DoubleTap

Amen, brother. I also dig chicks in helmets. Rachel Weisz... ...in Enemy At The Gates, with that big ass Russian Helmet on? Grrrrr, baby!

Thanks, folks. Nice to be back. With my daughter now in pre-school part time at least, I have a leetle more free time. Kudos to Snacko, then. Well done, M8. Looks great. I understand you have been up to some mission building also? Roger/Friar, "we have a dedicated MDS server too that you are more than welcome to play with." "FoolTrotle has been doing some programming and is putting together a tool to help track the losses." Oh? (wipes drool from face) "If you can spare the time it would be great to have your input." I just started playing about with MDS in earnest for about a week, but any help I can be, please let me know. I may not be able to still fly a whole lot at the moment, but you know I like working on stuff like this. I would love to help. DT

Hey Gents, Thought I would pass this along in the hopes it helps someone with a similar issue in running IL2 Ultrapack on a Windows 7 machine. My primary install of IL2 is on an XP machine, but recently I wanted to install it with the Ultrapack to a laptop to work on missions during my commute. The laptop, though, has Windows 7, and after transferring my working copy of Ultrapack 3 RC4 to the Win 7 machine, I found it would not work properly. Initially, the Ultrapack selection screen where you can choose which type of game and the settings for Ram would come up, but when I tried to launch the game, it would seem to launch, then dump back to the selection screen. I played with various elements of the game setup, including IL2 vanilla;various levels of reserved RAM;different compatibility modes (Vista service packs, XP windows not only the game shortcut, but also the actual IL2fb exe and the exe for the set-up program; and others. I had varying degrees of success, with me being able to launch the game with some, only to have it dump to desktop later, or to the selection screen or simply lock up when I tried to fly, or loaded some non-standard maps like the Solomons. Anyway, I can't say why this worked, or what part of it allowed to work, but after screwing around with various settings, the following now allow me to use the FMB with MDS and from initial tests, even allowing me to run a quick mission. IL2fb exe = Compatibiliy mode Windows XP Service Pack 3; disabled visual themes, disable desktop composition; disable scaling on high DPI settings; run as ADMIN privilege level IL2fb.exe shortcut = same settings as above IL2setup.exe = Compatibility mode Windows XP Service Pack 2 *SET-UP Settings: OpenGL, 800x600 32bit, Use stencil buffer, ATI Radeon, Soundblaster LIve! JSGME = Compatibility mode Windows XP Service Pack 3 IL2 Selector Screen Settings : RAM usage 256MB, NO items checked below RAM usage The system this works on is a Dell Inspiron N5010 (I know, not a sexy machine): Windows 7 Premium Service Pack 1 64 bit operating system Intel Core i3 CPU M 380 @ 2.53ghz RAM 3GB I hope this info is for some use to someone. I have not had time to go back and try to isolate the issue and likely won't bother as long as this set-up works for me. DT PS. One interesting but I think unrelated note. I tried to install 1946 clean to this machine, thinking a clean install might be needed. However, I could NOT for the life of me get Win 7 to install the program. No error message, just simply looked like the Exe was firing up when I clicked on it and then...nothing. Tried couple of different ways, and could not even get the Install screen to show up.

Afternoon Gents, Kept getting the urge, but did not think I had the time or patience to try it. But, I finally got the intestinal fortitude to attempt a re-install 1946 from scratch, and then the Ultrapack, and to my freakin' amazement, it actually worked first time. How did that happen?! Anyway, started playing around with the new MDS and I suddenly feel like Gollum finding the ring. Bit of a obsessive-compulsive am I. I am still pressed for time to actually fly, but I am hoping to find some on an odd late week or Saturday. I love what you guys have done to honor BG. I assume Roger has a lot to do with it. I hope everyone else is well. Glenn aka "Doubletap"

