Master_Xan

I'd certainly enjoy a good duel, but it would take quite the drive for me to reach the closest other members. I think there's one or two living in Illinois (sp?), and one or two others around USA's Midwest area.

I second that question/statement...

Yep, that's the one. You can get it on Ebay, and the sequel (Red Alert 2) shouldn't be too tough to find. Its fairly new, definately on Ebay and maybe in stores in your area as well.

Both Metal Fatigue and Lost Souls have pretty decent storylines to them, but they are sci fi. I've got a good WWII game running around here somewhere (of course I'm at work right now, so I may not be able to find it easily). Don't recall the name off hand. Did you get a chance to check out the Red Alert games? They're set in the WWII period, though with a few technology differences. EDIT: Here's a good link to look for games at. Strategy Planet I've heard good things about Total Annihilation, but haven't played it myself yet. The site also links to Majesty, Kohan, Disciples, and other great strategy games. Of interest to you would probably be Panzer General and perhaps Jagged Alliance. You can also check out AoE 3 or Age of Mythology if you want, though I was never of fan of AoM and haven't played AoE 3 yet.

I got bored with the slow start, hence the speed changes. Some of the units I messed with to make more realistic, such as the dreadnaughts, and some just for fun. The VSD to Grave is one of my newest changes, and I'm debating taking it out. But I've got to tell ya, it makes it real interesting trying to take those things out in the beginning... really spices up the first few fleet engagments. More to come later tonight, I work late but I'm off tomorrow so there should be plenty then.

You don't need ocean, nor beach. These are nice, but irrelevant. As for distance, its not actually that far away. I could walk to the horizon in that photo, that farm hill just looks farther away because of the coloration. It is a bad pic to show off the mountain though, which doesn't show up hardly at all. *rummages around for another pic*

Some things can't be done over the web. For instance, the two opponents have to practice together. The camera man can't exactly live on the other side of the globe. The editing, sound effects and graphics, however, could be done online...

Oooo, one of the new breed of strategy games! The newer ones are going to have some seriously sweet graphics. Not that my computer could handle it, but maybe by the time I get around to buying such games (when they cost 10-20 instead of $50), then it might do ok. If you don't like long prep times, I'd avoid the 1602 and 1502 AD games like the plague. Never played such an addictive and completely retarded game in my life. It too would take literally hours to get some sort of military unit. Assuming you survived the pirate attacks, perfected your economy, supplied every stinkin' thing your idiot people want, and still had enough resources left over to make war people. Perhaps look to the game I mentioned before, Lost Souls. It has a rockin' soundtrack, interesting storyline, a nice depth of research and a really cool system for designing your own units, plus decent graphics. I'm not sure how your lappy will hold up to it, but its worth a shot. For something similar that your lappy might take to easier, I'd go with Metal Fatigue. Those are the only two games I know of that let you design your own units... very, very cool.

There are a few very important parts to each computer. Dispite what the page I linked to said, this is the order of importance I'd rank them: Motherboard CPU (processor) Hard drive Video card Power supply If you're thinking of building your machine, you should decide what you want to spend, what you want it to do, and based on that, find a motherboard. That is the piece that is used for each and every single thing you do on your computer, it controls the other parts, its expensive, and its a buggar to replace later on. So you want it to last, and its got to have all the expansion room you'll want for awhile. Try to get one packaged with a CPU, its just easier that way. The hard drive is important not for space reasons, but for speed. Getting at least a 7,200 RPM drive will greatly inhance your system, as you use that drive for almost everything as well. And you don't want your hard drive going out on you... thats a bigger pain then the motherboard! The video card is very important for games, obviously. RAM is too, but its really easy to replace if it goes bad or add more later on, so it doesn't even make my list. The PSU is important because, like the page I linked to said, without a good one all your other parts aren't going to work. But I've never had a bad experience with them, it seems easy to get good, cheap PSUs. So basically, think about what you want it to do, find a motherboard/CPU combo, get a case that will fit your chosen motherboard, perferably one that comes with a PSU if you want to make things easy. Pick up a 7,200 RPM hard drive, and then work on the rest... RAM, video card, CD/DVD drive, additional USB ports, a Nic card (or LAN card or network card, whatever you want to call it), floppy drive... all that stuff. I'd add a seperate sound card, even if the motherboard has integrated sound, just because the integrated stuff sucks and the extra card won't cost too much. My system config is as follows; I've put it together over years so some of the parts are a little dated. Next on my replacement list is the hard drives. Asus motherboard with 1MB cache and... hmm, forget the bus speed. Intel Pentium processor, 2.4 GHz (I wish I had an AMD...) Asus case, ATX form, blue with window, two USB on front and a firewire front as well various fans for case and a good one for the processor 768 MB RAM 256 Radeon 9550 AGP card SB Audigy Sound card THREE hard drives, pulled from different systems and totalling a mere 24 gigs (hence why they are next on the replacement list) Floppy drive (Yes, I still use it) Sony CD-R/RW/DVD ROM drive Dlink Nic card And as of now, a Continuous Power System, 500 watt modular PSU

