2003

News

- November 10, 2003 -

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): Chaotic tdm Tourney

Team ss played its first match in "Chaotic Online TDM tournament." The match went very smoothly and are quiet pleased with all the personal effort and time all refs and admins are putting into this event. This clearly is very different from CAL Q3. How? When people place a vested interest in making it run, they tend to OWN it on a personal level and commit to completing it. This is true of all the refs and admins, but also from most of the actual teams playing. We have had few forfeits and those were expected.

I have also joined CTT as a referee. I felt that I could help and hence I will ref.

Team ss and its match vs Team XTO ended well for us. We played very well winning both maps, 2 to 0.. Our choice was ospdm5 and team xto chose pro-dm6. What was great (for this event only) is that we used entirely two different squads for both maps. GJ fellas.

We are now set to play vs Team xK. Focus, focus and focus. One step at a time.

The overall brackets can be viewed here.

The Team ss vs XTO bracket is here.

 

One liner: "Odds of being killed by space debris - 1 in 5 billion."

      - ss-sirdark

- November 3, 2003 -

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): Chaotic tdm Tourney

As predicted in my last post, and I was right, the CAL Q3 TDM tournament folded. They state that due to inactive teams, they closed down the event. So be it. Onward and upward.

I am happy to report that we are about to begin this week in our new tournament.Team ss is signed up to play in the "Chaotic Online TDM tournament."

This event begins this week as Team ss has its first match vs Team XTO. We are focused and preparing for this match as seriously as any.

You can see a list of the current teams on the roster to play here.

 

I am happy to post that we have two new recruits beginning their one month trial with us beginning immediately. They are ss-phantasm and ss-annica. We expect just as much out of them as they do out of Team ss.

 

One liner: "I want a turkey leg."

      - ss-sirdark

- October 25, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

SS Forum Notable Quotable: Click here to vote on your game of choice.

 

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): Chaotic tdm Tourney, CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

Well, this week may be the final nail in the coffin for the CAL Q3 TDM tournament. Today is Saturday and we have yet to see anything worthy of news or scheduling for this week's match. The match is to be concluded tomorrow night. Alas, sad to see this happen. I will not entirely blame the CAL league for this demise.

In my opinion, CAL were good enough to create a forum and place for us to compete. The rest of the work is up to us, the teams to show up, be ready, and play. Many people will claim it was CAL who let this happen. They will say there wasn't enough coverage, or enough GTV, etc. Wow, since when did a good, honorable team need any of that to simply play a 4on4 tdm match? Anyone else smell the odor of spoiled, capricious, and maybe wanna-be-leet kids. I do. In short, if this league does not finish what it started, I will fault no one else but the teams that signed up and forfeited. Those that made this league so unfun. Then again, watch these same "kids" sign up for the next tournament only to let their capricious nature kick in again.

We are also happy to see another league start up named the "Chaotic Online TDM tournament." This is recent news and is set to start the middle of November 2003. There was some initial thoughts of excluding the overplayed map pro-q3dm6. Apparently and according to their web site, a vote was held and "The people have spoken... 70% of the people have voted to have pro-q3dm6 put in the map pool for the tournament." I am one to believe it is overly played. I don't care either way, game on. We hope to put together a team different from recent showings, yet one made up of good ss members.

You can see a list of the current teams signed up here.

 

One liner: "Does it snow in Houston? =)."

      - ss-sirdark

- October 22, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

SS Forum Notable Quotable: Click here to take your Math Test.

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

I am very proud to announce that ss-Air & ss-Noaim have completed their one month trial period this past weekend. They are now full standing members. We, at Team ss, are very pleased with their enthusiasm and spirit of sportsmanship they have exhibited. Rarely do I stick my neck out, but from what ss has seen, they are the real McCoy and are solid players. Everyone at ss is proud they are on the team.

ss-genx is taking a sabbatical. He has real life matters to attend and is being seen on occasion, intermittently on ETG IRC. We hope he manages to take care of business and see him back on line routinely.

ss-kvm has also returned from his trip around the world. Rumor has it he managed to solve hunger in South America's Brazilian jungle, The Amazon. He hopes to stick around for a while before he is called once more to serve his fellow man. Welcome back, you sexy Mexican.

This past week, we also played our CAL Q3 TDM match (week 4). We played vs Team Trauma. We are quite proud of our game and result. Apparently this team is so top heavy with skill, its a wonder many of their members actually play competitively. Given that their current record is 4-0, we gave them a good game in game 1, pro-dm6 (their choice) and we came very close to beating them in game 2, ospdm5.

It is now Wednesday and we are still awaiting news on this week's match. Many teams who signed up are falling by the wayside. Sadly enough, once again, people do not know how to finish what they start. Sad. We hope we can at least finish the regular season in CAL without forfeits and without playing the same team each week.

Now we await our next match in CAL Q3 TDM week 5 Vs Team ??

One liner: "Are Da Cubs cursed."

      - ss-sirdark

- October 15, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

I rarely resort to political commentaries or statements, but this one has to be one of the best emails I've received in a long time. Enjoy it, I did.

Hot Air Balloon

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am!"

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon approximately 30 feet above sea level. You are 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude."

She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," replied the man. "How did you guess?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me.

"The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Democrat."

