I wonder if it'd be possible to get Tao full server admin status on the SimHQ Arma server?

At present, he's normally the guy running things, and there are regular groups setting up game times (Mondays/Thursdays) that no other admins seem to be present for.

This way, when things go wrong server side, you don't have a bunch of folks waiting and hoping someone can be gotten hold of.

...@/

Sorry... NO... very few are allowed backdoor access into the inner workings of SimHQ. I don't even have it and don't want it, lol... but a PM or a TX to Doug, most of the time, will get it rebooted within 5. Nothing against Tao of course.

A PM to either "guod" (Doug) or myself should be good for a server restart. Even when I can't play, I try to check the ArmA forum here 10 to 15 minutes after a scheduled session starts, both Mondays and Thursdays. That way if there is a technical problem reported via a new thread or a PM I can get it solved early in the session.

For the most part, such reports are rare. But should the need arise for an ArmA server restart for a non-scheduled session, just post a thread or PM as above. Turn around might not be as quick, but not too long.

No need to yell. Indoor voice.

Yes, adlabs is always prompt with uploads and fixes, and when the server went down an email to Doug had it back up in about five minutes, probably faster than I could've done it even if I did have access.

As I understand it the server is administered basically through virtual desktop/root access, and isn't really set up for any kind of strict access control, so hopefully that clarifies the limitations a bit. I'm quite new to SimHQ, so I wouldn't give myself root access either.

Having had access to a small group's server myself in the past, I can agree that you don't want just anyone in there. I knew what I was doing and still limited myself to doing no more than restarting the dedicated server app. Beyond that, although I might have been able to do it myself I respected that it wasn't MY server, so I refrained.
Not to say I think Tao is or isn't that type of person, because honestly I don't know him well enough to make that judgement, but I think both he and SimHQ repects that it's a situation better avoided altogether.
And it's not like there's a history of the server being screwed up for hours on end, either. I think in all my time with the various things like races and Arma here the longest the server's been out (aside from planned downtime that might have gone long, I'm talking about an app failure or something) has been 30 mins.


The Jedi Master

Hmm. When this was brought up the other night, there was a chorus of "That's a good idea!". I'm not even the one who broached the subject.

Now it's just crickets.

Hey...folks who all said "Someone should definitely post about that!"...where are you?

I've only been doing this with yas a short time, and I saw the need for it...but there are more than a couple of you who felt there was something could be done who've been playing here quite awhile. I'm sure you can bring up better examples and provide more input.

Kinda leaving me hanging here, folks?

it'd be usefull for someone else to have access so they could upload missions etc on the nights adlabs isnt around, however i dont think theres anyway to do that without giveing that person full access. Whilst I personaly wouldnt mind Tao/Magnum etc haveing full access, its not my server and i dont pay for any of it so..

Hey Snail I was not trying to leave you hanging, it's just that Magnum shouted it down pretty loudly so there wasn't much point from there. When it's "no" like that there is not a lot left to work with.

We'll just have to make PM requests when there are problems and go from there.

To any of the admins who may be following this thread, please understand that we get that it is not a simple matter to just "give access" to someone off the cuff. There are many considerations, not only trust but also that persons willingness to do it, and do it right.
This discussion came about on teamspeak during an MM because we had a couple of missions that were unplayable after they had been uploaded. I think we can all agree that when you lose someone like Adlabs and the effort they are willing to expend, the community suffers (I know he's still playing, he was in a BRDM with me the other night, but still). It turns out that the missions had something wrong with them, but that's the kind of thing that an admin who is playing with us can sort out beforehand. Let's compare the two methods -

Old method - missions would get sent in, Adlabs would test them for compliance and that they worked, load them and refresh the server before game time.
New method - send in the missions and PM us if there are problems.

The obvious take away is that we were spoiled rotten. Perhaps this is just us getting used to life without a playing admin. But we would hate to see the community die off. Pehaps it is already dying off based on recent attendance, and we hardcores won't admit it.

Lastly it is not up to us to nominate Tao. It is not a democracy and he may not even want it. The point of the thread was to let you guys know where we are at as a community, and kudos to you Snail for stepping into the breach.

I did used to check a lot of the missions for functionality. But after a while I would let it slip here and there, once I develop a trust in the builder. The regular mission guys here rarely miss.

