guachi

There is one major advantage to adding more people to a small software company. My mother and step-father have a two person software company. I had no experience programming at all but they asked me to work for them for a while because they thought I could learn quickly and help them out. My main tasks were to do necessary but tedious/low skill jobs. It was a complete waste of time for either my mother or step-father to do stupid things like reformatting all the program code to one standard way, changing all the docs over to Word format and adding pictures, or (what I spent a majority of my time doing) basic and repetitve Y2K fixes. There IS a place to add more programmers/staff and that is to do grunt work. Jason [This message has been edited by guachi (edited 01-26-2000).]

Sadly ,yes. In fact, I find myself frequently expecting the screen to rotate and move when I put the mouse at the side of the screen when doing no-CM things on my computer. Jason

I thought it was the higher up you go, the bigger the egos get. Jason

I don't really know the answers to your questions, but that hasn't stopped me before. 1. Not a clue. 2. Something else to consider is that CM is just modelling the guys in combat. I know you asked about platoon HQs, but in a Company HQ some guys were set aside for other things, like medics and such. In a German VG Company, for instance, at least one guy had to act as farrier and stay with the horses. 3. Like others have said, no. There was a discussion on this, like, six months ago. While you can't cut down a squad you can do it with a platoon (as was done in CE) 4. If you've got the historical research, the sky is the limit. I received a very cool book on the Afrika Korps for Christmas (just arrived cuz it was special order) from my Dad. Has the entire OOB for the Korps, right down the bakery company (554th motorized for the DAK, Fionn take note) 5. Steve mentioned that one of the HQ MGs was a spare and had no ammo. 6. This brings up a question. Why can't Bn HQs run? Is it because they have heavy equipment like radios and such? 7. This is the kind of thing that would likely only occur after battle. And remember, general squads can't run out of ammo. This represents hoarding the final cliip and I guess you could also think of this as redistribution/scavenging also if you want. Jason

A slight addition to what Fionn just wrote. The first 'C' of APCBC also stands for Capped. The shell has both a piercing cap and a ballistic cap. For the Germans, the piercing cap was added to shells of 50mm and larger to increase penetration performance. In shells of 75mm and higher the piercing cap was blunt. This is where the ballistic cap comes in. It was added to decrease air resistance and thus increase velocity. Jason

Doug, you're pushing hard to join me in my baking battalion, aren't you? There's always room for more!! Knowing reload speed, at least in general, will be important for commanders to know in an armor duel. That and turret rotation speed. I never realized the rotation speed of a Hellcat was that fast!

From Chamberlain and Doyle's Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WWII (which I'm pretty sure Fionn received as a Christmas gift) it mentions that there was an order for 800 Luchs, those after the first 100 to be fitted with the 5cm gun. But as Fionn said only the first 100 with the 2cm gun were built. For those interested in technical stiff like this, pick up the Chamberlain and Doyle's encyclopedia. It's pretty cheap and a tresure trove of techie info. Jason

As an American I don't think we have some "comfort myth" about accidental civilian casualties. I don't think that the civilian casualties caused by bombings were necessarily accidental. Some were quite deliberate, and many others were just byproducts of the strategic bombing. I don't know about other countries but in America the dropping if the Atomic bombs made it into the top 5 of every 100 most important news stories of the century. The four things that most Americans, even the stupid ones, could list about WWII are Pearl Harbor, the Holocaust, the dropping of the atomic bombs, and D-Day. Most Amercans know what we did with the atomic bombs. Yes, many Americans don't know about some of the terrible things we did in the war. But that's because most Americans knowledge of WWII (and history in general) is extremely poor. They don't know much of anything about WWII, good or bad. In any case, differentiating between those killed by direct military action or not is semantical bull****. Wars are directed by governments and ultimately the deaths are the result of the politicians and the populace that backs them. In a war that is a Total War, I see little difference between the man who makes the gun and the man who fires it. Wars are political and the strategies used today are no different than those of the past. The objective is to defeat the opponents will to fight, not necessarily his ability. The Israelites genocided the Canaanites in the Bible, a warlord in the thirteenth century slaughtered an entire city and piled the skulls up to warn his enemies, and the US vaporized two cities. Net result, all three strategies were successful. Jason [This message has been edited by guachi (edited 01-22-2000).]

Play CE as the Germans and charge some American platoon with your SMG platoons. Not only will the MP40s make quick work of the Yanks at 20 meters, but you should see lots of grenades. Just yesterday, I close assaulted a Sherman with a SMG squad. I was getting desperate and I figured I had nothing to lose. One grenade, one immobilized Sherman. I was hoping he would shoot his faust at the tank. Jason

You know, I could have just gotten off my lazy ass and walked across the street to Barnes & Noble and looked in a German-English dictionary. It never occurred to me that the names were the same. I thought maybe it was because they were the most well-known, or something. Jason Isn't the small Italian scooter the Vespa?

