The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

[a_majoor]

The hard work you put into your unit sites is much appreciated and should be richly rewarded, but perhaps that is another thread.

The theoretical benefits of AoL are as follows (in no particular order):

a. No unit funds have to be spent on designing or hosting a web site
b. AoL is designed so unit members can author and publish documents
c. All unit information is held in a "protected " site i.e. DND servers behind DND firewalls and accessable through the controlled DND Gateway. (Please don't post on the single point of failure argument)
d. All units will have a "common look and feel"
e. The "One Army" message is easier to propagate through points b and c
f. Unit sites can be monitored for security violations (i.e. personal information on the web), and violations corrected
g. The common servers also support archiving information in a commonly accessable area.
h. AoL is actually a Database program, so information retrieval is somewhat easier

I may not be a big fan of AoL, since it is very involved (read user unfriendly), but this is the corporate decision far beyond your or my level.

All this being said, since AoL is designed for unit level control, get trained up and start cutting and pasting the "cool" and eye candy stuff into your unit AoL page. Complaining about AoL is about as useful as threads bemoaning our lack of Nuclear Aircraft carriers or a 450 Leopard 2A6 armoured brigade in the ORBAT. Take the tools you have and find a better way to use them.

 

[humint]

I fully welcome a unit site on AoL, and I'm sure my unit IT Officer is keeping up on all the good stuff in terms of its development, as he is responsible for the www.ashofc.ca official website and all other official IT unit stuff.

However, the argylls.ca site is a 100% unofficial, personal website that does not use unit funds.

Nothing on there is confidential or protected -- it's all open source info, so security is not a concern.

What makes the argylls.ca site useful is that all the info on recruiting, plus the anecdotal info from my own and other people's experiences, is there to help people with the recruitment process, or to encourage interest in the army reserves, and for all to see.

Although it's dedicated to recruiting right now, it may very well become my "I-was-an-Argyll-and-I-loved-it" website in the future (i.e. upon my retirement). Although rewards are always good, I do my own website to help others, and would continue to do it regardless of being the RcrtngO or even in the CF.

 

[a_majoor]

Personal websites are fair enough, but here are the "rules" for all you web site wizards out there:

1. If your site is a personal or "unofficial" website, it should be clearly marked as not being a DND site. The disclaimer on army.ca is a good example

2. The Crown own the copyright to your unit crest, cap badge, title, motto and the sergeants mess silverware. IF it is felt your site is violating security, good taste or inappropriate in any way, there is a legal mechanism to force the ISP to take it down: Crown copyright violation. Our lawyers have more funds than any ISP, so most won't protest.

3. If your site is a recruiting tool, it might be better to supply a link to the "official" page, rather than have the wrath of some humorless DND flunkie directed at you, your unit and the ISP.  The "I am a member of (insert unit here) and love it" is a great recruiting tool if used in the right way.

I am not against the use of the web, it is a fabulous resource, but being in the brigade G-6 branch exposes me to issues you might not see. By all means make a great personal site, and by all means transfer some of that creativity to our own "official" tools as well!

Good work, and good luck.

 

[humint]

Yes, I definitely agree with you 100% -- unofficial sites are a great resource if properly used and if they do not provide inappropriate or offensive content.

That said, I appreciate your comments and I'll make sure that there is a better disclaimer on the site so newbies will not think that it is an official DND site.

The link to the official DND recruiting site is on the site, as well as other official links, and these links are clearly identified as official.

Again, thanks for the comments. They will be useful in the site rebuild/redesign.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

What are the storage space limits on those "offiicial" sites, out of curiousity?

 

[a_majoor]

From my AoL package, and inquiring with several AoL pers at Area: none whatsoever. (These are our servers)

From a practical point of view, I think there is a "5 meg at a time" transfer limit for uploading to AoL (after hours this is relaxed), and I would try to keep the site very streamlined so it will load faster, especially after the AoL Internet version has the kinks worked out.

 

[humint]

I've updated the site with a new (well, kinda borrowed) design. While much of the info is the same as before, there are a few new bits and pieces. And, I will be adding new info on recruiting, the recruit process, basic training, and help files in the near future.

Please feel free to provide feedback.

www.argylls.ca

By the way, if you live in the Hamilton area (and by Hamilton, I mean within a 2 hour drive and you have the desire to drive that far to join the unit) we are looking to get another 30 people for our upcoming Jan start BMQ and another 30 for our summer BMQ. We have a very training intensive unit, so the opportunities for training and employment outweigh the time invested in travel.

We hold info sessions every Wed evening at 6.30 PM, or you can call 905.541.ARMY for more information or to schedule a day-time visit.

 

[Mr. Ted]

My God man, you're driven.  A credit to any unit.

Keep it up!

Mr. Ted

 

[winchable]

Since I'm not even close to being elgible to join your unit this might not mean much.
But I wish that even half the unit recruiters in the CF did what you're doing there.

 

[humint]

Man, I love you guys! 

Actually, I appreciate the feedback -- thanks guys.

 

[gt102]

Well once Im of age Ill be transfering from the cadet side of you guys to the Reserve side (hopefully) so expect to see me!

