Lt_Damage

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Fiestel @ April 15 2003,11:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would like to put my 2 cents in regarding installers. Â In one word: NO! The reason, as I saw in at least one other post, is simple. Â It's spelled V-I-R-U-S. Â Sure installers make it easy to install an addon, but I personally do not see the difficulty in unzipping an addon into your addon directory. Â It is very simple and anyone can learn how to do it. Â The same would be said for unzipping missions. Sure an installer will install the .pbo into your addon directory, or the mission in the appropriate place, but my primary concern is "what else" it may install without my knowledge. Â Now, I'm NOT saying that OFP addon makers are virus writers, but at the same time I have no way to verify that they are not. Â I know I can scan an .exe file the same as I can a .zip file, but at least with a .zip file I can see all the files and if I want to, I can unzip only the .pbo and scan it again if I so desire. Â With an installer, who knows how many files are in there? Â I would definitely classify myself as an advanced user and I do insist on knowing what is happening on my system at all times. Â Perhaps I am just a little paranoid, but don't they say that to stay relatively safe from viruses and such that you should only surf or download from reputable sites? Â It all comes down to trust and I do not know any of these addon makers personally. Â But running an installer puts you in the addon makers hands and, I believe, pretty much leaves you out of the loop while the installer runs. Â Hopefully anti-virus software would catch anything suspicious, but why risk it? Don't get me wrong, I'm not against easy installation, but I don't see unzipping files as difficult. Â All I can say is that if installers become the norm and as I saw in a few other posts, I will not be downloading any addons that are not simple .zip files. Â Perhaps as a solution, that if the addon maker chooses to use an installer, maybe they will also have a version of their addon/mission in a .zip file for those of us who are against installers. I'd like to comment on one other related item even though it is not really part of this particular forum. Â I like downloading addons in .zip files - not .rar or any other format. Â I do not want to have to install X number of different zip utilities just so I can unzip all the different file formats. Â This particular forum is about setting standards, so being that .zip is the most common, why use something else? Â Again, as a solution, rather than using one format only, maybe have your addon available in an multiple formats, ie. .zip, .rar, .exe as BAS did for their Delta/Ranger addon which I appreciated very much. I didn't mean to write a novel here, but I just thought I'd pass along my thoughts. Fiestel<span id='postcolor'> As I'm sure an advanced user like yourself knows, if you have a virus scanner installed, or in your case, seven virus scanners installed then anything being uncompressed by the installer onto your desk will be scanner by file system realtime protection. There is no security that a zip file can provide from viruses that compressed cab files or other archives cannot. Besides, you are being a bit paranoid, nobody wants to install viruses to your computer cunningly disguised as fun addons.

I have noticed quite a few players who connect are not aware of how OGN works. We use an auto update tool to make sure you are all up-to-date with addons. If you are missing an addon that the server uses, you run this tool and it automatically downloads and installs it into your OFP, in 1 single click. The tool can be downloaded from Here (only 500kb) If you run this tool before every game you will NEVER be missing an addon when playing on OGN. OGN (Oceanic League Gaming Network) Visit the ogn ofp forums for more info. Hope to see you guys there.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Skier55d @ April 14 2003,16:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">continuing on thoughts on the "updater" program... in more detail i think it could work like this... 1. Establish a page or small site that is hosted by Codemasters or BIS, that way everything is done officially and can be reviewed and rated according to one official grading system. This site would be dynamic (similar to OFPEC's addon system), if you wanted to submit an addon, go to the submission page, submit the file add a description, picture, and other necessary info (for the OFPEC tag system for AAE) to be reviewed by BIS, Codemasters or whoever hosts the site. When it has been reviewed and accepted, it would be uploaded to the site, then a link along with the description and so on would be added to the database i mentioned earlier, that way files aren't spread between a variety of sites  and narrows the field of error. 2. At the site, you can download an official "AAE" updater program made by BIS or Codemasters. The interface should be simple, straight-forward and easy to understand (similar to something you might see on the Windows Updater web page). You can check for updates which would retrieve the current list of files then check it against the OFP Addons folder (or in this case ofp/res/addons folder since it is primarily made to support 1.91) to see which addons are currently installed. Ones that are not installed can simply be downloaded and automatically installed for the user so there is no copying of files to any OFP folders therefore no confusion among simple computer users. Inside the updater could be an addon manager that allows you to easily get information about currently installed addons, and allow the user to automatically un-install the file if necessary, with once again, no messy file sifting. but with every idea there are problems, some of which could be keeping databases up to date, the time-comitment for reviewing files, or the amount of official sponsorship from BIS (hopefully this won't be a problem). This is what i have in mind...  <span id='postcolor'> Well I keep the file list for OGN addons up to date quite easily, only takes 15 minutes out of my day. As it stands the tool does everything you ask except the addon management and descriptions of addons.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Skier55d @ April 14 2003,16:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">continuing on thoughts on the "updater" program... in more detail i think it could work like this... 1. Establish a page or small site that is hosted by Codemasters or BIS, that way everything is done officially and can be reviewed and rated according to one official grading system. This site would be dynamic (similar to OFPEC's addon system), if you wanted to submit an addon, go to the submission page, submit the file add a description, picture, and other necessary info (for the OFPEC tag system for AAE) to be reviewed by BIS, Codemasters or whoever hosts the site. When it has been reviewed and accepted, it would be uploaded to the site, then a link along with the description and so on would be added to the database i mentioned earlier, that way files aren't spread between a variety of sites  and narrows the field of error. 2. At the site, you can download an official "AAE" updater program made by BIS or Codemasters. The interface should be simple, straight-forward and easy to understand (similar to something you might see on the Windows Updater web page). You can check for updates which would retrieve the current list of files then check it against the OFP Addons folder (or in this case ofp/res/addons folder since it is primarily made to support 1.91) to see which addons are currently installed. Ones that are not installed can simply be downloaded and automatically installed for the user so there is no copying of files to any OFP folders therefore no confusion among simple computer users. Inside the updater could be an addon manager that allows you to easily get information about currently installed addons, and allow the user to automatically un-install the file if necessary, with once again, no messy file sifting. but with every idea there are problems, some of which could be keeping databases up to date, the time-comitment for reviewing files, or the amount of official sponsorship from BIS (hopefully this won't be a problem). This is what i have in mind...  <span id='postcolor'> Well I keep the file list for OGN addons up to date quite easily, only takes 15 minutes out of my day. As it stands the tool does everything you ask except the addon management and descriptions of addons.

