SEIV E-NewsPaper??

[Taera]

Hey people, i was reading that "101 ways to tell you're addicted to SE" and had that idea come to me.

How about organizing a weekly e-mail newspaper for out little SE community? Much is going on here, and it would be great if it could be put on a centralized newspaper.

Think about it. Everyone can write their articles if they are willing. A place for RP with a different one each week (from what i know there are a lot of them and even more ideas, just not everyone writes them all here). SEIV Humour section, Mod & Race spotlight with reviews of varied mods and races... and so on! news on top of all, but there are a lot more things to write there.

Anyone interested? I alone could not possibly carry out a project of that scale but...

[mac5732]

I like the idea

just some ideas mac

[Ragnarok]

Love the idea... But getting people to actually take the time to make this idea work would be hard. I know I couldn't contribute, even though I'd love to. Just don't got the time. Hardly have time for what I do now. But I would love to see this go through...

[Taera]

you say you couldnt find the time to contribute. i think you could - if it ever comes out it'll be a weekly one meaning you have the whole week to write something. You dont have to be a registered reporter to submit articles. I am sure that if you find time to write ideas, questions, and playing here you could find time to do the same with the newspaper.

anyone else?

[tesco samoa]

I am in.

Talk to Fyron and SJ on this one. since they both like to write.

I think the weekly thing will be too much perhaps every 2 weeks or every month.

[Lupusman]

I think that would be cool. Different people have topic areas that they could write about, the most they are most familiar with obviously. Some on modding, some on specific tactics, some on how best to use the racial techs, etc.

[Taera]

ok, one person is interested. anyone else?

Lupusman: yes you've got the idea right

My initial idea is to have Modders', Humour, TDM, Tactical, Races&Mods places. Plus of course varied articles from the different people.

[tesco samoa]

You know it would not be a seiv newsletter without a section called

Cantina Point Counter Point

You could then have a topic that

tigga vs gyphin
tigga vs saxon
tigga vs dogscoff
gyphin vs saxon
gyphin vs dogscoff
mac vs saxon
would debate on.
well you know where i am going with this.

It would be a great addition to the newsletter.

And you could have someone write an article about the se ladder

[sachmo]

If it doesn't have to be too long, I would be more than happy to contribute some fiction... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Gozra]

I am Interested. Mail me your article and after we get 5 I will publish. Also send me your E-mail address and I will send a copy.

[tesco samoa]

i have adobe publisher from work http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[tesco samoa]

You should think about setting up the structure of the e-mag

I.E. Editor
publisher proof readers etc...

[Trajan]

Gentlemen,

I would be willing to edit, and possibly contribute an article or two when I have something worthy of contribution.

I have an extensive background in this area.

Cheers!
Trajan

[mac5732]

you could also have a newbie section for tips, FAQ's for newbies, a few with each subscription, a Modder section, where modders could explain (in every day language) on how to mod step by step, articles, questions to the editor, and even periodic articles by Richard, Aaron and Tim, list could go on.

Like the idea, all for it.. just add my email listed in my profile to send me copies.., I will also contribute if/when i can or if you need some help that an comp illiterate could do.

Hmmmm a comic section with graphics, in regards to the cantina and the aahhem antics of those who frequent it???? (just an idea)

just some ideas mac

[ June 21, 2002, 17:01: Message edited by: mac5732 ]

[Taera]

Very well. a few days more and i'll start e-mailing people about this. (just dont want to do ANYTHING right now....) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Jmenschenfresser]

I'll contribute if you let me be the mod reviewer.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

People send me copies of their mods with a short description or tag line, or tell me where I can find them...website, forum etc.

Play a short game, go over the data files, and write up what I think. Rate them possibly.

Will help people out there who want a source to tell them what mod does what and which ones kick major arse, which ones advanced the game, which ones are fun, which ones go with AI, etc.

I'd like doing that.

[Ragnarok]

Originally posted by Jmenschenfresser:
I'll contribute if you let me be the mod reviewer.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

People send me copies of their mods with a short description or tag line, or tell me where I can find them...website, forum etc.

Play a short game, go over the data files, and write up what I think. Rate them possibly.

Will help people out there who want a source to tell them what mod does what and which ones kick major arse, which ones advanced the game, which ones are fun, which ones go with AI, etc.

