Author Topic: Unwritten rules for a newbie wanting to fit in (Read 1078 times)

Paxil · « **on:** September 15, 2000, 01:16:00 PM »

Being new to AH... I would like to know if someone could brush me up on the unwritten rules. I know there is a strong etiquette system... but my 1-hour of time hasn't been enough to pick up what is OK and what isn't OK.

Just in a short time on last night I saw many people calling other pilots (and probably me) dweebs for doing this or that... or flak weenies or whatever. (It was hard to catch everything since I don't really understand the comms system too well yet... ) and to be perfectly honest... since I don't understand everything they are complaining about, I'm not sure if I am doing it myself. Are there planes you are not supposed to be flying? Is it OK to use the vehicles? I read the FAQ but it doesn't say anything about proper etiquette. I'm sure I will pick up on it in time... but if anyone has any tips for me offline to help me start off on the right foot online, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Regular · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2000, 01:36:00 PM »

hmm be a loner like me hehe..

humble · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2000, 01:39:00 PM »

Paxil,

1st...welcome aboard, flight sims are a blast, AH especially. Dweeb is a general term used my many when they are outfoxed by another. 90% of the time the person using the word is describing....themself.

Now typical "Dweeb" behavior is....

1) Head On...or HO. Shooting someone as they fly at you. Perfectly fine by me...but often a bad tactical decision.

2) Shooting a cripple. Hehe...light em up.

3) Shooting a ditching plane (see above)

4) Shooting a chute (see above)

5) Shooting a plane taking off (see above)

6 Shooting a plane involved in a 1 on 1 (see above)

Notice all of these involve the common action of successfully hosing an opposing player, there for often dweeb=killed something.

Now if you are uncertain, use channel 2 and ask your "countrymen" what they think.

Now personally, I dont shoot chutes or vulch (unless we're taking a field). I do wax cripples and will hose a ditching plane. As a rule I'll let a pilot whos' "bingo" (out of fuel or ammo) on occasion...carry over from AW I guess. But these are personal choices. Acting otherwise doesn't make someone a dweeb. We all began right where you are, if you see me up feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

Good Luck

LLv34_Snefens · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2000, 01:46:00 PM »

There are no rules about how you must fly. If you fly in a certain way you will no doubt be called Head-On (HO), ack-hugging, or ack-starring, chute killing, vulching dweeb and no matter what plane you fly there is always a person ready to say that the only reason you got him was because you were a Spit/Hog(F4u)/pony/109/190 etc.-dweeb.

That this happens is mostly because your opponent is frustated that he got killed and needs to find an excuse for this other than his own flying. Just fly the way you think is right, you are the judge of what you think is right.

When it comes to the radio, there ARE rules for what you should write. Foul language is not tolerated, but this doesn't mean you won't see people use it. If a person gets too offensive you can squelch him by typing
.squelch [Callsign]
Notice the dot at start of line, this is important as this is how you tell the program when you want to access one of its features.

About what all the complaints mean I can try to give a short course here for you

Ack-hugger: a person who will run and/or stay in safety from his own fields defensive anti-air guns, because of enemy presence.

HO: When shooting against an enemy coming straight at you. Popular in planes with big guns.

Ack-star: When taking off in a bomber with sole purpose to defend a field from attackers with its defensive guns. Can also be in the offensive role (shooting planes on ground at enemy field with a bomber's gunners)

Vulching: Shooting planes taking off/landing at a field that has had its anti-air guns destroyed.

WizOfClay · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2000, 01:56:00 PM »

Hi Paxil,

i think for the most part, you can fly any plane you would like, vehicles included... thats what there there for

...

