Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject: Investigation sign up idea
I know Patrick wants to keep the investigation sign up threads limited only to posts by people interested in taking part on the investigation. That way he can just go through and see who posted, as opposed to having to check each post individually to see if the person is asking to be included as well. This is a good idea and makes perfect sense. However, what are we to do if we realize we won't be available on the night of an investigation we've already put our name in the hat for? I was thinking it might be a good idea to have a specific protocol for this kind of thing. For example, if you realize that you signed up for an investigation on Decembruary 37th, which is the same night as your monthly Bridge Club Disco Extravaganza, what is a good way to take your name off the roster?
I propose that the standard protocol be to delete the text from your post and replace it with simply an X
what do you think? _________________ The opinions and ideas stated in the above post by ponyboy do not necessarily reflect the opinions and ideas of the Ghost Hounds organization, it's members, or it's founder. Please take them with a grain of salt.
www.historicghost.com www.Ryan-Eldridge.com
Joined: May 04, 2005 Posts: 1539 Location: North Georgia
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:
Is that what your [x] meant in the March 10th thread? Because I took that to mean to include you.
But maybe there is a protocol that could be established.
I would say maybe there should be a protocol instead as to when Geek assigns the teams. If we know for sure that he will be making the team assignments on day X before the investigation, then we can say do not sign up unless you are making a committment to be there.
I think in the past, Geek has made the assigments no earlier than 2 days before the investigation. Surely by that time everyone knows whether they can attend or not. (emergencies aside) And there shouldn't be a big rush to be included, because of how the team selections are made.
So, instead of having a protocol to take your name off the list, I think it would make more sense to have a protocol for putting your name ON the list. If something comes up, then I'm sure seeing your name twice in the thread would alert Geek that something is amiss.
the x was just a suggestion (and yes, that's what mine means in that thread, i forgot I have a tour that night)
I just think it would be beneficial to have something established to make the team sign-ups and assignments more smooth. Your idea is also good, but it is definitely important to keep open for ideas.
so.... anyone got any of those ideas? _________________ The opinions and ideas stated in the above post by ponyboy do not necessarily reflect the opinions and ideas of the Ghost Hounds organization, it's members, or it's founder. Please take them with a grain of salt.
www.historicghost.com www.Ryan-Eldridge.com
What about makign a new post with the words "No longer available" typed in? I originally thought about using a larger font, but the preview didn't work for that, so that's out. Follow it up with a PM to Geek and you should be covered, I would think.
Joined: Feb 14, 2004 Posts: 662 Location: The Other Side
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:01 am Post subject:
I think the following procedures/protocols/steps should be taken:
First, when GG posts the scheduled investigation, the first ten or twelve people to reply to the thread get first dibs. This provides for either two teams of up to six, or three teams of up to four investigators. Anybody who posts after that gets put into a "wild card" spot.
Second, schedule a "pre-investigation" meeting a couple of days in advance. This meeting can be online in a separate chat room from the Parachat chat room on this site, or in Instant Messenger, or at a restaurant near the site. The problem with the IM part is not everybody has an IM, nor do they all have the same IM. Although MSN and Yahoo IM's are supposed to cooperate with each other. This meeting can cover some info on the site, such as where it's located, etc. Teams can be organized at that time as well. If any of the investigators at that time know they won't be able to make it, they can inform Geek or goohsmom, and either one of them can then call up one of the "wild cards."
Third, all investigators planning to participate in the upcoming investigation should have Geek's or Goohsmom's cell phone numbers, and their home phone number. They already can PM them and e-mail them, but in order to reach them more quickly, phone numbers are highly recommended. This can tie in with the pre-investigation meeting. If they know they won't be able to make the pre-investigation meeting or the actual investigation, they should call at least an hour or two before the meeting takes place. This gives them enough time to call one of the "wild cards." The "wild card" can attend the pre-investigation meeting, and of course participate in the investigation.
I know there are unforeseen emergencies that may not happen until the day of the investigation, or right when you're getting ready to head out to the investigation site. Your kids might get sick. Your car might break down on the way to the site. Your car might not even start in the garage or driveway due to a dead battery or bad alternator. There are several things that can happen. It's still a good idea to have their phone numbers in this case. If a "wild card" can make it in time, then all the better. It probably wouldn't hurt to get the city and state location of each investigator, and the "wild cards", so if Geek or Goohsmom have to call one of them, it might be better to call the one who might be closest to the site. Since most "wild cards" won't be called until the last minute, you won't have to delay the investigation or the meeting too much in order to wait for them to arrive. _________________ PRG
Be Afraid of the Living...not the Dead
Joined: Apr 30, 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Oakland County, Michigan
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:
I think Goohsmom's idea sounds good...simplicity would probably be best as there's really no way around someone having a last minute emergency anyway...so, at that point, one would just have to call someone on their team and let them know at that juncture I guess. As far as knowing a little bit ahead of time, just posting in the topic "cancellations" would be enough especially with a follow up PM. Just my .02.
