JANUARY 2012
SANA's rare look into the SAP Spokesperson Office
by Migs, published 2/1/2011
With Christmas gifts being available at SAPi, SANA went there for a small tour. With us being inside the SAP Headquarters Building, [SAP]Sgt gave us to have a rare glimpse into the SAP Spokesperson Office.
The office, usually closed throughout the year, is just your ordinary office, yet it contains equipment that helps the SAP Spokesperson monitor the activity around San Andreas.
Click on the picture to see a large version of it.
With Christmas gifts being available at SAPi, SANA went there for a small tour. With us being inside the SAP Headquarters Building, [SAP]Sgt gave us to have a rare glimpse into the SAP Spokesperson Office.
The office, usually closed throughout the year, is just your ordinary office, yet it contains equipment that helps the SAP Spokesperson monitor the activity around San Andreas.
Click on the picture to see a large version of it.
SANA introduces Seasonal Awards
by Walther, published: 4/1/2012
After witnessing decreasing activity on server (despite major upgrades of Barry Isles and San Andreas Pilots' island, and other minor updates), it did not take long for SANA Council to notice that the readers' numbers were dwindling as well. Just when the statistics hit the all-time-low, it was the time to act - a step was taken beyond the simple reporting of what is going on on the server.
From now on, SANA will stage its very own event every 3 months to recognise everyone who has contributed the most to the well-being of San Andreas Pilots' community. Hopefully, the new awards will encourage people and organisations to be more active and to find new creative ways to make the place more enjoyable for everyone. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to participate in the voting process - we want everyone to know that if something positive is done in our community, it is not done in vain.
After witnessing decreasing activity on server (despite major upgrades of Barry Isles and San Andreas Pilots' island, and other minor updates), it did not take long for SANA Council to notice that the readers' numbers were dwindling as well. Just when the statistics hit the all-time-low, it was the time to act - a step was taken beyond the simple reporting of what is going on on the server.
From now on, SANA will stage its very own event every 3 months to recognise everyone who has contributed the most to the well-being of San Andreas Pilots' community. Hopefully, the new awards will encourage people and organisations to be more active and to find new creative ways to make the place more enjoyable for everyone. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to participate in the voting process - we want everyone to know that if something positive is done in our community, it is not done in vain.
SANA 1st Seasonal Awards Conclude
by Walther, published: 9/1/2012
PUFFIN ISLAND - The first event organised by SANA turned out to be a success. 18 people suggested nominees in 10 different categories, who were later awarded during a ceremony at Puffin Island.
The idea for the event came after the original suggestion to have regular SAP awards ceremonies was not met with enough of enthusiasm from SAP members. The SANA Council took matters in their own hands, and, during a meeting, picked 5 categories for organisations, and 5 categories for individuals. Everybody could suggest their own nominees, hence some people or organisations received only one vote, resulting in their exclusion from nominees list.
Below is the final list of nominees and winners (the winners are highlighted in green).
Organisations - Best Recruiter
BoNo Airlines
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Most Active
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Best Management
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Most Innovative
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Best Trademark
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
People - The Craziest WIN
Matty passing his first two tests at first attempt.
Mixcraft flying through viper tunnels with a lot of people on top.
[TDH]Tom winning consecutive SAP Shootouts.
People - The Most Epic FAIL
it_geek managing to turn the whole clan against him via forum posts.
Matty failing more tests than anyone else this season, after successfully passing his first two tests at 1st attempt.
Mixcraft hiding in the game of Hide and Seek with his beacon turned on, which he didn't realise until they found him.
People - Scariest Admin
Hinter
Sgt
People - Most Annoying Person
it_geek
litvi12
People - The Most Skillful Person
Barry
Mixcraft
Royal
A report on the event itself is coming soon....
PUFFIN ISLAND - The first event organised by SANA turned out to be a success. 18 people suggested nominees in 10 different categories, who were later awarded during a ceremony at Puffin Island.
The idea for the event came after the original suggestion to have regular SAP awards ceremonies was not met with enough of enthusiasm from SAP members. The SANA Council took matters in their own hands, and, during a meeting, picked 5 categories for organisations, and 5 categories for individuals. Everybody could suggest their own nominees, hence some people or organisations received only one vote, resulting in their exclusion from nominees list.
