Serious SERIOUS problem.

[Doctor Sinister]

I am going to have to withdraw from this thing, not for want of playing, not for lack of time, but for the lamest reason imaginable.

It seems that my data connection has become SO unreliable that I am physically unable now to transmit a 2.2 MB file without being disconnected.

I have only just discovered this, as Corporal Boff and I are playing a practice round on the tournament map - I have now been trying for FIVE HOURS to send him a file that's 2.2MB big and I am completely unable to maintain a stable connection for long enough to get the thing sent out to him. So far, the closest I have got is 40 minutes at 85% before I get booted off the net'.

It's PATHETIC.

All the while I am trying to send stuff out, I am unable to do anything else with my machine on the net and I regret that I'm just can't afford to do that.

This is SO frustrating it is beyond words. All year now my connection has been getting steadily worse and worse and my 'phone company refuses to do anything about it on the basis that "we only guarantee voice communications, not data" unless I pay them several hundred £££ to physically install a new 'phone line (that's money I can ill afford). Broadband access has been refused to me - actually REFUSED because of this problem.

I am so annoyed right now, not only for wasting everybody's time in assuming that I could play this tournament, but for being limited in such a way that I now cannot- nor could I ever in the future if I wanted to.

I just don't know what to do.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

Dr. S.

[yohajin]

That stinks to high heaven, boss. :cry:

Is there any way you could use someone else's machine or perhaps go to a library or something, using Webmail? It sounds better than it probably is... ugh, I wish I had a decent solution. :(

Fie on the phone company!

Yohajin :cool:

[The Purist]

If you cannopt find a solution by Sunday evening, I shall seek a replacement for you.

We will be very sorry to lose you Doc.

[The Purist]

Would you mind replacing Dr S. as he most likely cannot continue due to the technical problems.

If I am correct you will be taking over from scratch,...you get to choose your own troops, etc.

[osvold]

do you zip your turns? Thats cuts the size of the turns to cca 50%ˇof original. There is no other ISP? What about wireless connections? I am using GPRS as my second mobile connection to the Net, paying cca EUR 22 monthly flat rate. It is not fast connection (in fact cca 62/14) but i was able to transfer files up to 2megs without problems.

[Doctor Sinister]

This is really such a daft problem, it's embarassing to have to come here and report it!

I have tried zipping the move for Corporal Boff - the 2.2MB file I'm trying to send is the zipped version, it was originally 3.02MB.

There is one other solution that occurs to me, but it's so crap and such a lash-up I'm embarassed to have to suggest it.

Each move is a .txt file - so I could "hack" up each file into chunks and scram each portion out before I get disconnected, for my opponent to piece back together the other end.

Like I said...it was a really crappy one...

The ONE plus to this is that our game hasn't actually got going yet, I've only sent the first file - after I've bought all my troops, so my replacement could simply start from scratch. Acgtually, my opponent doesn't seem very pro-active in returning moves anyway, so I'm a bit concerned that it was all going to be a waste of time, but that's another story.

There's another solution, but it's not ideal. I could use my friend's PC - he has Broadband, but it would mean going to his house every day to play the moves as they arrived (in his inbox). That wouldn't take me long at all, but it would be a bit of a detour for me. I can do this though if required. Alternatively, I could book a date with my opponent and thrash this thing out in real-time, but he reports that he's not connected at home and that's he sending his files via his workplace, so again, that doesn't appear to be an option.

As you can see, I have tried to think of everything I could!

I would just like to add that I am REALLY sorry for letting everyone down on this. My apologies to you all.

Dr. S.

[The Purist]

Well,...it's hardly your fault. If you want to step down I understand. However, I will keep you on the roster for now and wait and see if Maklan is serious about playing. If he is not,...I will send another email to the joust master about defaulters.

I'll also wait to see if Fionn will step in.

Edit: I wonder why your files are so big. My 5000 point games are around .47 to 2.2mb :hmmm:

[Doctor Sinister]

Well,...it's hardly your fault. If you want to step down I understand. However, I will keep you on the roster for now and wait and see if Maklan is serious about playing. If he is not,...I will send another email to the joust master about defaulters.

I'll also wait to see if Fionn will step in.

Edit: I wonder why your files are so big. My 5000 point games are around .47 to 2.2mb :hmmm:
Boss,

I've been discussing this with Vulture and he can't think of any other option than for me to stand down and for a replacement to be parachuted in, in my place - assuming, of course, that my opponent really wants to play.

BTW - Vulture is also REALLY surprised at the size of the files. I'm not, because as you will be aware I carried out a test on this very subject. I am a bit surprised that there's only a 0.5MB difference between a 5,000 and a 3,000 point battle though - I don't follow the logic with that one....

I'm really sorry for screwing this up - I'm so frustrated at all of this you would not believe. I really wanted to play this one through.

There is just one other option - we wait until I have sold my, erm, hidden Bunker (it's on the market) and I make sure my new place doesn't have a noisy 'phone line and that it does have Broadband. :-) But, that could be a while...

I shall, of course, resign my commission immediately, return my key and combination to the Port locker and commit suicide.

My apologies to what was "my" Troop - leave me behind, save yourselves lads!! Go get 'em!!

Does anyone mind if I retain access to this hidden forum to monitor the results?

Dr. S.

[osvold]

well, i fear, that the volume of the files can be general problem for the tournament. I did my first move right now, and with my >70 tanks, the file for the very first turn, where all the tanks move straight forward without shooting, the file is 7,2MB uncompressed and 5,2MB compressed. 5MB is the maximum of some mailboxes, 10 is usual. I can imagine, that many many turns will plain bounce or be undeliverably.

[The Purist]

Dr S.

You will not self-terminate but rather shall be retained in a staff position (kicked upstairs). Your new task will be to write the Official History of the joust for WHQ.

I think I have a replacement for you lined up. Since you have not actually begun the game. I shall seek a restatrt with Vultures approval.

Your office is over this way>>>>>> the archives will be arriving over the next few weeks.

[Doctor Sinister]

well, i fear, that the volume of the files can be general problem for the tournament. I did my first move right now, and with my >70 tanks, the file for the very first turn, where all the tanks move straight forward without shooting, the file is 7,2MB uncompressed and 5,2MB compressed. 5MB is the maximum of some mailboxes, 10 is usual. I can imagine, that many many turns will plain bounce or be undeliverably.
That is mad - absolutely mad!! I don't have a mailbox restriction, but physically DLing that size of file would be impossible for me without a stable link.

I wonder if they would reconsider and allow us the option of playing 1,000 point battles?

Dr. S.

[Doctor Sinister]

Dr S.

You will not self-terminate but rather shall be retained in a staff position (kicked upstairs). Your new task will be to write the Official History of the joust for WHQ.

I think I have a replacement for you lined up. Since you have not actually begun the game. I shall seek a restatrt with Vultures approval.

Your office is over this way>>>>>> the archives will be arriving over the next few weeks.
Thank you Sir!

*SALUTE*

I will endeavour to carry out my new duties as best I can - I would be pleased to write up the official history of the Brigade so that the generations of soldiers who follow our proud tradition can say "Wow, they were great guys, and you say one of them only had one eye?"

Dr. S.

[Boff]

Excellent idea, best man for the job! :D

[Doctor Sinister]

Sorry about our game Corporal Boff! :(

Dr. S.

[Boff]

Sorry about our game Corporal Boff! :(

Dr. S.

And just as I was about to win too. :p
My massed Stuarts were going to make mincemeat of whatever it was you had..

[The Purist]

Excellent idea, best man for the job! :D


Why, thank you corporal,...so awfully glad you agree. :D <where is the 'pompous-ass' smilie?>

[yohajin]

:cry: Very disappointing. I'm sorry to see you go.

I don't want to shut anyone out but I think Fionn would make a stellar replacement.

Yohajin :cool:

[The Purist]

Gents,

Joust Master Vulture has approved the substitution of Fionn for our saddened but indespensible Dr S. Messages have been sent by emails to the parties concerned.

[Doctor Sinister]

And just as I was about to win too. :p
My massed Stuarts were going to make mincemeat of whatever it was you had..I had 42 prototype Maus Super-Heavy Tanks and a Panzer II.

:D

Dr. S.

[Redwolf]

BTW, CM PBEM files are already compressed with an ASCII wrapper.

If you zip them they get bigger during transfer.

On disk the zipfile looks smaller, but since it is binary it will be wrapped into ASCII for mail sending which makes it bigger than the original (because you now compressed twice).

I have the numbers somewhere if somebody is interested.

[osvold]

heh, that sounds very strange, Redwolf. i doubt it is so, like you describes.

[Fionn]

Oh I wouldn't bet against Redwolf on something like this. He has often, in the past, pointed out such erroneous information and been proven correct no matter the howls from the faithful at the time.