text and don’t require speed, features etc. The domain and a small amount of webspace is all that is needed. Time     It is my intention to use one of the free and easy to use PHP builders available on the internet to make a simple but professional website, with a member database. PHPNuke (www.phpnuke.com) and PostNuke (www.postnuke.com) are just two examples. These tools are easy and quick to use, and can make good websites. An example of a news website being made using PostNuke can be found at www.dinerminor.com/tnn. As you can see, it is fast, effective and professional. Provided I have some help (which I already have from various online technical support networks), it would take no longer than a week to set the entire thing up.     However, it is my plan that after some more professional programmers have been attracted, a new website could be worked on, making it stand out much more from other PHPNuke/PostNuke websites. Final Note     This project is obviously still in the planning stages. I have not yet completely found a core of dedicated staff, and do not want to start looking outside the VE unless given authorisation to go ahead. Should this be given the go-ahead, I will work on recruiting this core and getting a website set up. I would also like the Ambassador make plans for other clubs to “join in”, and set up their own reporting teams. I will, if you wish, write a complete report on this aspect of the project.     I plan that if this project is given authorisation, it will be completely up and ready in this time: ·    Two weeks - one month to recruit a “core” ·    One week to set up the website ·    Two weeks to set up other aspects – i.e. Editorialists, archives, etc     I thank you for taking the time to read this proposal, and ask you to think carefully about authorising it. I believe that I can make it a reality, and a success.         I will write a more full report on the actual workings of the network closer to the time.                 Regards,                     Lieutenant Commander Bear AAMB/LCM Bear/VEHC/VE RET/LCM Bear/mSSD Atrus/VEN/VE (=A=)(=SA=)(=FOCE=)(=JCPA=)[BRCx2][NDM][LSM] --------------------------- Hopefully, that should give you the jist of my plan. I have, obviously, left alot of it open for opinions/queries/critisicm from the general public, and anyone willing to help. That means you guys What I really need is a group of people who are willing to help me. So far, Zed Zeon and Ramon Stonefish have expressed an intrest, among a couple of other people, but I still need more. There are no requirments, but any of these qualities would help: Enthusiasm Enthusiasm Enthusiasm Writing skills (for reporting & editorials) Any web language knowledge (for constructing the website) Knowledge of the SW world (for reporting on new developments) Knowledge of other SW clubs (for reporting on them. Any members of large SW clubs willing to help?) Enthusiasm Enthusiasm Enthusiasm If you satisfy ANY of those qualities, you fit the bill There is no pay involved for this, unless I can convince Kadann to give us a budget or convince a bank admin to give us some If you want to help, email [email protected]  [email protected]  basically saying who you are and what qualities you have. Feel free to reply to this with any CONSTRUCTIVE critisicm, queries etc. And bear in mind this is the Main comnet, not the Lounge. Thanks
 
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AAMB/LCM Bear/VEHC/VE
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RET/LCM Bear/mSSD Atrus/VEN/VE (=A=) (=SA=) (=FOCE=) (=JCPA=) [BRC] [BRC] [NDM] [LSM]
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TRP/1PFC Grizzly/3SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1REG/Lorn IV/VEA 

Don't worry, my VEMC proposition is being sent to the VEHC as we speak Just kidding.. I'm not that stupid Anyway, thanks for your praise, and help. I'll be in touch in the not so far future.
 
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AAMB/LCM Bear/VEHC/VE
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RET/LCM Bear/mSSD Atrus/VEN/VE (=A=) (=SA=) (=FOCE=) (=JCPA=) [BRC] [BRC] [NDM] [LSM]
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TRP/LCPL Grizzly/3SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1REG/Lorn IV/VEA 

Bear, I support you on this, and any help you need, I'll try and give. I am a member of theforce.com so I can send it around in there. More power to ya man!   ----------------------- Otto Vox Army: Sergeant Dark Jedi Order: Uninitiate Platoon 1 Sqaud 3: Raiders TRP/UNI/SGT Otto Vox/3SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VEDJ/VE "War is war, you can only come out alive if you're good."

