Help Wanted ! (Anyone interested in CM should read this)

[Fionn]

Hi everyone,

At The Gamer's Net's Combat Mission site we really want to get there "firstest with the mostest" (and indepthest ... if there is such a word http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif ).

With a game of Combat Mission's breadth and depth ( Printing out a list of ONLY Wehrmacht unit types results in about 60 different unit types. Add in Gebirgsjaegers, SS, Volkssturm, Falschirjaeger, the Poles, the French, the US, UK, Airborne, Free French etc and you get some idea of just how big a job it is to simply catalogue the unit data.) this is far too large a job for just Pat and myself SO I'd like to invite anyone and everyone who feels they might have something to add to our coverage of Combat Mission to email me.

I'm currently hard at work on some articles, scenarios and weapons databases to help tide everyone over during the time between when the AARs end and the game comes out but there is SO much more I want to cover but don't personally have the time to do.

Specifically, I'd love to hear from anyone with any knowledge of html, artwork, creating game utilities (coding ability IOW) or scenario design.

I'd also love to hear from anyone who would be interested in writing tactics articles (either based on real life experience or just their understanding of tactics from reading books), historical articles or in just proofreading what others write. (I personally prefer to have all my work proofread prior to posting and would like to continue that tradition throughout the whole CM site.)

If you have your own ideas about something which you'd like to do at the site which I haven't touched on then please contact me and fill me in and we'll see if we can't work something out. What I've listed above are just the primary areas I'd like to organise coverage of.

We have a lot of plans in the works and I have identified some things which I think the whole CM community would really enjoy and benefit from BUT we need your help to make them a reality.

I know many of you have, independently been planning scenarios, researching for them, planning to create minor artwork mods or even wondering about making utilities of use to CM players. I hope that you will see the wisdom in joining together under one banner where we can all support eachother and benefit from a close liaison with Steve and Charles so as to bring out the best articles, scenarios etc possible.

On a slightly related note I'd like to also mention that I'm looking for contributors to help me with TGN's history site (which I manage also)... I'm looking to carry out a major expansion of the coverage of the conflict between the Germans and Allies in the ETO during World War II to coincide with Combat Mission's release and I'd really like to hear from ANYONE who is interested in writing articles or covering weapons systems in that region and timeframe (or indeed any region and timeframe.. I just imagine most people here will be focussed on dealing with CM-related history for quite some time http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif ).

If you have any interest in any of this at all just email me at fionnk@thegamers.net

(Despite being grumpy due to the loss of ALL those beautiful Panzers *sob* I'll answer each and every email http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif ).

Take care,


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___________
Fionn Kelly
Manager of Historical Research,
The Gamers Net - Gaming for Gamers

[risc]

Alright, I can code C/C++, Win32Api, MFC (preferred). I'm currently busy on The Ardennes Offensive Scenario Editor, and I also plan to work on the TAO game itself,(remove copy protection and allow game to run on NT 4 / Win2000) but after that I'm willing to help on writing some utilities if necessary. Though if some opinion/help is needed right away for some coding etc I'm there...

Peter

PS: Game like this deserves support

[NCrawler]

Hey Fionn, has your partner on the Historical site had a chance to check out the TankInfo prog yet? SPWAW is nearing completion and I should be free in a few weeks. Let me know...


------------------
Jon Johnson
Steel Lightning Productions

[Los]

You'll be getting an article on troop leading procedures and mission planning shortly.

[buddy]

Read your message for help and, although I'm still at work, decided to
research a little for you. You may have already seen these sites, but it
was worth a shot.

http://members.aol.com/soldaten/main.htm
(Info and photos: The Second Panzer Division: Vehicles and Equipement:
The Second Panzer Division: Information on other German units: Topic of
the Month, Comments: History of the 2nd Panzer Division, Links, etc.


http://www.bunt.com/~mconrad/links.htm
(Europe, Africa and Mediterranean Theater Links, Units, Ships, People,
Places, etc. Links, Veterans and Miscellaneous Links, Pacific Theater
Links, Collector's Links, Holocaust Links)

http://ananke.advanced.org/2634/links.html
(links to other world war 2 sites)

I can't go any further (like emailing some of the people running these
sites for a contact person who was actually in the European fight, but I
bet it would be possible.)

