Joe Shaw

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>However, it still remains the only major flaw in the game. No one can argue about that. Realistically, it is a horrible problem...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Bet me, hell I can argue about anything. Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but frankly I don't see it as either a "major flaw" or a "horrible problem". At worst it's a minor flaw in the search for perfect accuracy, which of course will never be realized. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Lorak, and they say no one remembers Tonia Harding anymore Matt, dumb question, I presume that my using any of the graphics or sound mods will not affect compatibility with others who don't use the same mods in a PBEM game? Thanks, Joe BTW, I'm VERY impressed with the new graphics, what a great job. [This message has been edited by Joe Shaw (edited 06-11-2000).]

Eathan, classic, just classic. Tears running down my face. Don't you just know it would be hell to get one of them suckers up on blocks though? Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Rob1, chill dude, it was funny and until the game hits our doorstep we've covered just about everything that can be covered. And Marty, the correct designation for #12 should be "The Monitor and the Virginia" ... just thought I'd get THAT little controversy stirred up again Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Despite what I recently read in one or another of the threads, there are times when apologies are necessary. In my less than epic poem, "Twas the Night of Delivery", I used a fictional opponent by the name of Iggi. Imagine my dismay when I glanced at another thread and saw that there was a player by that name! I'd like to make it clear that (a) I have never played Iggi at any time and ( I have no idea whether he's a dick or not Sorry 'bout that, but at least you know that your alias stuck in my mind. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Thanks guys, glad you liked it. MantaRay, be my guest, thanks for asking Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Wine, Danno? In Salt Lake? YES, another heathen, there is a God! Or is that kinda like an oxymoron? Joe BTW, when's the first meeting of the Utah Chapter of CM? I want to be Treasurer ... have I mentioned the dues? ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

I dont' know about you guys, but when CM finally shows up ... it'll be like ... Christmas. Twas the Night of Delivery by Joe Shaw ‘Twas the night of delivery, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, ‘cept his trusty mouse. His wife had departed, with a steely cold glare, Said she’d be at her mother's, like he’d really care. The game had arrived, via afternoon mail, He tore up the wrapping, with tooth and with nail. He lunged to computer, popped in the disc, And started installing, with a flick of the wrist. Now ten hours later, ‘twas awfully late, But he hadn’t determined, that damned Stuart’s fate. He had twelve games in email, three ICQ, A scenario brewing, he called “M4 Et Tu.” The manual was read, by monitor’s glare, To miss out on the action, he just couldn’t dare. And as he perused, the wisdom writ there, He mumbled and babbled, gripped by software. “On Panther, on Tiger, on Sturmgeshutz III, On Puma, On Hetzer, and Panzer VI Ausf. B, Panzerfausts, Mausers and MG42, Surely will save me, from this terrible stew.” His ISP chimed, his email he clicked, A turn there from Iggi, the guy was a dick. He fired up the program, and ran through the turn, OH NO, yet another, of his Panzers did burn. His eyes welled with tears, his sobs choked his chest, Despite all his faults, Iggi’s luck was the best. But wait, ‘twas a chance, and he took it with glee, His airstrikes surely, would make Iggi flee. And so through the night, he plotted away, In the hands of BTS, he was nought but clay. Stephen, and Charles, with unbridled ambition, Created this evil, called ... Combat Mission. Merry Christmas Joe

BTW Rommel, you might be careful who you call a schmuck, (and yes, I know, you didn't actually call him one) the Yiddish term is defined as ... "asshole" I'd been calling people that for years 'till I found out Joe

OK Rommel, let's take a good look at your "source." The following are direct quotes from the web page you used for your facts: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>The whole page began long ago when I wanted a homepage for the "Porcupine Gang". The PG did exist about ten years ago, but it's extinct for at least eight. Nevertheless, in my hobby as author it appears again and again so often that I thought it should have its own homepage as well. And why not? Then, rather spontaneously, I wrote a long long essay on Panzer General 2, with complete solutions to win every battle, and published it on the net.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>About myself, finally. Despite the fact that I often refer to 'us' and the "Waffenkammer Team" there is actually only one person running the Waffenkammer - me.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>My name is Andreas Seidel, I live near Bonn in Germany, was born in Heidelberg and have travelled rather a lot.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Now don't get me wrong, this guy is probably a hell of nice guy and probably knows a thing or three, but who is he? We have no idea of his credentials or background or, more importantly, his prejudices and motives. And trust me, a guy who touts his expertise at Panzer General 2 isn't going to get a lot of respect on THIS board ... despite the fact that we've probably all played and enjoyed PG. So here's the point, by all means read and explore all facets of an issue, but don't take it at face value, especially if it sounds too far off base and especially if it's on the web. Hell Rommel, I could publish a page with all kinds of "facts" and no one could say me nay. Joe

