Games

Personal Training

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Kill House: SAS Hallway, Practice Mission on Veteran mode.
Character: Eddie Price (Ex SAS, also Dings 2nd in command of Rainbow in the book).
Armour: Light Blue BDU / Vest.
Primary: H&K MP5A4 SMG with attached suppressor (SD) and JHP Ammo.
Secondary: SIG-Sauer P228 Compact Pistol and FMJ Ammo (no attachments).
Tactical: Primary and Secondary magazines (no grenades).

Debrief:

Before the operation I disabled all elements of the games HUD (Heads Up Display) except for the on screen weapon, e.g. I could see my MP5 but no icons, cross hairs or ammunition counters.

I engaged room by room, trying to be careful of crossing doors and being detected. Opening doors and slicing the pie, often trying to recon the room before entry. I engaged in close quarters shooting with several enemy tangos including having to shoot with hostages between me and the terrorists and tangos in close proximity to explosive barrels (Vive la JHP!).

During the room clearing I was almost injured by an enemy pistol shot during the first leg of the journey, it hit the door jam next to my face. The single shot appeared not to alert near by tangos as I neutralized the threat with my follow up shots. Continuing with my clearing efforts I eventually reached the bar at the end. And the very pretty lady hostage marking the final room 🙂

Things I can improve on:

My Accuracy, 71% might be very good for me but it is not all that great in a hostage situation.

My door/corner handling, I was almost injured slicing the pie because I could see the tango but my muzzle did not have a clearly lined up shot.

Overall pace, could have been a lot faster / smoother.

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For website:

FIX TEAM SPEAK THING

For SAS Skin Packs:

Switch to heavy pants for all heavy armour (try to fix gfx bug)

strip all emblems from heavy pants

re position all arm patches on light pants

fix sabre packages

make drill instructor skin (maybe SoliderMilhaus91 can help us on this one)

Fix typo’s in loadout screen

remove ‘box’ from Green and Gray BDU sets (and find suitable heavy pants for each)

import new face print and no armour vest (vest maybe needs a colour dab on text)

Be extremely thankful for SoliderMilhaus91 and Miles helping with this!!!

*probably* fix Special Air Service text on back of light armour (team colour tag blares it out a lot).

Also todo:

Make minor adjustments to the Personal uniforms Milhaus has supplied, namely fixing the class files so the names fit in the loadout and chaning a few colours.

Make installer with SAS Assault Kit (Black, Green, Blue), Drill Instructor, and Sabre Squad skins (Based on SWAT3 Sabre Uniform). Maybe include LAPD package.

Make installer with the Custom skins, SAS Personals and SoliderMilhaus91’s LAPD uniform (without whoem we would not have such a great SAS Black kit 🙂 )

Quickie

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Well, I finally got some game time this mid-week.

3 Rounds, 2 maps COTT and QFCS in TG#3.

The first round on the Childern of Tarrone map went very nice until I got in the basement. I had taken a stealth to first contact kit with the intent to stay out of site. My MP5+SD with FMJ and a Glock 17 with JHP in case it got thick. Plus a tripple package of Flash bangs, one wedge, and a mirror with C2 charges.

I had a Civi on the insertion (top of stairs) and had to deal with it. So I checked the top, had a tango up there. I couldn’t return fire without injuring the civilian near me (her hand was in the way). But luckily I didn’t have to, he was threatening a Civil. So I side stepped and put a 3rd burst into his upper body. No effect but a stagger, he turned as if to ifre. So I put two in his head on semi-auto. It didn’t kill him but the Fuel Tank behind him blowing up did. The hostage flee’d unscratched some how… lol. Since the position of the body made it look plasuable that it was an ‘accident’, I got out of the area and continued in Stealth.

Got to clear one of the lower side rooms, couldn’t see any one on the first PoE, mirrored the 2nd and saw a Red Head facing the window. So I worked my way back to the first door. I figured if she heard the door, there would be a SG shell for my face when I leaned out to shoot. I was in luck,she didn’t hear it so I got to creep closer. To my suprise theres a second girl (civilian), I got close and gave the Red head a tap on the back with the punch and compliance keys. That ensured a safe and clean arrest, did the same to the very nasty civi and snatched the shotty away from them before cuffing.

