Thanks for the question Aces.  The two maps in the maptest page are for the Hex brand game which will operate similarly to GC but with a much greater number of play options, including maps that change configuration every three turns (Hex the Cube), maps that are randomly generated (you never know what it will look like until the game begins), virtual 3D maps (like the ones you saw, each separate hex set is a level), and of course static maps.  In short, Hex will have practically unlimited number of maps.

A second game brand debuting shortly after Hex will use traditional world map motifs much like Risk and GC.  That brand will also has several maps, ten are presently planned.

http://www.sgamers.com/maptest/MapTest.htm  This links to a page I set up for testing the mechanics of the game maps for Hex brand games.

The page allows you to select a map then select a player and then an area on the map to see how it reacts.  when you select a player the map becomes fogged, which I call "uncharted territory" at Strategy Gamers.  Two additional controls at the bottom, designed specifically for color blind members, allow a player color to be selected so as to stand out from the others.  The first method dulls the other colors while the second method removes the armies values from all other colors.  A second click on one of the color icons returns the map to normal.  One or both of these methods will also be used to identify map regions (continents).

The feedback I'm looking for is mainly load speed for each type of action.  Anything else useful would also be appreciated.

Thanks a million,
Peacemaker

I have not as yet installed the custom header for the forum home page.  My apologies. (note busy guy with shovel at top of page).  When it is installed, it will have links back to the main site.  Because I am constantly flitting about the site, I change a letter or two in my browser address bar and the various visited addresses come up.  For example if I want to return to the main games kiosk page I delete characters from the address bar until I have http://www.sgamers.com/k, and kiosk.php will fill-in to make it easy for me.

Could be Sea.  I'm not intimately familiar with the mechanics of read vs unread.  It may hold a value in a cookie it may hold a value for each message.  I'll add it to my list.

Thanks.

Sometimes, when adjusting the settings through the Options button, the scroll bar disappears.  The work around for this is to point the cursor (your mouse) at the bottom of the upper chat box and drag the box size down until you can see the lower chat messages, then drag back up a little and the bar will reappear.