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Author	Topic: Do I dare disturb the universe?
3dp Pilot	posted 06-19- 12:15 PM Please forgive me if what I'm about to say is stupid, but I have never played any game online, although I have been temped by SDOE from time to time. But all of the flak suddenly going up around here has me genuinely curious, nothing else. Basically, what I would like someone to explain to me in as simple terms as possible is, what's the "size" of SDOE problem everyone's talking about? As an offline player, I have just about anything I can get my hands on installed and then some. But the game only calls stuff relevant to the current mission, so the difference between having 10 planes available vs 100 planes available makes no difference if I'm only employing three plane types in a mission (does it?). My puny 333MHz Diamond Monster 3D II system seems OK except for the occasional stutter and some "blocky" explosions. What is the format of an online seesion? Can anyone just jump in at any moment in any online standard plane pack plane they choose? If this is the case, I can start to see the problem. I have always imagined it as "Battle of Britain Night" or "Bombing the Reich Night" where folks would be limited to planes appropriate to the era. Just what is the drag on resources which seems (judging by recent comments) to be driving pilots away? As far as the patch is concerned, I have always assumed that it's number one goal was to iron out problems thoroughly in order to streamline play as much as possible, and only then add completely tested and approved new features. To my offline eye, this seems to be the case, but is it? Are new features dragging down play online? As I said at the outset, I'm just curious and I'm not out to offend anyone! ------------------ Be seeing you, 3dp Visit RAF Harkness! [This message has been edited by 3dp (edited 06-20-2001).] IP: Logged
Da Jug head Pilot	posted 06-19- 12:30 PM The universe scratches its head and goes- wow- a very level headed question. Totally out of character this week Gues we need to knock this guy with a bad attitude stick so he falls in line hehe . . I appreciate very much the tone of this message. Hmmm, I think the idea of the different "nights" has some merit. Don't some of the bigger online sims do this? ------------------ "Da Jug" FM question: Which end does the propeller thingy go on? Fighter Squadron Central ICQ: 121447410 IP: Logged
Sunray Pilot	posted 06-19- 01:17 PM Does it not have to do with the various connection speeds? As in, I have a 56K modem in a mediocre machine but the next guy is on DSL with a racing machine and the next is on cable with a medium fast machine? It seems to me, who also doesn't play on line, that the so-called online standard keeps changing on what appears to be a very frequent basis. It may be that the online standard should be made one and kept there so those of us who don't have fancy racing machines and high speed internet could play too. Now, if ya'll want a real challenge, take Aladar's Huey for a ride. Nice reasonable download, works well as a beta and if I ever figure out how to keep it in the air, I bet it's really fun to fly too. Totally different flying than any fixed wing aircraft. IP: Logged
Loco Pilot	posted 06-19- 03:36 PM 3dp, A lot of people are asking about a lot of different things that can be improved in SDOE. what's the "size" of SDOE problem everyone's talking about? Is the same to offline - you need download a big PlanePack and if you don´t have a fast connection you are in trouble. But when you are online in a mission you don´t have problems with the size of PPs. Some people want smaller planepacks, like one to PTO, one to ETO, etc. or other solutions. Well, other problem is that with the new patch and new planepack some planes are flying a bit different of old patch\planepacks. This is another "new problem" that needs be solved, and I´m sure It´ll be. For who is used with big downloads in Warbirds or AirWarrior, this isn´t a big problem, considering that you have a big time between planepacks updates. But is SDOE all day we see a new improvement and hope to see it in planepacks quickly, so we have problems again. It´s because this that SDOE is so fun to me. This community can improve It as much we could, but of course this needs hard work, team work and pacience from everybody. Warbirds/Air Warrior is being improved for big companies for years and SDOE is being improved mainly for the community during 2 years and all of job done are great. Loco [This message has been edited by Loco (edited 06-19-2001).] IP: Logged
