AE PBEM Multiplayer

[Rugens]

One thought that comes to mind with Johnathan's suggestion is that I believe only the person that places a post in a thread can update that post.

ORIGINAL: Jonathan Pollard

ORIGINAL: Carl Rugenstein

Thank you very much Roger for taking the time.  It seems like a really good concept.

I would love to know more about how to set up a web 2.0 storage area.

Instead of using a web storage area would it be possible to use the Matrix forums by opening a thread dedicated to save files to attach saves to forum posts ? Maybe there's a limit to how many files you can upload, but I think I've seen save files attached to forum posts so maybe that could be the way to go. If attaching files to forum posts is not allowed on the Matrix forum, maybe another forum could be found to set up such a thread?

I know that when I played a multiplayer Paradox game, it was possible to upload and get save files directly from the Paradox forum, but there was a limit per user of "active" files that could be uploaded and remaining on the forum at once, and you would need to delete old files once you reached the limit. I do not forsee the limit to be a problem.

[Jonathan Pollard]

But if someone else wanted to post an update, he'd simply do it in a new post and write somthing to the effect that "here's my updated version of the file."

[Roger Neilson II]

ORIGINAL: Jonathan Pollard

ORIGINAL: Carl Rugenstein

Thank you very much Roger for taking the time.  It seems like a really good concept.

I would love to know more about how to set up a web 2.0 storage area.

Instead of using a web storage area would it be possible to use the Matrix forums by opening a thread dedicated to save files to attach saves to forum posts ? Maybe there's a limit to how many files you can upload, but I think I've seen save files attached to forum posts so maybe that could be the way to go. If attaching files to forum posts is not allowed on the Matrix forum, maybe another forum could be found to set up such a thread?

I know that when I played a multiplayer Paradox game, it was possible to upload and get save files directly from the Paradox forum, but there was a limit per user of "active" files that could be uploaded and remaining on the forum at once, and you would need to delete old files once you reached the limit. I do not forsee the limit to be a problem.

Matrix Forums are not set up for this. The only file types they allow uploads are graphic files for maps on AARs etc.

Roger

[DSwain]

ORIGINAL: Jonathan Pollard

ORIGINAL: DSwain
Is there any reason you're not keen on the web storage area idea Jonathan? Or do you just want to try something different, see what works best etc? From how Roger has explained it, it seems like a sound idea and he's used it for other WITP multiplayer games too.

Using a forum for file sharing would have the added advantage of being able to write commentary with the file and have an ongoing discussion of strategy etc. I suppose a textual discussion could also go on via web storage by uploading text files, but it would seem to be less of a hassle to be able to type your comments and be able to read them directly in a forum thread.

I did do a test of the Matrix forums to upload a save file to a forum thread, but the file size was limited to 200KB so it looks like if we were to use the forum idea we'd need to find a different forum that allows larger files to be attached.

Ok, I see your point mate. And it's a good idea to be able to have some sort of forum to discuss strategy, I agree. One way to do that might be to do it via Google docs or some such? That would have the added bonus that only the members of that team would be able to read the material. It's an extra thing to set up and that's a bit of an ache, but I think it would be worth it and it isn't that much of a hassle, imo.

Nice work on trying out your idea, anyway.

[Roger Neilson II]

Merely offering ideas, not grinding axes at all.

1. You need a 'postbox' for the files - what i have suggested does that.
2. You need a discussion area for the Allied Team, you need a separate discussion area for the Jap team - the best way of doing this is to establish a wiki (easy enough to do this with a Google Doc for each team - its a wiki by any other name. The stuff you want to keep looking at is the wiki, the files merely sit in the postbox.

Forums are a different thing and designed for different purposes.


Roger

[Jonathan Pollard]

I took a look at the AE tech support forum and that forum does allow the attachment of save files up to 5000KB. Maybe Matrix would not mind if we used that forum for file sharing, it would take up only two threads, one Allied and one Jap. Because the files are password-protected by side there should not be a problem of the other side trying to get your file to cheat. If you don't trust the other team you can limit your discussion to matters that the other side cannot take advantage of.

Or maybe Matrix can be talked into setting up a separate subforum for multiplayer game file sharing purposes.

[Roger Neilson II]

Yes Matt, Google Docs are simple and free..... and no hassle to set up and no hassle to learn how to use if you use a word processor that's it. They also allow nice insert of maps.... great for discussion of strategy especially given the Maps no available via Marc elsewhere on the forum.

Roger

[Roger Neilson II]

Its entirely up to the people playing the game, I'm merely an observer, but I think you are trying to fit things into the Matrix Forum and I don't know why.... it wasn't designed for this, and there are simple alternative tools that do exactly what you want.

Honestly, I do this stuff all the time.


Roger

[DSwain]

ORIGINAL: Jonathan Pollard

I took a look at the AE tech support forum and that forum does allow the attachment of save files up to 5000KB. Maybe Matrix would not mind if we used that forum for file sharing, it would take up only two threads, one Allied and one Jap. Because the files are password-protected by side there should not be a problem of the other side trying to get your file to cheat. If you don't trust the other team you can limit your discussion to matters that the other side cannot take advantage of.

