Commentary on Agenda Items for Next Meeting

[Aegle]

As some of you know I am unable to make my views known at Team Speak meetings and am limited to airing my views in writing. With that in mind please forgive the length of this submission. It is intended to be my view on a couple of agenda items and what I would like to be taken into account when these items arise at the next meeting. The agenda items in question are 1, 2, 4 and 6. Elsewhere I have made my views known about item 7.

Air Attack is a free game open to all who enjoy playing and who are prepared to abide by some very simple rules. We have a few hereditary sysops (replaced by agreement amongst themselves,) whose job it is to ensure that these simple rules are followed. The game administration, just like the internet in general, is not a formally organized structure. It has grown to be what it is and it works so it is best left alone.

A few regional community websites have sprung up to represent players in various geographical areas. These web sites serve as places where people can learn about the game and keep up to date on developments. Each community organizes leagues, events and fun events.  These functions are handled by a few dedicated gamers who love the game and are prepared to give of their time to further its interests. Most of these sites, like the game administration, are loosely formed and “just exist”…no one is quite sure who is responsible for them but “who cares” they work and, in the main, everyone is happy. The United States community has, of course, to be different. It has to be grander and more prestigious than anyone else’s.

USAAC originally born on the Tides of War gaming site and nurtured by a well meaning man dedicated to its growth has been structured as a political organization. It has a “Board of Directors” a “Charter” and appointed “officials.” The Board of Directors, by public notice, holds regular meetings with published agendas and minutes of meetings.

Most of the time at B.O.D. meetings is taken up with discussing what functions are needed, who should be responsible for them and how they should carry out these responsibilities. Only a minimal amount of time is spent on things that matter to the game itself. In other words the B.O.D. has become an organization dedicated to its own interests. It’s like sticking your head up your own anal channel to figure out who and what you are and what your purpose is.

I don’t mean any disrespect to any of the individuals in our community. We all love the game of Air Attack and we think we are working toward keeping it alive and well. It’s just that I think we have lost sight of what is important; the game. In creating such a formal political structure we are in danger of becoming like many political organizations; dedicated to ourselves and our own importance. If the gamers need people to represent their interests then that is all they need.  They need people to do a job of work for them, not a bunch of people who think their appointment is a privilege that entitles them to a crown of divinity.

One symptom of the ailment that all will understand is the creation of a private forum for “Directors” to “let their hair down” and discuss things that should not be aired in public. Huh!!! What the heck does that mean? We know what it means in practice. It means we now have a so called private forum in which “Directors” can say anything they like without being moderated. They can insult and slander each other with impunity. Well I say there should be no “secret” discussions. Those who have the responsibility to represent their respective constituents should speak their minds freely but openly within the bounds of decency and respect for others. Their debates should be subject to moderation as in any other forum and should be open to public view. We are not dealing with top secret affairs of state here…it’s just a damn game.

So, folks, what I am saying is let us get back to basics. The web site is a great idea and it needs a few people to keep it up and running. By all means let’s have a few representatives like squad CO’s to meet when needed to appoint the people who do the work and to settle any disputes that may arise. They don’t need to meet on a regular basis and, as representatives of the players their discussions should be open and available to everyone. Oh and if they feel a need to insult each other they can do so through the Private Messaging system.

[Rb_Tullamore-Dew]

The more I read from you Aegle, the more I like you.

Is there really hope for the american population ?  :)

It´s really about time, that I know who you really are e.g. what the nicname is, I originally know you by.

Are there any more americans around, I´d like to meet in RL once ?

You are surely a spy or something. Probably a british ´island-ape´ or one of these ´french cowards´ or even a damn ´german nazi´.  ;D

No, you must be a ´commie´or even a ´terrorist´ a damn ´liberal´at least. You´re way to inteligent...

Take care...

[Aegle]

Thank you, Tulla and yes there is hope for the American population. Since I am one of them I have to believe that. Without hope we have nothing. But we must not get off topic This topic is about the agenda for a Board of Directors meeting which was held tonight.

My post did not appear to have any impact on the Board's deliberations. It seems we need more committees to examine ourselves even further. As you well know political organizations, once formed, invariably become egocentric. I really don't want to seem like I am condemning any individuals because all those involved in USAAC are good people with good intentions. They sincerely believe they are acting in the best interests of the game and, let’s face it; they are doing a lot of good work. I just happen to think that it could be done a lot quicker and with less fuss if we simplified the operation.

