Military forum archive open for business

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

In the next month or so I'm going to be deleting any posts which haven't been added to in the last 3 months from this forum.

If there are any posts that you think should be archived, please say so in this thread asap. I need to know the post URL and a reason for it being archived.

We have very tight space limits on PPRuNe so only posts really worth preserving will be archived.

So far I've saved "I wish I hadn't said that" as in my opinion it's the funniest thing on the internet.

---Mik

[Jackonicko]

The 'back threads' on mil pilots are a useful resource, and if at all possible should all be retained, ideally in place. I note with interest that no similar archive is planned for much larger and space intensive threads like R & N and Wannabes.

If it is impossible to leave it be, then archive everything, or just filter out the completely inconsequential stuff. If that's impossible, perhaps the various advice to wannabes threads should obviously be saved (on Wannabes own archive!)

Can you give us six weeks or so to go back and find and archive bits and pieces ourselves which may not be of general interest, but which may be useful if things happen in future - eg the various Eurofighter threads - which will lie dormant until something new occurs in that programme, but which would then be useful to look back at?

Would it be so hard to save 'em all onto CDs, so at least they weren't entirely lost? For an individual to save anything I guess you have to copy it as a text file and paste it into word, or whatever?

[ 25 August 2001: Message edited by: Jackonicko ]

[Gash Handlin]

I'd suggest the two (or more?) Chinook Fightback threads would be worthy of preserving.

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

Old threads in both R&N and Wannabes have been regularly culled for a while now, with the most interesting threads preserved in an archive forum. The other busy forums also get regularly culled. We made a conscious decision to leave the Military forum alone but the time is coming when posts have to be culled. It won't happen for at least a month, but anything older than 3 months by the end of September will be at risk.

We can't archive everything. It would take up too much space, much more than just the raw text due to the way the bulletin board software works :( So much data would also be very difficult to search or scan.

I don't have the time to filter out inconsequential stuff. I already spend 2 or 3 hours a day working on PPRuNe, which on top of a full time job, trying to get a licence etc. leaves little time for anything else.

The UBB software will only let administrators move threads from one forum to another. Notify me in this thread which threads need saving and I'll look at them.

Saving all the stuff onto a CD could be done but there are a few problems. Firstly, who is going to download all the threads? Secondly who is going to redistribute the CDs to interested parties? There could be legal and copyright issues here as well.

---Mik

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

"Chinook - Hit Back Here", "Chinook - Hit Back II" and "MOD rejects Chinook crash evidence" are now safely archived.

---Mik

[Flatus Veteranus]

Suggest "Good Air Novels?" Useful around Christmas and birthdays (mine!)
pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001858&p=1
God I hope I got all that right! :rolleyes:

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

Yes, you got the URL for the "Good Air Novels" thread right. That thread won't be archived yet as it's still very active, in fact I've just added an entry to it.

---Mik

[Man-on-the-fence]

Well I've just spend half an hour seaching for I Wish I hadn't Said That (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001138) so that I could ask for it to be archived.

I glad to say you got there before me :)

I must get around to printing it off some day

[Kiting for Boys]

How about Character Assasination Gems?

[Gash Handlin]

Am I doing something wrong or is the archive not accessable yet, as there's nothing in it when I tried going in???????

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

At the top left is a dropdown menu which probably says something like "Show topics from last 5 days". Set it to "Show all topics".

---Mik

[fobotcso]

PPD, This thread should stay near the top.

In my IT head I know that what you are doing is necessary and sensible but in my Military Pilot's heart I think that your time frame should be extended and we must avoid throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

Many of those who populate this Forum and who are its lifeblood can only visit it spasmodically; their detached duties prevent a leisurely browse through the old threads so see which they would suggest keeping. At best they can only check in briefly; at worst they can't come here at all for months. So, how about a deadline of 30 Nov 2001?

I'm a terrible hoarder as you would know if you could see my garage but periodic clear-outs are essential and its amazing how rewarding they can be.

Maybe an objective and Draconian rule would help. How about deleting right now any thread with less than 5 replies that is more than three months old? Moreover, how about making that a general rule to help keep the threads alive and relevant? If you delete the really ephemeral stuff, it will make it easier to sift through the remainder to recommend archiving - particularly if you give us longer to suggest which to archive.

My fingers positively itch with the urge to "moderate" when I see more than two or three threads all on the same topic (usually retention or pay rumours). Duplicates should be nipped in the bud as soon as they start.

I think you caught us unawares when you locked the "Cheesemaker" thread (although I admit it had lost its edge). Will you always lock threads over 200 posts?

