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Cythereal posted:Oh, to the contrary. Probe actions cost money. Morgan's thing is making lots of money. Probes don't trigger pacifism penalties. She's had Ethical Calculus and a pile of credits for at least three years now, actually, and is still Fundamentalist.
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Feb 2, 2015 18:16
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nweismuller posted:She's had Ethical Calculus and a pile of credits for at least three years now, actually, and is still Fundamentalist. I'm mistaken, then.
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Feb 2, 2015 18:17
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Readingaccount posted:While I've never tried that I'm sure they'd see some success. However a military unit would have far better morale and be likely to survive at least a single mindworm attack, something that could potentially set back/eliminate the collection of numerous pods and tech trades. Scout units don't have the non-combat penalty. They're a nice little loophole for exactly what you want to use them for. VVVVV Well if that works I'm all for it. Just make sure to use synthmetal armor since it's cheaper and we aren't trying to prosecute a war here. Bobbin Threadbare fucked around with this message at 18:27 on Feb 2, 2015 |
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Feb 2, 2015 18:20
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A quick test has shown me that armored transport foils do not cause pacifism drones. IIRC armored transport foils don't get the non-combatant penalty, so they may well be a solid choice for exploration. edit: also, transports can pick up alien artifacts if they stumble upon them. For obvious reasons, other ship types can't do that. Caustic Soda fucked around with this message at 18:23 on Feb 2, 2015 |
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Feb 2, 2015 18:21
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Bobbin Threadbare posted:Scout units don't have the non-combat penalty. They're a nice little loophole for exactly what you want to use them for. Thank you.  It will be amended immediately. ... cue crying sailor? --- And lastly, the humble scout rover, vehicle of Kings and perfectly good mobile defense unit against mind worms! As for its lack of weaponry, rapid upgrades are possible, though it bears mentioning laser weapons will not succeed against Gaian units on defense, unless they are sieging our cities in which case there will be time to prototype superior units and upgrade the military. What is vital is that an infrastructure network exists to reinforce any fronts. Please bear in mind that if our autonomous governors were to decide to order for example 3 scout foils (20x3 minerals), 2 scout rovers (20x2 minerals), 2 plasma garrisons (30+20 minerals) and 2 formers (20x2 minerals), a total of 10 units (8 military) will only cost our society 190 minerals (150 military) and 10/8 in maintenance. In return we are likely to discover more than a dozen supply pods, double our current terraforming capacity and double our existing garrison (4 units), 2 units each respectively being used for roving patrol duty and improved plasma garrisons replacing disciplined but obsolete garrisons to swap escort duty with the scout rovers to serve as protection against Planet for our new societies on the frontier.  Recon Rover Rick would not have allowed all those formers to die! Vote Expansionist Today Readingaccount fucked around with this message at 20:36 on Feb 2, 2015 |
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Feb 2, 2015 18:21
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Can anyone here give me a quick rundown on how to get SMAC/SMAX running with the CDs on Win 8.1? Or would it be better for me to get the GoG version?
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Feb 2, 2015 20:19
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Technowolf posted:Can anyone here give me a quick rundown on how to get SMAC/SMAX running with the CDs on Win 8.1? Or would it be better for me to get the GoG version? Just get the GoG version. Installs and runs like a charm and includes SMAX.
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Feb 2, 2015 20:20
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Cythereal posted:Just get the GoG version. Installs and runs like a charm and includes SMAX. Does the GoG version fix the air intercept bug? I don't know if this happened to everyone, but the game used to crash to desktop every time an interceptor would have launched against incoming bombers. Drove me nuts. I'm not familiar with GoG enough to know whether they do any kind of improvement or just tweak to work with current OS.
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Feb 2, 2015 20:33
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<Regarding where to get SMAC - I'm not sure if uses the same files as GoG though. I think it's legal though. http://www.gameswin.org/gameen.php?id=1614 --- Hmmm, close as I can make it out vote changes have now flipped the situation to: 5 (Commerce) - 5 (Republic) - 6 (Expansionist) Unfortunately it seems the vast majority of AC fanart is for Miriam-Zakharov and Deidre, and almost none for Morgan, but I still managed to root up an endorsement at this late hour:  Recette approves of the Expansionist Party! Why? Recon Rover Rick has secured her crafting materials! > vote count Commerce: nweismuller, night10194, ManxomeBromide, Jimmy4400nav, Cranapple kid Security: Klingon w bowl cut, FredMSloniker, Yarville, RiotGearEpsilon, Added Space Expansionist: Cythereal, Readingaccount, nothing to seehere, AJ_Impy, Bliss Authority, Shintaro Readingaccount fucked around with this message at 09:36 on Feb 3, 2015 |
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Feb 2, 2015 20:45
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By my count it's only 4 votes for Security, not 5, but yes.
