Supreme Cmdr

k, Karl, no problem. btw, any of you guys thinking of doing having FD updates (re-arranging the default assets, launch bases etc), can pretty much forget about it. VServers, my web ISP, are having major network problems (3 of their OC3 routers blew a card and they're waiting for CISCO to get the replacements in tonite) which probably won't be fixed until tomorrow morning they said.

Didn't I fix that yesterday? btw, in addition to some bugs that Justin is fixing, I asked him to put in a couple of other features which would make the FD a little easier for leaders. For one thing, there will be a bulletin feature on each fleet page. This is similar to the log and will allow leaders to post bulletins that all can read. There will also be an additional private log (as opposed to the public one which is only viewable by the person whose profile it is. And speaking of logs, once you have read messages from me, in your log, you can delete it.

quote: What's the point of looking at pzones.pdf if you don't have the patches/mappak applied? I was trying to think of a way jupiter87135 could look at something until he gets those files. ...because the PDF file is not as cryptic as the .SCR file - which, it so happens, is not for the purpose of viewing. If it was, the PDF file would not have been created.

Tac, be sure to let me know to increase Gallion's security clearance to level 2, before you leave.

Fixed (I removed it), thanks.

Tac is correct. Anyway, I've corrected the FAQ. And while we're on the subject, I've given the CAT crew, level 3 security access to the Fleet Database. This way, if fleet leaders are slacking up and to prevent the new recruits count from piling up, they can go in and do the approval. The fleet leaders can go in later and make whatever corrections they want. Alliance/Fleet leaders have higher authority when it comes to administering their fleets, CAT is just there for higher level admin reasons, similar to the excellent job they do of keeping riff-raff out of this forum but weeding out and denying access to undesirables. Also, just because you see a CAT member with Alliance Leader security clearance, doesn't necessarily mean they have anything to do with the particular fleet. eg, Andergum has level 3 clearance, as does Rattler, but Rattler is the bona fide Alliance Leader of the Insurgents, not Andergum. Get it? Got it? Good! Finally, tonite, I have approved a bunch of new recruits today and just put in random values for launch base, asset etc, it is the responsibility of fleet leaders to go in and make any necessary changes. Justin is putting in the last minute touches, in addition to a new fleet bulletin option which is similar to the comms log. This can be used for fleet bulletin news, announcements, meeting schedules etc and can be viewed from each individual fleet details page. I would suggest that fleet leaders hold a meeting this coming weekend, in order to sort out the rank and file. Any fleet leader who doesn't get his/her act in gear in the upcoming weeks, will be courtmartialed, demoted and long standing member or not, will not get access to FAS servers. Period. [This message has been edited by Supreme Cmdr (edited 08-24-2000).]

Whats the frigging point of opening a cryptic .SCR file when the PZONES.PDF file lists them already? Have you guys not been paying any attention?