Below is the final list of nominees and winners (the winners are highlighted in green).
Organisations - Best Recruiter
BoNo Airlines
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Most Active
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Best Management
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Most Innovative
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
Organisations - Best Trademark
airBanana
San Andreas News Agency
San Andreas Pilots' Racing Club
People - The Craziest WIN
Matty passing his first two tests at first attempt.
Mixcraft flying through viper tunnels with a lot of people on top.
[TDH]Tom winning consecutive SAP Shootouts.
People - The Most Epic FAIL
it_geek managing to turn the whole clan against him via forum posts.
Matty failing more tests than anyone else this season, after successfully passing his first two tests at 1st attempt.
Mixcraft hiding in the game of Hide and Seek with his beacon turned on, which he didn't realise until they found him.
People - Scariest Admin
Hinter
Sgt
People - Most Annoying Person
it_geek
litvi12
People - The Most Skillful Person
Barry
Mixcraft
Royal
A report on the event itself is coming soon....
Extreme sky-diving race returns!
by Walther, published 10/1/2012
Following the success of the last year's first Extreme Sky-Diving Race, SAP Extreme Department and SAP Racing Club decided to once again co-operate in organisation of a similar event.
Here's a reminder what the event is about: the competitors, along with the vehicles they pick, will be placed in a cargo hold of Andromada aircraft, and dropped off at a certain point. After landing, they will have to race to the checkpoint.
Last year, there were two races, both using Turismo type grand tourer cars. Lemo was the winner of the first race, and Gz0r won the second race, after taking the second place in the first race. Below are the procedures of the upcoming race, visit the Events page for link to registration.
There will be 3 stages:
-In first one we have 4 skydiving spots in which all racers jump at same time and the one reaching the goal first is winner.(4winners in total)
-In second stage the 4 winners will battle in 2 groups(1vs1) from which we select the remaining 2 winners.
-In last one the, 2 remaining stunters will have a precision spot where they have to land.
Transport between dropping zones will be provided by organizers.
Following the success of the last year's first Extreme Sky-Diving Race, SAP Extreme Department and SAP Racing Club decided to once again co-operate in organisation of a similar event.
Here's a reminder what the event is about: the competitors, along with the vehicles they pick, will be placed in a cargo hold of Andromada aircraft, and dropped off at a certain point. After landing, they will have to race to the checkpoint.
Last year, there were two races, both using Turismo type grand tourer cars. Lemo was the winner of the first race, and Gz0r won the second race, after taking the second place in the first race. Below are the procedures of the upcoming race, visit the Events page for link to registration.
There will be 3 stages:
-In first one we have 4 skydiving spots in which all racers jump at same time and the one reaching the goal first is winner.(4winners in total)
-In second stage the 4 winners will battle in 2 groups(1vs1) from which we select the remaining 2 winners.
-In last one the, 2 remaining stunters will have a precision spot where they have to land.
Transport between dropping zones will be provided by organizers.
StarFox - 'I hope to get my whole crew back in the groove as soon as possible'
by Walther, published 12/1/2012
MARATHON KEYS - With airline market being as good as dead, we always try not to miss the rare pleasure of getting on a commercial flight. Especially when it is conducted by a startup airline.
Last week, we managed to board the KFly Flight KF04 - the first official flight with StarFox as a leader of this airline. Since he was flying as a passenger this time, we did a short interview.
Unfortunately, part of the transcript was by mistake disposed of at Keys Hotel, however, a significant part survived, so we'll try to recreate it as accurately as possible.
SANA: Your slogan says something about flying with speed and style. With what actions are you going to support it?
StarFox: Well, as I've seen so far, we've lost quite a bit of both, but I hope to get my whole crew back in the groove as soon as possible.
SANA: How are you going to do this with inactive crew? Are you going to rely on new recruits?
StarFox: Recruitment is already open.
SANA: Will you introduce a new business model or stick to the 'usual airline' approach like BoNo did?
StarFox: I think we'll stick to the BoNo line of work.
SANA: Speaking of style, what is the difference between the 1st and Economy class?
StarFox: At the moment, $15 (laughs), but, like I said, we're just getting back on our feet, and will soon have seating charts.
SANA: What about Business class?
StarFox: Well, it makes things simpler to start at the basics, when the time comes, we'll discuss business.
