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.