ynefel

Artifacts generally reduced, but still getting them at NW airfield. Rolling back to 1.7.2.4 for now.

Hey all, Just a quick notice to everyone that after much thought and debate with my co-admin, US 295 will not be renewed for next month. We have decided in the current state of draconian DayZ regulations, poor quality server hosting and general idiotic player attitudes, there is absolutely no reason to keep doing what we've been doing for the past 2 months. I've made a rant or two about this before, but this will probably be my last major post, and I'd like to have another crack at summarising everything that (I think) is wrong with the community as a whole. Players : Most players seem to be out to enjoy the game, play fairly and immerse themselves in what I'll say again is one of the most original and exciting mods I've seen for over a decade. These people make the game a joy to play with. Fair play, and positive attitudes make a world of difference. Players that don't alt+F4 at the first sign of trouble. Players that don't run screaming to the forums every time they die or something happens that they don't like. Then there's the other types of players. The ones that combat log, ghost, make ridiculous profane/racist names, the hackers, the little children that cry admin abuse every time a server crashes and they forget to save their car/tent or something. Sadly, the idiots are the ones that clog the forums with their inane and unrelenting garbage. They make the most noise, and reflect poorly on the community as a whole. They force admins to have to leap to their defense at every turn. You don't hear from the good people, because they're busy playing and enjoying the game. Admins : In my limited experience, most admins are mature people trying to run a clean server for themselves and the community. Again, we don't hear when people are doing the right thing, or doing a great job. We only hear from people who whether justly or not, have bad things to say about admins. Many of the 'shitty admin' posts are perfectly justified - there is some pretty terrible admins running servers for themselves and their friends, not adhering to even basic etiquette and generally painting a piss poor picture of all admins, and ones like myself are thrown in there. Guilty by association. It's horseshit. Whenever any issues arise, admins are pretty much guilty until proven innocent with irrefutable video proof. It's insane. I understand that we don't want a case of the 'he said, she saids' it doesn't work. But the attitude is, without fail, every single time that the admin is somehow at fault. We get absolutely zero appreciation from the community at large for a service we provide voluntarily. I give my time and money freely to run a server. Not just for everyone else, but myself of course - I have a place to call home. I don't expect immunity or the ability to flaunt the rules, but I would like a measure of respect, patience and understanding from everyone when issues arise. Instead, we get naught but posts from users screaming that we've done something wrong and we should get blacklisted. We never receive thanks for what we do. In the entire time I've run the server, I've had TWO people say, 'Thanks for your work, I appreciate what you do - keep it up.' Two. I don't do this for the thanks. I don't need it - but come on. It wouldn't hurt. Even if you don't want to thank us, at the very least stop, breathe and think logically before coming to the forums to bleat 'abuse!' for the 763rd time today. We have to check the forums multiple times daily, and I've even had to purchase and run fraps full time when playing the game, just so I can have proof ready in case I need to defend myself. Not cool. Server hosters : We have hosted our dedicated and managed server with HFB for around 2 months, maybe less and have not had any trouble. Until the end of the first month. Our box runs an unactivated, trial version of Windows Server 2008 R2. Activation grace period expired at the end of the first month, and I had to sit on TS for 2 days to ask what they could do for me. I was given a temporary key that activated it for another 180 days, but come on. It's still not even registered, it's a loophole on the trial period, which I'm sure is legal - but my God does it feel dodgy. Then, Firedaemon expired.This took another 2 days on TS to get a response, despite watching HFB staff join, leave and move around channels in general. I was responded to by HFB himself, who informed me I should just set the clock back a year and that'll fix it. Good lord. Really? I was also told Firedaemon was a temporary solution and we were supposed to find our own replacement. So let me get this straight - I'm paying you $90 per month, for a dedicated server, which includes an extra cost for 'management' and that's the response we get? We've updated DayZ, A2 beta patches, mission files etc ourselves since the start. That's fine, I'd rather do it myself, but since setting the server up, we've had NOTHING from HFB, but delayed responses, shit service and a generally shady, uneasy feeling regarding the whole thing. Piss poor. DayZ devs : The arrogance that exudes from the DayZ devs is mind boggling. I understand they have a monumental task in front of them, and the amount of flat out idiocy that flows from this community is equally astounding. I'll give them a measure of understanding for that, because it must be hard. But the lack of understanding and feedback from the devs on this forum is crazy. There's an underlying attitude that comes through of - 'this is the way it is, if you don't like it, go away' That's not going to ensure the longevity of this mod, let me tell you. Instead of figuring out what's wrong or getting involved in the community, they intervene and put in some more rules and regulations, along with the ultimate threat of *gasp* blacklisting! Please. You can't be a little more inventive or proactive than that? - In summary, I can't seen any good reason to keep doing this. I've put my time, money, and effort into this mod - both playing it and running a server for the community. Both aspects are suffering at present. I get absolutely nothing out of running server. Nothing. And to the inevitable responses of 'but you're getting the satisfaction of knowing you're helping the community!' - no, I'm not. I get no satisfaction because it's a laborious task with not only no thanks, but constant negative shit to go with it. I'll keep playing occasionally, but my days as an admin are numbered. The ungrateful idiots that make all the noise can thank themselves for this. I know I won't be the only to be doing this either. I don't advocate other admins taking the same path as me, everyone has different opinions, but I see a trend emerging. Unless the players, admins and devs as a whole start lifting their game, this mod is fucked.

