Death of The Scenario Depot

[Admiral Keth]

All,

The worst has come to pass. My web host, without so much as a "by your leave", has vanished. Email, database, files...all gone without any notice. The support phone number he provides is useless...the vmail box is full, preventing additional complaints (apparently I'm not alone in my extreme ire). Numerous emails go unanswered.

You have no idea how angry and embarrassed I am at this point. I feel as though I have let down the CM community. I genuinely apologize.

Those of you familiar with web hosting may recognize the web host - Steve Gunnels of FIDPAC. If any of you have sites hosted by any one of his myriad of shell companies, make provisions right now to get out. Those of you wanting to find out more about this situation may click here (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=291643).

Based on my research at the Web Hosting Talk forum I have already signed up with a more reputable web host (Site5), and any correspondence to already established email addresses should work now. However, I doubt that I will have the time to recreate what needs to be rebuilt.

On the plus side, on 07.15.05, Boeing tendered an offer (and I accepted) for my services as a Technical Writer. As I am still a little unfamiliar with the boundaries of my TS clearance, I really can't say more beyond that.

I am corresponding with The Proving Grounds for GJK to assume control of whatever latest backup I have, as well as all of the archive files that I have locally. This archive contains some of the oldest scenarios created for Combat Mission.

Mind you that I am not going away, by any means. I'll still annoy people with my presence and beer wisdom from time to time. Maybe GJK and I can work out some co-admin arrangement.

Non the nonce, it has been a distinct pleasure serving the CM community all this time. You are the greatest group of guys and gals on the net.

[junk2drive]

Do not feel embarrassed. Stuff happens in this day and age.
We all appreciate what you have done for us.
I have faith that somehow this will all be reconstructed.
Glad to hear you have a job offer. That is more important.

[Old Warmonger]

This is terrible news. I just hope that it might be possible to reconstruct the site. If there is anything that can be done to help please let us know. Your site was the best CM site on the web and it's passing is an huge blow to the CM community. I just hope it can be reconstructed. Remember that we back you 100%. There is no need to feel embarrased but we all feel angry that this web host could not have least given some notice to allow you to transfer your files to a new web host. For some reason this seems to be the norm in the shady web world. There should be alaw requiring at least 2 weeks notice before a web host can pull the plug. I wish you all the best and urge you to reconstruct the site if at all possible.

Thanks for all your hard work!!!!!!!!!!!

Warmonger

[Michael Dorosh]

It is indeed a loss, but sometimes a fresh start is great too. I asked a couple times to have embarrassing old scenarios removed and now I am secure they are gone forever...I think GJK would be a most capable admin of any "new" site that rises from the ashes. One would be hard pressed to show the concern for the community that Admiral Keth did - the long discussions on format changes, etc., as well as the long hours implementing the desires based on consensus...let's hope that your web hosting friend "Steve" is truly down and out and not just disappearing.

[British Tommy]

Many thanks keth for all your hard work since Combat Mission came out.Between you and GJK I know something will be worked out.As for the rest of us, don't forget to show your thanks by hitting the paypal button once in awhile ;)

ROFL! just like Mr Dorosh, I'm glad to see my early efforts at scenario making vanish! :rolleyes:

Good luck with your new job mate! :D

[Sergei]

Oh bummer, but it ain't your fault. I wish you luck with that job! :cool:

[Pirx]

No need to apologize for something that was not your fault. I have enjoyed many of the scenarios you hosted. Thanks for providing such an excellent service for everyone.

[jbertles]

OBIT:

Admiral Keth announced today the untimely passing of the SCENARIO DEPOT, one of the most useful and entertaining sites for Combat Mission players and itinerant designers and tinkerers worldwide.

The Depot suffered from bad, evil, dastardly webhosting although the new and improved version had seemed robust up until the time of its death.

As a repository of scenarios (and incidentally a kind of informal history of CM gaming throughout the years) the Depot was unparalleled.

[On a personal note, this correspondent would like mention that the very existence of the Depot had pushed him toward being a scenario designer in the first place.]

