Aces High Bulletin Board
Help and Support Forums => Help and Training => Topic started by: Sunka on November 08, 2013, 11:43:29 AM
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Recently one of our fine trainers had a posting on available trainers. The responce seems very low of trainers that actually pay attention to training forms or ever hang out in TA.
We often have many people looking for help maybe you guys should hire a few more good men.
:salute
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I am no way a Trainer. However if any trainers would like a bait plane shoot me a message with the day and time and I will help in any way I can. I received a TON of help when I was starting and would gladly give it in return too anyone. :salute
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Recently one of our fine trainers had a posting on available trainers. The responce seems very low of trainers that actually pay attention to training forms or ever hang out in TA.
We often have many people looking for help maybe you guys should hire a few more good men.
:salute
what you didn't see were the Trainers who are booked up,,, we still work mostly thru PM's,, my schedule is open,, but many trainers are full up, or get there students thru other means,, I'd love to get more students for GV training tho,, so I posted there,
my advice is, if you want a certain Trainer, PM him, I bet He will answer,, if you don't know who or what you want or need, post it in the training forum and someone will see it, and someone will answer it!! :salute
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what you didn't see were the Trainers who are booked up,,, we still work mostly thru PM's,, my schedule is open,, but many trainers are full up, or get there students thru other means,, I'd love to get more students for GV training tho,, so I posted there,
my advice is, if you want a certain Trainer, PM him, I bet He will answer,, if you don't know who or what you want or need, post it in the training forum and someone will see it, and someone will answer it!! :salute
O i know many trainers keep busy,but TA being more empty (of trainers) and a lack of responses on available trainers post is still valid.
Not trying to stick my nose in where it don't belong ,was just an observation.
On another note,i do some gv'ing now and then and i bet i could sure use some advice. :salute
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Just tell me when and we can work on whatever you would like
Just PM me a date and time you like
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Recently one of our fine trainers had a posting on available trainers. The responce seems very low of trainers that actually pay attention to training forms or ever hang out in TA.
We often have many people looking for help maybe you guys should hire a few more good men.
:salute
That posting was misleading since it implied that all available trainers were listed. It was a posting of availability of a few trainers. Sorry for the confusion.
All players going to the TA see a message that they can post in Help and Training to request a trainer. All requests have been answered.
Any player can help another player in the TA. You don't need to be a trainer, just stick to what you know and you'll likely be helpful.
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That posting was misleading since it implied that all available trainers were listed. It was a posting of availability of a few trainers. Sorry for the confusion.
New players going to the TA see a message that they can post in Help and Training to request a trainer. All requests have been answered.
Any player can help another in the TA. You don't need to be a trainer, just stick to what you know and you'll likely be helpful.
Right on FLS i might have a scued view of who is around. Only you guys know how many of you are there and busy.
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I signed up some years ago, got zero response to the one request I floated and I've never seen a "trainer" in the TA. Not once. Now I'm by no means a regular. I used to go there to answer questions that came up in game since the dynamics seem closer to the MA than at the DA. It's not a new issue. There's probably only a few guys anyhow and since they seem to be giving time away it makes sense that they would be hard to find. You'll find some guys in the MA that seem pretty generous with info.
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Where did you post your request? We generally respond to every request we see.
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:aok to the idea of more trainers, if there are people out there that are willing to be "Official" Trainers then why not make them so... Especially if you guys are all booked up.
What about having a "biweekly" training seminar held in the TA or something covering different topics lead by different members of the Training Corps. that have more experience or expertise to offer in some of the different aspects of the game. Develop some sort of lesson plan covering some topics that might help some newer members. It doesn't have to be real basic stuff, but something to encourage the members that are within their first 3 months. You could make a post in all arenas about the event the day of, similar to how its done prior to the start of the FSO or SEC stating something like "In 15 minutes the start of today's training covering Basic Air Combat Maneuvers begins in the Training Arena". Just a thought I had while talking to a friend about it the other day.
