Paintball Team Internet FAQ
220 0 <328sjs$ikt@neptune.convex.com> Article retrieved, head and body follow.
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From: rotheroe@convex.com (Dave Rotheroe)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.paintball,alt.sport.paintball
Subject: Team Internet FAQ (periodic posting)
Date: 9 Aug 1994 16:31:40 -0500
Organization: Engineering, Convex Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx USA
Lines: 256
Message-ID: <328sjs$ikt@neptune.convex.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: neptune.convex.com
The rec.sport.paintball Team Internet FAQ as of 94.07.06
important changes this post:
none
---
This is the official Team Internet FAQ. Suggestions, comments, paintballs
(given, never shot) are welcome.
WHAT IS TEAM INTERNET:
Team Internet is a social organization of paintball players that have access
to the rec.sport.paintball newsgroup on the internet and connected networks
and bulleting boards. It is more of a club than a team, and most members
have never even met each other. Rarely does anyone play together, and then
usually only a few at a time. Membership in other real teams or clubs has
nothing to do with and is unaffected by Team Internet membership. There are
currently three "rules" for membership: You must have played at least once,
you must be able to read rec.sport.paintball, and you must be a good
sportsman (no cheating, helpful to newbies, ...).
HISTORY (written by BLuR, record details by UCP, editing by the KotL):
On Saturday the 25th of July 1992 (and Sunday, but Saturday was the day for
the record books) over 2100 players gathered from across the country (and
several other countries) at Jack Frost Mountain, PA, for the world record
largest paintball game. During the months before the game, there was a lot
of talk on the net about who from the net was going and how they would
recognize each other once they got there. Dave McCarty (DMc) come up with
the idea of a patch that said "TEAM INTERNET" and some logo which we could
proudly sport on our camo's for all to see. This was a great idea but it
never really got off the ground at that time. Dave was unable to addend the
game, and just didn't have the time to do this idea justice. There was some
discussion about ethics and how Team Internet members should strive to be
helpful to newbies, blah blah and more blah. I faded out at about this
time.
HOW THE TEAM INTERNET NUMBERS CAME ABOUT:
In the spirit of the rec.motorcycles DoD (I could tell you, but then I'd
have to kill you), a crazy programmer and paintball player thought we ought
to maintain a list and assign "membership" numbers. This person has become
the Keeper of the List (KotL). Each member has a unique number. In
assigning the initial numbers, credit was given where credit where credit
was due. DMc got the first number, as he suggested the name/idea. BLuR got
the second, as he did the first lot of patches. The Keeper of the List took
the third because he suggested the list (and was stupid enough to volunteer
to keep it). For the remainder of the initial membership, KotL obtained the
"interested in patches" list from BLuR, and assigned numbers from it. New
members are typically given the lowest available number.
JOINING TEAM INTERNET:
"Membership" in Team Internet is open to anyone who has played paintball and
has internet access.
If you want to "join" Team Internet and get a Team Internet number, send
mail to the Keeper of the List with "Team Internet" somewhere in the subject
line. KotL should act on the mail within a reasonable period of time (see
quote below). If "Team Internet" (case insensitive) is not somewhere in the
subject line, it may take a few extra days. Check the signature at the end
of this post for the KotL's address. Note that the last three weeks of a
quarter may cause longer delays.
When KotL receives the email request with the the minimum necessary
information, he'll add you to the list. You will be informed of the number
via email, so make sure there is a valid address somewhere in your request.
Note that only your real name and internet address are required for
membership - everything else is optional. The following is a recommended
form:
real name (required):
email address (required):
nickname (optional):
markers [guns] (optional):
teams/clubs (optional):
mailing address (optional):
daytime phone (optional):
home phone (optional):
other/misc (optional):
In the rec.motorcycles DoD FAQ, I found a satirical paragraph I really like.
Especially for the first half of 1994. It is repeated verbatim below.
<begin quote>
Once you have surmounted this intellectual pinnacle and electronically
groveled to the KotL, please keep in mind that the KotL does indeed work for
a living, and occasionally must pacify its boss by getting something done.
Your request may languish in mailer queue for (gasp!) days, perhaps even
(horrors!) a week or two. During such times of economic activity on the
part of the KotL's employers, sending yet another copy of your request will
not speed processing of the queue (it just makes it longer, verification of
this phenomenon is left as an exercise for the reader). If you suspect
mailer problems, at least annotate subsequent requests with an indication
that a former request was submitted, lest you be assigned multiple numbers
(what, you think the KotL *memorizes* the list?!?).
