Only on the edge of disaster, humankind will change for the better. Bad times bring out either the good or the bad. Sadly there is no balance between the two.

(I have no idea who said it; it just stuck in my mind.)

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I
may learn how to do it."
 
-- Pablo Picasso

That is a good piece! But then.. In my own opinion, the Lotus Fleet Newsletter makes a pretty good read! Not that I am biased in any way.. :)

Interview with Commander Typhoeus, Forum Administrator, Lotus Fleet


Where are you from:

NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, India

When did you join Lotus Fleet:

9 February 2009

Favorite Star Trek series and/or movie: 

TV series Voyager.  Movie... Well obviously the latest...

Favorite Star Trek Captain:

Captain Kathryn Janeway.  Well….. Circumstances in which she had her command, others mostly stay way too true to the directives... Which is quite hard to believe, kinda non realistic... While she swayed from the directives but still managed to stay true to their intended goal...

Favorite Star Trek ship:

Defiant

Favorite Star Trek character:

Data, 7 of 9, Tuvok, quite a few actually, sorry

Favorite Star Trek uniforms:

STO uniforms.  They are really very smart...

Which actor/character would you kick out of Star Trek:

A LOT... Most of the movies, and almost all of the episodes which don't contribute to the story ark... That would also mean almost all of TNG.  Hmm well just kick TNG out... I’ll do without Picard

What is the story behind your name:

Not much.. It’s the same from what I had in SWG.. I was looking for something unique and I like the sound of the names from Greek mythology..  Typhoeus Greek Mythology - a fire breathing dragon with a hundred heads, who also created the whirlwinds. Also known as Typheus, Typhon, Typhaon and Typhos. The word Typhoon originated from Typhon. 

Give us your opinion of the Chain of Command in Lotus Fleet: 

Well, all I can do is state my observations.. Chain of command is well exaggerated compared to the way it’s followed.. This is normal human behavior.. It’s easier to talk to friends than to the next in command. 

How do you spend your time within the Fleet:

Commander.  Forum Administrator.  Keeping the forums up and running.
Dealing with day to day forum problems. (Things breaking down, permissions). Upgrading, well lots of things. Enhancing forum functionality. And dealing with user functionality requests.

Is there anything you would like to change in the current structure:

Not sure yet... I’d like to migrate so called forums to Google wave (which hasn't launched yet, I find forums an ineffective way of communicating), and I think that the forum command structure may not hold ingame, as is.

Do you have any siblings: 

Yes I have one younger brother

Does he share your interest in Star Trek:

Hell no! In fact I’d like to find someone who does share my kind of interest in this country.

What has drawn you to Lotus Fleet:

Hmm well I googled and it came up.. It also came up on HF vid.. Site was well made... to my eyes it looked like a lot of time and effort had gone in... Had a conversation in TS, found out that the average guild age is to my liking plus the member numbers were good...   

What does Lotus Fleet mean to you:

Hmm.. an extension to friend circle, people with same interest, people I like talking to... a comfortable social space... and of course people with whom I’m gonna roll with in STO... 

Where do you see Lotus Fleet in five years:

At the top in every way of course...

Where do you see yourself in five years:
   
If I don’t get a job, then hanging from somewhere, if I do then can't say....

Biggest fear/phobia:

Ghosts and nothing else

Your passion in life:   

So far computers...  and anything to do with them....  that makes it a lot...

Highlight in your life:

Nothing so far but a lot of it is left.... so.. I’ll get back to you when I feel something worth mentioning here..

One thing nobody knows about you: 

A secret.. The only time you may ever be able to see me freak out would be when I’m logging into STO for the first time... so you can be on a look out for that....  I know I’m such an uninteresting person... I don’t get surprised or freak out ever...

Describe yourself in 5 words:

I’m cautious by nature..  I’m stubborn,  loyal, I’m probably the laziest person you could find... and I can bring witnesses to corroborate the proof that is.. That I’m efficient because I’m lazy...  I like automation.

Do you have a motto? A quote, to share:   

"Mr. Anonymous has more credibility than I do."
--By Anonymous

Advice for new members:

I don’t think members have to be advised on anything.. We are so open and accepting that everyone should feel at home anyway... but of course CoC has to be adhered to..

Interview with Captain Raven, Fleet Resource Manager Lotus Fleet


Where are you from:

New York

When did you join Lotus Fleet:

15 July 2008

Favorite Star Trek series and/or movie:

Movie: First Contact.  Series: DS9 (as of Dominion War).

Favorite Star Trek Captain: 

Sisko.  He was a bold and very decisive leader.

Favorite Star Trek ship:

Galaxy Class

Favorite Star Trek character: 

The Borg Collective. It’s just the best alien concept over any span of entertainment.

Favorite Star Trek uniforms:

The late DS9 uniforms with the Grey Pads.

Which actor/character would you kick out of Star Trek:

Crusher.  Wesley more specifically - he was just annoying and not important to the story in any way.

What is the story behind your name:

When I was 14, I jumped into Multiplayer gaming in Bridge Commander and I just thought of the name Raven, which is short actually for Red Raven, but the Red has more or less been dropped.  Raven, I feel is an embodiment of my personality, misunderstood (in some aspects).

What is your position in Lotus Fleet:

Currently the Fleet Resource Manager, holding a rank of Captain, I used to be the CO of Operations and Rear Admiral - I am currently in charge of working on an economic plan for the fleet when we get in game - I am working on how we will deal with donated items and perhaps credits, etc.

Do you participate in Role Play:

In game – sometimes. Not currently in the fleet.

Give us your opinion of the Chain of Command in Lotus Fleet:

I believe that there is always room for improvement - and though it has grown considerably from when I first started in LF - I believe that LF has done a great job organizing itself.

How do you spend your time within the Fleet:

Sadly due to technical issues I cannot be as active as I like as far as meetings go - for some reason TS won't work on my computer properly.  But since there is no game and hardly any information on guild management and resources ingame - I have nothing to really do - that should be changing soon.

Is there anything you would like to change in the current structure:

Lotus Fleet needs to be more dynamic and open to new things - for things to change in Lotus Fleet takes a LONG TIME - too much deliberating - also the CoC - while it is a good thing to have - it gives TOO much power without checks and balances to certain people.

Do you have any siblings: 

Two younger, brother and sister.

Do they share your interest in Star Trek:

No.

What has drawn you to Lotus Fleet:

I was browsing the Hailing Frequency site at the time I joined and the LF members were very professional and well behaved - and I was actually invited to join after I made a post wanting to start up my own fleet.

What does Lotus Fleet mean to you:

Lotus Fleet is about expression and innovation - we have been able to take many great aspects and roll them into this great organization.   

Where do you see Lotus Fleet in five years:

I have insufficient information to make a projection - there is no game yet - we don’t know how LF will be when we get into game.  Without the game - I don't believe Lotus Fleet would continue to exist.

Where do you see yourself in five years:

I really have no idea where I will be in 5 years.  I would love to have my BA in Business Mgmt - working in corporate America and married to my GF.

Biggest fear/phobia:

Failure.

Your passion in life:

I want to change society - if you would call that a passion if not then - I do like cooking.

Highlight in your life:

My girlfriend really - I am my happiest when I am with her.

One thing nobody knows about you:

Nothing I can think of.

Describe yourself in 5 words:

Intelligent, Analytical, Tall, Innovative, Imaginative.

Do you have a motto? A quote, to share:

“Be your own person, think outside the box, and hope things don't explode in your face”

Advice for new members:

Don't be afraid of going above and beyond - it helps you and it helps the fleet - do your best work.