Games

Finally looked at Randoms remarks

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I heard a while ago from friends (firstly one in [SAS] uniform) that Random had been banned off NTFs Raven Shield server(s). I also had decided not to look up the threads mentioned. To be honest, I hadn’t stayed up to date with either clans forum for several months, nor really cared much about doing so. Those close to me, likely have some understanding of my point of views -> this thing doesn’t change that! What has, is I can’t say nothing…. after reading that thread. Y’all said it was bad but I didn’t think it could be THAT bad.

A few days ago, I was playing a mod that was mentioned a long time ago in NTFs forums and I wanted to make a reply now that I tried out the mod. Did that. Since leaving [SAS], as a matter of respect (since I have friends in each), when I check one clans forum I tend to check the other as well. While I was on [SAS]’s forum, I checked Randoms thread in clan topics and was appalled.

When I was an [SAS] member, if I had posted anything like that, I would have been eaten alive. It’s the kind of stuff that could get a member banned from the entire clan!

Since seeing the clans commanding officer, in my honest opinion managed to disgrace everything [SAS] members have been demanded to uphold in their conduct, I posted a “Thank you” message addressed to Random. Publicly because he disgraced the regiment publicly in his own forum! Why a thank you? Because having to see just how low things have been allowed to sink, when the CO pulls that off and gets away with it unquestioned, it makes me happy to be out of the picture once and for all.

A [SAS] member questioned me about it, and since he has offered no objections to it when prompted, I will quote myself as a brief explanation of my logic:

Spidey01: If NTF, Rouge, and Medic each fall into the set of “other players and organizations” in the [SAS] Code of Honour, where it is clearly understood as other than an “[SAS] member”, does it follow that Randoms conduct in Clan Topics is “therefore a demotable, and potentially a bannable offense if any member is caught being disrepsectful in any online server, forum, chat room, or game room.” –> ?

Spidey01: I would act the same way if it was Tom, Dick, and Harry from clan Fools Horde.

Spidey01: Since all [SAS] Members are bound by the [SAS] Code of Honour, and Random is an [SAS] Member, it surely follows that Random is bound by the [SAS] Code of Honour. Yes?

And of course I mean no disrespect towards NTF, Rouge, Medic, Tom, Dick, Harry, or Fools Horde by that remark ;).

In my opinion Randoms conduct in [SAS]’s public forums, does constitute major breaches that code. It may even be the single biggest violation of Article 1 that I have ever seen in my life. Public and in-front of the mebership is the only areas I’ve seen GCHQ enforce the clans code of honour, so it is deffo applicable to a public forum post in Clan Topics.

If you have ever been inside [SAS] for more than a brief stay, then you know how members are supposed to resolve “Issues”, if you are or were ever of Sgt grade, then you have probably read the Moderator guidelines (last stored in the policy forum afaik), all you should have to do is read the [SAS] Code of Honour and Randoms thread, to conclude that it is a violation of [SAS] CoH. I don’t give a crap if NTF justified such action or if they gave him every possible concession, no [SAS] member is above the CoH. There is __N_O__exception to that, and even that is all but coded into the CoH! The CO has the final authority in holding members accountable: but who holds the boss man accountable, hmm? When I joined [SAS], that kind of thread would never have gotten past Randoms first posting before being obliterated as a CoH violation. The member responsible for posting it would’ve had head on a chopping block. Being a red blooded American, you could say that notions like that, may as well be tattooed on my hind end, and proud of it.

Considering that my membership in [SAS] amounts to about a quarter of my life thus far, after reading that thread, I really can’t avoid saying Random blew a nuclear sized hole in the CoH and appears to be getting off scot free.

It’s not slanderous either, it’s as factual as a speeding ticket.

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Somehow after joining Timbo for a game, and compiling a list of links to their map list… I can’t help count how many of these maps I already know :-S

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After more than 18 hours of Left 4 Dead 2, I must admit the game is addictive.

Servants Creed

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Some how I can’t help but remember what I told a friend and [SAS] member on my way out of [SAS].

“Lived in shadow, died in shadow”

Such is the nature of someone who follows orders and serves without seeking their own political benefit.

What is an [SAS] WO1? It’s a SAW, not a CO or NCO.

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Tonight a somewhat annoying thing actually occurred, I was referred to as an “Officer” in regard to my time around [SAS]. The rank I last held was “Warrant Officer Class One (WO1)”, but this is not a commissioned officer.

I was never a commissioned officer in [SAS], and generally sought to avoid becoming one!

In [SAS], there are six rank groups: GCHQ, SAW, NCO, Trooper, Recruit, and Veteran. Only people inside formally GCHQ constitute the officers. Other wise everyone above Trp would constitute an officer. That’s because of the terminology (CO versus WO versus NCO). Troopers used to be Privates. Veteran, well the morons in GCHQ could never decide whether it was to be treated administratively like a rank or a status. Recruit isn’t really a rank but is treated like it was in that regard.

