Home » PLAYER'S HQ 1.13 » v1.13 Solutions,Tips & Spoilers » New User Guide
| New User Guide[message #263194]
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Tue, 21 September 2010 18:32 
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 sorca_2 |
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Messages:202
Registered:September 2010
Location: California, USA |
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Status: Initial content permission secured, thread posted, preliminary outline complete. Spline reticulation complete.
Next: Obtain feedback on initial questions, get info on all the hotkeys, decide on a part/section/page numbering scheme (no joke!)
[Note for those afraid of big blocks of text: jump to the bottom of the third post for the most important info]
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Hello, this thread will be used to discuss the new user guide that I will be working on. Most importantly, this is where I will ask the board for feedback so I can improve the guide and tailor it to what we think it needs. Please feel free to post any other suggestions or thoughts (related to this guide) as well.
I want to emphasize that this thread is n00b friendly, so essentially no question or suggestion is too basic. For all you lurkers out there looking for help: man up, get in here, and tell me what you need to know. I'm not saying you won't get a few sideways glances if you don't know how to Run yet, but chances are you're not the only one and we need to know so we can put it in the guide. After all, we all didn't know how to Run at some point. Except Chris Johnson.
I will begin with some background info so you guys know what I'm talking about.
Why make this guide?
- The 1.13 changes are numerous and complex while the documentation is sparse and scattered. Information on the basic 1.13+HAM install is spread out over the internet, readmes, this board, wikis, and many other places. It's also rarely up to date because there are so many changes and too many different places to update. I can tell you from first-hand experience (as well as comments from several recent threads) that this confuses the heck out of a new user or even someone thinking about installing 1.13. On the other hand, if the information was all in one place, we would only have to update one document and we could all direct new users to one place.
- Furthermore, the current progress on the future of the JA series will probably only increase the number of people who want to relive the JA2 glory. Now we'll have an actual guide to give them so they can get off on the right foot. The bottom line is that the quality of our documentation doesn't match the quality of the work done in JA2, and I hope to rectify that.
What is the purpose of this guide?
- Simply put, I intend for this guide to be a "one-stop shop" for JA2 1.13 general information. Think of it as a Wal-Mart of guides
[Updated on: Wed, 22 September 2010 04:24] by Moderator Report message to a moderator
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Sergeant 1st Class
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| Re: New User Guide[message #263195]
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Tue, 21 September 2010 18:33 
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| sorca_2 |
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Messages:202
Registered:September 2010
Location: California, USA |
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What will NOT be covered in this guide?
- This guide will not cover in any detail anything outside of the standard JA2 v1.13(+HAM) release. This is because, as you can see from the outline below, the guide will be long enough as it is. After the guide is finished, if there is interest, we could perhaps create supplementary guides that cover other popular mods or projects. If other elements besides HAM are integrated into the general release, we will have to update the guide, add an appendix, or make a supplementary guide.
- This guide will not go into extreme technical detail on most features--we all know that's for Headrock. Again, it's like the Wal-Mart of guides (and yes, this guide also accepts coupons). We want just general information to get the new user on track. Of course, I also intend to include links and locations for more detailed sources as well.
- On the other hand, this guide will assume that the reader has at least read the JA2 manual itself enough to know that there is a strategic screen, tactical screen, knows what action points are, knows how to aim, and basics like that. If we determine that we truly need to include these basics as well, I probably wouldn't be opposed to adding them.
- Combat or quest strategies, generally speaking. Again, these are details for other guides or supplementals. Of course HAM suppression and other new combat elements will be discussed.
- Other languages. I know that I have a natural tendency to use obscure words, pop culture references, expressions, and sarcasm, but I will attempt to keep these to a RELATIVE minimum in the guide itself because I realize that English is not the first language of many JA2 players. I personally am not skilled enough in another language to duplicate the quality of the guide. If someone else wants to make a translation, let me know. Based on what I've seen, I'm assuming the other two most popular languages would be German and Russian.
[Updated on: Tue, 21 September 2010 18:44] by Moderator Report message to a moderator
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Sergeant 1st Class
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| Re: New User Guide[message #263196]
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Tue, 21 September 2010 18:33
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| sorca_2 |
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Messages:202
Registered:September 2010
Location: California, USA |
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Here is the preliminary draft outline.
As you can see, I'm trying to break it into parts and sections for easy reference. Perhaps the first unexpected problem is in choosing a page numbering scheme. Ideally I'd like to keep a scheme that would be "forwards-compatible" over time, due to the constantly changing nature of the 1.13 project.
Part 0
- Intro, Using this Guide, assumptions about the reader
- Contents
Part 1
- Quickstart Guide
- Hotkeys
Part 2
- Background
- Version history
- Key terms
- Where to find the most current files
- How to Install
Part 3
- What's New
- Brief description of key changes to 1.13+HAM vs. Vanilla
Part 4
- Detailed hotkey & cheat explanations
- Detailed list of all new major features and how they work
- Sci-Fi settings
- NIV details
- Difficulty level changes
- IMP system
- HAM suppression details
- Militia details
- Facilities details
- Updated info on weapons, attachments
- New items & combinations
- Detailed list of all new minor features
Part 5
- How to use the INI editor
- Common/recommending settings that make the most drastic gameplay differences
Part 6
- List of the most popular mods and a profile on each of them
- Mod compatibility
- Mods in development
Part 7
- Where to go to get answers
- Other useful guides
- How to search Bear's Pit (& with Google)
Part 8
- Known bugs, exploits, and other issues
- Current 1.13 projects
- Other JA2 projects
- Program limitations
- How to help out or contribute
Part 9 - FAQs
Part 10 - Appendices
Part 11 - Glossary/Index
Part 12 - Credits, thanks, etc.
Now that you know what I'm talking about, here are the first couple of questions I have for the board:
1) What do you think should be included in a "Quickstart guide" for 1.13? I intend for this section to be just a few pages giving the first-time user the basics on how to set up and play 1.13 without being obligated to read the rest of the guide.
2) What would you say are the most frequently discussed, contested, confusing, or least documented elements of 1.13? NIV, 100AP, suppression, militia, etc.
3) Are there any elements not covered in the outline above that you think should be covered by the guide?
4) I'm considering the project name SNUG for sorca's New User Guide because it's both sufficiently ridiculous and strangely appropriate considering the purpose of the guide. Any warnings why that would be a bad idea? I'm asking because I don't want to find out that "snug" is a regional slang for "donkey fart" in Swahili or whatever.
One final note: While I may be writing and compiling the guide, it will certainly be a group effort--the quality of the feedback you give me will match the quality of the guide. Obviously I will credit anyone who contributes significantly.
[Updated on: Tue, 21 September 2010 18:58] by Moderator Report message to a moderator
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Sergeant 1st Class
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| Re: New User Guide[message #263384]
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Thu, 23 September 2010 21:41
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| LootFragg |
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Messages:349
Registered:August 2009
Location: Berlin, Germany |
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Yeah. Uh. Hi. Me again, lol.
1) The huge dilemma is deciding whether or not we (you) will want to include idiots in your target audience. So basically... I personnally would have needed to know WHERE I can get the most recent files, WHAT I should pick (even what mods are the most user friendly ones and most compatible... etc). Alright, one side note here. The JA2 mod system (as for now) is entirely different from, like, Unreal Tournament. You can't just put a random mod in there and see if you like it and deactivate it if not. So you'll need to know, as a first time player, what exactly you should choose. That's pretty hard to decide because you'll want to leave it to the player to decide how exactly he will want to design his very own game, but this is something players usually get to somewhere after leaving their noob stage. You can't put somebody in front of a really sweet Linux derivate and tell him to customize it. He'll look for the windows button and implode upon finding out there is none. So you'll need a basic structure with lots of features already at the ready, HAM's got default settings as well. So get him an SCI and some big mods.
On the other hand, now, if we're talking about creeps like OLDNOOOB, then you will want to really get into detail about each and every step and explain how to create a new folder. That's not a quick start, so I say: Put in some links and tell people what to install (not HOW, only if it's not obvious).
2) Discussed? Supposedly whether or not you should stay true to the original or play the game your way. But that's not relevant to this guide. Up to the player.
4) Don't listen to Bavarians. They're always trying to trick you into thinking Bavarian is a language with remote affiliation to German. It is not. Neither is Berlinian to be fair. No, SNUG is cool.
By the way, I kid, I don't have any quarrel with Bavarians. It's just... ugh... they are so hard to understand when speaking BVRN.
And by the... other... way... lol. Uh, what's wrong about 'donkey fart'? Pretty easy to memorize, humorous. Vulgar, obscene, just like the game. Damn, there's some good violence in it.
Effing cool idea to make a new JA2 manual, by the way. Thumbs up, all three of them.
/End of topic related talk.
Poland! Well, 'they attacked us first'. Lol. I think translating the guide into Polish is the least people can do to make up for politicians like Erika Steinbach. Hardcore Christians freak me out.
ltfrg
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| Re: New User Guide[message #263395]
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Thu, 23 September 2010 22:45
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| sorca_2 |
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Messages:202
Registered:September 2010
Location: California, USA |
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@Loot:
Sure, donkey fart is easy to memorize, but do you want to advertise "Hey new users, be sure to check out this donkey fart to get you started!" ? 
I took your advice under consideration. I'm starting a new file where I'm going to put tidbits of basic and useful knowledge from this board to include in the guide as well. Example from today:
[quote:Buns]
For three reasons, you should make it a habbit to completly clean a sector's inventory before leaving (unless it is your depot of course):
- You don't unintentionally leave behind your own stuff. That's what happened to you.
- You don't miss anything usefull; small but important pieces like battle scopes can easyly be overlooked with dozends of helmets still lying around.
- You don't have dangerous stuff lying around that might harm the kids; I mean seriously, during the next counter-attack an enemy might pick up the mortar that is still down there on the ground and with it blast your team into the next world.[/quote]
See, that's classic info that no new user would think of but makes the game a whole lot easier to manage.
Thanks for the three thumbs up. Speaking of which, has anyone ever noticed that there are two "thumbs down" icons you can pick for your post in full reply mode, but only one "thumbs up" icon? Not that we're pessimists around here...
@DepBrot:
Quote:Actually, you can!
It's just that using the Virtual File System (VFS) is the less obvious (and not as well known) way, compared to the dump-everything-into-Data-1.13-method. It allows you to put any modification that's based on 1.13 (like AIM,IoV,WF1.13,UC1.13,...) onto the same JA2 install.
Should definitely be put into the guide to promote it some more
Yes, exactly! So... how does it work? I have no idea! If there are instructions anywhere that I can reference, I will. Otherwise, anything you can tell me would be most helpful (and credited).
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Sergeant 1st Class
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| Re: New User Guide[message #263508]
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Fri, 24 September 2010 20:26
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| LootFragg |
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Messages:349
Registered:August 2009
Location: Berlin, Germany |
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Alrighty.
- If that VFS stuff Debrotives Press mentioned (I've already noticed it being implemented with all the different Data-X folders) is really as easy to use and overall compatible, then this should be described in detail. This is what I would want to know more about. So for starters: The game's base data, then what needs to be changed where in order to make the game recognize the possibly added mod folders as game content... I personally would love to know what depends on what and what possibilities there are to use different mods (there is some mod manager, isn't it? I don't know.) in a quick and easy way.
- If you want me to spellcheck stuff, I'd love to. However, it would be far better to get a native English speaker with my attitude... wait, who was it again... Minty. Get Minty or someone else with a slight psychological disorder to correct the texts. "Buns" made lots of mistakes (probably writing too fast) and I would be put off by a document that looks like that. Or do it yourself, I reckon... Yeah, sorry, the most obvious stuff always stays unnoticed.
- @Gorro: Bavarians are everywhere. Oh that was too loud, I think they got me! Wouldn't understand me anyway, though. =D
- Hotkeys: That one's important. Do NOT make a HUGE list of hotkeys. On the one hand even I think it's better to know everything, but I've come to the conclusion that I either rarely use some keys or I already know them (might be just easy to remember, left mouse button makes your merc move...). So I suggest splitting the hotkey section into basics, so stuff that is nice to know and might help, and, let's say, advanced stuff like Shift+S sorting items, merging, uh... backpack shortcuts. I ended up taking those combinations I might possibly forget about (was it Ctrl+R or Alt+R? Uh...) and write them down in some text file, while I would just always skip past stuff like "J" making your merc perform a jump or climb action. I'm just emphasizing: Don't make the list too crowded, mention the general actions so every beginner knows where to find the cover display button, but for things that aren't as easy to remember or intuitive (alright, I've gotten the hang of it NOW, but it took me some time) make a separate and really short and really well structured list.
And group things that belong together. No alphabetical order or anything. Exclamation mark!
Oi. Fragg.
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| Re: New User Guide[message #263600]
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Sun, 26 September 2010 03:10
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| Friendly Fire |
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Messages:74
Registered:January 2006 |
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JAGGED ALLIANCE 2 HOTKEYS (Includes GABBI cheats)
(Compiled by Marlboro Man)
JA2v113_Hotkeys_German.pdf translated by DocSchuh aka baSti
Jagged Alliance 2 v1.12 Keyboard Commands
SELECTING MERCS and SQUADS
F1
[Updated on: Sun, 26 September 2010 03:13] by Moderator Report message to a moderator
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Corporal
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| Re: New User Guide[message #263601]
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Sun, 26 September 2010 03:30
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| LootFragg |
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Messages:349
Registered:August 2009
Location: Berlin, Germany |
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Neat, but please put stuff like
Z - Stealth
Alt+Z - Stealth for squad
together. Also, just for example, Z selecting the militia overlay in strategical mode - this should be grouped with shortcuts for the other views (mines, towns, mercs, items, air).
Concerning GABBI cheats, I suggest adding some descriptive texts to them, at least some minimum information. Putting people in a wheelchair can't be undone, for example. And it's pointless. Cheat codes are just for fun anyway, but as for me, I sat down for a while, figuring out how and if everything worked.
And then I rewrote the list to match my preferences. I like to have spawning stuff grouped, for example. And damage stuff. Et cetera. Because when I use a shortcut, I never think anything along the lines of "what would happen if I pressed Ctrl and this button in tactical", but I'm rather like "what was the shortcut for making this happen again?" So I put spawning baby crepitus right next to spawning adult crepitus (and spawning enemies or civilians) rather than having them alphabetically sorted.
And moreover, I don't think it's a good idea to group shortcuts which change options settings. There could be some remark like "(Options)" or something behind each of them, but toggling the grenade firing angle belongs near the burst mode selector rather than the way squads get selected, that's what I think.
Time to get some sleep.
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| Re: New User Guide[message #267151]
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Fri, 19 November 2010 19:59
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| sorca_2 |
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Messages:202
Registered:September 2010
Location: California, USA |
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@Shanga: That sounds like a plan! I hope I can devote more time to this soon.
@RoWa: I think one of the best reasons is because the information is spread all over everywhere and there's not one easily-printable LOOK HERE type of source that could potentially be a downloadable companion to the version releases. The guide would certainly refer to the Wiki, and I totally agree that the Wiki has the potential for more flexibility. Again, the guide is for n00bs, so the more detailed stuff that's covered in the Wiki (and is in constant flux with updates) wouldn't be in there anyway. Truly, the only things like that in the initial outline are HAM suppression, militia, and facilities because they have a huge impact on the game compared to vanilla. I would only cover these just enough to get a new user going and refer to the Wiki and/or this board for details.
@Minty: Thanks! Believe it or not, I was an essay proofreader in college, so I respect your OCD GrammarNaziness. I'm the first one to admit taht I'm not prefect. One of my bigger concerns is that I tend to use a lot of pop culture references and obscure words. Since a great deal of the JA community has English as a second language, I'm afraid that would just confuse some people. As for the whole "armour" and "defence" situation... perhaps you could compile a list of common American English words with British spelling and we could do a find & replace to make a British version. :bluegrin:
@All: I had some real life issues get in the way, so I haven't worked on this much yet. Now I have to write a 1,000-2,000 word personal statement to get into graduate school, so hopefully I can get going after that. I was trying out some changes to the Beta EXE in a new JA2 game, but I couldn't find Skyrider anywhere (talked to Waldo, explored the entire northeast area of Arulco at least twice). I opened the INI editor just to look at some options and closed it without saving, and somehow all my savegames disappeared. I got angry and haven't touched it in a while.
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Sergeant 1st Class
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