I think it is a great idea, Bear, except for several items that may need adjustment or "pinning down." It would definitely introduce our members to the wider, inter-club stage of online Imperial collectives and provide a news hub for many individuals. Allow me to list some of my thoughts and I hope you view them constructively since they are intended to be as such.  I am sure you will have them all "hammered out" by the time you get your core together: Firstly, TheForce Network and other websites are already doing most of the functions of this proposed news agency. Therefore, a tad more originality and untapped sources would be required. Secondly, you best be prepared to reap the universal whirlwind if you attempt to have several online clubs work cohesively together or even just discuss/report topics on friendly terms. It is a very daunting undertaking. Not all clubs "get along" with each other or even pretend to get along. EH, GE, SV, IO, RS, SoH, CSF, TFA, UGR, NR, CGF, IW, nCSA... just to name a few... are notorious for their inter-club squabbles.  For example, suppose that both the EH and SoH were members of this proposed news agency, what would happen if they went to "war" with each other? Viruses, telnet nukes, IRC channel take-overs, hacking, trojans, message board spamming, email bombing – the whole kit and caboodle.  How would the news agency react? Would they ignore such a major topic or attempt to cover it from a neutral standpoint? What if the Emperor's Hammer stated that it was impossible for a VE-based news agency to be impartial since the VE was once thoroughly "merged" with the SoH?  What if the VE was somehow targeted as a result? Thirdly, what happens when a topic that hurts a club is posted by the proposed news service?  How long would the news service last if someone submitted an article that displeased EH Intel or even spoke of it disfavorably? In order to appease everyone, the news service would have to toe an extremely fine line... be more goody-goody than Regis Philben... be more vague than Forrest Gump… and conduct no "investigative" reporting into the inner-workings of clubs whatsoever.  Believe it or not, an online club's infastructure is considered a "secret" worthy of being tediously documented for use by the intelligence communities.  Would this proposed news service be sturdy enough to resist the unceasing byzantine plots that would be launched by copious espionage units to control or undermine it? Fourthly, what would be the routine procedure with all these "volunteer reporters" frivolously conversing to the dapper ambassadors of other clubs when almost every member of the "diplomatic service" (e.g. DiploServe) for Imperial collectives are keen, high-ranking intelligence operatives who constantly log everything that is said and study it for hours? You may draw the light-hearted club enthusiasts who simply have too much time on their hands to be "volunteer reporters", yes, but will you not also draw the vile scum of online clubs who are incessantly trying to find out information? What happens when this unscrupulous scum uses the proposed news service as a disinformation network?  Who would be the mediator when such a problem arose to dispense the proper punishment?  What if the volunteer editors denied stories to be published because of their content?  What would be the basis of free speech for the proposed news service and how much would free speech be tolerated if it threatened to inflame our gaming communities?  What if the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt showed up to dismantle the whole idea? Fifthly, two words: New Imperium. If you analyze our large involvement within that “information organization" and its latter stages (or rather, death throes) as merely “a news agency consisting of multiple clubs” before its support pillars were roughly kicked out from under it, a bit further insight may be found.  Perhaps even a list of do’s and don’ts as well. It is possible that my untactful inquiries may spark a debate, but you would have to iron out all these problems and be prepared for each of them as well as countless others in order for the proposed news service to succeed. Other than what I have mentioned as I clucked about like a nagging, old hen, I think it is an excellent idea with lots of promise. ----------------------- ""Adversity is like the period of the former and of the latter rain – cold, comfortless, unfriendly to man and to animal; yet from that season have their birth the flower, the fruit, the date, the rose, and the pomegranate." --- Sir Walter Scott, The Talisman

Uh huh. You've got another interested here ..
 
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Sergeant Rez 'Raxen' Darkswift [Navy: Fallen]
Dark Dragoons Troopie, Nutter and Butter than Before
ETRP/SGT Raxen/2SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VE

I think that this is a great idea I will help however i can bear I think spart is right about the ediorialists and such Great idea

www.geocities.com/cal_f_web/newsagency.html http://www.geocities.com/cal_f_web/newsagency.html Some info and stuff.. Somebody has expressed a willingess to do the bulk of the programming, but theres still 101 little jobs that will need doing.. Also, who can do graphics? I know of a couple of people, but I need the best of the best
 
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AAMB/LCM Bear/VEHC/VE
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RET/LCM Bear/mSSD Atrus/VEN/VE (=A=) (=SA=) (=FOCE=) (=JCPA=) [BRC] [BRC] [NDM] [LSM]
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TRP/LCPL Grizzly/3SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1REG/Lorn IV/VEA 

Do I get to be the one who kills Spartacus? Anyway, if you need help writing anything, count me in, Bear.
 
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TRP/CPL Shadow/3SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1REG/VEA/VE

Leave us . . . the dog eats strangers.

Go chiefs...
 
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Rear Admiral (L) Riel Fury
Navy Executive Officer
Raptor Five
Founder of Aegis Squadron
Dark Jedi Knight

i volenteer to be the counterintelligence/counter-insurgency/judge type person/reviewer of submitted material to make sure it is good officer. i can't write good but i like the idea. i will donate my services as The Agency's secret counter intelligence man that uses managerial editor as his day time cover
 
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WC/TO:A/LCM G5/Raptor 2-2/Wing 1/mSSD Atrus/VEN/=A=
Combat Engineer G5

Stand by to stand by, as I may soon be running up a pseudo-functional set of pages to demo for you all (if Uni work permits).
 
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Ramon Stonefish

"How can we say we are protectors when we are more feared than that which we defend against?!" --Lucien, the First Fallen.
"May the sinless tester of souls hold his hawk's perch over me" -- a kenning, author unknown.

g5, that's like me posting something like this. 'Don't tell anybody, but I'm gay.' Of course, it's not true, but you get the point.
 
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Uhhh... uhhh... ummm... I dunno... ?

I should warn you all.. I don't officially exist. Anyway, expect some News Agency email spam some time in the not so far future..
 
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AAMB/LCM Bear/VEHC/VE
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RET/LCM Bear/mSSD Atrus/VEN/VE (=A=) (=SA=) (=FOCE=) (=JCPA=) [BRC] [BRC] [NDM] [LSM]
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TRP/LCPL Grizzly/3SQD/1PLT/1COMP/1BAT/1REG/Lorn IV/VEA