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General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Skyyr on January 20, 2014, 12:51:15 PM

Title: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Skyyr on January 20, 2014, 12:51:15 PM
The current naming limitations just seem... archaic. Sure, it won't make a difference in game performance, but increasing the character limit and available characters would allow people to use clearer, more adult, easier to comprehend callsigns. For example, changing the limitation to 12 or 16 characters and allowing dashes and underscores would allow someone who enjoys hunting ducks to use the callsign "Duck_Sacker," whereas they were previously limited to using "DckSckr" (which resulted in many unwarranted, colorful PM's from in-game players).

Is there any reasoning as to the severely-limited naming conventions? Would it be easy to get this to change? It just seems like a really small fix that would make a relatively bigger difference and allow for some more creative (and original) callsigns. Allowing dashes and underscores would be a big improvement, instead of requiring everything to be run together.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: ImADot on January 20, 2014, 01:02:40 PM
I believe it has to do with the Unix database (Oracle or some other).
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: hotcoffe on January 20, 2014, 01:07:12 PM
I believe it has to do with the Unix database (Oracle or some other).
it has nothing to do with db... 
probably its something they decide very early stages of development(I am talking about char limit, not special chars) and never bothered to change it later on since nobody complained.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: BaldEagl on January 20, 2014, 01:10:30 PM
My guess is it was limited due to text messages being limited to a single line in the text buffer although that's since changed.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Bizman on January 20, 2014, 01:11:34 PM
No matter why it's limited, but IMO it serves a good purpose. I understand your point in Duck_Hunter, but even now it's sometimes difficult to salute an enemy whose name contains 1 instead of l or would it rather be I. Make the naming case sensitive and add all of the marks and no one will get saluted any more except the pitiful few with a correctly spelled simple name.

- 812man -
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Arlo on January 20, 2014, 01:12:11 PM
DuckHntr
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: captain1ma on January 20, 2014, 02:06:08 PM
8 character limit is a dos/unix thing. they probably never bothered to change it. they could change it if they wanted to, but how do you salute I_know_what_I_am_But_what_are _U_3456 of the nightmare Monkey's Uncles of wallstreet???
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: GScholz on January 20, 2014, 02:14:31 PM
The whole chat system is pretty archaic with its text commands, and is basically a remnant of AH1. We should be able to just click on the name and get a popup menu with options for salute, squelch, tune to radio etc. Or click and drag to a free radio slot. Friends lists with notifications and location functions etc...
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: 68Raptor on January 20, 2014, 02:20:48 PM
As others have already mentioned the current system does limit the amount of leet gamer tags. IMO it makes this feel more of a game for the grown ups instead of the 8 - 12 year olds. 
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Karnak on January 20, 2014, 02:25:56 PM
Icon size of friendlies?

I_know_what_I_am_But_what_are _U_3456
3.5
Would be an obnoxious icon.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: captain1ma on January 20, 2014, 02:42:53 PM
 :rofl

 :aok
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Zoney on January 20, 2014, 02:46:54 PM
In AirWarrior you could use symbols.  Remember the guy everyone either called "fish" or "shark with the callsign of

<')^><


Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: BaldEagl on January 20, 2014, 03:05:43 PM
In AirWarrior you could use symbols.  Remember the guy everyone either called "fish" or "shark with the callsign of

<')^><




There was also bat whos call sign was ^--^
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Oldman731 on January 20, 2014, 03:07:40 PM
There was also bat whos call sign was ^--^


And Kitty.

- oldman
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: shppr01 on January 20, 2014, 03:12:58 PM
It is always a good thing to try to keep the callsign short for the reason of someone calling check six. they can call out a short name fatser than trying to call out a longer one . Just my op.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: phatzo on January 20, 2014, 03:58:25 PM
It is always a good thing to try to keep the callsign short for the reason of someone calling check six. they can call out a short name fatser than trying to call out a longer one . Just my op.
Yep short and no more than 2 syllables makes coms easy
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Tracerfi on January 20, 2014, 05:21:35 PM
i think it could be raised by 2 or 3 more characters
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Drano on January 20, 2014, 05:31:57 PM

And Kitty.