Good luck - anything else just mention it and I'll try and jump on it!
Steve Girten

[Mike D]

Fionn,

I'm interested in making some scenario's. But I'm having trouble finding good topographical maps of the various areas in W. Europe. What are you, Martin, BTS, and others using as ref. material to make good maps? For example, where did you get the data you are using to make the Villers Bocage scenario you are working on that is accurate enough to make a decent 3D map from??? I've got some maps on order that are 1:100,000 scale of the Normandy area in France and 2 others at 1:100,000 scale of southern and east central Belgium, but havn't gotten them yet to see if they are any good. Over here in the states we can get excellent and highly detailed maps of many areas across the country that are put out by the US Geological (geographical?) Survey that many people use for hiking, etc. Are there similar maps available for France, Belgium, W. Germany, Holland, etc.??? Seems like there must be such maps of Europe too, if so, where can we get a hold of them???

Thanks,

Mike D
aka Mikester

[CoolColJ]

Do we get to see CM up close and personal??!


http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif


CCJ

[Pak40]

I second what Mike D said. I'd love to do some maps but I'm a real hard ass when it comes to historical accuracy. I can't find any contour maps of Europe that have the accuracy of U.S.G.S. Quad maps. Good qualtity Aerial photos (from the war) would be awesome, but there is no source that the general public can download these photos. I know they exitst, the allies must have taken thousands of Aerial photos during the war...but where are they?

[Mike D]

Pak40,

I would think that the US National Archives, US Army Archives, etc. should have those photos. Problem is many/most of them probably are not scanned into the computer to just post somewhere for folks like us to download. Others may still be classified, although I think this is getting to be pretty rare. In any event, I would like to go through what they have at the National Archives, but most of it is back in the Washington DC area from what I understand. And that's a pretty long 3+ day drive for me. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif So I don't think I'll be seeing anything there anytime soon. Not sure where the Army would have theirs hidden, maybe at West Point?

Mike D

[Pak40]

"Not sure where the Army would have theirs hidden, maybe at West Point?"

They probably have lots at the Army War Collage in Carlile(sp?) Pennsylvania also.

I live in New Orleans where Stephen Ambrose tought at UNO. He's heading the effort to build the National D-Day museum here in New Orleans. I'm hoping that this will become a good source for this type of information. The museum will open June 6, 2000.

[Moon]

There ARE very accurate 1:25000 maps from all of NW Europe as well as aerial photgraphs from shortly after the war (1947 - however, SOME areas are still classified). The National Geographic institutes in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany offer these. The maps are contemporary, but still very useful because the elevation lines didn't really change and although there might be some new roads and highways, the old roads are still there. Especially in France, it is amazing how little changed in 55 years.

It is not easy for you "Amis" to get these, though, since e.g. the french maps and photos do not ship to US as far as I know. If you send a few emails to Steve and Charles and beg them to offer the maps through BF.C, however, then there might be a solution http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif

[Mike D]

"It is not easy for you "Amis" to get these, though, since e.g. the french maps and photos do not ship to US as far as I know. If you send a few emails to Steve and Charles and beg them to offer the maps through BF.C, however, then there might be a solution."


Dearest Steve and Charles,

Let the begging begin here and now. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif Have any of us ever mentioned what a swell couple of guys you two really are.........? http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif

I know you guys probably don't want to start a map sideline business at BTS. So, do you know some way, perhaps over the internet, that we can order the maps Martin is talking about directly from some source in Europe? Or, is there an importer here in the US that we can get these maps from? If all else fails maybe one called "BTS World Map Importers Limited", or something like that. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif I would like to be able to get some decent quality topographical maps of Western Europe, but can't seem to find them anywhere over here in the States.

