These are the traditional duties and powers of all ministers:

Post polls and discussions to determine citizen desires for departmental policies, plans and agendas.
Cast a tie-breaking vote in the polls determining their departmental policies, plans and agendas.
Formulate departmental policies, plans and agendas based on citizen feedback.
Formulate departmental policies, plans and agendas of their own in the absence of citizen feedback (forum outage, low participation, etc).
Convey these policies, plans and agendas to the President for play in the game.

These are the duties of the Technology Department:

Organize tech research queue.
Organize tech trades.
Organize tech espionage.

i nominate immortal i also nominate Saam

Accepted..

I will second Immortal and Stuck As a Mac.

Ill Third them both.

I nominate myself and Accept.

I'll second truckingpete.

I nominate Rik Meleet and Furiey

What the heck, it seems this term we can accept more than 1 nomination so I Accept. I prefer the Military, however.

I accept. And unlike others, this is all I'm running for...
unless i go for culture..

I nominate myself and Accept :D. This is going to be quite a race.

Uhhm, I just realised I'll be on holiday soon. If the game starts before I get back, please appoint a stand-in for the time of my absence (If I win this election)...

Question for the Candidates:

What Tech will we research first? Which, in your opinion should be second? Third?

Of all the Technologies in the Ancient Age, which is the most significent to a Japanese society?

What Tech will we research first? Which, in your opinion should be second? Third?

*Well I would like to research straight to the Great Library. Then if some civs have a tech we dont have we would get it right away. Then research Philosopy to get a few free techs.*

Of all the Technologies in the Ancient Age, which is the most significent to a Japanese society?

*Well the Ceremonila Burial one because we are reglion civ?*Did I Answer the Question right???

I nominate Strider, he was it for a good few terms and was good at it no matter what else happened. if he comes back

What Tech will we research first? Which, in your opinion should be second? Third?We start with The Wheel and Ceremonial Burial. 2 nice techs, but nothing more than just nice. The killer tech in general is Pottery. Population = Power. Unless we are extremely lucky to be starting in a wheat and cow filled river-bed I'd go for Pottery first. Or better said: I'd organise discussions and polls to outline the importance of pottery. Ultimately; those things are decided by the citizens.

2nd tech: Bronze, 3rd: Iron. Iron is so important to our nation that we need to spot it quickly.

Of all the Technologies in the Ancient Age, which is the most significent to a Japanese society?Japan is a nation of faith and power. The holy books and the holy sword. The quick, but incorrect, answer would be Iron Working or Polytheism. The correct answer is however: Code of Laws. Both the faith and the power require rules. "Bushido" is a widely known example.

Three questions I'm going to put in every nomination thread (except FA, as I'm running there):

1. Are you running for multiple positions?

2. If you answered yes to the above question, what positions are you running for, and in what order would you accept them if you win multiple elections?

3. If this position is not your first choice as answered in question 2, why should we vote for you here, knowing that our vote may be wasted if you win another election?

Bootstoots' questions

1) Yes, I run for Science and the Military.

2) I prefer Military.

3) I am asked for this position by trusting, experienced citizens who know I've done an excellent job in this in previous DemoGames. I've organised discussions on every matter and asked what the citizens want. I've made my opinion clear on why I think a certain science-path I suggest is better than alternatives, without losing myself in arrogance and with an open eye and ear to them. I am a very democratic candidate; in the end I am a servant to the nation; the people decide and I follow their decision. Science can be very important in the early parts as it is the basis of our unit-capabilities, our build-possibilities, our exploration tactics and our trade-possibilities. Since I am asked for this; it proves the nation wants and needs me. I feel it is my obligation to not disappoint the nation. That's why I run and that's why you should vote for me.

1. Are you running for multiple positions?

2. If you answered yes to the above question, what positions are you running for, and in what order would you accept them if you win multiple elections?

3. If this position is not your first choice as answered in question 2, why should we vote for you here, knowing that our vote may be wasted if you win another election?

1. Yes, The judiciary, FA, Culture, and Science.

2. I have no "order" of preference, I have no idea which elections I stand a chance of being elected in, when I have a better idea of that, then I'll pick a preference. Ive been busy organizing the constitution, I simply am running in the positions I know myself to be the best at.

3. See above. Until Election night I am open to all options.

1. Are you running for multiple positions?
Yes.

2. If you answered yes to the above question, what positions are you running for, and in what order would you accept them if you win multiple elections?
1.Sciecne
2.Culture
3.Domestic

3. If this position is not your first choice as answered in question 2, why should we vote for you here, knowing that our vote may be wasted if you win another election?
N/A

Hmmm, I was tempted by this, thank you for the nomination, but I must decline. August will be a very busy month for me, and I do not want to start something then not have the time to finish it.

I'll nominate myself and accept.

I nominate myself and accept,
boy alot of stuff happened while I was gone...
Technologies is my speciality...

