12/11/99
@18:24 PM GMT
Another quick update!

Right, just a few things.
I've started adding some more maps to the FTP; if yours isn't already there, do let me know.
I'd also like to p1mp MapFinger, a really useful site (you'll find me, and a lot of other mappers listed there). Keep an eye on it.
If you haven't already seen it, look on the front page of the AHL main page for some nice new stuff...

- Holy Goat

12/10/99
@19:06 PM GMT
A Quick Update

Just a quick update to let everyone know how things are going. Due to work demands on both Shagg and I, everything isn't moving at lightning speed :).
However, things are happening - maps are still up and browsable at ftp.telefragged.com/ahlmd/Maps, we're still open to submissions of everything you have on offer, and any news you want to send in would be welcome.
A brainstorming session is on the cards to get the rest of the site going properly; that means map indices and whatever else we can think of.
So for now, if you've got a finished map that isn't in that FTP directory, send me an email letting me know (and if the map is under 500k, attach it). Thanks!

- Holy Goat

12/03/99
@2:30 PM PST
More info

Most of today's update will be regarding staffing.
First off since I am not that proficient with HTML, I am looking for someone to help me with things of that nature. This will include setting up forms (ie. applications,) designing new pages (archive, staff, staff and review pages at the moment,) and some graphics work. Outside of that, the ideal applicant will also be consistently available around 10pm PST.

I mentioned before that I am also looking into setting up a review staff. I would like 3 possibly 4 reviewers to do reviews of every map that is released. I have no specific format for reviewers to use, however there are some general guidelines that I would like followed:

1. Use complete thoughts, "this map sucks" is not acceptable.
2. Try to evaluate both teamplay and deathmatch.
3. PLEASE proof read anything that is going to be submitted, spelling and grammar should be appropriate. (note the difference between correct and appropriate.)
4. Be creative

I encourage anybody interested to send in reviews. The review staff will be chosen based off of the reviews submitted.
Ultimately every map should have reviews by the same 3 reviewers with additional reviews done by freelancers.

Now for what most of you have been waiting for: Map Testing. Right now I plan on keeping this staff relatively small. Most likely it will weigh in at about 10 people. My preference is for west coast players. Mainly because I usually get home from work late and most test sessions will happen around 10 PM PST. If you are not able to attend the 10 PM testing sessions please do not ask to be a tester.

At this point in time, the purpose of testing is to get good maps out quickly. (duh) I am going to steal a concept from the AQMD and institute "Shagg Testing" which is just a pre-test so to speak for suitablilty and any obvious problems. Any map submitted will undergo "Shagg Testing" and the mapper should get an acknowledgement from me after I do the pre-test. Expect to hear from me within 48 hours of submission.

Here's a rough set of submission rules:
1. All files need to be lowercase.
2. All files need to be sorted so that they will extract to the Action directory. then they need to sort themselves to the maps, sprites, sounds, and env directories accordingly.
3. There needs to be a readme file.
4. No copyrighted textures
5. By submitting the map to the AHLMD, mappers give the A-Team the right to publish the map. This specificaly overrides any publication limitations included in the maps readme.txt. To this extent, any author whose map has been included in a release will be given credit. AHLMD will maintain a document with author's names, their email and maps released.

These rules will be expanded upon sometime within the next week or so. Those you you who have maps out right now that do not meet the rules can expect to hear from me soon. There are no major problems that I recall, just some maps need to revise their zip structure and ake all the files lowercase.

--Keeper of the Maps
Shagg

12/01/99
@ 10:30 PM PST
Hey, what do we have here?
An Update... YEAH BABY, YEAH!!!

There is a new Webmaster in town, and my aim is to get this site moving again. I can't promise a whole lot for the first week or two, because, quite frankly this site is a hell of a lot more advanced than the MapZone. It's probably gonna take me a bit of time to figure out how everything works, so go easy on me.

There are some staffing changes to announce, most notably McDizzo has moved back to the AQMD. I of course am stepping in as a Webmaster, but not necessarily as The Webmaster. Over the next few weeks I plan on setting up a test team. I would also like to set up a review team. The review team will be comprised of three to four regular map reviewers. This will not be to the exclusion of "freelance" (ie. anybody who wants to do one,) but it will serve to provide some consistency to the reviews.

I would also ask that all mappers with maps in progress contact me. I want to get a feel of what's going on right now in the world of mapping. I depend on my icq so I would ask that mappers include their icq # if they use it.

This is it for now, but you can be sure that there will be more updates soon.

-- Does this make you horny?
Shagg