<end quote>
ABBREVIATION:
Team Internet should not be abbreviated, except when used to denote a Team
Internet membership number. When doing so, Team Internet should be
abbreviated TIP (the silent P is for paintball, as a large multi-national
corporation very near KotL also has the initials TI). Correct abbreviation
contains no spaces and at three decimal numbers, as in TIP#003 for KotL.
THE PATCHES:
A long time ago, someone came up with the idea for patches (see the history
section). The first order was enthusiastically received, and quickly sold
out. The member who did the patches previously was too sane to volunteer
to do it again. Fortunately, KotL is not so smart...
As of the posting date, there are still patches available. Actually, there
are a lot still available. I only broke even with an order about a month
ago (it is now early June).
Patches are $5 for the first patch, $9 for two, or $4 each for three or
more. Send email for a quote on larger group orders. The above prices are
valid for patches to any US or Canadian address. Add $1 per patch for other
countries, all payable in US dollars.
Patch orders are processed within 3 days of receiving the order at all times
(I don't want anyone to have to wait on patches). The patches are mailed
and the checks deposited on the same day. When ordering patches, please
enclose a note clearly indicating the shipping address and include an email
address (if possible) in case there is a problem. I hate to mention it, but
if a check bounces, I'll try to contact the individual privately to clear it
up (my bank charges $20), but will post here if I can't contact them.
The patches themselves are identical to the first lot of patches from a
couple of years ago, and are being made by the same manufacturer, using the
same information they used to make the originals. All colors are subdued,
such that the patch may be worn on your camo's without being an obvious
target (I've worn mine for since I got it).
I'm going to attempt to describe the patches, but they look much better than
the description makes them out. The patches are triangular, 3.75 inches on a
side (3" tall). They have a black boarder. The bottom 1/2" has a deep red
background with "TEAM INTERNET" written across it in gray thread. The top
1/3 of the patch is a medium/dark blue. From 1/2" up from the bottom, to
the bottom of the blue field, is a grid of gray lines on a black background.
The lines vanishing to the center of the bottom of the blue triangle (top
center of the grid). At this vanishing point, is a deep red splat that
covers parts of the grid and blue triangle.
/\
/ \
/ \ medium/dark blue background
/ \
/ \
/----**----\ ** = vanishing point of grid and
/ \ center of deep red splat
/ \
/ grid \ gray grid lines on black background
/ \
/ \
/----------------------\
/ TEAM INTERNET \ gray letters on deep red background
/__________________________\
Checks should me made out to and mailed to Dave Rotheroe, 7727 La Avenida,
Dallas, Texas 75248. If you wish to check availability first, send
electronic mail to rotheroe@convex.com. Currently there are plenty of
patches available.
Note: at these prices, after all patches are sold and manufacturing and
postage costs paid, I expect there will be money left over. I'm not about
to make money on this, so will be donating the extra money to one or more
paintball organizations tp be used to promote the sport. Patches broke even
in May, but only two orders have been received since, so nothing has been
done yet.
WHAT'S ALL THIS ABOUT A TEAM "SPONSORSHIP":
Once upon a time, there was a guy who offered special prices to Team
Internet members, ostensibly "sponsoring" Team Internet. In the beginning,
the business/individual did give near wholesale prices and excellent advice
to some people, but gradually began to raise prices and the quality of
service declined. About a year ago, the prices weren't so special for the
vast majority of people - in most cases they were suggested retail - and
service was non-existent. At the same time certain business practices were
called into question by multiple people on the net. At about this time,
this business/individual was no longer mentioned in the FAQ as "sponsor".
In the spring of 1994, the business closed overnight and the owner vanished
without a trace. A lot of peoples equipment vanished with it/him, and
others are owed money (including me). We can only hope this jerk ends up
getting caught and prosecuted.
SO WHO CAN I PURCHASE FROM:
There are a variety of ways paintball players can purchase equipment and
supplies: local retail stores, fields, and mail order are amoung the more
common. While stores with a good selection, fair prices and competent staff
do actually exist in some areas, all too frequently there is only one local
shop that has poor selection, is overpriced, and suffers from the "what I
have in stock is the best" or "what I make the most money on is the best"
syndrome. Fields are sometimes worse, often having only a tiny selection
at exaggerated prices. Unfortunately, the alternative of mail order has its
own disadvantages. It is usually impossible to see and compare products,
exchanges are more difficult, and it is often impossible to talk to a
knowledgeable person who also plays the game. In addition to all this, there
is the fact that one may be dealing with a business that neither they nor
anyone else they know has bought from.
First, if you've got a local shop that has good advice, a good selection,
goo service, and reasonable prices, patronize it! If nobody did, they would
go out of business and both you and the sport would suffer. However, if you
do need to find someplace, well, keep reading.
