Time for Kobyashi Maru Test

[AlexSomers]

Well its a new Year, suppose I better get started with my Kobyashi Maru, there should be more instruction on what Department and or ship/Base a Marine should select for simulation.

Also

Happy New Year all

Sent PMs to Adm Evshell, will also be sending exact copies to Capt Arma

[Jeff T]

Good luck with the simulation! 

[AlexSomers]

You know for the Kobyasi Maru scenario there should only be one department for the Cadets to apply to as after the KM they will be going to their main simm after possibly a couple more tests.

Unless all those Departmental options are there because Lotus Fleet other sites are linked to ghe academy one!

If this is not the case and the KM site is seperate from the other sites there should only be one department for all cadets while doing the KM sim, as it requires the cadets to take the centercseat for the simm, the department should be command, as a cadet doing his/her KM no win will be the acting co for the duration of the Kobyashi Maru simm.

Just some suggestions, also thanks to the well wishes for my upcoming KM from JeffT.

[BLZBUB]

 Just remember Cadet ...

 ... there will be none of that 23rd century "commendation's for original thinking" stuff in this Kobayashi Maru simulation.

[AlexSomers]

MY original thinking was not that it was a Logical one

[Kheren]

About that test and commendation thing...

In the novelization of The Wrath of Khan, it is exlained that this commendation was given to Kirk not for his cheating performance in the test but for what he had done to achieve this cheat; leadership in convincing fellow cadets to help him, strategic planning in the commando operation to infiltrate Starfleet Academy's computer center, tactical sense in leading that operation, science and technical coordination of qualified personnel in accomplishing the modificiation program... all true qualities of a good commanding officer; and for the sheer audacious idea and unshakable determination of doing it all in the first place in order to change the odds and succeed regardless of personal consequences to himself and his career (hence the original thinking mention); the sign of the hero he would become.

And as we have seen in the movie, the entire incident was not publicized (decades later, even a first rate officer like Saavik had never heard of it; only close friends like McCoy and Spock seemed to know... probably because he told them at one point). And the book states that the "flaw" from the test was corrected so that no one could do a repeat of it.

This is of course a far cry from the meaningless, worthless KM in Jar Jar Abrams STINO movie were Kirk is shown jus as a cheater (and is not commended at all for it but grounded). In the film, it is not explained how he did it but, in the bonus material of the DVD, a deleted scene shows that in fact it is the Orion girl he bedded that did the whole programming alteration all by herself (in seconds... and he dumps her afterwards). Thus it shows if anything that Nu-Kirk is a manipulator and exploiter as well as a cheater. Yay for Nu-verse Trek characters being "closer to modern audiences" (Abrams' words).

Just so saying...

[Evshell]

This is our main RP site, Alex, the addition of KM sim was simply using the tool we already have to add that functionality. The KM sim is not the main point of the site. That is why all the other departments are listed.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I think it works fine the way it is. It is reasonably easy to find the Academy Cadet position and if not, as usual with all things related to the Academy, CO/XO/instructors can be PMed for assistance.

[AlexSomers]

In over my nine years Simming experience I have never encountered such a joining method as Lotus Fleet has, I know and understand why you have what you do in place, but don't you think that the long method you have atm (while beneficial have to admit even an old dog like me can be taught a few things new) Might be the reason why not many would be RPGers do not wish to join with such an enlistment method?

Not on about the ones who play STO now, I am on about the ones like myself who just want to join for the RPG Sim part of the Fleet, you might want to streamline the recruitment in that area a bit.

Here is a suggestion

Make it easier for members to join your RPG sims with minimal Academy type lessons and tests, then when they join a ship the Simm commander gives them one of the tests (at Random) when the playing in question is due to be promoted IC'ly to Full Lieutenant. That way you will know if the person can cope more with the prospect of a Deputy Dept Head or a Dept. Head position, obviously they will be tested on their Career path type tests.

This would be an ideal idea after streamlining the enterance pre-requsites for joining Lotus Fleet RPG Side. Not even UFoP SB 118 PBeM Simulation Group has the type of entry tests you guys do and they produce a lot of good simmers and their members only get a month minimum 4 Max for training. But then again they only to RPG Simulations, it seems the method you have atm is set up for admittance into the whole Lotus Fleet, why not make it easier for new members to join your RPG simulation side and if they wish to take a larger part in Lotus Fleet put them through the type of thing I have gone through.

I only make these suggestions in the context of trying to make recruitment a little bit easier and more tempting, I joined because I am a trekkie and I actually relished the type of Academy Courses I just gone through, got nothing bad to really say about it, hence the suggestions.

Also you might want to think about updating your STO Courses as the Skill meanings have changed somewhat since you first made them, they may mean the same but the descriptions and such differ from what you have. Another suggestion

[Evshell]

There's a phrase we use a lot when it comes to Lotus Fleet. Whether in the quality of our members in general, in STO fleet capacity, or in RP, it comes down to "Quality over Quantity". Do we really want the members who are able to pass through the most dumbed-down version of our signup process possible, only to have to weed out those not qualified later, in a more stringent application process, only to make them realize after all this time that they are not able to pass the most minimal of obstacles we (not purposefully) might have in the process? I don't think so.

For example: We had someone who quite adamantly insisted that they deserved to be in Lotus Fleet but did not want to go through the Academy. Did we accept this person into the Fleet simply through pure sympathy and belief that "numbers rule all" and that more people on your roster equals a better Fleet? No, we said, "Sorry, but if you aren't willing to go through the Academy we can't accept you. This is not snobbery or a case of putting up barriers for the sake of it. It is not a test. It is simply something that takes a little effort, time, and yes, possibility of slight frustration to pass through. However, at the end, we grow stronger in that we have those who won't shy from a simple challenge (whatever minor a challenge a website problem may pose), and are better for it.

I hope that this allows you to see what it means to be part of Lotus Fleet and does not cause too much frustration, but on the contrary, challenges you to step up to be part of what I believe to be a great organization.

[AlexSomers]

It was only a suggestion, i did say i understand why you had what you had in place hence why i said "suggestion"