[C4:AC] Official C4-->SMAC Thread - Prelude to a Mod

[MarkG]

seems like two different things are discussed here

[q=Cataphract887]clarification: my idea of a private wiki would be open for all to read,but only a list of modders would have editing access[/q]

[q=Gavin Berchler]please also ensure that the forum will allow for a private area for team members to chat[/q]

i can perfectly understand that the wiki is only edited by the project team. i dont see the point in project discussions be private though. someone shouldnt pass through a screening process in order to be able to make a single comment...

[Darsnan]

Build it and they will come....

Originally posted by Senethro
MarkG: The offer to host both a forum and a wiki is extremely generous and I'm sure there'd be no dissent if I said we'd accept as is.

Many thanx MarkG for hosting this for us! As far as your suggestions go, why I think they are very ideal.

Originally posted by Senethro
However, I think I should explain more fully my reasons for this mod being more appropriate in the Civ4 section rather than the AC one.

Although its being spearheaded by the residents of the SMAC forums this mod is not going to succeed except as part of the Civ4 community. As Civ4's first total conversion* I'm hoping we'll be able to attract people who haven't even played SMAC as this mod will be breaking new ground and a trial for pushing Civ4s moddability as far as it can go. As the finished product is intended to be moddable itself, perhaps into other sci-fi universes. Its maybe not appropriate for it to be in the SMAC forums grouping.

I think that if the section is built, and we advertize it (like by putting the link into our sigs) then those that are serious enough to follow the link will come.

Originally posted by Senethro
*"Civ4s first total conversion!" - Possible working sub-title Darsnan?

Well, I am still thinking that this is going to be a 7-8 month project for us. I've also seen that some of the other proposed cIV mod projects are much less ambitous, such as a WW2 mod. So we may not be the first to be done, but I think ours will be the most ambitious.

Other ideas/ suggestions I've thought of:

1) For each Python module we create/ modify do we include a null statement line that lists the module's author, as a point for future reference? Also, we should agree up front as to the format that we will follow when creating/ modifying any Python modules.

2) Subdivisons within the proposed forum: reference material (such as links for learning C++ and Python), CMN Applications/ ideas, etc.

3) Need a section for ideas that aren't going to be included in the initial mod. Thought here being that if the ideas are good enough, then they'll make it into a future mod.


D

[MarkG]

updates:

1) smac.civilization4.net should be added in all dns servers in the next 24 hours
2) i'll need a 15x19 .gif for the civgroup icon
3) i have some small experience with MediaWiki and will install it tomorrow. i'll need some guidance on the configuration needed so that articles are edited only from a certain set of users. I'll also need you to assign a person as the admin of wiki

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by Senethro
Finally, does anyone have a catchy name for our project or shall we just go with SMACmod?

"The C4---> SMAC(X) Mod"

"cIV--->SMAC(X) Mod"

[Illuminatus]

It is obvious that SMAC mod would be a project open to all. Comments from others would be more than welcome - we would need ideas and criticism of many. We also can't hope that everyone of us will be available to contribute during the whole project - if some parts of development are kept secret, replacements or new contributors would have a hard time getting up-to-date.

I understand the concern about threads getting diluted by unwnted or useless opinion. If we are concerned about that, we should get a moderator for the forum. He would be able to stick/unstick threads per need and to clear important threads if they get polluted by settlers. It would also allow the project to remain open to all. What do you say?

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Darsnan


"The C4---> SMAC(X) Mod"

"cIV--->SMAC(X) Mod"

use of "--->" is kind of weird

i saw somewhere the term "Sid Meier's Civilization 4: Alpha Centauri". it sounds perfect. the short term could be "Civ4:AC"

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by Senethro
However, does anyone have any suggestions for organising the creation forum? Perhaps the following sticked threads:

Mission statement and memberlist (locked, edited by illu)
Forum rules and FAQs (First 5 posts reserved, updates edited in)
Index of all useful threads created. (every link edited into first 5 posts)

Unsticked threads might include Signing up thread and Non-Members Comments/suggestions thread.


Finally, does anyone have a catchy name for our project or shall we just go with SMACmod?

Do we have a definite agreement on mission statement then? I haven't heard from all members. I can maintain the index too, so it could be a single topped thread -> Mission statement, memberlist and index.