Martin,

Is there some kind of numbering system on these maps? A master index of them? The reason I'm asking is if I can find out exactly what they are called, how they are identified by number, etc., then I might be able to get a local map company here in Denver to order them for me. I just need to know the exact details so they know what I'm trying to get a hold of, e.g. National Geographic institutes Map #3423-23G, Map of St. Lo and surrounding area.

Thanks much for your help in this matter,

Mike D
aka Mikester

[Pak40]

Mike,

Have you seen the book on the St. Lo batlle? I'm not sure of the exact name but I've seen the book in the non-circulating section of LSU's library. It has has very detailed contour maps of the St Lo area. These are on par with USGS Quad maps.

[Fionn]

Guys,

I've been very happy with the response so far but I just wanted to put a call out for anyone who has experience working with art programmes, textures and so on and so forth.

We have some cool ideas in the pipeline but I want to be sure we can deliver the quality you all deserve and so the call goes out as it were http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif.

If you are interested or know of someone who is (where are all the Close Combat improvers who I know hang around here ? http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif )



------------------
___________
Fionn Kelly
Manager of Historical Research,
The Gamers Net - Gaming for Gamers

[Mike D]

Pak40,

Havn't seen the book on St Lo that you are referring to. But if you have any more info on it I'd be interested in finding out more about it.

Mike

[Pak40]

Fionn,

I'm pretty handy with photoshop and can do some textures. Trees, uniforms, vehicles... etc. Sorry, not much programming experience, though.

Mike,

I think I found the book on www.barnesandnoble.com:


St. Lo

Historical Section European Theater of Operations Staff (Editor)

It doesn't say much about it, but It sounds like to book to me. You're best bet, I would think, is to find it at a major univeristy's library. And pray that the maps for the book havn't been stolen.

[Lokesa]

Last month I started courses in programming but am as yet lacking in ability. I will be taking classes in C++, visual basic as well as some database stuff, so I should be able to help in the future...

Sorry I cant offer more support now.

[Thorsten]

"If you are interested or know of someone who is (where are all the Close Combat improvers who I know hang around here?)"

Fionn, did you get my email? If not, try writing to me at weyter@plains.nodak.edu (I am one of those Close Combat improvers).

Thorsten

[Fionn]

Pak40,
I'm writing you an email now http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif.

Lokesa,
There's always CM2 The Eastern Front (drool). You're able to do 20 times more than me http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif. I'm good at organising this kind of stuff but I'd rather walk out a 5th story window than mess with paint programs, coding or html. I do history and games but everything technological is like black magic to me, "I've heard about it but have no idea how to do it" http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif.

Thorsten,
No, I didn't get that mail. *Sigh* Every so often I get an email from someone asking me if I got a certain mail which I never got. The WORST thing with email is that I don't know how many emails I'm being sent which I never see because of the vagaries of the net. People then think I'm ignoring them when I never even saw the mail.

Sometimes I wish we could all just talk in real time online. It'd be so much easier.

Anyways, Thorsten I'm sending you an email now.



------------------
___________
Fionn Kelly
Manager of Historical Research,
The Gamers Net - Gaming for Gamers

[Thorsten]

"Sometimes I wish we could all just talk in real time online. It'd be so much easier."

Ahh, but you can. Simply get ICQ (www.mirabilis.com) and install it. It's a wonderful program, and it allows you to chat with multiple people at one time.

Thorsten

[Harold Jones]

You can also try Rocket Talk (www.rockettalk.com) It's sort of like ICQ but with voice instead of text.

[Fionn]

I have and like ICQ BUT my contact list gets WAY too long.. It's great for organisational meetings when you want to get an entire group together to discuss future plans etc.

There's another program which allows anyone who visits a site to see and chat with anyone else who is present at that time.