I've actually got nothing to say to anyone in particular who has responded to this post, but the responses are telling. It's quite easy to spot who actually read my original post, and those who didn't - whether they agree with it or not. I can see the usual, knee-jerk responses that I mentioned in my post, and those who actually thought a reasonably constructed response instead of belting the same baseless, tired rhetoric that plagues this forum.

Hi guys, Quick information post regarding US295.The server has been down for several days pending our server being imported and given access to the latest server files/mission files. I have upgraded the server to 1.7.2.3, beta 98476, latest hive and latest mission file. The server will be up briefly today with a password, to allow another admin to test if this all has worked correctly - it shouldn't be for anymore than 10 minutes if all goes well. I can't test it myself as I am administering the server while I'm at work. (Shhhhh) This is the first time I've upgraded all these things at the same time, So I'm hoping I did it right. As soon as all is confirmed well, I'll open it right up. You should only see one person connected anyway while it's passworded. Just letting you all know before the mandatory 'OMG SERVER PASSWORDED' posts ensue. Thanks for your patience!

Patches: I'll be looking to update the server tonight or tomorrow. Also please be aware the server will be shutting down at the end of this month for good - see my post regarding US295 being shut down in the server forum, for more information.

This mod being alpha, beta, or final is completely irrelevant. The shitty attitudes across the board is what's bought this about - and there's no excuse or explanation that makes it OK. But again, this is my choice and I don't expect anyone to agree with it.

Unrelated - techno viking is king.

Oh really? Then I'm OK then. I've only had to hand out 3 bans so far, and they are proven with a video that shows them lobbying and disconnecting. I filmed my friend shooting at 3 guys checking a heli crash in the middle of the airfield. I won't ban anyone without definitive video evidence. I'll continue as such.

Throw another item to ever-growing list of reasons to not run a server. That is insane. We can't lock a server because people will gear farm, but we're perfectly OK with people exploiting a loophole to help them keep their precious gear?