Kind Regards, fob

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

Unforunately the only way I can delete threads with less than 5 replies over three months old is to delete each one individually. That would take a very long time.

The only reasonable way we have to shrink a forum is to delete all threads older than a certain date.

If six weeks isn't long enough then I'm sorry. I understand that some people can only visit this forum occasionally, but if a thread is good enough to be archived then statistically there will be other military PPRuNers who will have access who will notify me.

Yes, for performance reasons very long threads have to be locked. Usually the limit is around 100 posts, but I try and be flexible.

"Annual Assessments - Character Assassination Gems" has been archived.

---Mik

[ 01 September 2001: Message edited by: PPRuNe Dispatcher ]

[Broken Wings]

Could you save the topics with "Military Bridging" "CAA Accreditation" in the titles?

I expect these will always be a source of interest until either the gates are closed or the CAA/MOD turn out the lights!

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

Two old threads entitled "CAA Accreditation" have been saved, the third "CAA Accreditation" thread is active and so I'll leave it alone.

I couldn't find a thread with "Military Bridging" in the title..?

---Mik

[Man-on-the-fence]

Mik

Try this one. Its still quite new and active though

[fobotcso]

Up to the Top

[Mystic Greg]

How about saving 'Traditional Squadron Songs' (last entry 7 Jul), 'Nicknames' (28 Jun), 'Best Prank' (24 May) and one which I think was called 'Rest Home for Tired Name Badges' which I cannot find at the moment.

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

'Traditional Squadron Songs', 'Nicknames', 'Best Prank' and 'Rest Home for Tired Name Badges' are all now safely archived.

---Mik

[NOCHALANCE]

Life; Reality; Progress; I'm behind the US all the way...

[fobotcso]

Please could we have another Chinook thread;
"Chinook Crash 2 Jun 1994" started by Brian Dixon with 30 posts the last one on 24 Aug 2000.

And also "The 1 Gp Dining-in Night at Waddington" started by schadenfreude with 58 posts the last one on 20 Jul 2000.

And also "The Tank will never replace the Horse" started by Christopher Robin with 65 posts the last one on 4 May 2000.

I went looking for the thread(s?) about the letters to The Times about PPRuNe that appeared about a year ago and they have gone.

It seems that some culling/moderating has already taken place unless they have been deleted by those who started them.

There are large gaps in the start dates of threads from September 2000 and earlier. Is this significant?

[fobotcso]

Remember, PPD is about to wield his axe. Am I the only one who still cares about this?

[Jackonicko]

PPD

It takes so long to get on and access threads that you've got to give us a bit more time to do some private 'archiving', and wait until the forums are back to normal. please!

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

"Chinook Crash 2 Jan 1994" has been archived. As there may still be more important threads in this forum about the Chinook I will not be wielding my axe until the beginning of November.

"The 1 Gp Dining-in Night at Waddington" and The Tank will never replace the Horse" have also been saved. (I was born within spitting distance of Waddington in the military hospital at Nocton :eek: Dad was the crew chief of Vulcan B1 XH481 which flew non-stop from the UK to Australia. :D )

---Mik

[fobotcso]

Thanks PPD. But can't see the one about the Tank and the Horse yet.

I remember Nocton well, both as a patient and as an expectant father... :rolleyes:

Please keep the ideas coming, people; we must have more than a baker's dozen worth preserving.

[ 01 October 2001: Message edited by: fobotcso ]

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

I don't remember Nocton as I was less than a week old....and my memory hasn't improved.

The Tank and the Horse have both been found, mated together, and moved to Mil Archive.

--Mik

[fobotcso]

To The Top once more. Not long to go to the end of PPD's extension. Any more ideas?

[fobotcso]

PPD, here are a few more ideas. I'm down to page 30 having started at page 45. Not long to go!


Topic: JSF first flight
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000650&p=

Started by Red snow. Last post 2 Oct 2000. Contains some serious stuff and there should be more threads like it.


Topic: Join BA or RAF?
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000638&p=

Started by StillTaxying. Last post 4 Oct 2000. Makes interesting reading after passage of time and events...


Topic: OK It's Apocryphal Story Time
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000673&p=1

Started by Wholigan. Last post 23 Oct 2000. Just good military humour.


Topic: British Apathy?
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000752&p=

Started by Edmund Blackadder. Last post 14 Nov 2000. Some useful contributions.


Topic: Eurofighter Typhoon Question
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000720&p=

Started by Roc. Last post 23 Nov 2000. Much hard work went into this.