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Feb 2, 2015 20:48
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AllThing front page posted:AllThing Welcomes You! Lwandile Xolani Oosthuizen, Atlas Neuroscience CEO, personal audio log posted:<...> Research: Discover 2 Build 2 Energy Budget: Economy 4 Labs 5 Psych 1 Voter ID: Lwandile Xolani Oosthuizen [ ] Cal Foster, Republic Security Party [X] Susan Bright, North Pholus Commerce Party [ ] Leonard Smith, The Expansionist Party
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Feb 2, 2015 21:57
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Voting Guide- 2170 Election Erik Birkeland Head Political Correspondent Tellus Cooperative News Network IT'S BEEN nearly 70 years since the brave men and women of Cryopod 5 first made Planetfall and laid the foundations for a colony built on the ideals of free enterprise, self determination, and most importantly, freedom of choice for you, the consumer; the citizen. For some of you, born on Planet or in non-Democratic countries on old Earth, this is your first election cycle. For others, this is the moment you have been striving to see since the tumultuous days of the Unity, and indeed, many have dedicated your entire lives on Planet to making this election possible. I think I speak for all of Tellus Cooperative when I say that, no matter which party you wish to see succeed, that it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this, the first free and open election on Planet, to our limited knowledge, anyways. The so-called "Dominion of New Gaia" follow only the whims of their Lord, Planet, and her 'Prophet', Lady Deidre. The Spartans are stuck in the past, allowing Colonel Santiago near unlimited autonomy in enacting their planned, military economy. No, we stand alone. As our interim leader, CEO Nwabudike Morgan once said, "Human behavior is economic behavior." And indeed, the vote you cast holds much in common with the credit you spend on goods and services. As a consumer, you must make informed buying decisions, taking into account things like need, value, and convenience... Every child learns this on their first day of school. You must consider the same things and you determine who deserves your vote in the upcoming election. If you make the wrong 'purchase', you'll be dealing with the effects for the next ten years! As such, we here at TCNN have prepared a concise voting guide. --- First, we have the North Pholus Commerce Party, led by Susan Bright, an esteemed lecturer on philosophy and ethics at Planetfall University near Morgan Industries HQ. Commonly seen as the 'liberal' or at the very least 'pacifist' choice, it has garnered support among many of the colony's industrial leaders, including a glowing recommendation from Nwabudike Morgan, due to its support for the continuation of the status quo and focus on improving the economy. Militarily, it is for appeasement, desiring to maintain relationships on both sides of the Gaian-Spartan conflict, though Bright did offer lip service to those supporting advancement of military interests by stating that she would "allow for the strengthening of garrisons in border settlements, as economic circumstances allow." Despite this, many in the border regions of Torrson Ventures, the as-yet unnamed colonization effort in the north, and our own Tellus Cooperative fear that the NPCP will forget about their plight -namely, an invasion by Gaians, mindworms, or both- in favor of protecting both the security and economic interests of the relatively safe central regions. Many believe that the NPCP is forgetting that surveys show our colony to be losing in nearly every quantifiable category of worth. I caught up with one outspoken anti-NPCPer, Avery Worthington, for his take. He said it better than I: "What good is booming economy if we can't even protect ourselves?" On the other side, pro-NPCPer Tara Collins says that the NPCP supports everything we stand for- free market, non-intervention, and profit above all. Next comes the rival Republic Security Party led by noted climatologist and astronomer, Cal Foster. The RSP is strongly pro-military, believing that our young Republic must first focus on security above all. "In a world where both the nation's neighbors favor some form of extremism," says Foster, "we must stand ready to defend all that we hold dear." Foster and his Republic Security Party have seen huge voter turnouts in the border regions, where many claim he is appealing to the 'lowest common denominator' and 'playing on people's fears'. Some even claim that the RSP supports a hawkish intervention in the war to the west, though Foster vehemently denies such claims. Also on the agenda for the RSP is increased exploration efforts, signing a Pact of Brotherhood with one side in the war, and increased defense of former teams. A notable absence is any mention of the economy, which some fear will be negatively effected by RSP policies. "I'm as for the economy as the next guy, we all are," says a source close to the party who wishes to remain anonymous, "but at the end of the day I'd rather the economy take a hit than my family." Finally, we have the upstart Expansionist Party, led by relative unknown Leonard Smith. It is a latecomer to the election process, barely official long enough to make it on some ballots, but its stock is trending dramatically upwards. With a moderate platform that extols the virtues of neutrality while also speaking highly of modernization and improvement of the military, along with a revolutionary expansion plan that includes 2 new settlements and exploration of the sea. In Tellus, the less hawkish (and generally more wealthy) individuals who are still uncomfortable with their proximity to the border are trending heavily towards the Expansionists, in addition to the less liberal inhabitants of the central regions. Some are not so sure, however. RSP supporter Avery Worthington says, "Oh boy. Another party that promises the world and doesn't step on anybody's toes. Hell, I wish the RSP was more aggressive anyways- now you're trying to tell me that it's a good idea to stay neutral? Why won't somebody come out and say it- we need to be scared!" With election night looming, it is up to you to make your choice!
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Feb 2, 2015 21:58
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nweismuller posted:She's had Ethical Calculus and a pile of credits for at least three years now, actually, and is still Fundamentalist. She's also at war with Santiago, and her AI probably takes that into account.
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Feb 2, 2015 22:01
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Bliss Authority posted:She's also at war with Santiago, and her AI probably takes that into account. Yeah, I expect that's a strong factor there. It's still distinctly creepy to have on our border.
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Feb 2, 2015 22:05
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NNN: Do you have any response to the claims that North Pholus is 'behind on nearly every measure', Ms. Bright? BRIGHT: Of course I do- the claims are, frankly, distinctly misleading. Some argue that because investment capital has been consistently reinvested into productivity in North Pholus, we are 'less wealthy' than the Federation, but this is patently untrue- it has been recognised at least as far back as Adam Smith that the proper measure of the wealth of a nation is in annual flows rather than stockpiles, and in that regard the annual incomes of North Pholus exceed any of our competitors. It is true that the population of the Dominion of New Gaia is marginally higher than our own, but the difference is narrow, and hardly represents a commanding advantage on their part- especially when our per capita productivity is so much higher. Our innovation, technology, and quality of life all remain far, far beyond that of either of our competitors, leaving the only place where the claims are not misleading as raw military force. I concede that this is a concern, but with buildups on the border settlements and a program to modernise equipment to a plasma steel standard, I expect that our border settlements will be able to hold out indefinitely until reinforcements arrive from elsewhere in the Republic to break the siege. - extract from a Northern News Network interview of Susan Bright, NPCP Colony Executive Candidate
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Feb 2, 2015 22:29
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I've never played Alpha Centauri before, it's all very exciting. But those mind worms sound absolutely terrifying. And there's war already. Who's going to come out on top?  
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Feb 2, 2015 22:29
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"To those of you voting for the RCP, I wish to confirm to you my deepest respect and love for the military. There is nothing better in this world than a hostile acquisition and the lament of your neighbor's share holders. The land is out there for our conquest. It is not defended, but it is there, and it belongs to us. Everything does." - Leonard Smith (edit: ... oh, that's beautiful ultrabindu. Where did you find it?)
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Feb 2, 2015 22:30
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I actually have a bit of Alpha Centauri fanart floating about from an abortive project I had to create a replacement set of factions, but I'm not sure anybody wants to see a logo for a faction that doesn't even exist in the game. If anybody wants to see it, though, I'll throw it up.
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Feb 2, 2015 22:38
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nweismuller posted:I actually have a bit of Alpha Centauri fanart floating about from an abortive project I had to create a replacement set of factions, but I'm not sure anybody wants to see a logo for a faction that doesn't even exist in the game. If anybody wants to see it, though, I'll throw it up. Let's face it, now that you've admitted you have it, most people are going to want to see it if only for the sake of curiosity. I can have moments of... eccentricity and sometimes be quite curious about things. Please forgive me if I do something foolish or rude.
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Feb 2, 2015 22:43
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Casting my vote for Expansionist Party.
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Feb 2, 2015 22:52
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Readingaccount posted:(edit: ... oh, that's beautiful ultrabindu. Where did you find it?) I made them.
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Feb 2, 2015 22:55
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The logo for the Chiron Cartel, the Free Market agenda/Planned aversion faction, wealthy, efficient, and liberal, from the abortive project (which ended up foundering on lack of any artists who could replace portraits, logos, and settlement art in the files): The other six factions were: Mission Loyalists, Police State agenda, Fundamentalist aversion, ruthless realpolitik pragmatists. Preservers of Terra, Knowledge agenda, Power aversion, a society with heavy emphasis on education and archival. Anarchists, Democratic agenda, Police State aversion, a rowdy and aggressive lot focused on heavy local democracy. Holy See of Planet, Fundamentalist agenda, Democratic aversion, a Catholic state with huge populations. New Unity Industries, Wealth agenda, Free Market aversion, a heavy industry-focused corporate state. Confederation of Tribes, Green agenda, Wealth aversion, a group who landed with minimal resources and ended up needing to develop alternative survival methods; masters of surviving off the fungus and spreading quickly, but crippled by a weak industrial base, research establishment, and dispersed populations. Needed to spread very quickly or fail. I have to second my appreciation for ultrabindu's beautiful fanart! If he's inspired, a Morgan Industries ad or something for the North Pholus Republic would be appreciated, but those two on their own are incredible.
