Well, actually, a big step toward solving that problem has already been taken. I just stumbed on this thread and it functions, already, as an online global server list with built in functionality that lets you use the direct IP connect program that the EOA released.

Now, the problem is that that list actually USES the global... which means that if the global were to go down it would lose its ability to track servers. If it were to utilize its own list, then we'd have an online global server for tracking servers. Voila!

Also...


[ListServer
;;;hostname = localhost ; Your local machine
;;;hostname = FLListServer2.dns.corp.microsoft.com ; GUN server in Austin
;;;hostname = 131.107.135.190 ; GUN server in Redmond
hostname = fllistserver.zone.msn.com ; GUN server in Redmond (DNS entry)
port = 2300


Perhaps we could invent our own list server and redirect FL to that?

I've a question for you all..

What about the Global Stats server? I mean I'm no expert but from what I've seen it tracks all servers that volunteer the information for it REGARDLESS of the GLS status..
I could be wrong, but I believe there is the answer right there.. There is a feature already built into FL that most of us know about allowing you to connect via IP. The procedure is even explained on the Global Stats list page. AND in the Freelancer instruction guide.

Secondly, lets give society a little credit, ANY one who plays with a computer enough to even be a VERY casual gamer knows how to use a search engine. I could be wrong, but based on what I do when I want to find something why not assume many (at least 50%) of the newcomers will Google for it?

One answer, perhaps not the best, but in my opinion one of the best, is to be sure that your server is listed both HERE and on the global Stats page. That way you can be found if the GLS closes..

Bottom line none of this will prevent the inevitable. Freelancer is becoming an old game. Eventually GLS or not it will loose its appeal and people will go elsewhere for a game. However, all the efforts we make to keep it alive done right will definitely extend that life a few years.

I use Jayne's 688i hunter killer as an example. Its a Submarine game originally released in or around 1995.. The various communities that play it have grown so much, and bantered at whined at and bothered Sonalyst Combat Simulations for so long that they chose to re-release it this year in the form of the SCS Naval Combat Pack. Three of the old classics updated to run on win XP.

While I doubt very seriously that Microsoft would be willing to do such a thing in say ten years for FL. WE the FL community do not have to let it die so soon. I personally am waiting for another space sim of this caliber to come out, then I will probably slow down my FL playing in favor of the new game (Infinity comes to mind but that's years away)

Mean time, lets use the resources some of our more brilliant members have given us. Instead of creating new ones pool together with what we have and find ways to improve upon them.. Find ways to give better access to them.

Will this catch all the new people?? I doubt it, it never does.. There are people who buy games like this and never even realize they can be played MP, or just don't care. But this will catch enough to prolong the life of this game far into the future, at least until another GOOD space sim come along.

Till that time, see you in space Freelancer.

Adui

I don't know of any restrictions that limit the establishment of a type of global server for this purpose outside of Microsoft.
If they eventually shut it down, there is nothing that says we cannot start our own. We have the resources.

NEW WORD HERE: chickendammit...my new pc will be able to host it by itself (maybe not but the idea of 5gb ram is appealing to me...and quad core processor *drools*)

Edited out cursing. Its one that got past the filter, please use a differnt word.

Edited by - Finalday on 12/22/2006 6:47:23 AM

Edited by - hotwire on 12/22/2006 7:22:41 AM

edited AGAIN by Hotwire because Finlay can't spell cursing

Edited by - hotwire on 12/22/2006 7:23:34 AM

Anyway, TLR team, what are the resources you speak of?

and btw Finlay, it was a joke

anyway?

I mean where are these resources?

Why dont we grab the GS now? <- Randome question

yes you can enter the IP
yes you can use tools
all that is true

BUT... new players dont know the IPs of all the servers out there
new players dont know these tools and many players which want to play are not any good with PCs so they wont search for a solution to their problem

the problem itself remains
but like i said before... im more interested in what happens to LR instead of what happens to FL

LR will always be the FL community, until FL dies, the two are linked in this fashion...

I mean there would be no TLR without FL and SL.

The SL GS is down and, well, the SL community here is close to 3 people, approx...

so when FL goes down...

the problem is people learn about TLR from FL people, maybe even in game...we need to publicise this website, get it to the top of ANY Freelancer search in google...

If you search for "freelancer" on google, TLR is the 5th link down. Thats pretty good.

honestly i dont really care if FL goes down someday
but i care about what happens to LR.... communities are more important than the games

---

If you search for "freelancer" on google, TLR is the 5th link down. Thats pretty good.

---

I get it as third, but both the official site and wikkipedia have links to this site anyways.

Hmm, dunno if it helps or not, but I have links to TLR from both my personal webpage, AND my FLserver page.

I recommend anyone who maintains a webpage of ANY kind that visits here do the same if at all possible. (obviously Business sites are going to frown upon a link to TLR but you get the idea I hope)
Anyhow, Merry Christmans everyone!

Adui

Just another day in Paradise!

TLR is the de-facto community, almost every single FL community that exists is some sort of offshoot from the TLR community and thus, most of them link to it. I really think we are shooting a dead corpse here, any non-moronic person would very quickly find their way to TLR. Just try searching "Freelancer Mods" in google. Bam, first result.

TLR should try expanding their horizons once again. More games can't hurt, the community, in order to survive, merely needs a mutual object of entertainment or other such shared interest.

like.....?

Ask the community..not just the FL players but the ones who only look at off-topic.

If needs be become a centre for many different genres of game..FPS,RTS,RPG. Perhaps even sections for other gaming platforms. Something that'll attract people to this site...i found Lancers thru google when i was looking for mods..i did the same and typed in "Freelancer mods".

No matter what happens with the GS,the community will survive..for a time,but in the end we'll all move on 1 day