Well... in typical geeky fashion, it doesn't really do anything. The power supply (PSU) is the little box that sits in your computers tower, upper back (back portion of the case, above the outputs for keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.). A normal PSU has cables all hooked directly to the box, and the user is unable to remove them or add to them at will. A modular supply has cables that can be removed if unneeded, or added later if you buy additional parts. Basically, the advantages of a modular as compared to a regular are as follows: Fewer cables in the tower, allowing for more work room Fewer cables means better airflow, helping to cool the computer down They usually look really cool Some people will tell you they help reduce shorts, but I don't know for sure on that one The disadvantages: Its easier to have a loose connection, as there are two places for each cable to connect as compared to one They usually cost much more then the standard PSUs, and almost never come pre-packaged with a computer case Figures 3.1 through 3.3 show the difference. The modular supply shown is different from mine, as mine even has the motherboard cables in modular design.

Very nice indeed. I was particularly impressed with the use of force powers, it looked very good. And you want to know what's sad? The facial expressions were probably better then those in a few of the duels from the movies...

I'm going to assume you're being sarcastic and didn't miss the first part of my siggy... But just in case you actually were serious (and because I can pretend I'm correcting you), I'll say that my official title will be "Master of Time and Space." Than? Than what? Oh, and you do realize its "rank," not "ranks," right?

Alright, I'm ecstatic. I just got a modular power supply, complete with not one, but two fans to cool it. Snazzy green cables, and a nice green glow effect to the main unit makes my case look really cool, especially since I have a window on one side. The thing is quiet as a mouse, provides 500 continues watts, and really freed up space and improved airflow. And the best part? It cost me $5. Eleven if you include shipping and taxes. That's right, five dollars. I spend more then that when I eat lunch at Burger King. It was $106, minus a $40 rebate and another $50 rebate. Add in the fact that I bought it from Radio Shack (no discount because it was online, but I sold it under my name so I got $5 back from commission) and I end up with a net loss of a mere 11 dollars. (I'll bet many of you have no idea what I just rambled on about. Just smile and pretend, I had to vent my joy somewhere, and my family is less then interested in computer parts. Oh, if you want one too, I can give you the info for it. But only if you live in the US, sorry but the Shack doesn't do international stuff.)

Yeah, no kidding. I mean, look at this. I'm still just a commander! While certainly an improvement over my rank of Major which I held until today, I have yet to reach my real, official title. Look to my siggy if you don't know it...

The Rockies are awesome. Great for all sorts of activities, be it snowboarding, skiing, fishing, or just plain walking around. Just don't drive around too fast if you're prone to motion sickness. I really want to visit the Andes as well, I suspect they would be fun and very beautiful. But I haven't gotten around to it yet. *Wanders off to find a good picture, just because he misses the view* EDIT: Here ya go. I'm a little disappointed in the image quality (it's a scan), but if you look close you can see the yellow/brown ("Goldish Brown" for you poets) wheat field behind my house. You can also just see the local part of the Rockies in the upper-left, directly above the trampoline and beyond the farm hill. Somewhere around here I have a better picture, but this will have to do until I find it. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/masterxan/Scenery/backyard.jpg

Ack! Noo! Keep... it... away... RUN! QUICK, BEFORE I LOOSE CONTROL! *flees from the addictive blues*

How complicated are you going for? Something of the same complexity to AoE2, more complicated (the Civ games, including the new Civ IV, are great for this), or more simplistic? For simple, there's Global Combat. Its a fun online Risk style combat game. Easy to learn, with enough fun players to keep it interesting. Just realize that as with all online games, there are always idiots. For complex, I already mentioned Civ IV. That's really the only one that comes to mind, but I can do some digging for more if you are looking for something deeper. (and digging isn't too hard for me, I'm a huge strategy gamer) For something similar to AoE2 (which I still play on a regular basis, by the way), I'd recommend any of a number of games. For story-driven missions, the Command and Conquer series is very good. I prefer the Red Alert titles, but Tiberian Sun isn't too bad either. For something with more of a sci fi feel to it, I'd heartily recommend one of my favorite games, Metal Fatige. Its a little hard to come by these days, but an Ebay search should get you a copy for a decent price, and you should be able to find a demo around somewhere if it looks interesting to you. Along a similar vein would be Earth 2150, its sequel Lost Souls (the one in the series I own), or the sequel to Lost Souls. They too are harder to come by, again go to Ebay if you get interested. Here's a link. Of course, in the sci fi category there is always the classic. The one and only Starcraft. My personal favorite strategy game of all time, as it strikes a very good balance between speed, addictiveness, complexity, and replay value. Other games are better in some ways to Starcraft, but I still haven't found one that beats the combination. Especially since the campaigns are very, very good. That should give you a few options. If you don't like any of them, feel free to ask for some more or PM me. I have quite a lot of strategy games, if I can't find something you like I'd be pretty surprised.