- oldman

I miss her. So deadly and yet so hilarious.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: guncrasher on January 20, 2014, 07:50:45 PM
if you cannot come up with a cool name with 8 letters.  something is really wrong with you.



semp
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: fbEagle on January 20, 2014, 07:52:51 PM
Because we are not all children who play call of duty...  <NnveDkfHtFF_69>    :bhead
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Skyyr on January 20, 2014, 08:25:20 PM
Because we are not all children who play call of duty...  <NnveDkfHtFF_69>    :bhead

You do realize you are equating the ability to spell longer, more complex words with an immature mindset, right? Using that argument, someone whose name is "I" would be more mature than someone named "Eagle." Just saying... ;)

But really, shorter name lengths only deter people from choosing "proper" names. AviatorDave, Leviathan, Dauntless - those are just some very normal, very mature names off the top of my head that are not possible under the current naming system

Which one looks more "mature"? Dogfighter? Or Dogftr? I'm just not seeing the supposed drawbacks for longer names or additional characters.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: guncrasher on January 20, 2014, 09:02:52 PM
You do realize you are equating the ability to spell longer, more complex words with an immature mindset, right? Using that argument, someone whose name is "I" would be more mature than someone named "Eagle." Just saying... ;)

But really, shorter name lengths only deter people from choosing "proper" names. AviatorDave, Leviathan, Dauntless - those are just some very normal, very mature names off the top of my head that are not possible under the current naming system

Which one looks more "mature"? Dogfighter? Or Dogftr? I'm just not seeing the supposed drawbacks for longer names or additional characters.

you mean if my call sign was semper fi, it would look better than semp?


semp
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: muzik on January 21, 2014, 12:12:05 AM
Is there any reasoning as to the severely-limited naming conventions?

Yea, it's bad enough we have to put up with retarded handles you cant speak easily on vox, including those brilliantly creative number dudes.

A game handle doesnt need your squads initials in front of your personal handle. If you want your squad to show up on roster in the same place, click the squad tab on the roster.


You do realize you are equating the ability to spell longer, more complex words with an immature mindset, right?

Yes he is, and he is spot on even if he does have squad initials.

But really, shorter name lengths only deter people from choosing "proper" names. AviatorDave, Leviathan, Dauntless

Nobody wants to yell "check six aviatordave"

Call signs are almost by definition supposed to be short and easily spouted so there is nothing proper about 16 letter "sentences."

Which one looks more "mature"? Dogfighter? Or Dogftr?

I don't particularly like either one of them from a practical standpoint, so I MIGHT call him Dog. On a couple of occasions, I chose not to give a check 6 at all because someones handle was particularly tard like. Wasn't personal, just some people got to grow up a little.

If you don't like 8, does that mean you won't approve of my requesting we go back to 5 like the old days in AW? --->MUZIK  :devil
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Bizman on January 21, 2014, 08:08:07 AM
The whole chat system is pretty archaic with its text commands, and is basically a remnant of AH1. We should be able to just click on the name and get a popup menu with options for salute, squelch, tune to radio etc. Or click and drag to a free radio slot. Friends lists with notifications and location functions etc...
I really wish we could have such toys. You'd be a much easier target for me while fumbling through the menus with your mouse. Or would you rather use your joystick in "Command option 3" for that? An on-screen keyboard would also be handy, moving the cursor with your stick from letter to another. Ooh! Easy targets!  :joystick:
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Oldman731 on January 21, 2014, 10:01:45 AM
If you don't like 8, does that mean you won't approve of my requesting we go back to 5 like the old days in AW? --->MUZIK 


Yeah!

- oldma
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Fulcrum on January 21, 2014, 10:14:36 AM
you mean if my call sign was semper fi, it would look better than semp?


semp

OOOOOH!  So that's what "semp" stands for!   


I'll bet everyone is still blinded from the flash of my light bulb going off.   :lol
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: fbEagle on January 21, 2014, 11:06:57 AM
inst the idea of a call sign to be short and to the point, ie 2-3 syllables
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Arlo on January 21, 2014, 11:10:44 AM
inst the idea of a call sign to be short and to the point, ie 2-3 syllables

One to two.  :D
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: guncrasher on January 21, 2014, 01:00:10 PM
OOOOOH!  So that's what "semp" stands for!   


I'll bet everyone is still blinded from the flash of my light bulb going off.   :lol

had to use my Braille keyboard to type lol

semp
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Tank-Ace on January 21, 2014, 01:25:09 PM
I guarantee, we would end up with some bellybutton using

8====D---
or
( . )( . )

as his callsign.