Maybe this has been tried before and was not effective, I don't know I know ive not seen anything in the past year (minus a small few month hiatus away from the game). When I first came back to the game after 10 years away I know that was something I had looked for was if there was some sort of set "training day" or a generic time that trainers would be on. I didn't at the time even really know about the forum being here and posting in it asking for help. Yes some of the stuff on the training page did help, but there is SO much information there I think some people get overwhelmed by it and just figure "Ehh ill figure it out on my own" and they instead go straight to the game being left at the mercy of people in the game to take the time to teach them things.
Is there anyway to develop some sort of program that would put people in the TA at set times of the day during the week. Im not saying full time 8 hrs a day 5 days a week cause I get that that's a little to much :O. Even if its something like 2 hrs a day 6 days a week split by a large number of "Trainers" at different times to have someone available to people that play in all the different time zones say someone mid-morning and mid-evening, so 2 people a day twice a day. Or even start off small with the idea maybe a Wednesday and a Saturday twice a day, see if anyone takes advantage of it. Make a arena announcement slide out off the clipboard during those times that give the name of who is available at those times. It could even be something where that trainer that is scheduled for that time could be in the MA but have people aware that he is there and tell them on the announcement how to contact them if they want training i.e. "If you would like training SoandSo is available from 10am EST till 12pm EST contact them by personal message ".p SoandSo[space] type message here...".
Reach out to our community and how many people would be interested in participating in such a program and helping it along.
Just a thought I had while reading this topic and some others on the side of training while I was talking to a good buddy of mine brainstorming how to make this game even better and trying to retain the new people that we do get.
:salute to the Trainers that are out there though and that have helped me before. You guys do a great job of breaking down the game and trying to make the experience good for all those you do help.
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Just tell me when and we can work on whatever you would like
Just PM me a date and time you like
I would be up for some gv training on how to effetively hide your gv.
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I would be up for some gv training on how to effetively hide your gv.
let me know when you want to go to the TA and I'll see what I can do! just PM ME a time you like!
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That posting was misleading since it implied that all available trainers were listed. It was a posting of availability of a few trainers. Sorry for the confusion.
Yes, some trainers decided not to post, which lead to the thread becoming misleading. The thread itself was not misleading. If all trainers had cooperated it would have been very accurate.
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:aok to the idea of more trainers, if there are people out there that are willing to be "Official" Trainers then why not make them so... Especially if you guys are all booked up.
What about having a "biweekly" training seminar held in the TA or something covering different topics lead by different members of the Training Corps. that have more experience or expertise to offer in some of the different aspects of the game. Develop some sort of lesson plan covering some topics that might help some newer members. It doesn't have to be real basic stuff, but something to encourage the members that are within their first 3 months. You could make a post in all arenas about the event the day of, similar to how its done prior to the start of the FSO or SEC stating something like "In 15 minutes the start of today's training covering Basic Air Combat Maneuvers begins in the Training Arena". Just a thought I had while talking to a friend about it the other day.
Maybe this has been tried before and was not effective, I don't know I know ive not seen anything in the past year (minus a small few month hiatus away from the game). When I first came back to the game after 10 years away I know that was something I had looked for was if there was some sort of set "training day" or a generic time that trainers would be on. I didn't at the time even really know about the forum being here and posting in it asking for help. Yes some of the stuff on the training page did help, but there is SO much information there I think some people get overwhelmed by it and just figure "Ehh ill figure it out on my own" and they instead go straight to the game being left at the mercy of people in the game to take the time to teach them things.
Is there anyway to develop some sort of program that would put people in the TA at set times of the day during the week. Im not saying full time 8 hrs a day 5 days a week cause I get that that's a little to much :O. Even if its something like 2 hrs a day 6 days a week split by a large number of "Trainers" at different times to have someone available to people that play in all the different time zones say someone mid-morning and mid-evening, so 2 people a day twice a day. Or even start off small with the idea maybe a Wednesday and a Saturday twice a day, see if anyone takes advantage of it. Make a arena announcement slide out off the clipboard during those times that give the name of who is available at those times. It could even be something where that trainer that is scheduled for that time could be in the MA but have people aware that he is there and tell them on the announcement how to contact them if they want training i.e. "If you would like training SoandSo is available from 10am EST till 12pm EST contact them by personal message ".p SoandSo[space] type message here...".