Forum rules and FAQs-> 5*40 000 = 200 000 -> enough to store all rules and FAQ.

Catchy name? I am sorry, but so far suggestions are nothing special. But I have nothing better I am afraid. Another Centauri? Alpha Centuari Revisited? Alpha Centauri Reloaded? (just typing crazy suggestions)

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by MarkG
use of "--->" is kind of weird

i saw somewhere the term "Sid Meier's Civilization 4: Alpha Centauri". it sounds perfect. the short term could be "Civ4:AC"

I am good.

Also, what should the civgroup icon look like?

EDIT: Mark, will you need a newsitem for this?

[Senethro]

Re: Build it and they will come....

"Civilization 4: Alpha Centauri" I say go with this. It'll also be a good name for the renamed AC-Creation forum.

Admin of the Wiki: If noone has experience of this, I volunteer. As a non-programmer I'll have more time to learn and clean up/organise articles than other people.

Moderator of the forum: Anyone who needs to post stickies. So that'll be Lead programmer, Lead graphics artist (when he comes ). Oh, whoever does the news section that goes on our frontpage as well.

Originally posted by Darsnan
Other ideas/ suggestions I've thought of:
D

How about we nominate the next week as Question Week where we try and ask every possible question that can arise in relation to the design document. The "what goes in" and "how do we operate" of Civ4:AC if you like. It'll be more coherent if we answer all the questions at once rather than going backwards and forwards with replies/spam as we could in this thread. I imagine we could make 150 questions without trying to be honest...

[MarkG]

will you need a newsitem for this?

a news item for the smac section would be good right now, yes

[Kataphraktoi]

i can perfectly understand that the wiki is only edited by the project team. i dont see the point in project discussions be private though. someone shouldnt pass through a screening process in order to be able to make a single comment...

all i mean,is a restricted wiki.no restrictions on comments

i wouldnt support private comms

very nice,and thanks for hosting markg

[Illuminatus]

Re: Re: Build it and they will come....

[Q=Senethro]
"Civilization 4: Alpha Centauri" I say go with this. It'll also be a good name for the renamed AC-Creation forum. [/q]
Perhaps renaming AC-Creation to Civ4:SMAC would create confusion? We would need to name each our thread with a prefix so that we don't confuse others with unrelated projects. Perhaps a separate forum in the AC group, just below the AC-Creation.

Admin of the Wiki: If noone has experience of this, I volunteer. As a non-programmer I'll have more time to learn and clean up/organise articles than other people.

Agreed.

Moderator of the forum: Anyone who needs to post stickies. So that'll be Lead programmer, Lead graphics artist (when he comes ). Oh, whoever does the news section that goes on our frontpage as well.

News section? Somehow I feel that would be me.

How about we nominate the next week as Question Week where we try and ask every possible question that can arise in relation to the design document. The "what goes in" and "how do we operate" of Civ4:AC if you like. It'll be more coherent if we answer all the questions at once rather than going backwards and forwards with replies/spam as we could in this thread. I imagine we could make 150 questions without trying to be honest...

We need forum ASAP for discussion - the discussion is already becoming difficult to manage and we are still on page one.

Mark: as soon as we get the forum and agree on a mission statement (concept of it has been agreed on, but we need to write a full mission statement), so that we can point to our forum and quote the mission statement. Unless you wish a news item as soon as possible, which would be tommorow.

[Darsnan]

Originally posted by MarkG

2) i'll need a 15x19 .gif for the civgroup icon

How about one of these?

[Kataphraktoi]

Perhaps renaming AC-Creation to Civ4:SMAC would create confusion? We would need to name each our thread with a prefix so that we don't confuse others with unrelated projects. Perhaps a separate forum in the AC group, just below the AC-Creation.

could that be done,or does markg positivly want it in creation?
could get chaotic there

also,what about forum-specific mods? i know smac general has gone without a dedicated mod for along time. but more people and new people,would be in civ4 mod forum

We need forum ASAP for discussion - the discussion is already becoming difficult to manage and we are still on page one.

[Illuminatus]

Darsnan, that images are far too big to be resized to 15*19.

Cataphract887, don't worry, I notify other Apoylton staff of any troublesome activity in AC-General.