Now I don't know about you guys, but personally I find that type of thing stupid and immature, rather than funny. Certainly not the type of player I want to interact with.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Fulcrum on January 21, 2014, 01:52:43 PM
had to use my Braille keyboard to type lol

semp

Sorry dude.  I'm sure those retnas will heal....eventually.   :uhoh


Now I don't know about you guys, but personally I find that type of thing stupid and immature, rather than funny. Certainly not the type of player I want to interact with.

Agreed.  There are less offensive ways to be stupid and immature and I'm all for them.   :aok
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: phatzo on January 21, 2014, 02:39:24 PM
I guarantee, we would end up with some bellybutton using

8====D---
or
( . )( . )

as his callsign.



Now I don't know about you guys, but personally I find that type of thing stupid and immature, rather than funny. Certainly not the type of player I want to interact with.

It's this ( . Y . ) doofus
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: hotcoffe on January 22, 2014, 04:35:12 AM
call sign prank...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWZLa4AnN5k
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: mbailey on January 22, 2014, 06:08:29 AM
It's this ( . Y . ) doofus

Actually Tankace is correct also......his is just representative of a bad boob job.   :D
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Scca on January 23, 2014, 10:20:06 AM
Nobody wants to yell "check six aviatordave"
And most won't regardless of the length allowed. 

I get called everything from "AK", "Meat head", but most often it's just "Meat"...  Oddly, I somehow know they are talking about me

That being said, I think the icon size is the most likely limiting factor, but maybe it might be okay to squeeze in two more without being overwhelming.
Title: Re: Why the 8-character callsign limit, with no dashes or underscores?
Post by: Arlo on January 23, 2014, 10:53:24 AM
List of aviators by nickname
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (edited for six characters ans post WWII fighter [some bomber] pilots)

A

    "Aggy" – Noel Agazarian, British, Battle of Britain ace

B

    "Bam" – C. S. Bamberger, British RAF World War II pilot
    "Barron" – John Worrall, British World War II RAF pilot
    "Beazle" – Hugh John Beazley, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Bee" – Roland Beamont, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Bert" – Albert Houle, Canadian fighter ace
    "Beryl" – John Greer Boyle, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "BigJoe" - Joe McCarthy 617 Squadron pilot
    "Bing" – K. B. B. Cross, British World War II RAF pilot
    "Bish" – John Bislee, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Bomber" – Arthur Harris, British commander of RAF Bomber Command (Air Chief Marshal) during World War II[3]
    "Boy" - Geoffrey Wellum, British World War II fighter pilot [5]
    "Bubi" (German, "young boy", "kid") —
        Erich Hartmann, German fighter ace[2]
        Alfred Schreiber, German first jet ace[7]
    "Buck"
        Robert McNair, Canadian fighter ace
        Lionel Casson, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Bud"
        Harold W. Bowker, Canadian fighter ace
        George E. Day, American POW
    "Bugs" – John Keating, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Bunny" – Christopher Currant
    "Butch" –
        Henry Baker, Battle of Britain Pilot
        Robert Barton, Canadian fighter ace and Battle of Britain Pilot
        Arthur T. Harris, British commander of RAF Bomber Command (Air Chief Marshal) during World War II (from "butcher"; affectionately given by his men)
        Edward O'Hare, American WWII fighter ace and Medal of Honor recipient
    "Buzz" –
        Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., American aviator, best known as an astronaut and the second man on the Moon
        George Beurling, Canadian RAF fighter ace (a nickname he never acknowledged)

C

    "Cobber" – Edgar J. Kain, World War II RAF fighter ace
    "Cocky" – Hugh Dundas, British World War II RAF fighter ace[9]
    "Cowboy" – Howard Peter Blatchford, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Crow" – Denis Crowley-Milling, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Cloudy" - Werner Christie, Norwegian fighter ace

D

    "Darkie" – Herbert Hallowes, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Dizzy" – H. R. Allen, RAF fighter ace[11]
    "Dogs" – John Dundas, RAF, Battle of Britain fighter ace[12]
    "Dolfo" – Adolf Galland, German fighter ace
    "Dutch" - Petrus Hugo - South African WW2 pilot

E

    "Elmer" – Lionel Gaunce, Battle of Britain Pilot

G

    "Gabby" – Francis Gabreski, American Army Air Force fighter ace
    "Gilly" – John Gilders, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Ginger" – James Lacey, British fighter ace

