Poll: Event Reporting

[Sgt Major Al Beddow]

We are trying to streamline and make easier how the administrative part of the Rangers is for everyone.

Suggestions are welcome, just reply here.

Thank you
Al B.

[Scoutdad]

Al: It's almost a wash to me, but I went with email.
The reason is simple...
Our data entry software at work is an antiquated beast that will only run in IE8 (or older) browsers.

Since this is the browser always open on my work computer (and half the time on my home PC) - lots of web pages (and consequently web-forms) no longer function properly in IE.

By having things submitted via email, I am not as limited as to how / when I can submit items.

[pixelgeek]

I have a blog and I almost always post game reports there. So any option that includes posting a URL to a blog post or web site would be good.

[Sgt Major Al Beddow]

I have a blog and I almost always post game reports there. So any option that includes posting a URL to a blog post or web site would be good.

I like the idea but, a few thoughts:

*My Experiences*
For the Warlord Games store demo team (The Sarge pgm) we had people posting event submissions (and their reports) in the forums and putting links to their pictures in the post (or email them if they didn't have a place to host them).

While I ran the Mongoose Infantry, I had a fillable PDF for that my people could fill out (as much as possible) and print ahead of the event(s), then get them signed (potentially with feedback from the host), and then scan them into an email for me. This made it *very* easy for me to show Matthew Sprange at MGP who was doing what/verify credit was being given out properly.

*REPORTS IN THE PAST*
The web form emailed all reports to Jean and she kept them organized and was able to access them quite quickly and efficiently. (I don't know how she handled just getting a link to an outside site).

*THE CURRENT ISSUES*
Steve & Leanna have approved a rewards program that is significantly improved over the current one. Nothing has been directly said yet but I can imagine they will at some point be asking to see the reports. If they would agree to the link idea I could see possibly allowing it.

Again, thank you for the suggestion
Al B.

[pixelgeek]

I think the blog post would just be a way to provide details. I think having a web form that people filled out would be the best way for you to have data.

Also, in this world of FB and other sites, I think that having Rangers provide links to FB events or similar would also be useful info.

[LimeyDragon]

I like the 1st and 3rd option. And i also agree that a link to an event that was hosted showing pictures and additional information is good.

I would like to have option 2 to be used for big events, like tournaments, campaigns, and leagues that have been run by Rangers. Be it at a convention or a store.

[pixelgeek]

Would it be easier for you if we were required to post here and there was a template or set of details we had to provide?

I'm actually not too fussed about what option is used so pick the one that works for you and the ADB staff.

Making us post here also means that other Rangers get to see what is going on and what other types of events people are running

[Sgt Major Al Beddow]

Would it be easier for you if we were required to post here and there was a template or set of details we had to provide?

If we go with either email or post on the forum, there will be a template for what information to provide so reports are easy, and consistent.

Making us post here also means that other Rangers get to see what is going on and what other types of events people are running

When I was running the forums & reporting for the "Sarge" in-store demo team for Warlord Games, the company had set up separate forum areas for submitting events and providing reports. Each month had its own thread and everything for that month was posted in the appropriate thread. That forum hosting site provided the ability to have a message displayed while a post was being made, which I used to show the appropriate template.

We don't have that feature here - but I can make a sticky post with the template so everyone can always find it for a reference.

[Sgt Major Al Beddow]

I appreciate everyone's comments and feedback. I've been considering everything being said as I work on how we will handle all this with the new program.

So, let me may talk a moment about the my thinking on the options we've been discussing.

My experience comes from being a 'professional game demonstrator' going all the way back to 1998 - starting with Kenzer&Co, through AEG, WotC, Mongoose, and many others. Web forms, straight emails, paper forms that were faxed in, etc.

*webforms*
The currently used webform sends an email to our Commandant-in-Chief with all the entered info (which now she will forward to me to process). The required photos have to be emailed separately. A kludgy system but it has been working all this time.

This provides the records she is able to keep locally and quickly reference them when needed (by herself or at ADB). I know this because early on I was helping her review reports to help her better learn how to read them. (you wouldn't believe how many ways I've seen the same basic information be reported by demo team members).

*emailing reports with pictures*
This option would put all the information for one event together, instead of one email for the report and a second to provide the pictures - and without having to download the pictures from some other site and managed separately.

They could be filed by Ranger name and easily accessed and be a little easier.

*Using Forum Posts*
I wish I could give y'all access to the forums where Warlord Games used for their Sarge team. The one problem (which our forum has) is: no space for uploading files. So photos would be provided by embedding a link to each picture allowing the pics be displayed in the post. Should for some reason that file no longer be available at the posted address then it is no longer accessible by Jean/Me/ADB.

*Using Blog Posts*
Blog posts are a fine way to spread the word about your events to the larger audience on the web - a great thing. But, in order for us to make a permanent record of the event we would have to grab the post (text & photos), paste them into like a MS Word document, then save the document. It increases the time needed to archive the report. We would have to archive it this way because (like with photos linked to forum posts) should the site/blog entry no longer be available, the report would be lost.

Let me re-state: blog posts are great as a way to reach a wider audience, circulate a more in-depth accounting to the author's audience, but for keeping records that are easily accessed they don't work very well.

Nothing has been decided yet, and I have several other items to develop before Jean & I make a final decision on this.

Thank you all for your participation,
Al B.