What follows is a list of businesses (everything from full time stores to
part time out of the kitchen enterprises) that people have recommended, or
that have asked to be listed themselves. I can't give recommendations, but
would like to hear of (and summarize) experiences. I'd suggest getting
quotes from several of them. Of course there's no guarantee about any of
them (Hamilton Hobbies for example), but you can always post requesting
people's experiences from the net. For those on the net, email may be an
excellent way to enquire about price and availability.
Again, let me know if you have a good or bad experience, if your favorite
store isn't listed, or if a listed store shouldn't be. This will only work
if people help - no one wants a repeat of Hamilton Hobbies.
Draco. Located in Georgia, phone 706-663-4013. While not on the net or
connected with Team Internet, Draco has been patronized by a bunch of
Team Internet members from the beginning and been around for a while. They
carry many items in stock at typical mail-order prices. I have heard only
good things about Draco. My first semi-auto came from Draco.
Rock's Hobbies, aka Dave Rotheroe. Dallas, Texas, phone 214-239-3283. Yes,
it's me, rotheroe@convex.com, KotL and this FAQ. I almost didn't mention
myself, but I do want to let Dallas people know there is a local alternative
(there have been a couple of bad stores/individuals in Dallas). In
addition, I can provide *local* people great prices on (constantly) fresh RP
paint (I don't want to mail order paint - you get bad paint and I get a bad
rep). Heck, maybe one day I'll even take the indoor field from private to
public.
Survival Game of Texas / The Paintball Store. Houston, Texas, 713-370-GAME.
Larry Cedillo is the owner. The recommendation was from Nick Diaz [account
is: bhuff@sugar.NeoSoft.COM (Brian Huff)]. Nick works for them, and says
"As a side note you might include that our prices are very competitive and
sometimes flexible. We have been in operation for 12 years (the longest
running in Houston) so all of the ins and outs have been covered".
The Splatter Works, 2411 Old Gettysburg Rd, Camp Hill, PA 17011,
717-731-1190. The recommendation was from the owner,
rick.hambright@paonline.com (Rick Hambright).
==================================================================8--<
Dave Rotheroe rotheroe@convex.com DoD#0045
What if there were no hypothetical questions? TIP#003 (KotL)
Xref: zimmer rec.sport.paintball:12961 alt.sport.paintball:3428
Path: zimmer!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!usc!cs.utexas.edu!convex!convex!not-for-mail
From: rotheroe@convex.com (Dave Rotheroe)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.paintball,alt.sport.paintball
Subject: Team Internet FAQ (periodic posting)
Date: 9 Aug 1994 16:31:40 -0500
Organization: Engineering, Convex Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx USA
Lines: 256
Message-ID: <328sjs$ikt@neptune.convex.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: neptune.convex.com
The rec.sport.paintball Team Internet FAQ as of 94.07.06
important changes this post:
none
---
This is the official Team Internet FAQ. Suggestions, comments, paintballs
(given, never shot) are welcome.
WHAT IS TEAM INTERNET:
Team Internet is a social organization of paintball players that have access
to the rec.sport.paintball newsgroup on the internet and connected networks
and bulleting boards. It is more of a club than a team, and most members
have never even met each other. Rarely does anyone play together, and then
usually only a few at a time. Membership in other real teams or clubs has
nothing to do with and is unaffected by Team Internet membership. There are
currently three "rules" for membership: You must have played at least once,
you must be able to read rec.sport.paintball, and you must be a good
sportsman (no cheating, helpful to newbies, ...).
HISTORY (written by BLuR, record details by UCP, editing by the KotL):
On Saturday the 25th of July 1992 (and Sunday, but Saturday was the day for
the record books) over 2100 players gathered from across the country (and
several other countries) at Jack Frost Mountain, PA, for the world record
largest paintball game. During the months before the game, there was a lot
of talk on the net about who from the net was going and how they would
recognize each other once they got there. Dave McCarty (DMc) come up with
the idea of a patch that said "TEAM INTERNET" and some logo which we could
proudly sport on our camo's for all to see. This was a great idea but it
never really got off the ground at that time. Dave was unable to addend the
game, and just didn't have the time to do this idea justice. There was some
discussion about ethics and how Team Internet members should strive to be
helpful to newbies, blah blah and more blah. I faded out at about this
time.
