Frequently Asked Questions - (FAQ)

[Yndy]

Since we’re making comments on the installer I’d add some myself.

It looked very corporate. Just like the installer of a corporate product. It’s just like an EULA. I read it mostly to see whether there are any contractual rules that I sign for.

I also noticed the link to the save. But I clicked on it and then added to Favourites; I hate scribbling

 

[Qitai]

Just showing support for Rabies comment. I was thinking about the same thing when I do the installation. I am paranoid now after discovering some trojan in my PC. I even tried to avoid mapstat since the last time I use it, my anti-virus discover the Zcrew trojan the next day.

 

[cracker]

There are several very valid trains of thought going on here but one that I want to make emphatically clear is that it is not in our best interest to post the location of the actual save files on the website instead of only having them embedded in the game setup download. Inspite of our best efforts to be supportive and vitually hand holding in the process we still have one or two individuals each month how slip through the most fundamental paths of logic and good sense and end up in possession of the save files without even making the first attempt to setup their game or follow whatever minimal instructions that we may define.

I know this is tough, but what all of you need to do is to lock shields in a powerful defensive perimeter around me or whoever happens to be the games master for a given game and try to protect us from the difficulties in dealing with frantic and the impetuous.

The auto installer this month is an attempt to address the cries, whimpers, screams and whines of the remaining uninitiated populations who continue to profess that the process is just too compex for them to succeed.

We will include a text copy of the readme file as part of the download in all future games, but we also need to rely on your experience and good judgement to succeed in these areas while we try to reach out and eliminate the excuses and barriers to participation that may still exist.

What we do not want to have happen is to rely on a process that does not do everything possible to make that path to installing and playing the games as easy as possible for both the Game Masters and the players.

 

[Green Light]

/edit : nevermind

 

[cracker]

The real difficulty becomes just the number of permutations involved in the process.

We have a group that has complained that the zip folders are too complex for them to understand.

We have a separate group that has complianed they are scare of the auto installer and do not like to give up to control.

My thought was that the higher level group that wanted more control could figure that out while the lower level group that could not understand zips and folders would need the autoinstaller to bypass whatever phobia or blokage might exist even if they did not really understand how it worked.

It really doesn't make good logistical sense to support every permuation and combination when the auto installers seem to work and can be scanned reliably to determine if they are virus free.

Just trying to get on with the key business at hand here.

 

[Dianthus]

Cracker,

Now that this new install process is so easy to use, do you really need to release the setup before releasing the .SAV? Maybe you could include the .SAV in the setup and release them together on the 1st of the month? Having them combined should mean it's not possible for anyone to have the .SAV without the graphics.

 

[rabies]

Cracker,
You are right. It is far easier for me to get around using the .exe (which I did) than it is for you to support multiple versions to accomodate paranoid freaks like me. Consider the request dropped (if you did not already).

I do like Dianthus' idea.

 

[ControlFreak]

Originally posted by rabies
I do like Dianthus' idea.

Me too.

 

[drewshark]

Since everyone seems to be commenting on the installer, I would like to give my kudos to the staff. I don't know what level of computer expertise everyone playing GOTM is at but I know I really like having it all packaged up with the installer. I consider myself a self taught middle of the road as far as computer literacy goes and really am pleased with it.. Just my two cents...

 

[Darkness]

I'll just add my two cents as well.
I'm basically an idiot with computers (MS office is about all I can handle ), and the instal program worked fine on the first try. So all I can say is to whoever made the install file...

BTW, dianthus idea sounds pretty good too. Perhaps if the save and the required setting come together this might save the staff some work?

 

[RufRydyr]

Anybody else seeing this in GOTM21?

Actually, Ruf I am pretty sure that when you wake up from the small conk on the head that I just gave you I think you will say "Oh, yeah. That image would be considered in game info about Gotm21 and I now relaize that posting that image outside of a spoiler discussion or a PM or email to cracker was not the best choice I could have made." I know it gets exciting but let's restrain our unbridled entusiasm and glee. - cracker

[Ouch. That hurt! I didn't think it would spoil anything, but please accept my humble apologies.]

 

[Melifluous]

Nope, but I hope to

Melifluous

 

[Peanut]

On the installer - I reckon it's a great idea. A big improvement on the earlier "unzip into this directory" method for an e-oaf like me.

For Game21, when I installed the very early (now fixed) crook version that crashed, I ended up doing a complete purge and reinstall (ie. delete/uninstall everything CivIII & remove registry residue - then load CivIII original - then 1.29 patch - then PTW - then 1.21 patch - then the full GOTM pack). It worked perfectly. Congratulations to the e-wizards who put the install pack together !

I hope that it is a part of each GOTM, with the .sav itself packaged up with it each month so there is just one download & install. The "click to download" in the last message box is nice and simple and OK as long as you run the install AFTER the first of the month. Otherwise you have to note the address down anyway (or rerun the install package after the game is available, or just be patient and wait until after midnight Cracker-time on the 1st before running it).

One suggestion - perhaps the install pack could also write a log file to the CIVIII directory reporting what it did (ie. directories created, files copied / overwritten etc.) in case of any problems.

 

[Ant509y]

Sorry to bother everyone, but for some reason, when I try to go to the site to download GOTM 21, it just kicks me out of the site in total! Could somebody please help me?! Thanks!

 

[cracker]

Ant509y,

Your problem may be related to the AOL netscape clone browser that sometimes barfs in places where the InternetExplorer, Opera, and other browsers do not choke.

If you can temporarily try to access the page using Internet Explorer this should fix the problems.

 

[Ant509y]

Oh, okay. I'll try that then, tomorrow. Thanks for the help, cracker, and if it still doesnt work, I'll ask again! lol. bye!!!

 

[lane1222]

Hello,

This is my first GotM and I d/l the full pack and installed it. When seeing all the text at the beginning, I just breezed through it without taking copious notes. After reading some feed back here, I guess I should have paid closer attention, because I have no idea where the .sav file is, and am getting frustrated. Can someone please tell me where it was placed? A .txt file in the /scenarios/gotm21/ directory would have been nice.

EDIT: Apologies... obviously, I'm a new poster. ---- PTW 1.21

 

[cracker]

Just a gentle reminder to all players who post messages or send in PM's or emails with commenst or requestsfor help:

Make certain that you ALWAYS DECLARE your software version and what class you are trying to play.

In the example by lane1222 above, no where is it mentioned that the PTW version is what he is trying to play. We have to figure that out by a combination of mindreading anf inference based on the passing mention of a "...scenarios" folder but it is still a guess.

Attached to this message is a copy of the trailing text file that is present at the end of the auto installer with the save game file locations.

 

[SewerStarFish]

Originally posted by Ant509y
Sorry to bother everyone, but for some reason, when I try to go to the site to download GOTM 21, it just kicks me out of the site in total! Could somebody please help me?! Thanks!

Yeah, I'm trying GOTM for the first time and AOL would not download the file. Explorer will.

My game plays much slower when I'm playing GOTM. Is this normal?

 

[waylander]

Is there somewhere that describes the differences between open, conquest and predator?