20-01-2003 18:58									#1
	New measures Tired of ads?

As things seem to go rather bad now and I fear that the project is soon at the edge of collapsing, I've decided to act and try to save us from a total disaster.

As for the website and forums, there's no trouble at all as things are just fine. The opening has now been postponed to next week, but the day and times will be set as soon as I get the responses. So nothing to worry about it.

Then we have the administrative issues. I have really no idea what's going on with Blake and where he's now. AFAIK he should be at home, but no confirmed details about that either. I will try to force him to take action, but I really can't promise that he's going to return. As for me, I'm trying to do the best I can, despite it's getting harder now. If Blake is not seen after one month, we need to seriously think over again about what to do.

The work related to graphics has now also suffered a bad hit. Aaglo has confirmed that he's leaving the team now as he's not capable of producing more advanced 3D graphics and he's also lacking time (due to work) to work on the project. I have agreed about that and it's clear now. Frozzy is simply too busy now with his studies and all other activities, so he has to cut down somewhere. He's very sad for this, but nothing can be done. The issue with him has also been settled. Killingjoker has apparently lost his interest too as no response has been received. I.e. we currently have only one person working with graphics. Targon, as you seem to know how the graphics work should be co-ordinated, I set you as the new Graphics Manager and hope that you can try to lead the graphics work. Please let me know what special requirements you want to set for new Graphics Artist reqcruits on SourceForge as I'll announce ASAP on SourceForge that we are looking for people interested about making graphics.

The sound section is still dead as before, because our old Sound Manager disappeared ages ago and there doesn't seem to be any real hurry with this.

As for the coding, we seem to have most coders present, which of course great, compared to the rest of this misery. As Blake isn't now capable of handling this work, I've decided that I either appoint a Senior Code Writer that handles the coding while he's absent or then the code writing "expert" group co-ordinates the work together by discussing how to arrange the work and agree about the details. I hope that you could come up with a solution. I will not look around for more coders now as there's no lack of ones now. I would suggest that Vultur, Kurilka or Vovansim would lead the work for now, but that means you have to remain as active as before.

Writing and documentation is currently aside, except for GOD which won't be the ultimate answer to all questions. So nothing to comment about this now. I've already agreed with DBTS about "some" material for the website.

Helpmates, what would you be capable of doing right now? I know that Ace is at least keen to work, but is anyone into 3D graphics? However there's not much else now, unless you have something to propose.

I'll try to keep things running, but I need effort and iniatives from all coders. If you want to poll something, feel free to do so. I'm open for almost all solutions now as I try to make things flexible for co-ordinating the coding.

Awaiting for better times...

Rasbelin

	20-01-2003 21:11									#2
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Well, it is good that you decided to take some action, Ras. Even when Blake was here and was posting regularly, he never responded to a single one of my questions via PM's, and IMHO a coding leader has to be willing to communicate.

As for the next leader: I am not sure I would be the man for the job, because the amount of free time I have changes radically from day to day, since I am a student also. This week I might have all the time in the world, and next week I might not be able to check the forums once. Therefore, I would propose that we make Vultur the official leader for now, since he's been around the longest and has actually done some coding already! However, I think that communication is very important in a programming project such as this. So, I think it would be better if all of us discuss together how to arrange things, though in the tight situations, I guess the leader's decision would be the way to go. How does that sound?

	20-01-2003 22:35									#3
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How about caring a little less as to who's the "leader" and a just do what Vultur was longing for in the other thread... come up with a basic design that provides the coders with a starting point. I know I'm an outsider, but nevertheless I don't have a clue as to what kind of game this is supposed to be exactly and it looks like this might be a problem with the active coders as well.

Space or planet? How does it start? What kind of maps do you have? etc etc.

	20-01-2003 22:41									#4
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

quote: Originally posted by Leland How about caring a little less as to who's the "leader" and a just do what Vultur was longing for in the other thread... come up with a basic design that provides the coders with a starting point.

I believe that is why we are waiting for the GOD...

	20-01-2003 23:25									#5
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However I need to point out that as said, GOD doesn't include that much,

	20-01-2003 23:38									#6
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quote: Originally posted by vovansim Even when Blake was here and was posting regularly, he never responded to a single one of my questions via PM's, and IMHO a coding leader has to be willing to communicate.