"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?" "Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect ME to solve your problem. You're in EXACTLY the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's MY fault!"

 

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

I am proud to say we managed actually play in our recent CAL Q3 TDM match (week 3). The surprise was not on our end but what seems to be a growing trend for teams/clans who signed up for CAL and do not last the course. They fall apart, die, or just plain get lazy. We played vs Team Nova. They are a west coast team and are solid.

We played 2 maps as they won 2-0. Game 1 was on pro-q3dm6. They won decisively. Game 2 was on ospdm6. This game was a real treat because we actually came within 9 frags of winning this match. GGs gents.

Now we await our next reported match in CAL Q3 TDM week 4 Vs Team Trauma.

One liner: "Will Da Cubs make the World Series?."

      - ss-sirdark

- October 11, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

SS Gaming Forum (click here) <- Selfless plug²

 

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

Last week, Team ss was scheduled to play its CAL Q3 TDM Week 2 match. Sadly enough, the team we were to play, forfeited. From what I was told, Team Magi was unable to field 4 players. Rumor has it, they lost 1-2 starters. Oh well. Tis sad to hear that a team such as Magi is so dependent on 2 players that they cannot field 4 and play the match. We received a forfeit win. GGs? not.

In this week's CAL Q3 TDM match (week 3), we are scheduled to play vs Team Nova. They are a west coast team and are solid. Good luck cuz team nova will need it. =)

I am also proud to report that ss-Twiz has completed his one month trial and is now actively a full member of Silent Service. We welcome him with all the privileges allowed as an full active member.

One liner: "Da Cubbies, DA Cubbies, DA Cubbies."

      - ss-sirdark

- October 2, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

SS Gaming Forum (click here) <- Selfless plug

 

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

In our CAL Q3 TDM Week 1 match VsGummi Bears, we lost 2-0. First map was ours to chose or defer. We deferred and they selected pro-dm6. We chose ospdm5. Boodah being on their team pretty much sealed their win. GGs GB.

We are now into CAL Q3 TDM Week 2. Our match this week is vs Magi. We aren't sure yet when we will play. We having been playing and practicing. The idea is to gel our squad well enough to coordinate our skills. Similar to golf, we are talking about MAP (course) Management. Our strats will own all skills. =) Schedules are up for Week 2 of Season 1. This week's tiebreaker map will be CPM4.

I am also removing src from the ss team list. He is mia and appears to irc idle using a different alias. The sad part is it appears he did not the balls to tell ss he quit. Whatever. "Do or do not, there is no try."

 

One liner: "Why are golf balls sold in SLEEVES and in packs of THREEs?."

      - ss-sirdark

- September 27, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

We are happy to report that on Sept. 16 and on Sept. 26, both ss-genx and ss-energy completed their one month trial period with team ss. Both were voted in unanimously into team ss with full membership rights. Welcome aboard fellas.

We currently have under way three other recruits under trial period. In order of completion, they are: Twiz, Air, and NoAim. Their trial periods end in October. Stay tuned.

Stop in and also visit our Team SS Gaming Forum. The forum was established to be a tool for members of team ss but also, to provide us and our gaming buds in irc a place to communicate regarding games/gaming in general. Stop in and register...become a participator and not just a spectator =) ---> SS Gaming Forum (click here)

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

We are scheduling our CAL Q3 TDM Week 1 match vs Gummi Bears for sometime Sunday evening. We don't have all the details yet, but stop in and visit to chat and or learn more about the game, players, and results in #silent_service .

 

One liner: "The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world."

      - ss-sirdark

- September 20, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

--

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

I am glad to announce that we are adding possibly our last recruit for the time being. NoAim has been invited to join us and participate in our trial period. We welcome NoAim (previously known as Sn4p) to ss. At the end of the trial period, we except NoAim to have earned the right to full team ss membership status. Good luck.

 

One liner: "A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out"

      - ss-sirdark

- September 19, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

The fall season is almost here. Autumn comes Sept. 23, 2003. Great time of the year. Why? Falling leaves remind me of a season of CHANGE. Change is good, it's natural, and it's healthy.

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

CAL news - Nothing new to report. It's dead at the moment. We await the news on when the regular season begins.

We are proud to announce the recruitment of Air to ss. Air is not new to the scene entirely. He has been in at least one clan we know of, namely XC. Air will be under going a one month trial period. We appreciate his interest in ss. We (ss) share the same interests. At the end of the trial period, he expect him to earn the right to be welcomed under full team ss membership status.

 

One liner: "There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar"

      - ss-sirdark

- September 14, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

All nice and quiet on the Central Front.

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4 , OGL Q3 tdm 4on4

CAL's Web Site posted this NEWS:

Sep 13, 03 - 9:53 PM

Pre-Season/Regular Season start date is now up for vote. Voting will end at 6pm Eastern Standard Time, Sunday, September 14th. Please vote to have your say in the season beginning. Before the start of the regular season, there will be an one week break where teams can sign up to participate in the season.

Please go HERE, and vote asap. I believe the sooner we begin the better. I'd like to see them lock the rosters immediately. It would help limit all the typical BS movements of players who seek only to get on a per se "winning team." Sign up with a team? Then be man enough to finish it. Otherwise do NOT sign up with them imho.

