Nrom Normandy

Don't buy ArmA II, nobody is playing it.

[15:05:04] Nrom Normandy: alright, this looks like about all we're going to get so I'll get started [15:05:16] Ethan Schuman: Rei is running late I think. [15:05:17] Disembodied Hand: my brain is going to explode listening to 2 meetings [15:05:28] Ethan Schuman: He should be here in a few. We can start without him. [15:05:29] Nrom Normandy: well mine isn't too long [15:05:55] Nrom Normandy: Thank you for coming. This isn't as big as our last meeting in February but that is okay. [15:06:12] Nrom Normandy: If you noticed this past week I made a post in the Astra forum about some of the problems facing this organization. [15:06:17] Nrom Normandy: I left one problem off the list. [15:06:28] Nadav Vaher is Online [15:06:36] Nrom Normandy: I started a new job on the 14th of February. This job is pretty important, and it is requiring sacrifices. [15:07:03] Mercury: Inoue Katsu initiated OIC transfer. [15:07:04] Orochimaru Kuramoto is Offline [15:07:04] Nrom Normandy: Most of it has been my evening time, catching up on a lot of stuff which I can't really talk about. Another is requiring me to leave Second Life permanently. [15:07:17] Nrom Normandy: So where does that leave us going forward? [15:07:31] Orochimaru Kuramoto is Online [15:07:32] Mercury: New contact: Xiolin Furlough [15:07:32] Xiolin Furlough is Online [15:07:41] Nrom Normandy: Well as I have said from the beginning, Astra isn't going to work out if it's simply one person doing all of the work. This is why I started that thread. [15:08:02] Nrom Normandy: Those are the problems I faced when I transferred to Astra. They have always been the problems for this organization. The question has always been how to solve them. [15:08:33] Mercury: Declaring new OIC for Titan: Succenturio Arokh Takakura. [15:08:36] Nrom Normandy: Had to pull up a document I had been working on, sorry. [15:08:39] Bradley Petrov is Online [15:09:08] Nrom Normandy: I recommend a series of changes. [15:09:19] Nrom Normandy: I can't enact these since I won't be here, so I leave it up to you all to do so. [15:09:35] WolfShaman Warrior is Online [15:09:49] Nrom Normandy: The division structure is organized in such a way that it is spread out all over the place. This isn't good for the squad leaders, and it isn't great for communication. [15:09:54] Mercury: Lost contact: Inoue Katsu [15:10:13] Orochimaru Kuramoto is Offline [15:10:35] Nrom Normandy: For the past month I have had to stand in as the commander of the squadron, and this hasn't gone as smoothly as I would like. I recommend a simple structure based upon the organization of the US Air Force. Standing below the CO and XO of Astra would be an officer titled the Wing Commander. [15:10:38] Orochimaru Kuramoto is Online [15:10:39] Hollowmengitus Yifu is Offline [15:10:40] Mercury: Lost contact: Hollowmengitus Yifu [15:11:20] Anthony Lehane is Offline [15:11:23] Nrom Normandy: The Wing is the overall structure for the combat units. It should have a cool name, like Tactical Wing or something. A wing makes sense since these are what exist on each Air Force base. [15:11:34] Mercury: Titan entry: Name: Ice Karsin [ Unknown - Threat level: 4 ] Profile: secondlife:///app/agent/75d0dbac-df0d-4c1f-bc55-de4555f8cdc5/about [15:11:43] Nrom Normandy: Below the wing commander is his staff, and the squadrons. Squadrons are divided into three. [15:12:18] Nrom Normandy: The Alpha squadron, containing all alpha squads. Squadron 2, tactical, Squadron 3, Reserves [15:12:19] Detox Exonar is Online [15:12:20] Anthony Lehane is Online [15:12:21] Hollowmengitus Yifu is Online [15:12:21] Mercury: New contact: Hollowmengitus Yifu [15:12:26] Nrom Normandy: Each squadron further separated into flights [15:12:33] Nrom Normandy: sort of like we have now, but not as mishmashed. [15:12:39] Mercury: New contact: Ordo Inventor [15:12:49] (COM): Mercury SecretSpy: *is back from the dead. Gone 12 days 4 hrs 43 mins* [15:12:52] Nrom Normandy: The point of it is that once there are enough people to fill three flights, you assign a squadron commander to squadron 1 [15:13:19] Nrom Normandy: Once there's more people, you add additional staff, build up your other squadrons, and give additional positions for growth. [15:13:37] Nrom Normandy: That's what you need to do, keep it open so that as you grow you have room to fill things in. Simply keeping this in mind and reorganizing the roster will fix that problem. [15:13:53] Nrom Normandy: I think Palaestra needs to be revised. [15:14:10] Nrom Normandy: Right now, there are only 3 instructors. Ookami expressed interest but I don't see additional growth. [15:14:50] Nrom Normandy: I think it would be a good idea for you flight leaders to take the current material, work with the officers, and construct a simpler and faster approach while still keeping the strength of our flight training. [15:15:29] Nrom Normandy: I also think that training should follow a simpler format of: Course Overview - Course Objectives - Course Content - Course Summary [15:16:02] Nrom Normandy: Much of the material that we cover could easily be handled through youtube videos, online tests, and other means. This would be a great opportunity for someone to experiment and learn. [15:16:19] Kirshak Clarity is