Until the devs come and specifically tell me not to ban for combat logging, I will continue to do so. PvP and player interaction as a whole is what make makes this mod. Without it, we'd be gear farming and shooting extremely dumb zombies. It's been acknowledged as an exploit, and while this doesn't make it a bannable (or non-bannable) offense, I'm going to take the initiative. Such behaviour has a hugely negative impact on my enjoyment of this mod. People can spout 'it's in the regs' or 'it's not in the rules' until the cows come home. The truth is, I don't see a definitive answer to this yet. I think the debate is a moot point until a dev can clarify either way. If you're a combat logger, go find a server where they'll put up with it. If not, you've got nothing to worry about. Either way - you have 1000 servers to choose from. And to the combat loggers - what's the point? You're petrified of losing your gear - that's all there is to it. So I say to you, what on earth is the point of playing the game and having the gear if all you're going to do is shoot zombies or other people (only if you have the drop on them)? Where's the fun? Challenge yourself. Take a risk. What's the worst that can happen? I've lost everything and started again dozens of times. I've lost NVG's, L85's, NV FAL's, Coyote Packs, the works. There's actually a demented sense of liberation after being killed whilst being in posession of amazing gear. You don't have to worry about losing it anymore. You respawn on the beach, naked as the day you were born and not a care in the world. Then you start again. It's fun. People need to learn to start letting go of their attachment to gear, and find they'll enjoy the mod a lot more. Sure, gear is a fair portion - but don't let it govern the way you play, Don't let it become everything. Spend less time clutching your precious gear and shitting your pants at the mere prospect of losing it and start playing the game.

The incentive to run your own server is rapidly diminishing. I'm not talking about having the right to lock your server and run rampant farming, restart at will without warning, or just be an asshat in general, but as it goes on, we seem to have less and less control over our servers. We have to adhere to strict naming conventions, any deviation from which is threatened with a *gasp* BLACKLIST. We cannot do much of anything. We get no more benefits from forking out, in my case $90 p/m to run a dedicated server than the users who at times, ungratefully populate it. Any deviation is met with cries of despair from the users, 'ADMIN ABUSE! PASSWORDS! RESTARTS!' and any appeals to the devs for things to change is met with indifference, if anything at all. I renewed my server for another month with HFB several days ago, and unless something changes, it won't be up next month. Why should I pay to run a server that I get absolutely nothing out of except for more rules, threats and regulations to follow? Throw in the usual measure of ungrateful, self-entitled users who expect admins to pander to their fragile sense of fairplay, and their every whim - why the fuck should I bother? I'm not expecting immunity, or any change to the rules. I would, however, appreciate a small measure of respect and gratefulness from the users, and the ability to do just a little bit more with my server. Let me choose my own name. Let me set some realistic rules and boundaries, that I can enforce without having to screenshot or record every single thing and check the forums in case I have to leap to my own defense at any given time? Something needs to change here - DayZ devs are currently riding the crest of a wave birthed by possibly THE most popular mod of all time. I won't take anything away from the project - it's one of the most original and well-made mods I've seen in an extremely long time. BUT - there needs to be a change in the attitudes of the users first, and the devs need to follow. The disillusionment from admins grows, just read the forums. The pissing, bitching and moaning from users continues across the board. Forcing more rules and draconian regulations on everyone does not improve anything. If we're not careful, this mod will be dead in record time.

I enforce combat logging bans on US295 - and only with proof of said combat logging using fraps. I hit record the moment I spot another player. All offending videos are kept, compressed, and available for upload to YouTube upon request. The server welcome message clearly states our policy on combat logging, racism, profanity etc. Also, the posters trying to put some justifiable spin to the abject cowardice that is combat logging are obviously the aforementioned pansies afraid to shed a little blood or lose their precious gear. It's an exploit/loophole, not to mention completely gutless. So you lose a gun or a backpack - big freakin' deal. Find them again. That's half the fun. The pure feeling of satisfaction when dropping someone in DayZ is second to none, especially when it's a fair fight. Gear be damned, this is where it's at. Getting the drop on someone, or clearly gaining the upper hand only to have them disconnect or 'Player coward is losing connection.' is just maddening. Half the time the only way they could pull it off without dying is if it's their first reaction - most encounters last seconds, at the most. It means said person logged out as their primary reaction, often without even contemplating fighting back. Gutless. It's an acknowledged exploit, it's my server, I'm enforcing it. I support the OP entirely, and mirror his sentiments to the letter. EDIT: After reading my post over, I'd also like to add just how sad it is I have had to purchase and run fraps at all. Add to that the cost of running a dedicated server every month, as well as having to deal with every self-entitled bell end under the sun - it's draining, let me tell you.

This has happened to me a couple of times before, and a server restart usually fixes the problem. To anyone who may know - is this symptomatic of servers that have not upgraded to the latest hive version?

