WineCape

Touche! One word, nay, one sentence! No funny-galore/district dialect there. Thank you MC Seanachai.

Very interesting regarding strong windy conditions vs. Hit% Sergei. Could you send me your test if you still have it? If not, your paramaters for testing strong windy conditions with AT-guns and shrecks? Much obliged, Charl EDIT: for my spelling is woeful at 6:00am SA (GMT+2)Time [ August 30, 2003, 11:37 PM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

No offence intended to reinald@berlin.com's as quoted below on CMBO's forum, as posted also here. [see http://www.battlefront.com/cgi-bin/bbs/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=027201 ; see also Moon's reply which BTW I'm in agreement with] Reinald: My dear Sir, May I remind you about a sequence of facts... </font> Fact: CMBO is an innovation in the genre of tactical wargaming</font>Fact: CMBB uses same engine as CMBO</font>Fact: CMBB is a different playing game vs. CMBO due to these "add-ons"</font>Fact: Majority of CMBB buyers (those players that opted to play/buy in/into the Ostfront) did not complain that $45 charged for CMBB (CMBO "add-ons") were not worth their p(l)aying pleasure;</font>Fact: CMBB and CMBO were priced the same</font>Fact: Despite fact above, CMBB (with "add-ons") is outselling CMBO</font>Fact: CMAK is going to use the same engine as CMBB</font>Fact: CMAK (with CMBB "add-ons") will be priced $10 cheaper as stated by BFC/Moon</font>Fact: CMAK will be a different playing game than CMBB due to "add-ons," to what extend/degree we don't know yet</font>Fact: CMAK is strictly an "add-on" CMBB is strictly an "add-on" CMBO as all use the same engine.</font>Now let's examine part of reinald@berlin.com's statement again: Your opinion/concern and rightfully yours, nothing wrong with that. It is likely that people that don't know the history of the "add-ons" viz-a-viz CMBO and CMBB might share (rightfully) the same concern. And even if prospective buyers do know the history of the Combat Mission improvements so far (can I assume you do?), it might be a concern for some people if this thingy called CMAK - a CMBB add-on - will be worth $35.00. Only time will tell whether BFC's business model/pricing of CMAK will be sound with the release of this CMBB "add-on." If they fail, it can be expected that Battlefront will erode a sizeable chunk of their future/prospective buyers, at least with regard to players that moved from either CMBO or CMBB (or both) to CMAK. My money, given the sequence of listed facts above, is on BFC taking my money again for CMAK, the CMBB "add-on." But hey, I'm only playing the odds here based on prior listed facts, aside from my personal feelings regarding BFC's wine consumption… But my God, what an add-on have we not received in the form of CMBB?! I'm happy if CM's v.2 engine is never realised through the programming efforts of Charles, but only through add-ons of the quality of CMBB, and I presume CMAK. Don't quote me on my latter deduction from the sequence of listed facts above Reinald, in the words of Oddball: "Have a little faith, baby." Indeed. Sincerely, Charl Theron Stellenbosch, South Africa ----------------------------------------------------- </font>Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font> [ September 01, 2003, 08:58 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Twat, No. </font>

CMAK: That seems to be wine well s(p)end then... Sincerely, Charl Theron ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font>

Am I allowed to colo(u)r up this thread? ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font> I have never read a review that made me less sure of humanity's ability to finish out the decade, let alone the next millenium. Obviously this 'Reviewer' [of CMBB] is capable of using a computer, and even finding employment (or at least the right to display their almost inspired lack of intelligence under the auspices of an organization), but it's equally clear that they're both incapable, and unashamed of their inability, to actually come to grips with something that requires more intelligent focus and mental participation than an arcade game. On this planet thousands are daily made homeless, crippled, and even killed in pointless and heart-rending incidents of political, ethnic and religious conflict. If any such incident had managed to whack this reviewer, we'd have to consider it worth the anguish –Seanachai, CMBB Forum, 10/12/2002.

Son, Are you related in anyway with another bunny which had a gun?

Eh..., the operative word above is "in" and not "with" [ August 27, 2003, 04:38 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Settled then. Two postcards on their way in wine bottle. -------------------------------------------- Does this whole thing strike anyone else as familiar? Hi, I'm the Prime Minister of Great Britain and find ourself in need of a reliable partner in the US of A for a mutually beneficial financial arrangement. Our Prince of Whales has put all of the Crown Jewels into hock and we can't get them out without US of A currency. Please send me your bank account numbers and I will wire English Pounds totalling $543,543,543.54 into your account. You will then wire back the .54 and keep the rest. We all win, hip hip horrary. Yours truly, Maggie Thatcher. HAH! Like I'm going to believe you! Anyone who would trust a CessPooler to handle a financial transaction isn't to be trusted, that's what I always say! --Joe Shaw verbatim, Peng member, 21 November 2002 @ 04:02am and 08:16am respectively ---------------------------------------------- [ August 26, 2003, 06:19 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Stunning! Wine well s(p)end Sincerely, Charl Theron ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font>

Can I send a wine bottle by postcard?