Topic: Leadership - a different view
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000884&p=

Started by Edmund Blackadder. Last post 5 Dec 2000. A light debate on the subject.


Topic: Have we got officer training the right way around?
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000955

Started by kbf1. Last post 29 Dec 2000. Another good debate with much hard work.

[kbf1]

I wouldn't mind keeping the 1st International live firing demo at Kabhul thread that ended recently. It will be interesting to look back on when it is all over and done with.

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

Thanks fobotcso - all good threads, all safely archived.

The 1st International live firing demo thread is recent so won't be deleted when I remove older threads in a couple of weeks.

Mik

[fobotcso]

Here's my final submission, PPD. Takes me up to the end of July. I hope you can take them all. There were a few that I left out because they had links that no longer worked (eg Snapshot's). Has been very interesting and at times enjoyable exercise. Pity so many potentially good threads were hi-jacked by the slaggers. Only my views, of course; you may get suggestions from others. :D

Topic: Harrier Pilots Here Please
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb. cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001001&p= (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001001&p=)

Started by Mighty Gem. Last Post 20 Jan 2001. Some good Harrier AeroD info amongst the dross.


Topic: What were you doing?
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001053 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001053)

Started by jumpseater. Last post 30 Jan 2001. Just some thoughts about Desert Storm.


Topic: Thought I'd Share this.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001201 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001201)

Started by notarmy. Last post 18 Feb 2001. Short thread that made me giggle.


Topic: Moderation
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb. cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001217&p= (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001217&p=)

Started by Beagle. Last Post 25 Feb 2001. Good periodic debate on the subject.


Topic: Is the Future Really Purple?
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001327 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001327)

Started by JHC. Last post 21 Mar 2001. Short inconclusive debate on jointery.


Topic: Low Levellers
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001282 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001282)

Started by PFR. Last post 29 Mar 2001. Some great pictures via links.


Topic: RAF Lodge.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001429 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001429)

Started by Yellowbelly. Last post 14 Apr 2001. Not very polite discussion about Masonry in the RAF.

Topic: AAC Take me on a Revolution...please.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000892 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000892)

Started by Christopher Robin. Lat post 28 April 2001. Rambling discussion about the Apache.


Topic: Buccaneer Tales.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001438 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001438)

Started by Pete208. Last post 18 Apr 2001. Fond memories of the Buccaneer.


Topic: Buccaneer Aircrew Final Plea
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001500 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001500)

Started by Snapshot. Last post 22 Apr 2001. More memories of the Bucc.


Topic: WW2 RAF Aerodromes.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001491 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001491)

Started by X-Quork. Last post 2 May 2001. Short, sweet and factual stuff.


Topic: Cruickshank VC.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001462 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001462)

Started by newswatcher. Last post 7 May 2001. Obit followed by discussion.


Topic: D-Day Looms for Shyhawks.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001532 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001532)

Started by Samuel. Last post 11 May 2001. RNZAF subject but dominated by the usual suspects.


Topic: Which will make the best JSF?
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001569 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001569)

Started by Decision Altitude. Last post 23 May 2001. Good discussion after a bad start.


Topic: IOT
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001603 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001603)

Started by Big Pant. Last post 26 May 2001. For once a wannabe thread that didn't end up as an insult contest.


Topic: Laser Protective Visors.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001611 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001611)

Started by Roofus. Last post 2 Jun 2001. Useful stuff about a serious problem.


Topic: please cast your eye over this.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi ?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001616 (http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001616)

Started by hmm nice flaps. Last post 3 Jun 2001. Light hearted chat on a genuine subject.


Topic: Defence cuts
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001648

Started by ORAC. Last post 7 Jun 2001. Attempt at serious discussion about cuts (pre 11 Sep)


Topic: Breitling.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=000394

Started by rotor tree. Last post 20 Jun 2001. Might be useful to someone later.


Topic: Women
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001598

Started by Aldergrove Einstein. Last post 21 Jun 2001. Light, good-humoured banter.


Topic: Ideas that worked, ideas that didn't...
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001710

Started by Thud_and_Blunder. Last post 24 Jun 2001. Technical banter.


Topic: Sexist and Childish Posts.
http://www.pprune.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=46&t=001712

Started by Britannia66. Last post 2 Jul 2001. A hilarious must! Demo of Vintage banter.

[ 23 October 2001: Message edited by: fobotcso ]

[PPRuNe Dispatcher]

All safely archived.

Just a reminder : anything older than 30th June may be deleted without warning from the end of this month onwards... :eek: