Who owns RallyPoint and how can we communicate with them?

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 11:57:54 -0400

Members have posted direct requests for changes to this forum. I have posted a couple myself, requests for new topics such as "Coffee" and "Quarantine" which seem popular. However, I have never received even the whiff of a response, nor have I seen responses from anyone representing RallyPoint to the requests of others. On the other hand, the RP Admins are quick to chastise us for misuse of existing tags. Thus, it appears someone is watching our posts and intentionally choosing to ignore our requests. If there is a valid reason for this, I'd love to know it. Yes, I suspect I will catch hell for posting this but someone has to take the chance...

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 2 at 2020 12:00 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 12:00:38 -0400

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Apr 2 at 2020 12:16 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 12:16:10 -0400

No idea. I have been hit a couple of times for tags (admittedly I was wrong and trying to stir up crap), but I too have seen real requests for seemingly simple changes like the coffee tag. I understand there are only a couple of admins, and there are a LOT of posts daily, but this seems like a very simple 2 second action. Was going to say something sarcastic, but I will decline... CPT Jack Durish

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 2 at 2020 2:24 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 14:24:07 -0400

Okay, I'm going to chime on this. You guys can take it as you want you to take it but here are the facts as they currently stand.

First off, there is and always has been a clear path of communication to RallyPoint. The blue "Feedback" button on the right of the screen on your desktop has always been there. I know that the same button does not appear within the mobile app and right now the "Support" link within the mobile app sends you to dead page. That is because in the middle of March, the product "Desk.com" ended operations. RallyPoint does have a new and redesigned support page which can be found here: https://rallypoint.force.com/Support/s/.

Any all questions can be sent there. With the end of life of Desk.coml; it also means we are in transition to a new help desk platform. These things are still being settled so the number of eyes on messages coming to " [login to see] " is limited until things are figured out. There are costs to all of this and RallyPoint is working out the best way forward through this time of transition.

Second, when it comes to tags. And I feel like we are beating a dead horse of tags especially with other posts authored by CPT Jack Durish and others. Tags are meant to be used as a way to organize things into a collective group. Think of it as a book. RallyPoint is the library and tags are the books we offer. And just because the link you share mentions something like "COVID-19" (because that is where all of this is coming from anyways), it doesn't mean the tag applies to that post. Believe it or not, some users, including myself, use tags as a way to follow a certain topic, such as the RallyPoint tag. I watch this tag because people have and continue to use the tag to increase the audience it may touch. That is not the point of tags. Yes, I have mistagged things myself in the past and yes even as one of the senior admins, my tags are edited. So in saying that, I hope I show you that no one is above having their tags edited. This isn't a witch hunt or some political agenda. This is simply admins doing what they are asked to do. And again, we volunteer to do this. Why I stay sometimes baffles my brain because to be honest, I'm over people making snap judgments about me and my personal beliefs. So let me put this out there for all of those who think otherwise. I, Ben Keen, am a registered Republican. However, if you are to ask me, I self identify as a Moderate Republican. Meaning that I believe in the Constitution and protecting the rights of everyone. I am personally not a major supporter of Pro-Choice but I also believe that that's a choice that can only be made by the person(s) directly involved. It's not my place to tell anyone what to do with their body. I believe in the right to carry weapons. I practice this right and carry and S&W MP9C daily on my hip (when I'm not at the office since the office is a "no weapons space" and I respect that). I believe that the government should spend our money wisely and that they should do what is best for us. But know this, when it comes to "admin'ing" the site, I am asked to leave my personal views aside and deal with things per the written standard; and that is what I do. If we were to let our personal views get in the way then we would be failing our community. Also, it's worth noting that because of the way tags are used, not every request for tags are put into action. We do a review of the request and go from there. If there is a tag that already exists that why remake the wheel?

