On the issue of Chapter Wars...About a year back( I dont know if some of you may remember) I created a chapter called 'Alliance Peacekeepers' The whole idea was to keep peace in the 7th column. I had some prominant members and we prevented several chapter wars, it had an effective alert system, and good sentry's throughout the 7th column. It was very cool but after about 4 months I disbanded it due to inactivity( we had stopped many chapter wars and there was too much peace :) I had my own defense corps as well in case of war waged on [i] us. [/i] I was very suprised on how sucessful I was. All I needed was support for it to be sucessful. If you guys would like this kind of thing up again, I will volunteer to lead a 'peacekeeping corps' if needed.

That would be a good idea, however, not exclusively. I mean, I have trouble keeping here, and the HBO forum? Whew! =P

That's true. Also, it would be good if members of the Council could be selected from capable fans who frequent other sites, like HBO, Subnova, or BG:H. Perhaps Miguel? --Poocho :)

Yikes, Halo53, those were huge! Maybe if you'd left out the parts where you just agreed with what was said earlier it would've been better. Still, nice to hear your thoughts. Your many . . . many thoughts. And your endless chapter promoting. ;) j/k I don't have the time to go reply to every single post like good ol' 53 could, but I'm in agreement with much of what was said. 7 members would be perfect. They should get their own private chapter. And of course they should have Bungie as their direct overseers. As for the purpose of the 7th Council (I prefer 7th Council to 7th Column Council--it may be less desriptive, but I think it sounds better), I think it should focus more on organizing the community with real life events, and less on site maintenence. While I agree that the chapter spotlight and 7th Column news are important, the best way to help unify the community is to arrange for them to interact more outside the bounds of the forums and chapters. After all, the majority of Halo fans rarely if ever even visit here to socialize. They're more interested in when they can have their next LAN or what the best times are to play online (via XBC or with HPC over the Internet). I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, just that they enjoy Halo in a different way. So, like I think it was Stosh who said so, I think that regular XBL or physical (like congregating at an actual location) events would be the focus of the 7C's organization. That way, those fans who rarely use the Internet will be able to simply check out the 7C's front page to find out the info on the next event. Organized chapter battles would also be a good idea, provided the Council can keep things from becoming too aggressive. The last thing we need is for members of different chapters to throw around flames and other insults here on the site. Once the battles are over, they should be able to go back to normal, friendly conversation. As for the needed moderation of the online aspect of the community, I think this can be handled properly while real life events are being focused on. Forum moderators do not necessarily need to be members of the Council. Also, as an added suggestion for picking members of the Council, availability of the members needs to be considered almost as much so as their other qualifications. It would be best if at least one of the members would be online at any given moment during the week so that they could be contacted. Obviously, some times there'll be more online than other times, but we should always be able to contact at least one, regardless of his/her particular responsibilities. Perhaps a member could be chosen from a timezone besides the ones in the U.S. who would be able to be online at what we're used to being 4 in the morning. And of course the quantity of time a person can dedicate to this is important as well. For example, it may be that I'd be good enough to handle some of the responsibilities of being on the Council (I don't expect you to agree--no one here really knows me or my abilities), but there's no way I'd have to time to dedicate to the project. I'm sure many others are the same way: perhaps qualified ability-wise, but only able to spend an hour or two every couple of days at Bungie.net. This idea has a lot of potential, but we still have much to finalize before we go ahead with it. Just my thoughts, [b]Poocho[/b] :)