Pye Pilot	posted 06-19- 08:16 PM Do it,,, backup your Offline Aircraft folder. And goto the getting started section , recently updated oat fs central http://fscentral.50megs.com/ oh and here! http://www.esox.net/fc/tournament/ [This message has been edited by Pye (edited 06-19-2001).] IP: Logged
nealg Pilot	posted 06-20- 03:19 AM 3dp - Not sure there is a simple way to put it. Size - somewhat misleading. What it is, is the complexity. If you only fly offline, you never experience it - or, eventually, you do hit the 'limit', as there seems to be a point in SDOE where sudden strange things occur that never happened before, and it may ( stress, 'may' ) be related to the number of files in the Aircraft folder, or elsewhere ( like missions ). Online, the sim has a 'cheat' checker. Basically, it checks that everyone has the same plane 'version' ( very simplified, that). Individual plane files as you know go into the Aircraft folder; basic plane files in the same format are in par files. The sim will default to the plane used in the par file unless one has a folder for this plane in the Aircraft folder; thus, you can have personalized 'skins' or sounds. Updates, or fixes, to certain planes are sometimes released, and these will go into one's Aircraft folder. Offline, that is fine. Online, though, you may have one pilot using the standard 'plane pack' P51D, for instance, which is in a par file, but another player may have a beta 'fix' in his Aircraft folder (P51d.sm, for example) that the other doesn't have. When trying to set up a game, and trying to join a mission, a 'mismatch' will occur. It can be frustrating to determine the cause of the mismatch, unless everyone knows exactly what files they have active. The beta patch is much better at identifying this now. But, with a 'mismatch', one cannot fly in that game. But it can be frustrating, because it means having to learn the entire directory structure of SDOE, how the paths work, what the online checker is looking for ( basically, it boils down to .sm or .ppf files, but again, that is very simplified )...well, anyway, this is why the Plane Packs were conceived. A standard for online play. But in the confusion, many end up with different versions of the planes ( there are several out there ) and when online, get so confused and frustrated by the mismatches and downloads not yet made, that they just give up. The packs themselves, though, are large for those with less than cable/dsl connections, and many have created more than one SDOE install for flying on or off line. Thus, now size does enter into it. Having more than one Aircraft folder is also possible...again, though, how much space do some have? Obviously, I couldn't do a simple explanation, but I hope it makes some sense to ya. Now that I look it over, it makes none to me.. ------------------ nealg=FC= [This message has been edited by nealg (edited 06-20-2001).] [This message has been edited by nealg (edited 06-20-2001).] IP: Logged
3dp Pilot	posted 06-20- 10:02 AM Thanks to all for the explanations. They are greatly appreciated. To my mind, it seems like the two installs thing should be a standard. One for online play where ONLY the approved, tested online standard stuff is loaded (and maybe custom skins?), and another to do with as you please offline. It should be stated in the online standard that if you don't do this, on your head be it! Hell, I have two installs of my all time favorite, Digital Integration's TORNADO, because the user-made Winter add-on screws up the Desert Storm part of the game. I can't imagine disk space is a problem. I have a lowly 333MHz machine and a 20GB hard drive which is about as small as you can get them now, and they're dirt cheap (and I say that as an unemployed person!). Finally, as a 56K modem owner, I can't say I'm crazy about huge downloads, but I just treat them like I do Windows Update, I set them running and go to bed! Just lending an objective, offline eye! ------------------ Be seeing you, 3dp Visit RAF Harkness! [This message has been edited by 3dp (edited 06-20-2001).] IP: Logged
Psi Pilot	posted 06-20- 11:55 AM Great levelheaded response there Loco, totally out of character this week. "Well, other problem is that with the new patch and new planepack some planes are flying a bit different of old patch\planepacks. This is another "new problem" that needs be solved, and I´m sure It´ll be" Online testing continues concerning this matter Loco, and it's the usual team testing. Results pending. "It´s because this that SDOE is so fun to me. This community can improve It as much we could, but of course this needs hard work, team work and pacience from everybody" This is all good and it will help this sim to be even funner for all not just the computer techs. And your suggestion for patience from all I am totally behind. Thanks P IP: Logged

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