The problem is, when I hit the basement on my optiwand I could see one sentry with an AKS-74 and Tarrone walking by, I stacked quick to pop open the door and roll a back in between them. As usual, it was locked so I figured I man as well mirror again. The sentry saw the mirror slide under the door and tried to push it open. I planted C2 hoping not to get shot threw the door (thank you very stupid suspect AI). Blew it and charged in button hooking left. If I had to take on multiple suspects I’d rather not leave any one at my back.

I came round the back pillar to a tango about to surrender. He was just to slow and ended up with a 3rd Burst of FMJ in his shoulder/neck. I cicled around him since he was surrendering, I shouted (I should’ve punched). Then BAM all of the sudden he stands up as I click on my light to see better. And before I can squeese off another burst he shoots me point blank. The 9x19mm FMJ just didn’t cut it…

On Quik Fuel, I tried a stealth to first contact round with the same kit but with JHP for my primary, 1 gas in place of a bang, and M1911 /w FMJ instead of the glock. Went well other then taking a SG shell to the leg at spawn, plan went to heck fast but I managed to clear it ok. Next round I tried Dynamic, 3 bangs, stinger, and opti just in case. P90 with JHP and same as the last round. It went ok, rounded the first corner to a tango, he ran. I sliced the corner more to find two tangos, almost perfect Line of Fire to drop them both if I had FMJ. It’s a good thing I didn’t use FMJ, because a Civi ean between them. I pumped out 25 rounds downing tow suspects and tried not to hit the girl running around like a headless chicken.

Made a clean insertion into the break room and went for the store front with a flash bang. Charged in, I figured I would hook right and use the Cash Register as a foot hold. If there was a tnago there, I’d meet him first, it was only a civilian who dropped to his knees and surrendered. Shotgun shells flew my way, I turned left to return fire only to suck a shotgun shell. I kept moving to my side as I tried to pin point where the shots came from. I got tunnle vision on the barrow and let’er rip with the P90. Unfortinitly that stupid civialian stuck his head up like a moron and got half a dozen rounds passed through it.

Once the smoke cleared I saw that I had 3 suspects close by in the aisles. They had been so close I was able to rake them with gunfire. If it had been real life I would probably been able to push the hostage down to the ground while my #2 took care of the shooters. Since I was alone and it’s a game… SWAT4 has a little issue. That pawns are solid until they surrender. Then you can walk through them until you cuff them or they ‘unsurrender’ in TSS. So I basically walked through the hostage and he jumped up with me standing sort of ‘in’ him… Funky game really. Moved on to coninue the map and clear it. Only loss of score was putting the hostage out with a headshot for jumping in front of my line of fire lol.

*sighs* back to the training.

The journey

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While making my huge post in the members forum, it’s given me good time to think. even if it’s taken me about an hour and a half to respond to Noer, survey the NCO Forum, and write that post.

I remember, there was once a time when I considered leaving the [SAS]. I was bored, I was tired of training, for what? I asked. Well, I continued on that road. Because I knew it was going to be awesome and I wanted to help other people find the little joyful group I did.

I guess, it was the tactics and the people that drew me to [SAS]. I had often played on TG#1, because I wanted a place I could play — un molested by rambunctious pests. Where I could play and work on doing the missions in a realistic manor. Eventually, I realised that the [SAS] Members were not only very skilled. But also a great team, one that employed tactics and team work to solve problems. Rather then the Let’s run in there, blow every thing up, and rescue the hostages if they’re still alive. Kind of approach found on many other serves.

I trained my self as hard as I could. While I don’t like to think that way, I may have been one of the best troopers in terms of skill/training time after Python was promoted. I didn’t do any thing other then what I was asked and expected to do. But I did it and gave it my all.

My friend Python was always a good example of a Trooper when I was a Recruit. He trained hard and played hard. Even to become a member of the Elite Sabre Squad, if [SAS] was the tip of the spear in terms of skill and tactics. Sabre was the very sharp point of that. Because I was a Trp and had time to learn. I worked, I learned to use every weapon in the game,w ell almost… I admit I did kind of skip a lot of practicing with the AP Army and WA-2000 for a lot of time lol. I have Never been as strong on core skills as when I was a Trp… I miss those 40-45hr a week gaming sessions.

