/me blows the dust off the desk.

Well, I think it's been a while since anyone last posted something here, so I thought I might as well make a change. :-)

So, firstly, where do I see the IDept heading toward over the next 8 months? Well, my main goal is for the IDept to become the focal point for any support that users require to use and improve the facilities supported by the IDept, whether that is WeBBspace, the server, IRC, email forwards, etc. To that end, the IDept needs to get out of the mindset of being reactive and get into the mindset of being proactive.

With that in mind, we need to work out how we are going to achieve such a lofty goal. Communication with the membership is a key factor, and is something that has been mentioned before as something the IDept is not very good at doing! To aid that, the following will be implemented:

1. The difference between the IDept Ship and the Project Tracker is to be clearly defined. The rule of thumb I am wanting to take is that the Project Tracker should only be used for tasks that need to be done, such as bug fixing, rather than ideas that people come up with. Any ideas or questions are to be posted on the IDept Ship so that they can be discussed in the usual forum that members are used to. Should the idea then be approved, it will be placed on the tracker to make it clear that it is to be implemented.

2. An agenda for the IDept will be published at the beginning of each month, looking at the short term (1-2 months), medium term (4 months) and long term (12 months), which will suppliment the monthly report.

3. The IDept MOTD and website will also undergo a bit of a remake to make things easier to find, and to make information and resources easier to locate.

4. I am also looking into how IRC can improve the communication flow between the IDept and members, both for members to raise their concerns and for the IDept to pass down information in a real-time forum.

5. Finally, I want to increase the support resources that are available. Whilst the Academy does have a section in the PHB for new members on how to navigate WeBBspace, there is little in the way of information on how to administer a ship, create MOTDs, etc. This is something which I think falls squarely with the IDept to ensure that members know how to use the system they all rely on.

Points 1 and 2 are fairly quick and easy to pull off. 3 and 4 will require some thought, while 5 will take some more time. In order for the IDept to be successful, we need you. We need every member to come to the table with their ideas, and their knowledge.

That's all I've got time for tonight, but at least you have a rough idea of what changes are being planned with regards to how the IDept functions. I am planning to get an agenda out in the next few days, so watch this space. Of course, if you have any comments on any of the points above, please let us know!

Many thanks,

Jack