I'm trying to remember where it can be found. (I used to have it before I had to reformat my HD http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/frown.gif )

I'll post it here since many people here would probably like it.. Drop by the message board and get involved in an impromptu chat http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif



------------------
___________
Fionn Kelly
Manager of Historical Research,
The Gamers Net - Gaming for Gamers

[guachi]

I'd love to help, but my computer skills aren't quite suited. I program in RPG/IV for the AS/400.

My skills are more on the technical, information analysis side. I can thake a pile of numbers and information and sort it any which way you like.

But I couldn't create a nice bit of artwork to save my life.

Although I am tempted to get some fabric paint and paint some kind of waffenfarbe on my new 12" Ultimate Soldier WWII German guys.

Jason

[PanzerShark]

Fionn,
there is a free program called PINO. When installed ya can use it as a "realtime-chatboard". The "host" needs the server- version and the guests the normal-version (both versions are under 200 kb). Ofcourse i have them both (don't remember where i got them though). If yer interested i'll mail it to ya.

To all the other peeps: If the program is going to be used..i'll try to remember the official-site where i got it. Otherwise i'll mail it to each and everyone who wants it (friendly not? http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif ).

Take Care y'all
PanzerShark

[kingtiger]

BTS Please do me and a few others a small favor. Post an abbreviations page on the site or someone please tell me where they can be found. What is BTW? I keep thinking it is my "Brewed-up Tiger in Winter".

Thanks

Richard Kalajian

[Fionn]

BTW = By the way,
IIRC = if I recall correctly.

These are mostly TLAs ( three letter acronyms).

Post any which you have difficulty with Richard and I'll give you the plain English translations k?

Cheers,


------------------
___________
Fionn Kelly
Manager of Historical Research,
The Gamers Net - Gaming for Gamers

[Lokesa]

what does FWIW stand for?

[Lokesa]

could it be, from what I wemember? or from what I wecall?

[Brian Rock]

FWIW = "For What It's Worth".

On this board it could be "Focke Wulfs Is Wonderful"... still, on reflection, I like Lokesa's better. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

[KwazyDog]

Hehe, Ive never been good at the abriviations, but I do like these little http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif's. Funky little things they are http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

[Thomm]

I always found those abbreviations *extremely* annoying, because they interrupt the flow of reading. As if one cannot write "as far as I am concerned" in a matter of seconds ! I second abbreviations for technical terms (I try to avoid them), but for everyday English, no thank you !

Back to the subject: I could contribute 2D graphics, see http://volc.ctimes.net/gallery/artlara641.jpg and http://volc.ctimes.net/gallery/artlara642.jpg as trivial examples.

Regards,
Thomm

[Moon]

Impressive work, Thomm. Hey, could you make one of these drawings for me without... ahm, wait, I'll email you better http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif

Martin

[SGTRock]

Hey Fionn:

Is the voice chat program you were trying to think of 'Roger Wilco'?

I forget where it's found but I'm more than sure any browser could find it.



------------------
Sgt. Rock Says " War is Hell, but games are fun "

[Lokesa]

Roger Wilco can be found at resounding.com

I use it mainly for team games and it is very useful as well as free.

[kingtiger]

BTS,
TY

F,
TY2

BR,
TY2

Sin,

KT

[Fionn]

KT,

(Talk about practicing what you're preaching against hehe. Funny thing is I could understand it..)

YW
FK



------------------
___________
Fionn Kelly
Manager of Historical Research,
The Gamers Net - Gaming for Gamers

[kingtiger]

Fionn,

Oh I am not preaching against acronyms and abbreviations, in fact, I highly reccomend them for all e-mail users. Within my company all of my outgoing e-mails are short, to the point, salutations are always one letter and if the incoming e-mail is longer than one full computer screen I won't read it. My post for assistance on acronyms was not a slam on it's useage, I just felt like I was missing out on something. Also, who is SPR (from quotes thread)?