i knew I could count on the hounds for good ideas. Perhaps instead of a larger font, like goohsmom mentioned, the post could be done in another color. Or anything that would make it stand out in the event that patrick should not see the PM you send. _________________ The opinions and ideas stated in the above post by ponyboy do not necessarily reflect the opinions and ideas of the Ghost Hounds organization, it's members, or it's founder. Please take them with a grain of salt.
www.historicghost.com www.Ryan-Eldridge.com
indeed, i think just anything that is not orange (or whatever color the links on the page happen to be at that time) will work just as well. But a standardization of the color to use would be useful. _________________ The opinions and ideas stated in the above post by ponyboy do not necessarily reflect the opinions and ideas of the Ghost Hounds organization, it's members, or it's founder. Please take them with a grain of salt.
www.historicghost.com www.Ryan-Eldridge.com
Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 1892 Location: Georgia
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject:
Thanks for your input people.
Lets not complicate this more than it needs to be! When I said I only wanted people who could actually go to post, I was trying to weed out the "cant make it - I have to work" and other general banter. Just makes it so much easier for me to do team assignments when I see names of ONLY those available and eligible to go.
If someone signs up and discovers later they cant make it, they should just reply to the same thread and I'll delete their posts from the thread. So if you sign up to go, then post that you cant make it, do not be alarmed when your posts vanish.
No X marks, nor red text is really necessary. Only the people who can go on a particular investigation need reply in a thread (other non-relevant replies will be deleted). And they only reply back to the same thread if they later discover they cant go. _________________ Patrick Burns
Founder and Director, Ghost Hounds
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 1892 Location: Georgia
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:47 pm Post subject:
PatrickRsGhost wrote:
I think the following procedures/protocols/steps should be taken:
First, when GG posts the scheduled investigation, the first ten or twelve people to reply to the thread get first dibs. This provides for either two teams of up to six, or three teams of up to four investigators. Anybody who posts after that gets put into a "wild card" spot.
We've got other threads discussing this, PRG, but I'll respond to your ideas and concerns...
First off, we cant base preference on who merely who replies first. Some of us are on the site every day. Others only can check every couple days. Not fair. I base the team assignments FIRST, on who has attended a meeting within the last 4 months. SECOND on who has been waiting the longest to attend an investigation - those who have been on one recently have their names rotated to the bottom of the list. If there are spots available, sometimes people go on several in a row.
Regarding multiple teams, unless the location is sufficiently large enough, we don't do multiple teams. We have enough investigations going on that people who want to investigate have the ability to find one that cooperates with their schedules. Its much easier to have small teams of 6 or less go out, vs trying to organize 2 or 3 teams. Besides, the investigation coordinator is responsible for reviewing the evidence collected and presenting it to property owners. More teams means more work for the IC.
Quote:
Second, schedule a "pre-investigation" meeting a couple of days in advance. This meeting can be online in a separate chat room from the Parachat chat room on this site, or in Instant Messenger, or at a restaurant near the site.
Everything that needs to be discussed prior can be (and is) done in the parking lot before we go in. Or via email or individual phone calls. Asking people to schedule yet another specific time is only going to complicate things and decrease the number of people who will be willing or able to participate.
Quote:
Third, all investigators planning to participate in the upcoming investigation should have Geek's or Goohsmom's cell phone numbers, and their home phone number. They already can PM them and e-mail them, but in order to reach them more quickly, phone numbers are highly recommended. This can tie in with the pre-investigation meeting. If they know they won't be able to make the pre-investigation meeting or the actual investigation, they should call at least an hour or two before the meeting takes place. This gives them enough time to call one of the "wild cards." The "wild card" can attend the pre-investigation meeting, and of course participate in the investigation.
They dont need mine or Pams number (especially if I'm not on the investigation team - I can't attend them all) They need the number of the investigation coordinator (IC) and this IS emailed to the team members prior.
Quote:
I know there are unforeseen emergencies that may not happen until the day of the investigation, or right when you're getting ready to head out to the investigation site. Your kids might get sick. Your car might break down on the way to the site. Your car might not even start in the garage or driveway due to a dead battery or bad alternator. There are several things that can happen. It's still a good idea to have their phone numbers in this case. If a "wild card" can make it in time, then all the better. It probably wouldn't hurt to get the city and state location of each investigator, and the "wild cards", so if Geek or Goohsmom have to call one of them, it might be better to call the one who might be closest to the site. Since most "wild cards" won't be called until the last minute, you won't have to delay the investigation or the meeting too much in order to wait for them to arrive.
I know I speak for all the Hounds when I say we appreciate your concerns PRG. We've actually had a general protocol for a little while now and I think we have a pretty good handle on it. We're just fine tuning a few things here and there. All of your very valid concerns have been taken into very careful consideration. Thanks again! _________________ Patrick Burns
Founder and Director, Ghost Hounds
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
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When I said I only wanted people who could actually go to post, I was trying to weed out the "cant make it - I have to work" and other general banter. Just makes it so much easier for me to do team assignments when I see names of ONLY those available and eligible to go.