In real militaries, they generally follow either of two models: one in which warrant officers are classified independent of the Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) and Commissioned Officer (CO) ranks. This is the American system, at least it is what are army in the United States has been using for a long time. [SAS] WO1 is not comparable to the U.S. WO1 or CWO* ranks. CWOs tend to hold a commission rather than a warrant now. The other system is one in which Warrant Officers are classified as part of the NCO corps. Otherwise WOs are absent.

[SAS] generally models itself after the British army in most ranking issues, and NTFs undisclosed ranking system appears to mimic the American system for Enlisted/Commissioned from what I’ve seen of it. In regards to WO1s in [SAS], it more a thing of it’s own creation.

The WO1 rank in [SAS] is classified as part of the “Special Assignments Wing (SAW)” created along side it, and generally replaced the (S)NCO rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt) for someone being given a long term “Desk job”. WO1 is not an NCO rank and it is is not a CO rank in [SAS]. It created a distinction between the training and technical work for senior members, it also moved the desk jobs to a higher spot on the mighty page, but that’s only because GCHQ made me “Fix” the glitch that placed me at the very bottom of The Mighty page 8=). I found that fitting actually, to be listed last.

In terms of [SAS]:

If you have a COMMAND related responsibility within the clan as a Non Commissioned Officer, you hold a rank with “Sergeant” in the name. Other wise you are in GCHQ and hold a Commissioned Officers rank to match.

If you have a TECHNICAL related responsibility, you are in the Special Assignments Wing (SAW). When I left that meant WO1 and in effect, a trooper whose job is to make sure site backups happen rather than play RvS all day. Thus seperating the weight of an SNCOs authority from the administrative tasks of an [SAS] SSgt, which held both.

As an SAS_WO1_name, you follow orders from GCHQ. That is it. 

There is not an overlap between the two jobs, unless someone isn’t doing THEIR job. 

The relationship between WO1 and RSM in [SAS], is similar to that between SPC and CPL in the U.S. Army. Same pay grade, different level of responsibility. However an army SPC has much more “Authority” over bossing the Privates around than a WO1 has over any rank in [SAS], comparatively speaking. The RSM gets all the authority and the WO1 gets all the paper work in [SAS].

As RSM, I had to do the jobs of three ranks: I fulfilled the responsibilities of a WO1 (technical matters), an RSM (managing trainers), and several CPLs (field trainers) worth of work. Basically I was the 2nd most overworked member in the clans entire history. The last one because of a smattering of inactive or lazy gits causing a major shortage in man power until more were groomed, and the first one because of a shortage of people willing to WORK behind the scenes on the website to make sure there was a website for everyone to use for free. All that on top of “Assignments” thrown my way that had to get done in the middle of all that. I had a similar level of being overworked when I was a CPL, as did my peers; that was due to our Sgts, for the same reasons.  When the whole WO1 thing came up, WIZ kept me briefed and Rouge was sent to deliver the formal message. I was moved to the WO1 rank to focus on web maintenance (you have no idea how much I ****ing hate that websites internals!!!) that no one else would touch, and Valroe was promoted to RSM, where he did basically half of what his rank required.

As WO1 while I was above most of the clan on the roster, all the command authority was vested purely in the hands of the RSM and GCHQ. If it was a website problem, you talk to the WO1, if it was a training schedule you talked to the Sergeant Majors. If it was a clan problem, you talked to the Major.

That was the whole idea. Spidey01 gets to focus on the website instead of spinning three wheels at the same time. Valroe gets his chance to be groomed for upper management. I enjoyed having time to “Play” games again. When it didn’t work that way, someone didn’t do their clan job. You know how I am about abusively multitasking when things need doing.

In point of fact, it was precisely that arrangement or divestment of WO1/RSM that eventually lead to my resignation becoming necessary. If you want to see something that makes what the [SAS] Major did to NTFs officers on their way out of [SAS] look like a very tame side show: become a WO1 and be ready to issue an order to the ranks below you, because your officers won’t get off their fat asses and do what’s required of their ranks according to the clans formal rules ;).

End Of File.

The Ultimate Zombie Fighting Kit

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This is in my humble opinion, the ultimate kit for fighting zombies, in the event that you should ever find yourself stuck in such a horror flick:

2 x Swords in scabbards across the back. A pair of wakizashi or a wakizashi and katana pairing would work perfectly, or something else along those lines. While technically caring for a katana in some form of post-apocalyptic zombie invasion would be a major drag, such a weapons cutting ability would be seriously useful. Either way a single sword is more than likely going to be overwhelmed and shorter blades are less likely to get in the way in doors. Using a chain saw is more likely to get you or a friendly killed than the zombies.

4 to 6 x Knives. 1 or 2 along side each boot for backup; plus another pair along the waist/legs for use as needed. Personally I think a Kukri or two would be handy, save the rest for emergencies or quick throws. You can never have enough knives in a zombie fight. Include some shuriken if possible (needle type are probably more relevant).

