RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 12:59:15 AM

MarkShot

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Seemingly the many varied options for Order Delays at Scenario Start only apply to Scenario Start. Reinforcement delays behave exactly as they did in prior to BFTB.

Note that this can make reinforcement units SUPER-UBER-DUPER valuable for recon if you are trapped in one of those 800% Order Delay for 12 hour startup situations.

Folks,

Upon raising this matter in the Beta Forum, Dave just squashed this. There will be no big advantage for reinforcements in terms of delays. If they arrive in the initial delay window, they will be impacted by it as opposed to getting a free pass. Also, the delay for those arriving after the initial window will increase gradually over the hour following their arrival.

Now, can you image any software development company being more responsive than this? I mean what do you think would happen if I emailed MSFT and said I really don't like that Win7 handles multi-core load balancing no better than XP or Vista? :)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 1:02:58 AM

James Sterrett

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Ah -- OK, I found that capability in Print, but it doesn't seem to exist for the PDF plug-in.

Or I can't find the option, at any rate.

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Post #: 122

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 1:04:53 AM

MarkShot

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Well, I just emailed you the file. See if you can set it in print and use it with the PDF driver.

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Post #: 123

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 1:07:03 AM

MarkShot

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There is an option in MS Word (using Word 2000) for two pages per sheet. See FILE|PAGE SETUP. Try that.

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Post #: 124

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 1:22:52 AM

James Sterrett

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That didn't work, but it got me thinking about putting it all in two columns with a small font -- victory! One page.

(I'll let Mark put it up so he can check I actually did what he wanted....)

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Post #: 125

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 1:35:40 AM

Tzar007

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I usually only keep 2 or 3 batteries under my direct command, and it's true that I Usually use normal or slow ROF. I keep rapid only for those very critical situations. That could explain why I don't recall having one of my arty units totally exhausted.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Ugo,

Did you have those units individually under your direct command and calling in your own fire missions with ROF=HIGH? I know I burned out my arty unit quite a few times. They were exhausted senseless.

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Post #: 126

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 1:50:46 AM

MarkShot

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Folks,

We have our first really cool one page BFTB Keyboard/Mouse Reference!!! Now, if Dave would just complete the game. :)

Last time I did this, since the manual didn't have one and Matrix made a PDF Reference Card, but it had this heavy dark blue background and although pretty was not what you would call B/W printer friendly. (Sorry Marc)

Of course, I would like to upload it, but this forum does not accept PDF attachments. But I will see that it is available when BFTB goes on sale.

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Post #: 127

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 2:04:02 AM

GoodGuy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Of course, I would like to upload it, but this forum does not accept PDF attachments. But I will see that it is available when BFTB goes on sale.

darn BB board

I could host the file on my webspace

< Message edited by GoodGuy -- 5/20/2009 2:11:53 AM >

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Post #: 128

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 2:10:39 AM

MarkShot

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Actually, I thought of changing it to TXT, since a JPG is more likely to be checkable for proper integrity structure especially after hackers starting implementing buffer overflows with JPGs and GIFs.

Well, rename the attached TXT to PDF and you got it. :)

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 129

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 2:17:46 AM

GoodGuy

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Nevermind, works, i thought the BB wouldn't let me save the txt-file.

Thanks Mark.

< Message edited by GoodGuy -- 5/20/2009 2:26:41 AM >

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Post #: 130

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 2:46:16 AM

GoodGuy

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Ooook.

@DAVE: Looking at the reference card reminds me of a question I had asked some time last year: I asked whether it would be possible to have 2 keys assigned to ZOOM IN and ZOOM, and you replied that it wouldn't be possible as the keyboard would be fully used already... so basically you said if I'd come up with a possible key you'd think about adding it.

I made that request because my Laptops don't have wheels I could use to zoom the maps, so i have to go through the cumbersome process of using the PLUS/MINUS buttons in the game's GUI - each time i want to zoom in/out.

