=^= T E N F O R W A R D N E W S L E T T E R =^= TEN FORWARD - AN INTERACTIVE STAR TREK CHAT http://www.intergate.bc.ca/personal/danneff/tenforward/ ISSUE 2 July 1998 Greetings and welcome to Issue 2 of the Ten Forward Newsletter. Included in this issue: Messages from Administration Departmental Reports/Summaries Officers Promoted as of the End of July Information Concerning Anniversary Celebrations Information Concerning a TF union in Las Vegas Details of Alternate Room when Loss of TF Occurs Should you have any comments, problems or ideas regarding formatting, content or any other attribute, or any ideas for inclusions in next month's issue please forward mail to the return address : tfnewsletter@hotmail.com [MESSAGES FROM ADMINISTRATION] ---------------------------------------------- As you probably are aware Ten Forward was unaccessible a few weeks ago for a total of 3 days. Our main chat script supposedly consumed too much server resources and thus was automatically "shut out" by the server as a defense mechanism. We were not permitted to run the script until we made it more efficient. Lt. Cmdr. Sonata and Admiral Rascal spent an afternoon revising the chat script and now believe it meets the server's requirements. You should notice overall performance to be more efficient and accurate with an absence of the infamous HTML errors. Again, if you know of any errors in any of TF's files, please don't hesitate to contact Admiral Rascal at moritzly@geocities.com If you have any complaints regarding the management of Ten Forward and especially the promotion procedure contact Admiral Rascal. *A reminder that all department personnel MUST report to their head. Reporting to the Admiral can be done as well, however reporting to your respective head comes first.* Captain Fox is managing a message board which any TF member may use to post a message (concerns, general announcements, assistance, etc). This service is hosted at http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb117462 We would like to thank Ensign SF Warp for this idea. Admiral Rascal has created a script which parses html form data and sends it to a specified email address in a legible format. If you are a department executive or a project leader and use html forms in order to obtain information you may find this very useful. If you would like to use this script contact Admiral Rascal as your recipient email address must be authorized. [COMMUNICATIONS] ------------------------------------------------------------ Since many people felt the loss of the DS9 character Jadzia Dax deeply, a memory service was held on Sunday, June 28th, at 5PM EST. Yala J. Brooks, the vice-deputy of Communications, led the memory service. The Department realises this took place in June, but missed the deadline for the June newsletter. The Race Database that is being constructed was initially supposed to be a Communications/Engineering project. The database attempts to set out the major and minor races of Star Trek universe in a simplistic manner. However, only a few of the Communications Department members have been involved, so the department cannot take any major credit since it is based on individual achievements so far. The race database for those interested can be found at http://www.geocities.com/area51/Station/9095/index.html The Trivia Competitions are still running. They can be found at http://www.geocities.com/area51/Nebula/5111/trivia.html Recently undertaken is the creation of the Linguistics project. If you are familiar with German, Spanish, or Klingon you are requested to consider participating in this project. All Crewmen and Officers are encouraged to apply for a position in support of the Ten Forward Language project. Inquiries to Ensign USAF (msmjr@gfherald.infi.net) and Lt. Cmdr. Ivonna D. T. Thoni (ivonna@hotmail.com) [DEVELOPMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES]------------------------------------------------- Developmental Technologies has been much more active of late. The Department has reorganized into four divisions. They are as follows: Text/General Ops - Led by Lt Erik Javes Layout/HTML - Led by Lt Commander HVG Graphics - Led by Lt Lorina The Romulan Deligation - Led by Lt Khazara The Department is to operate as follows : Text/General Ops is to deal with all the text information in the chats. Items such as the welcome messages, different warnings or informational messages, tutorials, link pages, and any other general items. The information is then to be submitted to the Head of Department. Graphics is to be in charge of drawing, finding, and sorting graphics that will be used on the two ships. The information is then to be submitted to the Head of Department. The Romulan Delegation will supply all the information on Romulan civilization, technologies, culture, government, and do whatever else necessary to aid authenticity of the Romulan Ship. The information is then to be submitted to the Head of Department. Layout/HTML will take the information received