IMHO, some unwritten rules would be:

in the training arena, don't vulch!!! if you're new to flight sims in general (like i am), vulching is a term used when a pilot kills or tries to kill other planes or vehicles on the runway, not letting anyone take off...
also in the training arena, there are alot of people that go into the training to learn how to fly the different A/C or to learn basic flight maneuvers or genear air combat maneuvers with trainers... don't go around disrupting them... if you see a couple of people twisting and turning, ask them first if its ok to attack them... don't catch them off guard... if you like, before you take off, ask over channel 1 if there is anyone FFA-ing (Free For All-ing)... if they say yes and their at xx field then move to that field by typing ".move xx[/]" w/o the quotes and where xx is the field number you would like to move to...
and i guess in any arena, have fun. treat others as you would like them to treat you...try not to call people names
i think most people in this community have different styles of playing/flying so if other people start calling you names or start taunting you, ignore them, they might just be having a hard day
hope this helps

------------------
Wiz of TSM

"Start every day off with a smile and get it over with."
--W.C. Fields (1879-1946)

Soda · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2000, 02:30:00 PM »

Do a search in this forum for topics like "How to" or "Tips for" etc. There are a number of articles that have been written by the likes of eskimo and many others to help people out who are new. there are also some web sites posted by some of the players that can help.

From an etiquette side, it's pretty straight forward. I don't personally shoot chutes unless they are obviously playing dirty by doing it (bailing when in trouble but don't want to be shot down, spying, etc). You'll get some slack to learn as you go... just by asking the question it appears to probably have a pretty good idea anyway.

See you online

Soda

Viking · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2000, 08:31:00 PM »

I haven't found the etiquette a problem, but it is really annoying trying to get any strategic information out of many of the established players. IN short, it seems that it doesn't matter if you are on the same side, unless you are on their squad they are reluctant to communicate, even on the correct radio channel.

I've asked for SITREP at strategic points many times so that I can contribute in a helpful way. Most times I'm ignored.

I've flown sims for 12 years, and I've always tried to help the new players. If the Aces High crowd can't do the same, the game will remain a small community.

eskimo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2000, 10:44:00 PM »

Paxil;

Welcome to AH!

What everyone above me has said sums it up pretty well.

In my opinion, however, don't sweat the etiquette stuff too much. There are a few people who critisize everyone who has a different attitude than there own. There are also a small handfull of fliers that everyone seems to respect, and follow. The rest of us dweebs are just trying to have fun and may do some dweebish things by some peoples accounts, but have learned not to care too much. About the only things that you can do that will tick off the majority of people is to swear (my squad swears like drunk sailors, but save it for the squad channel), brag, and repeatedly critisize others... funny how that works. Generally whiners get a bad reputation.

eskimo

Paxil · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2000, 01:43:00 AM »

Thanks for all the info everyone. There seems to be a lot of info online... and Ammo helped me out today with some training. Thanks again all.

Best

LLv34_Snefens · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2000, 04:58:00 AM »

Viking, if noonw answers you can find strategic situations under 'strat' when inflight, or the 'map' when in tower.
Only thing it don't show is how ack is at the fields.

Replicant · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2000, 07:05:00 AM »

I think most have been mentioned above.

Additional one is when an airfield is being attacked by tanks, try and defend with a tank. There are some that used to take up a F4UC at the first sign of enemy tanks (before the Ostwind came out) whereas most 'tankers' prefer to have a tank battle!

Regards

'Nexx'

PS Thanks for actually caring at what are the does and don'ts!

-ammo- · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2000, 07:22:00 AM »

actually-- I disagree with that about being a loner. (sorry) I say be active about joining a squad. onece in a squad your squadmates will be helpful and you will "feel" welcome.

Go to HTC

and under squad sites, peruse them. their are several good squads with soem quality people. I know that the 332nd Flying Mongrels is recruiting. They dont recruit on skill but personality rather. Buit trust me-- that dont mean they are lacking good sticks. The same could be said for alot of of other squads. Now if you do not intend on staying around-- disreguard everything I just typed.

good luck and like I said last night-- feel free to ask me questions through email and I am free for training. cya

[This message has been edited by -ammo- (edited 09-16-2000).]