Yeah, the name of the magazine was Strategy and Tactics and it had a lot of very innovative and interesting games ... one I recall clearly was "Up Against the Wall, Motherf*****!" It was a game about the Chicago Democratic Convention riots in 1968. Sniper was interesting, though the LOS got a little weird with the trapazoidal buildings forced on them by the hexgrid. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>All that stuff is facts. Even if some of the things is somewhat true, you have to admit, pretty good stuff. Most people don't know all this. You sound offended by these facts. The Isrealy Air Force and military is one of the best trained in the world, better trained that the U.S military. Their Air Force I would consider best trained in the world.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> {sigh} Rommel, merely stating that something is a "fact" doesn't make it so. Even evidence that something is a "fact" isn't definitive, because evidence is dependent upon who presents it and what other evidence is taken into account. While a lot of your stuff is interesting (although the WW2 stuff is fairly well known, if exagerrated), much of it is based upon hearsay and rumor. Provide some authorities who's data can be checked or you'll continue to have people think you're making it up. BTW, I agree that the IAF is very good, but let's be reasonable ... 40:1 win ratios? Please. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>This board and the AAR's sold me. Man am I easy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Nah, we don't think you're cheap or easy ... inexpensive and user friendly maybe Actually you're very perceptive, this board wouldn't be as loaded with good comments as it is if the game weren't any good. I'm in the middle of a PBEM game right now in which I had plotted a move for my Sherman along some sloping terrain that was designed to give it a good shot. Imagine my surprise and shock when it started slipping backwards ... and still managed to get a shot off! It missed of course , but it's that kind of detail that makes this such a great game. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

I think he's trying to break the good Capt.'s record of fastest man to Member status Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>(As an example of true blind luck, I could mention that a couple of days after that one Finnish 37mm AT gun managed to destroy a KV-1 from _front_. First shot hit the bow MG mount and knocked it loose. The second shot entered the same hole and blew up the ammo of the tank.)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Two things come to mind immmediately: 1) What size cojones does it take to stand up to a KV-1, frontally, with a crummy 37mm AT gun, AND take two shots at it? 2) How can I get that same gun and crew and ... let me make this perfectly clear ... their luck, for my games in CM? BTW, are there any plans for including the Finns in either CM2 (East Front) or CM4 (Early War, I think it's CM4)? Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>On the day the game ships, we'll post a v1.01 patch for free download.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> {sigh} Charles let me explain how this is SUPPOSED to work, since you and Steve obviously haven't a clue. First ... WAIT TILL THE GAME IS OUT THERE! Second: Ignore any and all posts regarding reported bugs, refer all questions to a mythical "support" team that (a) is ignorant of the game entirely and ( only works on alternate Thurdays between the hours of 2 AM and 4 AM, local time where ever the user is. Third: After a couple of months of this, grudgingly admit that a bug has been located but blame it on the CD press. Tell everyone that a fix is "on the way". Fourth: After another couple of months actually release the patch on some obscure site that used an old 286 with a 1200 baud modem ... oh and be sure the patch screws up something else in the process. Fifth: By this time you'll have skimmed all the real money and who cares after that. Don't make me have to explain this again. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

I agree, and I especially agree with your assessment of the "Greatest Generation". This has special meaning for me right now as I've just learned that my father in law passed on yesterday. He was, as most of his generation were, veterans of WW2. In his case he was with 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division and was among the first wave to hit the beaches at Saipan. Then he went on to build, from nothing but his good name, a very fine ranch and farm in Montana. Tom Brokaw has stated that we are losing this generation at the rate of 7000 a day. I've told my father in law, on numerous occasions, how proud I am of his service and how much it meant to me. I urge you all, if you see a veteran of that, or indeed of any, war, take a moment to just say thanks. Joe

And then there were the truly bizarre WW2 comics that even I, as a ten year old, couldn't quite believe. The ones where the Nazis created the three story robot who had 88's in his fingers and death ray eyes. They finally killed it by sneaking into an access cover (which, of coure, was clearly identified with a swastika), climbing up his legs and blowing up ... whatever. Or the two GI's (it was always two of them) who got flashed back into time to battle T-Rex's. OR ... sorry guys, I'm in full blown nostalgia mode here ... the ones where the artwork didn't quite match the story ... you had some rugged 2nd Lt. who had this big smile on his face saying something like "It's a real shame we lost half the platoon on that attack." But I think you're right Lorak, the roots of my wargaming addiction can probably be traced to those comics. Let's face it, we were the only kids on the block who could tell the difference between a 109 and and 190 ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Sorry double post. [This message has been edited by Joe Shaw (edited 06-01-2000).]

Oh wow Babra, the Haunted Tank? If you're old enough to remember that Stuart that was haunted by the ghost of JEB himself you're old enough to remember ... ta da ... Sgt. Rock of Easy Company "It's never easy in Easy Company." From which I learned my store of German ... "Das Amerikaners ist Kaput!" ... and the knowledge that an ordinary hand grenade tossed onto the deck of a buttoned up Tiger could blow the turret off the tank. And how about Sgt. Fury and the Howling Commandos? Ah, those were the days. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

GTP

Sounds like a good idea to me, Wako. I'd like to know what's going to be available. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Man are we desperate or what Joe (2:45 PM, Wednesday) ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

Nope, no pictures ... good story though. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson

We are all so very, very mature aren't we? We sit at our keyboards and type about various and sundry, chatting with friends and regaling the board with tales of our exploits and failures. Why you can almost smell the pipe tobacco as we calmly ruminate upon the merits of the Panther or the Firefly. We seem to check the board regularly, perhaps even often, but only because we wish to keep up to date on the exploits of OBG or Mr. Peng. Surely nothing is pressing, nothing can disturb the calm tranquility of the scene ... {blissful sigh} ... BUT DEEP DOWN INSIDE WE'RE ALL SCREAMING ... WHERE THE HELL'S THE DAMN GAME! GIMME AN UPDATE, ARE THE CD'S IN? IS THE MANUAL IN? HAVE YOU CHARGED THE CARDS? WHEN'S IT GONNA BE AT MY DOOR? I WANT IT NOW DAMNIT NOW YOU HEAR ME NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW! There I feel ... better now. Thanks for letting me share. Joe ------------------ "I don't want them brave, I want them dead!" Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson