Posts by Bullwinkle

  • Main site page gone and server depressed

    Quote

    Originally posted by Hellraiser
    Cmon guys stop kidding.


    We are not kidding, Hellraiser. The quotes above are from the books of the legendary Douglas Adams.


    Of course, Adams was kidding... about pretty much everything. He was the master of sci-fi-comedy.


    As for the 7.5 million years, time travel is routine in the Hitchhiker's galaxy. The main characters travel in a stolen star ship (the Heart of Gold) which has a prototype infinite improbability drive. The infinite improbability drive allows the characters to do some things that are not impossible but are merely infinitely improbable... such as being in two places at the same time, for example.


    You will have to read his books if you want to understand this stuff. There is simply no effective way to describe it.


    Note that the CF Guide uses the Hitchhiker's theme, including the friendly words, "Don't Panic", on the cover.


    The books and the audio recordings (made for BBC radio) are the best, IMHO. The TV mini-series and the movie have amusing moments, but they do not have the depth of humor found in the books and the radio broadcasts.


    EDIT: If you have a bittorrent client, here are links to several versions of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:



    http://thepiratebay.org/search/hitchhiker*%20guide/0/7/0

  • Sol why is the system so big

    Quote

    Originally posted by Bond
    My first trip to Earth was without jump gates(in Bullpup III).Do i need to tell u more...;)


    Sol is designed to be close to true scale for our solar system.


    So, yeah... it would take a week or so to get from Pluto to Earth without the jump gates. :)


    (just kidding... but only a little!)

  • Main site page gone and server depressed

    Quote

    Originally posted by Azadur
    There is no doubt the answer to life, the universe and everything is 42. ...


    "I think the problem, to be quite honest with you is that you've never actually known what the question was."


    Great quote, Azadur!


    The part about the question was picked up again in a later book (resulting in the "multiplying six by nine" thing), but I'll be darned if I could find the reference. I am thinking that it was after dinner at Milliway's (The Restaurant at the End of the Universe), but I am not sure.


    Memory gets a bit fuzzy because, as mentioned earlier, the story was re-written each time for radio, TV, book, and movie... so there are many versions!

  • Main site page gone and server depressed

    Quote

    Originally posted by Myric


    It just is


    If memory serves, the characters in the book asked something similar:


    "If the ultimate answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything is '42', then what is the question?"


    After several million more years, Deep Thought responded:


    "What do you get when you multiply six by nine?"



    Hellraiser... the five-book Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe "trilogy" is pretty funny. But don't expect it to make sense!


    For example, the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Trall is incredibly dangerous. Luckily, it is so stupid that it thinks that, if you cannot see it, then it cannot see you.


    So just put your towel over your head and it will wander off.


    (and don't ask about the towel... just read the book!)

  • SP question

    Quote

    Originally posted by gnaa
    does the story goes on in the altair sector? found jack blichs ship wreck but there was no data disk in it.


    As you have discovered, Crossfire extends the Freelancer story through the use of Quests. Jack Blinch's ship is somewhere in the middle of the story. You have left the Sirius System and now there are TWO new star systems to explore and more Quests. There are still many hours of gameplay left for you.


    As I recall, there is no data disk in Jack Blinch's ship. It is a cool-looking burning wreck next to a jump gate. You can target Blinch's ship and press F9 to get the "info" on it. (Hint: remember that technique for later puzzles).


    Note that the challenges increase as you go along. Some of the enemies that you will encounter are insanely difficult. In multi-player, several players will work together to hunt the more difficult enemies. As a single player, I do not think it is possible to kill all of the enemies, so you will improve your evasion skills in addition to your fighting skills.


    If you make it to the end of the Crossfire Quests in single-player, you will be a skilled Freelancer pilot - without question. There should be a printable "award" for getting to the end. :)

  • Altair advice - new player

    Quote

    Originally posted by Zatexev
    Please people here i found good ship for explore ( and quests ) max price +-10KK ... now i making money but i using drom ... no is good ship to look around .... tnks


    This is probably a translation issue, Zatexev, but I do not understand what you are asking?

  • 1.8 difficult

    Quote

    Originally posted by Zatexev
    hey i enter in SP but ... no show me storyline ... i enter in dock NY Man , no show what direction i need take is normal? yes i choise in install the mod to open single player :S


    Yes, that is normal.


    When you activate Crossfire in FLMM, you have the choice of installing for Single Player (storyline) or Open Single Player (OSP).


    OSP skips the storyline missions. It allows you to explore the Freelancer universe without having to complete the missions.


    If you want to fly the storyline missions, then you will have to reinstall Crossfire and select the Storyline setting.

  • New Player tips

    Quote

    Originally posted by iceXIV
    How do you assign weapons to individual groups?


    Read the manual.


    Or F1 / Options / Controls / User Interface.


    Or Google.



    Quote

    Originally posted by iceXIV
    I would assume you select which weapons you want then press the key for it


    If "press the key for it" means "press the key to assign the currently selected weapons to a Weapons Group", then, yes, that is correct.


    Note that Weapons Groups have some quirks could cause you trouble if you do not understand them... Google for those.

  • New Player tips

    Quote

    Originally posted by Ryleous Arkane
    you have to have weapons groups 2 & 3


    OK. Again, re-stating for simplicity:


    [list=1]
    [*]Assign half of your weapons to Weapon Group 3
    [*]Assign the other half of your weapons to Weapon Group 2
    [*]Assign All Weapons to Weapons Group 1
    [*]Select Weapons Group 2
    [*]Fire. Hold the right-mouse-button down while doing the following:
    [*]At the halfway moment in time before the second volley, Select Weapons Group 3.
    [*]At the instant of the third volley Select Weapons Group 1.
    [/list=1]


    Is that right?


    Quote

    Originally posted by Ryleous Arkane
    Sadly, I've tried to use macros to accomplish this [without success]


    AutoHotkey works great with Freelancer. The "Fire" button (right-click) works different than other keystrokes, so you would not want to include the right-click in your macro.


    Quote

    Originally posted by Ryleous Arkane
    an overly white background is rather hard on the eyes over a period of time


    I do not doubt that, but it is not relevant to the goal of making a printable map, is it? And who stares at a map for long periods, other than the map-maker himself? :)


    It is not a big deal and I am glad that you did what you did. I am only suggesting that an easy-to-print version (with a white background) would be helpful to those who prefer a printed map.

  • Looking for the Osiris.


    Haha! :)


    You must be joking about not being good at computer games, Jessica... you sure picked a difficult one with which to challenge yourself!


    The journey from Earth to wherever you are going (;)) is a long one, so you might as well prepare for your voyage:


    Buy some of the best guns you can find (hint: they are NOT at the bottom of the Equipment list in Sol).


    There is a huge bribe offered on Earth -- for a faction you have not met. Usually I would suggest that you make your own choices about bribes, but the journey back is so long that I am going to suggest that you take it. You will know which bribe because it costs 2-3 times as much as most other bribes.


    Check out any other equipment upgrades that look good, then follow your clues.


    I am assuming that you know what to do with the clues. Is that correct?


    While in Sol, admire the beauty and majesty of our solar system. Isn't it cool the way you can see explore it in Crossfire? (that is not a hint... I just think that Sol is very well done).

  • New Player tips

    Quote

    Originally posted by Ryleous Arkane
    Here's my alternate firing mode "how-to" I finally typed out... 8) ...


    Also, maps of all 3 known Milky-Way Galaxy sectors of the Crossfire 1.8 universe, Sirius, Altair and the newly discovered Inner Core sectors:


    I really like your alternate-firing tip, Arkane.


    Do I understand correctly that you suggest the following?:


    [list=1]
    [*]Assign half of your weapons to Weapon Group 2
    [*]Assign all weapons to Weapon Group 1
    [*]Fire Weapon Group 1 (and keep firing) (right-click)
    [*]At the half-way time (before the second volley fires), Fire Weapon Group 2
    [*]The result is that your weapons continue to fire at double the normal rate -- half of the weapons firing each time. The damage per second is the same, but you get more chances for a "hit", right?
    [/list=1]


    It is a great idea! This would be an excellent application for a keyboard macro that would do the job for you.


    Your maps are gorgeous, but one small suggestion: "plain" is not the same as "white" background. The point of having a version with a white background is for easy (and cheap) printing on a color printer.


    Otherwise, your maps are real works of art. It is cool to have them done by a pro like you.

  • Looking for the Osiris.


    Toledo is in Omicron Minor. There is another Order base in the Sol system.


    What sort of guidance are you looking for, Jessica? It's an adventure game, especially after the end of the story line. So the general guidance is to "follow the clues... and look around while you do it."


    If you have more specific questions, then ask away! :)


    PS: One of my favorite ships can be purchased at Neutro Station. ;)

  • New Player tips

    Quote

    Originally posted by iceXIV
    Does anyone have any tips for a new player?


    The Rhino is a formidable ship. You can play the entire Single Player (SP) storyline in it. Defenders are fine, but there are many far superior Crossfire ships in systems that you can reach -- even from New York.


    Note that you can purchase a Defender in New York.


    Some tips:

    • The best things are not on the trade lanes.
    • You can see objects (jump holes, jump gates, stations, wrecks, and other clues) at long range -- farther than your sensors. Look around.
    • Use the "H" key while in Autopilot ("Go To...") mode to look around as you travel.
    • In vanilla systems, look at the Patrol Routes in the Nav map to find routes that friends, enemies, and neutral factions patrol. If several patrol routes go to one place, then there is usually a reason. Go check it out.
    • Don't listen to Juni when she complains. She will wait as long as you want. You can even turn down her missions and she will still wait for you. Take the time to explore (and upgrade your ship).
    • Use the "Z" key to slide. Sliding lets you fly backwards which is an effective technique when being chased by most AI enemies (a.k.a. NPC's or Non-Player Characters). Sliding is also excellent for circling a slow-moving target so that you can keep your guns facing the target while not flying in a straight line -- thereby making you a more difficult target.
    • Sliding also makes your ship turn faster. Fast enough that you can fight any NPC -- even in a small freighter.
    • Now that you have finished the Ashcroft mission you DO have jump access throughout Liberty.
    • Look around in Texas. There are a few stations that pay more than $1 for captured pilots. (Much more!) :)


    Look at the following threads for more tips:


    1.8 difficult: http://www.swat-portal.com/php…oardid=106&styleid=23</a>


    Altair advice - new player: http://www.swat-portal.com/php…oardid=106&styleid=23</a>

  • 1.8 difficult

    Quote

    Originally posted by Jerra
    Killing Xenos is a pain. To get one block of the reputation bar i need to kill 150-160 of them.


    Again, Jerra, giving us more information about what you want to accomplish would help us to give you better answers.


    From re-reading all of your messages, I assume that you figured out where to buy new CF ships and how to raise as much money as you want very quickly. Is that correct?


    More recently, it sounds as though the Zoners are angry with you and you want to make them friendly by killing Xenos? EDIT: If so, then remember that the rep system is slightly tweaked in Crossfire. I don't think that the Zoners care as much about the Xenos as they do in vanilla Freelancer.


    If I am understanding you correctly, then your reputation is "unbalanced"... either by having killed Zoners or by being too friendly with criminals.


    Some questions:

    • What are you trying to accomplish?
    • What ship and weapons are you using now?
    • What is your rep with the Zoners (how many bars above or below neutral)?
    • What is your rep with the Outcasts? Corsairs?
    • Are you killing so many Xenos to earn credits? Or to adjust your rep? What change are you trying to make to your rep?
    • Why are you trying to fix your rep with the Zoners? If the Zoners hate you, then the Outcasts and/or Corsairs probably like you. All three factions have very strong ships and weapons. None of those factions have the strongest ships and weapons in the game. So why focus so much energy on the Zoners?

  • Send/Don't Send error

    Quote

    Originally posted by Michael
    Well, why people complicates their lifes with Vista, seven and stuff... Windows XP works so great with everything at a major speed ^^


    Sadly, Microsoft forces manufacturers to install Win7 on new computers (previously Vista). The vast majority of PC users do not install their own OS... they use whatever came installed on the PC.


    However, I agree with your intent, Michael. If a PC already runs XP, then there is very little reason to "upgrade" to either Vista or Win7.


    The only good argument for Win7 is that 64-bit drivers are common for Win7. So the combination of Win7 x64 with lots of RAM (more than 4GB) is a step forward. Otherwise, as you say, stay with XP.

  • Lost in space


    Excellent, NucNuc.


    The maze should be the same in MP as in SP.


    Following a "sequence" is weak advice... it is much easier, faster, and more robust to make a map of a maze.


    But, either way, once you have a solution, you should be able to repeat it.

  • Crossfire 1.9 Features

    Quote

    Originally posted by Thunderbird Anthares
    i say we have too much balance right now, screw it and go for variety


    [SCHILD=14]Nicely said, TBird![/SCHILD]


    I think you just summed up, in one sentence, why there are 100 times more single players than multi-players.