Greboth

Right you bumders let's see if we can get this going somewhere. I'm tagging those who I've got even the vaguest recollection of being interested or I know has a PC but the server is open to anyone really 🙂 Tom @LordBaguette I'm sure this would run on your Mac @Diddums It's not Tekkit but you know you want to get back in to modded MC Carl @TurboR56Mini You've joined a couple of the packs but not really known what was going on so now is your chance to learn Gary @techno I don't think you use your PC for anything else so fancy joining? Conner @JamaicanSteve I've got a vague recollection of you talking about it but not sure if you have a PC? @Ajay I'm sure @crispymorgan mentioned you wanting to use his Java account so maybe time to pester him some more @Tadnothad How's your PC doing these days? I've got a vague recollection you said in Wales it was broken but hopefully you've got it fixed @Sennex Noticed you've been around the forums recently and you're always welcome to join @Macca89 I know you don't like MC so just tagging you to annoy you 😄

Hello all, As some of you may know, I have run a modded Minecraft server for FG over the last few years. Modded Minecraft can be quite different to vanilla so to that end FTB, a modpack maker, made a pack called FTB Academy. The purpose of the pack is to provide an in game quest line with tips and instructions on how to use the included mods. This pack was originally released several years ago which we played but I noticed the other days there’s an updated version. So given several people have said during other conversations about wanting to join, I thought this would be a great opportunity for anyone that wants to try it to get involved, learn some mods and hopefully have some fun. So I’m posting this currently just to gauge interest and if there is, I shall switch the server over to FTB Academy and create an event to start the modpack on Sunday 1 February. So if you want to join what do you need? You’ll need an account for Minecraft Java edition (this is different to the Windows 10 or the version on consoles that is/was used for the realm) Your Minecraft username (this is different to your Gamertag, see FAQ below) which you’ll need to reply to this thread with, or PM it to me, so I can whitelist you on the server. You’ll need to download and install the FTB Launcher. Once installed, you’ll need to add the FTB Academy pack. Launch the game, go to the multiplayer tab and add the FG server. The name can be anything you want and the IP address is: 62.210.41.17:25414 (NB if you add the server at the moment, it will show an error due to the server running a different modpack) A quick video on installing the FTB App and installing the modpack. FAQ How do I find my Minecraft username? Your Minecraft username is used in game and in your Microsoft account settings. Go to www.Minecraft.net and navigate to your profile by using the dropdown box on the top right of your screen. Select the Minecraft:Java Edition dropdown box and click Profile Name to view your in-game username. What can I play this on? Unfortunately as modded Minecraft runs on Java edition it isn’t possible to play on consoles. As such, play is limited to PC’s only (Windows, Mac or Linux). What PC Specs do I need to play? Minecraft primarily relies on CPU and memory to run rather the GPU (graphics card). Almost any CPU made in the last 5 years, and honestly most in the last 10, combined with at least 8Gb of RAM (16Gb is preferable) should be able to run it. You can look up the specs of your PC but the easiest way to test it would be load it up and see if it works (Note: running around generating new areas of the world causes the game to lag no matter the spec of your PC). How do I check what my PC specs are? If you want to check your specs anyway, on Windows 10 click your start menu, then settings (cog icon), system and then on the bottom of the left column, click ‘About’. For Mac’s, click on Apple menu, then ‘System settings’, ‘general’ in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down.) Click about on the right and then click System report. For Linux, I don’t think anyone is using it but I don’t have a clue so www.google.co.uk is your friend. Can I play with shaders? Maybe. Shaders basically change the textures and lighting effects of Minecraft and can have a massive impact on how the game looks but also can have a massive difference to how well it runs too. However shaders can be funny when it comes to modded blocks so this is definitely a try it and find out as your mileage may vary. Personally, I stick to no shaders but that’s mostly because I’m too lazy to sort out shaders for each pack we play. What if I get stuck while playing FTB Academy? In the original version the in-game guide pretty much covered everything but I haven’t played this version of the pack so don’t know how thorough it is this time around. If you get stuck, Google is your friend as you can usually find the online wiki for the mod, a video explaining the mod or someone asking the same question (usually on reddit). I will also be around most of the time to hop on if and when as I think I’ve played through most, if not all, the mods in Academy before. What if there’s no interest in FTB Academy but I still want to play? The server has been running for several years now and will continue to do so while periodically changing modpacks. If there’s no interest in FTB Academy, I’ll switch the server over to a different modpack instead (modpack TBC) which you’re more than welcome to join. I think this covers everything but any questions or problems, let me know or post them here and I’ll do my best to answer them.