HOW THE TEAM INTERNET NUMBERS CAME ABOUT:
In the spirit of the rec.motorcycles DoD (I could tell you, but then I'd
have to kill you), a crazy programmer and paintball player thought we ought
to maintain a list and assign "membership" numbers. This person has become
the Keeper of the List (KotL). Each member has a unique number. In
assigning the initial numbers, credit was given where credit where credit
was due. DMc got the first number, as he suggested the name/idea. BLuR got
the second, as he did the first lot of patches. The Keeper of the List took
the third because he suggested the list (and was stupid enough to volunteer
to keep it). For the remainder of the initial membership, KotL obtained the
"interested in patches" list from BLuR, and assigned numbers from it. New
members are typically given the lowest available number.
JOINING TEAM INTERNET:
"Membership" in Team Internet is open to anyone who has played paintball and
has internet access.
If you want to "join" Team Internet and get a Team Internet number, send
mail to the Keeper of the List with "Team Internet" somewhere in the subject
line. KotL should act on the mail within a reasonable period of time (see
quote below). If "Team Internet" (case insensitive) is not somewhere in the
subject line, it may take a few extra days. Check the signature at the end
of this post for the KotL's address. Note that the last three weeks of a
quarter may cause longer delays.
When KotL receives the email request with the the minimum necessary
information, he'll add you to the list. You will be informed of the number
via email, so make sure there is a valid address somewhere in your request.
Note that only your real name and internet address are required for
membership - everything else is optional. The following is a recommended
form:
real name (required):
email address (required):
nickname (optional):
markers [guns] (optional):
teams/clubs (optional):
mailing address (optional):
daytime phone (optional):
home phone (optional):
other/misc (optional):
In the rec.motorcycles DoD FAQ, I found a satirical paragraph I really like.
Especially for the first half of 1994. It is repeated verbatim below.
<begin quote>
Once you have surmounted this intellectual pinnacle and electronically
groveled to the KotL, please keep in mind that the KotL does indeed work for
a living, and occasionally must pacify its boss by getting something done.
Your request may languish in mailer queue for (gasp!) days, perhaps even
(horrors!) a week or two. During such times of economic activity on the
part of the KotL's employers, sending yet another copy of your request will
not speed processing of the queue (it just makes it longer, verification of
this phenomenon is left as an exercise for the reader). If you suspect
mailer problems, at least annotate subsequent requests with an indication
that a former request was submitted, lest you be assigned multiple numbers
(what, you think the KotL *memorizes* the list?!?).
<end quote>
ABBREVIATION:
Team Internet should not be abbreviated, except when used to denote a Team
Internet membership number. When doing so, Team Internet should be
abbreviated TIP (the silent P is for paintball, as a large multi-national
corporation very near KotL also has the initials TI). Correct abbreviation
contains no spaces and at three decimal numbers, as in TIP#003 for KotL.
THE PATCHES:
A long time ago, someone came up with the idea for patches (see the history
section). The first order was enthusiastically received, and quickly sold
out. The member who did the patches previously was too sane to volunteer
to do it again. Fortunately, KotL is not so smart...
As of the posting date, there are still patches available. Actually, there
are a lot still available. I only broke even with an order about a month
ago (it is now early June).
Patches are $5 for the first patch, $9 for two, or $4 each for three or
more. Send email for a quote on larger group orders. The above prices are
valid for patches to any US or Canadian address. Add $1 per patch for other
countries, all payable in US dollars.
Patch orders are processed within 3 days of receiving the order at all times
(I don't want anyone to have to wait on patches). The patches are mailed
and the checks deposited on the same day. When ordering patches, please
enclose a note clearly indicating the shipping address and include an email
address (if possible) in case there is a problem. I hate to mention it, but
if a check bounces, I'll try to contact the individual privately to clear it
up (my bank charges $20), but will post here if I can't contact them.
The patches themselves are identical to the first lot of patches from a
couple of years ago, and are being made by the same manufacturer, using the
same information they used to make the originals. All colors are subdued,
such that the patch may be worn on your camo's without being an obvious
target (I've worn mine for since I got it).
I'm going to attempt to describe the patches, but they look much better than
the description makes them out. The patches are triangular, 3.75 inches on a
side (3" tall). They have a black boarder. The bottom 1/2" has a deep red
background with "TEAM INTERNET" written across it in gray thread. The top
1/3 of the patch is a medium/dark blue. From 1/2" up from the bottom, to
the bottom of the blue field, is a grid of gray lines on a black background.
The lines vanishing to the center of the bottom of the blue triangle (top
center of the grid). At this vanishing point, is a deep red splat that
covers parts of the grid and blue triangle.
