TeAcH

*bump* for anyone still using the old version.

Thanks. Okay, we will try to add that option to the InstallShield program; the ability to choose the install path. And I'm glad you find the program beneficial. Yeah, there are quite a few ways to randomize the endings and during a previous discussion on this awhile back, there were some good ideas. The BER was the only way we could do it on our own, obviously, since we can't and didn't want to intergrate with the CM files. Thanks for the comment. Let us know if you all have any others. Regards, TeAcH

I'd like to ask anyone else out there that is using the BER for any comments you have on it. We want to get the next build out of the door and online so any problems or suggestions that you have, we'd like to hear them to consider them for this next and possibly final build. Otherwise, the BER will be baked and completed soon. Also, if any CM site operators feel so inclined to add a link to the BER or have the file available for DL, we'd appreciate it. I hope you all find it useful. Regards, TeAcH

Hey Lt Bull! I got Teddy Roosevelt too! I consider it an excellent compliment. Im happy. TeAcH

Hmm...I see, well, it is meant to be funny since fat ole Rosie likes to use her celebrity to further her personal agenda. I say "Rosie...shaddup and make people laugh thats it". So, the comment is meant to be funny. I dont care what you believe and drawing a comparison to your example about beating children is laughable at best. So, spanking is child abuse? Amazing. How you see it that way boggles my mind. Please Max, leave the moderating to the moderators and don't be so sensitive. I'd like to talk about the BER and you and I can discuss this in email. Now, back to the BER. Bradley and I are finalizing the latest build. I'll let you know when it is available. Regards, TeAcH [ 06-23-2001: Message edited by: TeAcH ]

maxm2: not sure I follow you. GenSplatton: Why thanks! That was a very kind compliment. We truly appreciate it. BER was a lot of work but it makes it worthwhile when we hear comments like yours. Take care. TeAcH [ 06-20-2001: Message edited by: TeAcH ]

It fixes a security issue in secure mode. make sure you and your opponent are both using BER v1.5 b22. A newer release is forthcoming but rest assured, any security issues have been dealt with. Thanks, TeAcH

Okay BER build 22 is out and those security issues are fixed! Make sure you and your opponent are both using build 22!! We will release a newer version soon but in the meantime, use build 22 and the security issue is resolved. TeAcH

Chuckle, Thanks! Yes. Good find on the bug! We will fix it pronto! Okay lads, there is a security issue with 1.5 build 18 in secure mode. I won't say where it is, but there is one and that is not cool. In our haste to get this out, this got by us. It is not easily exploited but we want you all to have confidence in the program. That is very important to us. We will fix it right away!!!! Like right now and post tonight barring any complications. As far as your first words about the changing the comments in the BER to say "This is the last turn", we see your point. Keep in mind that the whole purpose of the BER is to surprise the players on when the last turn arrives. This is done in order to prevent the flag rush. Given the limitations of the BER with respect to its inablilty to "interface" and "control" the CM game file, combined with the concern about turns that you state above, we do not recommend that anyone use a variance of +-1. If we changed the BER to say "This is the last turn" we give the players the ability to rush a flag down to the 60th second of the last turn. We dont want that. So (using your example) you check on turn 4, BER says go on. You do turn 4 and then go back to the BER on turn 5 and check. BER says go on. You have that last turn and that is it. Otherwise, you give the player notice at that time that he has a full two turns to use and we dont want that to happen. We want the BER to tell you on turn 5 either GAME OVER or PLAYS CONTINUES. That way, you get it as random as we can give it. Correct me if I am wrong. For now on, just factor that into your understading of the BER and your games and you'll be fine. Again, pose any suggestions to the contrary and we will look at them. Now then, are there any other comments good, bad, indifferent? We'd like to know. Thanks Wolfpack for the comment. Glad you like it! It kicks butt doesn't it? Changes things up for the better. Regards, TeAcH [ 06-20-2001: Message edited by: TeAcH ]

