Military Power

[KnightTemplar]

The Logistical Services Group has been temporarily Closed to new Threads. You can still reply to the threads that are in there but can not post new ones.

The reason for this? If you notice, the description for each of the subsections mentions "Discussion" and there is little to no "discussion" going on in there. It seems that most of the topics in there are written more like Encyclopedia entries than discussion topics, and encyclopedia entries are not conducive to discussion. I am as much to blame as anyone else on here as many of my topics in there are written the same way, this particular section was created well before I even thought about adding a Wiki to this site, and the thought at the time was to create a place for information on equipment to be browsed more than discussion. Since the addition of the wiki however, I had hoped the more "Encyclopedic" information would be placed in there, unfortunately, that has not happened.

To that end, I have closed that section to new topics until I can figure out what to do with it. Those who still wish to write the "encyclopedic" entries I would ask do so in the Wiki. If you need help with that just ask me. If you are unsure of the formating and syntax to use, feel free to just post it with no formatting and myself, or one of the Admins will be happy to add links and formatting for you.

I would ask though, that you read the articles listed on the Help Page before posting in the Wiki. I know that many of the listed articles don't exist yet, and I am working on them, but the ones that are of the most importance are there for you to read.

[General Forestry]

Topics, I believe, and from what I have gathered should be discussion. Discussion means that they are worded as a question as the first post. It is easy to copy and paste something onto here and then hope somebody responds to it, but more discussion can be made if YOU ask for an opinion.

[CrazyCatman]

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm not sure this will stop the problem as the offenders (few as they are it seems) will just post the same type elsewhere. While, at the same time, it prevents those who do post the "discussion" type topics from posting them in the proper location. That being said, I have no idea how to fix this problem, but would suggest that having a few people occasionally posting non-discussion type topics isn't nearly as bad as those who do post discussion topics not being able to (or at least being discouraged from doing so by not having a proper place to post them.)

[Hobilar]

As Chief "Offender", perhaps you will allow me to defend my position.

Firstly, I see no reason why "Discusssion" and "Informative Essay" can't coexist in the same plane. Lets face it-There was a dealth of messages being posted on the Group between September of last year and March of this (when I commenced submitting the latter kind of message).

Secondly, I could easily transfer such of my topics to the Wiki if you should so desire (except that I am still waiting to be accepted as a member of the Wiki).

Next, I feel that a good group should be customer friendly-If you want people to keep coming back to see what is new then you need a variety of topics with which to arouse their interest. There are only so many times that one can fall back on the: "What is your favourite General/ Gun/ Battle/ Fighter etc?" type discussion before the Group becomes stale and just the same as a hundred other 'Myspace' Groups.

A few good, well-written, essays which 'share information' could give you the edge over all the other similar sites seeking more members.

[KnightTemplar]

Ok, time to reply to some of the comments since the last time I was on...

First... The temporary closure was just that, a temporary "solution" to a perceived problem. As for CrazyCatMan's comment about it being limited to just a couple of members, there are 356 topics on here with no replies, and almost every member with over 10 posts has at least one. know when I first created the forum I intended it to have both discussions and Informative posts. With the addition of the wiki I was hoping that it would gather a lot of the informative posts, but it didn't.

Second, as for Forestry_man's comment.... Yes, in a perfect world all topics would be discussed and phrased in such a way to be easy to discuss, but that isn't the way they work most of the time...

Next.... Hobilar..... I wouldn't call you Chief Offender, maybe the most recent, but We've all done it (including myself). I don't think that discussion and informative posts can't coexist (I think I ave what may be a solution I will discuss later in this post). The "dearth of messages being posted" that you spoke of was for a combination of reasons, as was the return of discussion. I don't think that you can claim revival yourself because of your informative topics. I do throughly enjoy reading your posts, especially the informative ones, so I hope you don't take this in a way it wasn't intended. As for acceptance to the wiki, I've been away for a day or two (I'm not sure when you applied) but have accepted you in there. I don't generally check the applications very often because I haven't advertised the wiki outside of the Military Power site very much yet and have posted the Wiki password in the Members only section.