nweismuller fucked around with this message at 23:02 on Feb 2, 2015 |
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Feb 2, 2015 22:56
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....in other news, this morning Cyberdinamica announced the commercialization of a new, revolutionary man-machine interface, a simple and quite light device that enables the bearer not only to access and trasmit directly to network information, but also to interface with devices, systems and veichles resulting in a considerable reduction of both reaction times and fatigue; above all, this necessitates only of minimally invasive surgical implants. The new system is called Cyberdynamic Biosensor Mk1 and will be kept constantly upgraded...... Excerpt from Today News, Northern News Network Vote for Expansionist Party . Guy Fawkes fucked around with this message at 00:04 on Feb 3, 2015 |
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Feb 2, 2015 23:18
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Guy Fawkes: please redact your post. We are a LONG WAY from anything of the sort you're suggesting in the tech tree. E: Still not good enough. Check where Neural Grafting and Mind-Machine Interface are on the tech tree, and note we don't even have Secrets of the Human Brain or Industrial Automation yet. We are NOWHERE NEAR ANYTHING EVEN VAGUELY LIKE WHAT YOU ARE SUGGESTING. nweismuller fucked around with this message at 00:25 on Feb 3, 2015 |
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Feb 2, 2015 23:19
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Change is scary! Commerce, please. 
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Feb 2, 2015 23:39
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nweismuller posted:Guy Fawkes: please redact your post. We are a LONG WAY from anything of the sort you're suggesting in the tech tree. Done.
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Feb 3, 2015 00:24
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To: Morgan Industries Senior Personnel, Tlaloc Initiative Personnel From: Dr. Maria Valdez Subject: Tulum Station still alive Now that we've restored communication with the surface, I'm afraid I must deny the flood of emails inquiring as to our sudden loss of communication. Contrary to the most common accusation, Tulum Station was not attacked by a sea monster last night. That would have been more dignified. The truth is that an adult male chironsorm attempted to mate with the habitation module and grew agitated when it received no response. I'll leave it to your imagination what kind of damage a 48 ton annelid/cetacean analogue repeatedly thrusting itself into a synthmetal pressure hull can do, and to make matters worse the chironsorm's semen cloud clogged all water inflow filters in the station. I must give my highest regards to the personnel of Tulum Station for surviving this ordeal, and to the Talon Security personnel training with our high voltage sea base defense system during the incident. Special thanks must go to the terraforming engineers in training, who packed our research submersible full of fuel and fertilizer and set the autopilot on a collision course with the chironsorm, killing it. During clean-up, new evidence emerged confirming my personal theory that Planet is both sentient and hates us: when exposed to air, chironsorm semen gives off fumes that are intensely hallucinogenic to humans. Silver linings to this incident: * I understand that the Initiative is already in contact with medical companies regarding the hallucinogenic properties of the... stuff... we recovered while cleaning and analyzing the water inflow filters. The hallucinogenic compounds are apparently completely new to human science. * Chironsorm meat is both edible by humans with minor chemical treatment and tastes drat good smoked over synthetic mesquite. My personal thanks to the North Americans for bringing barbecue to Chiron. * Project Chaac, our attempt to ferment kelp to serve as an alcoholic beverage, was not damaged during the attack. Dr. Maria Valdez, Tlaloc Initiative Personal log Basic rule of management I broke: don't flirt with the pretty girl from legal at office parties. Even parties celebrating the fact that you all got life support running again and aren't in immediate danger of dying. She's Planetborn to boot. Not at all sure how to feel about this development.
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Feb 3, 2015 01:21
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If I wasn't certain Expansionists are winning anyway I'd be tempted to switch votes. We need to get Xochimilco built as soon as possible to ensure a steady supply of tragedies and victories for Valdez to write about 
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Feb 3, 2015 02:10
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Sadly, while I don't have the kind of familiarity I did with Master of Magic to contribute to this thread with all kinds of fancy mechanics dumps, I can at least join in the steering. :3 Rampant expansionism has never been my style in 4X games, so +1 vote for North Pholus Commerce Party~
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Feb 3, 2015 02:48
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Voting is now closed. For the position of Colony Executive, 8 votes were cast for the North Pholus Commerce Party, 5 for the Republic Security Party, and 8 for the Expansionist Party. Given the tie, I submit it to the judgement of random.org, which decrees... North Pholus Commerce Party, in a very close race. For research priorities, 15 persons voting cast 4 votes for Explore, 27 votes for Discover, 20 votes for Build, and 9 votes for Conquer. Our priorities will be Discover and Build. For energy allocation, 14 persons voting cast 47 votes for Economy, 58 votes for Labs, and 35 votes for Psych, for averages of 3.36, 4.14, and 2.5. We shall have 30% Economy, 40% Labs, and 30% Psych. I will begin playing through the update shortly.
