Greetings, I have been playing Tradewars for about 6 years, ( Much less time than most I'll admit ) However there is one thing I have noticed about every game out there.
The game is always WINTWINWINWINWIN ... And that bothers me.
I love to roleplay, I love to get into the minds of the characters I play and present a storyline behind who I am based on the game. I have only played in one Roleplay tradewars game in all my life, and it was quite possibly the most fun I have had on the game.
Players could build massive empires, build their own shipyards, design ships, planets, new technology and more, all through roleplaying and a dedicated sysop.
That game closed after two years, no one "Won" the game, but EVERYONE left happy...
I miss that game, and because there does not seem to be any roleplaying servers in existance anymore, I wish to create my own!
I do not have ANYTHING registered, I dont think my computer is fast enough to host alot of players, so I am willing to pay a reasonable price for a decent server, whatever is needed to make this work, I am willing to do.
Problem is, I dont know what I need to do.
If somone could explain this to me as though I was a complete dumbass, I would really appreciate it. List everything from Registration Code Site, to Hosting site, anything I can use to learn WHERE to host the game ect ect. If you need information about my computer to tell me if I need or dont need a dedicated server let me know what you want to know.
Thank you for all your help, and again, I really appreciate any information offered.
~STG United States of America ( USA NAVY COMBAT TEAM )

Greetings, and welcome back to the TradeWars Community. I'd be happy to help out in any way Ican, and I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

First off, let's start with a goal. I am assuming you wish to host TradeWars yourself. The first step is to get the TWGS (TradeWars Game Server) from http://www.eisonline.com/products/default.htm. As you will see, you can get the 4 node or the 100 node. I would suggest the 100 node, as you can start with 20 nodes and increase if you need to.

As far as a computer, well I run 2 TWGS myself. One is on a P4 2.8 Ghz machine, and my TradeWars Academy server is on an 800 Mhz. The more nodes and games, the faster you may want it, especially if you plan to have Aliens in your games. I have run it on a 500 Mhz, keeping the Aliens to the default 2 races with no more than 10 per race, and had 30 nodes active. It performed fine, since nothing else ran on that machine (dedicated).

The second step is to decide what type of games you want to host. Turn-based, unlimited turns, games with a specific goal (such as capture planets, last team remaining, etc). There are a vast variety of edits already out there to choose from, or you can create your own. I would be willing to help you in that area, as I am certain other SysOp's would be as well. A suggestion: if you use an edit that another has created, try to post that it's altered in any way from the original. Most players are familiar with most edits, and it's good to keep players informed that changes were made in a game edit they know very well.

The next thing I would suggest is to create a web site. I find that having a web site to go to helps the TWGS host as well as the players. On my site, and as other SysOp's do as well, we post info about our games. Using my site as an example (http://www.outpost-4.com/tradewars), I have everything available from game stats, game settings, daily logs, scores, edit info, a Who's Online module, and more. You can be limited in the information, or as detailed as you want. If you are going to host your own website, then you will need a webserver software package (ex: Apache, IIS) to host the site. You will need to be somewhat familiar with the software you wish to use, and know how to post info and make available to your visitors.

Another item to look at is a name, not just for your site, but a domain name on the web. There are places to get a domain (such as DynDNS.Org, No-Ip or others). You can register a domain and point it to the IP address you have. Also this would work with your TWGS. Players could connect to your TWGS via an IP or your domain name. For example, I own http://www.outpost-4.com. I also have a dynamic domain (backup) http://outpost-4.dyndns.org. This backup domain points to my IP in case my main domain is down or unavailable. So players can access the site with either domain, or my TWGS with either domain. If you do not have a webserver available, I could present an option for you, which I have done for other SysOp's. I run both webserver services, mail, DNS. I could create a domain name for you (for example, you can have http://domain.outpost-4.com), and I could also host your site. There would be no charge for any of the services. I'm happy to help out a fellow SysOp. I own 4 domains, so if you go this route, then you can choose from the 4. You can register your own domain, and either yourself can host it or again I can host it, adding your domain to the DNS server here. If you require further information on this, please ask and I can go into a step-by-step process.