Offline [15:16:22] Nrom Normandy: I also think that some of you NCOs should take initiative and become mentors. [15:16:45] Bradley Petrov is Offline [15:16:50] Deathcore Torok is Offline [15:16:58] Nrom Normandy: We do not have a formal mentoring program in Ordo or Astra. Some people take it upon themselves, or our flight leaders do it. Once a new person comes into Astra, they should be taken under someone's wing... if you'll excuse the pun. [15:17:57] Nrom Normandy: This is, again, something that NCOs can organize themselves. Aside from the wing/squadron/flight structure, none of what I mentioned requires any approval. These can be individual initiatives that once completed can get the formal approval and blessing. [15:18:44] Nrom Normandy: I mentioned several times over the past two months about equipment and gear, and also a refocusing of Astra's mission and goals in combat. Unfortunately I can't implement these changes, but they are already in the channel so-to-speak. [15:19:25] fernando Ryba is Offline [15:19:42] fernando Ryba is Online [15:19:46] Nrom Normandy: One of the mission changes was with mechanized combat units which would have both ground and flight characteristics. I've discussed this with officer staff in the past, and there are a number of mixed feelings on it. One of which is the feeling that Aryte would not accept us stepping on the toes of Terra's mission in combat. [15:19:49] Micha Benusconi is Offline [15:20:17] Kiba Rubble is Online [15:20:27] Micha Benusconi is Online [15:20:52] Blaze Wiles is Online [15:21:07] Nrom Normandy: Well I wish to clarify Aryte's opinion: it's his idea and blessing to step on those toes, because to date the old Astra way isn't working. Officers and pilots will need to think about how to implement this new vehicle into daily duties, but changes are going to come whether we want them or not. The battlefield is changing, and our traditional role may not be here when we wake up to get up to speed with those changes. [15:22:00] Nrom Normandy: My biggest suggestion is to avoid thinking about the community and working with them to create a new direction. Lead the way, from above and below. Take initiative. Design and come up with new technology and tactics. You guys have a lot of opportunities in SL. Come up with them here, experiment while you're small and you can do it. [15:22:05] Hollowmengitus Yifu is Offline [15:22:08] Mercury: Lost contact: Hollowmengitus Yifu [15:22:13] Mercury: Lost contact: Ice Karsin [15:22:31] Hokusai Otsuka is Offline [15:22:51] Nrom Normandy: Mechs are just one way to do it. You have new things like the drop ship. It's still not used as much as it could be. Ethan and Disembodied did great work with it, and it shows what we can accomplish if we focus on something that I really wish you all will do: flight cores. [15:23:34] Jeff Beckenbauer is Offline [15:23:50] Nrom Normandy: Multiple control schemes and flight systems that are scripted and ready to go. They can be modified and tweaked to create varying strengths and weaknesses in their flight characteristics. Why is this important? I think one of the initiatives you folks should do is set up vehicle classes for ships. Light, medium, heavy, and fucking insane aka Navis. [15:24:15] Jeff Beckenbauer is Online [15:24:45] Nrom Normandy: If you're going to set up classes like that, you need lots of vehicles to fill in those categories. These vehicles should take into consideration the modularity of the systems we already use everyday. Standard weapons and ordinance that can be used across the board, but are limited by the flight cores and the vehicles containing those cores. [15:25:13] Thomas Baddingham is Online [15:25:54] Hollowmengitus Yifu is Online [15:25:55] Mercury: New contact: Hollowmengitus Yifu [15:25:58] Nrom Normandy: Think of it like hard points on the outside of your ship. If you are flying an air to air fighter, it only has a couple light hardpoints on the hull so you can put blasters or air-to-air missiles. In order to get ground capability, switching out completely different weapon attachments and modifications to the vehicles speed must be done and should be done on the fly. That was my idea, anyway. [15:26:35] Mercury: New contact: Thomas Baddingham [15:26:38] Ghost Harris is Offline [15:26:42] Nrom Normandy: But there are changes to Astra's exposure as well. The Schola changes were made, but not as effective as I had hoped. You have the leader of Schola here today. Give her ideas, see what you guys can come up with to make our presence more known there. [15:26:56] Mercury: New contact: Tsukiyomi Yuhara [15:26:57] Tsukiyomi Yuhara is Online [15:27:01] Bradley Petrov is Online [15:27:03] Kiba Rubble is Offline [15:27:25] Nrom Normandy: I still think advertising Astra is a huge thing to do. There were Armatura posters made a couple months ago. Some of you guys are artsy, why can't you come up with something like that? Simple posters that can be scattered across this city build would help increase Astra visibility. [15:27:34] Scarlet Flaks is Offline [15:27:39] Mercury: Lost contact: Scarlet Flaks [15:27:59] Nrom Normandy: I was also planning on creating various videos on youtube to help advertise our capabilities and our group. We are pretty cool, and I have had some of the best