Launch actions checklist

[fer]

As the release of OA draws closer (end of June / early July in most territories), I thought we should begin to draw up a checklist of items which we need to have in place in order for folk to begin:

Session

• Agree on the time / duration for the main session [DONE]
• Agree on the time / duration for any further regular sessions (e.g. to suit NA-based guests) [DONE]

Infrastructure

• ArmA:OA server (ideally up to 32 slots) [DONE]
  • Configuration file to optimise performance etc. [IN PROGRESS]
  • Password implemented [DONE]
  • Access details published in the folk forum [DONE]
  • RDP/similar access arranged for the initial set of session hosts [DONE]
  • TeamSpeak 2 server
    • Channels set up [DONE]
    • Keybinds mapped [DONE]
    • Downloadable keybinds file available in the forum [DONE]
    • Instructions for obtaining and installing TS2 + keybinds available in forum [DONE]
    • Instructions for obtaining and installing TS Overlay available in forum [DONE]
  • Forum
    • Forum software installed [DONE]
    • Forum structure implemented [DONE]
  Culture & Processes
  • Onboarding
    • What is folk? forum post finalised [DONE]
    • Getting started with Armed Assault 2: Operation Arrrowhead forum post finalised [DONE]
  • Getting started with TeamSpeak 2 forum post finalised [DONE]
• Invitations
  • How do invitations work? forum post finalised [DONE]
  • Invite email address created [DONE]
  • Email address access arranged for the initial set of session hosts [DONE]
  • Invitate pages finalised [DONE]
  • Invitation email finalised (shares text with What is folk forum? forum post) [DONE]

Missions

• F2 converted to work with ArmA:OA (and tested) [DONE]
• F2 Folk components (for OA) ready, tested and documented [DONE]
• Mission naming standard agreed and published on the forum [DONE]
• Making missions for folk forum post finalised [DONE]
• At least 4 co-op missions ready (using Folk platoon) [IN PROGRESS]

Last, but by no means least:

People

• Decide who we'd like to invite as the first wave of potential guests
• Agree who would like to act as the first wave of session hosts

[/list]

Can anyone else think of major tasks which I might have missed from this list?

[fer]

Slowly, slowly, we're making good progress on this list. Right now the biggest thing holding us back is the release of OA ... but assuming that comes out at the end of June I anticipate we'll be able to start running folk sessions mid-July (or maybe even sooner). Stay tuned.

[fer]

Back from my holiday, and right now the priorities are:

• Getting a server organised: I'm hoping to get somethiing organised in the next week or two.
• Upgrading F2 to support OA: Downloading OA as I type this, and hope to have F2 ready in the next week. It's looking to be a bit more complicated than I first thought, but it's all possible.
• Writing the Getting started with Armed Assault 2: Operation Arrowhead post: My lunchtimes for the next week, I think!

[fer]

Quick update on progress:

1. The new F2 is very nearly ready to ship; hopefully the files should be released later this weekend (the manual pages are already live). That includes an OA build for Folk missions, which means that we can start cranking out missions from this week!

2. Discussions are happening about sharing a dedicated server with an established ArmA2 group; if this comes off then the folk sessions would benefit from having plenty of space to accomodate lots of guests, as well as the option to use tools like Yoma (further down the line).

3. As a Plan B (or interim solution if the dedicated server looks like it will take some time to arrange), I'll rent something for a month or two that we can get going with. Either way, I hope we'll be able to have the first session before the end of July.

Once the F2 build is out (next 48 hours), the focus needs to be on building half a dozen coops in the folk style (so, small force of bearded men with AKs vs. mechanised armies with or without angry helicopters). I've got a few ideas in mind, but would love the chance to chat about mission ideas with other guests - perhaps we can schedule a chat on TS/IRC/Skype? Anyway, lots to do, but the first session is getting ever closer!

[mort]

Keep up the good work Fer. I wish I could contribute more ATM but I'm still in the depths of broken computer IT hell

[fer]

Keep up the good work Fer. I wish I could contribute more ATM but I'm still in the depths of broken computer IT hell

Fingers crossed you get things fixed ASAP, mort. Just got F2 ready, so we're even closer to being able to start ...

[fer]

*surfaces*

So, the good news is that Tigershark and me (I?) have been working away furiously, and have at least 2 mission ready now. A little way short of the target number for the first session, but the speed at which we can now create missions should begin to pick up now that we have reminded ourselves how to use the editor. And what a computer is. And other stuff we had forgotten due to old age.

For anyone who fancies getting stuck in to the mission making game, I've updated the Writing missions for folk thread, and included all you need to include the Folk ident in your missions; it's a little semi-transparent version of the Folk logo that appears in the top-left corner of your screen at the beginning of the mission and fades out after 30 seconds. Not required, by any means, but it looks pretty neat.

Anyway, I'll be ordering our server next week and working to get at least 4-6 missions ready in the next fortnight. So watch this space ... we might just have ourselves a session soon. And it might even be good.

[mort]

Just one question in the mission writing post that you link to above you say

Can I use content from ArmA2 in my mission?
Right now, please don't. We ask that missions require only a copy of Armed Assault 2: Operation Arrowhead.

Should this be a question about not using ACE2 with missions made only with vanilla ArmA2/OA?

[fer]

How about this edit:

Can I use units and objects from ArmA2 in my mission?
Right now, please don't. We ask that missions require only a copy of Armed Assault 2: Operation Arrowhead.

Can I use custom addons or ACE2 in my mission?
Again, for now please don't. We are not running ACE2 during the session.

[mort]

Yeah that's fine. When I have a stab at creating a mission I will use vanilla ArmA2/OA (without beta patches)