Work with me here...

[Valles]

My condolences on the flooding; I hope nothing irreplaceable was stored there?

[Carthaginian]

Flooded basement is an unknown quantity in the South.
Hopefully it was just the stored junk.

[The Rock Doctor]

We have about 1,400 jars of canned food on shelves in there, plus three bins of potatos.  Thus far, the water's only gotten up about an inch - that flooded a potato bin that had a hole in the bottom, but everything else is okay. 

However, in keeping with the past owner's tradition of half-ass-edness - there is no sump hole or sump pump in the cellar.  Just a little drain.  So I've been improvising a sump hole (bucket), sticking an old pump in there, and using a wet-vac to transfer water in.  Takes about 30 minutes three times a day to empty the cellar, which promptly begins to fill back in again anyway.

Today we said "Fuck it", bought a sump pump, and an eight pound sledge hammer.  A sump hole is now in progress - very wet and laborous work under the circumstances.

Can't wait till everything freezes up outside...

[Valles]

Speaking as someone who's had a basement apartment flood outright on them, I'm very glad to hear that it's as manageable as that! Given the option of a day or two of labor in miserable conditions vs thousands of dollars of books, I wish I'd been in your shoes.

[Delta Force]

I like this idea, Rock... sorry it took so long to comment.

Building 'special' equipment make a great role-playing opportunity, and could drive a nice trade in weapons and armament. I say a special facility- perhaps even limited to one per 'empire'- could be built, and designated to allow for a superior product in an area: naval propulsion, naval guns, aircraft, land vehicles. These would be traded, sold, used as bribes, etc.

Also, we might need to allow for several NPC's who are also specialized, in order to give them a greater chance of survival (and to prepare spots for any future players). They could actively be courted, negotiated with and paid for their special equipment.

Perhaps improved factories could have technology levels a few years ahead of other factories (1935 engines or guns when everyone else has 1930)?

[Darman]

what version of SS3 are we using?  SS3.0b3?

[Carthaginian]

what version of SS3 are we using?  SS3.0b3?

Yep... the last one.
Nothing after 3.03b in the last 3+ years.

[Darman]

what version of SS3 are we using?  SS3.0b3?

Yep... the last one.
Nothing after 3.03b in the last 3+ years.

I couldn't remember what I had downloaded last time.  Thanks