We are still working on those features. It is custom designed for the OGN server, we don't really need descriptions of each addon. Nor an addon manager. But those things are easily done. Its the core use of the tool that keeps EVERY ofp player on ogn, from the guru's to the fresh players, up to date with the server addons. Its just a way to overcome the problem where servers that use addons have players that cannot connect.

We are still working on those features. It is custom designed for the OGN server, we don't really need descriptions of each addon. Nor an addon manager. But those things are easily done. Its the core use of the tool that keeps EVERY ofp player on ogn, from the guru's to the fresh players, up to date with the server addons. Its just a way to overcome the problem where servers that use addons have players that cannot connect.

Those are installed so that player has the proper island introductions for the addon islands. Not absolutely necessary but can't see any problems with it.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Elenkis @ April 14 2003,18:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You guys crack me up.<span id='postcolor'> I'm not sure I see the relevance of you drawing a BIS symbol on there (you made it go over the borders of the TV set btw), but ok <span id='postcolor'> If you can't see the relevance I won't insult you by explaining further.......

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Elenkis @ April 14 2003,18:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You guys crack me up.<span id='postcolor'> I'm not sure I see the relevance of you drawing a BIS symbol on there (you made it go over the borders of the TV set btw), but ok <span id='postcolor'> If you can't see the relevance I won't insult you by explaining further.......

Where is the tutorial? I don't want to have to use armor textures I just don't know how to make good car panels.

I would like to voice my support of this initiative. I think it is a great idea. Addons have been around for a long time, but as a server administrator I have had many headaches using them. Players simply have problems installing them, or even knowing a server uses them. You can write all the instructions in the world, you can create automatic installer packages but players still have problems and the unfriendlyness for simple players means they go play something easier. When we setup the OGN server I wanted this problem eliminated so we did something very simple. We use many great addons on the server. We do not provide any links to where to download the individual addons, we don't need to, we have 1 simple file that takes care of all of it. We made an automatic update tool which simply is run by the player whenever they are about to play on the server, it checks our ftp server for a filelist and compares whats in the player's OFP dir with what is on the server. If the player is missing addons it automatically downloads them and installs them into the correct area of the OFP directory. It could not be more simple. For a look at how it works you can download the installer here If more servers used this method it doesn't matter how computer illiterate a player is, anyone can run this tool. Of course this is quite apart from the actually TAGing of addons for compliance, I think this is a great step forward. Regards,

I would like to voice my support of this initiative. I think it is a great idea. Addons have been around for a long time, but as a server administrator I have had many headaches using them. Players simply have problems installing them, or even knowing a server uses them. You can write all the instructions in the world, you can create automatic installer packages but players still have problems and the unfriendlyness for simple players means they go play something easier. When we setup the OGN server I wanted this problem eliminated so we did something very simple. We use many great addons on the server. We do not provide any links to where to download the individual addons, we don't need to, we have 1 simple file that takes care of all of it. We made an automatic update tool which simply is run by the player whenever they are about to play on the server, it checks our ftp server for a filelist and compares whats in the player's OFP dir with what is on the server. If the player is missing addons it automatically downloads them and installs them into the correct area of the OFP directory. It could not be more simple. For a look at how it works you can download the installer here If more servers used this method it doesn't matter how computer illiterate a player is, anyone can run this tool. Of course this is quite apart from the actually TAGing of addons for compliance, I think this is a great step forward. Regards,

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Elenkis @ April 13 2003,18:48)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just wanted to add that the symbol flashing up on channel 50 looks suspiciously like a Vietnamese chu nom character or some other kind of oriental character anyway.<span id='postcolor'> You guys crack me up.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Elenkis @ April 13 2003,18:48)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Just wanted to add that the symbol flashing up on channel 50 looks suspiciously like a Vietnamese chu nom character or some other kind of oriental character anyway.<span id='postcolor'> You guys crack me up.