I'd like doing that.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That IMHO is a good idea for the paper. It'd help alot of newbies too with what mods to use and what ones arn't that great. I'd love to see that section. I'm trying to come up with ideas for the paper too but I can't think of any. I'll let you all know if I come up with something.

[tesco samoa]

I would set up standards for rating.

And have a few people rate them

Pehaps on

Complexity.
Completness
etc...

We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

[Jmenschenfresser]

Yes, a system, but since mods differ in outlook (AI, graphics, tech, components, overhaul) it's difficult to create one set of criteria.

[Taera]

Very well let me sum this up.

The idea is accepted by all who replied as a good one.

People willing to take a part:

- Myself!!!
- Tesco Samoa
- Sachmo (Fiction)
- Gozra (Editor?)
- Trajan (Editor)
- mac5732 (Cantina Reporter??)
- Jmenschenfresser (Mod Reviewer)

I'll collect the e-mails now.

[Taera]

Um, most of you (all excluding mac) dont have an e-mail in the profile.

And to say, i dont have a real idea on how this would look like. We'll need to think how would it be.

For now i can think of a HTML based e-mailed Version.

[Jmenschenfresser]

menschenfresser@rcn.com

[zen.]

I'm a graphic designer, so I could probably contribute a little on the layout/design of the newsletter itself as well as graphics. I can also proof/edit when necessary.

I think distribution should fall into either an on-line site (HTML) accessible by all, by PDF, or by e-mailed text file. Obviously, delivery method depends on what you want people to get (info vs. pretty pictures).

As for time, I advise a monthly. It'll be heftier when it comes out and may require better management, but with peoples' daily lives and establishing deadlines for the newsletter, it'll require more time for coordination.

Who knows, this may turn out to be a nice resume entry: "contributed to on-line published community newsletter with circulation of 10,000"

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

zen

[Trajan]

Gentlemen,

I have a few published books and papers under my belt (subject: mortality and morbidity in the elderly -- so don't think they are exciting or anything) so I think I can give you some good help with this venture.

I like the ideas about including some PBW Game "on-the-scene" reporting in each issue. The possiblity for role-playing and general fun is high. Simply maintaining a situation report for each game would be interesting.

Keeping this to a monthly rag, or at most a bi-weekly publication would be best. Then you have time to collect some quality content, edit and revise then publish.

As always...I am glad to help.

Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
Trajan

[Taera]

Well great, it seems that we have all the people we need. Should we get going?

Should the discussions be held here or thru e-mail?

[mac5732]

IMHO, discussions could be held both ways here on this or set up seperate thread and thru emails for those times the discussion is not necessary for thread or privacy correspondence is wanted/needed....

By having some of it here on the forum it would give imput by all members and even create new ideas for the newsletter and invigorate interest.

The only questions I have, is should it include other game information or restrict it to just se4?

I have no objection to using both

just some ideas mac

[Taera]

Well yes, i think you're right.

As for other games, i think it wouldnt hurt writing about something else, maybe completely different. Another section, i think?

[Trajan]

Gentlemen,

Consider keeping the scope for the first few issues very narrow. Concentrating on SEIV and SEIV Gold, measuring the impact/value of the first two or three issues and then adding new games or off-topic news in the later issues would be a safe beginning.

Getting good content is always the hardest thing to do. Quantity will follow as interest picks up.

I am lookiing forward to the results.

Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
Trajan

[tesco samoa]

Perhaps we could persuade Richard to set up a private forum for us to use for all coorespondence about this issue.

[Jmenschenfresser]

Keeping the discussion on the forum is fine by me...perhaps specific issuses with one or two individuals are better done through email, but we'll see.

As this is beginning as an SE4 newsletter, I agree that the content of the first, if not first few, editions should be limited to that subject alone. I think we agree there's more than enough material.

However, were we to, in the near future, branch out, I think we should also hammer out a definition, an angle if you will, for this newsletter. A publication which lacks a definition as to its niche is open to go anywhere. Perhaps that is something to keep in the back of our minds, but still, two suggestions might be--Space Strategy or 4x games...as that is what has brought us all together.

However, SE4 is the topic at hand, and I might as well begin.