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Feb 3, 2015 04:04
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From: terraformcomplete@dronemail.com To: [dronemail election mailing list] Subject: Election results are in! Surprise, surprise. Bright, the candidate supported by Morgan, won the election. Last verse, same as the first. "Am I disappointed by the election results? Of course not. I've been waiting for this day my whole life. The fact that we have the freedom to choose our leaders, unlike our neighbors, fills me with pride. I, for one, am not done with politics or the RSP. We just need to keep working, petitioning, and campaigning, and our voices will be heard!" --Cal Foster, campaign concession speech
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Feb 3, 2015 04:16
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Instant runoff elections next time!
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Feb 3, 2015 04:46
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I am hardly a skilled SMAC player, but I assume we don't need to be running 30% psych? We seem to be already nearly all talents?
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Feb 3, 2015 05:10
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To: all@dronemail.com; send-to-all@dronemail.com; all-users@dronemail.com; everyone@dronemail.com; everybody@dronemail.com; general@dronemail.com; collaborative-suicide-hotline@dronemail.com; callingallcaptainsofindustry@dronemail.com; pleasedontgothedronesneedyoutheylookuptoyou@dronemail.com; mailinglist@anthrocon.org From: "Pittsburgh Lambic" <xXXXxcaptainofindustryxXXXx@dronemail.com> Subject: [BIG ANNOUNCEMENT] DroneRiot.com is now live! Heyyyyy, everyone! Still trying to crack the code on how to get an email to every single user of DroneMail but if you're reading this it means I've succeeded! Just in time too, because boy-oh-boy do I have an extra-special offer for all of you boys and gals. You've probably heard by now what they mean when they talk about the drones. They mean you and me, and everybody that's been relegated to the "droneposting ghetto" as the IP-ban message describes it when you try to make a new account on GreedMail. They stuck us all on DroneMail and autofiltered our messages and they think that's enough to make us just roll over and get day jobs? gently caress 'em, I said, and then I launched the first drone-exclusive bulletin board ever to grace the Datalinks. You should come and check it out! Over at The DroneRiot.com Forums you can connect and chat with thousands of drones just like you, posting from habitation slums all across North Pholus. On our "Drones With Spoons" forum we already have a lively thread going with hundreds of posts discussing the most effective way to braise a skillet of recycling tank skimmings. Alternately, try our "Drone Meets" forum where several enterprising fellows are planning flash mobs and even drone conventions to take place throughout Tellus, with the objective of growing our ranks there after the decimation to our numbers that occurred when those fuckin' government spooks started offering all the employment incentives. My personal favorite, though, is the "Let's Play!" forum, where datalinks superstar Roodieguy loves to post videos of himself making goofy faces while sticking mindworms halfway up his nose. The shrieks of existential agony he makes are simply adorable! Simply head over to the DroneRiot.com Signup page, send a scan of an official employment rejection letter from no more than 30 days prior, and make sure to include your registration fee of 9.95 energy credits. After a short review by me or one of our talented admins (including everybody's hero Bubba aka Indigenous_Lifeforms), you'll be ready to post your little heart out. Just make sure you're not one of those fuckin' sellout squares from Tellus Cooperative! Seriously, gently caress those guys. Thank you and God Bless. - Pittsburgh Lambic
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Feb 3, 2015 05:12
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To: Morgan Industries Senior Personnel, Tlaloc Initiative Personnel From: Dr. Maria Valdez Subject: Oops We're not all still alive down here. One of the interns heard that the fumes from chironsorm... excretions... are hallucinogenic, and broke into the biochemical hazard storage area with two of his friends in order to huff the fumes. Subject was pronounced dead on the scene by medical personnel. Alcohol may have been a factor. Dr. Maria Valdez, Tlaloc Initiative
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Feb 3, 2015 05:24
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TellusTalk-Stay Connected! @TellusCoopNews: NPCP wins in tight race. Many Tellus residents take to streets in peaceful protest, claim conspiracy. More tonight. @Avery_Worthington: U haven't herd the last of me. RSP lost because they were 2 weak, not aggressive, tried to please every1. Need more fire. #IWillBeBack @TheTinfoilKiller: BREAKING NEWS: Absolutely no one surprised that Morgan's golden girl wins. Not even trying to hide it. #ThisIsntDemocracy @Tara_From_Tellus: YES!!! Suck it baby killers! #Peace #Prosperity #NPCP @DannyDrone: Did anyone else get an email about DroneRiot.com?? Sounds intriguing. In other news, I'm a drone?? #NewsToMe @AllJackNoWork: Bought a gun and some surplus plasma steel today. Once I heard NPCP won, I figured I might need it. #scared @TellusNPCP: While we did not carry Tellus, thanks to all who voted for the #winning party! #TellusStrong @TellusRSP: We at RSP HQ thank the voters of Tellus, especially contributions from Avery Worthington. We are as angry as you but we pledge to return stronger than ever. @johnnyboy: My first election ever was pretty cool. Kinda confused as to why the returns for the Expansionists and NPCP were equal up until midnight and then NPCP suddenly won? #what @TellusTravel: Want to get away? Consider taking an #amazing vacation on the peninsula! Our elite security personnel will protect you from all threats. @Joe_The_Warrior: All the boys in the barracks were pissed when they heard NPCP won. gently caress us, right? gently caress our safety. #pissed @ExpasionistTellus: Extremely pleased with the turnout in Tellus. We never dreamed our small party would come this close. We'll be back! End of feed! [Reload] [Exit]
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Feb 3, 2015 05:52
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RiotGearEpsilon posted:Instant runoff elections next time! Despite the grumblings of the random drone above, I'm actually fine with randomly deciding ties, since it means faster updates.