people in SL under my command. [15:28:28] Mercury: Lost contact: Thomas Baddingham [15:28:51] Nrom Normandy: When I first became an officer, we had the idea of advertising in New Jessie but nothing came of it. Aryte gave his blessing, but aside from a few preliminary images nothing else happened. The same thing with ideas for going out and touring flying sims and trying to recruit there. [15:29:30] Nrom Normandy: You're going to find that this is the pattern. People come up with ideas and don't follow through with them. You guys need to take responsibility for these things. Officer, NCO or not. If you don't push to do it, then no one else will. That's what I learned in this position. [15:30:24] Nrom Normandy: So that's where I leave you. I don't have many other ideas. I had a lot of preliminary drafts but they never really went anywhere and I couldn't focus on them until I put out the daily fires. [15:30:26] Mercury: New contact: Kaska Czarny [15:30:26] Kaska Czarny is Online [15:30:38] Nrom Normandy: So before I open the floor to comments and questions, I just have one thing left to say. [15:30:56] Nrom Normandy: From when I joined in June of last year, when I log into SL, the first thing I do is handle my duties. [15:31:13] Nrom Normandy: I respond to IMs I have, I go through my list of daily duties, and then I goof around. [15:31:19] Nrom Normandy: Some of you guys are flight leaders. [15:31:25] Mercury: Lost contact: Aegis Verne [15:31:26] Nrom Normandy: That means contacting your personnel. [15:31:32] Nrom Normandy: Not on Wednesday. [15:31:35] Nrom Normandy: Not on Thursday. [15:31:38] Nrom Normandy: Everyday. [15:32:00] Mercury: Lost contact: Kristian Kit [15:32:20] Mercury: New contact: Huttser Ishelwood [15:32:20] Mercury: Titan entry: Name: Huttser Ishelwood [ Ordo - Threat level: 0 ] Profile: secondlife:///app/agent/7820a4f2-9093-4c9c-859e-2d96ac5adfaf/about [15:32:34] Nrom Normandy: I got a lot of reports for this over the past couple months in my position, and when I see that someone tells me that they couldn't get in contact with someone, I know that usually meant the person didn't respond on Wednesday. That's not a jab, just a suggestion for improvement. [15:32:45] Nrom Normandy: Training needs to happen and be the priority for trainers. [15:32:53] Acheron Gloom is Offline [15:32:53] Mercury: Lost contact: Acheron Gloom [15:33:16] Nrom Normandy: I shouldn't have had to hear from trainees that they received excuses when they asked for training. To put it simply, trainees should never have to ask for training. [15:33:23] Nrom Normandy: Armatura is experiencing this pretty bad. [15:33:30] Mercury: Lost contact: Typhoon Ivanovic [15:33:38] Acheron Gloom is Online [15:33:39] Mercury: New contact: Acheron Gloom [15:33:41] Zepp Stygian is Offline [15:33:55] Hokusai Otsuka is Online [15:34:03] (COM): Acheron Gloom: Being crashed by gremlins: awesome [15:34:09] Acheron Gloom is Offline [15:34:10] Mercury: Lost contact: Acheron Gloom [15:34:13] Nrom Normandy: One of the things that led to me getting to where I am is that I took the initiative to make sure to ask for things to do, and when I had something to do, I made it the first thing I did when I logged in and the last thing I finished up when I out. [15:34:51] Afevis Sodertelge is Online [15:34:51] Mercury: New contact: Acheron Gloom [15:34:52] Acheron Gloom is Online [15:34:52] Nrom Normandy: It's called work ethic. While I know SL is supposed to be fun, those of us who take on the NCO and officer positions should know that we take on responsibilities and those responsibilities require us to take some of our fun time and put it aside for others. [15:35:21] Nrom Normandy: Now, that's all I had to say today. Floor is open, just raid your hand if you want to say something. [15:35:54] Detox Exonar is Offline [15:35:54] Ethan Schuman: We're going to miss you. Me especially. One less human around. :( [15:36:02] Ookamiwulf Lemton: Same [15:36:04] Disembodied Hand: haha. [15:36:32] Nrom Normandy: I've been pretty depressed about it for the past few weeks, it's hit my activity in addition to the things I've been doing in the evening. [15:36:32] Disembodied Hand raises hand [15:36:49] Nrom Normandy: go for it dis, forget the hand thing there's not enough people here for it to be an issue [15:37:24] Mercury: New contact: Afevis Sodertelge [15:37:25] Mercury: Titan entry: Name: Afevis Sodertelge [ Ordo - Threat level: 0 ] Profile: secondlife:///app/agent/8ed01d27-d906-48b1-81ee-d2307a468798/about [15:37:37] Disembodied Hand: Its unfortunate to see you go, I know you had good plans for us and astra was slowly getting better, The schola thing works more than you gave it credit for )tho of course it could use more) 2 schola joined us today after I gave them a tour of our stuff at phase 6 [15:38:25] Nrom Normandy: I know of one at least, I sent him/her the notecard stuff that I usually give the new transfers and schola people [15:38:37] Bradley Petrov is Offline [15:39:34] Copper Shelter is Online [15:39:37] Nrom Normandy: alright, I bet you guys are also listening in on Aryte so no problem. I'll go ahead and write up the meeting log and get started on the report for the general meeting if you guys want to head down there and you don't have any other comments or questions