Continued from my previous post. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] stosh While I believe it is important for the "Council" to keep the Seventh Column updated and clean, I also believe the Council should take on a bigger role in the development of the Seventh Column. We could organize weekly official halo 2 xbox live events and competitions for example. The Council could even work with bungie and get ourselves dedicated halo 2 Microsoft servers. We could also oversee chapter vs. chapter xbox live battles as another example. Both chapters would register server time with us, and then we'd setup everything so that the game was managed professionally with official and fair results. Halo 2 on xbox live is going to be huge. We'll need a group of people dedicated to making the xbox live experience with halo 2 the best that it can possibly be. [/quote] Hey stosh, I sent you a friend request on XBL a loooong time ago and then removed it because you didn't accept it for like a month and my friends list was full. If you ever go on, send me one (Gamertag: Halo53) and Ill accept/make room. My list was full and I went to accept someone else. Sorry. :( Updated and clean is very good. As I was saying last post, one of my chapters is dedicated soley to the organization of 7th Column XBL tournaments. I was hoping we could organize a Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow and maybe a Rainbow Six 3 or Mech Assault tournament before the release of Halo 2, but once Halo 2 is released we will have many Halo 2 XBL tournaments. I don't want to turn this into a chapter advertisement, hell I don't care if you join or not but we will need people to participate in a 7th Column XBL tournament and we only have 13 members. If a founder wants his chapter to be entered, he would have to let me know to sign up his chapter. Anyone in his chapter who wants to play in the tournament for his chapter/team should message me letting me know. Even though you may be in many chapters, you can only play for one in each tournament. There are many other details I have put in a specific rules database and have thought up myself but I/eek (eek is basically the co-founder. I had the idea and he was all for it so he joined right away and I gave him full privs) would be willing to have these 7th Column XBL Halo 2 tournaments hosted by my/our chapter, The 7th Column on Live. Again, I don't care if you join. I have to make more stuff open to the public (Although eek made our forums staff only because we have a separate forum for the chapter but, whatever) and get more databases and such put together but if you/anyone are/is interested in a tournament via XBL and wants to participate, message me. Once Halo 2 is out 99.9% of our tournaments will be Halo 2 but its good to see others have the same idea as me, just I thought of it first :P So basically my chapter is dedicated to making the XBL 7th Column experience with Halo 2 the best it could possibly be. Glad my chapter can help, possibly. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Yoozel If the Council is going to be incharge of Halo 2 events, well if I ever got picked: my going rate is a new computer and my own cable line. I'm really waiting on what Brian or Tom has to say on this subject...[/quote] Again if Halo 2 events are used I would let the SCC join and become staff at my chapter. That is if they even want to use my chapter for XBL 7th column events. They may think I suck and make their own, sending my chapter out of business because everyone joins their XBL events and not mine :( [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] just another fan How about a weekly news letter for on the 7c main page? You know, telling what new chapters there are, who the founder is. Just giving giving some extra info. And interviews with founders and B.net members. And maybe some "column"? Where one of the council members just write something up. Simply telling us what he thinks about B.net or something. Should i ever get picked (nothing wrong with hoping right?), i hope that that will be my job. But just like said before, i hope that there will be some other news on the 7th column mainpage, not just the regular "join my chapter" stuff. Event news maybe?[/quote] I agree. Maybe the weekly news letter could have a paragraph from each SCC member, unless they are unavailable so they all put in their input. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Live killa Maybe the council could head up like a Halo 2 teams tournament, and we could keep track of the bracket.[/quote] Again, I would let the SCC members have full privs at my chapter and set it up however they want. I had an idea for a bracket (Liked seeded teams, how matchups would work out, like in a 16 team tournament, the first seeded team plays the 16th etc. How the teams are seeded... I could sit here and explain what I thought up forever. Maybe kind of have a season and playoffs type thing?) [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Yoozel Well if people just started kicking people off of the 7th Column in might seem a little, tyrannical? People would start kicking others off just for the fun of it, and that wouldn’t go down so well. If anything, the Council should have a chapter they have to join and with will have a link on the 7th Column main page for easy access so that people can report things.[/quote] Again, the wise Yoozel is right. Agreed. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Elitexboxer it would be cool if there where a method of finding the absolute best halo 2 players by keeping a score an all teams and the councel could set witch ever teams against eachother they wanted[/quote] I actually made a database for keeping track of stats. Well I actually made one database that will have links to all of the stat trackers because I haven't decided what I wanted to keep track of (I guess kills, death etc) but maybe a different database for each gametype? Than the SCC could come up with a forumula for determining the best players and we could sort each database by their rank. Well my uber long post is now done. What do you think? I would volunteer to help anyway, whether it be by being a member of the SCC, just letting the SCC members use my chapter for the tournaments, or not being involved in the SCC but just continue (as a veteran) to be a "good example" so to speak. haha I previewed my post. This is my 53 post and since 53 is the greatest number ever, it is fitting that the longest post I ever made and probably in septagon history is my 52nd and 53rd post. Quite fitting :D