Richard Kalajian
Regional Sales Manager
Medic Computer Systems

[Fionn]

SPR = Saving Private Ryan

TLR= Thin Red Line or "Take Laxatives and Run". ;)



------------------
___________
Fionn Kelly
Manager of Historical Research,
The Gamers Net - Gaming for Gamers

[Seimerst]

Fionn,
This is a late post so I don't know just how much support your have lined up but <raising hand and stepping foward>. I have been wargaming for nearly 40 years, have a MA in Military History from Rice, taught military history at West Point for a three-year tour, will retire in 17 months from the U.S. Army with 30 years active duty as a commissioned officer--nearly all of it in Special Forces. I would be delighted to proof read anything you write. But I am afraid that coding and art are beyond me. I am toying with the idea of using my VA benefits to return to college to learn the black arts of computer programing just to be a part of the wonder that CM is all about.

[Seimerst]

Fionn,
This is a late post so I don't know just how much support your have lined up but <raising hand and stepping foward>. I have been wargaming for nearly 40 years, have a MA in Military History from Rice, taught military history at West Point for a three-year tour, will retire in 17 months from the U.S. Army with 30 years active duty as a commissioned officer--nearly all of it in Special Forces. I would be delighted to proof read anything you write. But I am afraid that coding and art are beyond me. I am toying with the idea of using my VA benefits to return to college to learn the black arts of computer programing just to be a part of the wonder that CM is all about.

[Seimerst]

Fionn,
This is a late post so I don't know just how much support your have lined up but <raising hand and stepping foward>. I have been wargaming for nearly 40 years, have a MA in Military History from Rice, taught military history at West Point for a three-year tour, will retire in 17 months from the U.S. Army with 30 years active duty as a commissioned officer--nearly all of it in Special Forces. I would be delighted to proof read anything you write. But I am afraid that coding and art are beyond me. I am toying with the idea of using my VA benefits to return to college to learn the black arts of computer programing just to be a part of the wonder that CM is all about.

[MantaRay]

HOOAH, 30 years!!! I only could handle 10 myself. I miss the chow the most. Wife's cooking is a step down from K rations. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif Gained 30LBS eating at McDonalds for the last year. I seem to remember an officer in DS with a similar sounding name back then. Maybe attached with 82nd AB? I think he was a lower ranked officer though, not one in 20 years. Oh well good luck with retirement.

Ray

------------------
www.panzerelite.iwarp.com (http://www.panzerelite.iwarp.com)

[Lempereur]

Try looking here for arial views http://terraserver.microsoft.com/cmap.asp?ppd=1&r=3&c=6&W=2&ClickAt=?0,0

They are constantly updating the images.

[Lempereur]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fionn

I am interested in helping with scenarios or historical research. I have gathered a lot of such information and data for miniatures games. I have been researching the British, especially the late war campaigns. Arnhem is my current obsession, along with Reichswald.

[Ol' Blood & Guts]

Fionn, I'd be interested in compiling the list of units for you. I could put them in an easy-to-read color-coded spreadsheet, which would be available to download from your site or something. However, where would this complete list be?

[JeffRaider]

I'd be happy to proof read. It's kind of mundane, but, seeing as I'm just beginning to learn about all of this grog stuff, it's about the only thing I can contribute. Let me know if you need me.

jeffraider@yahoo.com


------------------
--
Jeff Fraser

VIVA LOS ZAPATISTAS

[Reverendo]

Hey, I can draw and paint! (and I'm pretty good at it! http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif ) Fionn, you have my e-mail, so write if you have something in mind...



------------------
Regards

Reverendo

[Zulu1]

Hi Fionn,

I'm handy with programming gui's and database stuff, and my daughter is pretty good with HTML, Illustrator and Photoshop. If we can help out let me know.

[MrPeng]

I am somewhat handy with the barbed comment, the sour rejoinder, and have been known to offer up a fairly outrageous taunt. Any use for these particular "skills"? I thought not.