Winter, 2005 - Nondescript mall on Long Island, New York I pick up a small CD case of IL2 Sturmovik in a game store. Having recently become interested in trying a flight sim again, I was looking for a new one, but had read a glowing review of this "older" sim a while back. It's only $10 dollars, so how can you go wrong? Still, I turn over the jewel case, and read the back, debating. Multi-player, historically accurate, mission builder, yes, nice, nice...OOH! You can strafe individual soldiers as they run for their lives?! Sold! On such small (and slightly psychopathic) decisions are larger adventures made. Summer, 2007 - Historic Airfield at Duxford, England I stand under a brilliant, blue English sky, the sun pouring down on a gorgeous countryside which stirs something deep in a Yank's soul which would be hard to explain. Overhead Spitfires, Hurricanes and dozens of other works of art which in another era were tools of war roar and growl, climbing and pouncing. Beside me stand both men I have only just met face to face yesterday, but whom I have known and counted as friends for much longer, and a childhood friend from Long Island. That afternoon, and that whole trip, even just a weekend, was a phenomenal experience and one of the most cherished of my life. I met kindred spirits from other nations, drank and laughed with them, shared our mutual history and deep love for a bygone era in which the very best of mankind squared off against the very worst, and prevailed. I owe one man for that once in a lifetime experience, for that memory of sun soaked English fields, boundless sky, and elegant machines racing through the clouds. I owe him for friendships both made and made stronger, for days of laughs and camaraderie, for creativity unleashed and challenges overcome. Jim, I thank you for allowing me to join the DangerDogz years ago, and for being the heart, soul and Patriarch of this group which has given me so many great memories. It is an ASTOUNDING thing to think how many disparate characters were brought together from so many different places to not only meet virtually for years, but that so many would travel so far, across oceans, to meet one another in person. That is, it is astounding until one comes to understand the kind of person you are, the personality you possess, and the spirit that lies within. From then on, it all kind of makes perfect sense. I will sip a wee bit of whiskey in salute to you tonight, Jim, and I hope you will understand just how very much you are admired and loved. Glenn "Doubletap" Perreira

Hilarious, JP. Thanks for making the trek out there, and for posting the pics. Now with accurate recon photos of the infamous Dr. BG's hideout, we can send in the Marines when he tries to take over the world. DT

Jesus, I am crying! Thanks for the laughs, JP. Dammit I need to drop by here more often. DT (now eagerly look for parts 2-4)

BG, Glad you are feeling better. The real bane of drugs is that while they help you with one thing, they cause other issues. NEVER be worried to ask about a second opinion on something. It's worth it. DT

Pretty easy. I grabbed a scan a guy did of one with a white background. I then imported the graphic file into Final Cut Pro. When I dropped it in over the video in Final Cut Pro, I then applied a Luminance Filter on it. That takes out the brightest elements, and with most of it merely black lettering, it basically renders it clear. If you look carefully the filter is a little dirty, and you can see some faint trace of the graphic. If I had toyed with the filter I would have been able to clean it out completely. DT

I went to the long Island air show a couple of weekends ago, and while I did not tape the whole thing, I did get this. This still astounds me considering how freaking dangerous it would be considering his height. Very cool maneuver.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGaDT3QV9Qk

Hmmm, well I did not think this would be that controversial. I think his point was that even Darwinism agrees that selfishness is not a wise way to live. I don't think that science confirming a spiritual concept robs it of meaning. I think Fernandez' point may be that it confirms its essential truth. Fernandez is FAR from a secularist, but I've read him for years, so I am familiar with him. No matter. I did not intend to stir anything up with this. I happened to find it to be profound. Others may not. DT

One of my favorite bloggers, Richard Fernandez, has some thoughts on what sacrifice, and the rememberance of that sacrifice, means to that which we hold dear. http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2010/05/30/memory-and-surival/#more-9184

And this is from the guy who returned from his trip to Duxford to find his wife was pregnant.. Wait..that didn't come out quite right.. Hey, we both got something out of the trip, so no problem! DT

