The Unreal Tournament Consultancy Group (UTCG) ...
May 24, 2018 15:41:48 GMT -6
mars007 and [~]RUFX[~]ŔöŋıŋMλšŧλƑЖ like this
Post by Hook on May 24, 2018 15:41:48 GMT -6
NOTE: The following POST is a Work In Progress! (No work has been done on this)
The
Unreal Tournament Consultancy Group (UTCG)
Has been Formed!
What we do...
Help for UT Server Admins, Mappers, Coders, etc.
(Help for just about anything UT)
The Story...
One thing I see a lot of is admins that come along, open a server, and they just don't last.
There have been a couple of comments made recently that when put together tell a story that we ought to pay attention to.
First is:
and the second is:
When you consider both of those together it highlights a consistent problem in UT:
It is way harder to run a server now than it was even 5 years ago.
Would be admins quit or get all frustrated because they can't figure it out.
So what's the answer?
The UT Consultancy Group (UTCG)
What we did...
We gathered a small group of UT guys that will step in at the request of a UT Server admin, or other person with a UT problem.
UT Server Admins, Mappers, Coders, etc.
This group helps them with whatever problems they are currently having, then step away as soon as the problem is fixed.
With 7 guys (currently) available to help on UT Problems, this wouldn't be much real "work" at all, and would cover several viewpoints on UT problems.
Take one admin's problem...
He was having issues with a mod that Kelly wrote and it took Kelly all of 15 minutes to download the files from his server, ID the problem, and write him up the solution.
It's a win for everyone because he doesn't get aggravated with a problem he can't address and our group gets to fix it and forget it.
We give free UT Server help and UT servers stay in business better and longer.
=======
Here is pretty much how it would go...
Hook is the UTCG Team Leader - Contact or Coordinator may be a better term.
Hook advertises the service, contact runs through him (perhaps on this forum or simple email).
Once primary contact is made he then either handles the problem or hands it off to one of the UTCG admin members.
Anyone "working" for UTCG follows a very strict set of guidelines, no exceptions, because that will be the heart of the service.
Our basic premise is to get in, fix it, and then get out.
It will not be a long term support, but rather a quick fix when new UT guys hit a wall.
Heck, most of this group's members have set up ACE, nexgen, mapvote, even coded light admin/server stuff so there is very little that won't be natural to us.
The members of this group have been with UT and have been server admins, mappers, coders, etc., for many years.
Besides it's very often that new server owners quit when they encounter needing to install these previous items and if we were there to smooth that bump it might keep them in the game.
So how about the 'rules'?
Well here's a start - What will UTCG do? ...
We will install mods, troubleshoot problems, and do some very mild coding solutions if called for.
We need server access but this will NEVER be abused.
Your assigned admin will only enter the server to fix it and then will never use the access again. (this is a really important point)
UTCG does not want to join your group, your forum, or your clan.
We exist only to get you over the hump when you encounter a difficulty.
=======
A list of potential things that we could address...
(to come)
=======
UTCG Group Members and their Strengths... (in alphabetical order)
axewound - VPS hosting experience, complete setup and configuration (linux) | GameServers.com/Rental hosting/config | Coding (weapons, arenas, etc) | Expertise with most
mods/mutators
Doc Flay (aka Dr.Flay) - Server Systems | UT Resources - ???
hermskii (aka Hermskii) - Home-Based (Windows) UT Servers of Any UT Version | Port Forwarding | MonsterHunt | Redeemer | Chaos UT | UT4E
Hook - GameServers.com/Rental (Linux or Windows) Hosted UT99 servers/ftps, etc. | Home-Based UT99 servers (Windows) | MapVoteLA13, MapVoteLAv2 | Mapping
Kelly (aka gopostal/JackGriffin/etc) - Just about Any UT Server Hosting | Mods | Coding | Just about Anything UT! | MonsterHunt | Mapping
mars007 (aka mars007) - Commercial/Rental Hosted UT Servers | Mods | Skins | Mutators | MonsterHunt | DeathMatch, etc.
Sir Mandrake - Linux-Based UT Servers (Home or Commercial/Rental based) | Mods | MonsterHunt | Servers too!
=======
Things to come ???...
=======
Enjoy!
(UTCG group members, please let me Hook know any changes, additions, deletions to your particular UT expertise)
FYI - I will spread this around and/or announce this group when we are more "in tune" LOL
The
Unreal Tournament Consultancy Group (UTCG)
Has been Formed!
What we do...
Help for UT Server Admins, Mappers, Coders, etc.
(Help for just about anything UT)
The Story...
One thing I see a lot of is admins that come along, open a server, and they just don't last.
There have been a couple of comments made recently that when put together tell a story that we ought to pay attention to.
First is:
Author = "Hermskii"
That is so odd the way they come in all gung-ho and leave quietly a week or a month later.
That is so odd the way they come in all gung-ho and leave quietly a week or a month later.
and the second is:
Author = "EvilGrins"
How many of you were around when UT first came out? Back then all you needed to host games was an online connection.
