network game help

[freshman]

Last night tried for the first time to set up a network game.
When I hosted, I chose TCP/IP (not AppleTalk - I have macos), yet Krec couldn't see the game. I had the screen up of all the players and rules and the Launch Game button. I assumed Krec should connect before I hit the Launch Game button, yet even though I gave him my IP address, he couldn't "see" the game.
I didn't check the port, but assumed his game and my game would pick the same port.

In reverse - when Krec hosted and I tried to join, after I typed in his IP address, the main menu disappeared and my splash screen "Alien Crossfire" just sat there.

so questions for those of you who have played a network game:

1) am I doing something wrong? when hosting should I launch the game before Krec connects - or is he supposed to be able to pick his faction and rules prior to launching?

2) are the incompatibility issues with Mac / Windows versions of the program?

3) if we ever do get a network game up and running, can we save it and turn it into a PBEM game (just want the first 20 or so turns to go by quickly)?

[GeoModder]

1) AFAIK (same as LAN game I gues) the other participants should connect before the host creates the game.

2) no idea.

3) Yes, but you have to make sure that it is the host who saves the game and turns it in a pbem.

There was once a group of pbem'ers doing just that, starting as a TCP/IP, and continuing the once who looked interesting after a turn or 50 as pbem's. Their 'series' was called the laptop thread. Try a search for this thread and it's participants and ask them about your problem if no one answers here.

[Darsnan]

You can look in Apolyton's Frequently Asked Questions section (under the "AC General/Help Strategy" header) as there have been several instances in the past of what you are describing. Dreifels also has some info on IP games at his site . Otherwise I'm not much help here.


D

[freshman]

The The SMAC/X FAQ: COMMON QUESTIONS and their ANSWERS thread contains no Q&A in this area

[GeoModder]

Try the 'his site' link then in Darsnan's post.

[freshman]

Actually alt.games.firaxis.alpha-centauri news groups contained the answer. Mac <-> PC can't connect via IP