Bastard! Anyway, BSword, here are some general notes/questions. I have never lived in NYC myself, but its suburbs. Still, I have been in the city all my life as my father's businesses were there, and most of my jobs have been there as well. 1) On Brooklyn in particular, I cannot say much myself, but I have some friends who have lived /are living there. I will pose the question and relay the results. Suffice to say, there are some very nice parts of Brooklyn, and in fact some sections are in kind of a Renaissance at the moment. Some are younger areas, with more of a night life. There are definitely rougher parts as well. Its a bit of a commute to get to Manahattan if you worked there, but that helps keep the rent down. Park slope was one neighborhood I know is very nice, but yes, not cheap from what I know. 2) You probably already know, but New York in general is more expensive than a lot of places in the country, NYC in particular, especially with rents. I expect SF is not exactly cheap either, so this might not such a big shock. Rent STILL might be more than you might expect though, for what you get. Brooklyn is booming in parts because of people not being able to afford Manhattan rents. So, in general, expect to pay more for most everything, although you can still certainly find deals. 3) NYC, to put it mildly, has a lot of cool stuff. If you find yourself bored in NYC, you've probably lost the will to live and have bigger problems. Also, it is located within an hour's train ride to Long Island beaches, and can take trains down to the Jersey Shore, or upstate. Much of the NE states are within 5 hours drive (apart from traffic!) 4) NYC is a much cleaner, safer place than it was 10 years ago. It's ain't Kansas, mind you, but its a well run city especially considering the size and population. 5) We're one of the most heavily taxed states, with our glorious governor and state legislator postulating further ways to screw us like with a soda and beer tax. We're also one of those states that can't seem to help spending, so we may be heading for some serious financial tribulations. Then again, you are in California, so our woes may seem trite to you. 6) Having a car in NYC is not necessary for many places, as public transportation will get you most places. Some areas are ill-served, though. HAVING a car in NYC, even an outer borough like Brooklyn might be a major hassle when it comes to parking. Being from Long Island, I am used to coming home and being able to park right in front of my house. I have friends who have to search for parking spots every night, which would drive me insane. 7) Traffic in and around NYC can be a bloody nightmare. Time trips well or get good high blood pressure meds. Jobs are certainly available here, for the moment, but it depends on what you are looking for, and how much you would need to make for your lifestyle. For instance, there are so many restaurants, I would think someone would have no trouble getting a job there, but whether it would pay enough to support you is the question. What is it you do or are interested in? 9) NYC is not located in Canada. Take that as a positive or negative based on the sort of chaps who are from there... DT

"so after letting me go to the lan the wife decided..." ...that I needed to be punished, severely, for my sheer audacity in not only asking, but GOING, all while maintaining plausible deniability. Thus, the classic, "help me move this bookcase with something REALLY heavy on it" gambit. Don't go to Duxford, M8! You may find a tiger trap dug in your garden when you get home! DT

Hi DT read this thread and this one Sweet, guys! I cannot wait to try it out! DT

My wife needed to borrow my monitor while she ordered a new flat panel one. When it came, she offered to allow me to try it out on my PC to see if I liked it better. I still have to compare the overall image quality (I think they are the same basically), but "hers" is a true widescreen, which my old was not. Now, IL2 displays stretched a bit to fit the screen, and while there is mild distortion, it does not seem to bother me. What I was wondering, though, was there a way to make IL2 actually display MORE peripheral vision in the cockpit rather than stretching the image. In other words, does IL2 have a widescreen (16:9) switch or the like in the config file? DT

I will have to try this, BG. I have had the same freakin' problem, and while managable, it is a pain in the arse. Thanks. DT

Is that Keith Olbermann's dad? There's a uncanny resemblance around the foaming mouth... DT

Great story! Amazing how events can lead to someone showing such bravery in the clutch. I hope they pistol whipped those Germans just a little for that white flag nonesense. DT

Okay, cool. Would love to see the aircraft, but won't be able to make it out. I will check with the wife, to make sure there are no issues. I get off work @ 1pm, so we could meet sometime after that. Keep me posted. Glenn

Did you mean meeting me on Long Island or Manhattan Island? Probably be easier to meet in Manhattan. Is your hotel in Teteboro, or are you staying in Manhattan on the 14th? DT

Erco, You in NYC? Doubletap (aka Glenn) White Plains, and next week Teterboro. This week I'll have wheels. Well, I work in Manhattan, so if you have access to a car or the local trains, we could meet up. I get off work @ 1pm. What is your availability? Glenn

~S~ DoubleTap Mate, you’re going about this all wrong. Your wife should be the one taking care of these petty and mundane household tasks. You really should consider sending your wife over here to Egypt for about a month. Once she’s here, I’ll arrange for her to meet some of my Egyptian friend’s wives. They’ll gladly help her learn about her wifely duties I find your ideas intriguing. I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter... DT