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Feb 3, 2015 06:54
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Davey Jones' Locker  In 2170, the first elections for Colony Executive were completed, and, in a very close race, the North Pholus Commerce Party candidate, Susan Bright, beat out the Expansionist Party's Leonard Smith. The Republic Security Party, running Cal Foster, trailed behind the other two major parties. Bright, originally a lecturer on psychology and ethics at Planetfall University, resolved to continue North Pholus' historical policies of peace, trade, and neutrality, while building up security forces as possible. Shortly after these elections, in 2171, Bushnell Center had developed its own spread of shopping and entertainment venues, helping to provide ease and comfort to its citizens, while news filtered from the Spartan Federation that they would attempt to imitate the Morgan Mercantile Exchange being developed in the settlement of Morgan.    Meanwhile, Rat Patrol, which had been escorting new colonists to the northwest, engaged and destroyed a swarm of mindworms with Ashworth Armories phosphorous incendiary grenades, making them easily the most battle-hardened veterans in North Pholus. By this time, Ashworth Armories was the primary supplier of incendiaries for North Pholus security forces, and the Ashworth 6.12mm rifle round had been adopted as the new standard for the current generation of North Pholus assault rifles. With the area clear for the moment, the settlement of Talon was established, housing the new headquarters of Talon Security Solutions.  Shortly thereafter, with their own shopping and entertainment districts growing and the populace more contented, Torrson, which had slumped into a brief recession as the decade started, enjoyed an economic recovery.    In 2174, the Morgan Mercantile Exchange officially opened for business. This massive stocks and commodities exchange served as the primary center of trade in investment in North Pholus, and helped ensure that investment capital was raised more efficiently for new ventures. With the growing business in Morgan, the settlement prospered even further, the bright center of an already magnificent Republic. With it growing clear that the Federation Stocks and Commodities Exchange would be, essentially, a pale shadow of the Morgan Mercantile Exchange, the Federation refocused its efforts on attempting to create a robust and powerful virtual network for entertainment and training in its territory. It became clear that there would be a race between the North Pholus effort in Bushnell Center and the Federation effort, and the North Pholus companies sponsoring their own effort had no desire to be outdone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez7AFPX9RYE Once again, none of these videos are my work, and the links on the side may be spoiler-laden, but I still recommend you watch.  The Tlaloc Initiative began work in Morgan on an armored scout foil, with security provided by a trained contingent from Archangel Security, one of the smaller security firms in North Pholus. The hope was that, through exploration of the sea north of Pholus, a profitable site for settlement could be found, salvage from the Unity recovered, and contact with other colonies could be made.     2175 was a year of major accomplishments for all three known colonies. In North Pholus, development of fairly sophisticated computer algorithms reached new milestones, allowing North Pholus to take a commanding lead in software sophistication. Meanwhile, researchers in the Dominion of New Gaia had established a comprehensive library of terraforming methods based on geological and ecological observations, allowing them to minimise the needed effort to develop land, while the Spartan Federation swept into Greenhouse Gate, the easternmost New Gaian settlement. The frontiers of the war had shifted, and the Spartan Federation enjoyed early victory.  By 2176, the first new companies of troops with plasma steel armor had been deployed in North Pholus, helping to smooth out the manufacturing difficulties of the new technology. By the end of the decade, troops with this new technology would reinforce the existing garrisons in Bushnell Center, Torrson, and Tellus, and would form the initial security force in Talon.    In 2178, Fruits of the Sea had commissioned a small fleet of work boats in Torrson, planning to recover salvage in the Freshwater Sea and better-develop the fishing grounds used by Bushnell Center. Although the first pod they recovered contained a wealth of valuable machine tools, refined petroleum fuel, and raw materials, which provided a windfall for Fruits of the Sea and for North Pholus as a whole, the second pod they recovered proved to be infested by an aquatic vector of the mindworms, the 'isle of the deep'. It was found that mindworms gathering together into a swarm produced buoyant gases which allowed them to float and manuever over the water's surface, and the work crews of Fruits of the Sea were lost with all hands.   