Reach out to our community and how many people would be interested in participating in such a program and helping it along.
Just a thought I had while reading this topic and some others on the side of training while I was talking to a good buddy of mine brainstorming how to make this game even better and trying to retain the new people that we do get.
:salute to the Trainers that are out there though and that have helped me before. You guys do a great job of breaking down the game and trying to make the experience good for all those you do help.
Great post.... AFE! I can say most of your ideas I have longed for ever since I left AW for AH back some 13+ years ago..
Even when i served as Head Trainer here, I could not get this accomplished... I tryed and have suggested for years that
we have informal training sessions weekly, similar to the way we did when I played AW...
Need I guess, to see the community ask for this or wish for this collectively....
:s
TC
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Anyone is welcome to run weekly training sessions. You can start any time you like TC. :aok
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Scheduled Training events sound like it would be a lot of fun! I think I remember something like that being done a few times in the past. One of the trainers posted on the forums that on a specific day at a specific time that they were going to do a training event in the TA that all are welcome to join. I don't know how many turned up for it. Maybe they didn't get the turn out that they were hoping to get and the idea eventually got scrapped afterwards. I'm not sure how one of these events would go. Would the trainer have everyone up a plane with him and have them follow him through maneuvers? Would they use the God mode view to watch? Trying to teach a large group sounds like it'd be difficult with everyone learning in different ways at different speeds. Would the whole group be held up while the trainer tried to explained something to one person who was having trouble understanding?
It sounds like a really fun idea, like a flight training school! Though it sounds like it would require a lot of work from the trainer(s) to teach a large group all at once.
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One of the trainers posted on the forums that on a specific day at a specific time that they were going to do a training event in the TA that all are welcome to join. I don't know how many turned up for it. Maybe they didn't get the turn out that they were hoping to get and the idea eventually got scrapped afterwards.
I have attended a few of those type sessions over the years. All of the ones I went to were very well attended.
The best ones that I have attended usually begin with the instructor talking through whatever the topic is on the ground. The Trainees are typically not allowed to use voice comms, all questions are entered into the text buffer. After Ground School, everybody takes off in the designated airframe and the Trainer, often with the help of an assistant, demonstrates the topic.
These classes generally seem to work best with ten or less students, the really large groups seem to get a bit unruly.
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I haven't seen any problems with larger groups. We've never limited attendance to clinics.
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I haven't seen any problems with larger groups. We've never limited attendance to clinics.
I recall being in a clinic where there were a lot of folks who probably didn't need to be there. I remember them all darting this way and that during the flying portion. It was incredibly distracting and made it difficult to even see what the instructor was demonstrating.
I was pretty new at the time and recall thinking that I would probably learn more if the Instructor didn't have so many "helpers".
Not saying that they are all like that, just throwing it out there as something to consider.
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It sounds like people were trying what the instructor was demonstrating. Generally everybody at a clinic "needs" to be there as much as anyone else. If someone is a problem we have tools for that.
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It sounds like people were trying what the instructor was demonstrating.
That's not how I remember it, but if that's how you want to perceive what I am saying... More power to you. Far be it from me to offer my perceptions as a new guy from way back when.
What I recall is trying to watch as a Trainer demonstrated a High yo-yo while some dipwad was doing barrel rolls around me. Said dipwad was also very vocal, adding "his wisdom" to the text buffer the whole time.
Sometimes I think the experienced really do forget what it is like to be new. And yes, I include the trainers in that sweeping generalization. :salute
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Players giving advice beyond their experience is very common.