The community of CM'rs worldwide are saddened by the passing of the Depot, and, although encouraged by the thought of some of its wisdom (and data) being passed on to The Proving Ground, wish to express our deepest sympathies to Keith; sincere thanks for all his hard work; and best wishes for the future.

jbertles

[Andreas]

Good Luck mate, and thanks for all your hard work over the last few years.

Bummer of a way to go though!

All the best

Andreas

[Carl Puppchen]

Thanks again for all of your hard work. I had a lot of fun with the scenarios, maps and operations I found at the depot and tried to give something back. You put in a tremendous amount of effort and it is much, much appreciated.

I agree that now I am going to go back and tweak my old scenarios to get them ready for re-hosting for whomever is kind enough to take on this type of project smile.gif

[Richie]

A sad loss... what can we all do?

If we of the CM community can do anything to help, you need only ask!

Richie

[Soddball]

Adm Keth,

Sorry to hear of your woes. I've really enjoyed using The Depot over the years and wish you all the best.

[Kingfish]

Can't you just run it off of Boeing's server? I'm sure they got the HD space.

[Sergei]

Originally posted by Kingfish:
Can't you just run it off of Boeing's server? I'm sure they got the HD space. But then there's an increased risk for a crash.

:D tongue.gif
redface.gif :(

[jwxspoon]

Terrible news. Admiral Keth, didn't you have any regular backup system in place? Is there a date to which all scenarios are backed up?

jw

[Ales Dvorak]

Admiral Keth, thank you for your support,superb site and all your hard work.

Regards
Ales

[Cpl. Kenshaw]

Admiral Keth,
Just wanted to say I found the Scenario Depot to be one of the best Game supporting sites on the web. I managed to upload only 2 scenarios, but have been working on 2 more. The ease of using the site, and the useful information it provided will be missed. I am sure the CM community would rally for any reconstruction if that is ever possible. In the meantime thanks for your dedication and hard work and for providing us all with such a great site.

[Emar]

Very sorry to hear this but glad you got a new job proposal ( and it sounds like a job that would pay enough to keep the beer flowing). Your sight will be sorely missed. There is no other CM sight out there where the average Joe could post scenarios and where you could find such a variety of designers and battles (finished ones anyway, GJK keeps a great site as well ;) ).

Hopefully someone else will pick up the ball so all of us have a place to post and find the latest and greatest battles( hope we can retrieve the older classics as well)

Best wishes for your future Keith.

Eric

[Buq-Buq]

Admiral Keth:

Congratulations on your new job, and best of luck in your new endeavor! I hope that it brings many challenges, as well as much joy & satisfaction. I bet that it feels good to be back in the saddle.

Bummer about The Scenario Depot. I thank you very much for all of your hard work on that project. It was an incredible resource; it deeply enhanced my enjoyment of this game system. I think that its deepest impact for me was that it got me to look at situations — and consider playing . . . & designing — situations that I might not normally have considered. My one regret? I won't ever be able to say "I had a scenario posted at The Scenario Depot."

I thank you so much for your incredible contribution to this hobby.


Mark


The average gamer . . . uses only about 10% of his . . . Combat Mission . . .

[General Bolt]

AK,

Thanks for all the service. TS clearance? eh? Area 51. He's been reassigned to the Space Lobsters of Doom web site. We'll miss you.

[HarryInk]

God what a bastard thing. Tragic. A favourite site and one of the handful of good CM ones active and left... Lost. Sorry for you AK.

[Admiral Keth]

All,

Thank you very much for the kind words.

I have always considered Combat Mission to be "the thinking man's wargame". The community which endorses and continuously supports not only Combat Mission itself, but the associated fan sites, are the very best friends any wargaming community could offer.

With regards to resurrecting The Scenario Depot; I'm going to consider it over the next couple of weeks. Allow me time to acclimatize to Boeing and settle into a routine. In the spirit of "getting back on the horse" I could, at length, be convinced to rebuild from scratch, incorporating all of the features on the lengthy "SDv3 To Do" list.

Conversely, this may be the time when I start writing my " How To Brew" trilogy, or continue working on a miniature wargaming rules I started called GUMPS (Generic Universal Miniature Playing System).