Peter, yes, AFAIK CM does not (as of yet) model wind on ballistics. Probably too complicated. The question is if it has any effect on spotting; if not, I hope it will in some CM incarnation. Scarhead, I have the USA version of CMBB + manual. Cannot for the life of me find the text regarding wind effect other than fire spreading/smoke dissapation. Anyone care to enlighten me? Sincerely, Charl Theron [ August 25, 2003, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Apart from possible spreading of fires when tiles are very dry + windy, do strong winds in CMBB impair the ability of a player to pick up sound contacts compared to non-windy situations ceteris paribus? Sincerely, Charl Theron ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font> [ August 25, 2003, 08:34 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Do you want to play test my scenario with a PBEM buddy? It is huge and is called Botrytis II. Let me know and I will forward it to you. Charl Theron WineCape@global.co.za [ August 25, 2003, 07:51 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Do try my scenario called Botrytis II here, which BTW needs some play testing. It is a Russian probe (in essence) or attack (according to Stalin's directive then!); both sides have TRP's at their disposal for obvious scenario reasons... Sincerely, Charl Theron [ August 25, 2003, 07:32 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Did I say the scenario has hottish weather and it is raining at the same time (sort of summer rains)? Ideal situation for "noble rot" to set in among us I'll forward the scenario to those that replied here. Thanks again for your willingness to test. Do be warned about the warning I posted at the top of this thread though. Sincerely, Charl Theron [ August 25, 2003, 04:27 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Thanks Andrew! Scenario on its way..

Hello Gents, I need to finalize my scenario, created for a PBEM-play only. I need players to play test the scenario in its current set-up/force make-up form, but it is quite big, so please make sure that you read below before volunteering: EDIT: April 2006: Botrytis II (v2.2) Many issues re-visited and revised, inter alia flag placements and load-outs etc. For further details, see combined briefing. Scenario can now be found @ The Proving Grounds: http://www.the-proving-grounds.com/scenario_details_link.html?sku=1091 ------------------------------------------- Scenario warning: (1) Only venture into this scenario with a powerful computer. If you find your computer too sluggish while playing, I suggest removing all trees (cycle through shift-T) which will ease processor strain, which helps my PC (1,3Ghz AMD, 256MB RAM, 64MB GeForce2 MX400 video card) (2) PBEM movie file size in this scenario will vary from 600KB - 3.0MB and even higher. Be warned! Make sure your ISP mail account can handle these big files. (3) Player vs. Player recommended; scenario not designed with AI as an opponent. Stronger player should probably take the Russian side. ---------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND: On 22 June 1944, three years to the day after Germany's invasion of Russia, the Red Army launched a massive offensive against Heeresgruppe Mitte (commanded by General Busch) on a 300-mile front between Polotsk and Bobruysk. Codenamed "Operation Bagration," named after the czarist general of the 1812 war against Napoleon Bonaparte, it has gone down in history as the Battle of Belorussia. More than Stalingrad, more than Kursk, it was the battle that broke the back of the German Wehrmacht in the East. The German forces of 63 divisions (800,000 troops), 900 tanks, 10,000 guns and 1,300 planes faced vastly superior Soviet forces of 124 divisions (1,700,000 troops) 4,000 tanks, 24,000 artillery pieces and 6,300 aircraft. In 5 weeks, the Russian Summer Offensive of 1944 destroyed German Army Group Centre, the strategic rock and great center of gravity on which German military domination of Russia's heartland had rested for 3 years. On June 23rd 1944, the 1st Baltic Army under General Bagramyan broke through the lines along the left flank of General Reinhardt's 3rd Panzer Army. The Soviet juggernaut penetrated to a depth of 10 miles along a 35 mile front. Sweeping Red Army tank columns surrounded large sections of German troops in pockets. In all, the Germans lost 350,000 men. It was a cataclysmic defeat on an even bigger scale than Stalingrad. This battle depicts elements of Major-General Reinhardt's 3rd Panzer Army desperately trying to stabilize the front of Army Group Centre to prevent their encirclement, south east of Riga. The Red Army is probing the frontline in order to continue their offensive. The frontline is shifting continously, almost daily now after July 10th 1944, when the Russian 2nd Baltic Army under General Yeremenko joined the Summer Offensive against General Hansen's 16th German Army, the latter responsible for anchoring the left flank of Reinhardt's 3rd Panzer Army. --Turns: 60, variable --Date: July 1944 --Russian Attack, but possibilities exist for Axis to Counter-Attack --Weather: Mid day, Rain, Damp conditions. --Total Allied/Axis Points: 18,000+, half of that being armor. It's big. --Valley scenario with 4 bridges + 2 crossable fords. ------------------- Russian objective: Tasked to break through over the Sorot River and take the village Vorontsovo and the town of Novorzhev, thereby cutting the German 3rd Pz. Army off from support from Army Group North. Axis objective: Defend two towns and prevent the Russians from crossing the river. If the Soviets cross the bridges with armor en masse, a fighting retreat will hopefully gain enough time for Axis re-enforcements to arrive and to assist in defending the two towns successfully, with a possible counter-attack. Failure of holding onto the 2 towns will result in encirclement for 3rd Panzer Armee and doom the latter as a effective fighting force in the Ostfront. ---------------------------------------------- Though a big scenario, it's not unmanageable, as it is in essence a multi-battle scenario if the Allied player decides on a multi-prong attack. [ April 28, 2006, 02:07 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