When RallyPoint first started more than 5 years ago, this was truly a place for people to come and share their ideas, thoughts, and ideas. Over the past 4 years, the amount of political discord between everyone has probably done more to rip us apart than it has done to bring us together. I am all for everyone having their say. However, I will not standby quietly and allow users to belittle, bully, torment, harass, or otherwise stop someone from living their best life.

RallyPoint Support Center

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2020 3:08 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 15:08:18 -0400

I think we all need to take a deep breath and let some civility in.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2020 4:05 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 16:05:08 -0400

Please review this post as to learn about Tags and maybe where Tag Info can be found so that you can become better equipped when selecting Tags and also if and when you need to ask questions of RP.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2020 4:27 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 16:27:30 -0400

Interesting observation... I have wondered why topics are so difficult to add... This should be an easier way to make changes or update with new topics... As an example, we Now Have a Space Force..., but what is underneath it. There is Space and Astronomy, but no Propulsion Systems, no Planets, Asteroids/Asteroid Belt, Moon or Moons, Sun, Stars, Universe, Oort Cloud, Telescopes, and more... Music is limited in sub topics as well... It would be nice if it were easier... Also, I have found that if one enters text in a response field and scrolls too far, then back, the text has been deleted. It is very frustrating to retype a long response or Post for that matter... Perhaps someone can enlighten us both, CPT Jack Durish...

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Apr 2 at 2020 4:52 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 16:52:59 -0400

I thought it was a group off of Facebook.

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Apr 2 at 2020 4:57 PM

SSG Donald H "Don" Bates — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 16:57:01 -0400

I did not know there was "an owner" but I would like to be able to make my font BOLD and a bit larger as my eyesight it failing and many have seen my spelling mistakes because I don't see well. All I can say is, I have "met" so many great people of all ranks and services that I don't care "who" owns RP, in fact, I thought we all did.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 2 at 2020 5:03 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:03:19 -0400

I've never really experienced the issues you mention, but I also don't specifically try to communicate directly with RP admin. I did receive a notice from them a few months ago about tags I was using and their recommendation brought me down to 2 rather than the 4 I had been using.

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Apr 2 at 2020 5:26 PM

1SG Steven Imerman — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:26:29 -0400

Bravo. I have had the same experience. Blues music. It is NOT the same as Rhythm and Blues.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2020 7:22 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:22:33 -0400

CPT Jack, I definitely agree with what you’re saying. I want to help our Veterans and their families by communicating on RallyPoint. I’ve sent out request to see what I can be of service to others to no avail. I’m glad that you’re finally bringing this to their attention. Thank you for sharing this important information. Semper Fi CPT Jack.

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Apr 3 at 2020 11:16 AM

SFC Francisco Rosario — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 11:16:35 -0400

Not sure what has happened, but I am ok with what I am receiving. For the longest time I s was getting updates sent to me at my email address. Then they stopped and I went through a very hard time trying to fix it. But today I checked my email and just out of the blue the updates are back in full force. So whatever happened fixed my problem. Thanks.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2020 1:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 13:16:32 -0400

CPT Jack Durish A topic not unfamiliar to me, as some are aware. I've used the feedback button, written e-mail directly to the contact address, and been a general PITA towards some of the admins. The only responses I've gotten to this point is admins telling me I was wrong and removing tags they don't like, even if the post is about the tag used. When the coffee tag disappeared I know a lot of us tried to re-add it and the auto system didn't work, or if it did some one with the privilege to do so deleted it again. I think the admin positions should be up to a vote of the membership, or at least a way to remove that privilege from them.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 3 at 2020 8:11 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:11:00 -0400

Thank you my friend CPT Jack Durish for weighing in on this topic. I also have attempted to add topic groups - especially after the tags for entire Military services were removed.
I have noticed that our friend TSgt Joe C. has been successful in adding topics for individual towns in Massachusetts.
As SFC Michael Hasbun SGT Ben Keen the Feedback capability has existed on RallyPoint for some time. Previously we contacted RallyPoint admin through a drop-down list at the top right - I think.
Thank you my friend PO3 Private RallyPoint Member for mentioning me.