You can now check to see how the TPU server (Hubie) is performing on the new TPU Monitor page. It shows CPU, memory and network usage over the last 24 hours. If there are any more metrics you would like to see there, let me know.

Update: The monitor is finally working. You should be able to see four graphs showing Hubie's performance. Let me know if you can't.

This morning at about 1:55am PST, the IP for TPU changed again. Presumably this is related to the ongoing changes being made by Shaw. I re-added TPU on GameTracker with the new IP but of course that means all the GameTracker stats and ranking info will start again at zero. I put in a request on the GameTracker forums that they add a feature for changing a server's IP. The in-game server browser should show TPU at its new IP by the time you read this; if not, click the UPDATE button. If you have TPU listed as a Favorite, check the IP to make sure it's correct.

Old IP: 174.6.242.193
New IP: 174.6.225.213

Sorry for any inconvenience.

DarkRyda and TenaciousMojo have given the Eagle's Nest map their special touch.

New things: Natters, jetpacks, Tigers, M10s, Mustangs and BF109s.

The Natters are in about the only places they will work; there are four Natter spawning locations: three are in the middle of the map, but one is actually inside the Eagles Nest home. There is a jetpack or two in all open buildings, and they respawn like the tanks and planes, so everyone gets a pack now. There's only one location for the plane though; the Allies have the only flat area to take off from so if you want a BF109 you're going to have to take that base first. They also changed/moved/added new tanks all over the map, and at all flags. There are now some Tigers and M10s to play with. Tank spawns were added to that repair depot that is never used; bots will use it if a human is in there with a tank.

The fences at the Axis base were lowered so that the Natter can fly out of the compound. The fences are still there, but underground. So the map should still be 'pure'.

Yesterday the BG42 map '4412 Ghost front' caused the dedicated BF1942 server software on the TPU server to go into a restart loop. I have removed it from the BG42 map list.

While the TPU server hardware, software and configuration are administered by me (Jeff Rivett, aka Boot13), administration of actual gameplay is ably provided by several other people as well. These people are volunteers, but they are also TPU's biggest fans and contributors (both financially and in terms of modding work). So I thought it was about time to give credit where it's due. (From the home page, click 'read more' for all the details.)

I've posted a new topic in the (new) TPU forums about the idea of 'wildcard' days on TPU. What are your thoughts on this idea? Go to the new forums and jump into the conversation.

The new router is active. Unfortunately, there was no obvious way to prevent getting a new WAN IP, which means the IP for TPU has changed:
New IP: 174.6.242.193
Old IP: 174.6.224.147

It will take a while for the Gamespy servers to update, but you should be able to join via the new address, or using XFire if you update it.

Please drop me a line if you notice anything different or any problems.

UPDATE: The TPU stats were not updated for the last couple of days - since the new router was installed. That problem has been resolved, and the stats should now be up to date. During the outage, stats were still collected, so you shouldn't end up losing credit for anything.

UPDATE: According to the admins, TPU is now once again appearing on the in-game server browser list. If anyone out there is finding this not to be the case, please let me know.

As you can see, I'm in the process of switching to a different forum system. The old forum system was not being used much, probably because it wasn't integrated well with the rest of the site and because it required separate registration and login. Also, it used PHPBB, and as such it got a lot of attention from spambots, which was an ongoing headache.

The new forums work a lot better with the rest of the site and don't require separate registration or login. Anyone can read the forums, but you still need to be logged in to the site to post in the forums.

I've copied many of the posts from the old forum system to the new forums. I didn't bother copying topics that are no longer relevant. However, I will also leave a link to the old forums on the site for reference purposes. I will also lock down the old forum system.

One other reason I took this step was that we've been getting into some long conversations in the blog comments. While this is not exactly a problem, the discussion features of the blog comments leave a lot to be desired. So, when we want to have longer on-line conversations, I'm suggesting that we use the new forum system.

Go ahead and experiment: create new topics, post questions, etc.

Name something about BF42 that's better than BG42.

1. Not everyone has BG42. But that's easily remedied.
2. Most of the BG42 maps haven't been tweaked for TPU. That's annoying. I hate waiting for planes and tanks.
3. Update: BG42 has higher hardware requirements, so some people who can run BF42 have trouble running BG42. That's a problem.

That's all I can think of.

Take a look at one of the BG42 maps that has been tweaked for TPU: Midway. Is the BF42 version better in any way? I don't think so.

BG42 has a much larger variety of units. All the sound is better. The visuals are better. Flamethrower tanks. More maps. All of the BF42 original maps are included, and the BG42 versions are better. Units vary more: the Tiger is much slower than the PzIV, for example. Weapon damage is more realistic: if you shoot someone on the head, they die. This increases the difficulty, but if you're an experienced player, you can deal with it. You can always see what vehicle you're in. The map names all start with the year and month, so if you play them in order, you move forward in time. Artillery and other emplacements can be rotated. Vehicle kills are more believable. Did I mention variety? There are more types of weapons, and they vary more noticeably, in terms of their effect and effectiveness as well as the way they sound. The list goes on...

Can you add anything to this list?

Because I'm starting to think that we should:

1. Tweak all the BG42 maps for TPU.
2. Bug all TPU players to install BG42.
3. Switch the TPU server to BG42 (with the TPU-modded maps) 24x7.

What do you think?

UPDATE: As you can see from the comments, several of the TPU faithful have chimed in - thanks, guys! I won't be increasing the amount of BG42 on TPU any time soon.

DarkRyda picked up the modding efforts for TPU where I left off. Originally TPU was mainly about adding tank and plane spawns to all the original and XPack maps, including planes on carriers. As you all know by now, DarkRyda's map mods go way beyond that, while keeping the spirit of TPU the same: namely, that you can always catch a ride in a tank or plane. What follows are Ryda's notes on the modding he has done for TPU. -- Jeff

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