Now just hold up a second before you rush over and get it. Here is the deal. For those of you who have already downloaded the BER, just DL the BER.EXE file (500+ K only!!) and overwrite the old .exe file. When you run the BER next time you can right click on the title bar on the BER program window and click about to ensure you are using the latest build. Refer to the modification history on our BER site to keep track of the latest builds and features. Secure mode allows you to use the BER in all of your TCPIP and PBEM games where you can be assured no one is cheating. Secure mode requires passwords from each player before turn checks are made and the BER game file is encrypted. See the site for details. We are happy to have brought it to you, our CM friends. Use it and please tell us what you think, if you find a bug, or have a request. Thanks, TeAcH & BradleyH

Oh, I'm not disillusioned my fine-feathered friend. Not in the slightest. Your forces continually follow your orders to their deaths. You may be able to fool some to think you win, but you and I know the truth. I think that based on the the mere fact that you coded v1.5 after I told you more violence was in store for you on the CM battlefield indicates your fear of the TeAcH-meister's forces. Get some! Okay, enough of that. BradleyH and I are near release. We plan on releasing a smaller file to "patch" your current version with the new one so you won't have to DL the whole thing again. Hopefully sometime tomorrow or Wednesday it'll be done. I'll advise. Regards, TeAcH

Well here we are and still no version 1.5 with secure mode. Bradleyh and I are really sorry about that. Here is the scoop: It is ALMOST done. Just a few more hours worth and it'll be ready for release, Secure mode and more! Bradleyh, the code-monster that he is, is responsible for this final component and believe me, I have been raggin' his arse to wrap that part up. Instead of slaving away at his computer today for example, the guy goes whitewater rafting! Go figure. So, this is the deal: I would estimate that by the middle of this week, we can have it ready for DL. If not, there will be violence at Bradleyh's house and it won't be eminating from his computer monitor depicting his usual slaughter in a CM game versus myself and Jimmy4Eyes! (You reading this Brad? Gettin you fired up? Good ) We are very close to getting it done. Like I said, just a few more hours worth and BaDco will deliver to the world. Regards, TeAcH

Yeah. I totally agree. Pushing an otherwise good vehicle out of the muck seems plausible to me. I'd like to hear from anyone else who has had verifiable success at pushing a bogged vehicle. If this truly works, couldn't it also be fixed to allow a push of one that is stuck and undamaged? TeAcH [ 06-13-2001: Message edited by: TeAcH ]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> I have done this for real with an M35 truck; another M35 was stuck up to the axles in water and mud. Our attempts to use the winch to recover the vehicle failed, so my sergeant major ordered me to tap the other truck with ours. It worked like a charm. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> And I bet it only took a few minutes to dislodge the truck, clearly something that could happen in a multiturned game. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> The only problem i see with this is CM covers battlefeild actions. I doubt very much anyone was going to risk loseing 2 tanks & crews by attracting the fire of every OPFOR wpn in LOS when they notice whats going on <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Hmmm. I respectfully disagree. Certainly under fire you wouldn't want to risk something like that. But then again, you might. It depends. In a recent battle of mine, I had a mortar carrier stuck in the muck near my entry zone. The main body of my force moved on and I was bummed that I had to leave it behind. When reinforcements showed up, I had a few tanks back there, out of harm's way, that sure could have pulled, or pushed, that bad boy free - or at least made an attempt. You see, the thing is, it is realistic (or so I think) and CM is "realistic" or at least modelled that way. Therefore, it ought to be in. Regards, TeAcH

I don't know if this has been asked before but here goes: If a tank can push another destroyed/abandoned/knocked out vehicle out of its way when it needs to, how come that same tank can't collide with, and push a bogged and then immobilized vehicle out of a jam? I'm obviously not talking about those vehicles that are immobilized due to damage, but those that are stuck in the mud/snow etc. Here's an example: A halftrack gets bogged in wet ground then becomes immobilized. A medium tank in the area, is moved onto a collision course. When it collides (simulating a push) with the halftrack, the HT has a chance it will go back to bogged status. The tank also faces a very slight chance of getting bogged itself. Seems like a fair request, although I know efforts are underway to get CM2 ready, how about a consideration for a patch on this down the road if the idea is appealing. Thanks. I know, I know, shaddup and get back to work on the BER w/secure mode. Regards, TeAcH