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Normally if one of us is volanteering to do a clinic, one or two of us will play referee, to try and keep things in order. I can remember a few boots that the class never even realized occured. If there's a problem in a class, check the roster and see what other trainers are playing ref and send them a pm about it (we can't see everything, like most refs lol), we can normally take care of the situation. After all you attended to learn, and that's what we want you to do.
:salute
BigRat
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I think part of it though is actually getting the new guys to see it. Yes post it in here if your going to do it and explain the kind of people that should be there and what to expect, but like I said doing some sort on live arena message in the arenas prior to the start to pick up those new guys that may not even know the forum exists, let alone look for something in the forum. If you post a arena message just prior to the start though you might get their attention and maybe some other people too.
I figured that it had been done before I just never noticed anything since I have been here (not that long little over a year). Just something to really target the new guys and trying to dumb down the game a little. I know some of them have seen some of the videos by the TC and pages there and even some have seen Vids by Latrobe or Vudu all of which help. I just think really trying to be present within the MA's and letting people know that you are doing a training session just prior to it starting might actually grab up some of the new people.
Like I said before you guys do a good job im not trying to knock that by any means and I know its not easy for you all to be on all the time that's for sure I get that. I was just tryin to think outside the box a little with some different ideas.
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Wow, clinics, scheduled training events, referees....Guess it's who you know. I remember my first year or so. Had a squaddie that seemed to have all the dot commands, ballistic arcana and other sundry facts and specs right at hand. Never would say where to find it. I figured I'd be able to cobble together the same kind of knowledge base just by keeping my ears/eyes open and following the few links and such to the off-site advice and comparison pages....
Not so much. Like I said earlier never seen a trainer. Probably walk right past on on the street and never know. I've heard of tools available in the TA to aid in targeting. THAT would have come in handy a few bazzilion times. And of course all the game specific quirks that substantially affect performance. But in most cases I have no idea why I do what I do. I just happen to have found out it works...sorta. I did find a comparison chart for aircraft. That was/is helpful.
Maybe by better incorporating the MOTD the word could get out.. It's abundantly clear AH is looking for films. I bet some nfg's would take advantage of the opportunity.
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I signed up some years ago, got zero response to the one request I floated and I've never seen a "trainer" in the TA. Not once. Now I'm by no means a regular. I used to go there to answer questions that came up in game since the dynamics seem closer to the MA than at the DA. It's not a new issue. There's probably only a few guys anyhow and since they seem to be giving time away it makes sense that they would be hard to find. You'll find some guys in the MA that seem pretty generous with info.
Wow, clinics, scheduled training events, referees....Guess it's who you know. I remember my first year or so. Had a squaddie that seemed to have all the dot commands, ballistic arcana and other sundry facts and specs right at hand. Never would say where to find it. I figured I'd be able to cobble together the same kind of knowledge base just by keeping my ears/eyes open and following the few links and such to the off-site advice and comparison pages....
Not so much. Like I said earlier never seen a trainer. Probably walk right past on on the street and never know. I've heard of tools available in the TA to aid in targeting. THAT would have come in handy a few bazzilion times. And of course all the game specific quirks that substantially affect performance. But in most cases I have no idea why I do what I do. I just happen to have found out it works...sorta. I did find a comparison chart for aircraft. That was/is helpful.
Maybe by better incorporating the MOTD the word could get out.. It's abundantly clear AH is looking for films. I bet some nfg's would take advantage of the opportunity.
I've been here nearly ten years and have never had any difficulty contacting a Trainer, or arranging a private time for Training. Early on in my AH career I used to haunt the TA and was never at a loss to find a Trainer.
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I'm sure we're all very happy for you. Since we don't all have the same experience maybe you can contribute something besides a vague contradiction.
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An observation from someone that has been here for a long, long time (14 years or so with no gaps and I'm on EST). I try to drop in on the TA a few times a week. I can count on one hand the number of times that I have been in the TA and found a trainer conducting training. From my reading here and on other forum pages it appears that the official trainers of AH are all on individual schedules with no collective organized training schedule shared by the trainers. That there is no collective effort to schedule a clinic on a weekly basis, that for the most part the trainers wing it, they do not follow a formal training plan, so someone flying with trainer one, and someone flying with Trainer two may receive totally different instructions for the same subject.