That was it.
Nowadays you need that and like a dozen other things.
It's so not fair.
How many of you were around when UT first came out? Back then all you needed to host games was an online connection.
That was it.
Nowadays you need that and like a dozen other things.
It's so not fair.
It is way harder to run a server now than it was even 5 years ago.
Would be admins quit or get all frustrated because they can't figure it out.
So what's the answer?
The UT Consultancy Group (UTCG)
What we did...
We gathered a small group of UT guys that will step in at the request of a UT Server admin, or other person with a UT problem.
UT Server Admins, Mappers, Coders, etc.
This group helps them with whatever problems they are currently having, then step away as soon as the problem is fixed.
With 7 guys (currently) available to help on UT Problems, this wouldn't be much real "work" at all, and would cover several viewpoints on UT problems.
Take one admin's problem...
He was having issues with a mod that Kelly wrote and it took Kelly all of 15 minutes to download the files from his server, ID the problem, and write him up the solution.
It's a win for everyone because he doesn't get aggravated with a problem he can't address and our group gets to fix it and forget it.
We give free UT Server help and UT servers stay in business better and longer.
=======
Here is pretty much how it would go...
Hook is the UTCG Team Leader - Contact or Coordinator may be a better term.
Hook advertises the service, contact runs through him (perhaps on this forum or simple email).
Once primary contact is made he then either handles the problem or hands it off to one of the UTCG admin members.
Anyone "working" for UTCG follows a very strict set of guidelines, no exceptions, because that will be the heart of the service.
Our basic premise is to get in, fix it, and then get out.
It will not be a long term support, but rather a quick fix when new UT guys hit a wall.
Heck, most of this group's members have set up ACE, nexgen, mapvote, even coded light admin/server stuff so there is very little that won't be natural to us.
The members of this group have been with UT and have been server admins, mappers, coders, etc., for many years.
Besides it's very often that new server owners quit when they encounter needing to install these previous items and if we were there to smooth that bump it might keep them in the game.
So how about the 'rules'?
Well here's a start - What will UTCG do? ...
We will install mods, troubleshoot problems, and do some very mild coding solutions if called for.
We need server access but this will NEVER be abused.
Your assigned admin will only enter the server to fix it and then will never use the access again. (this is a really important point)
UTCG does not want to join your group, your forum, or your clan.
We exist only to get you over the hump when you encounter a difficulty.
=======
A list of potential things that we could address...
(to come)
=======
UTCG Group Members and their Strengths... (in alphabetical order)
axewound - VPS hosting experience, complete setup and configuration (linux) | GameServers.com/Rental hosting/config | Coding (weapons, arenas, etc) | Expertise with most
mods/mutators
Doc Flay (aka Dr.Flay) - Server Systems | UT Resources - ???
hermskii (aka Hermskii) - Home-Based (Windows) UT Servers of Any UT Version | Port Forwarding | MonsterHunt | Redeemer | Chaos UT | UT4E
Hook - GameServers.com/Rental (Linux or Windows) Hosted UT99 servers/ftps, etc. | Home-Based UT99 servers (Windows) | MapVoteLA13, MapVoteLAv2 | Mapping
Kelly (aka gopostal/JackGriffin/etc) - Just about Any UT Server Hosting | Mods | Coding | Just about Anything UT! | MonsterHunt | Mapping
mars007 (aka mars007) - Commercial/Rental Hosted UT Servers | Mods | Skins | Mutators | MonsterHunt | DeathMatch, etc.
Sir Mandrake - Linux-Based UT Servers (Home or Commercial/Rental based) | Mods | MonsterHunt | Servers too!
=======
Things to come ???...
Author = "Hermskii"
FAQ list of UT issues and their fixes. Example question and answer would be:
How do I see my "Frames Per Second" for my video card's UT performance? (Insert answer here)
How come when I boot into the screen is black but I can hear the audio? Possible answers: make sure your monitor is on. Press F11 5 times and see if the brightness was set all of the way to zero. Blah blah blah.
A certain-word or words searchable database with hyperlinks to finds would be sweet too.
FAQ list of UT issues and their fixes. Example question and answer would be:
How do I see my "Frames Per Second" for my video card's UT performance? (Insert answer here)
How come when I boot into the screen is black but I can hear the audio? Possible answers: make sure your monitor is on. Press F11 5 times and see if the brightness was set all of the way to zero. Blah blah blah.
A certain-word or words searchable database with hyperlinks to finds would be sweet too.
=======
Enjoy!
(UTCG group members, please let me Hook know any changes, additions, deletions to your particular UT expertise)
FYI - I will spread this around and/or announce this group when we are more "in tune" LOL
Author = "Kelly"
It might be of benefit to make a small downloadable text file that has contact info, a small FAQ, and a mission statement so admins can have it handy. Done right this could be a really big project that has direct benefit to helping UT live longer.
It might be of benefit to make a small downloadable text file that has contact info, a small FAQ, and a mission statement so admins can have it handy. Done right this could be a really big project that has direct benefit to helping UT live longer.