Server Map Packs?

From his status:
m3rg3 - is there a download with all maps pF use? if not... there should be one.

I think this is a great idea! Granted, as PeNguiN pointed out, such up/downloads would take a while. But maybe not everything needs to be in one package. Perhaps map packs for each server could be zipped and put on something like Megaupload or other reliable fast hosting. (I know Rapidshare is popular, but it has a tendancy of deleting things in short order and has really, really crappy download caps for normal users.)

I would gladly do this myself, but I'm a tad confused how to combine the necessary files from my CCS folder. Maps, sounds, models, etc. make for a mess and I don't want to put together a buggy map pack. Ideas, Internet?

Links to download maps directly and keep resources collected in one place would be very helpful. Also, I would label the packs according to the most recent server use date, since I know newer versions or different maps come into rotation.

Ideally if we do this, we would have the map packs split on a per-server basis. MiniGames, ZombieMod/Escape, GunGame, etc.

I think the easiest way to do this is to go on the server box itself and make a zip archive, and move it to the web server from there.

Absolutely. It'd be too big and probably too messy any other way.

....and you lost me. "Server box" sounds like something I don't have access to. >_<

That's why I'd be the one to do it.

Ah. Well, I don't want to add more work to you or other guys who already work hard for this place. Though, if it's not too much trouble it'd be really awesome. I could look for hosts?

True, that pF has some pretty good download speeds compared to other servers (at least for me), but maybe a handy map pack would be good for new players? I know a number of good people at college who have Steam and like FPS's. I've told them about pF and maybe when we organize our college group more and make sure we all have CSS, I can bring more buddies here.

Also, upon a bit of poking around, I noticed that a similar thread was started about a week ago. I still think this thread is worth having for maybe more member input and ideas for having it as an option.

I'm still up for any help I can give, though it sounds like I really wouldn't be responsible for the map pack. Or the hosting. Or the site modifications (not that I'd be much use there anyway). Blarg... :/

Hmmm didn't consider that before. Being the OCD guy I am, I'd certainly try to document who made maps and where they came from, to the best I could, if I could.
...which is a moot point if someone just wants to claim map materials... Blarg.

Oh Brian, you...

Well I was thinking - isn't it kinda pointless to worry about map theft / discrediting, since anyone can join a server for a few hours and have at least a dozen ready maps for their uses? If they try to post something here, we'll know about it immediately, and if it's somewhere else.... well I guess that's just the Internet. The best we can do is give credit for everyone's work within the pack and just have a note saying that PlagueFest doesn't own anyone's work just because it's in our package. Sound good?

Edit: If we're concerned about the original map maker's feelings, we could try to find them and ask permission? I'm sure they're aware that the Internet has scumbags and that good communities just want to make things a bit more available to the players.

Edit 2: @Kyle - What other issues might come up? Just curious and want to ponder..

I disagree. If someone wants our map list badly enough, there are multiple ways to go about getting it. I do not foresee a problem with map authors not wanting their maps to be archived and distributed to anyone who may want a map pack.

Believe it or not, this is suggested on a regular basis. This idea has been suggested for years by different people. I don't see a problem with keeping it updated either. It does not have to be updated everytime we make a map addition so its not like it has to be perfectly synced. This would be aimed more towards new players that dont want to wait between every map change to download a map. They would be happy if they knew they had like 90% of the maps anyways.

Ah, that. That would be an issue. That, unfortunately, I don't have a good solution to. Maybe the best security we could provide would be to have the map pack that's hosted on pF only be viewable / downloaded by members. Of course that means more coding and permissions for the website.... I suppose all that's left is just something handy for new community players who join the site.

Edit for Ray's ninja post: Yeah! I have no doubt when my college group gets together to talk about and plan games, pF will start seeing more people from GGC, and they'll be happy to have the dozens of maps per server loaded up and ready to play.

I just realized that in the subtitle of this thread I left the "r" out of m3rg3. >_<

I suggest only zipping up the maps, materials and models are much smaller and I don't see the need to zip them up.

Yeah, my DL speeds for dling maps, is awful, becuase im so far away (and i have a shit ISP :yucky: )