CAL Week two, I am glad to say went much smoother for us than did week 1. We enjoyed more tdm practices and scrims prior to our CAL match. Many of us continue to proudly and properly balance real life with irc life.

Week 2, ss lost to team trauma 2-0. I can't say "gg" because as a whole, trauma did more proverbial "comments in game" than any recent team we've played. In fact, the size of my demos are twice as large mainly because of their constant comments after each frag. Sad. Whatever. We appreciate the ss team members who are supporting ss in CAL league. We understand those who are inactive, have other priorities and that we cannot fault. Real Life > IRC Life.

We now await regular season start.

 

One liner: "A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. (Sounds like someone I know)"

      - ss-sirdark

- September 9, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

This week we have mixed news to report.

First off, we are glad and proud to have pureluck back from his SUMMER trip around the world =). He is a man with many miles beneath his belt. We missed ya PL. Make sure to spend some time with us too.

Second, we are proud to have Twiz join us as a member of ss. Per our review period, he will under go a one month trial before the chance of being a full standing member. Twiz under went several weeks of review and we are glad he was patient enough to work through them. He is likely to also join us in the CAL league. Welcome Twiz to the team.

Lastly, on an off note, we are sorry to see chickenhunter leave the team. We appreciate his contributions and wish him well. Good luck.

 

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4

The good news is that the preseason has started. There are two weeks and we are now in the 2nd week. The bad news is that during week 1, ss lost to team magi 2-0. GGs magi.

Week 2 is against team trauma. Here's to a victory this week.

 

One liner: "The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world."

      - ss-sirdark

- September 1, 2003 - (Labor Day, USA)

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

The next news piece requires a post all its own.

We are proud to have a long time friend join our team. Gringo has been into gaming since as long as I can remember. Ever since ss first made its way into IRC on irc.gamesnet.net in mid 1997, he has always offered his friendship to help us grow and learn.

Gringo comes from a distinguished and well accomplished teams before today. It was NOT so much that Gringo was in these teams/clans, but that these teams had the good fortune of having someone like HIM as their member. He is fun, quiet, kind hearted, respectful, mindful, and most of all a seriously solid gamer. He has played Net Quake, Quakeworld, and played for a while in Q3 TDM osp in the early days. He has been busy with real life and as such just returned to join us and be part of this team. He may not jump right back into gaming, but nonetheless, its a treat having him join us. He has lanned with some ss members in Houston and at times has put on clinics =). He is known as "old Skewl."

Welcome to the team Gringo. Kick back and enjoy the journey. We are in no rush to get anywhere fast. Good wine and friends take time. Enjoy a beer on us.

 

One liner: "You want the Truth? You want the Truth? YOU can't handle the truth."

      - ss-sirdark

- August 30, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

Much of the gaming life has returned to ss I am proud to say. Once again, I get a chance to rant about how this is now our 7th year passing through the "summer mode" and making it out alive. No matter how many times we go through it, we tend to test the spirits of the ss teammates. This is a good thing. I believe when exposed to the "elements", what doesn't kill you, will cure you.

We are proud and glad to see our present ss roster and those who believe in the ss mission. Gaming, fun, and good friends. We are far from perfect. So instead of taking pot shots at us, come visit us. We always have more idling room for hypocrites =).

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4

This Cal thing has yet to start. I am a bit surprised of how seemingly this is dragging on. To this moment, we have yet to see the final posting of the gaming schedule, the divisional seeding, and final comments/rules for the tourney. I hope this is not a measure of how the league may run. We are strong supporters of these leagues and offer ourselves at times to help. What is also noticeable are the many number of teams signed up who are all NEW to the Q3 tdm scene. Are they really all new or are they old clans under aliases?

No matter, we are here, ready, willing and able to game. GL HF GG NS.

We have also been on the look out for 2 additional new members who can be active in q3tdm. Once spot was just filled as part of our recruitment process. We welcome Energy to ss. He was in a previous team called OQF along with pureluck, donka, and blewout. He is a solid person who has shown the traits as to why he has earned the spot to be in ss. Kick up your feet and relax. Not too cozy, though. He will continue his last leg of the recruitment process ending in a one month review. If successful, he will then become a full ss team member.

ssaa: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): TBD/TBA

Rocking and Rolling til the weeeeeeeeeeeee hours of the morning.

 

One liner: "His story or HISTORY?"

      - ss-sirdark

- August 27, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

Two divisions have become active. One division is our classic IdSoftware's Quake3 tdm squad and the other is a newly formed America's Army (AA) squad. Q3 tdm is not new to ss. We have been active in this game in many tournaments. AA is another matter. It is new for ss. We have appointed ss-bushviper to lead this squad. It is more of a fun squad than it is true competitive gaming. Good luck to both squads as they begin this initial 2003 fall schedule.

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4

CAL should begin this Sunday if all is on schedule. We are checking the CAL web site often to learn of the team we will play against 1st round. We are a CENTRAL team. Here's to fraggin.

ssaa: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): TBD/TBA

AA has been around for a little longer than 1 year. This game was developed by the U.S.A Army. It is a game somewhat similar to CounterStrike (CS), the popular military 6on6 or 7on7 objective seeking game. The game has undergone changes, enhancements, and improvements. They have a solid support web site that can provide answers to almost all questions or FAQs.