In other news, my fellow admin has jumped on the server and confirmed everything is looking good! Looks like all my upgrades worked. Server open for business again. Enjoy!

I'm pretty sure offmap cleanups can only be instigated by the devteam - someone correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Hey guys, Just a quick note to those who play on US295 - I have taken the server down pending access to the 1.7.2.3 server update files. Our server was running 1.7.1.5 in light of 1.7.2's instability and bug issues. It will be back up and running as soon as we get the files to update to 1.7.2.3. Currently waiting on a DayZ support ticket to help with this. The server was only being populated with 2-3 people at any given time, and I didn't think it was fair to those running on the latest version. Didn't want to encourage farming with a low pop server. I should have made notice earlier, but honestly didn't think it was popular enough anyone would notice it was gone. I recently had a message from a player inquiring as to it's whereabouts and thought I'd let you all know. Apologies for not notifying you earlier. We'll be back up and running as soon as we can!

All I need to know is if L85A2 has been fixed. Does it work now?

Burglar: My response was directed at the community at large who have nothing better to do with their time and fill the forums with crying and whinging about locked servers. We all know the rules, and I was clarifying they are actively enforced. We don't need hundreds of topics from people who are having a tantrum because every time they see a locked server they think they're being cheated or denied something they're entitled to. It's a waste of time, and it's more unnecessary negative pettiness that creates the frustration between players and admins. It's counter productive. And as for your link which provides a method for tracking the population and behaviour of certain servers - while it sounds like you intended this to be used for good, I'm sure most people will grab such a thing with both hands and spam even more topics about server behaviour. I don't think it's going to help at all. TL:DR - Leave the policing to the admins, and please stop with 'OMG SERVER locked' topics. It's just a waste of everyone's time. Spend your energy trying to help other people instead - be proactive and positive. Not everything is admins trying to shaft people.

HFB customer for a month now, and it's been great. I recommend them. I'm in AUS, and I average 200ms, which to a US server is quite good. People complaining about server (DayZ) updates - if you can't do it yourself, you're going to be in for a tough time. Although doing it yourself is easy. Super easy. HFB provides the latest DayZ updates linked from his website - all you have to do is download them and extract the files to the appropriate folder on your server, and you're done.

I'm amused by everyone implying that no one watches or blacklists passworded servers. DayZ devs watch and regularly ban servers for breaching regulations. The fact is, more and more servers are bought online every single day and we get new servers that decide to break the rules in different ways. So if they blacklist 5 servers today, there will be probably be 5 new servers in a few days doing the same thing. Doesn't mean they're not being shut down or warned. Why is it people feel the need to fill the forums with this same inane, useless crap every single day? Do you think coming here and listing passworded servers will suddenly make the devs (or those responsible for policing the servers) go 'Oh wow! Passworded servers! Thanks, forum poster, we couldn't have done it without you!' They monitor the servers. They police the servers. The fact of the matter is that passworded servers are a severe minority in a server list that's ever-increasing and ever-expanding. Those that password their servers regularly or breach other regulations WILL and DO get blacklisted. Without your help. Stop gumming up the forums with your self imposed neighbourhood watch and go spend your energy doing something productive.