I can arrange hosting for you guys, just let me know by email: adamm_@hotmail.com I am eager to update the original version I have on the server with one that has better LOD's and geometry. Regards,

SelectThis messaged me and will send me the files via email. Thanks guys. As for when the next version is released it could be very soon if I can get the textures sorted. I have touched up the model itself but I have been trying to teach myself texturing but i'm just getting nowhere. I may have to release it with the metal armor textures because I do not know how to make proper car panels etc.

I haven't received replies from GFX707 or EBUD regarding permission to use the mounted MG's so I cannot complete it unless I use the KORD, I will use the KORD for now and I can change the MG later.

I definately think BAS's increased armor is a good idea. For Multiplayer I just pitted Delta's versus rangers, it was quite easy and i have russian flags on the Delta's arms and almost everyone down to n00bs knows who to shoot. Another reason is extra armor most of the time gets rid of "double kills" in Multiplayer. Another option if you want to increase the armor is to release a nondescript unit that has different camo and has texture areas where they can have flags attached etc, this would enable mission designer's to create conflicts and use a default enemy with the new armor. On the whole its a lot better than not having it at all, I'd rather have extra armor than not.

Hmm, I didn't originally intend to make this a fully realistic 'technica' It was mainly for fun, it was posted in here as a technical originally but that wasn't my idea. I will make a second version that is more realistic as I do not wish to change the big wheels and other fun stuff with it. I'll finish this model off first and the ultra-realism version will be available shortly after. As far as the machine gun goes who made the DShK 12.7mm so I can ask permission to use it? I will have to mount the MG different so it swings on a smaller area, then make the proxy guy stand up. I can't widen the tray.

Ok, I know what is causing that. I will fix it in the next beta release.

I need some help, thankyou in advance for any advice you can offer. A have a question about LODs, how many resolution LODs do you recommend for a vehicle. And does 0.35 mean 350meters that the LOD will kick in? If for example, 0.00, 0.10 and 0.35 are recommend, what sort of details would be expected for each? Should .035 be a simple box shape with textures? And the windscreen, I am having numerous problems with it. The inside view of the windscreen is provided by the View - Pilot LOD, I have made it so the player can set out of it ok and it looks like a windscreen. From outside though you can see through the windscreen and through various parts of the frame :/ Any guidance is much appreciated.

Well I originally had it rotate 360 but the gunner starts moving outside the vehicle and it looks crazy. I'm not sure how to get around that problem. I am modifying it to the Resistance side, it was what I always planned to do anyway. Could, I like the idea of it doing jumps, sounds fun. I have no idea why it gets so much air when the AI is driving it. I have it in one of my Mogadishu missions and the AI go nuts it in, they speed around corners and once they even had an accident, crashed into a wall and died. I think its great Improvements are in the works

If not I will see if AKM74 has made one I can use as he has already been kind enough to allow me to use the KORD. Cheers,

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (CanadianTerror @ April 08 2003,15:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When I'm more than 2 feet away from it, the textures look like a lady just took it for a spin through a WALLMART parking lot(it's all beat to shit). EDIT: From CNN </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Iraqis who were taken prisoner were driving a pink pickup truck with a light machine gun mounted on the back of that when they were put out of business. They must not have put up much resistance; otherwise they would've been taken out very, very quickly. COSTELLO: Tell us more about this pink pickup truck, that must have been a bizarre sight for the troops. RODGERS: It was, indeed. It was a pink pickup truck, your normal Japanese issue. But the Iraqi soldiers had mounted a 7.62-millimeter light machine gun atop that. Palestinians have been doing that for years when they were in Beirut. And on the right corner of the windshield, there was a [New York Police Department] bumper sticker pasted up.<span id='postcolor'><span id='postcolor'> Thanks! I don't know if i was going for ultra-realism for this rather than just good fun but I'll look at what 7.62mm options I have for the mounted mg. Thanks mate Oh and hmm, looks like the LOD isn't working properly, I have a 0.000 lod and a 0.35 which I thought was for 350meters away... if its doing it at 2meters something weird is happening.. sigh.. so much to learn so little time.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (BratZ @ April 08 2003,15:29)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Lt_Damage @ April 08 2003,04:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Those damn windscreens. (Anyone know why it does that?)<span id='postcolor'> I think in the layers, notice my Beta Corsair you can't see the prop from inside All I did was change the layers (O2 option/Faces/ Move alpha etc..) Now it works like its supposed to,I have also seen things disappear from behind it if its not layered properly (usually other transparant textures) Keep up the great work! I know it takes many many hours<span id='postcolor'> Thankyou Bratz, that is very useful information, I will see if I can get the windscreens working but adjusting these alpha layers. Thanks