Thats right. Go register. You can use the link below or go via the Fleets link on the main site page www.3000ad.com/fleets/db I have created profiles for each of the Fleet Leaders and given them security level 2 access. Fleet Leaders, go to your fleet link, select your name and log-in. Your log-in password is the same as your forum password. If you don't know your forum password (because you are using cookies), send email to [email protected], requesting it. Once you are logged into your profile, you can change any details you want. Do not change your username because there is a bug which will cause you to lock yourself out. Tonite, Justin is going to fix it so that you cannot change a username, once it has been registered. There are 4 levels of security and Justin and I are the only ones with level 4 clearance. quote: Level 3: Alliance Leader. You can edit/create alliances (GALCOM, EARTHCOM etc), wings etc and do other higher level tasks such as authorizing new recruits, add/kick commanders in your fleets/wings etc. Level 2: Fleet Leader. You can edit/create wings, authorize new recruits, add/kick commanders in your wings etc. Level 1: Wing Leader. You have mimimal wing ops command. Level 0: Commander. You only have powers over certain parts of your profile. Leaders can also click on a commander's name and edit their profile. You may want to do this if they are reassigned, given new mission zones etc. Leaders are responsible for the upkeep of their database. So, check everyday, for new recruits. You can also assign assets, ranks, medals etc but only as per multiplayer engagements in a controlled environment. eg, if you we have a multiplayer game going that is designated as an rpg, then, once that session ends, you can update the database with medals, rank, EPs etc. The exception is that officers in a fleet heirarchy, should have the highest rank attainable, right of the bat. So, once you get online today and update your records, make sure you change your ranks accordingly. Until further notice, I am the only one with Supreme Commander rank. Be careful when assigning assets and mission zones. If I see any ridiculous looking settings, eg wing members all flying Stormcarriers, I'm not going to change it - I will delete the record and demote the leader. For the leaders I created, I put in random assets, zones etc - go ahead and change them. Also remember that when assigning assets, do so according to the selected carrier. Someone signing up for Elite Force Marine career, has no business being handed a fighter. I will provide a chart later, which depicts the actual game choices for careers. Until then, when in doubt, employ common sense initiative. By the same token, be sensible in wing asset allocations. Wings assigned to surface ops, won't be controlling anything but fighters or ground vehicles - and in some cases, transports - epecially if you are a trader or the transport guy. At the end of the day, it is up to the leaders to make sure that everyone runs smoothly. I paid to get this database done, after one volunteer, didn't come thru or even bother to give us an explanation. As such, if this FD is abused, I'd be pissed. I am not going to allow public persistent servers in BCM. Ever. The only persistent servers will be those that 3000AD sets up and they will be purely for use by fleets. They will be called Fleet Alliance Servers and will be designated, FAS1, FAS2 etc. This means that if your fleet leader doesn't give you the server access password, you can't log in. And if you get booted for misbehaving, you're not coming back. Also, unlike the 8 players per server limit of public servers, an FAS will support up to 64 players, depending on the pipe its running off. I'm going to try and ensure that they all run off high-speed backbones. Only serious BCM gamers, need register for a fleet. And leaders are required to hold weekly meetings (we have two IRC chat servers) in order to determine the status of members, discuss plans, structures etc. If someone doesn't show up for a meeting, change their status to inactive, until you hear from them. And if they miss more than 3 meetings in a row, delete their record and remove them from the fleet - never to return. We already know that members cannot move from one alliance to another. However, wing and fleet transfers, within an alliance, are permited. Just remember that in order to transfer someone from fleet to the next, you have to be at security level 3 or 4. Leaders will be responsible for ensuring that members, never, ever change their assets when logging into FAS servers. eg, if you are registered in your fleet, as an Elite Force Pilot, in control of a P21-Vandal and you are seen logging in with any other craft, you will be kicked off the server and court-martialed. Enough said. So, choose your career wisely. And in doing so, remember that at the end of the day, the leader has the final word. If he thinks he has enough fighter pilots and needs marines or commanders, and then designates you as one of those, you have no choice but to accept. If an opening becomes available, you can put in request for a transfer. On public servers, you can do what the heck you like. And nothing prevents you from logging into a public server with your FAS character. Just know that your stats would not be updated in the database and your personal log should not contain anything pertaining to your adventures outside this realm. Couple of things that Justin is going to be cleaning up tonite, and which don't affect the database as it is now: The Undesignated alliance will be modified so that it is more of a group. This is because, raiders, explorers, traders etc, don't have fleets and should not be treated as such. It will be modified so that different groups can be created and then any UCV member can join the desired group. I am going to be the only ranking person in charge of that group, but in time, I will give serious members, level 2 access to each group. Doing this will allow for corporations, consortiums etc, to be formed by those who are only interested in the commercial and trading aspects of the game. The ranks/medals lists need to be modified for multiple entries. Restriction on username changing The term 'ship' will be changed to 'asset', in order to match BCM's use of the terminology, seeing that not all careers have access to ships. The commanders log will be made part of the profile view page, so that everyone, selecting your name, can see your log entries. This log, btw, is for you to put in anything you want, regarding either your FAS multiplayer experiences, or RPG storyline. Field error reporting will be implemented so if a form is filled out and missing some required fields, the error message will say what fields are missing. [This message has been edited by Supreme Cmdr (edited 08-24-2000).]

heh, aramike beat me to it. Pyro, keep it down a bit. Though the board is primarily about Battleceuiser, this particular forum runs the gamut of discussions as long as they are civil and alleviate boredom. Anyway, am gonna go see it this weekend (now that hurricane Debby is a has-been) and if either one of you is wrong, am gonna bury yer!

