I've added a blog aggregator to the website, the idea is to pull together the various blogs kept by society members. In the starting stages right now, so there are relatively few on there. If you have a wargames or ancient history related blog, and you're a society member, contact me, either using the contact details in Slingshot or the contact form on this site (set the topic to "Website Stuff").
The aggregator is here. At some point I'll change the template to better fit with the rest of the site.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Slingshot Report
I previously mentioned I would update this blog, along the same schedule for committee meetings, with my progress report on Slingshot.
I manage the content of Slingshot from a single large spreadsheet. When I get sent material, I put the wordcount and other information in the spreadsheet. From this I get a vague idea of how much material I need to "fit" in the next issue, and can juggle the articles accordingly (writing some material as necessary). I can also work out if I'm short of material on a particular area (typically a gaming system) and can chase up accordingly.
The wordcount for Slingshot does vary: the average since 258 (when we went to 60 pages) is about 54,300 pages per issue, or 922 words per page (the actual page number since 259 has been 59 pages, the last non-cover page being used for events).
So, some numbers:
- Right now I would seem to have enough material for about the next two and a half issues, although new material is always welcome, and it allows me to maintain a better balance of material (so don't stop sending it!)
Games variety:
- of the material available for future use (across all issues): 26% DBA, 25% FoG, 18% WAB, 8% DBMM, 7% CCA, 6% WMA, remainder is other.
- of the material printed from 257 to 265: 15% DBMM, 14% DBA, 12% FoG, 10% WAB, 8% AMW, 6% Armati, remainder is other
- overall: 16% DBA, 14% FoG, 13% DBMM, 12% WAB, 7% AMW
Figures:
- of material available: 63% 28mm, 20% 15mm, 18% 2mm (! - actually one article)
- overall, including above and printed, since 257: 73% 28mm, 14% 15mm, 6% 20mm, 4% 6mm, 3% 2mm
Authors:
- top 5 write 35% of material (material printed since 257 plus material available for future issues)
- top 10 write 51% of material
- top 15 write 63% of material
- top 20 write 71% of material
As for the next issue, I'm still waiting on the illustrations. I expect a laid out version to go for proof some time next week.
Mark
I manage the content of Slingshot from a single large spreadsheet. When I get sent material, I put the wordcount and other information in the spreadsheet. From this I get a vague idea of how much material I need to "fit" in the next issue, and can juggle the articles accordingly (writing some material as necessary). I can also work out if I'm short of material on a particular area (typically a gaming system) and can chase up accordingly.
The wordcount for Slingshot does vary: the average since 258 (when we went to 60 pages) is about 54,300 pages per issue, or 922 words per page (the actual page number since 259 has been 59 pages, the last non-cover page being used for events).
So, some numbers:
- Right now I would seem to have enough material for about the next two and a half issues, although new material is always welcome, and it allows me to maintain a better balance of material (so don't stop sending it!)
Games variety:
- of the material available for future use (across all issues): 26% DBA, 25% FoG, 18% WAB, 8% DBMM, 7% CCA, 6% WMA, remainder is other.
- of the material printed from 257 to 265: 15% DBMM, 14% DBA, 12% FoG, 10% WAB, 8% AMW, 6% Armati, remainder is other
- overall: 16% DBA, 14% FoG, 13% DBMM, 12% WAB, 7% AMW
Figures:
- of material available: 63% 28mm, 20% 15mm, 18% 2mm (! - actually one article)
- overall, including above and printed, since 257: 73% 28mm, 14% 15mm, 6% 20mm, 4% 6mm, 3% 2mm
Authors:
- top 5 write 35% of material (material printed since 257 plus material available for future issues)
- top 10 write 51% of material
- top 15 write 63% of material
- top 20 write 71% of material
As for the next issue, I'm still waiting on the illustrations. I expect a laid out version to go for proof some time next week.
Mark
Friday, September 18, 2009
Society of Ancients Games day
GAMES DAY 2009
ELLES HALL
Farnborough
Sunday 20th September
Same venue as last year's AGM. This is an annual open invitation for a day of Ancient and Medieval wargames ... display games, pick-up games, Championship games ... Contact the organiser if you need to book a table.
Elles Hall, Meudon Avenue, Farborough GL14 7LE
Follow the events page link (here ...) if you need a map
All welcome - facilities available all day from 10.00.
Come along and join in.
Same venue as last year's AGM. This is an annual open invitation for a day of Ancient and Medieval wargames ... display games, pick-up games, Championship games ... Contact the organiser if you need to book a table.
Elles Hall, Meudon Avenue, Farborough GL14 7LE
Follow the events page link (here ...) if you need a map
All welcome - facilities available all day from 10.00.
Come along and join in.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Website Additions
The following items have been added to the website:
Under Battle Day:
Under Battle Day:
- Battle Pack for 2004 (Gaugamela) - note the map wasn't high enough resolution; I'll work on updating it and revising this document
- Battle Pack for 2005 (The Sambre)
- Battle Pack for 2006 (Dorylaeum)
- A revised high res main map for Age of Augustus (Slingshot 261)
- High res versions of the Age of Augustus Parthian and Barbarian maps. The Barbarian map includes several revisions supplied by Paul Burton, the author
- A high res version of the map for the Attila DBA campaign (Slingshot 258)
Website News and Blog Merges
Hi. I'm going through a process of merging the three blogs on this site, starting with merging in the website news area, which is easier. Slingshot News will also be merged at the point where I can work out how to move the posts over into this main blog. Website news is for any (medium to major) changes to the website, and in future, when new stuff is posted to the members area, some indication will appear here also.
Update: the Slingshot news blog is now merged in as well. There should be a couple of items per issue in this blog, one being the announcement and table of contents, the other being (a probably trimmed down version of) the editors report provided to committee meetings.
Update: the Slingshot news blog is now merged in as well. There should be a couple of items per issue in this blog, one being the announcement and table of contents, the other being (a probably trimmed down version of) the editors report provided to committee meetings.
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