The other necessary tasks can be splitted, and made by non-premium member:

- copy analysis from main forum to the forum.

- produce summaries.

- answer questions on the main forum that were answered by the analysis on the forum.

- run a minimum of computer analysis of the forum line (just requesting it at Team Engine forum?)

- sliding forward on the forum line.

So, from all the above, the only task that requires work from the forum host is to update the header. And this is the only task that require premium membership. As the game pace will go back to 2 days per ply, it will help a lot to divide the tasks a mutch as it is possible.

We just have to write job descriptions, as <zanshin> did for one job and ask for volunteers. If the volunteers are few, we can have multiple jobs per person. And the assignments can change during the game.

1) Concerning the temporary forums, I am hearing three things:

a) The forums need to be actively managed and the various tasks that have been suggested for the forums (copying relevant posts, minimal analysis, etc.) really need to be done.

b) As <Deep Breath> eloquently explained, this is a very big job for one person which can lead to resentment and burnout.

c) Several people have suggested that forum hosting should be done by small teams or units, rather than by one person.

Here is what I would like to try to do. I will try to recruit about eight forum hosts but never have more than six forums. I will rotate the hosts so everyone gets periodic breaks. I will also try to recruit two or three <forum assistants> for each forum host. If I am successful, the small groups can decide how to split the workload.

2) There were several comments about how to handle newcomers to the team. <hms123> suggests having someone <team host?> welcome newcomers. <twinlark> mentions having a team <shepherd>. Maybe they could be the same person. Maybe an experienced team member could post on their forum header some of the basics and FAQs. The person could be the official greeter of new team members. Newcomers could be invited over to the greeter's forum to read the header and ask questions there away from the spotlight. <hms123>, I presume this role would interest you, but you can also help the team as a temporary forum host. Which would you prefer?

3) <Deep Breath> suggested a social forum. This might be a good idea. We could call it the <player's lounge> and hopefully we could channel most of the off-topic stuff there.

4) I agree with the idea of continuing to post the top ten moves in <Waitaka>'s forum. Someone mentioned that the presence of such a list might deter some of the offbeat ideas, and if not, the proponents of bad moves could be pointed to the top ten moves list.

5) <Waitaka>, is it reasonable for you to continue what you did in the latter part of the GMT game and also assume what <bumpmobile> was doing? If not, as you pointed out <MostlyAverageJoe> volunteered to do it at one point. We could ask him, also.

6) <twinlark> suggests discussing the forum system early and often during GMAN2. This makes sense and I will give some thought to the best way to accomplish this.

I prefer to ask <MAJ> to split the tasks with him. With the two days pace, I am afraid of do not have time to accomplish all.

Thank you for the concern. The job fair would only be in the very beginning, and the temporary forums would not start until later. So there is no conflict.

<I am concerned about two days per half move once we get out of the opening.>

I really like the "job fair" idea. It has the advantage of seeing who is interested in what, but also giving you a list of backups and helpers. For example, if others wanted to host or help with answering questions for new members, it would be good for them to do so--to be part of the team that does this at a given forum. It might also give forum hosts an occasional break while providing continuity.

I don't think it would make sense for you do both host the new member forum AND a temporary forum because both would require information to be posted in your header.

How about if you host the new member forum and then also serve as a forum assistant, helping one of the other temporary forum hosts?

I hope that's clear--basically, my answer is "yes" to your question--and "yes" to any other request you might have about my help with the forum structure.

Also, here is a link to a post by <kwid> on the main GMT page: Chessgames Challenge: The World vs G Timmerman, 2007

How often does the summariser need to summarize? Does it need to beevery turn? (not suggesting myself for the job[it is obvioulsy beyond me], just asking the question.)

I might be caughtious of creating too many forums. We have a difficult enough time getting people to use the existing ones.

For example, I doubt we will ever get non relevant posts off the main page and I am not sure it is even a good idea. Those irrelevant posts usually contribute to team building and a minimization of serious disputes/flame wars IMHO. It is possible they may be part of the World's success.

<It would be good if cg would open the GMAN2 page asap.>

As long as we don't have to debate our first move for a month!

<How often does the summariser need to summarize? Does it need to beevery turn?>

Ideally, whenever it is our move and the choice is not obvious.

<I might be caughtious of creating too many forums. We have a difficult enough time getting people to use the existing ones.>

I need the Fritz forum as much as anyone.

hms123 and zanshin and Artar1 and other established players use engines with far greater skill.

Perhaps they'd help?

I can do basics now, at least, compared to a year ago.

And thank you for all you do to help the World Team!