ROGER WILCO VS. BOUND KEYS

First off, in the issue of these two items lets look at each of there advantages before we compare them.  Bound Messaging-   Its simple, effective, and internal to the games software.  No extra downloads are needed.  You dont need to start another program wich eats up your resources while playing to use it.  Thats probably its best feature.  You can access the messages in your OPTIONS area of the game or for easier setup, download Galeleo's MP bound key editor.  Bound Messaging also is able to be customized for a players or the teams needs so flexibility is another plus.  A verbal sound as well as a phrase or sentence is programable for each message.  There are tons to choose from and even some with TANGO sounds or voices.  The biggest drawbacks to MP Bound Keys are that they cant be used when you die, and it mostly will have you lifting your hand off your keyboard somewhat to send a message.  Practicing using them as well as writing down your configuration on a peice of paper while keeping it in front of you untill memorized is an easy way to defeat it.  So, the game made a great way to communicate, and it looks like its biggest flaw is people dont use it to its potential.

Roger Wilco, TeamStream and Battle Com are all excellent ways to talk to other players.  They can be hands free operated or key activated.  Most important feature, no typing and you can use them when your dead.  Sometimes this gives a team a big advantage due to you being able to alert others to a opposing forces actions.  Roger Wilco is the simplest out of all of the systems to setup and use.  It also uses little resources but players with slow PC's [ 400mhz and lower] will severely notice performance problems.  Your internet connection will also determine your ability to use these programs.  Cable or higher will easily use these programs, where 56K modems will suffer at times.  Your connection to the other players or PING will also effect your performance.  Just as in the game, your ping to others using the same RW server is important. If one or two are to LATENT, a form of lag will occur just as in the game.  Overall, though, you just cant beat being able to actually TALK to other teamates in the game.  It enters a new dimension for players and will only help a team in the long run.

Now adding it all up: Roger Wilco:   +  Voice or key activated. +  Talking not typing +  Use while dead -   May cause lag,  need a good host for RW like in a game[ host of RW shouldnt be host of a game] -   Additional program, uses up resources MP KEYS: +  Free, comes with game, doesnt require a server +  Adjustable, able to customize to certain needs for a team or player +  Provides sounds and a text messaging system -   Cannot use while dead -   Not used alot by others, requires practice -   Player often needs to lift hand off of keyboard to execute creating a possible opportunity for opposers unless he is profiecient or keys are remaped

ENDSTATE- Overall, both are great for the game.  They take it onto another level of play.  Teams that use either of them are always more dominating than ones that dont.  While the BOUND MESSAGING is more lag free, ROGER WILCO ultimately will win.  Programs that let you actually TALK instead of TYPING is a major advantage.  It lets the player continue to do what he needs to without hitting extra buttons.  This is where RW wins, dispite of lag problems.  Those problems are easily corrected if you apply the same measures that you would for a game.  Use a good host that everyone connects well to, and avoid overloading a player or making a person host both a game and RW.  The bottom line is players need to use these methods of communication.  Sometimes in combat, what is SEEN or REPORTED is much more important than the amount of firepower or kills.  Without the knowledge of what is going on, a player can be easilly manipulated and overwhelmed by a coordinated effort.  -Scout