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From my reading here and on other forum pages it appears that the official trainers of AH are all on individual schedules with no collective organized training schedule shared by the trainers. That there is no collective effort to schedule a clinic on a weekly basis, that for the most part the trainers wing it, they do not follow a formal training plan, so someone flying with trainer one, and someone flying with Trainer two may receive totally different instructions for the same subject.
:aok Or trainers willing to do this.
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I'm sure we're all very happy for you. Since we don't all have the same experience maybe you can contribute something besides a vague contradiction.
He pointed out that he contacted a trainer when he wanted to see one. This generally works better than hoping to run into one.
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In all the years I've been here I haven't had a problem getting a hold of a trainer when I wanted to work on something.
For those of you bashing the trainers, you have got to remember that they are all volunteers and do this on their time. HTC has nothing to do with it. These guys take their own time and help were they can. They are not "official" in that are a hired group with a set plan like you would find at a training flight school. This is a game and they volunteer to help people get better at it.
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In all the years I've been here I haven't had a problem getting a hold of a trainer when I wanted to work on something.
For those of you bashing the trainers, you have got to remember that they are all volunteers and do this on their time. HTC has nothing to do with it. These guys take their own time and help were they can. They are not "official" in that are a hired group with a set plan like you would find at a training flight school. This is a game and they volunteer to help people get better at it.
I didn't see any bashing of trainers, I saw people relating their experiences with the training arena. That's not bashing. We understand that it's volunteers on their own time. That doesn't mean that it could not be better organized or better advertised so that the user community could take advantage of the trainers expertise and help make better use of their valuable time.
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Its easy for guys that have been around for a while to know they can and should contact a trainer.
But when i was new it took me a year of flying before i even thought i should try and contact one,and that only happend because MtnMan offered as I'm in an old squad of his.
New guys,a lot of times don't even know to TRY and contact trainers..or atleast i did not.
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Its easy for guys that have been around for a while to know they can and should contact a trainer.
But when i was new it took me a year of flying before i even thought i should try and contact one,and that only happend because MtnMan offered as I'm in an old squad of his.
New guys,a lot of times don't even know to TRY and contact trainers..or atleast i did not.
As a trainer I wish some things were different but at the same time I also dont think I can do more than what I do now.
I spend most weekday evenings in the TA,usually Monday through to Thursday night between 9pm and 11 pm est. I'm almost never on on the weekends and I keep Fridays open to actually play AH.
There is the odd time where a player will drop into the TA,after I've been working in there for a couple hours and ask to for help.In these cases I'm more than happy to answer questions or give some tips but they have to understand that it's best to setup an appointment. Even after arranging an appointment often something comes up,whether it's for the player or the trainer and it falls through.
Could we use more trainer? I think so but it's not my call! If you think we need more trainers,well offer your services and help others out. I will caution some about this,it's best to keep it simple and basic,this is where most need the help anyways.
:salute
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I didn't see any bashing of trainers, I saw people relating their experiences with the training arena. That's not bashing. We understand that it's volunteers on their own time. That doesn't mean that it could not be better organized or better advertised so that the user community could take advantage of the trainers expertise and help make better use of their valuable time.
Your bashing how they do things. I'm sure if you would like to spend hours upon hours to set up a training routine along with all the material that goes along with it print and video. Then set up a web page that has all this information readily available. Then set up an advertising campaign to "get the word out there". Nobody would stop you.
Its not that hard to find a trainer if you really want one. The problem is many people don't want to bother getting to a trainer. they would rather spend time "in the game". While the training corps and design isn't perfect, I think they have done pretty well putting it together over the years as a bunch of part timers.
I file people who complain about the trainers setup into the same groups as people who complain about new maps, or skins. These guys spend their own time and energy to help out and ya'll complain they aren't doing enough, or doing it the right way. If a guy gave you a hundred dollars would you use it, or complain because he didn't give you $200?