Or maybe Matrix can be talked into setting up a separate subforum for multiplayer game file sharing purposes.

It's good to explore other avenues and ideas, so great to think around problems like this. I'm just not sure what's really to be achieved by asking Matrix to set something up for us bespoke when it seems that Roger's idea fits the bill. Have you tried Roger's approach and found it not to work, J? Obviously, I'm up for whatever the team as a whole wants to do - I think this is one thing where we do need agreement!

[DSwain]

ORIGINAL: Roger Neilson II

Its entirely up to the people playing the game, I'm merely an observer, but I think you are trying to fit things into the Matrix Forum and I don't know why.... it wasn't designed for this, and there are simple alternative tools that do exactly what you want.

Honestly, I do this stuff all the time.


Roger

I think Hausser is out R - that would seem to leave a space, so hopefully not an observer any longer!

[Jonathan Pollard]

I've never used Google Docs for holding discussions so if in your judgment it's just as good or better than using a forum thread for the purpose of holding discussions, I'm all for it.

[Rugens]

You guys are way beyond my knowledge level so I will look to you fellows to devise a method. 
 
On the players, I've heard from everybody so I think we are set now with P.Hausser out and Roger Neilson II in.  It looks like we have 2 Japanese and 2 Allied with 2 expressing no preference.  If the two undecided will let me know which prefers which (first come first serve) I'll update the thread accordingly and get the email address list out to everyone.

[Roger Neilson II]

I am happy to participate, but otoh have been throwing ideas in purely as an outsider so would not want to get involved if anyone thinks I have some sort of agenda to this.

If the others think I can help then i'm happy to take part, my preference would be allied.

If you would prefer to do this without me that's fine, I'm still around if you want any advice/help setting things up.

Roger

[Rugens]

Not being a tech kind of guy I personally appreciate everybody throwing out ideas and as has been done and then deciding on the best approach to try out.  If better ideas come along we can always try something else out.  We are already way ahead of where we would have been if we had just started out with a given approach.  Thanks to everyone.
 
Welcome Roger.  Allied it is.  I'll get the email addresses shortly though I've got to go back to work for a little while first.
 
Thanks again everyone.

[DSwain]

ORIGINAL: Carl Rugenstein

Not being a tech kind of guy I personally appreciate everybody throwing out ideas and as has been done and then deciding on the best approach to try out.  If better ideas come along we can always try something else out.  We are already way ahead of where we would have been if we had just started out with a given approach.  Thanks to everyone.

Welcome Roger.  Allied it is.  I'll get the email addresses shortly though I've got to go back to work for a little while first.

Thanks again everyone.

Nicely put, Carl. Questions and discussions are always a 'good thing'. It's also one of the benefits of having experienced players on board like Roger and Jonathan (and others); it means that different approaches can be analysed and compared.

[Roger Neilson II]

ORIGINAL: Carl Rugenstein

Not being a tech kind of guy I personally appreciate everybody throwing out ideas and as has been done and then deciding on the best approach to try out.  If better ideas come along we can always try something else out.  We are already way ahead of where we would have been if we had just started out with a given approach.  Thanks to everyone.

Welcome Roger.  Allied it is.  I'll get the email addresses shortly though I've got to go back to work for a little while first.

Thanks again everyone.

Email sent to your matrix email Carl

[Jonathan Pollard]

ORIGINAL: EwingNJ

My two cents;

1. Historical first turn on is too limiting to the Japan team

Maybe the fairest thing to do is allow the Japanese team to decide whether or not they want historical first turn on?

If historical first turn is off and surprise is on, then it may be worthwhile to consider a house rule that limits the number of Jap port attacks on the first turn, at least in the same area, because due to time zone differences it would have been difficult for the Japs to achieve surprise against for example both Pearl Harbor and Manila. However it would have been easier for them to achieve surprise in a simultaneous strike against Manila and Singapore.

I would be in favor of allowing the Japanese to choose unlimited port attacks if they were willing to play with surprise off. In that case the easternmost port attack could have special surprise house rules such as a CAP restriction.

[Roger Neilson II]

I'd say its entirely up to the Jap team how they want to start, but the common house rule in WITP was only one Port attack if it was a non historical opening. So they can hit Pearl or Singers or Manila or Pago Pago or wherever but only one of them. This was precsiely because of the time zones.

Roger

[Jonathan Pollard]

Now that each player has been assigned to a team, I guess the next step would be for Roger to set up Google Docs, at least for the Allies (the Jap team may want it too), so that we can discuss the division of what each player commands, etc.

[EwingNJ]

Holy sons of Nippon Batman!  I take time off for something trivial like work and I find myself drafted into the Emporer's armed forces.  Ah well, who needs things like Coke, cold beer, USO shows, plentiful chow, an overabundence of supplies?  From now on our motto shall be - We who have done so much for so long with so little can now do anything with absolutely nothing.
 
Carl, guctony, I will see if I can scare us up an e-room.
 
You allied scum (gee, after 20 years in the Army that hurts to say that) give us a little bit of time to get organized.  Go pursue the pleasures or your decadent western culture.