Previously on this thread I posted my email:

menschenfresser@rcn.com

For those who want their mods reviewed, please send word of them to this address. Please do not include the mod, but tell me where I can find it and send a little synopsis (ie, what you were trying to accomplish, how you think it adds to the game, how you see it being played, where you got the idea, etc...basically whatever you want me and the world (our world) to know). I may quote you.

Don't worry, I won't be mean. Nothing will be judged along generalized "positive"/"negative" lines, but rather issues such as originality, balance issues, AI capabilites, additions to the game, complexity, etc. Never will I say such things as, "This mod sucks," or "Who thought up this crap?" Honestly, I haven't ever read of a mod on here that didn't interest me. Like everyone else, the problems are, picking those that sound the best...because there are too many to try them all.

That's where this column comes in.

I was considering a write up on the big mods first (TDM, Proportions, P&N, etc), but then I decided not to jump on this right out of the gate. I might include one with the first few editions along with a few reviews of smaller, newer, more obscure mods.

I ask that you send finished work. Well, it doesn't have to be perfect. It can be in beta. But it's more advantageous if what I review is as close as can be to what will be distributed.

Send your mods today! Old! New! Updates! Whatever!

[tesco samoa]

I have sent Richard a private message asking if he will set up a private forum for the newsletter. We will await his responce. If they cannot do it here. I will ask around for some space.

Trajan check your private Messages

[ June 26, 2002, 21:14: Message edited by: tesco samoa ]

[Taera]

private forum would be a good idea.
It can be either here (best) or i can ask Hadrian to set up a forum for this at his SE.org forum which i think he would agree, or think about the EzBoard... but they have those ads..

I agree with things said below, this should first base on SEIV and with the time move on, concentrating mostly on space strategies and a little less on other 4x-s.

Today i wouldnt do much as i have one Last big exam at school tomorrow. From tomorrow and on i will be completely free for this project.

(i need to think what would _I_ be doing. I cant just be the director or something..)

[Trajan]

Gentlemen,

I have a web server with a Discus board already installed. While it is currently geared towards my wife and I, I do not see any reason that I couldn't put up a private discussion group there.

If you want to see what it looks like, and can handle all the mushy stuff http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif , go to...
http://www.rbectel.co.uk/html/discus/index.html. (http://www.rbectel.co.uk/html/discus/index.html)

Cheers!
Trajan

[ June 27, 2002, 15:36: Message edited by: Trajan ]

[zen.]

I was just thinking we could also create a Yahoo e-group. That would also let us exchange files on a main server as well as establish a mailing list. Private, based on moderator approval of members.

Also, trajan, I like your site. I'm a fellow DC/metro area inhabitant! And I have to ask, on your photos page, where are those godly mountains and scenery? That was SO impressive!!! The title is big red Xed.

zen

[Trajan]

The mountains are the Canadian Rockies, near Lake Louis and Banf. My wife and I were in a plane overflying the glaciers and such.

I am sorry, that I never had the time to get the rest of the those pic's up, and better format the whole lot of them.

Cheers!
Trajan

[mac5732]

I'm not crazy about ezboard/pop up garbage, Trajan's offer sounds ok to me, I'll go with the majority.

Do we set up a sort of outline for the lst issue or so in order to organize the newsletter into specific areas before hand or just use generalization for each issue.

IMHO a monthly would give everyone involved time to get their articles/whatever together and submitted. but again I go with the majority,

just some ideas mac

[capnq]

If you do make a Yahoo!Group, be careful to reset your "marketing preferences". Yahoo!'s default settings are "all spam, all the time".

[tesco samoa]

Ezboard nooooooooooooooooooooo.

Perhaps Fryon might be interested in hosting.

[Trajan]

&lt;bump&gt;

Any progress with this project?

Cheers!
Trajan

[Jmenschenfresser]

Two folks have kindly agreed to a mod review. So I have work.

[tesco samoa]

i have not heard anything.

[Fyron]

Perhaps Fryon might be interested in hosting.

Hmm... I would be willing to host the discussions for the newspaper on my forum. The link is in my sig.

[mac5732]

I'm ready to help anytime, Fyron said he would host the discussion forum for the paper, whats the consensus????