2 to 3 x Semi-automatic pistols. Capacity is more important than stopping power, as long as  it handles head hunting sufficiently. Although going akimbo (bring a 4th pistol) might be useful against a zombie swarm, using your strong hand to fire until dry then swapping it to the weak, as you draw the next pistol with your strong hand is likely better. Few people can reload like Lara Croft and head shots tend to be more reliable in such dire straights, unless having a minigun would be the only thing capable of saving your bacon ;). Probably best if they all can share magazines as well as cartridges, for obvious reasons: reloading on the run and through a rare lull in targets is easier that way. Arguably the main limitation is weight. If dual wielding, make sure to use tracers so you leave a round chambered by reload time. The reason? Because if you’ve got to slap in two mags and rack two slides, you’re gonna be zombie chow.

1 x A primary weapon. An assault carbine or SMG is probably the best balance of accuracy/ammo. Shotguns are useful against swarms but limited in ammunition capacity, and the “Dream” weapon for zombie fighting doesn’t exist. Namely a double barrelled, semi-automatic shotgun fed from a bag of shells. Save the scatterguns for when there’s a well rounded group of people to fend off zombies with. Personally I would fancy an H&K MP5 or an old M2 carbine, both being much lighter all around than the CAR15/HK416 family and more than powerful enough, unless again it’s time to reach for a minigun. If not using swords, slinging an uzi or a sawed off shotgun across the back for backup, is a good idea.

+ Explosives and Water. Always useful in a pinch, and sometimes an incendiary would be useful. Exposed hand grenades would be unwise, or anything else that could be “armed” by a zombie yanking at it, or pulling/crushing. This makes something like dynamite more valuable, but has the downside of course being that you might be dead before it gets lit and blown. At least one canteen is useful, in case of being separated from other survivors or temporary stranded.
+ Steel tipped boots. ‘nough said.
You now weigh at least 15-20 lbs heavier without counting the ammunition, explosives, or water. The ability to take on a good 80+ zombies without stopping on the other hand, is worth it. Just be sure to get in shape before dooms day.
When you consider how unlikely it is that you’ll be able to find a hill top surrounded by motion-tracking minuguns and a mega load of ammo/power, let along reach it alive for one reason or another: it is a very good thing that need for such an “Arsenal” is only needed in Hollywood or video games! Besides, if such a thing could ever happen in the first place, you would probably be infected by a virus turning you zombie before you would have time to worry anyway 😛

An ultra rare spider splurge

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Trying to sleep is a bloody useless affair, so I got up and spent about 5 minutes on exercise. Something like 30 each of push ups, rows, and situps/reverse crunches. That doesn’t even work off dinner. If I could have peace long enough, I could do an order of magatude more than that in an hour without breaking a sweet.

Booted up the computer after trying to explain to Willow, that it’s a bit impossible to do a situp with a 6kg dog sitting on your chest lol. In going through my usual login ritual, I decided to do something that I rarely ever do: splurge. I’ve bought a copy of Left 4 Dead 2, and at 66% off, it is such a great deal that even I can’t refuse lol. It’s been what, like 2 years since I’ve bought myself something more than an odd pound cake? I’ve still enough left over for my license and fuel needs, so I shouldn’t feel guilty about having a treat.

Ok, maybe it’s weird… survive six months of going nuts because I’m trying to move forward after ~7 years of hell, then I buy a game involving an apocalyptic swarm of zombies just as things start to resemble hopeful. Yep, that’s me in a nut shell.

Now back to exercise…. while the dogs fallen asleep 🙂

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Decided to try my hand at UrT, because I really haven’t played anything in a while. Finally had a good run, I was only holding 3rd place tonight lol.

Totally obliterated targets, alternating between riflemen, gunner, and sharpshooter. I nearly had my jaw drop when I racked up at least 3 out of 4 targets killed in about 1.5-2 seconds. If I can see the targets head, I can shoot it!

Just like dropping turkey’s.

A note on teaching what I know

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When asked to teach someone something in RvS, I make it a personal policy not to use the [SAS] server or the NTF servers for doing it; I would consider it rude. Ofc, being able to host my own private server helps, lol. I can also always tell people no, hehe, a big change over being assigned to training details.

Now that I’ve spent plenty of years and several thousand hours at the tactics and techniques, I obviously know how to play the game. The part I like however, is since I am free of [SAS]—I don’t have to water down my techniques to that level of game play. I can just play like I want, and treat the clearing like I would if it was a real house. Damn, how many hours did I spend working on that stuff out of game… lol.

UrT, the urbanised terror

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There’s just something about leading the score board and having many successful 1 on 2 / 1 on 3 engagements of late, that makes me conclude that Urban Terror just isn’t hard enough…

Where’s the challenge???