Each mission maker can do this testing himself. I did it on my own computer, never on the SimHQ server itself. Just make shortcuts for SimHQ config dedicated server, and client, and editor. Then it's easy to export from the editor shortcut, launch the server on my desktop in the background, and then test with a client shortcut. I used nothing special, no tools, just three shortcuts on my own PC.

But heck yea, having one guy who'd do this, plus serve as the "central authority" for the missions staff is handy. You guys send a PM to Magnum about assigning a "missions team lead" (he might read the suggestion in this thread... and it ultimately would be his decision). Tao is very skilled in mission making (far beyond me!) so he'd get a nod from me.

Once he's collected the missions and done any testing, etc., he can forward them to me and I'll upload them same as ever.

true, however i will say that the errors that caused the missions not to load were taos metal ninja mod thingi and a mod i was useing that needed everyone else to have it. wont happen again! promise!

Yeah I know better than to make that mistake, but I got lazy and didn't do the testing adlabs mentions above, which is usually part of my pre-sendoff steps.

OK... My NO was taken wrong... didn't you see the lol?
The reason I said NO because that was asked and answered a number of times before... and it's not my decision, never has been... Doug owns SimHQ and owns the server, he makes the decision who as access, him alone. Now to be frank, I wouldn't recommend anyone for him to allow access to the full server, the consequences of a screw up or a backlash, is not responsibility I want.

Tao said it himself, he's still kinda new here, and thou I appreciate what he has done for SimHQ and the server, I don't know him at all.

You guys act like theres a problem... the server is up 24/7, we have over 300 missions, and if the server does lock up... whens that happen once every 2 or 3 months, anyway? a PM to Doug will have it fixed within 5.

Use the server, play the missions... vote on a admin if Tao isn't there... if a problem PM me or Doug and it will be reset. (I have Doug on speed dial, lol.)

I am also pretty new here. And I talk way too much sometimes. And I am very ready to move on from this and mission up some co-op action.

<guod waves>

Guess I ought to join in here.

Some background and plans. SimHQ is on three hosted servers on the US west coast. The main server which hosts the site also has Teamspeak on it. There is a second server for development, files, and this and that. The game server hosts ArmA 2 (of course), 3 rFactor servers, 1 rFactor 2 server, and hopefully soon -- DCS (if we can get past the 3D demand for a server).

For the game server for all apps, there are two of us that have access (besides the hosting company): adlabs and myself. That's it. Because adlabs' life is about to get busier, we will soon add a 3rd person, but they are not an ArmA 2 person either, but very savvy with the tech side. He is in Europe so that'll give us extended coverage in case there is a problem.

If there is a problem, as Magnum says, and he isn't kidding about the speed dial, he can reach me anytime. adlabs has my phone number too.

I checked into a service that alerts when a server goes offline. That isn't too bad but that isn't our problem -- just the game app going offline is more of a problem.

If you see it is offline, send a PM to me, Magnum, and adlabs. Send an email to guod@SimHQ [dot] com

Ironically, when there is a problem. The recent alert a couple weeks ago from Tao was rare. I seldom ever get an alert from the players. So please let us know soon as you see it. We may not necessarily be online and not have a clue there is a problem.

I would suggest one of you, probably Tao if he will volunteer collect all the missions and get them to me on Saturday before Monday's event. That way there will be time to test them before Monday's event.

Same for Thursday. Get the missions to me by Tuesday PM.

At some point in the not too distant future adlabs will be out of pocket more often and it may be a real headache for him to keep doing the uploading. Better we plan now, and take some of the load off adlabs.

Sound okay?

i dont really mind who does it, how many people do it etc etc, just so long as someone can still upload missions and reboot the server on the very rare occasions it needs it

Mags got a point about being able to vote admins whilst on the server, i completly forgot about that!

Yeah that works for me, if anyone is making missions and wants them vetted I will do that then send them off for upload. Just contact me via PM and I will give you my email.

Edit: Also yep it is easy to vote admins into power on the server itself -- that's how I ran Tactical Thursday for a few weeks before I was given official access, and how I'd still be running had I not been. The main problem is getting leadership roles filled, which is why I am increasingly encouraging other people to squad lead even when I am on as admin.