I got so bored after awhile, I nearly quit. Because I had nothing more to do, and little else to learn. I tried to help out Rand with his Training Sessions but was probably more work for him then help. (Yes I am annoying). I also attended as many Continuation Trainings as I could, even if I didn’t always agree with some of the things James did to make them ‘Film’ ready. I was there to train, not make a movie! lol.

I desided I would remian and serve. Why? Because I wanted to help others find what I did. It’s never really been about me. The things I do, I do because I want to see [SAS] prosper and because it is my joy to help do that.

When I was LCpl, I’d say I was probably a failure. The only good thing to happen is probably being a part of Hexen and Miles training. As a Cpl, I think I was a little more successful. The old ‘Bad ass’ skill levels I had as a Trp were waining but I was gaining experience and I got to teach people. Some thing I really wanted to do. Although it was not my place to do so, nor was I asked to. I tried to help out with the SOP Rewrites.

When I was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major, I soon found that I had so much more room for improvement. Not just my skills but my thinking. My concepts of room clearing had changed very little between Rct->Cpl, but as SSM they changed a lot. I was able to do more with the SOP work, yet I got to do a lot else. As SSM I spent a lot of time training and gaming. It was very fun. As RSM, well I’ve gotten more work done. What I like about being RSM, I can get stuff done. Without the rest of [SAS], it would never get done. The least I can do, is do my fair share. I don’t always get to play as much as I would like, another 10 hours a week would be fun. But I know with the time I spend on [SAS] that is not in server. That it’s time spent well. All in all, I think my favorite thing about being RSM. Has been the SOP Rewrites. I could now take more initiative, not as much as the only smoe. But as a builder. Most of the SOP Rewrites we’ve done. Has been done by me and Rasa and Miles.

I did a lot of initial work and when Rasa came on board it was like hell fire. Together we did a lot of work and thanks to Rasa’s participation the SOP Rewrites have come out a thousand times better then if I had done it all. Not as fast but so much better that it is worth it. When we got permission to get Miles on board in limited capacity we got even more productive. When he became Sgt, he was essentially fully cleared to work on it. I know Noer regrets not being as involved in the task as we have been, but it’s not his fault.

Why did I want to do stuff with the SOP Rewrites? Well aside from the fact that I’ve been expecting them since I was a LCpl… They needed to be done, and done right. I took a look at the [SAS] Membership as a whole. And there was no one else who was current on both games, RvS and SWAT4. Rasa eventually got current on RvS again and Miles and Lazko have tried to be and stay so. Random, well tbh I wonder if SOP has any effect on how he plays some times. But he arguable has so much experience he is a walking SOP lol.

I wanted to see the SOP Rewrites do justice to both games, be some thing that we could maintain for future generations. And I wanted it to be consistent. So maybe it is great that they are basically the work of 3 people. Well, I can’t forget Moe, all but one PDF (the weapons thing) of the SOP’s on the web site. Were done by Moe when he was active. A lot of it was so good we kept it, hacked it into wording that fitted our needs, and expanded upon it in spots.

What I do in the [SAS], is not for me. It is for the [SAS] — I serve because I want to help make it better. Not because what it can do for me, it is what I can do for it that matters.

I’m not one to stick my neck out. But I am a loyal person. There is some thing about [SAS] that for some reason. I’ve come to consider it as more important then myself. I might not *always* like some things. but I remember, it’s not about ME, it’s about [SAS].

I’ve never asked other people to be like I am in that regard. But that is how it is for me, plain and simple. What’s good for [SAS] is more important then what I want.

A while back, Yuke asked me some thing. Some thing I have thought about and fear some what should it happen… Some thing I would prefer not to do but will do if I am asked. Not because I want to, but because it may allow me to better serve my team. I’d much rather stay where I am but it’s not my choice.

Bollocks! It’s 0225…. Time to get in server. I’ve been itching for some game time since Wednesday and spent all day working. It was Midnight when I got on and I’m stilln ot done with the Forums yet.

Time to hit the servers !!!!!!!!!!

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Since my unconventional training ideas been approved. I’m planning on letting it rip for Saturday in TG#1 (RvS). Since Scouts Live Op may go green light on Sunday. I’m probably going to try and get a training session done in SWAT4 before or after the live op. I expect that I’ll probably have to do it another day though.

Because what I have planned for with SWAT4, I can really do any day I can get a training session going. But it will take the better part of my day to do it, so I’ll probably end up doing it another day of the week :-(. But I’d much rather see Scouts Live Op be a success.