from the other three divisions and organize and write the HTML pages for use. The DevTech HPhas been revamped. Although still under construction, please feel free to comment. http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/8298/devtech.html [ENGINEERING]---------------------------------------------------------------- Due to the absence of all three engineering executives over the past month, Admiral Rascal and Lt. Jayneway have been in charge of the department. Commander Hal has recently returned from shore leave and has placed the finishing touches on the engineering homepage homepage located at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dungeon/9438/index.html Because of the absence of our executives we have not embarked on any new projects. At our homepage under the web development section you will find a list of valuable links concerning aspects of Internet design. Tutorials and guides on HTML, Javascript and CGI programming can be found there. [INTELLIGENCE]--------------------------------------------------------------- Over the past month, the intelligence department has been examining applications and member skill levels. it is hoped to create a list or training sheet for members to clearly define our mission goals and how to achieve them. Furthermore, work is ongoing to set up pages and hopefully links to useful tools that will be available only for the intelligence members. As always, please visit the intelligence site and tell us what you think at: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/4581/ or mail us on : tf_intell@geocities.com [RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT]----------------------------------------------------- The departmentīs homepage is still undergoing rework according to TF standards. In addition, there will be a sub-site to this, detailing the different projects R&D is engaged in. Projects include: The Ten Forward Archive The Archive page is currently residing at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3723/tfarch.html The Vox Box This long-time pet project will give all TF crew members the opportunity to download sound files of their online friendīs voices or sending short messages. Shuttle Bay / Shuttle Bay 2 The shuttle bay will be known to visitors to TF, being the TF link page. Shuttle Bay 2 will be an additional page with Star Trek-links that are not directly relevant to TF, but nevertheless interesting for itīs crew. Awards Page This is another sub-site to the Shuttle Bay, where the awards given in TF and their winners will be presented. Future Projects There are several other programs under discussion which will be reported in due course. Please feel free to put forward any ideas you might have at any time. Please take the time to visit our homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3723 We would appreciate any comments you may have, so please mail us at TF_RandD@geocities.com [PROMOTIONS AND MONTHLY AWARDS]---------------------------------------------- The following members were promoted as at 31st July 1998: Lieutenant Commander Tail Kinker Lieutenant Commander Ivonna Thoni Lieutenant RQ Lieutenant Sonata Lieutenant Yala Lieutenant Kat Lieutenant JG D@emon Lieutenant JG Jayneway Lieutenant JG Mesaana Founder Lieutenant JG JDog Lieutenant JG 7 of 9 Lieutenant JG Aquila Lieutenant JG Aquiel Lieutenant JG Aliens... Ensign Electronic Banana Ensign Hawke Ensign One Ensign Fujikuro Ensign Mrs. Sulu Ensign Krulak Ensign USAF Ensign Stavro -Officer of the Month Award: Awarded to the officer who exhibits outstanding dedication, enthusiasm and hard work within their department. This month's winner is Lieutenant Sonata who once again went beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions. Sonata has been working very hard on several projects. His accomplishments for this month are as follows: Working on the on the TF Archives - a page containing links to ST Fonts and midis. The ST Advanced Technologies site which deals with creating a fictional ST vessel. (If you haven't voted for your preferred Starship yet, you are required to do so at Starlabs). The TF bar guide which will explain in detail many of those exotic beverages Guinan and Quark enjoy selling to customers. Editing all the character pics in TF making them smaller and easier for the browser to load, thus increasing chat response time. Aiding in the creation of the site imagemap and responsible for all the related javascript programming. Aiding Admiral Rascal in revising the main chat script to bring Ten Forward back online after the 3 day "out of order" scenario. Congratulations Sonata! Everyone appreciates the time you've spent on TF. -Outstanding Citizenship Award: This medal is awarded to the officer(s) who exhibits outstanding citizenship qualities in Ten Forward. This month the Admiralty congratulates Lieutenant Kat who has demonstrated her counseling and communication skills numerous times. She's there to hear you out (despite your opinions or views), keep