[DRuG]NikT (30 Jul 2007 04:13 pm)

OK, with the introduction of the forums, I am now locking down comments to registered users only, here on the main web.

This is to try and put a stop to the ~300 spam comments added to the site each week. Genuine users will still be able to comment, but they will need a logon set up manually by me.

Hopefully, with the forums available now as an alternate feedback method, comments can afford to be switched to a registered user only service.

To register an account for commenting, please post your details in the technical support thread here.

[DRuG]NikT (28 Jul 2007 02:42 pm)

OK, I have phpBB3 RC3 running and have set up a framework of areas similar to that found on gtaforums.com. Their arrangement seems to cover everything I can think of and is arranged in an intuitive manner.

Next on the agenda is drawing up some rules for the mod showrooms, to prevent people posting rip mods etc.

Speaking of mods, it would be great to have some of the crew helping with moderation of the different areas, helping to replicate some more of the finely organized thread rules etc @ gtaf.

At this stage the forums are accessible via the forums section, the left margin, or by using the following link:

http://drugcrew.com/forums

Discussion of registering a domain name specific to the forums should be conducted on the forums.. see you there.

DRuG it up ppls!!!!!

[DRuG]NikT (25 Jul 2007 01:46 am)

Lots of news today. Having only just joined, it was a surprise to see Slick bring da bling so quick, but he has, with two fantastic new releases tonight.

First, the Performance Tool for San Andreas allows you to tweak some important settings whilst running the game. The settings are all aimed at improving quality of game-play, particularly on older systems, or to optimize/ensure smooth running on higher end machines.

The mod features 4 hot key toggles to use in game, allowing the following changes in game:

- Lock the frame limit to 30 fps
- Turn off dynamic shadows, even on very high setting
- Disable motion blur
- Disable the heat haze effect

I'm sure this mod is going to excite a lot of people - but hackers looking to get some sort of advantage from this tool - give up - you can get higher frame-rates by turning off the frame limiter in the standard options.

DOWNLOAD NOW San Andreas Performance Tool (updated version link substituted)

But Slick hasn't stopped there.. he also has his own version of the classic Yardie Lobo for use in GTA SA to replace the Voodoo.

DOWNLOAD NOW San Andreas Yardie Lobo

Awesome work Slick - great having you as part of the team.

In other news, as many of you may already know, the SA-MP team have stopped development and do not plan to continue with the project (this announcement has been retracted, and it seems, the project continued). They blame hackers that have released some pretty nasty tools to destroy gameplay in samp servers. It really is a shame it has come to this - I'm surprised the team would respond in such a way, especially given MTA have withstood similar shenanigans. Ah well, it's their client, I guess. And there are other ways to find sa-mp servers without the master list running.

http://www.game-monitor.com/GameSearch/sa-mp/ is one place you can still find ours and many other sa-mp servers.

Finally, a big welcome goes out to Mouldy, another member of alr joining. I consider alr as an elite assembly of racers, many of whom already share dual membership in DRuG. Mouldy is no exception, and it's gonna be great having him in the crew.

[DRuG]NikT (22 Jul 2007 11:17 pm)

A second wave of recruits - all long term mtaers that have associated with DRuG so long now I'm surprised I haven't got around to inviting them...

Welcome to Kazza, Rassilon, FrostyTheDopeMan and KillFrenzy.

It's fantastic to have so many new members. I feel it important that with this new influx, I find some way to improve our communications mediums - at this stage #drug on irc.gtanet.com is a good place to find the crew.

Shortly I will introduce some forums local and specific to drugcrew.com - in the past I have encouraged the crew to become active on other forums in the scene, so we are seen and aware of what's going on around us.. but I feel it's time now where we could benefit from our own forum system. Feel free to suggest your preferred software in the comments area for this news item.

Perhaps phpBB or Invision? (to start the ball rolling)

[DRuG]NikT (19 Jul 2007 09:08 pm)

Grish, as we all know, has become an instrumental member in the development of DRuG and it's goodies. For many it was a surprise he wasn't a co-leader - well now he is. Great to have you aboard, mate.

With the MTA server being up for quite some time, it's been good to see a culture of regulars develop.. from amongst these people, some have become obviously suitable as potential members. If I have missed anyone at this stage, please don't be insulted, DRuG will continue to recruit at our usual, snail paced rate.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce our first few new members in a while, Slick, Davo and Smallo.

As regulars of our MTA server and #drug on irc.gtanet.com, they've already fitted in well and it's great having them aboard - Welcome guys.

[DRuG]NikT (13 Jul 2007 02:41 am)

Well I now have IPTV at home.. there's not that much to watch, unless I have some Cubans over for some reason. Most of the channels are foreign language with no subtitles, but it works, and it has potential.

In future TPG plan to introduce more channels, but my main attraction to it was the simple fact it's free

Anyway, all services are restored, if there's anything on the servers that hasn't come back right, lemme know.. I'll kill them zombies.

[DRuG]NikT (12 Jul 2007 06:05 pm)

With TPG's introduction of IPTV, it is now possible for me to get a stack of extra TV channels via my ADSL link - only catch is, you need a router with multiple PVCs & IGMP proxy support.

I just bought one today - a Billion 7404VGP-M.. only $225, and supports wireless and VOIP.

As a result, all DRuG servers will be intermittent tonight, while I transfer all the port forwards to the new device and bring it online. Once complete, I'll post a new news item, detailing the results.

Wish me luck peoples!