Can I be stuck in a tank with Heather Graham too?!? I've got dibs!! TeAcH

Got your mail! Thanks!! TeAcH

bump

I just wanted to drop you all a note to let you know the status of version 1.5 of the BER, which includes Secure Mode. Bradleyh and I have been hard at work on this update and we think you all will be impressed. For those of you that are not aware of what the BER is, check out our webpage at www.badcoinc.com/ber or do a search for BER in this forum. Now for the release date. We feel we *should* be able to get it ready and available to download by this weekend. I'm gonna say Sunday if all goes well. Everything is coming along nicely and the secure mode, as we are designing it, rocks. It's use will require passwords from each player when the BER file is created and encrypted. Soon you can use the BER for your tournament games, pbem games, or whenever you want. I will post the release in a new forum post for all to see so those that are interested can DL it when they want to. We might release a smaller version at the same time for those that are just updating from the previous version saving you all the DL time. Also, a brief request: For any of you that have CM sites, would you consider posting the BER file and or a link to our site? We'd like to get the word out about the program to everyone who plays the game but doesn't visit this forum on a regular basis. Best Regards, TeAcH Special hello to Jimmy4Eyes! Sup?!

Don't know about the forum but this MOD is FREAKING cool. WAY WAY better than Counter Strike if you ask me. The MOD features a stamina and health meter. No more bunny hopping bozos like is CS. Hopping like a bunny on speed in DoD wears you out right quick. I LOVE this mod. TeAcH yeah yeah, I know, shut up and finish the secure mode Badco Endgame Randomizer. [ 06-05-2001: Message edited by: TeAcH ]

Just a quick note. Myself, BradleyH, and Jimmy4Eyes have all experienced this very annoying bug. I hope it gets located and exterminated whenever possible. TeAcH

Scooter - we always add an option to uninstall. There's an option with the BER via InstallShield. If there is a bug, we will fix it and release a new version/patch. Don't you worry about that. TeAcH

Well Argie, perhaps we will hold off then for now and devote our energies elsewhere. Good luck to you on the project. Let us know if you need some help. The next version of BER (with secure mode) is due out in a few days and after that, we got some programming to do for work. The Campaign Manager sounds like a fun project to work on. I can see it as also having a solo player mode where you could wage a campaign against the computer, having to deal with random events along the way. Regards, TeAcH TeAcH

(I posted this under the BER topic but wanted to bring it out to draw a little more attention to it and see what you all thought) Bradleyh and are contemplating designing a very cool and FREE utility for managing CM Mega Campaigns that will allow a "Game Master" to assign generals to both sides, track force compositions, generate QBs using those compositions, do random events (breakdowns, strafing attacks, partisans, sabotage, etc), weather and time of day calcs, handle supply issues, have large maps big enough to break up into CM sized battlefields as required, etc, etc, etc. In other words, you would gather up say a group of players who wanted to play a string of battles or operations, assign them to one side or the other and give them troops. The program would accept move orders from the "players" for their armies and then calculate and manage the data for you. Conflict/battle parameters would be provided by the program based on the troops present, surprise, weather, terrain, supply, morale, fatigue, location, objective and so on. It would then assist the GM in knowing what type of QB to create, how much and where to put the troops, and so on. The GM creates that QB file and notifies the combatants of the encounter. After the players fight it out, the results are entered back into the manager program and play resumes with whatever ragtag and battered bunch you have left (unless of course you get replacements and reinforcements). This would be a cool and easy way of engaging and managing multiple players in a dynamic CM roleplaying environment. I don't know. This would take some doing but we are up to it. Question though: What is the interest level? Anyone interested in this idea? Perhaps we should take a pass and spend the time with our families if only a few people are into the idea. Regards, TeAcH

Glad to help . I just talked to bradleyh on the phone and looks like we MAY be able to get it done FRI or SAT. Confidence is high, I repeat, confidence is high. Anyway, in a pinch, I suppose you could use the basic mode as you volunteered to do if we slip a few days. Your BER-co-creator and CM fanatic, TeAcH [ 05-30-2001: Message edited by: TeAcH ]