PBEM vs. HOST?

MarcinM · #1 October 11th, 2006, 11:05 AM

If I have a box that can just sit there and run Dom3, would it make sense to just Host it rather than deal with gathering/distributing the emails for PBEM?

Does it work the same way? Do your turn, connect, submit, disconnect? Or does it actually only work when everyone is connected at once? If the latter, I guess my question answers itself

freykin · #2 October 11th, 2006, 11:31 AM

It works like the former

Gandalf Parker · #3 October 11th, 2006, 12:44 PM

Yes, they connect and upload their turn then disconnect. At least many of them do though some will stay connected, particularly if it looks like it might host soon.

Everything has its pros and cons. In a PbEM hosting game you just host it then continue on with your day. With the TCP/IP hosting game you leave Dom running all of the time. And you have to load another copy to play your own turn. That can get in the way of doing other things on your machine.

MarcinM · #4 October 11th, 2006, 02:13 PM

I have a dedicated box that could run the server, but I'd prefer to actually play my turn on another box (it's faster, bigger screen). Can I do that?

Someone mentioned running a "background" server. What's the scoop on that?

Thanks for all the help, I'm a total Dominions noob lucky enough to get into a battle with around 8 other noobs (and possibly some not-so-noobs in disguise, which may make things interesting). So I want to make this smooth for everyone

Agrajag · #5 October 11th, 2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

MarcinM said:
I have a dedicated box that could run the server, but I'd prefer to actually play my turn on another box (it's faster, bigger screen). Can I do that?

Yes.

Gandalf Parker · #6 October 11th, 2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

MarcinM said:
I have a dedicated box that could run the server, but I'd prefer to actually play my turn on another box (it's faster, bigger screen). Can I do that?

Someone mentioned running a "background" server. What's the scoop on that?

Thanks for all the help, I'm a total Dominions noob lucky enough to get into a battle with around 8 other noobs (and possibly some not-so-noobs in disguise, which may make things interesting). So I want to make this smooth for everyone

Yes. The "host" doesnt check its serial against the players so you can load it to two machines and let one be host while you play with the other. They did it that way on purpose (very nice of them)

Background is easier on a linux machine. Maybe a mac. For a windows machine just run it normally then drop it to the bar so that you can do other things on that machine.

Gandalf Parker