NCOs, make sure you are aware of three key threads in regards to what you're doing on base every day: />http://forums.ordoimperialis.com/index.php?/topic/7132-responsibilities-of-the-oic-and-sog/ Trevor wrote this great article about how to be an OIC and SoG while on Titan. If you have not read through this already, consider this an order to do so. This contains a great deal of information regarding daily procedures and what's expected of you when you take these positions. Get into the habit of taking OIC when you can, making sure it is properly passed off, and assigning an SoG to help ease tension and concentrate on specific matters. />http://forums.ordoimperialis.com/index.php?/topic/10327-ordo-policy-tiers-of-authority-enforcement-and-chain-of-command-17nov10/ It is important that you understand what the tiers of authority are, what enforcement is and your involvement in it, and what the chain of command is. In particular, I want to note the role of the NCO as being a limited jurisdiction police/security forces. Depending on where you sit in the chain of command, you do have some disciplinary power in regard to personnel directly under your command. When you see violations of handbook procedures and protocol, it is your OBLIGATION to report these violations. When they are seen and not reported and dealt with, resentment builds. Resentment leads to discouraged soldiers who end up looking somewhere else for their entertainment. If you wish for people to be held accountable for failing to abide by our policies and procedures, read through this policy and understand that it is your responsibility to report it so that they will be. />http://forums.ordoimperialis.com/index.php?/topic/11435-universal-responsibility/ This had to be brought up specifically by the Imperator because the above two threads were never read, forgotten, or ignored. Let this be an official call out to all of you NCOs. Rank is not something you are given simply because you've been here a long time. You have obligations and duties to perform daily, which includes making sure everyone around you is doing what they're supposed to. If they aren't, know that even if they outrank you it should be discussed either privately, or if you're uncomfortable doing so, through your chain of command. In addition to the above, I wish to point everyone to updated policies regarding Astra: />http://forums.ordoimperialis.com/index.php?/topic/11437-ordo-policy-division-astra-20feb11/ In addition to officer authorization permitted for New Jessie with vehicles, there has been some clarification regarding Rules of Engagement abroad and at home. I am also noting that while the OIC is in charge of Titan's defense, when hostiles take to the air all Astra are obligated to head up until the threat is grounded and at that point they will maintain a +1 advantage in numbers at that point. From that point the OIC may deliver orders in regards to specific munitions requested. I also wish to remind all NCOs of Astra's Anti-Armor purpose. While I understand that tanks don't get used that often, I wish to remind you that the Thanatos is more than able to assist in covering multiple portions of Titan from tanks and you can restrict their munitions from being used against any ground personnel. In addition to that, it may be advantageous to you to do so if the hostile force has any type of air assets since it would provoke them to launch into the air and relieve you of more than one attacker when they do.