I'd play HTTR/COTA on my laptop too - while traveling -, otherwise. Also, I'm currently using a pretty oldschool (but very accurate) Logitech (Wingman) 3-Button-Mouse, which doesn't have a wheel.

The BFTB ref card indicates that the keys F8 - F12 are not assigned yet, right? What about using F12 for zoom in and F11 for zoom out, for example?

_____________________________

"Aw Nuts"
General Anthony McAuliffe
December 22nd, 1944
Bastogne
---
"I've always felt that the AA (Alied Assault engine) had the potential to be [....] big."
Tim Stone
8th of August, 2006

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Post #: 131

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 2:50:51 AM

MarkShot

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I think you are missing from the RDOA days that ALT-LCLICK and ALT-RCLICK handle the zoom. However, I thought everyone stopped using them, since most people have wheels.

I just tested and the work fine in BFTB. Problem solved. :)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:10:54 AM

GoodGuy

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Ha, interesting. I didn't have a "Wheel-less" mouse until last year, so i didn't even think about checking the manual to see if there is a key for that.

Cool, problem solved for my PC, but it's still an issue on my laptops, as I have to use the touchpad to move the mouse pointer (with the pointer finger), then I have to use the right touchpad (mouse) button to move the map, erm with my ring finger i guess, and use my left hand to press the ALT key, so you might understand that this has potential to let users end up with a tenosynovitis when using laptops + touchpads

.

So F11 + F12 to zoom would help here :).

_____________________________

"Aw Nuts"
General Anthony McAuliffe
December 22nd, 1944
Bastogne
---
"I've always felt that the AA (Alied Assault engine) had the potential to be [....] big."
Tim Stone
8th of August, 2006

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Post #: 133

RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:15:50 AM

MarkShot

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Oh, I am sure that you must be able to find some software to remap some keys while playing a game.

I am going to google right now.

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:20:48 AM

Arjuna

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Goodguy,

And there I was thinking of allocating those spare function keys to something else just this morning...

I'll review in a week and see what we can do. It's getting rather tight for time at the moment. Some guy named Mark keeps hassling me to finish the game, while at the same time bombarding me with things that must be done before it can be released. Some people, hey!

TT3818 - UI - Zoomer - Provide alternate keyboard shortcut for ZoomIn and ZoomOut eg F11 and F12

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:22:13 AM

MarkShot

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http://www.g-hotkey.com/

No a free download. Looks like a Swiss Army Knife for gamers.

In fact, I might just be using this if I didn't have G-15 programmable gaming keyboard.

Problem solved. :)

Dave has got to get BFTB done! (I heard on the Beta forums today that he has been losing weight. You don't want the man to waste away, do you?)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:22:41 AM

GoodGuy

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Mark, it's about reducing the clickology, not about remapping. A click while holding a button is less convenient than just pressing ONE button (or operating a mouse wheel... IF you have one

), see?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

And there I was thinking of allocating those spare function keys to something else just this morning...

I'll review in a week and see what we can do.

Uh, sorry..

Thanks in advance !

< Message edited by GoodGuy -- 5/20/2009 3:23:43 AM >

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:23:36 AM

MarkShot

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Yes, but the difference is that this is a fix for a very special case whereas I am hammering you on behalf of everyone. You must think of the greater good.

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:27:10 AM

GoodGuy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Yes, but the difference is that this is a fix for a very special case whereas I am hammering you on behalf of everyone.

Oh, I didn't mean to be selfish there

. I had laptop users (like me) in mind.

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:28:48 AM

MarkShot

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Yes, but this G-Hot-Key does macros. Why don't you, at least, check if it will simulate mouse events along with keystrokes? If it does, you are home free and Dave gets to work on BFTB and save those precious keys for whatever.

I just checked that this >>> FREE <<< program handles mouse events.