At this point, the aircraft began to land, so we had to consider our interview done.
Hopefully, the airline will finally get up to its feet, and will not collapse as in early September - we have also received information that the temporary shutdown occurred due to communications breakdown between TNT (the former CEO of KFly) and the rest of the crew.
MARATHON KEYS - With airline market being as good as dead, we always try not to miss the rare pleasure of getting on a commercial flight. Especially when it is conducted by a startup airline.
Last week, we managed to board the KFly Flight KF04 - the first official flight with StarFox as a leader of this airline. Since he was flying as a passenger this time, we did a short interview.
Unfortunately, part of the transcript was by mistake disposed of at Keys Hotel, however, a significant part survived, so we'll try to recreate it as accurately as possible.
SANA: Your slogan says something about flying with speed and style. With what actions are you going to support it?
StarFox: Well, as I've seen so far, we've lost quite a bit of both, but I hope to get my whole crew back in the groove as soon as possible.
SANA: How are you going to do this with inactive crew? Are you going to rely on new recruits?
StarFox: Recruitment is already open.
SANA: Will you introduce a new business model or stick to the 'usual airline' approach like BoNo did?
StarFox: I think we'll stick to the BoNo line of work.
SANA: Speaking of style, what is the difference between the 1st and Economy class?
StarFox: At the moment, $15 (laughs), but, like I said, we're just getting back on our feet, and will soon have seating charts.
SANA: What about Business class?
StarFox: Well, it makes things simpler to start at the basics, when the time comes, we'll discuss business.
At this point, the aircraft began to land, so we had to consider our interview done.
Hopefully, the airline will finally get up to its feet, and will not collapse as in early September - we have also received information that the temporary shutdown occurred due to communications breakdown between TNT (the former CEO of KFly) and the rest of the crew.
SAP Hawks
by Migs, published: 21/1/2012
Egert, known to work as the Co-CEO of BoNo Airlines, has recently opened SAP's first skydiving organization - SAP Hawks. The idea came from the people who wanted to have a sky-diving club. With the help of [SAP]Livisor, the idea was implemented. SAP Hawks will offer skydiving eventswhich can be watched by spectators.
To join this organization, one must have an in-game score no less than 500 points to be on the skydiving team. To become a pilot, 2000-3999 points are necessary, and the candidate will be required to pass a small test. Anyone who has a score above 4000 can skip the testing procedure.
SAP Hawks currently have Egert and Livisor as managers, and 19 members, of whom 7 are certified pilots.
You can visit their website at http://saphawks.webs.com.
Egert, known to work as the Co-CEO of BoNo Airlines, has recently opened SAP's first skydiving organization - SAP Hawks. The idea came from the people who wanted to have a sky-diving club. With the help of [SAP]Livisor, the idea was implemented. SAP Hawks will offer skydiving eventswhich can be watched by spectators.
To join this organization, one must have an in-game score no less than 500 points to be on the skydiving team. To become a pilot, 2000-3999 points are necessary, and the candidate will be required to pass a small test. Anyone who has a score above 4000 can skip the testing procedure.
SAP Hawks currently have Egert and Livisor as managers, and 19 members, of whom 7 are certified pilots.
You can visit their website at http://saphawks.webs.com.
STOP Internet Censorship!
Published: 23/1/2012
Although this may sound like slacktivism - we will not achieve much by posting this report, however, we still hope to raise awareness of those not entirely familiar with the concepts of Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act. This page explains them in everyday terms.
To cut long story short, SOPA or the Stop Online Piracy Act is a US bill that is designed to stop piracy in the internet by shutting down rogue websites and avoiding people to access it. But this will leave the Internet crippled due to censorship and many websites that don't focus on distributing pirated data may become inaccessible. Most dangerously, the bill may result in a legal loophole through which various powerful groups will be able to shut the voice of anyone who goes against their interests.
Protect IP Act, also known as PIPA, will allow to block the domain names of websites associated with piracy, making them unreachable by means of search engines or direct input of address (access by IP address will still be available, however, with SOPA and other laws in force, websites which have been labeled as 'copyright infringing' will not last long).