I started out in the beta about 2003. I was testing a lot of different games at that time after burning out in Asheron's Call, Dark Age of Camelot and a couple other games. Prior to that I had been playing a lot of first person shooters in a couple online gaming clans. SL at that time was being touted as a learning tool. The coolest avatars had prims attached all over their bodies. Primitars are what they called them. The welcome island was pretty cool, and then you ended up in the old welcome areas, which had arches leading off to different areas and boards that listed the time for different events. It was cool but once the beta ended they went to premium only accounts and I wasn't interested in paying $10 a month for it. In 2005 Second Life went free to play again. I forgot my beta account details and made a new account. It was my luck that the Normandy account was available, so I went with that and a name I had been using in EverQuest 2 for a bit. From there I started spending time in various star wars sims and build a reputation there for a few years. During school semesters I would usually take a break from the game for studies, and return to either start working on a different community or goof off. I've spent time patrolling sandboxes in the JLU and GLC. I've worked on multiple star wars simulators as a roleplayer and admin. I have done a lot of scripting in the past as well. I also checked out I was bored in 2009 and checked out Dorien, which was the AN's private sim. The rest is history.

Take the reprieve and be happy rather than trying to outsmart the Praefectus. Good luck, hopefuls.

I will confirm this. The standing orders are: 06JAN11-I: Erebus visitation prohibited, unless the Erebus member is visiting under the Iron Symphony visitation tag. Some of you might not be aware, but Erebus had been blanket banned from receiving visitor privileges on Titan. This standing order was rescinded to be the one I posted above. This means that they can visit while using the IS tag, which expresses their intentions. This doesn't mean that they can simply run away from the hub without announcing their intentions. They have abused this tag or simply not taken it seriously by showing up and 'visiting' without changing to it. I've made it clear on ventrilo and coms more than once that the IS tag does not give them a hall pass from following protocol. WolfShaman showed you the protocol above. If they show up in an IS tag, they're still hostile unless they are cleared from the NC/OIC. If you're hesitant about opening fire on them, IM them to get their intentions, remind them to stay in the hub until they are cleared by the NC/OIC and relay the information to who is in charge. Also, I've noticed that communication over coms has been pretty terrible lately. When you're in charge of Titan's defense, try to relay orders over both Ventrilo and text coms. It's a requirement for the NC/OIC to be on there, but it is not for all of our members. Relay major orders and commands over both communication channels to ensure that everyone gets the orders. Clearing someone for visitation is one of these orders.

Oh god, urge to buy PS3 growing...