/\
/ \
/ \ medium/dark blue background
/ \
/ \
/----**----\ ** = vanishing point of grid and
/ \ center of deep red splat
/ \
/ grid \ gray grid lines on black background
/ \
/ \
/----------------------\
/ TEAM INTERNET \ gray letters on deep red background
/__________________________\
Checks should me made out to and mailed to Dave Rotheroe, 7727 La Avenida,
Dallas, Texas 75248. If you wish to check availability first, send
electronic mail to rotheroe@convex.com. Currently there are plenty of
patches available.
Note: at these prices, after all patches are sold and manufacturing and
postage costs paid, I expect there will be money left over. I'm not about
to make money on this, so will be donating the extra money to one or more
paintball organizations tp be used to promote the sport. Patches broke even
in May, but only two orders have been received since, so nothing has been
done yet.
WHAT'S ALL THIS ABOUT A TEAM "SPONSORSHIP":
Once upon a time, there was a guy who offered special prices to Team
Internet members, ostensibly "sponsoring" Team Internet. In the beginning,
the business/individual did give near wholesale prices and excellent advice
to some people, but gradually began to raise prices and the quality of
service declined. About a year ago, the prices weren't so special for the
vast majority of people - in most cases they were suggested retail - and
service was non-existent. At the same time certain business practices were
called into question by multiple people on the net. At about this time,
this business/individual was no longer mentioned in the FAQ as "sponsor".
In the spring of 1994, the business closed overnight and the owner vanished
without a trace. A lot of peoples equipment vanished with it/him, and
others are owed money (including me). We can only hope this jerk ends up
getting caught and prosecuted.
SO WHO CAN I PURCHASE FROM:
There are a variety of ways paintball players can purchase equipment and
supplies: local retail stores, fields, and mail order are amoung the more
common. While stores with a good selection, fair prices and competent staff
do actually exist in some areas, all too frequently there is only one local
shop that has poor selection, is overpriced, and suffers from the "what I
have in stock is the best" or "what I make the most money on is the best"
syndrome. Fields are sometimes worse, often having only a tiny selection
at exaggerated prices. Unfortunately, the alternative of mail order has its
own disadvantages. It is usually impossible to see and compare products,
exchanges are more difficult, and it is often impossible to talk to a
knowledgeable person who also plays the game. In addition to all this, there
is the fact that one may be dealing with a business that neither they nor
anyone else they know has bought from.
First, if you've got a local shop that has good advice, a good selection,
goo service, and reasonable prices, patronize it! If nobody did, they would
go out of business and both you and the sport would suffer. However, if you
do need to find someplace, well, keep reading.
What follows is a list of businesses (everything from full time stores to
part time out of the kitchen enterprises) that people have recommended, or
that have asked to be listed themselves. I can't give recommendations, but
would like to hear of (and summarize) experiences. I'd suggest getting
quotes from several of them. Of course there's no guarantee about any of
them (Hamilton Hobbies for example), but you can always post requesting
people's experiences from the net. For those on the net, email may be an
excellent way to enquire about price and availability.
Again, let me know if you have a good or bad experience, if your favorite
store isn't listed, or if a listed store shouldn't be. This will only work
if people help - no one wants a repeat of Hamilton Hobbies.
Draco. Located in Georgia, phone 706-663-4013. While not on the net or
connected with Team Internet, Draco has been patronized by a bunch of
Team Internet members from the beginning and been around for a while. They
carry many items in stock at typical mail-order prices. I have heard only
good things about Draco. My first semi-auto came from Draco.
Rock's Hobbies, aka Dave Rotheroe. Dallas, Texas, phone 214-239-3283. Yes,
it's me, rotheroe@convex.com, KotL and this FAQ. I almost didn't mention
myself, but I do want to let Dallas people know there is a local alternative
(there have been a couple of bad stores/individuals in Dallas). In
addition, I can provide *local* people great prices on (constantly) fresh RP
paint (I don't want to mail order paint - you get bad paint and I get a bad
rep). Heck, maybe one day I'll even take the indoor field from private to
public.
Survival Game of Texas / The Paintball Store. Houston, Texas, 713-370-GAME.
Larry Cedillo is the owner. The recommendation was from Nick Diaz [account
is: bhuff@sugar.NeoSoft.COM (Brian Huff)]. Nick works for them, and says
"As a side note you might include that our prices are very competitive and
sometimes flexible. We have been in operation for 12 years (the longest
running in Houston) so all of the ins and outs have been covered".
The Splatter Works, 2411 Old Gettysburg Rd, Camp Hill, PA 17011,
717-731-1190. The recommendation was from the owner,
rick.hambright@paonline.com (Rick Hambright).
==================================================================8--<
Dave Rotheroe rotheroe@convex.com DoD#0045
What if there were no hypothetical questions? TIP#003 (KotL)
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