No apologies needed Rudd, I think more and more people will adopt Mumble over time and it will also be interesting to see what the future holds for TS3etc. I also think you may have coined a new phrase in 'Mumble extremist' lol!

My concern is that the mission becomes 'to execute the plan' rather than the plan being something you use to complete the mission. To put that in context then, Mumble can be an extremely useful tool to help you achieve your objectives in game by giving additional comms tools, i.e. positional audio. What it sometimes becomes is a distraction for ill disciplined squad members due to everyone becoming a defacto radio man, the same as any comms tool can be, TS can do the same to players but due to it's non-positional nature and the fact that everyone in channel can hear this is usually clamped down on.

Over use of comms in game is a huge distraction for me, I often mute TS and Mumble in CQB where I need to hear everything. An awful lot of comms in game is totally uneccessary and people chatting when inapproriate has gotten me killed countless times. I think people using Mumble need to ask themselves do I need to speak to that guy over there in a different squad, is it necessary for me to carry out what I am doing. Would you do it over TS so everyone can hear, i.e. is it that important. Don't use it for idle chit chat unless the situation allows you too. Also if both SL's are nearby and they are talking, having a meeting etc be quiet, listen, that's realism for you.

I like TS but I can see the plusses and minuses of Mumble, positional audio is a huge bonus. However like all tools it depends on who's using it, on the one hand it allows me to say very quickly "Dispo, on your left 50 metres" when we are not on the same squad. It also allows members of differing squads to request meds and ammo be shared etc. Unfortunately it also adds to the distractions that some players seem already to struggle to cope with. If you are already being asked why you aren't carrying out orders should you really be chatting with some guy from another squad, just because he's next to you, do you think that would wash in RL. I know I've been guilty of it as an SM and I go mad about this stuff as SL lol so I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Al's point about the circumvention of the chain of command is highly relevant imo. Even TS can be used to co-ordinate behind the CO's back as it were. With the shiny newness of Mumble lets remind ourselves not to undermine people who step up to CO (salutes), instead lets use all our comms tools to co-ordinate and beter carry out the CO' orders.

Also as squad members, follow your own squad leaders orders and requests and don't wander off and decide to link up with other squads. Your an sm, the SL is not interested in your theory about linking squads up because it's fun on mumble. If the SL wants to co-ordinate with another squad he will, it's none of your business, don't like it, run your own squad or at the very least get out of the one your in. Don't give your ammo to another squad without first checking with your SL, don't run off reviving without checking with your SL. It's your SL's decision and he needs to know where you are, being able to communicate with other squads doesn't suddenly make you and autonamous freelancer.

Good Sl's will ask another SL if they can send a medic to help. The SL then brings the whole squad over as cover to ensure a successful revive and prevent the loss of another medic. If you freelance and get nailed you then have 2 squads without a medic and potentially half a dozen plus casualties.

Mumble is cool but it's still PR, all the same rules about following orders apply, the same discipline is required for good, realistic and effective play. Don't become 'blinded by the light' of Mumble>

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRtAJy2nFVM[/media]


Otherwise you may end up rabbiting too much, giving it too much bunny.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOSseI1hao8[/media]