I appreciate the time to write out the suggestions and comments that were written above. I realize many have already discussed them and given reasons why we don't do certain things. I only wish to add a few comments. When Astra is in the air, keep the flak turned from the skies. I have been hit by friendly flak when I'm engaging hostile targets. There's no reason for it, folks. As Trinity reminded me during this discussion before the meeting, I thought Ordo was opposed to selective damage munitions. This would also exclude a revised flak from avoiding killing friendlies. All our Astra weapons hurt friend and foe alike, which requires the user to hone their skills to incredible accuracy when deployed on the battlefield. Those of you working on classes and instruction for the new or old drop ship - please be sure to direct your ideas to Trinity Heckroth. While I appreciate you guys taking the initiative about that, ultimately the ones holding all the drop ships in Ordo will be Astra personnel. I know we distributed it to Invictus in the past, but in order to encourage people to actually join our division, the drop ship will be Astra only. This means that, while you guys may be coming up with a ground-based focus for drop ship training, ultimately you will need Astra personnel to do it and Astra personnel must also be trained on the same material. This will mean it will fall under Palaestra for Astra's side of it, and whatever focused training you guys want on the Terra side. It would be best to coordinate that with Trinity as she is in control and in charge of all our educational aspects of Astra. As far as Astra in the field, I understand concerns here about activity and participation. If you have complaints about individual Astra pilots, direct them to me and I will deal with it. I try to put my boots on the ground as much as possible, and Astra personnel are more than aware of their role in ground activities. We bemoan it quite often since we would rather be deploying aircraft since we love to fly. As a reminder to all defense commanders, do not be afraid to deploy air assets. I have seen hesitation with the new build on numerous occasions to deploy air assets. Air assets are there to help, folks. We have Thanatos certified pilots who can quickly navigate across the battlefield to cover terrain against multiple oncoming hostile tanks. If you have one tank deployed to one side of the field, use Astra to cover the other part. Also with the new objectives, as they have been described earlier in this thread, you will need to consider deploying drop ships to transport people rather than using direct teleports. Start getting used to it. Also keep in mind the thread that Kastrenzo made about tactics on Titan with the new build. When there's no combat on Titan, each of you should be organizing your own fire teams and coordinating each other through ventrilo and coms for both practice and defense detail. This is your responsibility, being afk on base is not. Oh, and one note about ejecting people out of the sim when they are afk. Most people who AFK on Titan are in their uniform. If you start kicking them off the sim, it will unfortunately send them to a different, random public area. This will expose our equipment and uniforms to copy bots and would also be a violation of handbook protocol. I have thought that it would be a good idea in the past, but a cooler mind prevails in that regard. We simply have to encourage people to not spend their time idling in the sim and instead spend it actively engaged in activities.

QP is assigned for participation in certain sanctioned training events. In this particular case, it is due to a change in IEA policy. You can find out about it in the IEA forum. Zero posted a thread about it last week I believe.

Arokh, I think your clock is broken. It has the month and day switched around.

Custos :O Grats everyone!

I think that the test of intensity for your viewer settings needs to include a picture of me. This is the only true test to see how awesome it looks.

Today is November 11th. It is on this day every year in the United States that we observe Veteran's day. This day is intended to honor our military veterans who have died and served in various wars during the history of our country. One thing you may not be aware of is that the day does have some significance. November 11th is also known as Armistice day as it is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. World War I was ended on the 11th our of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Germans signed the armistice. Although I am not a veteran, most of my family is composed of men who have served in every branch of the US military for every war since the founding of this country. I have a great deal of respect and pride for our military, and my brother currently serves as a field medic in the Army. I know many of our members are former service members in both the US military and foreign countries. You have my thanks, and the thanks of your citizens, whether they are too self-absorbed to show it or not. Have a good day.

Only if it's a woman with a Russian accent. It doesn't turn on the oven to listen to Russian guys speak English.

I'm not a sub, I don't need a purse, and I'm manlier than some of you fags combined so don't try to give me shit about it. The girlfriend doesn't appreciate the beard, and I prefer the clean shaven look myself. It makes me look younger, and hides some of the gray whiskers. However, I haven't shaved since my last interview two weeks ago, but that will change tonight since I'll have some free time. When you guys shave, do you use a safety razor? I take a bar of shaving soap, a badger bristle brush, some hot water, make shaving cream, then shave my face with

Sorry, as a professionally minded male, I refuse to not shave for November. I like sleeping in my bed every night, a beard = sleeping on the couch.

Are you serious? Have you tried this with aircraft yet, Keller? Please have a few Astra hop up in the Nemesis and test it today and report back. This has been a huge hindrance for aerial combat over the past two weeks.

http://www.shufflemonster.com/

done

what does swat do? That is the question. Thanks for implementing this option, Inoue. Just for clarification, folks. You click on the actual person in the radar. That brings up a dialog with the ignoreme option. There isn't a button like the kill alarm switch.

I second Khan academy. I used it to review algebra 1 and 2 concepts prior to taking differential equations. I also recommend Paul's online math notes: http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/ Lots of example problems, pretty good descriptions for why we do things. A good supplemental to Khan academy. There are also a lot of open courses on MIT's website for mathematics. There are other schools as well that have similar programs.

they are the mystery men />http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132347/

Phase one complete.

Happy birthday!

So much older... but definitely a distinguished gentleman. Happy birthday, Ron!