I know I am not a popular activist and I don’t quite fit the mold expected of usaacians but, until they silence me, I will continue to write what I believe.  As always, of course, I will be civil and respectful in anything I have to say. As to who I really am I haven't found out yet. I am still working on it. In any event I'm not sure what I would have to tell you in order for you to believe me.  ::D

[Goofy aka Carbine]

well it true
dont mean any disrespect to anyone

they treat the game like a business or something like that but aegle ur rite
BBC_Goofy

[BBC_SaX]

The C/O X/O forums need to be accessable only to staff and BOD members to be able to freely discuss pertinent AA issues.   What was brought up at the BOD meeting was in regard to posts between BOD flaming each other.  We all agreed that there is no place for personal attacks in the forums even if it is closed to the public.

As with any group or organization to be successful there needs to be some kind of hierarchy.  Proof that this system works is evident in web site and forums itself, without the dedication of the BOD and staff none of this would be here.  The game is what it is.  It can not be improved upon nor changed.  Only events and leagues can be created to add to the enjoyment of the game. 

[Aegle]

I appreciate your response, Sax. Thank you.

You mention the need for a hierarchy (defined as: an organization or group whose members are arranged in ranks, e.g. in ranks of power and seniority.) The game itself, of course, has its own form of hierarchy, simple though it may be. How many more hierarchies do we need?

The web site was intended to be a home for the US community from where we could organize leagues and other events. We also, of course, have forums where members can debate game issues or anything else they find of interest. The site is very ably managed by Firestorm and Kid. The forums are equally ably managed by CheckM8 and a couple of moderators. We have excellent League and Event Managers.  Why does it also need a structure “in ranks of power and seniority?”  The other communities are doing very well thank you without such formality.

You see a need for a hierarchy. Over whom is this hierarchy exercising its power and seniority? As I said already the game already has controls in place to keep players in line. Now we need another organization to keep the US community in line?  I don’t think so. The USAAC BOD has no direct control over the game itself, only their web site and there is, in my opinion, no need for endless debate at monthly meetings. Let the people who are performing the various functions get on with it.

As for the CO/XO forum I have seen nothing in there that could not have been discussed in open forums. There may be a couple of items about web site structure that shouldn’t be made public for fear of hacking but that sort of item can easily be dealt with by private messaging. Anything else in there could have been debated in full public view. Oh, I almost forgot the recent inflammatory discussion that would certainly have been embarrassing if brought to public view.  That, of course, should never have taken place as you know. So why did it occur? Firstly because it is, as you say, “accessible only to staff and BOD members to be able to “freely” discuss pertinent AA issues.” Secondly because it is not allowed to be moderated. I can assure you that if it were allowed to be moderated I would never have permitted such debate to continue.
 
I wouldn’t be surprised if I am told that I should not be having this type of debate in a public forum. Well I think it should be. All the members of our community are entitled to see how their community is run and to voice their opinions if they so desire.

[Firestorm]

The one thing that I didn't get a chance to say at the last meeting in regard to the flaming issue was similar to what Temper said......if you don't have anything good to say about then don't say anything.

Personally, I think that if you cant say it in public forums, then don't say it at all. Of course there are some areas that do need privacy as Aegle mentioned, but on the whole the CO/XO section is over used. I don't believe it is being used in the correct manner at all times.

Like all above have mentioned, PM's and TS should be the preferred means of communicating your thoughts that are not acceptable for public viewing.

Just my 3c worth....AU$=.658US$

Fire

[Vipor]

Tulla

The more I read from you Aegle, the more I like you.

Is there really hope for the American population ? 

It's really about time, that I know who you really are e.g. what the nickname is, I originally know you by.

Are there any more Americans around, I'd like to meet in RL once ?

You are surely a spy or something. Probably a British ´island-ape´ or one of these French Coward's or even a damn German Nazi. 

No, you must be a ´commie´or even a ´terrorist´ a damn ´liberal´at least. You're way to intelligent...

Take care...

Ummmm....I know you will not believe this, But Aegle is my counterpart. I am Aegle and Aegle is me.   Now am I higher than #11??   hehe 

Disclaimer: This is all in jest. I admire Aegle and would only ever dream of being to write as eloquent!!



 ;D