Peng out to the curb

[John Kettler]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pak40:
Mike,

Have you seen the book on the St. Lo batlle? I'm not sure of the exact name but I've seen the book in the non-circulating section of LSU's library. It has has very detailed contour maps of the St Lo area. These are on par with USGS Quad maps.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Guys, the first place I would look for the kind of material you're seeking would be in the various official histories of the countries involved. For example, the official U.S. HISTORY OF THE ARMY IN WORLD WAR II has complete, separate maps in many of the volumes, some of these highly detailed. One volume in particular bears close examination--Three Battles: Arnaville, Altuzzo and Schmidt--a highly detailed tactical analysis from both sides of those engagements. Further, at least one of those engagement was filmed by U.S. combat photographers. I have seen the video advertised in Military History magazine or some such. The history volumes can be ordered from the U.S. Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C. (has Website but I don't know it) or from the regional stores. Another source would be the British official history published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. These should have maps done by the same troops who surveyed England, the Ordnance Survey. A further resource I used back when I was a professional military analyst consisted of Michelin and similar road maps for various parts of Europe; believe they were 1:100,000
scale. I got them at a large map shop near the Los Angeles International Airport. They definitely had contour intervals plotted on them, in addition to roads, etc. Of course, I was spoiled back then, for I had access to dozens of Army tactical maps at 1:50,000.

Hope this helps.

John Kettler

[John Kettler]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pak40:
"Not sure where the Army would have theirs hidden, maybe at West Point?"

They probably have lots at the Army War Collage in Carlile(sp?) Pennsylvania also.

I live in New Orleans where Stephen Ambrose tought at UNO. He's heading the effort to build the National D-Day museum here in New Orleans. I'm hoping that this will become a good source for this type of information. The museum will open June 6, 2000.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You might try the West Point Campaign Atlas to the Second World War (U.S. Government Printing Office), which has dozens of maps. There's even one of St. Lo and surrounds. No scale listed, but it's about three miles to the inch and is color coded at 50 meter intervals.

Regards,

John Kettler

P.S. For whoever was working the Battle of Villers Bocage the After the Battle magazine publishers have an incredibly detailed account under that name or close. Saw it only briefly but it had a diagram showing where each antitank gun was located.

Regards

[Pieter Soldaat]

Hi there,

I read that you were looking for some maps of Europe. It is correct that you can get very detailed maps of any place in Europe. For the battlefields of Normandy you can use Serie Bleue 1:25.000
You can buy them at
IGN
Espace I.G.N.
107, rue La Boetie
75008 PARIS


Succes.
Pieter Soldaat.

I can get adresses of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium as well.

[Kettle Black]

Fionn,
Re you wanting to set up a discussion area/chat asf. You can create a private forum at Delphi which allows you to only let certain people in. We used this feature for beta-testing RB2 (maybe not the greatest end result but that was not Delphis fault http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif). There is also a chat function which allows you to initiate a chat with everyone who is currently logged in. And it's free too. You know how the layout can be edited as well, I believe.

Regards,
KB
(Geier at the flight-sim forum)

[Fionn]

Ah but there are other ways to REALLY keep things secret and confidential http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif

Listbots only those invited to them know about, isolated pages on independent servers hosting chats via java, mail lists which I and only I keep in my inbox http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif.

Secrecy and keeping the left hand from knowing what the right hand is doing when its necessary (such as in the CMMC) is one of my fortes http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif

PS. Thanks to everyone who has emailed me re: this thread. I am going out to a movie tonight (and was busy all day running around town) but I will definitely reply and categorise etc tomorrow.

[Gregory Deych]

Hey, Fionn.

I'm a semi-decent programmer, just finishing up my M.S in C.S. If you need something done in that direction, I'll do what I can (x2 that for CM2). I'll certainly will be creating scenarios as well.

[Eridani]

Fionn-

Beside CMSO (which is more Bill C.'s Doing than my own), I have lots to say in the way of Tactics and Military movements (mostly how not to do what ur opponent expects- i.e, unorthodox military tactics)

I also do some decent photo manipulation/editing, and I know C++ (I was thinking of writing a PBEM-organizer before I heard one was included in CM)

-Scott

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Your Source for Combat Mission Scenarios and Operations information-
http://patriot.net/~carey/cmso