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Geek Culture / TGPF Is Opening It's Doors

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TDK
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:17
TGPF is a forum for serious games programmers and up until now has been private and invitation-only. Having been up and running over seven months, many of the top DB programmers here are already members.

However, it has been decided to end the 'secret society' and open the doors so any experienced game programmer can apply to join and benefit from the knowledge of the many programming 'gurus' which already use TGPF.

The forum's current members are mainly adults with many years experience in programming and the topics covered are often advanced. As such, it has resulted in a friendly adult atmosphere where not a single post has had to be locked or deleted in the whole of the 7 months. We have strict courtesy rules and don't tolerate flames.

To keep it that way, now that we are making the forum publicly known, anyone who applies must already be able to program in DB (Classic or Pro) to a reasonable standard and want to discuss more advanced topics - like Maths and Physics coding etc.

Therefore, you will not get immediate access when you apply for registration but will have to be approved. You will be required to supply your nickname on here for that purpose. You will also have to agree to adhering to our very strict AUP.

TGPF is not meant to be an alternative to this excellent forum, but to complement it. All our current DB members still use Apollo as well.

If you think you can stand the strict regime and want to discuss advanced gaming topics in an adult environment, you can read more info, see the TGPF AUP and see the current memberlist here:

http://www.computechtenerife.com/phpBB2/

TDK_Man

David T
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:29 Edited at: 11th May 2006 21:29
VanB invited me to this months ago, I joined up, but never got emailed that I'd been accepted

SimSmall
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:34
Quote: "anyone who applies must already be able to program in DB (Classic or Pro) to a reasonable standard"


pfft, was looking promising up until that point
Jeku
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:41
I was made aware of this some time ago, but never received any invites Hopefully I can fit the criteria.

TDK
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:44
SimSmall

I would class you as eligible.

By "a reasonable standard", I mean that you didn't start programming a fortnight ago and you are able to write a fully functioning program which works. I can't remember seeing you make a "how do I make the camera follow my player object" post. Well not recently anyway lol!

I was basically saying in the politest way possible that complete newbies and young kids would find it a bit too advanced. You are neither.

TDK_Man

David R
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:45 Edited at: 11th May 2006 21:47
Just out of interest, is this foum solely devoted to DB, or just programming in general?

Its very intruiging, and will be interested to see if I meet the 'criteria'

[EDIT]; Ignore this. Just seen the welcome post with a descriptor

Quote: "Why would anyone spend that kind of money on rubber jewellery? - Phaelax"
Ron Erickson
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:50
It is a multi-language forum. I believe TDK is stressing DB/DBpro because of where this post is located. Most of the programming discussion there is DBpro, however.

WOLF

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TDK
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:52
Jeku & David T

Yes, I'm sorry about that. The system decided upon by the TGPF membership was an 'invite and vote' system. An existing member proposed someone and the membership voted anonymously. Anyone receiving one or more No votes didn't get in.

As such a lot of good candidates didn't get invited and of those that did, not all were accepted. I didn't really like the system, but I have to admit that it worked.

Now, we have decided to end all that and expand a little.

Plus, with no LLRGT/Monkey Nuts any more, it's nice to have an alternative mature forum to chat about advanced programming topics.

TDK_Man

Megaton Cat
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:53
Now that it's been made public, it sorta lost it's "secret edge".

Looks like a good forum!


It's like a Megaton Cat radar, 24 hours a day.
x1bwork
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Posted: 11th May 2006 21:57
Looks intriguing. I'll not sign up and just invite my self. If sent invite,ill sign up.

lagmaster
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:00
i wont sign up. never got an invite!

i'll stick with my own project devhat

lagmaster
Devhat IRC Network [href=irc://irc.devhat.net] -> MIRC link <- [/href]
TDK
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:04
Quote: "If sent invite,ill sign up"


The days of invites are over. We just don't do it any more.

Basically, anyone who answers more questions on here than they ask and is happy to abide by our strict moderating rules is welcome to apply.

TDK_Man

Megaton Cat
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:05
Indeed, I never got an invite either even though a certain *cough* moderator on TGPF who likes to make music said he'd send me one a few months back.


It's like a Megaton Cat radar, 24 hours a day.
lagmaster
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:14
it's quite shocking how many talented coders have not been invited to that forum. hardly suprising why they're had to post here to get people's attention

lagmaster
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Jeff Miller
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:15
"I would never want to belong to a club who would have ME as a member." - Groucho Marx
Megaton Cat
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:23
Quote: "it's quite shocking how many talented coders have not been invited to that forum. hardly suprising why they're had to post here to get people's attention"


Yeah, I looked over the list and it seems to be only the best guys from TGC here.


