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Welcome to my thirty-second public report as a Science Officer, a few days late... (Aaaaarrg, season's stress) ...but let's get on to the news:

Science Office News:

1. I'll be on leave from the moment I've finished this report until after Christmas, visiting my parents on the other end of the country. CM Timmay is also on semi-leave until January; he's house sitting. Please be patient if you have anything to ask us. AD Darkhill will be around however.
2. AD Darkhill is progressing very nicely on EHBL 2.0. This version will have increased userfriendliness and security and also supports TIECD. If you are interested in helping out in the testing phase, email me with the games you own and your Operating System data. I cannot guarantee that we will make use of your services, but if we do - we will reward you suitably.
3. The Freespace 2 mod of Timmay is still going along fine - I will start helping him along in the next year to make sure he doesn't crack under the pressure ;) Check the slicing forum and the SCO Project Pages for a progress log and screenshots.
4. I've finished the new rendering of the TIE Protector for TIE95, XvT and BoP. The model now looks more as described; you can even see the fuzzy dice and suction cup alien (but also the additional launchers and such). It is no longer white, as that was considered too much of a "Rocket Magnet". The XvT and BoP patches have been split debugged and rebuilt and are as such actually completely new. The XWA version is under construction, but nearing completion. A screenshot of the XvT-level OPT is attached to this report.
5. The Spectre Advanced Missile Boat patch for XWA has been updated to reflect its new shape and has now a .bat installer - another actually new patch.:)
6. I've finished the new pictures for the craft on the rosters. The IWSE has already received them; the FSE will receive them as soon as possible.
7. Large parts of the Science Manual have been completed, but I'm running behind schedule because of the season. This Manual will not contain many new regulations - most of it has been in practice for years but never put down in text. The moment it's done and approved by the Fleet Commander especially SG and TC staff would be advised to look it over well.
8. I've added Quick Reference Charts to the Fleet Manual about hits to take down shields or hull and warhead load outs. Especially mission creators are advised to look them over to prevent endless strafing. For pilots they can help to increase your efficiency.
9. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Science Office Status:

CA:SCO: Admiral Darkhill has continued work on the EHBL 2.0, graphic parts and encryptors are done.

SCOA: CM Tim has been making excellent progress with the Free Space 2 mod for the Emperor's Hammer. Is on semi-leave for now.

Site: The Science Office site can be found at http://sco.minos.net or via the redirect http://scienceoffice.isCool.net. The mirror can be found at http://www.gimmie.tudelft.nl/homes/blok10b/ender/sco. Updates have been made to the project pages, the science manual (not linked) and to the fleet manual.

Science Office Projects:

XvT/BoP/TIE95 Ship patches: This project's goal is to add all the original and Order of Battle craft that are still "missing" from these games, like the SSD in TIE and XvT, the Medium Transport in all etc. New TIE Protector is released.

Grand Project: The EH Patch Manager Project is on hold for EHBL 2.0

Free Space 2 EH mod: With the release of the freely available source code of FS2, CM Timmay has started on making a Star Wars mod for it. We can freely distribute a finished mod as long as we have all our own data files (graphics, sounds, models etc). - renamed to "TIE Fighter Empire" for now.

Finishing up:

I think that's it - If I've forgotten anything or if you have comments, suggestions or corrections, let me know via email or look us up at #science_office. Don't forget that all the projects are described in more detail on the SCO site.

(use only mindb_ender@hotmail.com for official SCO mails.) or ICQ (9706474). Preferably do not mail large files to me, but DCC them via IRC I’m practically always online at #science_office, #emperor’s_hammer and #tiecorps using the nick MindB_ndr (or variations.)
 
All my SCO reports are available online as well: you can reach them on the SCO site but they are on the TIE Corps site, CS reports, as well.

Until next time, good luck and have fun!