I believe that you have already received my thanks in kind Andrew Sincerely, Charl Theron ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font>

Good to see I’m not alone in making stupid mistakes after playing CM for more than 3 years. Happened in CMBO: Planned to attack with 2 companies (60% of me troop strength) over a bridge and shallow fjord after softening up the advance area/opposite bank with 120mm mortar for several turns. Several Shermans backing up in overwatch position. Even executed a perfect diversion attack prior at another river crossing which was having - unexpectedly - some success. Even spotted my opponent diverting reserve troops to counter the diversion atttack. Cancelled the mortar fire, ordered a smokescreen. Or so I thought. Infantry came rushing out of the woods: no smoke over the water, only fire in the sky. [“Deep Purple” or somefink] To add to the carnage, a lone IG (and it WAS the only unit stationed at this far-off crossing) massacred a total of 137 veteran/crack troops while pinned in the middle of the river crossing by my own artillery. Not a single Sherman had LOS to the IG, sods law. All happened in 60 seconds flat. Charl Theron ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font> [ August 15, 2003, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

May I respectfully add my bump to this effort. My thanks to the designers for their dedication and hard work. Sincerely, Charl Theron ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font>

John, Always good to hear your wines arrived as I intended - intact! Customs always seem to handle my wines rough; I suppose they need to shake the boxes to make sure nothing is ticking inside Now drink up and enjoy the South African sunshine captured in those bottles. PS: I forgot to send you the wine details/background. Will e-mail you as soon as I can find the list of the wines I send you. Been away on a 2 month holiday, so things are still rusty here. Sincerely, Charl Theron [ August 13, 2003, 03:56 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

I live in the state of Confusion. It is bordered by the states of Inebriation and Denial. I sometimes travel to the state of Paranoia, but prefer the state of Bliss. Does this help? :cool: </font>

Alas, it's working today again as it should! It seems my paid version of GetRight remembered who's boss. Sorry to bother you Columbus. Keep up the excellent work though. BTW, in what liquor state do you live? Lt. Bull, I've been using the paid GetRight thingy for 4 years now in its various upgraded forms and are happy with it. As for spyware, oh well, just flew from London to Berlin and we saw cameras in the overhead bulkwork of the plane taking snapshots of passengers (so-called budget airline). Big brother is watching us for years. Me, I've got nothing to hide, yet. Now... just to get rid of all these damn spam in my inbox Will certainly look at your suggestion though. PS regarding spyware and the non-inclusion thereof: Found this today at the GetRight website - see http://www.getright.com/statement.html. Sincerely, Charl Theron ----------------------------------------------------- </font> Sponsor of the (now infamous) Invitational (Ari Maenpaa)</font>Sponsor of the 2 WineCape Tourneys (Fangorn’s Brazilian customs drank the wine prize up! + KiwiJoe)</font>Sponsor of the Nordic Championships in honor of Nabla (His scoring system revolutionized CM tourney play)</font>Rumblings of War, aka RoW I/II/III and beyond tourney sponsor (Wreck/Ali+Kanonier+Jon_L/~)</font>Grateful donateur to the drinking habits of Battlefront.com (Baldy received the Fat Bastard Chardonnay)</font>Thank You donation send to Manx (He used to run the “sexiest CMBO modsite on the net”)</font>Wine donation send to Team Boots & Tracks for their scenarios created specifically for RoW tournaments</font>Wine donation send to Gordon Molek for his CMMOS utility (Thereby making the installing of CM mods a breeze)</font>Wine donation send to Andrew Fox for his CM modding work</font>Wine donation send to Keith Miller @ Scenario Depot for his dedication in hosting CM scenarios</font>Sponsor-to-be of Pengville’s “Gamey Bastard” tourney (In honor of Seanachai + Lars for showing an act of kindness to an outerboarder - Well, bribery does pay.)</font> [ August 07, 2003, 08:37 AM: Message edited by: WineCape ]

Sidenote: I use GetRight download manager v4.5d - a godsend given my slow Africa dial-up internet account. Before I left for a 2 month break in May, I could download mods on this excellent Mod Database site and resume the d/l with GetRight where I stopped. Not so any more. GetRight states that "this server does not support resuming." It did before though. Did the owner of the server change certain settings, as I have changed nothing as far as I know? Tried to d/l Andrew Fox's HT's last night, but wifey was asking me to come to bed. [Yeah, after almost 3 years I have changed my priorities back to the missus. Sad how CM changes our behaviour patterns around the house] This morning it was no-go with the resume button... Sincerely, Charl Theron