CrapGame

Incoming, No worries for you. I have a similar machine from them, and regularly play 5000 pt battles without a hitch. It does take a little bit of time to process the turns, though. ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

Schrullenhaft, Thanks mate. The machine in question is my desktop at work, which is a hodgepodge of parts purchased at PC expos and put together by a friend of our IT department head, who probably gets a nice kickback in return for sending him the business. It's basically a lot of junk, with a PIII 800 in it. Thanks for the tip, I'll try it tomorrow at work. ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

Well, I am able to play in the 640X480 software mode, which is better than nothing, but is very grainy and blocky. The small 300-700 point battles are still fun, however. Any ideas on things to try?

Gentlemen, thanks for the quick reply. As you stated, the Dxdiag says I have DX7.1 running. It appears to have drivers dated 6/8/2000. The card is a Trident Blade 3D, which is a 4MB card, and I can't tell what the driver is. Any ideas as to where to go from here? Thanks ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

Is there any way to tell if DirectX is installed on a machine? I am attempting to load CM onto my PC at work, which runs Windows ME. Everything seems to be ok until the battlefield is shown, which then turns the entire screen white? DirectX seems to have been a culprit quite often in this area, so can anyone help me here? Thanks ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

I actually had some Dalwhinnie this weekend. Very light. It seemed to me to that the flavor was intentionally kept light to maximize its smoothness. It was a keeper though, as the flavor it had was good. Recommended for Scotch novices.

I would disagree with Jeff on the issue of, "Dell is too big, to name-brand, too expensive..." in relation to Gateway. I believe their machines are fairly comparable in performance, but if you price out identically equipped machines on both sites, you will see the Dell is cheaper (not by a lot), and that is before Gateway charges you sales tax on the entire cost of the machine (say 7% of $2,000 pc is $140 tax), whereas Dell charges sales tax only on the service contract portion of your purchase (7% of $99 is under $7). Check this out for yourself. When I was shopping for my first PC, the sales tax issue made the difference. Good Luck

While at my parents over the Thanksgiving holiday, I had the opportunity to try Glenfiddich "Special Reserve". Let me tell you, it was not a "Special" moment. I think I will reserve the rest of it for the drain in the kitchen sink. It was very clear in color, and the aroma and taste reminded me strongly of poor quality tequila - like the $4 a bottle stuff my roommate would drink in college. I would avoid this if you can. ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

That Semples looks like something that the A-Team would throw together out of a forklift, some scrapmetal and a roll of duct tape. All it is missing is the flamethrower made out of the gas tank from the barbeque pit and the piece of used garden hose. ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

Olle, I like the fact that the QB generator scales the map size to the number of points selected. The maps with 5000 point battles are rather large, and it is sometimes difficult to track all the different skirmishes that are going on simultaneously all over the map. However, I would like to have the ability to play larger battles. Up to how many points? I really don't know. But my PC has the horsepower to run larger battles, and I would like the opportunity to play those maps. ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

BTS, thanks for the update. It's too bad that the news is not what we wanted to hear, but I am glad you are willing to delay things until they are done right. In this era of vaporware and patches being released before a program hits the shelves, I must say that I have grown to appreciate that a great deal. Thanks again. ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

I had just finished reading the fantastic review of CM in the issue of Computer Games that came in my mail last night, and decided to see what I had missed on the board in the last 24 hours. It appears that I have missed the equivalent of the discovery of electricity! Thanks BTS. I can't wait to try this one out! ------------------ CrapGame Buying CM for yourself is like giving lingerie to your significant other. It's the gift that keeps on giving back!

Yeah, I've noticed that Jumbos have a propensity for flaking armor. Is their armor inherently flawed? ------------------ CrapGame

The quantity of alcohol has dropped considerably, but the cost has gone through the roof as a rocks glass of Lagavulin is a hell of a lot more expensive than a 6-pack of Bud Light. ------------------ CrapGame

Guy, Read the thread created by Pillar. It's got a few good ideas that will definitely help you out. ------------------ CrapGame

Pillar, This is a really good thread. There are some helpful ideas in a number of the posts. It should be part of a "required reading" list for any newbies to the forum. ------------------ CrapGame

Guy, Here's a start. When closing with tanks, you can't bull rush straight ahead without expecting to lose a few on the way. To combat this, try to use natural terrain obstacles, or smoke to ruin the enemy Line of Sight (LOS). But turret speed is a true way to use the American turret speed advantage. When moving soldiers, you must know which of the movement types to use in certain situations. For example, Run causes them to move as quickly as possible, not utilizing the natural cover that is available. Crawl is a very slow and very stealthy way to move. When using the sneak command, your men will not fire until they are fired upon. This is sometimes a problem if they stunble upon a hidden SMG squad. Try to use the search tool to add to my brief discussion. Also read all the posts in the tips and techniques folder. You can also check the Wild Bills Raiders Sight, and the CMHQ sight, and read all their tactics articles. Lastly,Practice.Practice.Practice. When you have finished that, Practice some more. Hope this helps. ------------------ CrapGame

That is hilarious! Thanks for the laughs. ------------------ CrapGame

Happy Birthday Matt! - And, by the way, your cover as a WebMaster is blown. We all know you really are Albert from the WWF tag team T&A. Your picture on the main page of the CMHQ Annex is all the evidence we need. At least you'll get to celebrate your birthday with Trish! ------------------ CrapGame