Check their site for version releases. This game is fun. The next step is for ss-bv to learn about upcoming tournaments and have us consider joining. As of now, ss-sirdark and ss-BV are semi-active playing.

We are pleased to bring on a new member to ssaa. The new recruit who just finished "boot camp" is called emerged. ss-emerged lives in Houston and is a good neighbor and friend to ss-sirdark. Good luck to emerged in ssaa. Aim straight, cook them "nades" and do not under any circumstances team kill your mates. BTW, leave the sniping to ss-sirdark, he looks sexier sniping. =)

 

One liner: "frag out."

      - ss-sirdark

- August 23, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): CAL Q3 tdm osp 4on4

[edited: sirdark] - I failed to mention in the original draft of this day's post that our good and patient member ss-shaka, just got back from a long extended sabbatical. He literally was the "last great HPB." Telephone is good but not for Net Gaming. He just got hooked up with cable (Time Warner Cable) in Ohio. This will at least allow him SOME life back into his gaming. If anything, it will allow for faster file transfers. Great to see MORE of you now ss-shaka. Frag mucho and frag often. Better still, Welcome back.

ss-Thrush has reappeared. He was inactive for a while working hard and long hours in Ohio. He just moved and we hope to see more of him on line from here on out. Remember, this is not just about logging on to frag, its about a "family." Welcome back, mang.

We are also looking to fill AT MOST two more spots in our team roster. We aren't looking for someone is simply wanting a team in which to play on line. If so, move on. This isn't a place for you. We recruit on the chance that people with great "tudes" and skill care to make ss their home. Don't come knocking with false pretenses. Its best you waste someone else's time. If you possess the above for ss, stop in and check. No promises. But then again, nothing ventured nothing gained.

General News:

Things are picking up quickly around these here parts.

I am proud to announce the recruiting of two new members. Well, in all truth, one is new and the other is old skewl.

ss-genx has joined the ranks of our team. ss-genx began on line gaming with quake III demo in 2000. This is what he had to say when asked from whence he came::

[20:24:58] <ss-genx> played with Core.43 #core.43
[20:25:01] <ss-genx> for about 3 years
[20:25:06] <ss-genx> now im ss
[20:25:12] <ss-genx> IM a student going to college THIS year
[20:25:19] <ss-genx> in a NUT NUT NUT NUT SHELL

ss-sB has returned to the promise land. He is the prodigal son? In the words of ss-ch, " sB is old school ss...he is just coming home to roost :)"

Glad to have them both on our team. ss-genx will be joining us along with our solid q3 tdm squad in competitive online gaming.

 

We are signed up and ready to begin gaming in a Q3 TDM OSP league. It is called CAL. Check out CAL an follow us along as we make our way through the ladder..

 

One liner: "Humans and Dolphins are the only species that have sex for fun."

      - ss-sirdark

- August 13, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

I got one thing to say....

 

THE SS FORUM IS BACK. I will even make it easy for your lazy ladies to get there. Just click.. here.

 

One liner: "Many are called, but few are CHOSEN!."

      - ss-sirdark

- August 11, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

It's official, summer is practically over. How do I know? Hell, just look in your local streets and tell me you DON'T see the yellow school buses all over.

I also just got back from a week mini-getaway. Where I was, it reached 110ºF daily easily. One week was enough.

I just received word that there is a good chance of 2 new Q3 TDM leagues opening. One is #kit (ETG irc network), and the other is CAL. Check CAL here.

We will see how it all works out.

Oh yea, I decided my time is better spent elsewhere this week, so I am not attending QuakeCon2003.

Q: When does the QuakeCon party begin? A: in 2days 14hrs 33mins 38secs

I also learned that ss-shaka just got "hitched." This is something he had been planning for a while. I am personally very proud of ss-shaka and he takes his new added responsiblity. Good Luck ss-shaka and may the rail gods be with you. Can we still LAN? =) First just get your cable modem/DSL set up.

ss-bv also wanted me to report that America's Army just released its latest mod release. It's about time. You can find news of that here.

 

One liner: "Back to work."

      - ss-sirdark

- August 2, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

Ok... I was planning to post and follow the eventual release notices and dates of Doom³ and Half Life². I have changed my mind. I will do neither and nothing of the sort. Why? Cuz they lie. They of course would claim their dates and notices are only estimates. However, given that many of us are anxiously waiting for these new games, it makes better sense NOT to announce anything.

I will not drag us their change of dates or misinformation. I will spare us all.

The bottomline is that Doom³ and Half Life² will be released, when its released. EOS ("End of Story" © ss-sirdark)

Read here and here as to why I am taking this approach.

By the way, we are now at the beginning of August. Summer is not over, at least not until the kids return to school and the yellow school buses begin to own the roads.

I dunno about all Yalls, but my summer rocked. There is no doubt its been crazy, but better crazy and fun, than quiet and boring.

I am also glad to see ss-donka back from his mother land. We already asked and apparently, there are not 2003 picture versions of his sauna experiences.