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As a trainer I wish some things were different but at the same time I also dont think I can do more than what I do now.
I spend most weekday evenings in the TA,usually Monday through to Thursday night between 9pm and 11 pm est. I'm almost never on on the weekends and I keep Fridays open to actually play AH.
There is the odd time where a player will drop into the TA,after I've been working in there for a couple hours and ask to for help.In these cases I'm more than happy to answer questions or give some tips but they have to understand that it's best to setup an appointment. Even after arranging an appointment often something comes up,whether it's for the player or the trainer and it falls through.
Could we use more trainer? I think so but it's not my call! If you think we need more trainers,well offer your services and help others out. I will caution some about this,it's best to keep it simple and basic,this is where most need the help anyways.
:salute
I did ,did not get a warm response so i moved on. Though i still offer to help new players.
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I did ,did not get a warm response so i moved on. Though i still offer to help new players.
not a warm welcome? Or just no response ? There is a difference,
, I've sent a number of PMs to players who have requested training that go unanswered :noida,
I took it personally for a while,, then I just got over it! I don't spend as much time in the TA as I should,, but I've never turned anyone down for training that has asked,, now or before I was a trainer,,,
I've gotten three requests in the last month or so but have yet to get with those people to give them the training they requested ,, I've PMd them ,, more than once but haven't got a response
,,, I'm in the MA most days and will go directly to the TA anytime someone asks me,,, we see each other on a regular basis and we have an appointment that as of yet hasn't been kept,,, read your PMs,,
, I know all the trainers are happy to do their job,,, but sitting here talking about them,, instead of to them,, doesn't help ,
, PMs are what we use,, it helps to keep it one on one with the players, we don't even mind a little criticism, just PM it! Thanks!
Now let me know when you want your training and we will get it done,,, or just give me a shout in the game if you see me!
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Your bashing how they do things. I'm sure if you would like to spend hours upon hours to set up a training routine along with all the material that goes along with it print and video. Then set up a web page that has all this information readily available. Then set up an advertising campaign to "get the word out there". Nobody would stop you.
Its not that hard to find a trainer if you really want one. The problem is many people don't want to bother getting to a trainer. they would rather spend time "in the game". While the training corps and design isn't perfect, I think they have done pretty well putting it together over the years as a bunch of part timers.
I file people who complain about the trainers setup into the same groups as people who complain about new maps, or skins. These guys spend their own time and energy to help out and ya'll complain they aren't doing enough, or doing it the right way. If a guy gave you a hundred dollars would you use it, or complain because he didn't give you $200?
I don't see where I complained about training, perhaps you might enlighten me? I did comment on my own experience and observation. Not sure why you feel the need to engage in a personal attack.
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An observation from someone that has been here for a long, long time (14 years or so with no gaps and I'm on EST). I try to drop in on the TA a few times a week. I can count on one hand the number of times that I have been in the TA and found a trainer conducting training.
Sounds a bit derogatory, certainly doesn't sound like a positive comment.
From my reading here and on other forum pages it appears that the official trainers of AH are all on individual schedules with no collective organized training schedule shared by the trainers.
not bad, doesn't really seem to slap them in the face, but is true because they are all volunteers and do work alone , with only the common goal of helping players learn the game.
That there is no collective effort to schedule a clinic on a weekly basis,
another slap in the face. They do what they can, as they are volunteers and have real life out side the game.
that for the most part the trainers wing it, they do not follow a formal training plan, so someone flying with trainer one, and someone flying with Trainer two may receive totally different instructions for the same subject.
and again giving them crap for doing the best they can with what little time they can volunteer. It's just not enough that they do what they can they MUST!!! do it better! That is what it seems you are saying in this post.
Now had you made the post more like this....