I am probably about to make the longest post in the history of the Septagon. Between quotes and everything, I may have to make 2 separate posts. Maybe. I will find out... when I finish. Ill shut up and start typing. Note- Only took parts in which I am responding to for the following quotes so it isn't the whole quote [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Yoozel Sketch tried to help organize us by opening up the 7th Main page, but what did that turn into? A spam pit, it had the best intentions, but really, I think we need to limit chapters and cut off the ‘fat’ (i.e. old in active chapters) to help free up members. ...these multi-chapter events could go off so much better. XBL opens up new possibilities for a massive community event. Surely changing the Chapter Spot Light isn’t that hard, but someone’s gotta do it, that is one of the biggest complaints I hear about. A council should and will be picked by the web team, because they know who is trustworthy and who will abuse the power. But the Council number one, trait is that is has to be, willing to listen to the concerns of the column goers. People shouldn’t fear the Council, they should look to them for support and guidance, if they have a problem, for example, they should feel free to come and talk to one of the members and not be terrified to talk to them. I’m just trying to say the Council should not be looked at as a terrifying body of ‘elite’ members that even the newest member can’t talk to. And for publicity, maybe we should petition Brain for a bigger mention in the Halo 2 manual and possibly somewhere on the box of Halo 2, a little mention on the back or something? P.S. I already think most other developers loath Bungie for having the best damn fan community on the planet! [/quote] Yes, the 7th Column Main Page is Chapter Advertisement after Chapter Advertisement. I honestly stopped reading news there, although it has helped keep my mailbox empty. I founded a chapter specifically for XBL Halo 2 tournaments. Basically a chapter vs chapter tournament. More details throughout my 2 posts. Yes, spotlight must be updated and yes, it must be handpicked. If it is an election it would be like doing this American Idle style and everyone knows Justin Guarini should have won the first American Idol (/joke) Agreed with the listening to concerns part. Yeah, maybe also at the end of the credits in Halo 2 it could say visit *url here* to get the lastest info on **Halo 3 and meet other Halo fans. Of course we are the greatest fans in the world. Mainly, because I am here. :D **Note, if there will be a Halo 3. Hopefully there will be... [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] deanero Believe it or not, most of the work is done in the beginning. Your in "crisis-mode" early in the life-cycle of your chapter. But once you've grown, you'll notice that the work to get things done becomes easier, once you've broken through the wall. Anyway, my point is, with a little forethought, a little determination, a little planning, a little luck, and a repulsion to quitting, we can do anything.[/quote] Getting your chapter off the ground is defianitley the hardest part. Of course we can do anything, because we can get Bungie's help and when they dominate the world... [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Keeper0fTheTru7h ...common sense will tell you that all these elections and LAN chapter representitives would be just like a government. not saying that government is abad and all, but do we at the seventh column really want that? Or do we just want a time to get together and talk about stuff we did or found out about new up-coming halo stuff?[/quote] A government? Do we have to pay taxes? I don't think we should have a government like council, but a... council like council. You probably don't follow me at all but no president, or prime minister, or emperor, cesear, czar etc. Kind of... like a council where everyone has equal say. The "president" would be Bungie. They would have final say. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] KIAGrunt Like a leader then a cabnet. I personally would like to be part of the cabnet. Like each member has a certain task, and advising the leader as well, and the leader can also VETO or make the final decision.[/quote] No leader needed. Any bad ideas would be vetoed by Bungie Employees. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Zuka Zamamee if we made a gov't i would get taxed and i dont wana get taxed officials should have split power with 5 othere guys 6 total [/quote] Ah, you stole my joke! 7. Definitley 7. I mean it IS bungie and 7 is an odd number for split decisions. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Yoozel I think ‘power’ is the wrong term. Responsibility would be a much better fit, and taxes? And the elections would just turn into a popularity contest, just like a high school prom. The most popular guy/gal wins even if they are the least qualified.[/quote] Yes. Yoozel is so wise. Responsibility is a much better word. Taxes was a joke, I think. Right, and then I would never get picked because no one likes me *cries* [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Yoozel Right on! But the question is how many people will he pick?[/quote] I say 7. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Maraxus6 Perhaps a chapter could be devoted to the SCC. Rip Saw also brought up an interesting point. Making the 7th Column more organized could, I suppose, lead to chapter wars, but only if there's a rift in the council itself. I dont like the idea of a president and advisors, however. I say, that the Council Members should all have an equal status in the group. [/quote] Yeah, good idea. Probably SCC members/Bungie Employees only and everything is members only. A place where the members could discuss topics on hand and make decisions. The poll feature would come in handy. Chapter Wars. I remember those. I was, like France, neutral. :D I guess it would turn into a Republican Democrat type chapter war if there were elections. One group wanting one thing, one group wanting the opposite. Equal status is given the thumbs up by me. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] just another fan The scc should just keep things updated if you ask me, new chapter spotlights, new top news and all. And pehaps moderate the forums since stosh will be in it anyways.[/quote] Agreed 110%. Everything you said is correct. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Yoozel They should be able to do other things than just those typical things, they should watch over the Column and make sure absoulty no wars start. Something tells me this has a way of going to the Star Wars world. A Light and Dark side, oh' god....[/quote] Yes, again agreed. If there are chapter wars, the SCC could act as the Jedi Council and "use the force" to be the "Keepers of the peace' [/nerd] [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Sigma The equal power thing sounds also like a good idea, though really I don't see any possibility for riffs within the council. Most anyone I can see getting picked gets along with everyone fine. [/quote] Arguements over what should be done will happen based on different opinions but if by rifts you mean fights, if anyone in the SCC is going to start a fight they shouldn't be a member of the SCC anyway. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] just another fan Who do you mean? I have no idea who are going to selected. All i know is that stosh is going to be in it. Maybe shiska or something. And perhaps the council should be some sort of guide for members. Cuz with halo 2 we'll be flooded with hundreds of new members. So some extra guide could be useful. Perhaps the council should be taking care of that to. [/quote] Probably stosh... I don't know... That guy Halo53 seems kind of willing to help :D The SCC should just handle all issues that need, well, handling including the flood of members and a guide or whatever. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Yoozel That's exactly what I'm saying; the Council Members need to be approachable by everyone! [/quote] Again I agree with the wise yoozel. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Live killa The council should pretty much over see the column. Maybe instead of every one complaining about spam and about flaming in chapter to the b.net staff, they could report it to us to free up the staffs message box, and if it is really serious then report it to skecth or achronos. Hopfully we can also try and get some non=spam news into the main page too. I'm not sure if we wan't to include gaming news or event news or what ever, but I'm sure who ever ends up in the council would think of some thing. Lastly 7 people is the perfect amount, it represents the 7th column, and is an odd number so just incase there needs to be a vote on some thing there will be no tie.[/quote] Yes, seeing over the 7th column, dealing with spam, handling the 7th column main page news, (Spam free is the way to be) handling important issues etc. Ah, 7 people. Damn people posting before me with my exact thoughts. You and that guy with the taxes joke. Evil. I am almost out of room so I am making another post. Sorry for any spelling mistakes/grammar mistakes but so much typing... I probably did.

