Global Smasher Compendium: Difference between revisions
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=== Adding a smasher === | === Adding a smasher === | ||
The data presented on the Global Smasher Compendium is maintained by its creator, [[Simna ibn Sind]](britton@winfirst.com) and therefore all new members need to submit their information directly to him to be added. Info should be sent to the above email address. The following information is required for new entries: | The data presented on the Global Smasher Compendium is maintained by its creator, [[Simna ibn Sind]](britton@winfirst.com), and therefore, all new members need to submit their information directly to him to be added. Info should be sent to the above email address. The following information is required for new entries: | ||
* '''Gamer Alias''' - The player's name as recognized by [[SWF]] or the smash/gaming community at large. (''Example: [[PC Chris]], [[Janitor]], [[Manacloud]], etc.'') | * '''Gamer Alias''' - The player's name as recognized by [[SWF]] or the smash/gaming community at large. (''Example: [[PC Chris]], [[Janitor]], [[Manacloud]], etc.'') | ||
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* '''Mailing Address''' - A full street address is required from all smashers when joining. | * '''Mailing Address''' - A full street address is required from all smashers when joining. | ||
* '''City/State/Country''' - Self-explanatory, and an extension of the mailing address. | * '''City/State/Country''' - Self-explanatory, and an extension of the mailing address. | ||
* '''Online Contact Information''' - An e-mail address, instant messaging contacts and/or other ways for online smashers to contact the entrant. | * '''Online Contact Information''' - An e-mail address, instant messaging contacts, and/or other ways for online smashers to contact the entrant. | ||
Smashers wishing to include pictures of themselves in their GSC profile may either include a URL of the image in their submission | Smashers wishing to include pictures of themselves in their GSC profile may either include a URL of the image in their submission or a copy of the image itself. The profile may, however, be subject to unspecified restrictions on image file size and dimensions. | ||
===Adding an event=== | ===Adding an event=== | ||
Revision as of 20:35, March 27, 2009
Template:Languages The Global Smasher Compendium, often abbreviated "GSC," is a utility for Google Earth made for smashers by Simna ibn Sind. It displays locations and information on smashers, venues and tournaments all over the world. It is a popular way for smashers to find other players living nearby and all those interested in getting involved with the community are encouraged to join.
Mission
The goal of the Global Smasher Compendium is to list as many smashers worldwide in one comprehensive directory as possible and effectively bring the members of the Super Smash Bros. community closer together.
History
The Global Smasher Compendium was originally created in October of 2005 as an alpha test for selected smashers. Once 50 players had joined, the first beta version was released, and its potential as a worldwide directory was soon realized.
With the help of tio-programmer Nealdt, a second beta release of the GSC was upgraded to include a hassle-free automatic update system that is currently still in use.
Today, the Global Smasher Compendium lists more than 1,000 smashers around the world with new members joining daily. It has been both directly and indirectly responsible for expanding existing local competitive communities and creating entirely new ones as well.
Global Smasher Compendium Profile
When a smasher first joins the Global Smasher Compendium, a placemark consisting of their alias/name and a Smash Bros. character icon of their choice is added to the 3D Google Earth interface. The full profile only appears when the character icon is double-clicked and includes all of the details submitted upon joining including alias, name of crew(s), tournament venues, and any additional contact information or comments desired. Although not required, the GSC does provide support for photographs to be displayed as well.
Venues
As well as smashers, the Global Smasher Compendium also lists venues for tournaments and smashfests and supports equally comprehensive information about each.
These placemarks represent locations of tournaments not being held at a smasher's home, locations that hold regular tournaments, and locations that have a Super Smash Bros. game available for casual play such as game lounges and LAN centers.
Rather than having an additional placemark, tournaments held in a smasher's home will be attached to that smasher's placemark info which can be accessed by clicking on their character icon.
Joining the GSC
Installation & Downloads
The Global Smasher Compendium can be downloaded as a bundle package with Google Earth for both PC and Macintosh from the following locations:
- Global Smasher Compendium + Google Earth - PC DOWNLOAD
- Global Smasher Compendium + Google Earth - Mac DOWNLOAD
If Google Earth is already installed, the GSC data file is available separately for both operating systems here:
- Global Smasher Compendium .KML File = (GSCv003b.kml) DOWNLOAD w/ PC Info
When the file GSCv003b.kml is opened, Google Earth will automatically archive the information so Global Smasher Compendium data will be available each time the program is run. Additionally, if the Google Earth software is installed, the GSC can also be accessed by running the above file directly from an internet download and will once again be automatically archived for future browsing.
Adding a smasher
The data presented on the Global Smasher Compendium is maintained by its creator, Simna ibn Sind(britton@winfirst.com), and therefore, all new members need to submit their information directly to him to be added. Info should be sent to the above email address. The following information is required for new entries:
- Gamer Alias - The player's name as recognized by SWF or the smash/gaming community at large. (Example: PC Chris, Janitor, Manacloud, etc.)
- Main Character - This parameter defines which character icon will be attached to the GSC profile.
- Mailing Address - A full street address is required from all smashers when joining.
- City/State/Country - Self-explanatory, and an extension of the mailing address.
- Online Contact Information - An e-mail address, instant messaging contacts, and/or other ways for online smashers to contact the entrant.
Smashers wishing to include pictures of themselves in their GSC profile may either include a URL of the image in their submission or a copy of the image itself. The profile may, however, be subject to unspecified restrictions on image file size and dimensions.
Adding an event
To add a venue or tournament to the GSC, the following information must be sent to Simna:
- name of the event - What is this tournament or smashfest called? (Example: Zero Challenge)
- name of the venue - Where is this event being held? (Example: David L. Baker Memorial Golf Course - Rec. Room)
- date of the event - What day, or days, does this event take place on?†
- address of the venue - Mailing address, including post/zip code of the venue.
- links to additional info - Full URL's of websites or forum posts that include additional tournament information such as rules, prizes, signup details, homepage of venue, etc.
† NOTE: If the event is recurring (bi-weekly, monthly, etc.), this should also be specified with the submission details.
These are the primary functions used in Google Earth to help a user better navigate the Global Smasher Compendium.
Find
Using Ctrl+F users can find a specific word amongst the available placemarks, thus allowing them to search for specific smashers. The Google Earth application will automatically direct itself to the appropriate location on the globe.
Fly To
This function allows users to type in the name of any place (city, town, state, etc.) and the application will zoom in on that geographic location, revealing the smashers who have registered in that area.
Zoom
Using the zoom function, users can get a wider or narrower view of an area within the GSC. Many higher population regions have a high concentration of smashers and the only way to see them all without each of the nearby profiles overlapping one another is to zoom in. Conversely, zooming out will give a visual approximation of which geographic areas are the busiest hubs for the global community.
Tilt
Largely an ornamental function of the Google Earth program, tilting the map allows users to view areas from different angles, focusing on the rendering of 3D terrain and 3D buildings in some locations.
Directions To/From
This function gives offers driving directions from placemark A to placemark B via Google Maps. This allows users to get exact driving directions from one smasher to another.
Screenshots
As of August 2006
GSC - United Kingdom
GSC - San Francisco Bay Area, California
GSC - New Jersey State
Simna's House
3D Terrain on the beaches of San Francisco
3D Buildings in St. Louis, Missouri
