Fractux

Whoever made THAT has got some problems all right. Cheers!

Oh dear...

I'm still trying to download that file you linked to on fileplanet SC ... heh... I want to see what it looks like. Only 919 people in front of me now.

Now having all this aromour sounds pretty cool, but let me tell you one thing. I've had some experiences on exercises where I'm just laying there prone besides a bush, crounched low in knee high grass so that I am just level with them. I had a whole section (that's 8 guys) walk about 10-15m right in front of me and not realize where I was despite the fact that I was firing away (blanks of course) at them. Now this is all thanks to conver and concelament, then cam I put on and the diffusion pattern on my uniform. Now I can tell you that I feel safer being able to hide like that than to have a section pop out of the wood and see a buch of tin cans laying in the ditch. [sure you could paint them, but your profile would no doubt be increased]. Sure, maybe it will stop some bullets, but it's not going to make you invincible, no mater what. If they see you are wearing heavy armour, their just going to bring in some heavier machine gun. I doubt that even a suit will help you against a .50 cal MG. Think about all the problem that also go along with this. The thing has to be waterproof and light enough so that it doesn't fill up with water if you need to swim acrross a stream or a small river. It sure as heck better be reliable. I don't need my visor capping out on me and then not being able to effectively use my rifle. These suits, and any technology that goes along with them are, don't get me wrong, are currently good for ideal situations. Throw them in the grit and see what happens. [you no longer scream for a medic, but tech support ! ] While you have a buch of armour, you still need the same minimum supplies as before, hence you will be carrying more weight no matter what [artificial muscles, as said above, are still a long way away from being where they need to be]. more weight = less mobility = preventing me from running away faster . I have to say, that we can have a good level of protection now with current vests [see here, but that even all of this equipment is not used all the time. And, as stated above, it's not always going to help you out anyways.] Armour should the the LAST level of protection, not the first. Why? Because of mobility and because of the varying degree of it's effectiveness. If it hinders the ability to get around, and it is not needed, or thought not to be needed, then they won't give it to you. A recce squad won't want to get dressed up in full battle armour because that would hinder them in their objective. It all depends on the situation. I don't want to say that increases in battle armour aren't welcome, but there are always tradeoffs that we need to take into account. I'm all for being behind a nice sheild, but it better not hinder the ability to fight and move when need be. Sometimes, there's a limit as to how high tech you can get. Hopefully, this stuff will work someday. But what I hope for more than anything, is that we won't need it one day. Cheers! [ 02-13-2002, 12:30: Message edited by: Fractux ]

One other thing my dear brother... the system is no longer running mandrake... I took away most of the mandrake components... so it's pretty much a Kbros distribution now!.... :-)

This isn't Fractux... it's his brother Yoink... he left his computer logged in so I'm going to post a rebutal to his comment. Folks... the linux kernel is great: for certain things. I am still an avid linux fan. I know how to use it well enough to "almost" get it to do what I want. I would, to this day, still be using linux if it weren't for one small detail Fractux left out, but by mistake I'm sure. You see I built a project studio (that is audio recording) in our basement. Unfortunately the best software for professional recording comes only on the Windows platform and, additionally, there are no drivers for my sound card and the linux kernel; meaning that if I did want to record using some of the pre-alpha (and I mean like version pre0.04) multitracking software... well I just wouldn't be able to. Additionally, and this is in defence of my dear brother's post... linux distributions still have not reached the levels of usability that are required by most people on an average day. By this I mean mainly Compatibility. There is also a certain instability in Linux as a Windowing GUI. As a server running off a console install, as our router/firewall is, it is stable (uptime is over 100 days now.) It's definitely not a great gamming platform yet, and unless everyone you know is using Linux software, or you have your own personal Linux guru around, it's going to take you a while to get it off the ground. Let me add this one last comment though: Linux taught me more about networking and software interaction than any other application or operating system. Except for distributions like Mandrake (which I recommend to first get started with Linux), Linux systems require (though less and less lately) you to get to know what's going on. It is a great way to become familiar with routing tables, server software and the core components of an operating system. Before I go I do need to correct one thing. Nobody installs Linux. Linux is just the name of the kernel. People install distributions, which are the sets of applications that come with a linux kernel in order to make a fully functional operating system. "Now I know... and knowing is half the battle. GI JOE!!" yoink!