We hope to see ss-pureluck back in full force when he returns also from Europe. He has had one heck of a summer. Sad though, he chose CT vs TX. Alas, we all have our faults... =)

Oh yea, I also noticed ss-source around more often. I know he has been busy greasing his hair with gel and tripping the life fantasic with a very appealing young lady in Chi-town. I need not say but I am sure he has had an EDUCATIONAL summer.

ss-kvm has been away most of the summer as he has lead his baseball little league for the past two months. I don't have all the details but I know his team did well. He also coached an all-star team and won state?! Wow, way to COACH SIR-KVM.

ss-ch, from what I can tell, has been EDJUMACTING himself and fishing.

 

One liner: "The Boyz are back in town, Boyz are back in town."

      - ss-sirdark

- July 21, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

Some of you may already have seen or read this, but for others (like me) who surf occasionally and not everywhere, I'd thought this would be very interesting to hear/read:

The official link came from here

Official Doom³ System Requirements
7/16/2003 | 15:40 Posted by RosOne 50 Comments

With all the hubbub floating around the net lately about what would and what wouldn't run DOOM³, we decided to bring an end to the system requirement confusion and contact the main man, John Carmack, himself. Here is the official word on the minimum system configuration you'll need to run Doom³.

1GHz CPU
256MB RAM
GF1 or Radeon 7xxx series card

Don't expect to run it fabulous with that system setup , but everything will be playable at least.

 

One liner: "All that glitters isn't gold"

      - ss-sirdark

- July 19, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

Q: When does the QuakeCon party begin? A: in 3wks 4days 16hrs 59mins 8secs

 

Many of you want game? Some of you even WHINE that there isn't enough GAME to go around? Ok. It's time to put your money where your mouth is. Time for you to sign up, set up, match up, and play. I know I won't here another word on this matter because many of you will be too busy gaming. Um.. what game? Well since I am here for moral support, its Q³ 1on1. There was a write up on OGL and its desire to revive their Q³ 1on1 ladder. You can read the article here.

You can view the OGL Q³ 1on1 matches and results here.

You can view the actual ladder here.

At the time of this news post, names like Resile and Hope are already found listed and preparing to play. Have at it people. GL HF GG NS......need I say more?

 

One liner: "yeah the winners always say that :)" © ss-ch

      - ss-sirdark

- July 18, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

I wanted to post this interesting "read" from EvilPope. It stems from a good article written on Cached.net's web site. The quote is from a thread that talks about TheCPL and Gaming. Specifically how TheCPL has chosen which games to use in its events and which to exclude.

I may not be a Pro-Gamer or can claim any top winning performance, but I think I have earned my place from experience and the time I have invested into this gaming scene. So my thoughts are also based on my experiences.

The quote is:

"...And yes, as a gamer I do think im entitled. It's my money and my fellow gamer's money that goes into developer's pockets, not the CPL's(remember, the cpl is too busy giving away all their profits to the homeless so they can play games too). Regardless of what you think, it's our money and time as gamers that even gave the CPL the chance to succeed as a business, so you're damn right we feel entitled when you are making money off of us. You CPL people respond like you are some big charity to gaming, well guess what, you're not. You make a PROFIT off running the CPL. I'd be willing to bet Angel is making a hell of alot more money than probably any gamer playing in the CPL, but we owe him for what he has made the gaming community right? The only thing the CPL has really done to the gaming community in my opinion is gotten them so obsessed with money that they all act like assholes and don't play for fun or respect anymore. Hell, I hardly even play games anymore because I can't stand what the people who play them have become. ..."

My comment is that "money" is one element. I agree with EvilPope to some degree. You see, whether its money, or fame, or the idea/notion that one can be some "pro-gamer," the fact remains the same. People change and become something worse than what they intended or truly are deep down inside. They change their focus, their values, their priorities, and even their friends. Why? Because the feel they need too in order to "work" to become something that the odds tell us they will not. Don't get me wrong, there are people with skill and desire and good fortune/luck to do it. The question becomes, what are you willing to sacrifice in order to get it?

The fact is many people lose a lot in the process. What is sad is that these same people claim that teams/clans who are solid when they joined them, are now "not good enough" for them. They begin what we see often, clan jump. When is it enough? When will they realize what is truly important?

As I write this, why do I care? I guess its because I've seen too often these same people crash and burn. They are their own worst enemy. All we want are good friends and good times. Remember, this is the net.

I just hope we survive this before EvilPope's other quote becomes reality to us all -- "Alas, back to programming and movies for me, because games are no longer games. [or fun]"

 

One liner: "Who said games are games until you lose an eye?"

      - ss-sirdark

- July 15, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

Q: When does the QuakeCon party begin? A: in 4wks 1day 21hrs 22mins 22secs

 

We also had an exciting 2-days here in Southern Texas. There was a threat by a female....hurricane, Claudette.

For those of us following a big golf event this week, "The Open" starts and its expected to be a big event.

With 38 PGA tour victories under his belt, he goes to secure another BRITISH WIN.

Roll your mouse over Tiger to see where he begins Thursday - he's pair with the players listed above.

 

One liner: "old men use golf as an excuse to hold something long and hard in their hands"

      - ss-sirdark

- July 10, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

Q: When does the QuakeCon party begin? A: in 4wks 6days 14hrs 26mins 43secs

Also, I hope this isn't like some OMEN or something..

Nah. It's simply ss-Ltrain's pin code to his debit card =)

One liner: "whaaaaaaaaaaddeeva" © ss-saddam

      - ss-sirdark

- July 7, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

1. Just when you think you've heard it all... Here is some earth shattering news:

College students are avid gamers

here are some key news bits I found interesting....