In the mean time, I'm still preparing to hand off any data I have to GJK and The Proving Grounds. GJK has my complete confidence and esteem.

As an asides to another thread, my RL first name is Keith. The Admiral Keth comes from the callsign I was given by fellow Star Fleet Battles gamers after a well-played campaign (which included the capture of a starbase without firing a shot).

[Admiral Keth]

All,

Additional posts have been made to Web Hosting Forum (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=291643). I am far from alone in this mess.

If any of the CM community has sites hosted by any of Gunnel's shell companies, I would recommend finding a new web host ASAP. It appears as if more angry web developers are filing FBI fraud claims. Web Host Forum Link 2 (http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1098&highlight=fidpac) has more details on specific shell hosts.

[rune]

Admiral,

You know you have my thanks. Hopefully the new job isn't over-whelming and you can get to do other projects. smile.gif

Thanks again for all your hard work.

Rune

[BigMik1]

Admiral,

Thanks for your great work, many of my scenarios have come from your site. You made a wargamers heart happy to have all those scenarios close at hand. Sorry about the mess that web host caused and I hope you can rise from the ashes!!!

Thanks again,

BigMik1

[junk2drive]

I posted this at TPG and thought I would share my thoughts here as well.

wargamer.com has been the place to get scenarios for Steel Panthers for a long time. The process requires approval of the upload before it appears for download.
There are some CM scens placed there.
SZO is a interesting place that I frequent.
It has been better at times than it is right now. Vacations and RL have taken some of the regulars away.
While I am a web sufer, I find it somewhat frustrating to have to search a few sites in order to check the latest stuff. For CM I only needed to go to BFC, TPG, TSD and cmmods on a daily basis.
For SP I check Shrapnel, Matrix, the Depot, wargamer, SZO, 2 yahoo groups.

[Nidan1]

Admiral,

What a blow....but certainly not your fault, or something you need apologize for. The Depot was a great resource for a long time, and all of your hard work is genuinely appreciated by the community.

[Alsatian]

Admiral,

Thanks for SD. It was invaluable to our community. I'm no computer genius, but if you have need for a team of keyboard grunts to help rebuild, I'll give you as many hours as I can. Considering all the the CM hours you've given me, I figure I owe you.

[Agentorange]

Admiral,

Sorry to hear about the site ( though no need for you to apologise ) I've had many hours fine gaming courtesy of the SD, and your hard work is much appreciated. Lets hope you rise phoenix like from the ashes.

ps Best of luck with the new job !

[Hans]

Left a message on this on the Afrika Korps forum.

Once a plan is arrived at Admiral you'll have my full support to get a new Depot back up and running.

There is no CM without the Depot!

[Pzman]

Yeah, and for some reason I have not been able to get on TPGs today either... I'm feeling cut off from new stuff. :(

[WWB]

This is a massive loss for the community. Hopefully something can be salvaged.

Thanks for all you have done for the CM world, good admiral. Best of luck at the new job, and we all look forward to version 3.0 in the future.

[BirdGunner]

This is a copy of the reply I left on CMAK formum

Hi, When it comes down to getting all the scenario's that were at the Depot, and plus a lot of others that were not, it has been my passtime between playing, work and school to download all scenario's that I can get ahold of.

So I have almost everthing available from whatever sites, past and present, there have been. I also have records in excel format for each scenario that I have.

So if someone can set up a new Depot and requires all the scenario's and the excel lists drop me a line, I have them all. My last download from the Scenario Depot was a day before it went offline so I have all the latest from there.

Hope someone is interested!!!!

[Richie]

... WOW :eek:

[Hans]

I suspect your obsession may be valuable because some of the scenarios came from people who no longer play the game.

You may wish to drop an email to the admiral and let him know what you have.