Although SANA does not support piracy, we still believe that severe sanctions will not work - people still do drugs and smoke cannabis despite such activity being criminal. SOPA and PIPA can set a dangerous precedent and may result in large amounts of taxpayers' money being spent on enforcement of similar laws all over the world. We believe there are better uses for our money.
Although this may sound like slacktivism - we will not achieve much by posting this report, however, we still hope to raise awareness of those not entirely familiar with the concepts of Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Act. This page explains them in everyday terms.
To cut long story short, SOPA or the Stop Online Piracy Act is a US bill that is designed to stop piracy in the internet by shutting down rogue websites and avoiding people to access it. But this will leave the Internet crippled due to censorship and many websites that don't focus on distributing pirated data may become inaccessible. Most dangerously, the bill may result in a legal loophole through which various powerful groups will be able to shut the voice of anyone who goes against their interests.
Protect IP Act, also known as PIPA, will allow to block the domain names of websites associated with piracy, making them unreachable by means of search engines or direct input of address (access by IP address will still be available, however, with SOPA and other laws in force, websites which have been labeled as 'copyright infringing' will not last long).
Although SANA does not support piracy, we still believe that severe sanctions will not work - people still do drugs and smoke cannabis despite such activity being criminal. SOPA and PIPA can set a dangerous precedent and may result in large amounts of taxpayers' money being spent on enforcement of similar laws all over the world. We believe there are better uses for our money.
FRO officially defunct
by Walther, published: 27/1/2012
Fraps Required Organisation (also known as FRO) has been officially declared as defunct by moving its forum branch to Trash section of SAP forums. Having been founded by CraHeX in August 2010, it was the third official media organisation to be established at SAP (the previous being SAPTV and SAP Spotting Club). FRO focused on promotion of player-created videos, and even held a contest in late October, 2010.
Unfortunately, due to management problems, organisation started to fall apart by February 2011. With resignation of Gamer as Co-CEO, and CraHeX' inability to find someone to replace him, FRO remained on hiatus for a year, until it finally received a takedown notice on 21st of January, 2012. This development makes SANA the only remaining official media organisation on SAP.
Fraps Required Organisation (also known as FRO) has been officially declared as defunct by moving its forum branch to Trash section of SAP forums. Having been founded by CraHeX in August 2010, it was the third official media organisation to be established at SAP (the previous being SAPTV and SAP Spotting Club). FRO focused on promotion of player-created videos, and even held a contest in late October, 2010.
Unfortunately, due to management problems, organisation started to fall apart by February 2011. With resignation of Gamer as Co-CEO, and CraHeX' inability to find someone to replace him, FRO remained on hiatus for a year, until it finally received a takedown notice on 21st of January, 2012. This development makes SANA the only remaining official media organisation on SAP.
FRO restructured: AVSI takes its place
by Walther, published: 28/1/2012
AVSI, also known as Audio Video Still Image is a new organisation that intends to replace the now-defunct FRO as a supporting and promoting platform of SAP video makers. It will also expand into the area of still images - in-game snapshots taken and edited via software such as Photoshop. Organisation was founded by CraHeX (the CEO of FRO), who still remains the owner despite not being on leaders' list due to inability to actively participate in the activities of AVSI.
To our knowledge, 3 people were appointed as the leadership of the new organisation: [SAP]Torran as CEO, Matty as Co-CEO and one more player - [SAP]Mixcraft, who, in contrast to usual members, has a special consultive/supervisory role. AVSI plans to launch its own website soon, and its leadership has already contacted several people with offers to join the organisation. As of 28/1/2012, their thread at SAP forums remains pretty much the only public information channel.
We managed to contact [SAP]Torran, who agreed to provide us with more insight into AVSI:
Walther: As far as I understand, AVSI is a direct successor of FRO?
[SAP]Torran: It is FRO under a new name, taking on new things.
I see. All the new leadership was appointed by CraHeX, or was there involvement of another party?
The positions of CEO, Co-CEO & Supervisor were appointed by CraHeX.
How could Mixcraft's position be described? What is he responsible for?
Well his rank quite simply explains it all. He gives us his opinions on new concepts and also advises us on alot of stuff.
You could say, he is a contributor with added privileges.
What about the organisation itself - does it have to work towards official status from scratch? Or some backdoor arrangement will allow it to recover using assets of FRO? (That includes vehicles and forum branch).