..."A study from Pew Internet Research finds that 70 percent of college students play video games at least “once in a while”...

...'The Pew study smashes a few gender stereotypes about avid gamers, finding that slightly more women (60 percent) than men (40 percent) reported playing computer and online games. About the same number of men and women play video games"... [EDITOR: if so, where are these ladies of game. I have yet to run into that percentage myself]

...."Video games are also a way guys bond with their buddies; 51 percent of men believing that gaming improved their friendship with friends. Only 34 percent of women believe video games help their friendships"....[EDITOR: if this is true, I am in the minority. There is no way I rely on gaming as a way to IMPROVE my friendship with friends. I guess it would all depend on who and where my friends are. If I only have friends on the net playing games, then I can see how this statement can be true.]

...."according to the Pew study. About 9 percent said that gaming was a way to avoid studying"...[EDITOR: I am just glad that the explosion of the net and gaming happened after I finished my University days, otherwise I may never have finished school.]

In trying to capture the real news in this article, I found the following. This news is not NEWs to us in the gaming scene, but it is for every other Tom and Sally out there. The real news is that the rest of the world hasn't caught up with the gaming trend setters....us.

2. A big KUDOS to ss-macdaddy for his competing and playing in Retraced 1n1 q3 osp tournament. You can see the stats here.

As a kind reminder, don't forget to...

Go to ETG's IRC network on #quake4 ; web site can be found here.

 

One liner: ""im really going to europe to join my commrad donka for a secret naked russian army sauna mission" © ss-ch"

      - ss-sirdark

- June 25, 2003 -

(ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

General News:

QUAKE 4 aka Quake IV

What? Already?...

...No. But we recently found a new and growing channel in ETG's IRC network that you may want to check out. I guess you cannot be too early or ready for this game. Many of us are waiting for the "next big game." From the initial looks of things, DOOM3 is reportedly being released as a single player game. The same thing is planned for Half Life 2. There is every reason to believe that MODs will be written for Multiplayer gaming, yet that's still some ways off. That is why this recent encounter is worth reporting!

Go to ETG's IRC network on #quake4 ; they also have a decent web site. Check it out here.

 

One liner: "What is the longest English word that can be typed using the TOP letter row of the PC keyboard?"

      - ss-sirdark

- June 21, 2003 -

General News:

I received this and thought I'd pass it on:

IMPORTANT: E-MAIL HOAX NOTIFICATION

Late Wednesday afternoon, June 18, 2003, Best Buy became aware of an unauthorized and deceptive e-mail to consumers titled "Fraud Alert." That e-mail message, which requested personal information (i.e., social security and credit card numbers), claimed to come from the BestBuy.com Fraud Department. That message was NOT from Best Buy or any of our affiliates.

One liner: "Q: When does the QuakeCon party begin? A: in 7wks 4days 13hrs 13mins 41secs"

      - ss-sirdark

- June 20, 2003 -

General News:

This is a friendly request for YOU ALL to read the news post I posted on August 28, 2002. [simply page completely down to the bottom of this page and click on 2002.] Try it.

Please go read it. Maybe it will put into focus what ss seemingly goes through every year...and every year has managed to hang on tight. Try not to be so damn impatient. Waiting is sometimes, a good thing.

I'm looking for my buds, my friends....where did they go?

 

One liner: "Friends are friends forever."

      - ss-sirdark

- June 18, 2003 -

General News:

Hey, Hey, Hey....its BIG MAC time. Our very own ss-Mac-Daddy is "fraggin it up" in HQ's Senior 1n1 quake 3 osp tourney. ss-Mac-Daddy began his journey as did many others in the BIG HQ q3 1n1 event. Given Mac's age and level of play, HQ officials created a playing field where players such him and others could play on relatively equal footing. I think its a great idea since this event is suppose to be about "fun," no?

Either way, keep the frags piling, ss-Mac-Daddy. You can get an update on this specific event on HQ's site.

In addition to Mac's play, ss-cyb3rene (name of the week, for now) also did well as he managed to squeeze his way into the final Top-32 in HQ's 1n1 tourney. The 1st round was single elimination and was knocked out by mob-zarbin. No worries. He should be proud of his efforts and results. Keep in mind, many people wish to have even gotten that far, cyb3run! So keep the chin up and the rail gun polished.

GJ GG NS

 

One liner: "My mouse ball fell off or I left my honor behind?....same thing."

      - ss-sirdark

- June 12, 2003 -

General News:

Is it......

"S U M M E R_____M O D E "

........... or is it ..........

"S U M M E R___M O L D?"

 

Either way, tis been warm and muggy inside as of late. Many people are FINALLY OUT enjoying REAL life and stuff.

What many people are waiting for now is QuakeCon2003. Here is what is really amazing...

"The QuakeCon Organization and id Software would like to thank the gaming community for the tremendous response for QuakeCon 2003. The Quake III Arena 1v1 tournament filled in under 3 minutes. Within the first hour of registration, over 2100 gaming enthusiasts signed up for the event from 19 countries covering five continents."