Thats in Section 19.5 Away Team Deployment. quote: Marines, unlike other personnel, have to take several steps before they are ready for deployment and this occurs during the ÔÇÿprep for combatÔÇÖ phase. Actions include grabbing their gear & weapons from their quarters and proceeding to Operations for a tactical mission briefing. Once they have completed these actions, the Marines then proceed to the shuttles or transporter for deployment.

heh, there's nothing to be updated. In fact, that piece of code remains intact in BCM. Think about this. 2 intruders sit in your IC with the hatch closed. They can't launch because you have power turned off. The intruders know this. The marines know this. The marines can't do squat because they're not going to use heavy weapons (yes, I know, the average marine is a dumb ass newbie, but not that stupid) to start a nuclear war in the launch bay. So, they wait it out. The only way they're going to come out, is if they're starving or they get bored and leave craft when there are no marines in the launch bay. Picture the 2 intruders parked in the IC, making faces at the marines (or even mooning them) thru the see-thru cockpit. Anyway, in BCM, I'm allowing heavy weapons use in all areas of the ship. So, don't be surprised if some marine blows a hole in a deck one day.

Good idea

Charles, Justin doesn't need that data. He's just doing the database with some data I provided - and using temporary placeholders where necessary. So, once he's done, fleet leaders can go in and create their wings, get all that stuff sorted out, before the database goes live.

Yep, saw that. As you know, I don't people who work for me or play my games, were ever accused of being sane. The web guy (Justin designed this entire site btw) seems to have been infected too. Poor Tin. [This message has been edited by Supreme Cmdr (edited 08-21-2000).]

LOL!!. Yeah, thats Justin's warped sense of humour there. Check out the wings in that fleet.

Looking good, J!

Hey, I never saw that Wraith logo before. Cool! btw, Warsong, you don't want to put any fighters in a wing patch because wings have access to all kinds of fighters. Putting a MK2 interceptor kinda looks odd. At any rate, I hope all of you realize that only fleet leaders and the higher echelons, can sanction this sort of stuff (patches, logos etc). So don't take off doing anything of the kind and expect that it will be adopted. Because as sure as the Sun shines above, if the FL don't like it or if they do and I don't, its getting killed.

Yeah, field sorting would be good. I'll make a note of it.

My changes, sent to Justin earlier this evening. quote: REGISTRATION: - we want to keep the email address in the DB profile rather than discarding it. Also want the ability for admin to change the email address (or any field actually) for commanders, including their email address. This way, if someone changes their email address, the fleet leader (or other admin personnel) can update the record. We want the ability for someone to click on anyone's email address (including their fleet leader) and send them email directly. - I am going to be setting up these email addresses this evening. So, use these as the default contact email for all fleet leaders. GALCOM fleets - [email protected] SCID - [email protected] Earthcom - [email protected] Insurgent - [email protected] Undesignated - [email protected] - Delete CIOPS fleet - Add the following fleets to GALCOM 15th Space Marine 7th Orbital Marine - Move SCID fleet to GALCOM heirarchy - add a 'comms' field after the 'homepage' field on the Fleet Details page. This field will display the mailto: email (above) for the fleet. - add MIA, KIA and CMA options to the 'status' choices - add EP to the 'multiplayer stats' choices - add the following fields : ICQ number: (optional) Webpage URL: (optional) Desired Career: Commander, Planetary Support Pilot, Elite Force Pilot, Mobile Infantry Marine, Elite Force Marine, Station Commander, Base Commander Desired Assignment: Patrol, Support, Strike, Intel, Covert Ops, Trading, Research, Exploration Caste: Military, Explorer, Scientist, Earthcom, Police, Raider, Insurgent, Assassin, Diplomat, Mercenary, Paramedic, Trader, Commercial Race: Terran, Empirian, Vesperon, Credian, Kandorian, Mandorian, Zelon, Valkerie Falkerie, Gammulan, Syrion, Droidan - make the 'real name' field required, rather than optional - remove the comment from the email field, since it will also be stored, rather than discarded - add the comment "do not enter a designation" next to the ship name field - depending on the selected fleet, you should prefix the ship designation in front of the ship name. This can be changed by admin, as necessary. Galcom - GCV EarthCom - ECV Insurgent - ICV Undesignated - UCV EDIT USER PROFILE: - this should provide access to *all* fields for editing, including username and password - should contain the following fields which can be updated by admin and viewed as part of the record. These fields do not appear on the registration page. Mission Zone: Asset: Log: for others to see when their stats is accessed. It would be great for allowing them to post mission encounters etc. GENERAL: - I don't know where you are going to put it, but the attached zip file contains 5 maps of the game galaxy. We want to put them on the Fleets Database page (maybe on the main page) so that they can be viewed. Link them as follows: Galaxy Map Terran Quadrant Map Credian Quadrant Map Gammulan Quadrant Map Syrion Quadrant Map

