Just a few things I've noticed.

The description on HH1 currently reads "No Crits/Vanilla". Could we remove the "Vanilla" part please? Or even better make it vanilla!

During play on HH1 in chat will show nextmap as if it is on rotation, even though the vote overides this.

Finally, the HH steam group shows server info as - "HH1.THEHH.CO.UK:27015" does this IP link to the new servers or old?

What is it about HH1 that means it is not Vanilla? What definition of Vanilla you using?

Here are the definitions I've been using.
Vanilla TF2: Without any mods or plugins which influence gameplay.
Classic TF2: Only original stock items and maps.

The nextmap issue is a problem with the vote system. I've removed it until there is a fix.

Those sub-domains point to the new servers.

I think all this might end up being moved to a new thread.

Well yeah I guess you're right frog. It's just that I'm sure a lot of people would interpret Vanilla as stock items. That's how I think of it, but that may just be me. As for the other two points, hunky-dory.

A stock item vote could be put in place at the start of each map.

Uberium label their server as Vanilla, do you know if it is original stock items only?

Experiments done in the past on HH1 with stock only items lead to lots of cries along the lines of 'FFS, where's my ......!!!'

Yep this needs a new thread, can we move the relevant posts?

From a personal point of view I'd love a stock item vote. However, I'm pretty sure a lot of people would disagree. The two most popular tf2 servers in the UK at the moment (as far as I can tell) are triggerhappygamers and uberium. Both do not run stock weapons. In fact I'd probably bet they are both eligible for the quick play menu option which HH1 does not benefit from. Maybe this is the direction we should be taking.

I know in the past when we have tried to run a more comp orientated server it has failed so maybe this is not the way to go. At the same time, giving people the option via a vote might prove beneficial. Would love to hear everyone's opinion on this.

I use the same definition of 'Vanilla TF2' as you, Telgor, but that's because it's the definition ETF2L (and I guess the entire competitive community because of that and http://www.vanillatf2.org/ uses). Pubs however seem to use the definition frog mentioned, as far as I've ever seen, so it is best to use that.

Public TF2 with just stock weapons + medlocks (blutz, kritz, ubersaw, (crossbow)) would be a dream come true for me, but I agree again that it's not to the majority's fancy. I'll have to stick to DM servers for that.

Perhaps a website/server poll (rather than just a server vote) on stock weapons to see the proportions inclined either way would be of interest?

I think we have done this, twice, and had a true vanilla server as a result, which no one ever really used. :/

Making stock-items a vote at the start of the map would be brilliant.
Should probably include the Equalizer and Gloves Of Running Urgently on top of the med-locks, but with some people there's just no reasoning once you go down this route.

I think a clear line would need to be drawn for this to have the best chance of working, e.g. medi-locks. no-locks at all. etc.

Anything else would probably lead to endless discussion about personal weapon preference and why a particular unlock should or shouldn't be included in the vote.

Which I guess is what you meant when you said there is 'no reasoning.. ..route'.

Yeah, exactly.
Imo those unlocks, that allow a class to get to mid faster, i.e. GRU etc should be allowed, but the next guy will say the Quick Fix or whatever is essential, and so on. Oh well.

Sorry, I dont like the idea of a vanilla server at all, But I like the non-random crits server very much.

With the stock weapons only, the poor old pyro, never a really effective class anyway, becomes only really useful for spy checking and waiting to be shot.

Which does'nt really suit my play style of "Kill the medic pyro" and "hide and seek pyro"

But that .... nextmap is "ctf_sawmill" message popping up 10 mins into a map and long before the actual vote bugs me too

Gawd knows what a new player to HH thinks of it..

Boris