It would also be nice if I could manage NOT getting shot in the tookus this time… I think most live ops I’ve been in I’ve managed to get shot, even when I lived. I remember the operation on that Mogadishu Mile map. Me and Lazko finished it, last men standing. Including me with a SD Sniper rifle and a Glock 17 both critically low on Ammo and thankful you can’t bleed to death from injuries in SWAT4 like in AAO lolol.

My top secret project is doing good. Most of the doc written last night. I hope to have a chance to talk with Noer about what he thinks. I’m also some what hesitent to suggest employing the doc I’ve written when I consider the potentional ramifications of it being put into practice. Should it get into wild spread usage throughout [SAS]. But I still would like to do it, even if only on a small scale… One dedicated team even.

I still have a few things to work on but I’m mostly cought up with the important stuff. Next weekend if the boss doesn’t have any huge todo lists. It might turn into a semi-vacation for me. Good thing I didn’t find time to clean my laptop yet… It means being around 6 dogs for 3 days. And my Laptops never recovered from last time!!!

It also might interfere with a little rendezvous…. but can’t help that. I’d rather have the time to rest any way then.. Well I’m not saying any details ^_^.

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*SIGH* It seems like every time I want to sit down and type some thing for my blog. I always end up AFK =/

Being the healthest sick person in the house, I guess thats to be expected…. That or I just need to learn how to build my self a sound proof bunker lol.

*sighs*….

Being Busy yet still not getting any thing done sucks. At least I did get ONE thing useful done today, sent GCHQ a new recruit checklist to nit pick. With about 30-40 items on it hehe.

Not to mention I need to get up for work and out the door around 0700 every day til Tuesday (when I get to sleep in till almost 0830). And hopefully a Day off come September 28th. If I’m lucky, maybe the 6th and 7th of October. I’d like to try and put together a Live Op for SWAT4 around then, because all the ones I have been setting up have been for RvS. The problem, it’s hard to get a decent map for a Live Op in SWAT4. And to make it worse without a Mic I can’t even play test the map…

Usually when I do a Live Op, I play it a little in Custom Mission mode (RvS) and will use the ghost cam to take some screen shots for Intel, likethe 8 I did for Saving The Prince. And during the Live Op itself, I usually try to serve as an Operator at the Tactical Operations Centre, providing support via the Radio. In SWAT4, I can’t take any intel photo’s like that (Fuuy) and if I play test the map. Because theres no real spectator mode thats worth a damn. I would have to probably communicate only via XFire with the Element as they clear the map — because I can’t talk on without a Mic!. And If I’m in the server but not playing the map, that robs some one a slot who could be in the Op. Not to mention, if I don’t play test the map before using it for the Live Op, I have no way of knowing what situation the guys will walk into. And therefore no way to provide any briefing…. Which kind’ve takes the point out of it. Since a Live Op is supposed to be as close to the real thing as we can get.

Raged Spiders

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Well, the live op was a master scaled disaster.

The planning started in March, the Live Op was to be marvelous. The map was huge, 5 levels worth and three huge buildings plus larger areas connecting them. Plus a bell tower with a sniper. Two hostages and a Bomb !

The scenario was pretty simple, HRH Prince Charles of Wales got kidnapped and was tracked down. At the direction of MI5, Armed Police kicked in the door on a house where the Residents were suspected of being terrorists. After a heck of a fight, they link up with lots of others and take over U.W.A. A big university in south Wales. Two strike choppers of the Royal Protection Squad taken out of the sky in a quick rescue attempt gone bad.

I stayed up all night to make the Intel doc’s we used for this simulation. 8 Photo’s with detailed comments so people could plan the map, about the only aid that we got lol. I even saved a last photo for an ‘in mission update’ showing the primary hostage, complete with bomb.

The [SAS] Element was to enter the fortress sized building, overcome the enemy, locate the royal hostage, optionally an injured pilot (from the RPS rescue attempt). And extract. I’d clear the roof area and get the tech squad to destroy the SAM sites on the roofs so we can get a Helicopter extraction. Then redeploy, go dynamic and frag every hostile on the map (reloaded to a tango hunt).

So, what went wrong?

Before the Live Op started, every one was supposed to be briefed, the last Intel was posted a day or two before the deadline.

