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Welcome to my thirty-third public report as a Science Officer, on time... (OMG!) ...let's get on to the news:

Science Office News:

1. Happy New Year!
2. This week saw a whole lot of patch releases, with the TIE/XvT/BoP Project reaching the Balance of Power section and me using the occasion to update their XvT counterparts. A layout of releases, the next news points have details:
   • Assault Shuttle: Updated both the BoP and the XvT patches.
   • Imperial Landing Craft: Updated both the BoP and the XvT patches.
   • Phalanx Interceptor Gunboat: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches. BoP patch moved to slot #10. ("Custom Fighter Slot 1")
   • Spectre Advanced Missile Boat: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches.
   • TIE Dragon: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches. BoP patch moved to slot#11. ("Custom Fighter Slot 2")
   • TIE Scimitar Assault Bomber: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches. BoP patch moved to slot#11. ("Custom Fighter Slot 2")
   • A-9b Vigilance Interceptor: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches. BoP patch moved to slot#11. ("Custom Fighter Slot 2")
   • Cloakshape Fighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • Hyperion Fighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #11 ("Custom Fighter Slot 2"). XvT patch updated.
   • Marauder Corvette: Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT patch updated.
   • Ares X-Wing: Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • E-Wing: Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • K-Wing: Released the BoP patch to slot #11 ("Custom Fighter Slot 2"). XvT patch updated.
   • Marauder A-Wing: Released the BoP patch to slot #11 ("Custom Fighter Slot 2"). XvT patch updated.
   • Shadow Y-Wing: Released the BoP patch to slot #11 ("Custom Fighter Slot 2"). XvT patch updated.
   • Dungeon Ship: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches.
   • TIE Praetor: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches. BoP patch moved to slot#11. ("Custom Fighter Slot 2")
   • Star Galleon: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches.
   • Authority IRD: Released the BoP patch to slot #11 ("Custom Fighter Slot 2"). XvT patch updated.
   • Corellian Transport YT-2400 ("Outrider"): Updated both the BoP and XvT patches.
   • Ferryboat Liner: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches.
   • Firespray Attack Ship ("Slave 1"): Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • Freighter Type C: Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT patch updated.
   • Freighter Type H: Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT patch updated.
   • Freighter Type K: Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT patch updated.
   • Interceptor Enforcement Ship ("INT-4"): Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • Luxury Yacht: Updated both the BoP and XvT patches.
   • Mobquet Tranport: Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT Patch updated.
   • Modified Action Transport ("WildKarde"): Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT Patch updated.
   • Pinook Fighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • Planetary Fighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • Preybird Fighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • Pursuer Enforcement Ship ("Slave 2"): Released the BoP patch to slot #11 ("Custom Fighter Slot 2"). XvT patch updated.
   • Razor Fighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #10 ("Custom Fighter Slot 1"). XvT patch updated.
   • Supa Fighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #11 ("Custom Fighter Slot 2"). XvT patch updated.
   • Suprosa: Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT patch updated.
   • Xiyitar Freighter: Released the BoP patch to slot #31 ("Custom Freighter Slot"). XvT patch updated.
3. New Releases and Updates all are compatible with the Emperor's Hammer Ship Patches (EHSP) and actually make use of it to deal with problems we had before the release of the EHSPs: All these patches can now be installed at the same time, as long as they are not on the same slot - offering an additional four craft per game.
4. Our older XvT and BoP patches are compatible with the EHSPs as well, they just don't require it to be installed. This does mean however that it is not guaranteed that they will work side by side without conflicts. I am in the process of updating them all.
5. Our TIE Fighter patches are also compatible with EHSP-TIE, the fighter patches even require no updates at all. The Transport and Freighter patches however have the same problem as the older BoP and XvT ones and will be updated.
6. Further updates include improved readme.txt files that include notes for Windows XP and 2000 users and more up to date installation instructions. Patches have also been fixed to remove typing errors that have stuck around for years because of copy pasting practices *g*.
7. With the release of these 24 new patches I have gotten a new problem: the sco.minos.net server space is now completely full. I already had to make adjustments to be able to upload everything. This means that I can probably continue updating the existing patches (which are smaller then their older counterparts) but not release anything new until I get us some more server space somewhere. This might even include web sections like the Fleet and Science Manuals and other such matters. While this situation lasts I ask you to be patient.

Science Office Status:

CA:SCO: Admiral Darkhill has continued work on the EHBL 2.0. I was able to do some testing for him this week.

SCOA: CM Tim has been making excellent progress with the Free Space 2 mod for the Emperor's Hammer, now named "TIE Fighter Empire". He also has returned from semi-leave.

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 patch archive. Server is full.

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. Released 24 new BoP patches, updated 10 more BoP patches and about 35 XvT ones.

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

TIE Fighter Empire: 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". About all craft from X-Wing have been added and work has started to add the TIE Fighter concourse.

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!