It's like a Megaton Cat radar, 24 hours a day.
x1bwork
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:28
Quote: "The days of invites are over. We just don't do it any more.
"


Very respectable. Good luck guys.

Preston C
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:33
Quote: "Plus, with no LLRGT/Monkey Nuts any more, it's nice to have an alternative mature forum to chat about advanced programming topics."


True. And while one other replacement that tries to fit the bill, Coders Turf, it would be nice to have a true replacement for LLRGT again.

I've signed up, and await my acceptance/rejection e-mail. Would be nice to have a nice place to chat about programming again.

AMD64 X2 3800+ | 1 GB Ram | NVIDIA GeForce 6800 128MB
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Formerly NWC_Omega
Megaton Cat
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:35
Woaw, I actually got accepted. Whoever runs this place is smart - they know cats kick ass.

Will post some media soon I suppose.


It's like a Megaton Cat radar, 24 hours a day.
Drew Cameron
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:36
Cool you made it open TDK, I just haven't really been coding much recently which is why I haven't been posting (much).

Fallout and Becky have always kept it alive though; I see they now more or less got their own board

Drew Cameron
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:37
P.S: Jeku, if I remember you did get an invite, and we all recommended you, maybe it just never got through? (Invite = spam)?

TDK
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:49 Edited at: 11th May 2006 22:54
Quote: "it's quite shocking how many talented coders have not been invited to that forum. hardly suprising why they're had to post here to get people's attention"


I'm not surprised that someone has taken that attitude - I'm just surprised that it was you. I'm sure it's nothing to do with the fact that you weren't invited before it was made public... is it?

Look, how it used to work was that the existing members proposed people they thought were good coders, musicians, graphic artists and so on. I didn't come onto Apollo and look at everyone and say "ooh he's good let's invite him" and "oh yes - him too".

The aim was never to 'select' the best from here and I know there are a lot of very good coders here who would have been invited and been a great benefit to TGPF had we done it that way. But we didn't.

We have a lot of experienced members who know a lot about programming and are willing to help others with advanced topics. I didn't start this thread to get people's attention, just let them know of an alternative source for programming info.

If anyone has a "they didn't invite me before so why should I now" attitude, then no problem - it's your choice. Just don't don't post here being negative about something that is actually quite positive.

Quote: " P.S: Jeku, if I remember you did get an invite, and we all recommended you, maybe it just never got through? (Invite = spam)?"


That's true - a few acceptance e-mails were not getting through a while back. Anyone remember an issue in the news where some ISP's thoughout the world were filtering out email traffic which originated in Spain because the majority of it was supposedly SPAM?

TDK_Man

Fallout
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Posted: 11th May 2006 22:57
One of the main problems with the invite system was that us lot that were already there had to get off our backsides and invite people. We also had to coordinate with TDK. I, for example, am terrible at checking out other peoples work. In fact, because I spend most of my time here in Geek Culture, I dont actually have a very good idea of who else IS good at coding.

Btw, just to note, and I'm sure TDK will agree, you don't have to just be good at coding. So long as you bring a skill to the forum, be it level design, sound engineering, 2D art, 3D animation, you're welcome.

It wasn't so much elitism that might've ended up with people not getting invites or not getting accepted. It was quite possibly just lack of communication, which we've remedied by allowing you to jump in, sign up and tell us why you should be approved.

x1bwork
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:00
Quote: "It wasn't so much elitism"


Nah,I sincerely doubt that is the case. Game Dev just isnt one of those "Elite" skills. Maybe,in C++ or something,not so sure about DBP. Anyhow,this is likely being read into,too much.

Would be cool to see a unified effort by that forum to dev 1 game together.

BatVink
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:02
Quote: "it's quite shocking how many talented coders have not been invited to that forum"


To be honest, it wasn't that talented coders weren't invited, it's just that when something stood out on the forums, the author tended to get recommended. Most people who didn't get an invite just won't have attracted any attention at the right time.

But that's all academic, the forum is now open for coders to invite themselves.



Robin
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:02
Signed up....

TDK
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:15
Quote: "Btw, just to note, and I'm sure TDK will agree, you don't have to just be good at coding. So long as you bring a skill to the forum, be it level design, sound engineering, 2D art, 3D animation, you're welcome."


Good point - and my apologies for not mentioning that before.

If you are good at any aspect of the game making process you will be made welcome.