Any way you look at it, there is no doubt QC2003 is big time now. This can be measured by any number of ways, including:

• Number of signed up people
• Sponsorship deal
• or even the record breaking time in which the event was FILLED with online sign-ups

Its Huge, Really Huge. GG GJ NS

Remember..."The definitive gaming tournament and party is free to all attendees and scheduled for Aug. 14-17 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas."

 

One liner: "A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours."

      - ss-sirdark

- June 2, 2003 -

General News:

Welp, until the last week or so, its been fairly quiet on the quake 3 front. I've gone ahead and compiled the IRC stats for #silent_service for the month of May:

123871 Joins and/or Parts (ex: sB has joined #silent_service)
2131 Descriptions (ex: * ss-bv is playing AmericasArmy at 64.42.12.13)
0 Actual conversations

There ya have it. But, once again, a tournament has come along to perform CPR on q3 and we now have a faint pulse. The tournament is actually quite interesting, at least for non pros like myself. Its a handicap tournament where the pros can put their money where their mouth is, by suggesting a FRAG handicap. At the time of this writing, for example, [daler] (and wtf is with the []s?) is -30. In addition to this negative handicap (that is determined by community discussion) there's also a + handicap, based off age. And since SS is older then dirt, we have several members playing. So, dalers something like 10 years younger then me, which would mean get 3 more frags meaning he would have to beat me by 33 or so. If I could get 20 or so more frags, I think I could win. At any rate, its an interesting idea, and at least the q3 servers are seeing some activity.

The tourney is the brainchild of retrace and is sponsored by Overdrive PC. Retrace has done an excellent job in past tourneys such as RUST (in which our very own ss-elixir thrilled viewers on GTV, when Katsu just barely squeaked out the win in six great games). Retraced and his refs (including ss-elixir) have done an incredible job. Matches start on time and the webpage is updated by the minute. Keep up the great work fellas.

ss-elixir, ss-chickenhunter, ss-cyber3ne, ss-Mac-Daddy, and ss-ltrain will be battling it out with 123 other diehard quake fans. Good luck to everyone but ss-cyber3ne.

More retraced.com updates to come.

[Editor: Notably, ss-src was MIA for his round of play]

 

One liner: "The longest one-syllable word in the English language is "screeched."

      - ss-ltrain

- May 29, 2003 -

General News:

Given the last news post on SPONSORSHIP, we have been inundated (i.e. swamped) with requests for recruit tryouts. As requested before, please contact our road manager, ss-cyb3rene on any and all requests.

 

One liner: "It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open."

      - ss-sirdark

- May 25, 2003 -

General News:

NEW SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT for TEAM SILENT SERVICE

Team ss is proud to announce an UPGRADED SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT

• ss is glad to be SELF SPONSORED
• ALL PAID EXPENSES (Coach plus 4 players) to any LAN COMPETITION
• FLY 1st Class - Hotel Suites, Shuttle service, & ALL MEALS included
• FREE HAIR GEL for ss-SRX(c)
• FREE TANNING lesson for ss-ch by SEXY Asian women
• FREE BATMEN tee-shirts for ss-mac and ss-sdm AKA ss-cyb3rene
• FREE BMW oil changes for ss-pureluck
• FREE camera FILM for ss-donka's sauna parties
• FREE TOE and NAIL clippings for ss-kvm's PAWS
• FREE ss-LT "chill and sit down to play pads"
• and a FREE rubber stamp Smilie face --> :) <-- for ss-elixir

Just to be clear, this is a new sponsorship announcement. There will be massive invite trials and well coordinated reviews of all new potential recruits (NOT). This news is to inform the public about team ss's focus for the competitive arena (NOT). We are hoping to double our membership with this news. Furthermore, we hope to be just like many teams/clans out there today...bad attitudes, immature behaviors, foul mouths, and ugly sportsmanships (NOT).

Any and all questions regarding this annoucement are to be directed to our road manager, ss-cyb3rene.

 

One liner: "/me is here for moral support"

      - ss-sirdark

- May 18, 2003 -

General News:

Good things happen in "three's." You can pick 3 and win $500 straight if you hit all three numbers exactly in a row. Even if you do not select the right sequence in the 3 number scheme, you can still win minimum $50 if you select the right three numbers, but not in the exact order. Why this note on 3's?

Well, its been about three months since my last post and many people want some news posted. They want a refreshed page. Heck, they even want anything as long as there is some new NEWS.

I agree. That is why I am choosing to post select (not all inclusive) worthy news that has occurred with us in the last three months:

