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Introduction
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Lots of stuff to announce in XO Report #4! As with the previous report, I'll highlight what group the news pertains to under the subject headers.

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EH - Newsletter #72
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Download mirrors:
4.3mb - Lite Version - Missing graphics/file submissions
http://thunder.prohosting.com/~surefire/nl72lite.zip
http://www.absolutek.com/nl72lite.zip

10mb - Full Version
http://thunder.prohosting.com/~surefire/nl72.zip
http://www.absolutek.com/nl72.zip

Online Version
http://www.absolutek.com/nl72/

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EH - LoAs
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LoAs for NL #72 will not be awarded until the new EH Database is set up and/or an official XOA is appointed.

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EH - XOA applications open
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I'm looking for a hard-working XOA to help with NL #73 and awarding LoAs.

Duties include:
* HTMLizing incoming submissions
* Awarding LoAs once a month
* Finding graphics/photos/pictures of some NL topics
* Writing an article on a given topic

Requirements:
* Knowledge in HTML or using an HTML generator (not MSWord or Frontpage!)
* Writes English well (having a working spellchecker on your computer a plus)

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EH / TC / Intel - New EH Database
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As some have heard from rumors and undetailed statements from myself, the TIE Corps Database will be shutting down soon. In its place will rise the new Emperor's Hammer Database.

With the unexpected shutdown of the FCHG and Combat Rank listings, the database is getting recoded to not only fix these problems, but allow support for any EH Subgroups who are in need of databases to work together in unison and take full advantage of features I've programmed for the TIE Corps before to be used for subgroups without forcing me to remake an entirely new system, like I had to do with the Imperial Senate (which has proven to be disastrous since I didn't have time to maintain the different systems).

The new database will have several improvements over the old TIE Corps database including easier squadron and wing management features, being able to upload your own banners, using a faster and simpler admin layout so people with slower connections and modems won't have to suffer through long waits, report mailers, statistical info, multiple admin sections (edit your TC and SG profiles at the same place), online ATR tracking (good for when your hard drive crashes), and more!

To make the transition easier, I plan on transferring all current TC records into the new EH database so battle reviews, medals, combat center info, and other data will all be saved! :)

Right now, the only subgroup that has signed up to be a part of the EH Database with the TIE Corps is the Intelligence Division...with the Fringe being another possible candidate. SGs won't be forced or required to switch to the new system. Any SGCOMs interested in using or learning more about the new system should contact me.

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EH - Recruitment
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A nice feature I hope to include with the opening of the database is allowing potential members sign up and register and list the game platforms they own and general skills and interests to dynamically recommend which subgroups they would fit in best and give them an opportunity to join the subgroup from that page (or redirect them to the appropriate online join form). I'm hoping for this to be a promising addition that will benefit all of the subgroups and auxiliary groups to help bring their active membership numbers up.

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TC - FCHG/Combat Listings
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In case you missed it earlier in the report: FCHG and Combat Listings are BROKEN until the new database is up.

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TC - Naval Corps Shutting Down
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Over time, the Naval Corps has become nothing more than a clone of the TIE Corps XWA wings with a different command structure. It has been under the agreement of GA Ronin, myself, and several other key commanding officers that the Naval Corps will completely close down when the new EH Database is activated.

As of right now, Echo Company is closed and any current Echo Company cadets completing training will automatically be assigned to a TIE Corps X-Wing Alliance wing. Eventually, all clones of TC members in the Naval Corps will be eliminated as well. Anyone who is not a clone is encouraged to start looking for a X-Wing Alliance wing (Sovereign Wing III, ISD Immortal, ISD Vanguard, or SSD Avenger) to transfer to.

Anyone "left behind" when the Naval Corps closes will automatically go to the reserves until they make a transfer request.

NC Clones will be given the chance to "merge" merits and recorded accomplishments with their TC personas, including transferring battle records, medals, and high scores. (Retaining rank will be decided strictly on a case-by-case basis) [Note: At the time being, please hold on making the TC/NC profile merging requests until a solid procedure is put into place on how this will be accomplished. Continue to check http://news.tiecorps.org and your mailbox for details.]

I know this upsets a number of people and I want to try to make the transition as smoothly as possible, so if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

There is talk about the Naval Corps reopening at a least date as a complete strategy/wargaming-based subgroup, but since it wouldn't be using X-Wing Alliance as a game platform, the closure of the Naval Corps as it is now has become a necessity. The Naval Corps ships are still part of the TIE Corps and EH Fleet Order of Battle. They just won't have pilots permanently assigned to them. Feel free to use the ships and ship names in your fiction and custom battles and, yes, it is possible have capship competitions in XWA wings...just request your flag officers to hold them!

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TC - TC News Page
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I screwed up the news@tiecorps.org account. I'll spare people with details, but in short, if you submitted something that didn't get posted in the last 2 or 3 weeks or so, please forward/resubmit the news. The account is working again now.

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DB - Domain gone/moving
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The Dark Brotherhood domain is gone. I'll update the links on the homepages once a new URL has been announced. Please don't report it as a broken link for the time being.

The Dark Brotherhood message board can be found at: http://msgboards.emperorshammer.ca/

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EHS/TF - Open SGCOM positions
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The positions of Chief Gamemaster of the Fringe and Supreme Strategist of the EH Strategists are still open. Details can be found on the EH Domain: http://www.emperorshammer.org/news.htm

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Me - Going on leave
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I'll be on leave enjoying the remainder of my Spring Break in Texas until Sunday. I'll try to continue to answer e-mail best I can in the evenings while I'm away.

= Sector Admiral Kawolski, Executive Officer and Fleet Systems Engineer =
- XO-FSE/SA Kawolski/CS-2/VSD Stalwart (#691)
- MoH/ICx2/OoR/GOE/GSx4/SSx3/BSx2/PCx6/ISMx6 [EXCR]
- MoI-DC/MoT-7rh-1gh-89bh/LoC-CSx7/MoC-1BoC
- CoSx3/CoE/CoL/CoB/LoAx3/OV-3E
- {IWATS-GFX-IIC/1/2/3-M/1/2-NS-SM/1/2-TM}
- http://www.kawolski.com - http://www.tiecorps.org