I'm sure we've had the conversation about what 3D you use for work but I can't remember. But on the 3D front, obviously Blender is free and there's plenty of guides and videos on YouTube that could help you learn it. Also is Fusion 360 still free for personal use?

For a console, the Xbox 360 controller was the best. The stick placement was weird coming from a PS2 but once you got past that, the ergonomics were perfect. So it was a downgrade moving to the PS4 but the DS5 is much nicer. For something different, the Valve index controllers are amazing too. With the capacitive hand grip and buttons being able to independently control characters fingers in VR is great. Being able to point a finger to press a button, opening your fingers and close them round the controller to pick stuff up is very natural and adds to the immersion.

I agree with you and I think that, much like many 3D films, many games do it as a gimmick or addon. However a game like Alyx, much like Avatar for films, that is made specifically for VR then it can show off VR in it’s best light. Though on second thoughts, I’d probably go for niche rather than gimmicky as the adjective of choice. Which ties in to, as you said, the types of games people play. Unlike 3D films though, VR seems to have more of a foot hold so maybe we’ll end up with Ready Player One and look back at this era as we do today to tiny black and white tv’s.

Oh yeah buying it just for emulation would be stupid but the fact it can emulate aswell is a Brucey bonus.

Why do you say that? I’ll definitely be playing regular PC games in the beginning but the ability to re-play old games or play some I’ve missed is something to look forward to.

So my finger may have slipped and ordered one earlier - oh well. I've been eyeing up one for a while but quite a few games I'd play on it aren’t properly supported but having spent far too much time reading online about people running Windows on it and emulators, it's a hard proposition to say no to so finally gave in. It says delivery is 2 weeks but I imagine they've sold a lot leading up to Christmas and Christmas itself is going to delay that further but looking forward to lunch times in the office next year 😄 I've also ordered a dock for it too, not so much for connecting a screen but being able to use the mouse and keyboard at my desk at work over lunch will be great. I've also ordered an SD card so lots of storage for other games too.

The PSVR was my first experience in to VR and it was great and it convinced me enough to go for a proper HMD. Due to my large head and IPD my only choice was the Index, which if memory serves, is the same resolution as the Quest. They're definitely a massive step up over the PSVR in both HMD quality and controllers. I've only really played Half Life Alex on it and the rest of the time it's used for racing and rallying. I do sometimes wish it would be more portable/wireless as it would have been great to take to Wales for example but the tracking accuracy and high refresh rate it hard to pass up. As for good and bad, I can't say I've had any bad experiences with it and only got motion sickness a couple of times. Though both were exception cases; doing corkscrew roles in No Mans Sky and using a 3rd person camera in ETS2. Though it does vary person to person, my Dad has had a few goes with VR on my racing rig and after a few minutes has to stop. Though I have read a number of people saying they've been able to build up a tolerance by playing a little each day until they can play for longer and longer. As above, I bought mine with the almost sole intention of using it for racing which I think simulations are the best use for VR. Though I know a few people who enjoy things like Beat Saber and games like Superhot in VR too. There's a couple of of FPS games which look like fun but are apparently quite difficult.

I’ll bow before you when you have an FG’er of the year….or 2 like me. Now get on your knees before me.

My default is Overkill, Battle Hardened, Cold blooded and Ghost. If I don't want 2 primaries then I run bomb squad in place of overkill. On my class, I typically run radar as, primarily playing objective game modes, it's so useful to see people approaching an objective. For a couple of run and gun classes, I do use dead silence.

Congratulations to everyone that won! Contact with FG’ers varies but always good to see others being recognised for their contributions and all well deserved. Personally, it was a shock to win the first time and even more this so time as my main aim is to fulfill the quota for cunt of the group 😄 It’s an honour to be awarded in such a way and I now have 2 trophies under my monitor 🥰

Honestly it’s hard to say anything other than the Adobe suite. Photoshop and Lightroom for photos. Photoshop and Illustrator for graphics. Premiere Pro andAfter Effects for video. It can get quite pricey as it’s a subscription model but there’s other options if you go on the high seas.

