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Friday 27 April 2018

Nugget 308 ... and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

I will be collecting the latest edition of THE NUGGET (N308) from the printer this morning, and I will be post it out to members of Wargame Developments as soon as I can.


I have already uploaded the PDF version of THE NUGGET to the Wargame Developments website so that it can be read online or downloaded and printed.

IMPORTANT: Please note that this is the eighth and penultimate issue of THE NUGGET to be published for the 2017-2018 subscription year, and that members who have not already re-subscribed can do so by visiting the relevant page on the Wargame Developments website.

VERY IMPORTANT: I will be including a letter entitled WARGAME DEVELOPMENTS, GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR) AND YOU with THE NUGGET. I will also be sending a copy to members who only receive the PDF version of the magazine. A copy of the letter can also be downloaded from the Wargame Developments website here.

The letter spells out Wargame Developments's policy regarding the data we hold about members, how it is protected, and what usage is made of that data. The new regulations require us to do this and to ask for specific permission to hold and use member's data in accordance with that policy. As I understand it, we cannot accept a tacit form of permission (i.e. you joined, therefore you have tacitly agreed to us holding data about you) but must have explicit permission to hold the data and to use it to contact individual members. This means that if members do not give that permission, we cannot contact them individually after 25th May 2018 ... and that includes sending out copies of THE NUGGET by post.

If members wish to send their permission, please could they do so by post to the address that will be at the bottom of the letter or by email. A simple statement to the effect that they give permission for Wargame Developments to contact them by post and email should suffice until next year's renewal forms are sent out. These will include a specific section where members can select the data they wish Wargame Developments to hold, and a space for a signature.

8 comments:

  1. Hello Bob,

    Back online now
    Gosh I have a backlog of Nuggets to read!
    CoW must be creeping up
    Looking forward to it ;)

    Best Wishes
    Mark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      Good to have you back with us ... and I'm sure that you'll enjoy catching up with your reading.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. Looking at the latest Nugget I was interested in John Curry's Ancient Naval game. Sounds like he went away with "lots of ideas" from various people contributing their knowledge. That is one 'advantage' CoW has over Connections - much more practical input ;)

      Delete
    3. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      In my opinion Connections UK is a few years behind the curved when compared with COW because it has to have an emphasis on academic credibility. WD and COW is much more experimental, with people being willing to fail because they learn from failure. Failure (or perceived failure) is not something professional are willing to risk. Not surprising really, as it is their work whereas for me (and a lot of WD members) it is a hobby.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. I agree, but I think they are far behind. In fact I don't think they will ever get there. I think the "professional focus" is too much on training than "playing through eventualities" and be seen not to make mistakes. As much as Phil et al mentions the benefits of learning, no professionals are talking about the mistakes they made - unlike teh USN Naval War College pre WWII ... I don't think the military mind puts tactics below officer level. Yet when the fighting starts its the NCOs that make the difference but they are not allowed to question the officers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      I was struck by the distinct difference between the US and European professionals. The Americans seem to have a scientific/statistical approach to wargaming, with a need for everything to be repeatable and measurable, whereas the European approach is a more historical/arts approach, with designs tailored to meet specific requirements. With the former pushing the development of the bulk of 'professional' wargaming in the west, I doubt if they will ever match the achievements of hobby wargamers.

      The single exception to this is the Matrix Game, which the US has seemingly embraced wholeheartedly ... even though the concept is very much in the European mould; designed by an American of German descent who has converted to Islam and developed initially in the UK by myself and Tom Mouat ... with Tom doing most of the development over the past fifteen years.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Gosh, that second paragraph describing Chris Engels is an eye-opener. I hope I get a chance at CoW to experience a Matrix Game, especially if it is run by an old-hand "experienced" facilitator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      Chris Engle is a very interesting character. I've never met him, but we have been exchanging ideas for years. I understand that there might be a Matrix Game or two on offer at COW.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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