Don't ask how many of my messages are still awaiting a response.

quote: As for the next leader: I am not sure I would be the man for the job, because the amount of free time I have changes radically from day to day, since I am a student also. This week I might have all the time in the world, and next week I might not be able to check the forums once.

Very understandable reasoning.

quote: Therefore, I would propose that we make Vultur the official leader for now, since he's been around the longest and has actually done some coding already!

I second your proposal as I'm open to almost any solutions as for the coding. If Vultur accepts it, he's for now on in charge for the coding as Senior Code Writer.

quote: However, I think that communication is very important in a programming project such as this. So, I think it would be better if all of us discuss together how to arrange things, though in the tight situations, I guess the leader's decision would be the way to go. How does that sound?

Yes, communication is important and that's why the new Stella Polaris Forums will help it. Also the new SPDT contact information document should make it easier. And yes, the idea has always been that all coders discuss and agree about the issues related to the coding, plus the Coding Manager would lead the work and have the final word. However this hasn't worked with the coding before as Blake hasn't taken the necessary iniatives.

I'll try to wake up Chaos Theory by e-mail. I assume that Kurilka will come forward with his thoughts by tomorrow. As for Blake, I have to take more radical measures soon (i.e. activate other contacts in New Zealand).

	21-01-2003 01:22									#7
	Got spare money?

quote: Originally posted by Rasbelin I second your proposal as I'm open to almost any solutions as for the coding. If Vultur accepts it, he's for now on in charge for the coding as Senior Code Writer.

Thanks for your trust in my capabilities, so I'll be honest:
My experience on graphic coding is not a lot (I know only how to use sprites and TrueType Fonts), so I leave 3D graphic engine development to more able people. However I learn very quickly to use other tools.
I'm good on hard-core programming, so AI, Diplomacy, General Game Engine are my favourites fields.
If the coding team accept me as organizer, I'll be very proud.

Only a little note: my University studies are taking me many time so for the next 2-3 weeks I cannot devote a lot of time in coding/learning new programs, but for all other jobs I can found the time.
From the second week of February I'll be free from studies and I'll have a lot of spare time and I'll use it to contribute actively to the Project.

	21-01-2003 03:00									#8
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

I will try to take up Graphics again Ras but Last time I tried I didin't get that far cause of studies but after this week is over then I will have more time. I will most likely be on everday but I wont be able to read up on Pov-Ray stuff. I will try. As for the suggestions of work. Well I have no idea at this point in time.
-J.B.- ~ A.K.A - ace

	21-01-2003 11:21									#9
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

Vultur,

I've always been confident in you. As for your schedule and studies, it's very understandable that you can't work all the time, but that's good too as it will keep the project going.

Ace,

that sounds good. However you're welcome to do other things too (there's not much now, but maybe later).

	21-01-2003 11:46									#10
	Tired of ads?

I welcome you Vultur, our new Leader !
Hope we will do great work together!

	21-01-2003 11:50									#11
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

And by the way Ras - maybe it will be usefull to post on sourceforge an open position for 3D graphics developer? Or some type of consultant, because I don't see anyone from us who really strong in this field, or am I wrong?

	21-01-2003 12:18									#12
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Yes, I actually said that I will post an open position on SourceForge. I'm only waiting for Targon to post what criterias he would set for any new graphics people.

	21-01-2003 15:08									#13
	Got spare money?

Since quite a lot of discussion that is happening here right now are basically repeats of things that have been discussed before on the FreeAC forums, I would like that ask that before any definite decisions are made - especially on game play things - we either wait for the GOD to be completed, or get (an extract from) the old FreeAC forums database online so that we can refer to those for older decisions.

	21-01-2003 15:23									#14
	Suffering from ads?

GOD will be available on the same day as the forums open. As for the database, it's not available as Closey is away and I'm not sure if he has stored it.