A very happy birthday to you, Mad! May many wonderful things happen to you this next year (and many great gifts on your B-day to start it off ).

If you guys want to see what you're missing with that "wall of corn", just say the word and I'll hunt around for a picture of my yard in Lewiston, Idaho (before I moved to South Dakota). Absolutely beautiful view right out my window, and what's even better is that as everybody on the edge of town had such a view. Corn is no substitute for mountains. Nor are hills, ditches, ravines, bluffs, or city buildings. You can see mountains even if you are in the city (unless its a very major city with big high-risers, anyway). You actually have to twist and turn when driving up a mountain. Nobody much builds on them, so they usually sport great camp grounds, wonderous hiking areas, or just plain crisp air. The only thing that can help soothe the wound of having no mountains is trees/parks, but even these are no replacement... I love mountains. The only thing better is forested mountains.

Sorry for the double post, but this is the next bit (much shorter for easier reading)... EDIT: Corrected some goof-ups I had. I mixed up this game with another I had been playing previously (how Bulky died is now correct). Between days 122 and 164, not much happens. Things are built, including an adv. construction yard for Yaga Minor (though it will be 50ish days before it arrives). I recruit many people, who are sent out across the galaxy. Most end up at Duros for sabotage missions or doing diplomacy missions in the Sluis sector. Day 165 sees my first real bad news. Mon Cal is where I decided to put [i/Bulky[/i],my aptly named and damaged bulk cruiser, while I moved the rest of the fleet to Sluis Van for protection of the construction yards I’m building there. I had edited a few of the capital ships, removing the VSD completely and replacing it with an upgraded Interdictor. It makes the opening battles more interesting, as the Empire starts with a few even though they require research to build more. I named them ‘Grave’ class Interdictors, as their arrival is usually a very grave thing for the Alliance. Anyway, one grave arrived at Mon Cal. Bulky had damaged shields and weapons, but even worse his hyperspace engines were offline, so he was no match for it. After quickly dispatching poor Bulky, the Grave moved to parts unknown. This is a major blow, as Bulky was the only bulk cruiser I started with; he and my three Corellian corvettes (Swift, Smooth, and Quick) were the only capital ships I had outside of a medium transport and my two carriers. My corvettes are now the only escort I can provide for my carriers, meaning an engagement with an ISD would be dangerous indeed. Days 166-173 were quiet as well… almost as though I really had sent the Imps reeling with my seizure of the Sluis sector. But Day 174 quickly broke me of such notions. Wistril is under blockade! THEY ARE ASSAULTING WISTRIL! AAAAH! They have TWO ISDS, a VSD, another Grave, and… crap, they moved away before I could see what else they had. Fortunately, it must have been a weak assault. I’d stationed three Mon Cal regiments there, they killed one and two mines. But I retain control! Ha, eat that, Imperial tyrants! Looks like it helped my PR out too, though not enough to push anybody over the edge… By day 177 I had done quite a bit of busy work. Recruitment just finished, I’ve started construction on the major shipyards in Sumitra sector, and I’ll soon have a construction yard planet in each of my important sectors (and a few in unimportant ones as well; got to hold those staging areas!). Unfortunately, my fleet remains 5 ships, of which one carrier is off on its own without even a corvette for an escort. If I’m going to make this a fleet battle, I’d better get those major shipyards going so I can build something besides fighters… besides, I'm getting a nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach. The Empire has a nasty fleet in the sector with Wistril... I may not be able to hold my two planets there for long.

I've been debating whether or not I should copy/paste it into Word. That would get the spelling done with, and I'd have to remove the tags and replace them. Other then that, it could probably use a few revisions from you (nothing I ever write is perfect the first go around, anyway). That's really all it would take to get it good enough to submit to someplace; they'll probably do their own editing, depending on where you submit it of course. Just get the obvious things done and then any story revisions and you should be good to go.

Ah, picky picky... I've only read a few of his posts, didn't know when he disappeared. But its good to see you back, I've only heard good things!

He heard nasty rumors about me and disappeared when I showed up... perhaps a very wise decision.

Small galaxy is good for learning, quick games against friends (or so I'd imagine, anyway), and experimentation. I use small all the time when I'm tinkering with unit stats and so forth. Other then that, large is the way to go. I almost never do medium.

More to come tonight, I'm trying to not post too much at once. Hopefully that will be the longest post, had to get the set up and all. Moff Conway, aren't you getting enough Imperial victories with BS's great story? If not, as there may not be such a thing as too many Imperial victories, you can rest assured that I'm planning on doing one from the Imperial side as well. Just because I'm enjoying writing this one, and would like to show some of my strategies, maybe get some comments on them.