Intel or AMD for a CPU is a little from column A and a little column B. On the top end, AMD releae a new chip and tale the lead, then Intel release a new chip and take the lead then rinse and repeat. More mid-range it gets a bit murkier as I’m not sure on the price to performance. I’m also not certain of prices in USD but for a similar budget here you could get something like a Ryzen 5600x or Intel 12400 with appropriate motherboard. I’d recommend 16Gb RAM with as fast as you can get, probably 3200MHz at minimum. I’d also recommend getting an M2 SSD as they’re super fast and you could re-use your existing drives as additional storage. PSU it depends what you end up speccing and future proofing you want to do. Once you have a rough idea of spec there’s plenty of PSU calculators online. I’d guess you’ll only probably need 500-600W at most. Though depending on how long you expect the PC to go for and if it will see futude GPU upgrades, it’s cheaper to spec higher watt one now than have to change in the future. Corsair, Seasonic and SuperFlower are generally the top brands but it does depend on specific models. Case, I’m sure you could re-use the existing one as not much really changes in cases design except for the addition of tempered glass and generally a reduction in hdd bays. So up to you on if you want to switch cases. GPU, I’d imagine you could get a RTX3060. Dependong on USD pricing and if you don’t want a case, you might be able to go for a 3070. Though even a 3060 is 4x or 5x faster than a 480 so would be a massive improvement. If you go on PC part picker you can spec a PC and share a link for us to look at. For some reason, on my phone, it defaults to UK so can’t put a US build together.

I’d say a wheel is easier simply to do the long curves and lots of buttons for things. Though I’d imagine you can do it on a controller reasonably well. As for first objective, in the beginning you can only take paid jobs as you don’t have a truck of your own. You can either keep doing them to earn enough to get your own truck or you can take out a loan to do so. Once you have your own truck you can start taking your own jobs.

My logistics journey continues slowly but surely. I’ve fully paid off my initial loan so it leaves me with just ~£4.5k a day to pay in loans. So, with no help from crashing and speeding tickets, I’ve saved enough to buy my second garage. Though I don’t yet have the money to buy any trucks to fill the second garage 😄 Only need to save ~£200k for the trucks so shouldn’t take too long. I’ve fully ranked up the long distance and high value on my drivers so now ranking up their hazerdous materials. Hopefully, once everything is fully ranked up they will start earning some better money. Though £4-£5k a day total isn’t to be sniffed at but it’d be nice to earn a little more to help towards more trucks and garages.

I’m sorry to hear that, Logitech peripherals seem to so rarely break it’s some bad luck. As for recommendations, if you want console and PC support then you’re looking at Logitech again, Thrustmaster or Fanatec. There’s a massive difference in price between the 3 so it depends on your budget as there’s a massive price difference between them. I don’t think any are particularly over priced so basically get the one that fills your budget. You said you didn’t like the Logitech pedals, maybe look at Thrustmaster as they have some loadcells pedals which should be better without breaking the bank.

Mine is 56 too. The problem is running some of the hills, I think in to Grimsby, I start at 56mph but by the top I’m down to 15mph or so. Or joining a motorway, the tight turn on the slip meant I crawled up the slip at 6mph. So I know I can’t have a higher top speed but getting the minimum speed up would be nice.

Had a good night trucking yesterday. Earned about £35k though due to laon repayments, a few speeding tickets and a slight accident of rolling it and one with an immovable object I saw a net profit of about £6k 😆 Still, on Carl’s advice I took out the big loan, expanded my garage and now have 2 drivers for some passive income. They only earn about £1.5k a day for me but it’s creeping up as they gain experience. I think the next step for me is to do some truck upgrades or get a new truck as mineis painfully slow when towing heavy loads.

I know I’ve got the M4 in gold but not checked any other. I’ve just been levelling up each gun then moving on to the next but haven’t been checking camo’s.

So it turns out VR is great for driving but I still can’t back up and using the other camera angles is 🤮 So think I’ll actually stick to using a screen over VR.

How does it not recognise it when you have to point TB at the .exe 😕

Is ETS2 even on console? But it’s PC only as you have to link it to your Steam account to join on Truck book.

Nice one! I signed up to TB yesterday but will add myself to FG later. Let’s trucking do this!