I think it all comes down to what you need. My brother was an avid Linux fan for the past several years, but now we're both using Win2K on both of our main computers. While I was running Win98SE for about 2 years, I swear it gave me so much trouble. I spent about a year just fooling around with linux, and reading all the man-pages. Then after a while, I said to myself: "Ok, what do I use my computer for?" Well, in my case, it's mostly gaming, web-work,and writting papers. I had spent a long time trying to figure out Linux, and while I admit I still have alot to lear, I can tell you that I would be wasting my time to try because I have no need for it at the moment. I want to play games, and since I've been using Win2K I'm telling you that all the times I wanted to get a Gates Punching bag have pretty much gone away. The stability is there and it's so straight forward to use and there's a lot of well documented information out there for me to get around the OS quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, my brother is running our systems behind a PII266 with 64MB or ram functioning as a NAT runing mandrake. There's a use for Linux that came in really handy for us. My bro spends a lot of time, however, on IRC groups talking and learning about how to constantly improve and use linux to it's full potential. He really likes Linux, but he uses Win2K because all the programs he needs are designed for that system. He's happy with the performance of his system and while he's not a Microsoft fan, he won't say that Win2K is a bad OS [Mind you, we both have a long list of grievances]. Sure, you loose funtionality, you get a load of programs installing that you don't want or need, and you have to deal with their product as a very "uncustomizable" package. But the masses don't necessarily need, want or are able to handle the kind of power linux can give you if setting up a computer that is ideal for your needs. I'm not doing any development work, and I'm not planning on setting up huge Beowulf clusters [this came to mind because of that recent /. article comparing the set up of Mac vs Beowulf Clusters] , and I sure know that I don't want to spend a couple hours reading all the man pages and discussing how to compile my own kernel with the drivers and modules I need etc. etc. I say that linux is great for those who need it, and are willing to spend the time to set it up the system. It's also time consuming for people who don't have the inclination to learn exactly how an OS works and all the nitty gritty details about computers. ALthough, you can use Linux and not have any more clue about how it works than Windows (like if you want to live in one of mandrake's GUI's for all eternity and never touch a comand prompt), and the stability will be there, and it's easy to use. But, if you don't know anything about Linux, and you install mandrake, and use it like the average Joe uses Windows, you are not gaining many advantages. Joe will not ever think of figuring out what modules he needs to run his comp, what packages he doesn't need, what programs are just wasting space. In a sense, if a Linux guru looked at his system he would probably tell the average Joe to go back and use windows because he probably has a million friends he can ask on how to save a file. So on one hand there is the problem is one of people misconceptions, and one of unfamiliarity. I think the unfamiliarity part is the real drawback. But also, after having been using Win2K, I can tell you that I have no inclination to switch. Sure there are a lot of issues that go along with using this OS, but the plain fact is that it works well from the USERS' point of view. When I need Linux, I know it's there. If you need linux, go ahead and use it, all the more power to you. I'll stay in my ignorance shell for a little while longer. It's a lot more convenient for me at present Cheers! [ 02-12-2002, 09:23: Message edited by: Fractux ]

I thought it was a well written review. It's nice to finally someone who doesn't already have preconceptions as to what makes a good game. Cheers!

I think MTV's Jack@ss would fit into this category as well. My brother has gotten addicted to that show and he's hoging all our bandwidth getting episodes off Kazaa (and I swear I don't watch them... hey, did you see that one...) Cheers!

I was using that computer in the pics until 1995, when my father bougth a P133. He's still using thw same computer. He likes to stick with his investments... heh...

Well, I had some time on my hands and so I examined the guts of my Father's old IBM 5150. Take a look

If it is there, it's pretty quick.. heh

quote: I don't think a BC could stop on a dime (which it thankfully doesn't or else I would cry You can stop on a dime, and you can go full reverse almost instantly. Time to start crying

If anyone has ever read Roger Macbride Allen's "Allies and Aliens", he writes some pretty intense space combat making it take place using "Newtonian Physics". ---- "I watched the display as a Beast chased a bandit up out of orbit. By then we knew very precisely how much fuel the bandits could carry, and thus how long, all told, they might fire their engines. I guess the pilot of the Beast worked it out in his head. He chased the bandit at his top accelration, 2.6 gees. The bandit could do 3.1, and he started out 1000 Kilometers ahead of his pursuer, gradually edging farther and farther ahead. But, even if he had wanted to, he couldn't have turned back; the Beast would have had him. After three quarters of an hour at 3.1 gees, the bandit was moving at a speed many times faster than the planet's escape velocity. The Beast turned around and headed for home at an easy 1 gee. The bandit was as good as dead. He didn't have the fuel in his tanks to get back. He tried. He not only had to shed his speed, but shed it fast enough to get back to the planet, where he might hope for rescue. Maybe his engines finally melted to slag, maybe his tanks dried sooner than they should have. He didn't make it. He's still out there, somewhere." Allen, R (1995) Allies and Aliens. Baen Books ---- There are other scenes describing how slow sombat was, how important orbit, trajectories and gravity are when flying a craft in space. If we had to deal with all these factors, and try to play BCM, then we'd have a manual the size of an encyclopedia to read just so we could fly Sure it wouldn't be the same as the story I quoted above since the ships don't run on fuel, but you can get a sense of how complicated space flight would be. I'll go with Charles above statement: quote: In the context of BCM it 3000 AD. I would hope propulsion systems could compensate for Newtonian physics. ... But if it's 3000 ad then I would expect systems could compensate. Cheers! [ 01-28-2002, 18:13: Message edited by: Fractux ]