it would be cool if there where a method of finding the absolute best halo 2 players by keeping a score an all teams and the councel could set witch ever teams against eachother they wanted

Maybe the council could head up like a Halo 2 teams tournament, and we could keep track of the bracket.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] goweb I think a "Report thread" link would do the trick.[/quote] yah but only for the people who have been here for a year or more you took the words right out of my mouth goweb

This is probly a stupid idea but here it goes i think all you ideas are great but I would like to add something to it the flood of people here is going to be a problem as you guys have stated but what if we had this system where most of the menbers who have been here have the power to expell people they see spaming and makeing usless posts and people flaming each other this would weed out the true bungie fans from the people who are just going to cause problems [Edited on 5/9/2004 6:29:54 AM]

oh and yoozel, an agony aunt is someone who writes articles in magazines, and people write letters to them asking for advice to upt in the article, basicaly someone everyone akss for advice and help.

Ah, I see. Kind of a community board like thing. Very interesting. Yet that would take a lot of work from this council. I'm also wondering how free Bungie will be after Halo 2's release. Part of me says they'll be out and about a lot more, but then again, they might have more goodies in store.

The council should pretty much over see the column. Maybe instead of every one complaining about spam and about flaming in chapter to the b.net staff, they could report it to us to free up the staffs message box, and if it is really serious then report it to skecth or achronos. Like Yoozel said while changing the spotlight is no big deal, some one has to do it, and that could be another part of the SCC's job. Hopfully we can also try and get some non=spam news into the main page too. I'm not sure if we wan't to include gaming news or event news or what ever, but I'm sure who ever ends up in the council would think of some thing. Lastly 7 people is the perfect amount, it represents the 7th column, and is an odd number so just incase there needs to be a vote on some thing there will be no tie.

that sounds cool, the council can update stuff and be agony aunts part time!

True. As leaders of the Bungie community, the SCC members would need to be ready to help solve problems and answer the questions of the new members.