[flammenwerfer]

What about the reviews and AARs? :confused:

[Stoffel]

Hey Birdgunner,

If you have made a record from one of my scenarios than I would be very happy to get that from you,specially if it contains helpfull critics..... ;)

here are a few
CMBB

Seelow heights
Jevzek
Prokhorovka

CMBB operation

Warschau Uprising

CMAK
Clervaux,deathtrapp for the 110th inf regiment
1940

CMBO

Day of the wasps
May 1940
Bocage fun
Operation Goodwood

[Lt_T_Morel]

Originally posted by BirdGunner:
This is a copy of the reply I left on CMAK formum

Hi, When it comes down to getting all the scenario's that were at the Depot, and plus a lot of others that were not, it has been my passtime between playing, work and school to download all scenario's that I can get ahold of.

So I have almost everthing available from whatever sites, past and present, there have been. I also have records in excel format for each scenario that I have.

So if someone can set up a new Depot and requires all the scenario's and the excel lists drop me a line, I have them all. My last download from the Scenario Depot was a day before it went offline so I have all the latest from there.

Hope someone is interested!!!! Yep me!

All the scenarii!

Please e-mail me at this adress: morel.jean-francois@club-internet.fr

[Hans]

Recommend someone tries to get everything he has. I'll volunteer as King Fahd has died this morning and that has given me an unexpected three day holiday (for mourning) so I have time to get these scenarii.

I have a site that can take 50 MB so I could take the three sets one after another.

uploaded/downloaded.

Email me

Wayne100@emirates.net.ae

I'll give you the login and password to upload the scenarii, then I'll download and clear the site, email you and we'll do it again

[Don't Panic]

Admiral Keth

I would like to add to the many thanks and appreciation for your wonderfully hard work and providing such a site like the Scenario Depot. It has been a source of many a pleasurable scenario for many of us and also a way to share our own creations. I do hope it will be resurrected in some way or another.

Cheers
Chee-Yan

[BirdGunner]

Hi, everyone!

Sorry to say I did not keep records of AAR and critques, As I have said, I have the Scenarios/Operations and a Excel list of the basic info for each scenario.. Unfortunely I don't have the names of the authors or designers of the scenarios. My excel lists include the following info:

Scenario Name
Version
Turn size
Game size
Game location
Year
Month
Time of day
Weather'
Ground conditions
Dug in/or not
Attacker
Allies
Axis
Type
Remarks/Short Disc

[BirdGunner]

Those asking for me to email copies Give me a day or two to get things organized and Zipped and I'll get them out shortly.

Thanks.

[Lt_T_Morel]

Originally posted by BirdGunner:
Hi, everyone!

Sorry to say I did not keep records of AAR and critques, As I have said, I have the Scenarios/Operations and a Excel list of the basic info for each scenario.. Unfortunely I don't have the names of the authors or designers of the scenarios. My excel lists include the following info:

Scenario Name
Version
Turn size
Game size
Game location
Year
Month
Time of day
Weather'
Ground conditions
Dug in/or not
Attacker
Allies
Axis
Type
Remarks/Short Disc Thanks!

I'll give the files to the french admins of "appuifeu" a cm dedicated site.

[Lt_T_Morel]

Originally posted by BirdGunner:
Those asking for me to email copies Give me a day or two to get things organized and Zipped and I'll get them out shortly.

Thanks. Have you received my mail?

[KG_Jag]

While I am not in a position to distribute them to individual players, I too have almost all the battles and ops that were posted at the Depot and more for all three CM games. If someone is able pull together a new site with a comprehensive offering of the battles and ops for any or all of the CM games, I will be happy to share what I have on many floppy disks to make the offering more complete.

[British Tommy]

I find it a shame that no one from BF has posted a message on this thread :(

[rune]

British Tommy,

I did if you scroll up. The other guys are busy with CMX2.

Rune

[Philippe]

I've posted Bruce Doiron's collection of scenarios and operations that he had downloaded from the Scenario Depot over at CMMODS in the CMBB section. It comes as seven zips and a notes section, but is still difficult to use -- there are so many scenarios it is very hard to find anything, but at least its a start. Hopefully a new Depot will rise from the ashes very soon, making it redundant (otherwise I would suggest that someone put together a sorted version).

The exercise needs to be repeated for CMBO and CMAK.