An observation from someone that has been here for a long, long time (14 years or so with no gaps and I'm on EST). I try to drop in on the TA a few times a week. It's unfortunate that there isn't a trainer available in there all the time. I know they are all volunteers, but maybe it's time that HTC gets involved and makes the "Trainer Corps" official. Then with resources from HTC they could create schedules so that the training arena could be staffed at all times. With this maybe weekly training clinics could be added as well. I know the trainers do the best they can with what they have, but maybe now is the time to create a full program so we can add top notch players to the game.
Just a thought.
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I don't think anyone here has said anything that was said intentionally to put down the training staff that we do have now. As I said before I don't think its the staff I think with some people its the whole "I want it now" which is where some of the problem exists. Of course the trainers cant be on 24 hours a day they cant be on 7 days a week.
I do think we need to get back to having group trainings, I really think we need above and beyond just having more trainers is announcements. Not in here either but actually in the Main Arenas. Like I said I played this game awhile before I ever even got involved on the BBS, and imsure im not the only one I got squaddies that never even come here. Make public announcements or Arena Messages that automatically pop off the clipboard exactly like we have going on now with films submission announcement. Maybe if a trainer is online and available to help with training have his name on there with whatever their "specialty" in training is, or have a message stating the day and time for the next group training session and what the topic will be. The day of the training put the announcement in the chat buffer letting everyone know that its about to start.
I truly think that doing the announcements in game are what would really boost training attendance, obviously it cant be every day but if you can do it even twice a month I think the response would be there from the community. Plus it may give the opportunity for some of the players to actually meet and set up a one on one session maybe at a later day avoiding the game of tag in PM's.
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Sounds a bit derogatory, certainly doesn't sound like a positive comment.
None of it was a slap in the face, it was just a honest observation based on my experience. You however appear to have an agenda in mind for HTC and the training corp becoming an official part of that business. All I can say is after 14 years if HTC hasn’t made it official, I doubt it ever will. After all, why buy the cow if the milk is free?
It appears to me that no matter how anyone couched a suggestion to try to improve things, that it would be greeted with distain and ridicule and defended with the It’s a volunteer group giving their time for free so nothing can change attitude. Nothing I’ve said is not true based on my experience and direct observation, that is fact based in truth.
It would be nice if HTC took the responsibility for providing training but it has chosen not to do so and so we are left with an unsupervised volunteer group that tries to fill the void, that doesn’t mean that they can’t improve or put in place the tools that may make their work easier and improve the quality of the service they provide.
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When I first started I went to the TA to ask some questions, couldn't locate a trainer and left for the MA, not to return to the TA for about 8 years.
A few of years ago I got in an argument with Widewing and we met in the TA. He handed me my prettythang but said he'd watch the films and get back to me with suggestions. That never happened.
A couple of years ago I asked for help with my merge leading up to the dueling bracket. Mtnman obliged and it was a very helpful session. We were to arrange another but after PMing him to do so he never responded.
Those are the sum of my TA experience and for the most part it hasn't been a good experience. If others are like me then we're probably losing players who truly do want help and aren't getting it.
I posted this:
I think new players would be best helped if there was an actual, scheduled training curriculum hosted and run by the trainers in the TA.
Course topics might include topics as basic as setting up your controllers and getting off the ground to more advanced topics like BFM, bombing and dive bombing in attack mode.
Combine that with a one month free trial and an actual game manual (I printed the original out and stuck it in a three ring binder divided by topic and had it beside me every time I played starting out) and potential new subscribers wouldn't feel so lost when they first jump into the game.
I've seen guys sitting on the runway trying to figure out how to start their engine or keep their bomber moving in a straight line or going 1 mph in a GV and when I tried to help they obviously hadn't even figured out the comms system. I'd guess most if not all of those were lost subscriptions.
It will do little good to draw a whole bunch of new people into the game only to have them leave in frustration.
In this thread: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=post;quote=4724451;topic=356267.270;num_replies=314;sesc=2ccdce22ea5708798019f972facc552d (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?action=post;quote=4724451;topic=356267.270;num_replies=314;sesc=2ccdce22ea5708798019f972facc552d)
While I understand the trainers are volunteers they are the front line in retaining new players. If there's no obvious way for a player to get help from them then something is broken and needs to be changed up to and possibly including HT making sure there's help for new players by hiring them.
