Sorry, koolwalky, have to disagree with your assessment of a battle against M3 Freeze. Your M3 Isida will lose unless the Freeze is near death to begin with. Any Freeze will wisely stay out of your range, while completely destroying you. There is very little you can do about it. If you want to prove me wrong (and please do), make a video of you battling another pro M3 Freeze. There is a reason why you are switching to a Freeze....Isida cannot compete. Now, I am not saying that an Isida should be able to compete with an M3 Freeze. After all, how can it when the Freeze is so over-powered and out-of-balance with the other weapons. Makes you wonder what havoc future weapons will bring to the game.

Come on, dude...do the math yourself. where This is nothing but bad for Earth.

No, this shall destabilize the Earth's orbit, sending us headlong into the sun.

Quite true. That is why good computer protection includes a firewall, antivirus and antispyware. Self-replicating worms and viruses are a particularly evil. The best protection is one that limits malware's access to your computer, or recognizing it and stopping it before it gets too far. If you accidentally ran the malicious code by clicking Start or Run or I accept or something else, you basically told your computer to allow this evil thing to be installed or activated. Now your antivirus is trying to stop a tsunami, and that is very, very hard. Think about it this way: If you see a man walking around with a gun, you know to stay away and call the police. If a man passing you on the sidewalk has a cell phone, we are unconcerned. If that cell phone is really a gun in disguise, and he shoots you, you will now be watching more carefully for that type of weapon. Same thing with malware. Its appearance is constantly evolving. That is why your antivirus updates its definitions daily. Someone somewhere got infected by a new virus, but that knowledge is passed on to everyone. Since you have freely admitted to using a pirated (cracked) version of Windows, I am not surprised. This most likely means you have other cracked programs. Do you really think people are give out these cracked programs out of the goodness of their heart? Your viruses are not coming from legitimate programs. You need to look elsewhere. What kind of a threat is that? Do you really think malware writers quake in their shoes thinking about what you will do to them? You should learn to accept and knowledge and insight from all sources offered. Why re-invent the wheel? If you truly are resistant to the idea that you can learn from others, that most people are not out there to screw with you, that people are generally good and well-meaning, and that many people know far much more than you....then you are facing a hard life ahead of you. Please do not take offense at my last sentence, it is not meant as malicious. I recognize that many people (younger and older) are smarter than me, and that I can learn from them...despite my being an Engineer and physician.

Thank you for asking questions, koolwalky. That means you are open to learning and understanding; for that, I am grateful. The primary reasons people write malicious code (virus. trojans, worms) are: * To generate money * To steal sensitive information (credit card numbers, passwords, personal details, data etc.) * To prove a point (to prove it can be done, to prove ones skill or for revenge purposes) * To cripple a computer or network (Denial of Service Attacks - "DoS") * To take control of a computer and use it for specific tasks, either individually for that particular computer, or a group like Dos or botnets. In my previous post, the third link talked about botnets. Here is a more detailed article: http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis?pubid=204792095 This is a small quote from the article: Please ask me more. The better informed the public is, the safer we all are.

I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, and take this as an odd sense of humor. If, however, you truly believe this, then you are only showing your extreme ignorance. Of course, you could be part of the malware writing community. Check out these articles: http://blogs.paretologic.com/malwarediaries/index.php/2010/05/13/the-dark-world/ http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/index.php?/topic/129181-the-growth-of-malware/ http://blog.trendmicro.com/spotlighting-the-botnet-business-model/ http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/02/03/us-cybersecurity-badguys-idUSTRE61205W20100203?type=technologyNews

Absolutely wrong!!!

MSE is an antivirus, with antispyware. I would strongly encourage you to use a better firewall.