Hopefully I've given you some direction or help in your questions. If you need more information or clarification, please do not hesitate to ask. You can also reach me via e-mail at twgs@outpost-4.com. Always happy to help out.

Again, good luck, and welcome.

I am pleased to be met with amazing class and respect, thank you for all the time you spent typing that
This may seem foolish, however I am not sure how to lookup my machine's speed ( MHZ? )
I would LIKE to run two games, one for Roleplay and one for Traditional Hack n Slash Gameplay,  In the Roleplay game I would very likley use 2 to 4 Alien races, with up to 20 Aliens Per race active at any given time.  The Hack n slash game will probably only have the defauly 2 races as you stated. ( If that is possible )  ( Looking to make them 20,000 sector games, 4 Hours a day, 5,000 turns for both games most likley, but we will see how that works out 
I know I am on an old Box, I am THINKING PIII 500MHZ ... or something to that effect. In all honesty I dont think it is good enough to run what I want to run. Thus why I am interested in knowing if it is possible to host the entire game on a seperate dedicated server.
"Another item to look at is a name, not just for your site, but a domain name on the web. There are places to get a domain (such as DynDNS.Org, No-Ip or others). You can register a domain and point it to the IP address you have. Also this would work with your TWGS. Players could connect to your TWGS via an IP or your domain name. For example, I own http://www.outpost-4.com. I also have a dynamic domain (backup) http://outpost-4.dyndns.org. This backup domain points to my IP in case my main domain is down or unavailable. So players can access the site with either domain, or my TWGS with either domain. If you do not have a webserver available, I could present an option for you, which I have done for other SysOp's. I run both webserver services, mail, DNS. I could create a domain name for you (for example, you can have http://domain.outpost-4.com), and I could also host your site. There would be no charge for any of the services. I'm happy to help out a fellow SysOp. I own 4 domains, so if you go this route, then you can choose from the 4. You can register your own domain, and either yourself can host it or again I can host it, adding your domain to the DNS server here. If you require further information on this, please ask and I can go into a step-by-step process."
I really hate to be a bother, but yes please, I really need a step by step process if you are willing.
 
Again thank you for the prompt response, I really appreciate it
~STG United States of America ( USA NAVY COMBAT TEAM )
 

You could try running the TWGS on your machine, as long as nothing else major is running on it. If all it will be used for is TradeWars, you are set. We could even test it out between the two of us to be sure first before you open to the public.

I will be glad to help. I am unavailable today, as we have a "Change of Command" ceremony taking place. I will be available tomorrow, and will have a more step-by-step document put together to e-mail to you if you can wait a day.

I would be thrilled, Whenever you are availible just let me know. I am patient

Hi There, and as Thrawn said, welcome back.  I too have come back after a long absence, and now host my own site and games.  If I can help in any way I too will be willing.
I ran my original server on a Pentium 3 500 mhz machine.  It handled a dozen or so users just fine, and that's really all you might expect until you get established in the comunity.
You can find your computer speed and such by locating the My Computer Icon on your screen, right click over it and select properties.  This will open a window with your computer processor, speed, ram etc.  But most computers out there today can easily handle TWGS.  Like Thrawn said Aliens can bog the machine down, but if you know the limits of your machine you can work accordingly.  Also the speed of your connection is important.  More users require more bandwidth, and can cause lag.  Most Cable or DSL setups can handle a fair amount of users though.
Editing is tricky.  It's hard to find a balance in a game that most will like.  You will hear many players tell you that they won't play because some setting is not correct.  Change that, and someone else will complain.  Something helpfull is if you put up front what your goal is for the game, much as you did on your original post here.  Players like to know if this is a "Red or Blue" edit, what the goal of the game is if any, and such.  then if it's not a game their interested in, they don't "waste their time"
First like thrawn said get the software. Then install it on your existing computer and work on an edit, if you're machine isn't capable of running the software, you can probly talk someone, myself included, into hosting a few test games for you.  Or you can play it yourself localy (just yourself) Find out how the games play, make adjustments, and try again.  Make sure you track what changes you make because some will work, and others you will want to reverse.  Once you find the edits you like, if you want to host, then you can work on getting a dedicated computer and host your own site. 
It's a lot of fun, and some days you will want to pull your hair out! 
You've found a main source of info on TW, but there are many other sites out there.  I have links on my site and most other sites have links.  Have fun!