Two years later, in 2180, the Tlaloc Initiative exploration vessel found another infested pod, and moved to take evasive action. Whether this would prove to be sufficient in the end remained to be seen. Meanwhile, amongst concerns raised by the New Gaians on the southern border, a program of modernisation of equipment in the Torrson garrison was undertaken, replacing the old conventional alloy armor inserts with tougher plasma steel. The Republic of North Pholus as of 2180    Republic and Dominion sensor arrays watch each other on either side of the border south of Torrson, providing early warning of any hostile action. Terraformer teams have begun to work to clear away swaths of xenofungus, opening the land for road and rail links and providing security zones near Torrson. The isle of the deep encountered in the Freshwater Sea has disgorged mindworms between Torrson and Morgan, while the Isle of the Deep in the northern Sea of Pholus prepares to pursue the Tlaloc explorer. Terraformers have established road and rail links between Bushnell Center and its mines, and are starting to develop points west. The Federation capital of Sparta Command remains the most populous settlement in the known world, although the North Pholus Republic now is home to more people than either the Dominion of New Gaia or the Spartan Federation. Greenhouse Gate, although under Spartan rule, still retains its New Gaian cultural identity, and the people there cooperate only grudgingly with their conquerers. Newly-conquered settlements retain their old identity and architecture style for approximately 50 years after conquest, and produce extra drones as the population resists the conquest.   Innovation and investment continue to grow. Expenditures into reinforcing and modernising the North Pholus military have consumed much of the immediately available investment capital in the Republic, but the balance sheets remain healthy.  Morgan is easily the settlement with the highest quality of life in the known world, and is the primary center of commerce for the Republic. The growing economy has led to efforts to improve the capacity of the reactors supplying the settlement, and create vaults for long-term storage of thorium and other energy storage mediums. The financial sector has also responded to this, as secure storage of thorium is one of the core functions of a 'bank' in North Pholus. The local garrison has not yet been reinforced, and remains with outdated armor.  The development of consumer services and entertainment facilities in Torrson have been good for its quality of life, and the settlement thrives. Its garrison has been doubled in strength and thoroughly modernised in equipment, and is provided early warning by a sensor network in the forest to the south, as it seems likely that Torrson will be the flashpoint of any war prosecuted by the Dominion of New Gaia. Terraformer teams nearby are starting to break down and tear up the xenofungus, hoping to remove any cover that mindworms could use for an easy approach. Sensors allow everything in a two tile radius to be seen, even if it is under cover of fungus. Early warning also provides a 25% bonus to defense in a sensor's area of effect, cumulative with the 25% defense bonus provided by a settlement.  Tellus, like Torrson, has had its garrison doubled in strength, although its equipment remains divided between new plasma steel armor and older conventional alloys. Emerald Horizons has finished developing a new forest on the land it holds, providing a supply of fruit, nuits, timber, and paper in Tellus. With no xenofungus approaching the settlement as closely as elsewhere, Tellus would seem to be relatively safe from mindworm attack with its reinforced garrison and early warning.  With rail lines helping deliver the output of Bushnell Center's mines to the settlement, the workers in Dreamland Games and Lovelace Software are able to manufacture new servers and new network equipment as fast as they can work, while software development and testing continues at a furious pace. It may be a long road to completion of their great project, but they are confident they can beat out Federation efforts and prove their commercial superiority. Sparse farms and small-scale mining operations stretch off to the west, with terraformer teams working to set up proper modern infrastructure in these underdeveloped hinterlands.  The new settlement of Talon is still relatively underdeveloped, but the presence of a monolith complex and the fertile and rainy terrain surrounding them have stood them in good stead. The beginnings of a garrison force are in place, while reprocessing plants are being established by small firms here.  The Dominion of New Gaia is now distinctly lower in population than the Republic of North Pholus, although Gaia's Landing is still more populous than any single Republic settlement. Even with an increased focus on research in New Gaia, they have made no new breakthroughs other than their long-running applied project of terraforming methods over the past decade. Diplomatic relations and government form remain essentially the same.  The Federation, the least populous of all three known powers, retains its social and economic structure. Diplomatic relations with North Pholus are very tense, and current intelligence on the Spartan Federation remains scarce. The past decade, although on the balance good for North Pholus, has not been unmarked by tragedy, and the future still remains uncertain. One can only hope the new decade goes smoothly.