Something about German AFV names that has been bothering me. Why are, when someone is writing in English, are the Panther, Tiger, and occasionally the Lynx written in English, but all the other German AFVs written in German? Panther, Tiger, Lynx but Marder, Hetzer, Brummbaur, Wespe, Hummel, Grille, etc. Anybody have a clue? Jason

Rubble has been improved in at least one very important way. Now your forces won't magically disappear in rubble. Jason

I first remember coming to the batttlefront website in the spring. (which I believe was just a website for BigTimeSoftware at the time) I believe I downloaded and watched the Quicktime movies. I was not impressed. Fastforward to August. I was offline for a few months from, like, May to August so I hadn't read anything about CM. Because my ISP is idiotic, it doesn't get c.s.i.p.g.war-historical so I have to read it through deja.com, which I don't like to do. I'm glad I did. There was a post from Fionn about an AAR he was doing with Martin. Sounded interesting. Been hooked ever since. My first task was to read every post on the board. I was extremely impressed by the quality of posts and especially Steve's replies. Steve's wonderful customer responsiveness is what sealed my pre-order. Jason

I can't say for certain, but I think there are two things that have increased traffic/interest in CM. One is the Alpha AAR and the other is the release of the demo. The AAR is what got me interested in CM. (Although it was more like a DAR - During Action Report) And if your only at turn 13, the battle's excitement doesn't let up. Jason

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lanzfeld: Just a quick question..... Are both German grenades and American grenades modeled in the game? I was to believe that the German grenades were more powerful than the American ones and does CM simulate this?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> As far as I can tell, no. The Germans used two main types of grenades and so did the Americans. I'm a numbers junkie, but I think it would be clutter if they showed it. On the other hand, it would be nice to know the range and maybe the blast FP that is being modelled. Also, note that pistols are being generically modelled as well. One might be able to argue for a point or two difference here or there, but why bother? Jason

Fionn, I'm just funnin' ya!! When I first started reading the board in August I read every post. I was going back through the earlier ones recently to get a bit if the history of how things have developed. It just struck me that you were almost as fanboyish as most of us are now. Asking for a demo just like we are asking for the final release. Anyway, you're the reason I even know about CM in the first place. I've enjoyed reading you're posts on c.s.i.p.g.war-historical ever since it's inception and that's where I first saw mention of CM. Jason