We did not look into this, but we have set aside different vehicles, color schemes, etc.
And will wait to re-apply for official status rather than try and recover something from FRO.
So the only link is that CraHeX participated in re-establishing FRO as a different organisation and left promptly?
Yes.
Who are the owners of the organisation then?
Myself and Matty, with CraHeX as a sort of background supervisor.
We (being Me and Matty) are under supervision and our positions could be replaced if bad results are shown.
What about Mixcraft?
I believe he is in the same situation.
What platform are you planning to use for collecting media from contributors and publishing it?
Will the website play a major role in that?
The website will play a very big role in that, yes.
As it was with the old site, members can login and post their content which will then be posted elsewhere.
And be available for all to view on the website.
Nice. Do you consider the organisation to be a competitor to SANA to some extent?
Not really, SANA is a news agency and we are specialized in pics & videos.
SANA still does some photo reports from time to time.
We are more aircraft landings, or heavily edited photos.
Or even slightly edited.
But I wouldn't say that these organisations were competitors.
But you would put them both in media category, wouldn't you?
Well, to some extent, they could be competitors as they are both in the same category, yes.
But we wouldn't like to see them as competitors.
You mentioned aircraft landings. Does it mean that AVSI will continue the traditions of SAP Spotting Club as well?
Well that depends on what our members like to take pictures of, really.
Understood. Thank you for the answers and your time.
AVSI, also known as Audio Video Still Image is a new organisation that intends to replace the now-defunct FRO as a supporting and promoting platform of SAP video makers. It will also expand into the area of still images - in-game snapshots taken and edited via software such as Photoshop. Organisation was founded by CraHeX (the CEO of FRO), who still remains the owner despite not being on leaders' list due to inability to actively participate in the activities of AVSI.
To our knowledge, 3 people were appointed as the leadership of the new organisation: [SAP]Torran as CEO, Matty as Co-CEO and one more player - [SAP]Mixcraft, who, in contrast to usual members, has a special consultive/supervisory role. AVSI plans to launch its own website soon, and its leadership has already contacted several people with offers to join the organisation. As of 28/1/2012, their thread at SAP forums remains pretty much the only public information channel.
We managed to contact [SAP]Torran, who agreed to provide us with more insight into AVSI:
Walther: As far as I understand, AVSI is a direct successor of FRO?
[SAP]Torran: It is FRO under a new name, taking on new things.
I see. All the new leadership was appointed by CraHeX, or was there involvement of another party?
The positions of CEO, Co-CEO & Supervisor were appointed by CraHeX.
How could Mixcraft's position be described? What is he responsible for?
Well his rank quite simply explains it all. He gives us his opinions on new concepts and also advises us on alot of stuff.
You could say, he is a contributor with added privileges.
What about the organisation itself - does it have to work towards official status from scratch? Or some backdoor arrangement will allow it to recover using assets of FRO? (That includes vehicles and forum branch).
We did not look into this, but we have set aside different vehicles, color schemes, etc.
And will wait to re-apply for official status rather than try and recover something from FRO.
So the only link is that CraHeX participated in re-establishing FRO as a different organisation and left promptly?
Yes.
Who are the owners of the organisation then?
Myself and Matty, with CraHeX as a sort of background supervisor.
We (being Me and Matty) are under supervision and our positions could be replaced if bad results are shown.
What about Mixcraft?
I believe he is in the same situation.
What platform are you planning to use for collecting media from contributors and publishing it?
Will the website play a major role in that?
The website will play a very big role in that, yes.
As it was with the old site, members can login and post their content which will then be posted elsewhere.
And be available for all to view on the website.
Nice. Do you consider the organisation to be a competitor to SANA to some extent?
Not really, SANA is a news agency and we are specialized in pics & videos.
SANA still does some photo reports from time to time.
We are more aircraft landings, or heavily edited photos.
Or even slightly edited.
But I wouldn't say that these organisations were competitors.
But you would put them both in media category, wouldn't you?
Well, to some extent, they could be competitors as they are both in the same category, yes.
But we wouldn't like to see them as competitors.
You mentioned aircraft landings. Does it mean that AVSI will continue the traditions of SAP Spotting Club as well?
Well that depends on what our members like to take pictures of, really.
Understood. Thank you for the answers and your time.