• ss-elixir competes in the "Q3 1on1 RuST Quake 3 Senior Tournament." He initially battles in the FFA part of this event and gets seeded. He ends up winning 2nd place. That is our elixir. He is da mang.
• ss-warchild is MIA for a while. He is relocating from his CASTLE and moving down the dirt path to a bigger CASTLE. We hope the 1500 century building has fiber optic cable for his new network. Hurry back.
• Quakecon2003 has been announced and many people are excited to attend this year's event. They have changed the specific location, yet remains in the Dallas, Texas area. We have news that a good number from our team is expected to attend. Heck, there are wagers being set as to who will ultimately show for this from ss. Some are picking up the pace in recycling aluminum cans in order to raise $$ to attend. w00t.
  • "MESQUITE, Texas - April 08, 2003 - Mark your calendar and start practicing; the 7th annual QuakeCon™ video game festival and tournament is scheduled for Aug. 14-17 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Dallas - just 30 minutes from id Software’s homeland of Mesquite, Texas. The yearly gaming pilgrimage includes four days of intense tournament competition, BYOC LAN action, game and hardware demonstrations, workshops and parties; presented completely free of charge to all attendees."
• Summer mode is upon us once again. What does this mean? It means a possible reduction in TEAM activity because of the school and work vacation period. No matter. Team ss has gone through its 3-5 year annual summer mode events. We all come back rejuvenated. Even ss-ch and ss-src come back believing they can beat ss-sirdark. What nonsense.
• ss-src is still combing his hair using "grease" getting ready for QC2003.
• ss-ch has been spotted with two-women at once in a famous Chicago Rush Street bar.
• ss-kvm remains the top LITTLE LEAGUE coach for Southern USA.
• ss-pureluck is now even more EAST COAST than ever.
• ss-flop = dead or alive? [more like everquest-ered]
• ss-loafier is really RUMPELSTILSKIN.
• ss-kovu is serving in an Alaskan expedition.
• ss-Donka is now the top RUSSIAN q3 1on1er.
• ss-HW (well I can't post anything until I get permission from his spouse.)
• ss-Ltrain has done us all proud as he CLAIMS to be done with school earning his phD.
• ss-zenmachine and I are prouding playing DUNGEON SIEGE (COOP mode).
• ss-waspy is too young to get drunk.
• ss-strings is really all YARN.
• kr0w? Who let this guy in?
• ss-claw was spotted in our main IRC channel. He made a cameo appearnce while on break from his missionary work in MEXICO.
• ss-cyb3rene is all sexy.
• ss-macdaddy can't aim a rifle nor spear a donkey two feet away.
• ss-qubed is all CANUCK
• Archveult is really a bot.
• and finally ss-bv and ss-sirdark....areall aim and ownage.... ( in AA).

Addedum:

• ss-iceolate gets "on 20-30 miin a day :D"
• ss-blewout is never left out, he is just silent all the time we mistake him for Chanserv's brother

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): [Looking for LEAGUES," in all the wrong places"]

 

ssrtcw: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

INACTIVE

 

ssctf: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

INACTIVE

 

One liner: "April showers bring May flowers, May flowers bring June winds."

      - ss-sirdark

- February 23, 2003 -

General News:

Hello there.

It's been a good time since our last post. I hope yall aren't too disappointed with our lack of posts as we had hoped to have a new and user friendlier web page up by now, but we have been delayed in that regard. I'll have more on this subject later.

Lot's has changed since we last gather the end of 2002. Many of us are being consumed by real life: work, work and of course work. Several of us have been inactive. Our team as a whole remains solid although a little idle beaten. I hope we can continue to remain active as much as possible because this team is not just about 1 game, but about a group of players. Oh trust me, we are far from perfect, but we have weathered the storms.

I am glad to welcome someone who has remained patient with us as we posted news and membership changes. He is warchild. He, similar to many of us, has a life outside IRC, but desires to call this place "home." He has passed the trial and inspection and proven himself worthy of allowing himself to gather with us. I will continue to repeat that SS is not for all and all is not for SS. Hence our appreciation for when we do find the solid, able, and responsible people.

It is with some sadness that Cal has decided to leave us. Cal has been with us since October 2001. Yes, that long. He has stood by us all the way from the left West coast with his uber DSL ping/connect. He was able to play and coach for us many a times and added the squad in many ways. His way will be missed, but life goes on. We are happy that he seemingly has found a squad he is now gathered with in the West coast so at least he will be loco local to his new team. Good Luck Cal and thank you. I presume he will be seen around our main ETG IRC channel, #silent_service.

Since the recent membership changes, Saddam and I also spoke and have asked Elixir to join us as co-leader to the team. Elixir has the experience of leading and is also very active with the q3tdm team. We appreciate his willingness to continuing adding to this squad of rowdy gents, while fraggin them as well. Thanks dood for stepping up to the plate when asked.

For about three weeks now, we have moved our web page hoster. This one seems more stable and able to reply to our needs faster and more reliably. We have also added a new FORUM. It is difference from anything in the past, but believe it can add to this chat going on in the community. Sign up and let's hear your voice.

 

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): [Looking for LEAGUES]

 

ssrtcw: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

INACTIVE

 

ssctf: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

INACTIVE

 

One liner: "Weapons of Mass Destruction"

      - ss-sirdark

- January 27, 2003 -

General News:

 

Welcome back...Happy New year (although belated), so on and so on.

The real news is that we finally got our web page back up. Sadly enough, our previous web host provider died or something essentially leaving us dead in the water.

The good news is that we are under new web host management and we are back and better than ever. There are many things we are working on and we hope to continue to provide a place where to come for news, especially about our TEAM SS.

We will be adding more things soon to enhance this web sight, one that we hope to make proud and active.

 

For now, sit back, buckle up, put your tray tables back in their full and upright locked positions. We are getting ready to take off.

 

sstdm: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

Current League(s): OGL Q3tdm

 

ssrtcw: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

INACTIVE

 

ssctf: (ETG IRC Network in channel #silent_service )

INACTIVE

 

One liner: "Change (greed), for the lack of a better word, is good"

      - ss-sirdark