1. Are you running for multiple positions?
No, I am 100% devoted to the tech department

2. If you answered yes to the above question, what positions are you running for, and in what order would you accept them if you win multiple elections?
N/A

3. If this position is not your first choice as answered in question 2, why should we vote for you here, knowing that our vote may be wasted if you win another election?
N/A


edit: Cyc's Question:
Question for the Candidates:

What Tech will we research first? Which, in your opinion should be second? Third?

First: Pottery(I always believe this is the most important first tech, unless you start with it)

Second/Third: Depends on if we have met neightbors and how much coast we have:

If we have met neighbors/no coastline:
Bronze Working
Iron Working

Coastline:
Alphabet
Writing
Map Making

Of course the will of the people will go through first, but above is my opinons

Of all the Technologies in the Ancient Age, which is the most significent to a Japanese society?
Iron Working, as the Samurais are very important in japanese tradition

But the Samurai doesn't come with Iron Working, it comes with Chivalry.

But the Samurai doesn't come with Iron Working, it comes with Chivalry.
i know, but through japanese traditons iron working was needed before they even thought about samurais

ok, IE just crashed on me after writing a responce to Cyc's questions.. i'll type them all again.

This is the only position i am running for.
What Tech will we research first? Which, in your opinion should be second? Third?
Pottery should always be researched first IMO. With it, you get granarys, which are very important to early civ growth. However, this is a democracy game, and if most people want a different plan, then i will comply.
As for 2nd and 3rd techs, i belive we should research Alphabet and Writing, followed by Literature, as getting the Great Library would be very helpful. But if the majority thinks we should research something else, what they say, goes.

Of all the Technologies in the Ancient Age, which is the most significent to a Japanese society?
I would have to say Map Making, as the Japanese were an island nation, and Japan's culture was very dependant on fishing, and that comes with harbors (the extra food for every water square).

This is the only position I'm running for
Which Tech 1st? 2nd? 3rd?
This depends on where we are. We, as Japan, start out with Warrior Code and Ceremonial Burial. It would be possible for us to persue the Monarchy path and reach it first, but that would not be prudent.
If we were to be located on a large continent with room to expand, I would suggest, as do my opponents, Pottery. Regardless. This would be the first tech on the line for the way to ships, so it fits if we were to have a small island. Following Pottery, we would need bronze working only if we had met another neighbor. Warriors would suffice if we did not see anyone for a while. Otherwise, we might want to consider beelining to Literature or doing the aforementioned trek to Monarchy for a) growth and b) high tradeability.

Of all the techmologies in the Ancient Age, which is the most significant to a Japanese society
To this, I would ask if it were based on the DG5 Japanese or the real Japanese. If it were the real, it would be Map Making, as it got Japan its naval units. However, it is yet to be seen what it would be to our society. We may need something the real Japanese did not. We may land on a resource rich area and not have to take the path Japan did.

In Conclusion,
SaaM

What about the tatic to go for Literature and Currency, as the AI won't research those first? Will you use this tactic?

I belive that we should beeline to Literature after we research Pottery. That would be a good tactic to use, CT.

What about the tatic to go for Literature and Currency, as the AI won't research those first? Will you use this tactic?
this depends on if we have found neighbors early and if they are agressive
also since we have barbs on raging bronze working and iron working can become important
but many of these questions cant be fully answered until we play along somewhat

what about the tactic of reaserching to philosophy first to get a 'free' tech almost instantly how about that?

that is a good tactic, ct
and bclg: its vanilla. no philo gambit until c3c

What about the tatic to go for Literature and Currency, as the AI won't research those first? Will you use this tactic?

I useally do. I go after Lierature first to ge the GL so we get techs that we dont have from the AI. Plus I go after Philosphery (spelling?) to get a free tech...

I nominate myself and accept,

1. Are you running for multiple positions?
No, Science is it

2. If you answered yes to the above question, what positions are you running for, and in what order would you accept them if you win multiple elections?
n/a

3. If this position is not your first choice as answered in question 2, why should we vote for you here, knowing that our vote may be wasted if you win another election?
n/a

My thoughts are that we should research Bronze Working first, then Ceremonial Burial, and depending on our situation, head for Iron Working or Pottery. This would of course be subject to the will of the citizenry.

Iron Working is the most important to Japanese society - bring on the Samurai. This assumes of course that we are not isolated, as isolation would mean the need for a completely different tech path.

Civman, why do you have the same sig as Black_Hole?

