The Unimportant Announcement Thread

Izotope

Sourcerer
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May 13, 2013
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Is it normal that the URL bar isn't green like https normally has?
 

Geit

💜 I probably broke it 💜
aa
May 28, 2009
598
1,161
Is it normal that the URL bar isn't green like https normally has?


The green bar is usually reserved for EV (Extended Validation) certificates, which cost a tonne of money and require you to jump through a myriad of hoops to obtain. They're typically reserved for internet shopping and banking sites. Run of the mill HTTPs only gets a small green padlock, if you don't see that it's usually because of a mixed-content error (we're currently getting them for non-logged in users because of Google's ads)
 

Idolon

they/them
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Feb 7, 2008
2,105
6,106
There's been a recent trend of maps in development being of absurdly large filesizes. While we don't want to discourage anyone from developing maps with custom content packs, we ask that you repack your maps to keep filesize down.

If you submit a map to VBot's testing queue, make sure that your filesize is under 50 MB. If repacking your map doesn't get the filesize under 50 MB, mention in the notes that your map is actually repacked. It may also be worth your time to remove custom assets from alpha versions of your map if they aren't necessary to the map (or to replace assets with brushwork placeholders), as large filesizes are a nuisance pain for any players or map test hosts that have slow internet connections.

If your map is over 50 MB and the notes do not indicate that the map is repacked, the staff (or chat silver stars) reserve the right to remove the map from the queue, and impromptu hosts reserve the right to not run it in a test.

If you are not sure how to leave a note when adding your map to the testing queue, check out VBot's thread for help.

Again, we don't want to discourage anyone from using custom content in their maps - we think it's great! Large filesizes only make maps harder to test, and we want your maps to get tested as efficiently as possible.
 

phi

aa
Nov 6, 2011
832
1,815
We've implimented an RTV delay to the servers - players won't be able to RTV until 15 minutes after the map starts.

This is to insure a proper amount of rounds played for every map played in an imp. Maps which are broken and/or unplayable can still be skipped if the host inputs !map [nextmap].

I have also updated the spraytrace and classlimit plugins to be the most recent versions; which (hopefully) should fix downloading random audio files on mapchange, once server is refreshed.
 

Hyperion

L16: Grid Member
aa
Jun 8, 2015
840
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I think 10 minutes would suit better as some maps are something what most of players won't like but host decides to give it still playtime
 

Hotel Detective

L4: Comfortable Member
Dec 10, 2014
187
191
I think 10 minutes would suit better as some maps are something what most of players won't like but host decides to give it still playtime
I feel like it's the host's decision. they were courteous enough to host, you should respect their decisions
 

LeSwordfish

semi-trained quasi-professional
aa
Aug 8, 2010
4,102
6,597
I feel like it's the host's decision. they were courteous enough to host, you should respect their decisions

This exactly - we want to give hosts more power in tests they're running. This means that RTV can still be used as a tool for when people want to move on, but while ensuring all maps get a fair showing. If maps are obviously broken or unplayable, the host will move it along anyway.
 

phi

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Nov 6, 2011
832
1,815
We have a new EU server! It is ready for imps and has all the same features as the US server.

You can connect either through the link on the homepage, or using its IP: tf2mapstf.game.nfoservers.com:27015

You're welcome to play around on it, and VIPs are welcome to host impromptus. I would hold off on doing a EU gameday until a couple impromptus have been run, just to make sure everything's spiffy.

If there's anything wrong, please report it to me, Phi, via either pinging me in steam chat or via PMs in the forums.
 

phi

aa
Nov 6, 2011
832
1,815
What happened to the old one? Was it just borked up to the point that a fresh install was best?

The old one was hosted by Geit, after he stepped down from staff he no longer had resources to contribute to maintaining the server on his own machine. The new one is hosted by NFO.
 

phi

aa
Nov 6, 2011
832
1,815
We have fixed some things on the new EU server:

- Demos are now working, and they can be accessed through the usual means
- All scramble commands are now working, including but not limited to !scramble and !scrambleround
- Various text glitches in the !admin menu are now sorted
- You can access gScramble commands in the !admin menu again

Things that still need fixing:
- "nextmap" does not show for all users, whether using a "!" or not
- Manual SourceComm commands via the !admin window do not show up as a separate fourth menu (but can still be accessed in the form of SM muting, gagging, and silencing through other menus)
 

Hyperion

L16: Grid Member
aa
Jun 8, 2015
840
659
While we are at it with fixing/changing server commands, what about allowing VIPs to turn off/on random crits?
 

phi

aa
Nov 6, 2011
832
1,815
We've implemented something which has been long-requested by imp hosts and other disgruntled VIPs:

VIPs now have the ability to sm_gag and sm_mute players on TF2Maps.net servers!

Note (thanks Jethro): gags and mutes only last for one map each. You can re-mute or re-gag the next map if the person doesn't stop. There are also sm_unban and sm_ungag commands, hopefully obvious in their purpose.

Hopefully this should curb the trend of impromptu tests and gamedays being hard to moderate for hosts who are not admins - you no longer need to call for an admin to deal with spammers, whether it be in the chat or voice!

Hosters: do not hesitate to use these new powers after one warning. Situations such as:
- spamming, whether text or voice
- using voice for topics not pertaining to feedback or team communication
- endless drivel unrelated to the test clogging up voice communication
are grounds for a swift warning and then mute/gag. Please be courteous, but stern, in your warnings.

And, of course, if any VIPs use this power without justification there will be consequences, which may include forceful removal of one's VIP. This just means "no gagging or muting without warning first", and of course "no randomly gagging or muting people as a joke". Moderation is something to be taken seriously, and is a privilege, if someone misuses it we will revoke their privilege to it.
 
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Jethro

MUSty Complainer
Nov 2, 2009
287
281
We've implemented something which has been long-requested by imp hosts and other disgruntled VIPs:

VIPs now have the ability to sm_gag and sm_mute players on TF2Maps.net servers!

Just gonna butt in and say that there are commands to ungag/unmute as well, and that these gags/mutes only last for one map/if the person gagged/muted rejoins.
 

Another Bad Pun

In the shadows, he saw four eyes lit by fire
aa
Jan 15, 2011
801
1,845

killohurtz

Distinction in Applied Carving
aa
Feb 22, 2014
1,016
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The Respectfully Disagree rating is now enabled on threads in the Map Factory, making it available everywhere for users with 100 or more posts. Please note that we still expect it to be used responsibly, and not to troll or "dislike" uploads by other users.
 

Pocket

Half a Lambert is better than one.
aa
Nov 14, 2009
4,694
2,579
I see you've improved the headers for map threads. Way to go, whoever that was; I always hated that single, unclickable thumbnail. If I'm not mistaken, this is now closer to how it was before the migration?
 

Geit

💜 I probably broke it 💜
aa
May 28, 2009
598
1,161