You not going to want me to actually program the macros for you are you, are you? I mean that would be embarrassing as I thought you were an engineer. j/k

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/20/2009 3:31:28 AM

MarkShot

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Finally, an added benefit. Once you get G-Hot-Key working ... it will work for HTTR and COTA too. Dave can only fix BFTB for you now no matter what he does. (logic is on my side here) :)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 5/25/2009 2:57:58 AM

MarkShot

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This response is in regards to issues that some have with reading the maps in the series.

I think the points made that CmdOps is sort of an interesting hybrid of a colored topo approach, but not a traditional topo map are valid. Not traditional, since there are no topo lines and colors are also used to indicate terrain features.

So, if you simply try to read the map purely based on shading, you can run into trouble. Additionally, right clicking everywhere is tedious. However, there are two very simply ways to get some very good lay of the land. There are the LOS tool and the LOS area tool. These should really help you determine whatever you need to know. Additionally, they do take into consideration atomospherics I believe. So, they are in some ways even more useful than a straight topo map. (Remember the LOS tools in CmdOps unlike the CM series are from point to point as opposed to unit to point.)

Also, the LOS tool generates a handly cross sectional view of the intervening terrain elevations.

Granted various map overlays might make life easier, but the LOS tools are sufficiently easy to use that this should not really impede play.

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 6/9/2009 9:37:49 PM

MarkShot

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Sometimes as a Beta, you just get the feeling that time is flying by!

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 6/9/2009 9:38:40 PM

MarkShot

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4.0.210

Attachment (1)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 6/9/2009 9:39:55 PM

MarkShot

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4.0.211

Attachment (1)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 6/9/2009 9:43:03 PM

MarkShot

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Well, I hope to start mixing it up this week and be able to put together some AAR material for you folks. Perhaps, if I am lucky, a tip or two which has not previously appeared in the HTTR or COTA Mini-Guides might occur to me. (Then, I can start collecting them for presentation following the AAR.)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 6/10/2009 1:30:06 AM

Arjuna

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Please be aware Mark that I have yet to finish the:

Rest at Night code ( in so far as getting forces to moderate it if behind schedule );
HQ Basing for non-attack tasks
Immediate commitment of reinforcements on arrival to side objectives

These will affect the play balance and how the game plays.

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 6/10/2009 1:34:57 AM

MarkShot

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Well, I can delay the AAR just as long as you don't tell these guys where I live, Dave! :)

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 6/10/2009 1:38:13 AM

Arjuna

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quote:

Damm that database entry for Mark has been deleted. I'm sorry but I can't help you with Mark's address.

Is that what you had in mind, Mark?

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RE: BFTB (Mini-Guide): Material TBD - 7/15/2009 12:20:04 PM

JudgeDredd

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

This response is in regards to issues that some have with reading the maps in the series.

I think the points made that CmdOps is sort of an interesting hybrid of a colored topo approach, but not a traditional topo map are valid. Not traditional, since there are no topo lines and colors are also used to indicate terrain features.

So, if you simply try to read the map purely based on shading, you can run into trouble. Additionally, right clicking everywhere is tedious. However, there are two very simply ways to get some very good lay of the land. There are the LOS tool and the LOS area tool. These should really help you determine whatever you need to know. Additionally, they do take into consideration atomospherics I believe. So, they are in some ways even more useful than a straight topo map. (Remember the LOS tools in CmdOps unlike the CM series are from point to point as opposed to unit to point.)

Also, the LOS tool generates a handly cross sectional view of the intervening terrain elevations.

Granted various map overlays might make life easier, but the LOS tools are sufficiently easy to use that this should not really impede play.

I in fact had a hand in suggesting (way back when for COTA) the Area LOS tool - however, it is still hard work trying to find somewhere to put your AT gun to cover the approaches - it's one of the PITAs of the engine at present for me. It is simply too painful to place a unit...I click pretty much everywhere on the map trying to find the best place to stick a unit - whether that be for long range, or a short "ambush" range...it's one of those "micro management" features I think could do with removing imo.

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