the peace, and be your friend when you are in need of someone to talk to. The Admiralty thanks you Kat for playing such a vital role. Your efforts are appreciated. -Ensign With Honors Award: This medal is awarded to the Ensign who receives the most promotion recommendations at the end of the month. The award is allocated on a merit basis, and is not meant to be a regular occurrence is not necessarily allocated every month, rather only when the senior officers feel an Ensign is worthy. This month we congratulate Ensign Hawke who has been an active member of the Communications department. He has been playing a major role in the creation of the Pastoral Team Poetry Site which includes poems written by TF members. [STAFF MOVEMENTS]------------------------------------------------------------ HVG has moved on from his Engineering post and is providing a valuable contribution with his assistance to Developmental Technologies. [TEN FORWARD ANNIVERSARY]---------------------------------------------------- Ten Forward Anniversary - 22 August 1998 Tf's first birthday is fast approaching. In order to celebrate this special event, the administration department had been planning some special celebrations ! Firstly, there is the Ten Forward Annual Survey. This survey asks for opinions on any number of things, from most loved to most the most poetic officer, and extremes in between. If anyone's noticed any budding romances, be they secret or not so secret, here's a chance to vote for the best match category for an officer. URL: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/2388/survey.htm Second, another Ten Forward Annual Survey 2. Yes, stop moaning *EG*. This survey is to collect your memorable memories. Your responses will be put into a HTML file so everyone can see and share the more memorable, or maybe forgettable moments in TF. Any comments are welcome, so if you remember times where you've thought "oh my, I don't believe they said that!"...that's what to include. URL: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/2388/survey2.htm The schedule of events for our anniversary ceremony is as follows. Note that standard Ten Forward time is in GMT. PST relates to those on the Pacific Coast of North America while EST relates to those on the East Coast of North America. 20:00 Friday [EST] 17:00 Friday [PST] 00:00 Midnight [GMT] President of Federation, Admiral Rascal, and SSS Officers enter. The President will commence the opening ceremony. 1:00 Saturday [GMT] 21:00 Friday [EST] 18:00 Friday [PST] Speeches will be given by the President and the Admirals. 2:00 Saturday [GMT] 22:00 Friday [EST] 19:00 Friday [PST] Survey results will be posted. Those who received the most votes for a particular catagory will have their rank changed accordingly. 3:00 Saturday [GMT] 23:00 Friday [EST] 20:00 Friday [EST] Results of a special interview by Lt.Cmdr.Sonata with Admiral Rascal. 4:00 Saturday [GMT] 00:00 Midnight [EST] 21:00 Friday [PST] Promotions and awards will be allocated to many officers by the President and the Admirals. 6:00 Saturday [GMT] 2:00 Saturday [EST] 23:00 Friday [PST] A special dedication plaque created by Cmdr. Joshua Hal will be posted. 7:00 Saturday [GMT] 3:00 Saturday [EST] 00:00 Midnight [PST] Special gathering for all senior staff in SFC. Others can party in TF. All food and drinks are paid for. [TEN FORWARD UNION - LAS VEGAS]---------------------------------------------- Several memebers of Ten Forward have been very interested in planning a real life union. This would probably take place in Las Vegas sometime during the end of June or beginning of July next year. Of course this would be rather costly - air fare, hotel rental, hall rental etc. Nothing has been planned - we're just investigating the possibility. We would like to put the feelers out so to speak and find out what the general interest is for such a gathering. If you're interested in attending this possible union, please contact Cmdr. Tommy or Lt. RDMG. [FUTURE PROJECTS]------------------------------------------------------------ Several members of Ten Forward are currently working on a project led by Admiral Rascal. It will act as a main menu for Ten Forward, the departments and the major departmental projects. This menu will take the form of a Starbase and will be the base html document for our personalized URL which will appear in a few months. [ALTERNATE ROOM]------------------------------------------------------------- In case of difficulties with TF, an alternate room exists. This procedure is always available for our members in the event that Ten Forward experiences log-in problems. For instructions, please visit the following site at WBS private room ISCANDAR. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Head of Intelligence Micha. [CREDITS]-------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks goes to those Department Heads who fulfilled their duty and submitted reports on time. Commander Tigris Ten Forward Administrations tfnewsletter@hotmail.com