If this does not get you moving, something is wrong with you. :mrgreen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMYtw9A0XR0

You usually get infected because your security settings are too low. Here are a number of recommendations to help tighten them, which will hopefully make you a less likely victim: Safe Computing Practices 1.) Keep your Windows updated! * Go to Start > Windows Update or navigate to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, and install ALL Critical security updates listed (you will need to use Internet Explorer to do this). If you're running Windows XP, that includes Service Pack 3, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389 for details. If you are running Vista, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791 * If you suspect your computer is infected with Malware of any type, please do NOT install any updates yet. Take your computer to a local expert, or find on-line help. Two very good, and free, on-line sites are http://SpywareInfoForum.com and http://BleepingComputer.com. * It's important always to keep current with the latest security fixes from Microsoft. This can patch many of the security holes through which attackers can infect your computer. Please either enable Automatic Updates under Start > Control Panel > Automatic Updates, or get into the habit of checking for Windows updates regularly. 2.) Watch what you download! * Many "freeware" programs come with an enormous amount of bundled spyware that will slow down your system, spawn pop-up advertisements, or just plain crash your browser or even Windows itself. * Peer-to-peer (P2P) programs like Kazaa, BearShare, Imesh, Warez P2P, and others are amongst the most notorious. If you insist on using P2P software, please read this article http://www.malwareremoval.com/p2pindex.php for information on Clean and infected P2P Programs. * Note also that even if the P2P software you are using is "clean", a large percentage of the files served on the P2P network are likely to be infected. Do not open any files without being certain of what they are! 3.) Avoid questionable web sites! * Many disreputable sites will attempt to install malware on your system through "drive-by" exploits just by visiting the site in your browser. Lyrics sites, free software sites (especially ones that target young children), cracked software sites, and pornography sites are some of the worst offenders. * Most of these drive-by attempts will be thwarted if you keep your Windows updated and your internet browser secured (see below). Nevertheless, it is very important only to visit web sites that are trustworthy and reputable. * In addition, never give out personal information of any sort online. And never click "OK" to a pop-up unless it is signed by a reputable company and you know what it is! * For more general information see the first section, "Educate yourself and be smart about where you visit and what you click on", in this tutorial by Grinler of BleepingComputer: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial82.html Must-Have Software *NOTE*: Please only run one anti-virus and one anti-spyware program (in resident mode) and one firewall on your system. Running more than one of these at a time can cause system crashes and/or conflicts with each other. Of the following programs, passive protection like SpywareBlaster, IE-SPYAD and MVPS Hosts file can be used with active resident protection programs effectively. The free version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is an on-demand scan and clean program that will also not conflict with resident protection, Spybot is also on-demand but has resident protection if the Teatimer function is used. Only one scan at a time should be run. 4.) Antivirus * An Anti-Virus product is a necessity. There are many excellent programs that you can purchase. However, we choose to advocate the use of free programs whenever possible. Some very good and easy-to-use free antivirus programs are Avast (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download) and AntiVir (http://www.free-av.com/). Please run only one antivirus resident at a time! * It's a good idea to set your antivirus to receive automatic updates so you are always as fully protected as possible from the newest threats. 5.) Internet Browser * Many malware infections install themselves by exploiting security holes in Microsoft Internet Explorer. It is strongly suggested that you consider using an alternate browser. * Both Mozilla Firefox(http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/) and Opera (http://www.opera.com/) are next-generation browsers that are more secure and faster than Internet Explorer, immune to most known browser hijackers, and outfitted with built-in pop-up blockers and other useful accessories. 6.) Firewall * It is critical that you use a firewall to protect your computer from hackers. We don't recommend the firewall that comes built into Windows XP. It doesn't block everything that may try to get in, it doesn't block anything at all outbound, and the entire firewall is written to the registry. (The built-in Vista firewall blocks both incoming and outbound, but is still written to the registry). Since most malware accesses the registry and can disable the Windows firewall, it's preferable to install one of these excellent third party solutions. * Two good free ones are Online Armor (http://www.online-armor.com/products-online-armor-free.php) and Outpost (http://free.agnitum.com/). The trial version of Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall (http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Home-Office/Sunbelt-Personal-Firewall/) will also work in "free mode" after the trial period expires. Please only use one firewall at a time! 7.) Install Javacool's SpywareBlaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html * This excellent program blocks installation of many known malicious ActiveX objects. Run the program, download the latest updates, "Enable All Protection" and you're done. Although it won't protect you from every form of spyware known to man, it is a very potent extra layer of protection. * Don't forget to check for updates every week or so. Also see this tutorial by Grinler: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html (Note: This tutorial is for an earlier version, so there may be some minor differences) 8.) HOSTS file * Another good program is MVPS HOSTS. This little program packs a powerful punch as it blocks ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and many hijackers. * For information on how to download and install, please read this tutorial by WinHelp2002: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm Other Cleaning / Protection Software 9.) Spybot * Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html) is a good free scanner. See this topic for instructions on how to run a scan with Spybot: http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/index.php?showtopic=18080 * Spybot has an "Immunize" feature which works roughly the same way as SpywareBlaster above. * Another feature within Spybot is the TeaTimer option. TeaTimer detects when known malicious processes try to start and terminates them. It also detects when something wants to change critical registry keys and prompts you to allow this or not. See this tutorial by Grinler for more information: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial43.html (Note: Tutorial is for an earlier version, so there may be some minor differences) 10.) Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware * An outstanding all-purpose anti-malware scanner and cleaner is Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php). Although there is also a paid version with added features, the free version is fully functional. See This Article for details on how to download and scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/index.php?showtopic=116570 11.) Windows Defender * Microsoft now offers their own free malicious software blocking and removal tool, "Windows Defender" (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx). It also features real-time protection. 12.) Lock down ActiveX in Internet Explorer * Even if you plan to use an alternate browser, you will have to use Internet Explorer for tasks like updating Windows or visiting any other site that requires ActiveX. Also, since Internet Explorer is integrated into the Windows core, keeping it locked down is very important. *For IE7 and IE8, open IE and go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Internet, then press "Default Level", then OK. o For IE6, now press "Custom Level." In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable". * Now you will be asked whether you want ActiveX objects to be executed and whether you want software to be installed. Sites that you know for sure are above suspicion can be moved to the Trusted Zone in Internet Option > Security. * So why is ActiveX so dangerous that you have to increase the security for it? When your browser runs an ActiveX control, it is running an executable program, no different from double-clicking an exe file on your hard drive. Would you run just any file downloaded off a web site without knowing what it is and what it does? If you have any questions, please post them for me to answer. :D