There should’ve been a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in command ready before the mission took place and a special Dynamic aslt plan prepared (the Immediate Action Plan) in place the Live Op had to launch early (Shots fired, hostage in danger, GO GO GO!).

It took forever for them to read the Intel -> but they did very good with the 15min time limit to plan the op.

Several people mis-installed the map because I didn’t have time to make a Click Team installer for it, just a batch file to install the files to the default paths for those who had it. Rest had to do it manually. Map was like 68MB, zipped down to 17.7MB.

During this time I was arguing with my mom, she used the phone and it caused my (aDSL/Ethernet) network connection to drop (A little problem we have here). So I had to storm out and devliever AJ (my nephew). They were nice enough to wait for me… Unforutintly Pittman couldn’t hang around it took to long.

Every one f@#king died

Leaving a bunch of Old School [SAS] in Royal Protection Squad Uniforms to come out of my imagination and save the day.

I’ve worked hard for months (March-September) setting up this live op. I wanted it to be some thing special for the guys, a real good live op. But it was hell on wheels from where I sat.

To top it all off, my family has all but tried to sabotage the freaking live op most of the afternoon. When I’ve gone through the trouble of arranging FOUR MONTHS in advance to have ONE DAY to spend on the computer. Gone through the hoopla of getting 7 people organised into for a single advent, planned down to the polish on the boots.

I freaking expect to be there with the time I scheduled to be rightfully mine to try & use!

Only GOD has a right to control my life without my permission.

The day before, when we scheduled to have me cart my nephew (my sisters bird) over there. I specified BEFORE 2 or in the Evening after the live op. We had every thing arranged like clock work the day before,, perfect I would be able to do what they wanted + get to hold the Live Op.

What happens? She’s not ready of bed by 3pm. My mother is going ape because she wants the loud mouth bird out of hear so she can work (his bird cage was in the way). So I’ve got to hold up the dang live op. It could have been easily done after the live op, simple. But no, they can’t wait for some thing planned months before there plans were even on the to do list.

All because two people can’t follow a schedule. They can’t do what they’ve agreed, they can’t deal with “Your late, then you wait”, well frag’em. Hell, I can’t even have a conversation with some one without my family interfering.

//— Start Rant —//
Not fit for human consumption
//— End Ran —//

Most of the time I ever do get to play games with my friends, it’s because my family is driving me too crazy to get stuff done. Or I’m not physically and mentally up to the task, so I send a few rounds with my friends then drop to get back to work. Most of the other times, it’s because some one asked me to Join them for a few games. I’m thankful for it.

I’ve had enough, if my family won’t respect me as I respect them. Then they can suck off before I show them the behavior I prefer to. They want to be bastards, then I should be a Monster. An Iron Fist. But I’m not that kind of person…. Unlike the rest of my family (IMHO), I think controlling your self before you allow yourself to hurt some one you care for is a thing that we should try.. I don’t like to hurt people, it’s not who I am. I like to be ‘me’, I like to be free. But not to the extent that I rip up other people.

I think if I ever get married, I would have more to apologize to my wife for then be thankful for of what place my experiences in Family life have had an effect on me. After nearly 20 years of being around people, they rub off on you…. Even things you try to avoid. Needless to say, much of whats gone on in my Family…. Is not what I want a future generation to ever know what it’s like.

The result? Some times I’m like a monster… Like I’ve seen them, at least in the same spirit of. The difference? I don’t want to be… I see it for what it is, wrong. I don’t like to be ‘mean’, it’s just not who I am on the inside. But it’s the rage they bring out in me. The rage I’ve learned from being around my family…

*sigh*.

No matter what I do, they always hurt me…. but I don’t want to hurt them back, even if I feel I should at times. And even thinking that way for a few minutes (to inflict on them what they inflict on me) is some thing I’m sorrowful about when I calm down.

One of the reasons why I work to try and serve the [SAS] and it’s Membership, is because it’s not like my family. It’s a good place, one where I would be honored to see my Children become involved in it; if I ever live to have any.

Of my travel through live, the best things to happen to me…

Finding GOD

My time with the SAS

Learning to read

And learning every thing I can about the things that interest me.

The miserable part? My family has had very little positive involvement or influence in any of it, other then learning to read… =S While other people have…

Operation Excalibur

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For what spare time I have when I’m not doing some thing on the current website…. I have some time to work on my ‘little’ project. sasclan.org version 3 !