I agree completely about being customer friendly. I try to be customer friendly, and try my hardest to incorporate suggestions and comments from members to make this site more customer friendly. Sometime, as this particular instance demonstrates, it backfires, but I try to notice when that happens fairly quickly fix the problem(s) that arise. I am always open to suggestions from any members (or even prospective members), that is one reason I have as much contact info available as I do. If you have suggestions, comments, or confusions, I hope that you feel comfortable contacting me (or any staff member here) either on the forum, through PM, via e-mail, or even through IM.

I've mentioned that I think that this particular change backfired. I've noticed that posts have dropped off since the closing of new topics in that area and I think CrazyCatMan may have hit the nail on the head as to why. I plan on reopening the sections that were closed in the next day or so.

I've also mentioned that I have what may be a solution. we will see how this works (I would like feedback on this as well (see the customer friendly paragraph above)). Here is what it is. I'm considering a section specifically for the Informative posts, I hope to establish it in the next day or two, but as it is, it is going on one AM and I have to be up early tomorrow.

[Maximus the Destroyer]

I didn't agree with the closing of the Logistical Services Group sections personally (mainly for reasons pointed out previously) but this is his (KnightTemplar's) site and I didn't feel it my position to complain (maybe comment and give suggestions, but without a better alternative I didn't figure I was in any position to complain). We (KnightTemplar and I) have discussed this individually and I believe he is doing very well. Some of the members here may know about some of the stuff he is dealing with on top of this site but I dare say not many, and those that do are probably like myself and don't even know the half of it (due to respect for him I will not post any of it, he can feel free to if he wishes). As far as customer support goes, I think he is doing an excellent job at that, as the quick response to member comments and suggestions (both in originally closing the section and admitting that was a mistake and working on an alternative) indicates. Keep up the good work. It will take more than a few problems here and there to turn me away (every place has it's rough patches, especially when trying to get established, and even more so when the entire concept behind it is something "new" to the norm).

[General Forestry]

I apologize for anything I may have said in my last post, that is just the way I thought of the whole issue. But, KnightTemplar suggestion is a good one. If there was a section for Informative posts, then maybe that would solve the problem and create more posts and activity. I also apologize for MY lack of posts. I will read through them, and a lot of times you guys are way ahead above my knowledge of history. My military knowledge lies within the Civil War, and I will do my own research and try to follow along with the posts the rest of the site leaves. I probably overreacted when I left my comment about how the site should be geared to be what I thought a forum should be. So, the best suggestion would be to try and make something that everyone on this site can find interesting and enjoy, cause shouldnt that be the ultimate goal? Or maybe I'm just rambling.

KnightTemplar has and still continues to do the best he can on this site. I am still very greatful to him for inviting me and many others to join. It helps me keep my mind focused and straight as I try to get throught the remaining years of my schooling, and I also find that when I get on this site and read what everyone has to say, I am more relaxed and not as stressed out. It is great to see where everyone comes from on this site and I look forward to seeing more people join, from any country.

[KnightTemplar]

The New Informative Topics Section has been added. To Post in there you have to be in the "Active Duty" member group (members with 15 or more posts) You have to be manually added so if an Admin isn't on when you hit 15 posts you will need to wait.

Let's see how this works...

[Goliath]

Wow. I missed the whole thing. I guess I'm slacking off (82 new posts when I logged in today).

[Maximus the Destroyer]

Hmm, seems sort of "lacking" in there...

[SizarieldoR]

I agree with Forestry_man, we share a point of view. Discussion between Homines sapientes requires opinion.

A few good, well-written, essays which 'share information' could give you the edge over all the other similar sites seeking more members.

Essays usually consist of supporting a thesis, Hobilar

Yes, Maximus, KinghtTemplar is a fine admin. He deserves having his nick in bright red letters.
I, too, don't post often, Forestryman, dont worry. That doesnt mean our posts are worse

P.S.
What's that chicken and that egg in that box on the picture anyway?

[CrazyCatman]

What's that chicken and that egg in that box on the picture anyway?

Well, with the arrows and such I would venture to guess it has something to do with the phrase "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" though it boggles the mind why that would be used for that category.

[General Forestry]

Chicken an egg!!??? I'm confused...of course it doesnt take much for me to get confused.