It is best to pm this complaint to a mod. You should upload your image to a hosting site. I use http://imageshack.us. It is free. Once it is uploaded, you can include that link in your message to a mod, like koolwalky.

M.D. retired. As I have told those who know me, I am older than most everyone on Tanki, except my dad. :shock: And while being older does not necessarily mean wiser, it definitely does in my case. :mrgreen:

Fiasco, my comments about this very concern were much more inflammatory, and I did not get banned. You and I see the same problem, although I am fine with Thunder and Ricochet. Yes, they are very strong, but manageable. Freeze is the main issue with me. The other issue is that these powerful weapons are made available at too low of rank. I feel the game would play better with fewer Tier 2 weapons in map. The only way to do that is to raise the rank requirements. Let me explain my reasoning, although I know it won't do any good. Any army is made up primarily of lower (average) skilled soldiers. Those few with greater skills rise to be the leaders. Those with extraordinary skills become the elite squads (SEALS, Green Berets, Rangers). There are very few of them. Any typical game on Tanki (excluding newbie games), have well over half with elite weapons. That is not balanced. To me, the most enjoyable battles are those with diversity of weapons...this is where skill and cooperation wins the game. Instead, we now have drugging maniacs with more money than abilities, and the fun is being lost. Ultimately, Tanki will lose.

Hate to disappoint you, but this poll will not influence the developers designs for 2.0.

http://forum.tankionline.com/forums/show/9.page

Then please tell me why everyone and their dog seems to get access? They persistently whine to get on the Test, and some fool lets them.

Please lock.

I liked the movie it was based on.

First: Try educating instead of ridiculing a person when they are in error. Second: Time to get back to OP's point of this thread.

Thank you for validating my point.

IMHO, the Test Server has lost its purpose. Way too many people have access to it. It has become a playground, not fulfilling its designed purpose...admin testing.

I always thought a turtle was a type of fungus. :shock: Before anyone makes any asinine comments, I was being sarcastic.