(Submitted October 16, 2000 13:13:50 by Gene Visco)A quick comment on the idea of establishing chapters of MORS. A little history first. MORS was initiated, even before the name, to provide opportunities for analysts working in classified environments to share and expose their work to peers. The sharing was thought to be useful by providing potential analogs-- that is, you might find examples of work that would be similar to your own and thus get some help either in terms of approaches or data. Such cases would be serendipitous or accidental but were seen as possible. The principal objective was to expose work to peers--work that otherwise might never be seen by your peers because of the classification and 'need-to-know' constraints. No traditional professional society could fill that role without considerable change in societal structure. More recently, MORS has become more like traditional societies (classes of membership, professional journal), with the exception that membership (or more particularly, participation in the major symposium) is limited to US citizens with Secret clearances. In addition, the society limits its programs to military matters and does not allow for voting membership, except for the directors. Chapters are often components of traditional societies, so it is not surprising that consideration is being given to MORS chapters. Seems to me the question is what role will chapters serve? Are they likely to start having local meetings? Will they provide much of the 'labor' supporting MORSS? That is often a role that geographic chapters play in other societies. In the case of MORS, however, the labor is regularly made available at the host installations because MORS is sponsored by the department and the institutions hosting MORSS are formally requested to host by the appropriate sponsor. So, I would devote a little effort to defining what might be expected of chapters before proceeding to establish them. [Note to web page manager: As I write this note I am not able to see it all. The left side is blocked by the list of components to the page. The right side just extends beyond the border. Is that a fault of Microsoft Explorer or the page?]
(Submitted September 19, 2000 04:13:09 by Lee Dick)
Problem Bob described below has been fixed...it was a corrupted link in an html file.
(Submitted September 18, 2000 07:36:51 by Lee Dick)
Has anyone else experienced the problem that Bob reported with the pop up ad screens? The interactive log is cgi script which is executed on the MORS server. I have examined the code see nothing that would trigger these. I have also used this script elsewhere with no such nuisances.
(Submitted September 18, 2000 07:05:45 by Bob Sheldon)
Another superb edition of PHALANX Online. A great blending of material, old and new, of interest to MORSians. It's good to have the timely recap of the highlights of the 68th MORSS in addition to the PHALANX archives. Thanks, Lee, for a job well done. Now for a minor complaint. As I was typing this input, I got an obnoxious pop- up ad for a free $115 shopping spree. I had to cycle through their annoying screens 4 times to exit their ad. Can this be eliminated? We have a MORSian in New Jersey now - perhaps he has a low-tech solution. BS
(Submitted September 16, 2000 05:58:27 by Lee Dick)
Fellow MORSians: Since the inception of PHALANX Online, we have tried to stimulate feedback, comments, and interactive discussions. Technology certainly makes this easier and less time consuming than setting down and penning a letter to the editor then mailing it off to MORS or one of the PHALANX editors. President Roy Rice even wrote an article, "CAIV or Not", which was published in the printed edition to encourage online discussion. It received exactly one reply, kind of discouraging for a society as large as ours. But we have not given up. I discussed this with Roy at the Executive Council meeting this week, and he has promised to continue to encourage participation. However, this problem has always been endemic our analytical community. To wit, I have copied a note written by PHALANX Associate Editor Charles Tiplitz in the March 1977 issue (the Ken he refers to is Kenneth Brant, PHALANX editor and past MAS Chairman): This is the third anniversary of the joint publication of PHALANX by MORS and ORSA. The first joint issue was March 1974. In the nearly dozen joint issues since then, we have received only three letters-to-the-editor. Moreover, response to our editorials, requests for reader response, etc., have approached the vanishing point. For example, in the December issue, Gerry Medsger asked for suggestions regarding the education committee activity and Herb Putschek asked for suggestions on how to find new MORS participants and obtain new blood. As of this writing, neither received replies. We have written many editorials which we thought were provocative, but we received no letters-to-the-editor in response -neither complimentary, nor irate -nothing! This is especially frustrating. Ken and I like to think you look forward to your PHALANX and that you have some reactions to the material we print. If so we would expect some one to drop us a line from time to time. But you don't! Are you listening? Is there anyone out there? Do you need anonymity to tell us off? We might even print an anonymous letter. We'll certainly enjoy reading the mail. Do you need postage free reply forms? Or do you have tired blood (Perhaps Herb's search for new blood is more critical than we thought)? Hello out there! -C. Tiplitz I'd like to get your opinion(s). Why is it like pulling teeth to try and get a comment? What are your suggestions for improving interactive discussions? Please reply, but do not email me your reply. Instead, goto the following link, click on the add to page and then cut and paste your comments into the page (you will see that I have pasted this email). http://www.mors.org/Pubs/phalanx/sep00/bookfile.html Bookmark this link in your favorites so that you can see what others have added (yes I'm optimistic you will add to the page). All the best, Lee Dick
(Submitted August 30, 2000 20:50:27 by Lee Dick)
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