H

    "Hamish" – Claud Hamilton, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Haybag" – Douglas Haywood, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Henry" – Roy Ford, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Hilly" – Mark Henry Brown, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Hogey" – Peter Carmichael, British fighter pilot

I

    "Igo" – Ignaz Etrich, Austrian aviator and aircraft builder

J

    "Jack" - John Frost, South African Air Force pilot
    "Jimmy" – John S. Thach, American Navy fighter ace
    "Johnny" – W. E. P. Johnson, British RAF flight instructor
    "Jumbo" – Edward Gracie, Battle of Britain Pilot

K

    "Kanga" - John 'Jack' Kurtzer, Australian RAAF Lancaster Bomber Pilot Nicknamed for his tendency to bounce his Lancaster upon landing.
    "Killer" – Clive Caldwell, Australian RAAF flying ace
    "Killy" – John Kilmartin, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Kinch" – Iven Kincheloe, American test pilot

L

    "Lofty" – Russel Hamer, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Libby" - Sψren Liby, Norwegian WW2 pilot.

M

    "Mindy" – Minden Blake, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Mitzi" – Edward Darling, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Moose" – Robert Fumerton, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Mouse" – Gordon Cleaver, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Mutt" – Joseph Summers, British test pilot

N

(none)

O

    "OV" – Owen Burns, Battle of Britain Pilot

P

    "Paddy"
        Hubert Adair, Battle of Britain pilot
        Brendan Finucane, Irish World War II RAF fighter ace
        W. H. Harbison, British RAF officer
    "Pappy" –
        Greg Boyington, American World War II U.S. Marine Corps fighter ace[17]
        Paul Gunn, American World War II Army Air Force bomber pilot
        Charles Yankey, co-founder of Mooney
    "Pete" – Marc Mitscher, American World War II carrier admiral[18]
    "Polly" – John Flinders, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Pritzl" – Heinz Bδr, German fighter ace, because of his affection for Pritzl candy bars.
    "Punch" – Clennell H. Dickins, Canadian pioneer bush pilot
    "Pyker" – Jean Offenberg, Battle of Britain pilot

Q

(none)

R

    "Randy" – George Goodman, Battle of Britain Pilot
    "Ratsy" – George Preddy, top P-51 Mustang ace with 26.83 aerial victories
    "Red" – Eugene Tobin, American who flew with the RAF during the Battle of Britain
    "Reeste" – Heinz Bδr, German fighter ace
    "Robin" – Hilary Hood, Battle of Britain Pilot

S

    "Sailor" – Adolph Malan, South African RAF fighter ace[19]
    "Sandy" – Brian Lane, RAF Battle of Britain pilot, Squadron Leader and fighter ace
    "Sheep" – George Gilroy, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Shorty" – Vernon Keogh, American who flew with the RAF during the Battle of Britain, so-named for diminutive height[20]
    "Skeets" – Alfred Keith Ogilvie, Battle of Britain pilot and participant in the Great Escape. Short for "Skeeter"
    "Skip" – Jean Ziegler, American test pilot on Bell X-1 program
    "Slew"" – John S. McCain, Sr., American naval aviator and chief of Bureau of Aeronautics
    "Spanky" – George Roberts, American commander of the 99th Fighter Squadron (Tuskegee Airmen)[21]
    "Spig" – Frank W. Wead, U.S. Navy aviator and screenwriter
    "Spud" – James Hayter, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Spuds" – Theodore Ellyson, pioneer U.S. Navy aviator
    "Stan" – Roderic Dallas, top Australian fighter ace of World War I
    "Stapme" – Gerald Stapleton, British Battle of Britain fighter ace
    "Sticks" – William Gregory, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Sticky" – Norman Glew, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Stuffy" – Sir Hugh Dowding, British commander of RAF Fighter Command from before the war into the Battle of Britain[19]

T

    "Taffy" –
        Fredrick Higginson, Battle of Britain pilot
        Trafford Leigh-Mallory, British Group commander during Battle of Britain and head of Fighter Command from 1942
    "Tage" – Dennis Lockhart, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Tex" – David L. Hill, American fighter pilot
    "Tim" – John Elkington, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Titch" – George Palliser, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Tubby" – Herbert Mermegan, Battle of Britain pilot
    "Winkle" – Eric Brown, British naval aviator and test pilot

( Demonator666 doesn't know what cool is.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGp4DvFEgh8