I believe a lot of people are having pretty good success with any of the GeForce 2 offerings. I have a 32Mb GTS (which is great!), any I have read many people here are really enjoying the GeForce 2 MX version, which is a little cheaper. ------------------ CrapGame

mikeadams said: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Whether the results are intentional from BTS or not, I realy don't have a problem with the computer picks. My thought is that in 'real' life a commander can't choose which forces will be at his disposal. In the game I know this is a battle with certain characteristics in terms of the opponent, terrain and weather, so I can artificially give myself an advantage my hand-picking units (i.e. mortatrs are not much use at night since by the time you can see the enemy he is closer than the minimum range). In reality you have to make do with what you have: if that means facing armor with no long-range AT, then you have to deal with it. I actually find this makes for a more interesting challenge<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I agree completely. Last night I played a 1500 pt qb meeting engagement against the AI, both combined arms. I was axis, and for a change of pace (as I usually like a Panther or two) used up my armor points on three PzIVJ's. Boy was I surprised as I stumbled into a Challenger, a Daimler AC, and two Churchill VIII's that WOULD NOT DIE! I really think the randomness adds to the appeal of CM as you really can't rely on the same old strategy for every time you fire it up. I really enjoy that aspect. ------------------ CrapGame

Tiger, Only 21 points. Thanks for the information. I must agree with your Paper-Tiger argument. I didn't even think about the fact that nobody argues about the numerical superiority of Regular troops versus Veteran or Crack, etc. Chup, You're point is well made. My argument for enabling it in the qb screen is twofold: First, this would introduce a kind of bias on my part, as no matter how much I can say I wouldn't, there would be some form of bias introduced vis-a-vis which units got to be green, which regular, etc. I feel this would tilt the battle somewhat, as I could ensure the security platoon was conscript, and the Airborne platoon was elite, or make the Puppchen green so I can have the Elite Tiger. Second (and I am speculating here, as I don't know how to use the editor), but if you open a battle in the editor, does it show you the selected forces for both sides? Not only would this spoil the surprise of not knowing what you were going to be facing, but wouldn't this also introduce the "selection bias" on the player's part for what AI forces would be chosen to be green, veteran, etc.? (i.e. I'll give the AI an elite Hotchkiss and a conscript Panther, etc.) I also am looking forward to CM2 (and wouldn't want to delay it), but on the possibility that this is fairly simple to implement, it would be a very welcome addition to the upcoming TCP/IP patch. ------------------ CrapGame

Jeff, You might be right, but I would have put money on that not happening to me in armored battles before. I have noticed the unusual penchant for the computer to pick roadblocks and minefields. But, anyway, on the bright side, I learned a little bit about what not to do when faced with an overwhelming enemy armored force. ------------------ CrapGame

Jeff, I used to think the same thing. I say "used to" because Monday night I decided to play a 500 point "Armored" qb with me as the allies and the AI as Axis. April 45, small map, day, overcast, small hills, moderate trees with Axis as attacker and computer force selection for the Axis. I picked a sherman 76, two M8 HMCs, a bazooka, 2 .30 cals, a mortar and 1 platoon of infantry. When I saw what I was facing, I couldn't believe it. The computer had picked: two JpzIV 70's, two mkIVH's, one hetzer, a 250/8 halftrack, and a StuGIIIG. They killed my forces so fast, I never got to see if there was any infantry in the axis force. My bazooka KO'd the StuGIII, the JPZ's killed my Sherman and the m8's, and then the PZIV's stood off and decimated my hidden infantry. I couldn't believe it. It still seems to me that they had way more points than an attack scenario would give. Never again will I assume that the AI will have a low-AT capability infantry heavy force. ------------------ CrapGame

Germanboy said: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> On the topic, I guess it is one of these nice-to-have things, and anything adding more uncertainties/flexibility to QBs is good in my book. At the same time, it definitely is not high-priority to me.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I believe Andreas sums it up in a nutshell. Nobody who mentioned that they like this option are clamoring about using "gamey" tactics. Wilhammer, you said: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I see one problem with this, and it is gamey/quasi-historical - cannon fodder. I would like to buy a company of green for dirt cheap to run out as a skirmishing screen to locate the enemy and then take my veterans to eliminate the critical positions.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think this is not an issue if you have picked your PBEM partner wisely. You can tell much about how a person will play by reading their responses in the various "gamey" threads. Additionally, if you can do it, than so can your opponent. You also said: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>You think mad jeep rushes are a problem? Imagine a cloud of green volksgrenadiers backed up by veteran SS in every QB. Worse, imagine clouds of green Hotchkiss tanks backed up by veteran Tigers.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> First of all, I could imagine this cloud of green volksgrenadiers being decimated by a hail of artillery and routing off the map without firing a shot. Green hotchkiss tanks die faster than the Veteran ones, (to quote another member of the forum), which already die like the redshirts on Star Trek. My question here is (and this is not hypothetical)- How much cheaper is a Green platoon of Volksgrenadiers than a Regular platoon? I am at work, and don't have the answer at my disposal. For arguments sake, let's postulate the difference at roughly 30 points between the two units. That's enough of a difference to buy what, one HMG-42? So in a 1000 point battle where you have three +/- platoons of infantry plus a few AFV's & support units, with this new option you have chosen three platoons of green infantry for the benefit of an extra 3 HMG's. That number of points wouldn't even buy you an additional platoon of infantry. If this is a reasonable estimation, which I believe it is, then I'd like to be the opponent facing the green platoons in that scenario. My point is that having this option available does not suddenly make a player use "gamey" tactics. "Gamey" players already use and will continue to use "gamey" tactics whether or not this option is made available. I find it clear that the benefit of increased variety in qb's outweighs any risk of abusive and "gamey" play in the game. ------------------ CrapGame [This message has been edited by CrapGame (edited 10-18-2000).]