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Post by kevan on Apr 18, 2007 10:23:43 GMT -5
Kirk,
You can sign up as a player on the Vassal site. I know Rex used this list to send out a call for players before the April 8th game.
The module hasn't been updated, and apparently emails to the original creator are bouncing back (updating a module requires the permission of the creator). When I've finished with my update, I will post it on Vassal as a new module.
My update will just include new planes. If you feel there are other things that need to be improved, please let me know, and I can try to incorporate them. I'm sure that this weekend will not be the last of my updates to the module, as I'm still short of my target of having at least four versions of each plane, and I would like to add new planes as well, in case anyone wants to experiment with non-standard planes.
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Post by kirkh on Apr 18, 2007 11:53:34 GMT -5
Stephen, I would have no problem providing content to you. My only issue is that I was hoping more of a DP or VASSAL vet would "take up the reins" and champion the cause. I've only ever played maybe a half dozen DP games in my life and those were all online. Also, not being a VASSAL expert means I wouldn't be able to answer the multitude of VASSAL related questions people will have that want to try and play. It was my relationship with George Long that got the VASSAL DP module created in the first place, but I don't believe George hasn't really played DP much either, and I doubt he's updated the DP module recently either. In that light, I think the DP module is still very much a "work in progress" and once a number of DP experts use it and can provide input, maybe George or somebody else that knows how to revise VASSAL modules can give it some spit and polish.
As for checking the webpage and forum regularly, I'll do it in a heartbeat if I have a chance to start playing this great game regularly - or even occasionally.
As for creating a separate section of this webpage for VDP, I'm all for it. I'd include a few things such as a game dates section, the rules we use, VASSAL Q's & A's, and a mailing list for interested players. I think if VDP can find a "home" there will be a lot of people like myself that will come out of the woodwork and be interested in playing. In fact, I'd go so far as to have separate "beginner" VDP games for guys like myself who have no pilots with more than one mission and are learning both VASSAL and DP at the same time. Other regular games can be reserved for those who have enough confidence in their abilities to be able to take on a sky full of DP vets.
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Post by AP on Apr 18, 2007 13:43:00 GMT -5
I think a team effort to get this rolling would be the best way to ensure that it floats, instead of pinning it all on one or two people. How about to start, an outline of needs & volunteers to fill them?
#1.Web ‘Home’ Stephen, its very gracious of you to offer the services of your site! If you have the server space / time to create a page on ISD it is the ideal place because it gets the most traffic. If not, I would be happy to help setup/run a site – I am using all freeware on mine & there are plenty of options out there. Either way, there are a number of needs for a site that would take help from a number of people to gather and post. The site needs- 1-A main page, which should include detailed instructions on how to load the VDP software and get it running properly 2-A FAQ’s page 3-A forum to organize games and document play etc… In regards to Kirks email idea… I know most forum boards these days give you the option to have the board send you an email when it is updated- if we set this up then users could choose if they want it or not. 4-All DP sites out there would need links to it for publicity #2- ‘Tweaks’ to the VDP module. I have only played it a few times & have been fine with it, but the more we play the more I bet we will find… Kirk you seem to know or have known this George Long that created it? Would it be possible to get in contact with him to see if we could get the ‘Rights’ to update it? I know Kevan is working on updating the aircraft & I am attempting to get files to him that he needs.
#3- VDP Universal Posted Rules. Most ‘new’ or ‘returning’ players are using the out of box 7th edition, while local existing groups have been getting updates for years now & developing local ‘house rules’. There will need to be some sort of discussion(s) on deciding what rules should/should not be used, and then drafted on the homepage for VDP so everyone can be on the same page.
If everyone interested pitches in here & there, then the task would not be too daunting....
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Post by Stephen on Apr 18, 2007 14:36:13 GMT -5
perhaps, instead of setting up something separate for VDP (its catching on now!).... just have a separate section, but as part of the indy squadron, forum/web page/reports etc. Yes, yes... sorry, gary, that's what i meant. we'll add a section to the indy forum and to the indy web site.
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Post by Stephen on Apr 18, 2007 14:49:16 GMT -5
Andy and Kevan;
Okay, let's take you guys' ideas and run with them.
Yes, Andy, I have sufficient bandwidth and the group seems to agree that ISD is the best place for it. So I will try to have a VDP page with its own internal sub menu (similar to that used on the RBF and Armistice Day pages) ready to go by the end of next week. I will add the pages that you suggest and also place a new board on this forum devoted exclusively to VDP. As soon as the page is up, would you link to it and also take up the project of getting all other active sites linked to it as well?
Secondly, we need someone to create a really snazzy looking button for the link. Who is good with digital art around here? Somebody get that done and email me the file and I'll post it for everyone to use as a button on the various DP sites around the web.
Kirk, can you start writing content for the page asap? My goal is to have it up and ready late next week. ALso, think on what we can do to make the rules pkg flexible... some folks will want to use newer rules. And we can also have "beginner" games where vets can play, but are asked to fly non-ace pilots so that the newer players will have a chance to stock their rosters. Kirk what else do you think should go on the VDP section? Let me know.
What else are we leaving out? Andy, you're good at organizing so tell us what else should be done.
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Post by kirkh on Apr 18, 2007 14:51:35 GMT -5
I'll see if I can get in touch with George. One of the unfinished things about the module is that he did relatively few aircraft. If we're ever gonna have a game with 10 Camels against 10 DrI's we'll need counters for each. Another issue was mapboards. He originally did the mapboard that comes with the game but the file was prohibitively large so we switched to just a plain board. Also, one of the beauties of VASSAL is somebody could come up with different boards depending on the mission being flown.
One of the BIG issues we found when playing online a couple years ago was setup. It's recommended somebody "champion" each online game head of time via e-mail so that everything can be agreed to, rolled up, and set up so that when players show up online everybody's ready to play.
Another consideration is that online games lend themselves to more "fog of war" than do face to face games. When we played a couple years ago I seem to remember using hidden damage and having the target roll for any possible pilot/observer hits. He'd only tell the group if anything happened to his plane that was visible.
Quick question: What if I can't get ahold of George? Does someone have the VASSAL knowledge to create another DP module that we'd be able to revise as needed?
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Post by Stephen on Apr 18, 2007 15:11:28 GMT -5
Please move all further discussion of VDP to the appropriate board, which is now up and running. This thread is now closed.
- Admin
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