Still a bit lost about this: quote: NPCs not intending to actually establish planetfall (i.e. dogfighting close to or just navigating in real space) will now employ different flight dynamics logic in order to prevent them from intersecting the planetary sphere. They will still enter the planet as normal if it is their jump target. Now does this mean that the following pic [Here] showing a Garid at the center of Jupiter flying around is still allowed to happed? If I am in a craft (be it an FC, BC, SC) and I try to jump to him, I will establish planetfall. But, I can send my pilots in their FC's to go attack him [though it seems like they can never do any damage while they are fighting inside the planet like this], but even after 10 minutes they had done no damage to him [they are still low AI pilots, but they had previously killed two Templons]. Just something I wanted to know, because it cost me quite a bit of repairs when I tried to jump to another ship around Jupiter, and ended up establishing planetfall automatically [since I was inside the planet]. Cheers! --- [EDIT] Trust me, I rotated my view around and it was at the center of the planet. I may not be a genius, but I'm not that dumb. This was taken with BCM v1.0.0.5 (full install) Here is my saved game. Go to TACOPS right away, and you can see the fighters in the planet. After, jump to Jupiter and the GARID should be at the center of the planet as seen in my pic. --- Just in case you think I'm making this up (and I don't know why). Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3 Pic 4 Pic 5 Pic 6 Pic 7 Pic 8 Pic 9 [ 01-29-2002, 09:31: Message edited by: Fractux ]

1)Monsoon MC-200 2)Hercules Gamesurround Fortissimo II 3)Depends. I don't like listening to low freq. if it's overused/overstrssed and used as the integral part of the music. I usually find it's good to give it a feel, but not to carry a whole song [there are exceptions].

That's a good story. Must have been quite a blast BTW I was just listening to some of your tracks on MP3.com, and you've composed some wicked songs. Glad I'll be listening to your tunes while I play in XP1 as BCM is one of those rare games that I always leave the music up as I find it really get's my mind going while I play. Cheers!

I couldn't help myself. I was looking through all the models in BCM studio, and when I saw the landing gear inside the Mk.1 and Mk.2 models, I wanted to see what they would look like when they were extended. Then I wa looking through the starbases, and I ran into this one. Hey, at least I'm pushing my imagination (I just have to say this because I thik even after I made it I said to myself "What the [Heck] am I doing?" and all my brain could think was... "I wonder if I could zoom in on the crowd and show them drinking BC Beer" I then immediately took a nap to save myself from any further thoughts.) One of those days... --- Of yeah, BTW, just wondering SC if we'll ever get to use those landing skids, and/or what their original intent to have was if they are not planned on being used? As they kind of look like giant skiis... maybe down BC downhilling? (oh no... here we go again...) Cheers! [ 01-19-2002: Message edited by: Fractux ]

--- Stunned onlookers watch Ensign John Doe as he attemps to show the world that those HOT WHEELS racetrack stunts he did as a child could work in real life. --- recreation Cheers! [ 01-19-2002: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

quote:Originally posted by Supreme Cmdr: 2. You will only get that message if you are using older saved games Sorry SC. I failed to mention that I am not using 1.0.0.4 and this game was started with ver 1.0.0.3 It also ONLY happens with my last save #7. To correct what I said above the exact error is "FATAL ERROR .sav file format error" [ 01-05-2002: Message edited by: Fractux ]

Was just playing a game of BCM. I had made a jump from Centris->Pluto->Earth. Upon approaching GalcomHQ I noticed the entire middle core was, well, missing. I took some shots. [You can see what it looked like in this post Now my problem is this. Upon trying to load my save game again. I would receive "error, invalid .sav file". I have not tampered with any of my files. And this just happened after I tried to start again. This happened in Ver 1.0.0.3 and my savegames are here [load game Fractux ->> #7]

Happy New Year Everyone!!

I can see it now... I'm flying around in MP and I run into the SC. Tactical Officer: "Sir, he's got infinite sheilds, infinite armour, infinite missles and he's warping the fabric of time!!!" Me: "Yes, but how much beer is in his cargo hold?" Merry Christmas all!!

quote:Originally posted by xivix: Question: Apparently, my Flight Officer is a moron. Ever since I started BCM I have had to manually assign flight engineers. It worked the first time but this time all four fighters came back and have been in offline ever since. The manual says something else might be wrong so I checked power and even turned the power to the chargers off and on. Nothing. I assigned an extra flight engineer to each fighter for a total of two. Still nothing. Any suggestions? quote: Combat Officer" Assignment of Flight Engineers to evaluate and prep docked crafts for launch AI:50 His AI probably wasn't hight enough, and therefore, he remains a moron.

SC I get that same "problem".I didn't realize it was supposed to be see through, but it never was for me. This problem was still there with 22.80. I recently did a fresh install and first used the 22.80 and had the same problem. The 23.11's gave me the same thing. Here is what it looks like I'm going to play around with video settings. [What are your current settings that get it to look right?]Fast writes and Side band addressing are curretly disabled on my system. I'll play around with video settings more and see. Just wanted to let you know that JelloKing wasn't the only one with this. Cheers! -- I got my Ned versions all messed up. Don't know why I was still tinking in the 12.XX. Maybe it was that twelve-pack I had [ 12-14-2001: Message edited by: Fractux ]