TF2 Newbs (Team Fortress 2) Blog

Today there was a new TF2 Server update released -

All of these things are great, and I’m glad that Valve also fixed some other bugs/exploits (‘Protected several more commands from client exploitation’).  Unfortunately they also changed one other item which has a much broader impact than any of these other fixes.  The decided to update players STEAM_ID’s to be like the L4D Steam IDs.  I’m sure theres a great reason for this update (maybe its required for use with the new steam cloud stuff) but unfortunately they didn’t give any sort of warning that they were going to make this change.  On the surface it seems like a pretty innocent / simple change but the impact is far reaching.

Lets use my steam_id as an example:

Until today it was STEAM_0:1:5809658 after this update it was changed to STEAM_1:1:5809658 (notice the 0 changing to a 1).  This seems pretty insignificant until you realize that a lot of things that happen on a server are tied to this identifier, and until recently a lot of these were hardcoded for the STEAM_0:x:XXXXXXX format.   One of the major things that this disrupted were bans.  The ban list is just a text file with a list of steamid’s in it.  Now that the ids have changed (even a little) makes the old bans not match any longer – effectively unbanning everyone.  The solution to this of course is to update the list so it uses the newer notation, and to update other software like HLstatsX CE, Sourcebans, sourcemod (used for admins, reserve slots, etc) to newer versions which matches people based only on the x:XXXXXXX portion of their steamid. 

So if you noticed the stats down for a little while earlier, or that there were some banned players on, or that your reserve slot not working, or your admin abilities suddenly disappeared this is why.  I have upgraded most everything, so heading forward there shouldn’t be any more problems.   =)

. Octo

On Monday morning the Newbs community suffered a great loss.  Servers that were important to the community were removed (they were originally scheduled for removal in late September 2008).  These servers were:

• #1 (24/7 Dustbowl)
• #2 (Jump Maps)
• #2.5 (Jump Maps)
• #3 (24/7 Badwater)

The other thing that went away was our old hosting for the website/database :(  It was a very sad day in Octoland…

The website and the forums were down for a day or two, but they were the easiest things to move since I had prepared for this day (poorly, but thats besides the point).  We only ended up losing about 1.5 days worth of forums posts and a few bans. 

The game servers on the other hand are a lot trickier to handle without the involvement of a lot more money. Luckily these machines had only lost their internet home, and a new internet home was found for them.   And there was much rejoicing in the land!  But then oh no..  Hardware failure struck down the machine that runs the Jump servers and the Badwater server.  I spent Saturday evening working on getting this machine back onto the internet so that the games could resume.  So around midmight PST all 4 of the machines that went bye-bye were back. 

•  #1   24/7 Dustbowl        113.212.76.18:27015
• #2   Jump Maps            113.212.76.6:27075
• #2.5 Jump Maps            113.212.76.6:27135
• #3   24/7 Bad Water       113.212.76.6:27015

Originally I was planning on _NOT_ bringing #3 (24/7 Badwater) back since I did not want to hurt the efforts to establish the Payload Rotation server.  After some short negotiations I was assured that there are PLENTY of people to play both.   To prove this point to me, Taraph75 also know as ‘Tara of Payload’ created a new steam group which she is actively trying to fill with payload enthusiasts Tara’s Payload Pimps This group will be used by her to coordinate all the payload love, so that next time a server has to move, all of her payload lovers can easily find it. :)

The title says it all.  Due to the postive response received from the recent submission by everyones favorite fatty Scott Eats Bullets I’ve decided to try something new(ish).  I’d like to expand the number of authors on the blog.  The rules/restrictions/wants are pretty simple:

• Subject matter needs to be TF2 related, I would like it to have a TF2 Newbs tie-in most of the time, but its not required in every post.
• Must be readable
• Must be fun or informative
• Must be (mostly) original (compilations are ok – but sources must be sited)

If you think you have what it takes, or have some ideas for topics for someone else to write about, leave a comment, post about it on the forums http://www.tf2newbs.com/forum/index.php/topic,1896.0.html, or talk to me (Add Octo On Steam) directly. 

What it is friends? Jib comin at you live, with some hotness. Keepin it short but sweet today.. The title says it all. Couple little updates for you guys. Server #7 is now a Payload Rotation that is being maintained by Pam Beasley (Taraph) and SPIES!!!! Check it out, good times with good people. Server #8 [New York] is in need of some love and affection. Looking for individuals who want to step their game up, help start the servers and maintain them. Here’s your opportunity to gain some Newbs admin flags.

In other news, Octo’s machine is up and running.. He’s much more deadly with his newly aquired FPS and graphics settings.. So watch yoself.

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Screenerz.

UPLOAD YOUR SCREENIES
Can’t get enough of them : )

Partay timee.

My offensive push

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WHATS HOT!?

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RPOTD?
HOT DEALS.

Post your hot deals to be displayed in a future blog

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TF2 Newbs. Your mom’s favorite server.

I just Jibbed in my pants…

Server #8 [New York] is getting an overhaul. There’s been a good deal of discussion over the past few weeks on what direction we want to take this server. This server is in honor of our east coast friends, and it’s time you got involved. Post your input here: http://www.tf2newbs.com/forum/index.php/topic,1495.0.html

We were running surf maps, but last night we switched over to 2fort to test things out. This is from the first night, had quite a few [N] peeps on.

Today we switched it up, switched to our 2fort night tweaks with 5 second respawn.. carnage and goodtimes ensued.

5 sec respawns : P

me and amadeus messin around

69.12.108.39:27015
Comments? Suggestions? Let me know.

Jib…