I've already begun researching an article on the Cantina for the paper, titled "The Pie Wars or What to do with matted Tigga fur" just need to know when to submit....(ps. If anyone knows how to draw a cartoon for the paper pls let me know) and if it along with some humor is permissible for the paper, as well as serious articles.... I leave it up to the members so let me know, I can do both or whatever you would like

Mac

[zen.]

I figured we might need more than a forum, but also a place for uploading files and such, so I created a Yahoo e-group. It's at:
http://Groups.yahoo.com/group/se4cn/

You'll need a yahoo ID but that'd come in handy for other Groups anyway. Right now, it's open membership, but if pointless people start showing up or posting, I can lock it down to members only.

Let me know what y'all think.

zen

::edit::
Trajan - I meant the mountains you guys posed in front of...Canadian Rockies too? Gawgeous. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ July 03, 2002, 22:53: Message edited by: zenbudo ]

[Trajan]

&lt;bump&gt;

Anything doing with this? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
Trajan

[Deathstalker]

If you are still taking submissions I could do a book review on whatever I am currently reading (or dust off some of the 300+ books I own). Nothing too in depth, just a general review of the book (from my opinion of course). My 'library' covers a wide range (mystery/sci-fi/fantasy/historical fantasy/horror/thriller etc.)

[Taera]

Hello people, I am terribly sorry for just leaving the thing out here on you guys. There have been a lot of things going on here and i just could not come Online to do all the things i needed to. I do though promise i will try to not let that happen again any soon and i want to go on that project seriously.

As soon as i return to my own PC i will register to the Yahoo group and I'll see whats going on there.

Again terribly sorry for just leaving it here.

[Skulky]

IM in HS now and on the newspaper there, pretty good deal going. However, i'd just love to work on this (don't mind my spelling its a AIM bourne disease). I can do really anything you want. I think for now it should start with one or two pages. Maybe by edition X or XV we can have "BEST OF THE MODS" keeping it small and long between publications will make it easier to manage. We can always publish more frequently and with more material later on. Just dont' want to get over extended.

SO yeah, I'm in. Email me at speedyhair@pacbell.net

[Taera]

Well, have been away again - RW problems.
I have joined the group yet only three people there.

I strongly suggest all the participating people join the group as it would make it much, much easier to communicate.

[Skulky]

&lt;bump&gt;

[Taera]

&lt;bump&gt;

Please, people participating, please join the Yahoo group.

[Trajan]

I suggest an HTML formated newsletter. Post it on a webserver, and link to it from here and any other community websites that are used by this distinguished collection of gamers!

Cheers!
Trajan

[Trajan]

For the heck of it, I grabbed a template from PageMaker, did 2 minutes worth of color changes on it, PDF'd it, and stashed it on a web server.

This might work to get some creative juices flowing on this project.

http://www.rbectel.co.uk/downloads/newsletter1.pdf

Cheers!
Trajan

[Taera]

nice, but doesnt have a "space" feel to it.

[tesco samoa]

So where are going with this.... We need something set here so this can begin. So who ever's running this take control and contact us and tell us were to go and meet so we can figure out what were doing. We need to set some dates and goals.

P.S. that looks like a good template.

[zen.]

Go here. (http://Groups.yahoo.com/group/se4cn/)

z.

[Taera]

yeah. there have already been some Messages at the group, and as i said all those who wish to participate should join the group.

[Trajan]

Try this for a masthead...

again...it is meant as food for thought. I am just not as creative as others, though I do well enough.

http://www.rbectel.co.uk/STORAGE/SEIVG-780x144.jpg

Cheers!
Trajan

[mac5732]

I must apoligize, I have been busy and have not kept up, I shall join the rm lst chance of I get and still am interested in working on it.

mac

[Trajan]

Posted a new demo newsletter in the files section of the user group. It uses Zen's nifty masthead.

Cheers!
Trajan

[tesco samoa]

i will join there tonight...

[mac5732]

I've sent my membership in on the Yahoo Se4 group site, is this the only one we will use for discussions,

mac

[Skulky]

Where did this go, i for one know nobody is posting to the yahoo e-group or whatever. C'mon its not that much work. I would even attempt a first issue if i knew how to design it, i dont' have anythign to write to the template that ppl gave me.