1st of all DON''T DO IT   lol
But if you really want to and half half a mind like I do, you need to do some of the following things:
1) Get a decent server one just to host the twgs. (dedicated server)
2) Download and register twgs. I believe that was explained above.
3) Get a cable, dsl, or satallite connection.  I don't recommend dial up.
4) Get a redirect, and if you don't have a static IP, you'll need an IP update client.
5) Make a set of rules and stick to them no matter what.  Don't bend.
6) The most important thing is, DON"T play on your own server.  This sucks, but it will cause problems if you do.  I'll guarantee it.
 

I agree with the others that posted here, really all is to what you want for your server, and agree with Big D, when you make your rules, stand by them, no matter what, and as Thrawn and Runaway Proton, I am available for help as well. You can get help from about all sysops that come here. And we all don't mind doing it for others either. If one of us can't answer a Question the others probably can.

Also former Navy, laff. Saw your Tag at the end of your posts.

Alright then, I'll probably order TWGS + Gold Tomarrow, if I get to the bank that is.I'll attempt to get it running, and I'll set it how I like Aliens and all.  ( Then I'll test to see how many players I can have in the game at those settings )
IF I find that my computer cannot handle the game settings the way I like them with at least 6 to 10 people on at once, what I really want to know is if anyone can tell me what website to visit that will host the game on a dedicated server for a reasonable price.  ( Is that even possible? )

Outpost-4 would answer the call to host for you, at no charge. We military look after our own

If you need a website, I'm also happy to host for you. If you want to register a domain, I can host it via my DNS server. If you would like a domain, such as domainname.dyndns.org, or domainname.outpost-4.com, let me know and I can set that up for you as well.

BTW, I am very interested in your concept of role playing as you mentioned before. Perhaps you would consider being a part of the TradeWars Academy, and we could use this idea as one of the game types for teaching. I run 2 TWGS currently on two seperate machines, and can add a third if needed.

Ha, Thrawn you are amazing, let me know what information you need from me and I would be very happy to accept your invantation.
 
( Remember I still want to be able to run and control my own TW Connection ... if thats possible when hosted by you )

Just want to add this on as well, I have been using Jtwat as my current helper for Trade Wars, however it is very buggy and I constantly need to reinstall it. I also ran a dest game with the demo versions of TWGS and Gold, and couldnt connect to my own IP though Jtwat ( It worked perfect and quickly with Basic Telnet though )
What is the best helper availible? I heard SWATH was decent...
 
( Edit= Oops, sorry, meant to edit the last post... dont know if you allow double posts or not... My bad )

Not a problem. If you install the TWGS on your end, I can point everything to your IP. If it changes, I just change the DNS record here. I can also get a spot available here for you if you want a website. We can setup mail, etc for whatever you will need.

I think by running the TWGS on your machine, you should be fine. We can test everything out first, then open it to the public. If you find it's too slow, then we can look at setting up a machine here for you.

JTWAT has promise, although there will be people who may disagree. IMHO when I ran it, I made better cash with JTWAT than SWATH. However, as you mentioned, it is buggy.

SWATH is by far the best helper out there. Use that and TWXProxy, and you are set. I believe if you go to http://www.thegrimytrader.com, you can get TWXProxy. This program allows you to run scripts that others have created, as well as contains other features. You connect your helper (SWATH) to TWXProxy, and the proxy connects to the game server you are playing on.

Laff, some of us have URLs in our sigs. If you go there, you might find some cool stuff.