Edited to add hyperlink to thread.
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I guess it's important to remember that whenever somebody engages in an unpaid task they are to be honored and praised without the burden of....candid observation? Funny how touchy some get.
I'd have welcomed having the ability to either commend or critique the efforts of those that contribute. NO experience either way. My perspective relates to access. Bear in mind, I'm typically a hardcore do it yourselfer. I'd much rather do my own learnin'. I'm not gonna chase anybody or beg. To me asking once is borderline panhandling. I've picked up a ton of stuff just reading the buffer. As a matter of fact 'bout all I know came from that and stick time. And I'm sure it shows. That and the issue of available time. Often that's limited...obviously. Everybody has a schedule. And some of ours are...unconventional. Hence the MOTD suggestion. Or buffer announcements. I for one would have been more open to that than a thousand seo invites.
I presume anybody who gets involved with the task has a pedantic or professorial streak so they're not doing it at gunpoint. As one who puts together charitable endeavors from time to time I know I value feedback that helps me do what I do better. That's why I seek it out. Seems that if so much energy is being invested it would follow that giving the effort the most effective exposure would be worth exploring.
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In the last month I have had 5 training sessions with 3 separate players, one of them lasted for 4 hours.
I am a trainer because I want the quality of my fights to stay high, also because I want as many new and old players as possible to stick with the game. These are both selfish reasons!
Everyone sees things a little different, that is why I would suggest spreading out your training with as many people as possible.
I never had a session with a trainer in my whole game life span. I learnt everything I know from hands on experience and hard knocks. There is no reason for anyone not to do the same. If you don't feel you are learning fast enough, it's no one's fault but your own. Get in the DA and duel someone better than you, you'll find you often will get more advice than you can handle. If you want to arrange a TA session with a trainer, PM them on the forums and make it happen. This is a two way arrangement, don't expect it to be handed to you on a plate.
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I have expressed interest in being a trainer, but with Batfink I think they are at their limit for red coat quota.
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I would just like to point something out as i started this thread and don't want to be looked on as i was bashing trainers.
I have nothing but respect for the trainers that help, because they like bat said to help and over all keep the quality of fights up.
My main point was it seems that for some time now we could use more active trainers (from my point of view) in the past 5 years i have seen some fine trainers leave without anyone as active filling there spot.
When i offered to learn to become a trainer i (thought) i was doing the trainers and the game players a favor not the other way around.
So when i got no offer of acceptance i figured maybe i did not cut it as far as skill level.But i have not seen to many other players added as trainers in the meantime.
Then the trainer post bat put out was very light on responce thus this post came out.
The trainers we have that help and train ,take time out of their lives to help ,and i would NOT bash them and think any regular players in MA that look for good fights and ACM from there opponent should be thankful to all the working trainers.
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Sunka we appreciated the offer but the lead trainer does the hiring and firing and he's been busy with RL. I haven't seen him post since you posted this thread.
You learn to be a trainer by training people. There is nothing extra you are taught when you become a trainer. There is no manual, no special knowledge, the only difference is the trainer tag. If you aren't ready to train now then becoming a trainer won't change that. If you have something to share then go ahead and help people.
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Sunka we appreciated the offer but the lead trainer does the hiring and firing and he's been busy with RL. I haven't seen him post since you posted this thread.
You learn to be a trainer by training people. There is nothing extra you are taught when you become a trainer. There is no manual, no special knowledge, the only difference is the trainer tag. If you aren't ready to train now then becoming a trainer won't change that. If you have something to share then go ahead and help people.
I appreciate that FLS and i do help ,but you also must know for one to be taken seriously with new players it dose qualify one more when they have a trainer tag ,with so many players that give maybe not so helpful advise all the time.
On top of that it helps ones self to know they DO qualify in there pears eyes also.
Im all good in any case this was not meant for my self promotion more meant as the op stated.