  • Structure database
  • Create an include for site-wide common routines
  • Write new checklist module
  • Port TeamSpeak and Game Server blocks
  • Upgrade/Rewrite access control system
  • Hack up the shoutbox module
  • Write a new mighty page system
  • Integrate [SAS] Member/Recruit management tasks…
  • Port tactics pages
  • The Live Operations Centre…
  • SACS?
  • Maybe work on another updated theme with Wiz’s help, hmm…
  • Set up downloads
  • Remove unnecessary code
  • *ARG* try to ditch old non standard tags that plague the site….

I’m working on a local server and trying to see if I can make any improvements, after the work we are currently doing on the site. Maybe I’ll have time to finish my project. The website we have now is pretty good, yet… There’s still a lot to be done on the current site.

I think it would be awesome to clean house though :-), umm code.

Bell Tower Sniper

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One thing I do like about Americas Army Ops is the Sniping. I was doing some nice melon popping tonight. At least 4 or 5 kills with the Sniper Rifle, plus one with my Sidearm and another with a captured AKM while I was in th e Sniper Slot.

If I can see the target, I can hit the target. At least if I’ve got a secure firing position. It’s a little hard to snipe some one, if you’ve got about 5 guys trying to fire you up.

I don’t like the M82A1 all that much for casual work, even if the magazine is useful. I find th e M24 much more accurate not to mention lighter weight.

All went well, until two morons from my team started strafe dancing directly in front of my line of fire. Heck, a guy is laying prone, bleeding to death from battle injuries, sniper rifle in hand, bipod out, scouting for remaining enemy targets. And what do these assholes do? They compromise my position, get us taking fire from a Gunner. And vola ! I get shot full of it while they get away to use their medic packs on each other (they got injured when the Gunner opened fire).

If the game didn’t punish people for it, I think I would’ve taken out my M9 Pistol and shot them both just for being so stupid… One advantage of AAO. Since it’s not an SAS Game and I’ve had an account since 1.4’ish, even had to recreate it once during one of the updates long ago. I still have my old call sign from before I was ever known as Spidey01, nore having to remember I’m ‘in uniform’ like with RvS or S4.

I hate VERY much to Team Kill but these guys were so bloody stupid… If I had been able to see the target through their combined fat buns. Maybe I would’ve gotten to live through that round if I didn’t shoot them in the balls by mistake lol. But no, I get shot for doing my job… They get to live for playing like noobs.

What a game !!!

Thursdays are always a pain

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Well, even now that I’m not working usual hours on Thursdays… they are still nightmares. Most of the days been a collection of minor disasters of one sort or another.

I’ve managed to actually get two things done today… Just two worth noting.

Working on controlled pairs w/ the G3A3 in RvS, dealing with multiple targets, and my favorite. A quick double tap followed by a follow up to the head/neck to make sure they go down for good. The over riding rule I have in ammunition usage, is I keep firing till I can confirm the targets out of the picture. The first 2 rounds might get him, but I have no problem with firing a 3rd or 4th before they hit the ground. It might be a waste of ammo but if I’m not sure they are neutralised after my normal 2-3rnd burst. I’m shooting the target again! Just the same with multiple targets, Find the most threatening target, hit it, find the next, hit it. Rinse and repeat and keep firing till all targets are down or I’m wishing the game allowed me to throw the rifle at the tango ! I think having to deal with 2 or 3 tangos at once is important. You don’t really have time to make sure you kill any one on the first solvo…. I remember in F.E.A.R. I was pissed at always getting shot at by a bunch of Replicas trying to set up an Ambush. So when I started taking fire, I had enough of that crap. Grabbed my scattergun and came blitz’ing around the corner in Slow-Mo mode. Plugged one Replica with a shell, cycled over to the next and missed. Put a nice hole in the wall :/, no time to argue so I cycled back to the first with another shell as he dropped to the ground (kia) Cycled back to the second Replica again, took him down with a shot to stagger him as I dropped out of ‘Slow-mo’ mode. Then leaped into a nice Round-House that smashed the Replica’s skull on a near ledge in a very awkward way for a Video Game. A crazy and foolish assault but the game made for an interesting chance to engage multiple targets.