So, I'm a co-admin of US295 and I'd like to weigh in here. I'd like to express just how sick to death I am of these sorts of posts and this attitude. Our server has been locked for several hours last night, and been down for the day, as I work. It's been locked for several hours tonight as well. We have had some serious issues with server stability resulting from 1.7.2, and have been doing testing to try and get it right. It hasn't worked. We've also had to roll it back to 1.7.1.5, and almost lost everything - but luckily we made a backup prior to tinkering and managed to get everything running again. At 1.7.1.5. We were also got the last Arma 2 beta patch (94444) installed to try and keep the server compliant. We also trialled BEC, and were largely unsuccessful. What kills me the most is that most server admins do the right thing. Our server has been live for around a month, with pretty solid uptime. We do regular manual reboots, and give people 5 minute warnings before doing so. We enforce ping limits, and kick/ban people for racism, profanity, combat logging and ghosting. We don't kick people to keep the server to ourselves, or ban unfairly. We do the right thing. None of this comes with a manual. You hire a server, and you have to figure the rest of it out yourself. I work full time, and have a life outside of DayZ, so I can't master it without a little trial and error. We also provide a service to the community, voluntarily, out of our own pockets - which granted, doesn't entitle us to immunity, but you'd think it would promote some understanding, and god forbid, maybe even a little gratitude. yet time and time again, I come to the forums and see nothing but people dobbing and crying about servers being locked, or admin abuse. It's downright insulting, and more than a little disheartening. This community at times, frankly disgusts me. I'm actually not sure I want to renew my subscription with HFB for another month, because I've only been at this for a month, and frankly - I'm fucking sick of the ungrateful shits who seem to exist to do nothing but try and shit on the admins. In summary, try to have a little understanding, and a little respect, instead of getting your panties in a wad at the mere sight of a locked server. Not everyone's out to rort the system, some of us are actually trying to run servers here. And armouredbin - try and find something better to do with your time, seriously. All you've achieving is delaying progress and pissing off people who care. EDIT: I just read your post again, and your statement our server has been locked every time you've checked for a week is an outright lie. Our server has been open and up 24/7 prior to last night's and tonight's failed 1.7.2 testing. Anyone who plays on our server regularly would be able to attest to this. Get your facts right, please.

Kudos back for being understanding. My only concern is making sure people understand there are admins trying to do the right thing out there, and the so-and-sos not doing the right thing with their servers don't reflect the community at large. Many admins also get a bit touchy due to the prolific amounts of admin bashing that occurs on the forums, some of it with good reason, most of it without. Also, your approach to PvP is understandable as well. I chose a different path... or maybe I just got disillusioned as time went on. Either way, good luck finding more good ping and stable servers available to you.

The fact is, passwording servers is forbidden for various reasons, and one of them is so people can't gear up on their own server and then go hit other servers with their fancy gear. I agree passwording servers for loot farming is lame as the day is long, don't worry. But as a server owner, I'd like to stress that in some cases, particularly in the face of bugs and glitches like those presented in 1.7.2 (which I'm not complaining about, it's an alpha - it happens) sometimes we have to make sure our servers are running correctly and won't do things that piss people off. Like getting stuck on loading or unable to enter the server, or worse still, someone's gear getting eaten or some other happy bug that makes them come here screaming 'admin abuse! admin abuse!' Which people do, at length, along with the others that come here crying every time they see a server locked. The DayZ team monitors and warns/blacklists servers for breaching regulations. Just as fast, there are new servers being bought online every single day that just circumvent the rules again. DayZ staff can't stop every single one, it's impossible. Relax knowing rules are enforced, and those who break them perpetually will, and do, get punished. The bullsh*t passwording is usually done by people that are too scared to chance PvP and bleed a little for their gear anyway. It's a shame because the best gear I've gotten in this game has been from other people. I've done barracks farming and it's the most boring, godforsaken task there is. Here's a tip for those people - go camp one of the NW Airfield barracks. Don't go in, resist the urge to farm, just wait. You'll find barracks server hoppers in no time. They're completely predictable, and you can ALWAYS count on them being there. For example, I've only ever found two pairs of NVG from an actualy spawn - but from other people, I've claimed probably around 10. Pop a server hopper, and do your part. You can also score awesome gear!

So you bitch about passworded servers, then (not so) jokingly finish up with a comment about getting on a passworded server? Nice. Passworded servers are against DayZ regulations, but in some cases a lot of people are testing while encountering some pretty severe issues with 1.7.2 since yesterday. I've been doing something similar with my server. After 1.7.2 killing my server and much testing, changes and rigmarole, we rolled back to 1.7.1.5 only to experience apparent hive issues. Long story short, a lot of people are having problems and working on their servers. Some people are just passwording so they can farm with buddies. Which is kind of silly, because the best way to get loot in this game is from killing other people.

DayZ updates frequently cause gear/tent/vehicle loss. Alpha updates fix things, and also break things. Par for the course, I suggest not getting too attached to anything you own because you could lose it at any time, for various reasons.