Ok Fionn, you;ve forced my hand. Some evidence of Fionn, before receiving the demo, of being no better than the rest of us losers. Fionn Member posted 03-08-1999 09:18 PM All I can say is there better be a Kelly in there somewhere. I might have to play the weak Amis BUT I'd do it just to command myself (schizophrenia mode activated ) on the field of battle. IF BTS is willing to incorporate this I vote we be allowed to add to the name database once released and rename units. I still get a kick out of naming units after friends etc and sending them into battle. Really hurts when they die you know ? PLEASE BTS consider it. We're being good I swear Fionn Member posted 03-21-1999 07:08 PM Stabswachtmeister von Kelly let's use those 350mm Nebelwerfers you're so proud of. Target that hill with the Polish flag on top and have the two Koenigstigeren follow up to mop up survivors . Ball (and approximately 6 tons of explosives) re in your court Moon . Fionn Member posted 03-26-1999 12:33 PM Any chance of allowing US to man captured German weapons? That might be a workaround for the mixing forces idea (as well as being a little more historically accurate since a few American unis heavily used German vehicles). I'd imagine it would be easier for arty and tanks than it would be to implement changes in rifles used but its an idea. Not sure how useful it is if you already include Germans vs US but I'm sure SOME people would want it hehe.. There's always a few Fionn Member posted 03-26-1999 09:24 PM Again, I'm glad to see a lot of common sense going into the design. While I would take advantage of any design decisions in other games (allowing me to use enemy tanks ahistorically etc) I would deplore the fact they allowed this obvious bug to remain in. Glad to see this really doesn't appear to be a problem here.. Damn, I want this game now . Hmm.. I'm in the unusual position of thinking things are coming along just great .. I'm a grognard. I grumble therefore I am but ur removing my grumbling reasons . Shame on you .. j/k. [This message has been edited by Fionn (edited 03-26-99).] Fionn Member posted 04-08-1999 07:41 PM P.s. Keep on trucking. Avoid E3 and bring us the game hehe ..I'm REALLY looking forward to PBEMing this baby this summer.. Hmm ooh someone had better arrange a ladder system for this baby so everyone can worship me as the supreme CM player (BANG.. head explodes from excessive ego-driven cerebral expansion ).. Still, it's a thought.. Fionn Member posted 04-09-1999 08:36 PM P.p.s. It's late and I promise to reboot my brain before logging in again . Fionn Member posted 05-07-1999 01:56 PM Guys, you read right. There's three great interviews up at The Wargamer with new pictures and an exclusive after action report. All written by the inimitable Moon (who actually got to see CM running ... I am SO jealous of him.). Drop by The Wargamer, read them and let me know what ya'll think ok? Fionn (Historical Editor at The Wargamer) Fionn Member posted 05-12-1999 05:14 PM How fast can that Weasel go? I just had the amazing image of Charles and Steve in that Weasel being chased cross-country by a couple of 4 x 4 vehicle filled to the gills with wargamers .. Hehe funny ... Anyways. beta in two months or so eh? (salivating already.. I can't wait to get my hands on this baby and light up those cigarette lighters.. umm I mean Shermans.) Fionn Member posted 05-14-1999 07:40 AM Uh, guys, given your renewed commitment to testing using battlefield conditions (you know, if you lose a game you get shot etc) will this open up more slots on the beta testing team? Fionn Member posted 05-13-1999 01:24 AM OOH I see the JagdTiger made it in then (cue endless mirth).. You DO know that I have read accounts of its shells going through TWO Shermans in one shot and obviously brewing both of them up don't you . Now THAT'S a force multiplier. Just remember, it's not the size of your gun that matters, it's the tactical positioning that does hehe. Fionn Member posted 05-14-1999 11:25 PM LOL. Great. Thanks for being open with us again . I'm sure everyone understands the need to be realistic about the time left for adding features vs the almost unlimited wants and wish lists . Keep up the good work. Code like hell and ship us all beta real soon Fionn Member posted 05-12-1999 05:16 PM OOHHMMM. Come on everyone BE THE GAME.. OOHHMMM BECOME THE GAME.. OOHHMMM IMAGINE THE CODE coming together. OOHHMMM think POSITIVE thoughts ya'll OOHHMMM Best strategy game ever thoughts I rest my case. Fionn Kelly: Slackass Posterboy Funny story relating to commanding a Prophylactic Awareness unit. I went to college at Montana State University. We had a statue at the entrance to the university called "The Rocket" It was some kind of artsy statue that was pointed like a rocket. For Condom Awareness Week my friends and I decided to "dress up" The Rocket. We got a box of trash bags that were condom colored. We then assembled a giant condom, complete witht tip. Using one of our members skill at climobing, he climbed to the top of the Rocket and we put the condom on. Great pictures of this 15 foot statue witha condom on it, and it even made it into the school paper because we knew one of the editors. So I have some previous skill with my new staff position. Jason [This message has been edited by guachi (edited 01-21-2000).]

Now Fionn, I've read many of your older posts from early last year. You were no different, really, than any of the other knowledgable posters we have now. And I second Doug's first point. The early discussions were really good. Everyone who hasn't should do themselves a favor and read through some of the old topics. Learn a little CM History. Not nearly as silly as it is now (not that silly is a bad thing). Maybe it's all the new smilies... Anyway, I'll second the call for renaming Fionn 'Slackass Posterboy' It's just too funny!! Jason (peparing for Fionn to give me command of the 417th Armored Bakery Battalion)

I love you Bullethead!!!! Now where's my 8in. artillery bombardment! Jason

I'm not sure it was intentional that they mounted it backwards. Didn't they mount it backwards to prevent the vehicle from being nose heavy? Ingenuity born of necessity. The Germans encountered this problem, notably with the JagdPanzer IV/70. Jason

I was doing a search on TO&E just a couple of days ago and came across the site that Steve mentions, http://www.infinet.com:80/~nafziger/ , but I paid it no mind. When Steve brought it up as a good site for TO&E and OBs I checked it out. OH MY GOD! I thnk I'm in heaven. This site is a treasure trove of information. And like Steve said it isn't very expensive (unless you go nuts and by several hundred OBs) I think I'll start off with just the OBs that relate to CM's time period and see how that goes. Jason

I've got a question. From my reading, it looks like the 57mm AT was a battalion/regimental level gun for the American military. Why wasn't this gun ever put on a vehicle. Or if it was, which ones were they? The virtually worthless 37mm gun was put on armored cars and the Stuart. It seems to me that the 57mm gun would have been well suited to the light tank role (although perhaps too big for an armored car) Jason

Fionn wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>The poor CMMC guys are gonna get a crash course in arty it's obvious<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> he he I want Bullethead as my Corps (or division) level arty officer. Well, as long as he gives me my arty support and not some long dissertation about its effectiveness. I want shells not words. Jason

Fionn, No doubt the grenade will be a dud. Jason

I've also seen bits of the same US training film on The History Channel. It made me laugh. On the other hand, I can understand why they said what they did. The last thing you'd wnat soldiers to do is become paralyzed with fear at the mere sound of an MG42. Heck, when I hear the sound of an MG42 in CM I look to see where it is coming from. Jason