[British Tommy]

Sorry Rune, didn't spot it ( blush! )

[GreenAsJade]

As far as I'm aware there are three possible offers of a "one stop home" for scenarios being seriously considered:

1. The Proving Grounds
(using GJK's existing server and design/implementation)

2. CMMODS

3. The Proving Grounds (using gregories.net server with Cpl Carrot design/implementation)

I'm willing to work with Cpl Carrot to make #3 happen, but neither of us want to waste our effort if 1 or 2 or something else is going to happen.

What's the status of everyone's plans?

Ta,

GaJ

[Richie]

I think if we all wait around to see what happens... nothing will :(

PS GaJ, where's ma war dammit?

[GJK]

Originally posted by GreenAsJade:
As far as I'm aware there are three possible offers of a "one stop home" for scenarios being seriously considered:

1. The Proving Grounds
(using GJK's existing server and design/implementation)

2. CMMODS

3. The Proving Grounds (using gregories.net server with Cpl Carrot design/implementation)

I'm willing to work with Cpl Carrot to make #3 happen, but neither of us want to waste our effort if 1 or 2 or something else is going to happen.

What's the status of everyone's plans?

Ta,

GaJ I've replied to Martin's kind offer via email, but I'll summarize here for the group - the server that hosts *my* version of a scenario depot must be running WebDNA (LINK (http://www.smithmicro.com/default.tpl?group=family&id1=6)) which is a pretty obscure programming language. My host obviously does - but I doubt highly that GaJ's does. So option #3 wouldn't work with a TPG overlay design.
Somebody could do it using PHP/MySQL which is on about every server in the world....

But, do a WHOIS for www.the-scenario-depot.com (http://www.the-scenario-depot.com.). I'm thinking on it, thinking.....k. smile.gif

[Philippe]

Originally posted by Richie:
I think if we all wait around to see what happens... nothing will :(

PS GaJ, where's ma war dammit? Which is exactly why someone should post Bruce's CMAK and CMBO collections to CMMODS...just in case.

[ColumbusOHGamer]

Originally posted by GreenAsJade:
3. The Proving Grounds (using gregories.net server with Cpl Carrot design/implementation)

I'm willing to work with Cpl Carrot to make #3 happen, but neither of us want to waste our effort if 1 or 2 or something else is going to happen.I totally agree. No sense in having duplicate efforts. I vote for #3, if it can have all the features, or I'll build one for you guys.

[Richie]

Which is exactly why someone should post Bruce's CMAK and CMBO collections to CMMODS...just in case.

Possibly... but it won't be me. I respect the fact that you're doing something about a catastrophe but I'm not going to post other peoples work to a public site due to ethical and moral implications expressed by people here, even though I have no issue with it.

Don't get me wrong, I ain't bagging you for it and I personally have NO judgemental opinion of it with regards to it because you've clearly done it with the best intentions. I want to see everyones work back out there. It's good for the whole community and I respect the fact that you are taking action.

I'm pushing in the direction of someone producing a permanent alternative to what was The Depot ASAP.

But like I said, I respect the fact that you've acted!

[Richie]

Originally posted by ColumbusOHGamer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by GreenAsJade:
3. The Proving Grounds (using gregories.net server with Cpl Carrot design/implementation)

I'm willing to work with Cpl Carrot to make #3 happen, but neither of us want to waste our effort if 1 or 2 or something else is going to happen.I totally agree. No sense in having duplicate efforts. I vote for #3, if it can have all the features, or I'll build one for you guys. </font>[/QUOTE]I've sponsored in the past and I'd be more than happy to do so again to help!

Richie

[GreenAsJade]

Guys,

Here's where it's at:

- All the scenarios have been (are being?) posted at CMMODS in big zip files one per game type. So in the interim they are at least available. It's not as if "nothing is happening and everyone is waiting for everyone else".

- The offer from Cpl Carrot & I to build a site on gregories.net is open. However

- Garry (GJK) has told me that he's planning to implement a "scenario depot" at TPG... the only question being whether he can find the time in amongst real life demands.