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Feb 3, 2015 07:36
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Polymorphic Software posted:On Earth, only theoretical mathematicians and entertainment software programmers used Polymorphic Software—self-modifying code—to any success. On Planet, the requirements of the budding Industrial Base and Information Networks spur widespread development of neural net applications that rewrite themselves in response to data inputs. If the Tlaloc Initiative has identified a good spot for their settlement, please inform me. The North Pholus Commerce Party plans to continue modernising military equipment over the next decade, and intends to reinforce Talon, Morgan, and Torrson further as circumstances allow. It will continue following historical policies of peace and neutrality, and send out exploration teams as possible. The full operation of Talon is a long way in the future, but Talon shall eventually be a major supplier of security forces to reinforce other positions. Morgan Industries throws its support behind the North Pholus Commerce Party, as well as supporting a continued policy of industrial and infrastructural buildup coupled with strong light consumer industry. Build 4, Economy 3, Labs 4, Psych 3. Current possible research results: Secrets of the Human Brain (Discover 2) Nonlinear Mathematics (Conquer 2) Doctrine: Loyalty (Conquer 2) Industrial Automation (Build 3) Gene Splicing (Build 3) Optical Computers (Discover 3) Advanced Subatomic Theory (Discover 3) nweismuller fucked around with this message at 07:58 on Feb 3, 2015 |
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Feb 3, 2015 07:44
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MEMO TO ALL TALON PERSONNEL As our company grows and we begin our recent foray into actual settlement building, I'd like to remind everyone of the strict standard our company has for everyone regarding their behavior. Since we're basically the military for Pholus, its up to us to defend our homes. While I'm fine with some off duty relaxation and goofing off, I expect everyone to be on their best behavior. While everyone for the most part has performed admirably, there has been a few...stand outs that I feel need to be reiterated of what NOT to do. To preserve anonymity, we're going to use a made up name for all occurrences. Please turn your communicators to the following website for more... <https://www.dickieslist.com> Explanations of these events: a) I did myself, and either got in trouble or commended. (I had a Major shake my hand for the piss bottle thing, for instance.) b) I witnessed another soldier do it. (Like the Sergeant we had, that basically went insane, and crucified some dead mice.) c) Was spontaneously informed I was not allowed to do. (Like start a porn studio.) d) Was the result of a clarification of the above. (“What about especially patriotic porn?”) e) I was just minding my own business, when something happened. (“Schwarz…what is *that*?” said the Sgt, as he pointed to the back of my car? “Um….a rubber sheep…I can explain why that’s there….”) To explain how I’ve stayed out of jail/alive/not beaten up too badly….. I’m funny, so they let me live. The Things Private Dickie is no longer allowed to do. 1. Not allowed to sing old Earth Disney songs while out on patrol. 2. Rovers are for approved use only, not personal entertainment. 3. Stock car rover racing with the personnel at Tellus does not count as approved use. 4. Not allowed to boil xeno fungus to make fungus jerkey. 5. No longer allowed to wear the "LT left his dignity on the Unity" t-shirt while doing P-T 6. Cannot call Director Li "Big Boss" 7. Cannot call Director Li "Snake" and any permutation of states of matter. 8. No Talon Security Services will not be naming its HQ Outer Haven 9. Talon Security services is the name we're using, we not changing it to "Soldiers Without Borders" 10. Must never tell the Spartan Border guards to "THIS IS SPARTA!" 11. Mindworms are for shooting at, not putting tiny cowboys hats on. 12. The same goes for tiny sweaters. 13. Is no longer allowed to play "Also Sprach Zarathustra" when training at a monolith. 14. May not start acting like an ape and bashing things when training at a monolith. 15. Must not throw a rifle in the air like it is a bone either. 16. I am not to turn a sheet of plasma steel into a fungus sled. 17. Not allowed to mix helium in with the units oxygen supply. 18. I am not to refer to the laser as the "shooty light thing" 19. Must not attempt to antagonize Rat Patrol. 20. Must never call a Rat Patrol member "live bait". 21. Must never light a patch of fungus on fire in front of the Gaian border guards. 22. Must never light a patch of fungus on fire in front of the Gaian border guards even if I bring marshmallows. 23. The psych chaplin is not called Counselor Troi 24. Squad communicators are for communicators are for communicating only, not sharing my mix MP3. 25. My mix MP3 is not proper cadence music either Jimmy4400nav fucked around with this message at 07:52 on Feb 3, 2015 |
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Feb 3, 2015 07:49
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