TDK_Man

x1bwork
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:20 Edited at: 11th May 2006 23:21
Quote: "Maybe,in C++ or something,not so sure about DBP"


I revoke that comment. Ive learnt sick amounts from Lost in Thought and have inherited his coding methods and style. Truly he does some "Elite" coding. Andif LiT hasnt been invited? And despite you not inviting anymore, you may want to invite him anyhow.

Jeku
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:22
Quote: "P.S: Jeku, if I remember you did get an invite, and we all recommended you, maybe it just never got through? (Invite = spam)?"


Ahhh I see. Thanks for the headsup

Fallout
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:24
If I remember rightly, TDK came back to us a few times and said he'd invited people, but they'd not replied. Perhaps quite a few emails ended up in peoples junk mail.

NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:27
Me! Me! Pick me! And not that guy(or girl) who calls himself(or herself) Me!

Hawkeye
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Posted: 11th May 2006 23:30
I signed up... I consider myself a good dbp coder, even if I've never made anything worth mentioning and then of course there's teh music. If nothing else, I can lift the atmosphere with my supreme sexyness. All in a discrete manner of course.


I am but mad north north-west; when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw - Hamlet, Hamlet
Uncle Sam
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Posted: 12th May 2006 00:36 Edited at: 12th May 2006 00:37
So this is a forum for stuck-up DB Pro users?

Where do I sign!

Seriously though, I think I have the skills to be part of this. I'll sign up later.

Uncle Sam
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Chris Franklin
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Posted: 12th May 2006 00:43
I registered but it says You've been sent an e-mail and is waiting approval

Theme park simulator wip boards

SimSmall
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Posted: 12th May 2006 00:49 Edited at: 12th May 2006 00:50
Well, I've applied anyway. I'll understand if it gets refused...

Edit: accepted milliseconds before I hit post button... (perhaps slightly longer)
TDK
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Posted: 12th May 2006 01:02
Approval times will vary depending on whether your work is known to us or not. It can take up to 24 hours - I do have to sleep sometime.

It may be necessary to ask you for additional information like a web site to see some of your work - especially if you have registered with an ID other than the one you use here.

TDK_Man

adr
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Posted: 12th May 2006 01:34 Edited at: 12th May 2006 01:37
Quote: "The system decided upon by the TGPF membership was an 'invite and vote' system. An existing member proposed someone and the membership voted anonymously. Anyone receiving one or more No votes didn't get in."


That is so cool! Seriously - congratulations on making a genuinely .. clandestine(?) .. entry system into a forum. I personally would be very proud of creating such a community. I know it sounds elitist - hell, it obviously was, but that's what makes secret clubs cool.

That said, hats off to you for opening it up a little bit more. I imagine that may have been a bit of a pride-swallowing moment for some of you guys.

I will sign up, but only when I have something to show off. I'm annoyed with myself never having the time to finish anything* and I don't want to be the only person on there not pulling their weight. I've now finished about 4 core "plug-n-play" libraries which I'm using in a WIP multiplayer game. It isn't too ambitious, so hopefully, I'll see you guys soon

* For example, I left the house this morning at 07:30, and I've just got back at 23:30. Any progress on a project is slooooow....

[center]
iv tryed everything!!!!!!!!!! could u please just add The gun and shooting Code thats All!!!!!!!!!
spooky
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Posted: 12th May 2006 01:56
I feel honoured you have personally invited me via email.

I have signed up, just waiting for your approval.

Not sure how often I will actually use it as I quite like this forum. I love helping out people and as most users on your forum are experts I won't be of much use.

Plus the fact I really need to cut down on my forum usage, specially during the day, as I've got a shedload of work to do, a game to write for the Caiman compo, and also the imminent Retro Remakes compo to enter. Gonna be a busy year.

Boo!
indi
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Posted: 12th May 2006 04:29
ill make this sticky for you and someone can unstick it after this month is over

If no-one gives your an answer to a question you have asked, consider:- Is your question clear.- Did you ask nicely.- Are you showing any effort to solve the problem yourself &#63743;
Drew G
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Posted: 12th May 2006 04:43
Lol, I doubt I'd ever get approved, probably 50 years from now, when I get good
Lost in Thought
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Posted: 12th May 2006 06:15
Sounds interesting. I have never even heard of this. 0_o

Bizar Guy
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Posted: 12th May 2006 06:40 Edited at: 12th May 2006 06:40
Oh, cool. I've signed up.

Now just wait to see if I'm good enough...

Dave J
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Posted: 12th May 2006 08:05
Yes, someone told me about this last year. My opinion on the topic was neutral then, and still is.