*fixed*
gotta come up with my own sig

The candidates I sense has the closest perception of the game environments as me to this particular game would be Rik Meleet and Blackhole, who both advocates for an early race for the iron working technology. Immortal, who through the merchant guild states that the strategic resource, here iron, is the most strategic target, may also be a good candidate. However, even pottery may be a good starting tech to go for, I would actually
go for 1. Bronze working, 2-. Iron working and 3. Pottery, due to the fact we would probably not build granary or irrigation as we will spread with settlers with escorts on this large continent faced by ravaging barbarians en route. The risk environment is so tough in this game, and the territory so large, is that early survival and sudden expansion should overrule early development of an agricultural civilization where granary and irrigation is the priority. Furthermore, getting our scouts out as far as possible is important early on, in order to find resources, other civs, goody huts, strategic defensible borders to block further settlement and in general figure out if we are on an island or a continent, and to determine its shape, plus future city placement.

So, I would ideally rank the techs as bronze, iron and pottery, and support Rik Meleet and Blackhole, tentatively also Immortal as my top three candidates.

*fixed*
gotta come up with my own sig
lol, I guess I am popular :D

pete- once again, we are on vanilla
and civman- welcome to the race

Once again, I urge people to not place too much value on what techs go first, seeing as we ahve no knowledge on what we will be delt. The Currency/Literature gambit is a good one, but it might not be appropriate for the hand we are dealt.

And Once again:
This game is on Vanilla Civ3, 1.29f. NOT C3C. There is no Philosophy gambit.

I just realized I have to drop out of the race. Im headed up to The Cape tomorrow (until next Monday) and I'll have limited internet access.
So, unless you dont mind a science minister who will be gone until August 2nd, I have to drop
But, then again, the game might not start until later
and the first chat is always just the startup, with nothing else...
Anyone have aproblem with me staying under the circumstances?

SaaM: do not drop out.

This is a reminder to the voters !
I'm in Denmark without Internet Access from July 29th to August 7th.

There is no Creation Day yet set. If the game starts later than August 7th: No problem for me. If it starts earlier; my deputy will have to take responsibility for the first few days.

Oh. K
Im not dropping then
Just remember that I wont be here until next monday

What is required is strength in the beginning, whether military or economic, I prefer economic through some of the ancient age, then again I have the most sucess with the babylonians.

Pottery would be my first choice, then move to developing iron works.

HOWEVER I believe we should NOT connect the iron at first, as I believe resources exhaust faster when connected.

Question for the candidates:

What is your position on wasted research? Are you of the opinion that no research turns should ever be wasted, or is minimal switching of research priorities allowed?

Hypothetical example: We start on a continent on which we originally think we are isolated. We are halfway through Map Making (15 turns left) when we discover the Zulu actually share our continent. The Zulu are now making aggressive demands for techs, maps, and money. Both the FA and Military Departments believe that war is imminent. Would you recommend a switch to a military tech that would result in a quicker deployment of improved war assets (Bronze Working - 8 turns) even if that meant the loss of 10+ turns of research?

Assume in this case that the military strength of our two nations is equal and that the Zulu have equal footing in tech, only in different areas (Horseback Riding vs Writing for example)

SAam, I didn't see your first post about that. Oh well...

LeeT911, Let me get back tou you.....

Personally a large decision like that requires a degree of citizen involvement, a large one even.

Personally, my recommendation would be that if we had contact with another civ, see if the citizens would like to purchase a good tech from another civ. Or even zulu (for some reason hostile civs still seem to like trading with you).

10 turns is a pretty big loss, I dont know if Id advocate complete abandonment.

Question for the candidates:

What is your position on wasted research? Are you of the opinion that no research turns should ever be wasted, or is minimal switching of research priorities allowed?

I say there is never wasted research. Every advance help us grow and get more powerful. There is no wasted reseach. No turns shall never be wasted. If we already half way through, just keep researching. If the citizens really wanted to change the research, I would only allow if we a few turns in the tech.

Hypothetical example: We start on a continent on which we originally think we are isolated. We are halfway through Map Making (15 turns left) when discover the Zulu actually share our continent. The Zulu are now making aggressive demands for techs, maps, and money. Both the FA and Military Departments believe that war is imminent. Would you recommend a switch to a military tech that would result in a quicker deployment of improved war assets (Bronze Working - 8 turns) even if that meant the lost of 10+ turns of research?

No. They military can wait 15 turns. We will just have to see if we can increase the science rate to get the tech faster. Then I would switch to a military tech if the citizens agree.

Assume in this case that the military strength of our two nations is equal and that the Zulu have equal footing in tech, only in different areas (Horseback Riding vs Writing for example)

I still wouldn't change unless these reasons:
1. The Zulu declare war, then I would switch to a military tech unless the tech was almost completed, like 5 turns left.
2. If the citizens agree to change to a military tech even if the tech we are reaserching is 10 turns away. I make a poll to see if the REALLY wanted to switch.
3. Or, we are getting defeated in the war, I would switch fast to a tech with more powerful military.

Oh come on; it's 20 minutes before the elections open; I've made 7 new flags and I should have been in bed by now. It's a bit late for questions to the candidates...