Thats one of the things on my list of things for Justin actually. I'll add ICQ number to that list now. btw, CAT members, please check the CAT email server for important DB login info.

http://www.bc3000ad.com/fleets/db/ Justin has finished his almost-final pass. You can test it below. Please do not enter any info here - yet. It is just for browsing and commenting so that Justin can make any necessary changes. Once those final touches are in place, it will go final and we can use it. For now, just post any suggestions and comments you have. Any frivolous ones will be summarily deleted. You know the drill. I expect this to go live in a few days. All Fleet Leaders will get access info via email. Basic operation notes for information only. quote: Almost everything functional is in place. He still has to put in support for adding/removing fleets and kicking commanders. Everything else is in place and functional - but I don't want anyone screwing around with it just yet. Registration works like this: someone signs up, and their info goes into a "recruits" table, not into the tables that normal people see. When the person signs up, he chooses a fleet he wants to join (or "undesignated"). The leader of this fleet (and the alliance leader and superuser) have an option to "check for new recruits", which will give them a list of all the people who signed up for that particular fleet, but haven't been added yet. The admin can either approve the recruit, which will insert him into the actual fleet tables, or deny him, which will just delete him. Either way, when the admin chooses, an e-mail will be sent to the person who signed up, using the e-mail address provided in the registration form, notifying him whether he was approved or denied. The e-mail address is discarded after that. Administration works by logging in, going to the section governing the info you want to modify, and choosing one of the admin commands listed across the top (of course, you can only modify what you have access to). E.g. if you want to change the name of a fleet, you log in as a Fleet Leader, go to your fleet page, and click "Edit fleet info". Admins can also add commanders directly into the database without needing someone to fill out the registration form. The three admin levels are superuser, alliance leader, fleet leader. All commanders are level 1, with no admin access. The superuser account (which only I and the CAT crew will have access to, just like the website forum) allows the add/removal of users at any level. eg superuser - level 4 - eg Smart alliance leader - level 3 - eg Rattler fleet leader - level 2 - eg Tin (thats Justin btw) commander - level 1 [This message has been edited by Supreme Cmdr (edited 08-17-2000).]

cool! let us know when you nuke your first planet! btw, in case anyone was wondering, I still haven't written a single ACM mission yet for BCM. So don't be surprised if you find the same 20 missions from BC3K in there. Since you wimps didn't finish them in the first place, what makes you think am gonna waste my time with that again? Anyway, BCM is a multi-player mayhem, so, at least you'd get to play all 20 ACM missions from BC3K, in co-op mode with your friends. I am planning to be doing about 20 more new ACM missions though, but thats probably toward the end. But, I wouldn't bet on it if I get into a time crunch. Now that we've got an aspiring Beta tester (whose name is now in my Beta test invite list, in lieu of this escape) whom I know will play them from start to finish, while the rest focus on, well, breaking the game; I may just do them anyway. [This message has been edited by Supreme Cmdr (edited 08-17-2000).]

quote: And nope, Derek didn't want to believe that not QUITE every command and (insert propellerhead term) worked as intended. LOL! yep. And yes, Gummy is right, there were so many releases (most of which made saved games incompatible) it was difficult to get very far in ACM during testing. In fact, this is one of the very reasons why the external Beta is in a perpetual hold state.

quote: It's just a wee bit scary to be in Gammula/Gammula with 52% hull armor and an obsessed cyborg running loose. LOL!! Actually, if you just put him in a shuttle and then launch the shuttle and have the shuttle hold position or escort the BC, you can sort out the problem and then let him back in again. He is treated as cargo btw, so you won't see him listed in the crew section.

quote: Speaking of that, JAC refuses to repair my armor and also refuses to allow my engineers anywhere near that repair station. It's about to go on an extended shuttle ride. Check his requirements as well as those for the crew as per the artifacts.pdf file. And as for that ride, heh, since you are in Gammulan territory, there are quite a few uninhabited moons there. Speaking of which, are you using the MapPak add-on? If so, once you've finished the last of the ACM missions, you could take on some surface OPs. In fact, now that you have RANDOM, you may be tempted to flatten each and every planet, with it. No fun in that, I don't think. If you really want to see just how well your fighters perform, send them on SAD missions on a hostile surface zone and watch the fireworks. quote: Then again, it wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable either! hehe, yep!!