	22-01-2003 04:20									#15
	Increase Your PM Length

Last time I checked Closey was in charge of Internet administration. What is he now? I have no Idea how to contact him since he doesn't have a sn and he hardly talks on apoly. I'm not sure if he ever has.
-J.B.-

	22-01-2003 11:44									#16
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

Actually Closey I just one of the 3 webmasters (Closey, Ben, Keygen). And in general you don't have to worry about this and try to contact everyone in order to check if they're still in, as it's my task.

	22-01-2003 12:58									#17
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

OK, at least I see people really worried with all the mess plagued the good project. It's nice.
According to you proposal, Rasbelin, I'm really glad you taking me so high. The only thing that may jeopardize my promotion is my hmm... not especialy polished English. If it doesn't scares you too much, I may agreed.

	22-01-2003 13:34									#18
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The last thing I would like to use against someone is how good or bad English they speak and write. So I don't bother about that. Not everyone can be a master in English. Neither am I. What matters is knowledge, interest and patience. I.e. what you have between your ears. If you accept it, I would then ask for what special requirements you want to set for new volunteer Graphics Artist recruits on SourceForge as I'll announce ASAP on SourceForge that we are looking for people interested about making graphics.

	22-01-2003 14:06									#19
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

OK, thanks. I feel some liability for this project cause, so I can't decline in nobody else can do this work.
Concerning sourceforge team, here are some requirements I've found useful:
1) Dedication to working on 2D/3D graphics for large and (I hope) interesting project. Artist could draw something rather than spend all his/her time chating on the fora. While inter-team communication is vital for any project, it isn't enough without some work.
2) Some prior experience in computer graphics, especialy 3D. Proffesional talents aren't required, couple years of regular hobbyst work may be enough, providing that the first requirement is fulfilled.
3) A bit of _regular_ spare time, so artist may actualy do something rather than cry "I'm hurry, I'm on exams right now etc". Again, 8hrs work weeks isn't required: couple of hours each evening and some more at weekend will be OK.
4) Some prior exposure to turn-based strategic games, so artist will be aware of some intrinsic aspects of that genre.
5) I think that each enlisted person must send a sample of his/her work in reasonable period of time, due to obvious reasons.
6) I also thing that the person in question must inform the team about his/her big delays in working cycle, like holydays, illness, exams etc, so we'll be aware of his/her absence and be able to rearrange our work.

	22-01-2003 16:13									#20
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by Kurilka And by the way Ras - maybe it will be usefull to post on sourceforge an open position for 3D graphics developer? Or some type of consultant, because I don't see anyone from us who really strong in this field, or am I wrong?

Of course, I'm not a profy anyway, but I have ~5 years of OpenGL exposure (homebrew, eductational and research), so I do learned some facts. So sometimes you may **** an ear to my opinions on graphics theme... sometimes.

	22-01-2003 16:16									#21
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Wow, how nervous that web forum is! **** above is *C*O*C*K* an ear, nothing obscene, IMHO!

	22-01-2003 16:20									#22
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

I know. Here's an another classic one...

**** Cheney is the vice president of USA.

Anyway, back to the topic...

I'll fix the job openings on SourceForge today.

	22-01-2003 20:19									#23
	Got spare money?

OK Ras, thanks.
-J.B.-

	23-01-2003 12:47									#24
	Get a bigger avatar today!

BTW, I can't find Stella Polaris at sourceforge/Projects Help Wanted/Graphics Other designer. What is wrong?

	23-01-2003 16:43									#25
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

Yes, you can find it now, Targon.

	23-01-2003 16:50									#26
	Full PM-box? Change here!

OK, nice Almost enlisted again
BTW, what the "7160 Object Oriented Design" mean?

	23-01-2003 17:17									#27
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

There's no other skill description that would match with graphics designing, so I had to choose that one (graphics designing is object oriented and object oriented analysis doesn't match with graphics designing).

	23-01-2003 18:37									#28
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Ouch. Object Oriented design usually refers to UML and such... but I guess nobody takes those skill requirements seriously anyway.

	23-01-2003 19:32									#29
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Duh, I fixed it. Anyway, if you think there's a reason to believe no one will take it seriously, why not come up with arguements to back that claim?

	23-01-2003 19:52									#30
	Remove this text

I wasn't aware you could fix it, so it was kind of a consolation speech... hence the . Anyway good thing that you did.