My opinion is that if Gary builds something at TPG, integrated with TPG, it will be better than in Cpl Carrot & I make a new site. So my plan is to wait to see if Gary can pull it off in the near future. If the demands of his job don't seem to be allowing that in a "reasonable amount of time" then I would reassess.

GaJ.

[GJK]

Guys, as I just posted at TPG:

Not exactly sure what the plans are at this point. I'm this close | | to going ahead and start putting something together for a new site. My hang-up is that I have my hand in too many fires at the moment, but I can start putting a new site together a little here and there - if the CM can be patient enough to let me do that.

I think that COG can put a site together as well - perhaps more rapidly than I can at this point as the program that he uses seems to be templated a bit and mine is written by hand, but I don't know for sure.

Maybe we should have a final vote over at BFC to see what it is the people want? Maybe there's other options? I'm willing and able, there just might be a delay of a number of weeks before I can get it up and functioning (the site that is silly boy ).

I'm up for a big vote at BFC, I'd be curious to see what folks vote/say about it. So far, the one thread in the "scenarios" section has generated a number of posts from the same 10 people or so - not a large sampling of the community. I wish that their forum had the "poll" feature - hey, Gyrenes forum does I believe, maybe we should do a vote there? Anybody?So maybe we can get all those interested in making "the" site submit their proposals to a thread at Gyrene's - what they can have the site do, how it would function, etc. and then we let the community vote. I think this should be a big push to generate a large turnout on the vote. To be honest, if 15 people vote for the site and for the rest it falls on deaf ears, I'm not going to be that motivated to bust butt to code a new site - to be brutally honest.

My thoughts at least. :D

[ColumbusOHGamer]

I'm already voting for TPG to take over. 80% of the stuff is already there. About the only thing missing is the voting. I'm so busy right now that it would probably be mid to late Sept before I could get anything produced.

I threw my hat in the ring more as a last resort. I'll do it, but I'm hoping someone else will come up with a solution first. After looking at TPG's scenario collection, I think it's the way to go.

Make it happen Gary.

[GreenAsJade]

I'm like COG. My offer is here as another last resort. If TPG can take it, that's the best solution.

So clearly now what we need is to give Gary some indication of community support.

The slight catch is getting anyone from here to go somewhere else to vote ... its a fact of life that "voter turnout" is hard to get.

Still, let's give it a shot. If someone hasn't already (I'm just about to go looking) I'll set up a poll...

GaJ.

[GreenAsJade]

I've realised there's a twist.

The sentiment here is "Gary - we have faith in what you would build, please just go for it".

IE we don't really need competeting proposals about what it would have and how it would be run because we're pretty confident we'd like what you would do.

So the only point in setting up a poll is to get an indication of what the demand for the service is. If 10 people are going to use it, it's not worth building, just email them the scenarios. If 100 people are going to use it then it's worth building.

Right?

(The alternative is to open up the can of worms about what features the Scenario Depot should have: I really really think that this would just delay us getting anything without ever finding any concensus! Better to have some benevolent dictator determine what it will have and get on with it!)

Sooo.... I'm going to start yet another thread here (!!) looking for expressions of support for building a new one. I will also do the same at WeBoB where members can respond to a poll.

GaJ.

[BirdGunner]

Hi Everyone!

Philippe, has gone ahead and posted the CMBB Scenario's and Operations at CMMOD, I just finished uploading the CMAK Scenario's and Ops. So they are also available at the web site. CMBO will have to be done another night, as having connection problems tonight with the darn router... About to give it a swift boot...

[Richie]

A BIG THANKYOU to BirdGunner BTW.

The fact that you have taken the time to save all these scenarios and all these peoples work is simply outstanding!

Much appreciated by us all!

[leakyD]

This is kinda old, but may be useful:

Wayback Machine for SD (http://web.archive.org/web/20040404080952/http://www.dragonlair.net/combatmission/)

this is the 04/04/04 link from here:

Wayback Machine results for SD (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.dragonlair.net/combatmission/)

Maybe the backup is more recent, but maybe not.

Files are not there, but the text is. One could use a Website DL app (Sitesucker for Mac) and pull the html down, and it could then be worked locally.

My .02 of assistance.