Oh and just for laughs. Here is a site (for a gaming clan) I made when I was a wee private http://www.2347.tk/ (sorry bout popups)

See ya soon

Mcpl Crowe (Cadet)

 

[MdB]

I must say as others that you put a lot of effort in the recruiting website, that's really nice. Every CF member in charge of the recruiting should dedicate this much attention to designing a recruiting website.

That said, I must say that I prefer the former design. Because it looked simple, 'urban', not too 'army' design, pretty well balanced with a picture and the unified color, and it looked very professionnal.

This one, I don't wanna bash it, but I know America's Army site and a lot of young candidate will know it too. It can be double edged. I prefer the former one because there was no logo at all or flag. I find this one darker in colors and too apparented to AA. That said (bis), this one is pretty straight forward and I find it good, because candidates will find informations right when they come on the page.

So, that's my opinion, I wish you best for the website.

 

[mdh]

Hi Argylls Recruiting,

I think the site is excellent because it covers off a lot of potential audiences - everyone from the very young recruit to older guys like myself who may interested in joining up again.   By listing the potential officer jobs and appointments I think you are casting a fairly wide net to get people who may have specialities the unit desires.   If I was still living the Toronto area I would be tempted to transfer   . Cheers, mdh

 

[humint]

MdB:

Excellent feedback -- again, I really appreciate the comments.

To be honest, I feel the same way on most of the points you made.

I changed to the Army Game design because the index page had a layout that I favoured, and it was easier to clearly place links and news in an open, easy-to-read format. The previous site had issues with text balance between the left and right sides. Not a major issue, but one that takes away from a site's readability factor.

I don't mind the new colour scheme, but you are right on the money when you say that it is double-edged. To be honest, I'm still trying to figure out whether I like the more urban (or urbane) colours of the last website, or the darker, more SF colours of the new site. Now that I'm thinking about it, I could have totally revamped the colour scheme, but that may have taken away from the high-speed feel of the site.

Like I said, I appreciate the comments, and will use them when (gasp!) re-designing for Defence-Neyt 3.2 or, if I really go nuts with the site design, I may bump it up to 4.0. 

 

[m_a_c]

I think the site looks awesome.  It is simple and easy to navigate and it looks great.  I also like the colour scheme, great job...

 

[fleeingjam]

LOL Argylls you ripped off the americasarmy.com combat sim website lol....do you play that game btw?

 

[humint]

Yes, it's the go army site. I figured someone, somewhere would spot it -- but the site layout really worked for my purposes. And, nope, I don't have time to play vid-games (although I wish I had), just far too busy with civ and army work.

 

[humint]

ARMY JOBS NOW! >> in THE ARGYLLS

The Argylls are looking to enrol 40 new recruits between 01 Jan and 30 May 2005.

We guarantee employment as soon as you complete the application process and are sworn-in -- which means you'll be making money sooner, rather than later! CALL US FOR DETAILS >> 905.541.ARMY

If you are interested in the infantry, and specializing in mountain and urban ops, we are the unit of choice for Southern Ontario. We offer a training intensive schedule, meaning that we spend more time in the field doing the good stuff. And that means more opportunities for you to make money, and more opportunities for you to develop the high-speed skills you can't get in the civilian world.

TRAINING UNMATCHED

Do you want to do all the hard stuff that only the specialists get to do? Well, the Argylls is the unit you want to join. In May, we are taking the unit to train at the US Army Mountain Ops School. And, we have even bigger and better training opportunities planned for the next two years. Don't miss out -- call us today to find out more!



CONTACT US

For more information, please call the Argyll Recruiting Office at >> 905.541.ARMY (2769)

FIND OUT MORE

Check-out our websites at:

www.argylls.ca

www.ashofc.ca


RECRUIT JOB SESSIONS

We also offer recruit info sessions, every Wed evening at 6.30 PM from Jan through May. We offer all the answers to your recruit questions.


OPEN HOUSE -- ARMY FOR A DAY!
We will be having a number of invite-only open houses in Feb, March, April, and May. Here, you can experience what it is like to be on a training course. You can check-out the equipment, talk to experienced soldiers and current recruits, get the answers you need about the recruiting process, and get help with the application form.

CALL US NOW >> 905.541.ARMY to get on the invite list or to find out more about this exciting opportunity.

We even have people that will help you complete the application form, and walk you through the process. That way, you are armed with all the info before you even start!

 

[humint]

There will be an open house held at the John Foote Armoury on Sat, 05 March from 1000-1600 Hrs.

All weapons, vehicles, and equipment will be on display, and troops will be available to speak to you about training. There will be other displays there as well as training demos.

For info on the Argylls, or for a list of available jobs, please see www.argylls.ca

OR CALL >> 905.541.ARMY

Getting There >> Directions

From Toronto/Guelph

Hwy 403 to York Blvd
Follow York to James Street North
Left onto James and drive two blocks
The armoury is the red brick building on the right


From Brantford

Hwy 403 to Main Street
Follow Main to Bay Street
Left onto Bay
RIght onto York
Left onto James, and drive two blocks
The armoury is the red brick building on the right
Parking >>

Municipal parking is available on the streets surrounding the armoury. Do not park in the vehicle compoud. A parking lot is available on Mulberry Street, which is directly across from the armoury.

 

[RossF]

I'll be there.