Also,

def edit_file( editor=nil, file=nil )

  unless editor
    if Platform::OS == :win32
      #We need to dig in to the registry later
      system( "notepad #{file}" )
    elsif Platform::OS == :unix
      if ENV['EDITOR']
        system( "#{ENV['EDITOR']} #{file}" )
      else
        system( "vi #{file}" )
      end
    end
  else
    system( "#{editor} #{file}" )
  end

end

I got to finish solving a little problem. How to figure out what OS the program is running on in order to adopt, e.g. notepad or vi as an editor of last resort. The Platform module from rubyforge gives us a decent way of finding out if it’s a Windows or Unix based system. I don’t have any access to a Mac… so oh well. :S

Later when I’ve got time, I want to see about pulling the systems default editor for .txt files from the registry, since $EDITOR is not useful on Windows NT. The snippet also shows some thing I really like about Ruby, the unless statement.

# For example, Ruby
unless 5 < 4
  puts '5 is more then 4'
end


/* and in C which has no unless statement */
if ( !5 < 4 ) {
        printf( "5 is more then 4" )
}

while I’ve never cared much for the if ( !expr ) bit in C, I learned to read it fine. In what reminds me of Perl, you can also do a bit of < code > unless expr on one line if you want in Ruby. What I like about the idea of an unless and until statement, is unlike if (!expr) and while (!expr), after a shit load of reading. It’s a little harder to miss the difference when it’s not dependent on seeing the ‘!’. One reason why I use parentheses the way I do, is I’ve found it much easier on the eyes. When I do have enough time. I find my self reading a lot, so when I’m half asleep and I’m trying to remember what I read 2,000 lines ago. It’s pretty dang easy to foul up and have to wait on the compiler to scream. I’m not lucky enough to be able to have both time to read code and to sleep… lol. I remember I once spent like a half hour trying to fix a program that wouldn’t build. The whole dang problem? Was just a comma instead of a period, some_struct,member instead of some_struct.member and after 3 or 4 hours of non stop working… I couldn’t tell the difference between the , and . with my font and tied eyes.

So needless to say, I like to keep in mind that I may not be functioning in a stable frame of mind when I do things. The less I can leave for my self to fuck up, the less I have to smack my self upside the head for not seeing in the first place.

While I’ve never claimed to be decent at it, C is my strongest language. There’s just some thing about C that gets me, like the ultimate balance to my tastes. With Ruby, I’ve found that the pace it allows me to maintain is to good to pass up. Just being able to open a new tab with irb in it; for testing short bits of code. Is so much faster then opening a new tab, writing a scratch file, compiling it, and screwing with it till it works. Before finally adopting it to make use of it in what ever I’m working on. I think theres actually an interceptor for C but I’ve never tried any thing but a compiler.

I’m used to C style syntax, I started learning with C++, not really a good choice but it worked. Java and Perl are pretty similar in the basics. When I found C, I fell in love :/ so I’m pretty used to the idea of having to deal with things when I have to. I know crap about PHP but it’s close enough to the languages I do know that I can get along ok. In Ruby the syntax is very different but it’s kind of nice. You even have the choice of { … } or do … end, I usually use do and end because I feel they fit in well with the syntactic style (imho).

When ever I write some thing, if it’s not short or a quickie I’ll never need again. I try to keep a few things in mind.

  1. That I know what the hell I did, when I haven’t worked on it closely in weeks or months
  2. That it’s fairly easy to understand whats happening
  3. That after you read it, you’ll probably get the jist of how it works. And hopefully what it does by reading the comments

I really hate when I start reading a function and it’s so deep. by the time I get to the functions ending ‘}’ I can’t even remember what the hell it was named — I’ve never written a routine that fat!! lol. When I can, I like things to fit on a screen/screen and a half’ish for what I need to see. If I can’t keep the routine down to a manageable size. I’ll usually write other functions in the module just to help it do it’s job. I’d rather follow the line of execution to another function to make a change, then have like another 40 lines to scroll past in search of it. Most of the personal conventions I have, are ether to make my self clear yet efficient without making it easy for me to screw up. I believe source code is meant to be read by humans and run by machines, in that order. If I think it makes it easier on the reader without much cost, I’ll do it. Thats probably why when I work on some thing, I do it in stages. I make a prototype and some test pieces, I learn from that. Then I adopt and apply it to the main section. Once it’s done and doing what I want it to do. I try to go back over it and see if I can improve its quality.