"Computers are useless, they can only give you answers."
BatVink
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Posted: 12th May 2006 11:04
One thing that hasn't really been emphasised here is that it's not just a DB Pro forum. It's for all languages used by games programmers, and also the full suite of tools. So that not only includes modelling but music too.



Jeff Miller
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Posted: 12th May 2006 13:30 Edited at: 12th May 2006 13:34
Which, Strong Bad, puts you in Catch 22. If the purpose of the approval process (euphemism for "entry barrier") were only to achieve the stated and valid goals of restricting the maturity, civility, quality, and advanced topicality of the postings, you could at least be reading some advanced material on the site this evening and thereafter and accelerate your own achievement of the credetials needed in less than the 50 years you project, and then be approved for posting. But you need the approval to read. Granted, the approval is less of a barrier than it was (which in plain English would have been called "blackballing"), because it now apparently depends only on the subjectivity of one person rather than the subjectivity of all of the members. But any organization in which knowledge is privately shared is still elitist. Cheer up: there are such things as advanced topics in the TGC forums.
BatVink
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Posted: 12th May 2006 15:23
Quote: "But any organization in which knowledge is privately shared is still elitist"


The forum wasn't, and isn't elitist. There is a repetitive wave in most public forums of troublecausers, trolls, numpties, whatever you wat to call them. The original members of TGPF just wanted to get away from reams of rubbish and have serious discussions. Even in decent threads in a public forum, it only takes one disruptive member to cause anarchy.

There are also members of TGPF who would never choose to be a member here for various reasons. The main one is that you can't have a Blitz/Ogre/Technology/Insert app here/ comaprison discussion without anarchy. It's not TGC's fault, it's specific individuals who either disrupt it or claim to know everything about everything.

And yes, it was a blackballing process. It was considered that the interests of existing members and the contribution they had made was priority.

Let's hope the ethos of the forums is continued in it's new format. It's had a few months to establish a good, solid base.



Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 12th May 2006 15:35 Edited at: 12th May 2006 15:37
It's a great idea and setup. These forums are great, but filled with morons.

It was be a very easy thing for TGPF to release well developed topics as tutorials here. Then everyone could benefit, and no one could interefere with the development. I've seen lots of good threads die before their time.

I've always found it annoying that we can't compare engines without flaming. Name calling and strong feelings are the norm.



Come see the WIP!
x1bwork
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Posted: 12th May 2006 15:51
Quote: "I\'ve always found it annoying that we can\'t compare engines without flaming"


My engines bigger than yours,cash,you n00b.

Cash Curtis II
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Posted: 12th May 2006 16:16 Edited at: 12th May 2006 16:17
ur enginnne suxxorfss minne iz likke 12 ichnes lonnnger


Come see the WIP!
TDK
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Posted: 12th May 2006 19:58
Cash Curtis II:

Quote: " ur enginnne suxxorfss minne iz likke 12 ichnes lonnnger"


Lol!!

A post on TGPF like that would have got your post deleted as we only allow plain English.

Jeff Miller:

We are currently discussing which of the boards to make visible to non-registered visitors to the site. I agree with you that this information shouldn't be kept secret.

Forums, like private member clubs have rules of behaviour and when you join, you have to conform to them. The plain fact of the matter is that on here there are a lot of users who abuse the forums and to many people it's just annoying.

Look on here and see how many posts ask a question that has been answered countless times before - just because the poster can't be bothered to do a search.

Crikey, I've answered questions before and seen the same question asked again the following day while the thread I posted to is only a couple of lines down on the same page!

Newbies have to learn I know, but why bother actually reading the help files or attempting to solve something yourself when you can come onto a forum like this and ask "How do you clear the screen"?

And how many times does a perfectly reasonable thread get ruined by some wally off-topic posting or inserting some abuse or pathetic comment?

Take Stickies. How many here can say they bother reading them? They contain rules for posting and on the whole they are just ignored. For example, look on the Code Snippets board...

There's a stickie on there politely requesting users to state in the topic of their post the version of DB the snippet works with for the benefit of users who only have one or the other - they aren't 100% compatible and can waste a lot of time. (A pet hate of mine I know).

Then look at the number of posts which actually bother to do it. At the time of writing, there are 30 posts where the author couldn't be bothered, or didn't know - because they don't bother reading the stickies.

On TGPF, we just don't want these annoyances and would rather be a serious board.

If someone applies to join and they have behaved on here in a responsible manner then they are more than likely to be accepted. We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the rules so anyone who slips through the net will simply be banned the first time they step out of line.

It's not elitist, it's just filtering out the idiots who aren't interested in programming and just want to lark about - removing the annoyances for the rest of the members.

TDK_Man

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