Gearheads of War

GearHeads- Improves?
By SweetTea023
Posted on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:04:46 PM EST

In the Army after every mission, everyone involved stands in a circle and does something called an AAR.  Basically, it is just discussion on what could have gone better and what everyone did well.  These are called "sustains and improves".

Taking that concept to GearHeads, after nearly 2 years of news, late night Fragfest's, huge discussions and all around hilarity on our site, what would like to see improved? Also, what do you think we've done well?  

This is coming after some pretty big advances to our site. Here are just a few things that have been added in the past month or so...

1)    Saturday Night Forgefest.  When a few months ago we had one week that consisted of a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and then Saturday playing nothing but Halo 3 late into the night with Kenai, Grymm, Machete and others we decided to make it permanent. On top of our Friday Night FragFest, we will be continuing to do a Saturday night ForgeFest.  It has stalled recently due to 3 of the main participants losing their Xbox's (Grymm, Machete and I) but rest assured, it will return to its former glory in the coming months.

2)    I CLAIM SHENANEGINS!   With our 3rd podcast being posted in the next few days, `I Claim Shenanigans' is beginning to take off and actually become a thing of quality.  After some crazy technical glitches we have finally found software to make it work and actually sound really good.  Who knows what the future holds, but I have a personal goal of having Cliffy himself appear sometime this fall on our podcast...;)

3) Inter-Site Competition. The teams are set, times being worked on and with an awesome guy heading this up in Kenai, we will be competing in no time!

That's not to mention our recent discussions of things other than gaming (which will likely grow), overall growth to the site and our theme- "Shenanigans" being quoted all over planet Earth.

So with these things in mind, what else would you like to see? Perhaps a Thursday Night GTA-Fest? Or maybe you'd like to see a change in how we handle the site itself?
If you have the time, put some thought into what it is that keeps you coming back here every day as well as how you think we could make this site even better.

Thanks, guys!
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Display:
GearHeads- Improves?

The only real changes i think

would be nice to see would require funding from us gearheads.

Papi would have to do it when he had a decent amount of time in front of him and we all should donate $$$ so he can afford the upgrade.

This will probably come in the future (likely not close).

Such advancements?

   - Expanded Community Features (lager profiles, avatars on profile, music streams (popular on latest sites). Things like that.

   - I do not want a forum. But we could re organize the news section(i like 1ups layout). With pictures of the articles + title...

   - Cosmetic upgrades :)

Things like that. :)

I would be happy to help.

Eat A Peach

by Zoso Fan on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:12:19 PM EST


I would contribute $$

This is a great forum that we all use a lot.

"I do not tell lies, but I am a savage".

by Kenai 91 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:25:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]


As would I!

Community Manager
GearHeads: Always running above 60 FPS~Nothing Less. -carr

by SweetTea023 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:37:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]


You can count me in, too!

:)  I also agree to keep this community as a diary based site vs. a forum.

Gears is my Star Wars! Wooohhh!!!

by Blankman on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 06:52:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]


I agree about not wanting a Forum...I like how

the diaries kind of set us apart...Perhaps thinking of ways to cheaply take that to the next level is what we need?

Community Manager
GearHeads: Always running above 60 FPS~Nothing Less. -carr

by SweetTea023 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:38:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]


Zoso

You have summed up what i was thinking. Would be nice to have a video section.
I would give a ball for this site (the Mrs wont be happy though lol).

by HELLFIRE V1 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 04:44:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]


Ah, you have two for a reason

:-P

by papi blez on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 05:20:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]


LOL

by HELLFIRE V1 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 05:29:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]


GearHeads Interleague

We have discussed this.

Nothing too competitive, just some fun bragging rights.

I think that main purpose is so that we can have "planned" nights of playing together (similar to FFF and Forgefest).

"I do not tell lies, but I am a savage".

by Kenai 91 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:27:35 PM EST


How could I forget! I just added it =)

Community Manager
GearHeads: Always running above 60 FPS~Nothing Less. -carr

by SweetTea023 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 03:36:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]


We've recently upgraded our sports blogs

Check out the format at www.vivaelbirdos.com.  Would you guys want something like that?  It has auto-refreshing comments and whatnot.

I'm thinking I could get our tech guys to do a specialized hybrid for like $1,000 (I haven't consulted with them on it yet, so I'm not sure that would be the amount).  It has avatars, a good news feed and, well, the stat thing is irrelevant for our site.  But I really like what our tech guys put together and think it would translate nicely over here.  Particularly the new FanShots, which are quick-hit style diaries and you can easily post videos, photos and links.  That would essentially make the diaries only for thoughtful posts.  Also it would add a recommended feature for our posts.

by papi blez on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 04:46:54 PM EST


Sorry

here is a link to our upgraded look.

by papi blez on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 04:50:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]


Yep love it.

If its gonna cost that much then i'm sure we'll all pithch in ;)

by HELLFIRE V1 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 05:00:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]


I definitely

like the looks of that site.

by MacheteMan7 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 05:40:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]


For me, there are three features

that I really am missing:

  1. being able to edit my posts
  2. being able to perform a search (for diaries or content)
  3. being able to drop a heads-up to an interesting/fun/funny video/story without having to write a diary - I just want to let you guys know about this awesome new thing, and I have to write a whole diary to do it.  The effect is that I either don't do it, or I do, and thus trivialize the other more thoughtful diaries.

All else is gravy.  papi, the vivaelbirdos design looks great! It may even have more features than we need.  I think if we are going to do it though, we should do it in celebration of the imminent release of Gears 2 (and thus, as soon as possible - but not until we have collected ALL the money necessary).

Gears is my porn.

by 3Suns on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 05:14:14 PM EST


mmmmmm gravy

"Look, the thing about my family is there's five of us. Marge, Bart, Girl Bart, the one who doesn't talk, and the fat guy. How I loathe him"

by Wangler1316 on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 05:18:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]


In reference to number one

I don't think we'll ever allow people to edit posts once they are posted.  That's why we have the preview function so people are careful with the posts.  If you alter a comment, then that can screw up an existing conversation.  

But you can edit existing diaries.  Wasn't sure exactly what you were talking about.

by papi blez on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 05:19:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]


Yes, I know (and use) the edit feature

on the diaries, but I meant for the individual posts as well.  Generally, I preview my posts, or at the very least, read them over several times before I actually do the final post.  However, even then, I sometimes end up with a wrong or missing word and it sticks out like a sore thumb.  I would like to be able to pop in there, tweak it before any one notices, and then be on my way.  I remember Naveeda wanting that feature as well, so I thought I wasn't alone.

Hey, it is no big deal, because even in the worst case scenario, where I might write something inappropriate and wish to change it, I can always just write an apology below it.

Anyway, that list is just the things I would like most in order of priority.

Gears is my porn.

by 3Suns on Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 08:02:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]


I agree....

I also think we need more "writers" willing to write articles or reviews, i know a lot of you have done so already and that is great but i trust all of your  reviews over others.  Not really a review comment as a test run, if you are asked to write up a review of a game test run in???? Just a thought.  That it would be proofread before published by set community editors????

Also as i am trying to work out a "East Coast" gearheads meeting.  I think the West Coast was a blast, and i wasn't sleeping during it, but i had lots of fun....  So this is still brewing on the East Coast.

Poland...

You will meet your maker, the "chainsaw" and POLANDSTYLE

by Polandstyle on Sat Apr 19, 2008 at 12:52:26 PM EST

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