FAQ Thread - The return!

I started this a while ago (pre forum change) hence it was abandoned mid way through as all the links would be useless. I've basically added all of them that were already there and credited where appropriate.

So, basically, if anybody thinks there is a question that gets asked fairly often, type the question in bold and the answer in normal text, prefereably with a - between (i was going to use the word hyphen but i have a feeling that it isn't one of them...)

Add appropriate links and try to make them short and helpful, as this is intended to help newcomers due to the fact that the search function is of very limited use.

The theory is that within a few days we should have a working list of "top" topics that a mod may feel the need to sticky for the benefit of all, or this thread will die a swift death and we can forget i ever bothered lol.

So, to start things:

Why can't i manage the german/japanese national teams? - Use google, the details cannot be discussed here for legal reasons.

Can I have a son? - Yes, doesn't happen very often.

The AI cheats! - no it doesn't.

How can i stop the 4-2-4? - ask Here

Who should i sign for... - ask Here

Where is the data editor on Vista? - Click "games", right click on "FM08" and select "Run data editor" - failing that it should be in your FM08 folder, usually C:\Program Files\Sports Interactice\FM08

I think "player" should be better/worse!" - post Here within the relevant thread for the specific player/club that you feel is not accurately portrayed in FM.

Can I be an U21 manager? - yes, but you have to be offered the job. Or Simply select the flag of that nation and the main squad will pop up then using the filters to select the under 21 squad and then select take control (Thank you trekman).

Why aren't there 7 subs allowed in the EPL in my new game? - Firstly, make sure you're patched to 8.0.2, secondly, the rule doesn't come into effect until a season has been completed following patching - at earliest the 08/09 season.

What are CA and PA? - They refer to Current ability and Potential ability, i.e. how good a player is and how good he might end up.

How do i delete the hall of fame? My name is there too many times... - My Documents > Shared > Sports Interactive > Football Manager 2008 > hall_of_fame.dat - delete this file

Who should i manage? - you were (probably) blessed with a brain with which to think, make use of it. Failing that use Frank.

I'm a South American Camelid - You'll be looking for This

Do height and weight matter? - no they're purely cosmetic (although height does slightly affect how jumping can develop).

Contributed by canvey!!

Do I need 8.0.1 or can I go straight to 8.0.2? - You can go straight to 8.0.2

Where can I download the 8.0.2 patch? - All mirrors are available in this Thread

Where can I download FMM for 8.0.2? - Here

Who are the greatest youngsters in the game? - same as "Who should I sign for...", ask Here

How do I get into the First Team/What is karma? - You get one karma point per post, but if you post drivel or "spam", the mods will be all to happy to take points off you.

How do I set up an online game? - You need to check out the FMO Forum alas their links aren't as good as the ones here and don't work, tut tut tut.

What is WDLX? - D is a 0-0 draw, X is a score draw, where goals were scored. W and L win and loss.

How do I get onto my club favourites? - Seems to be some element of randomness involved. Just keep winning stuff and they won't hate you bear in mind leaving a club makes you an automatic "enemy".

For whatever reason, I can't play the game! - First off, check SI Base which should contain answers to common questions. Also run a search in the Support for PC Users or the Support for Mac Users forums. Also, run a search in the bugs forum as people tend to erronously post App Errors in there.

My strikers are getting ### shots on goal and we lose to an own goal, etc.! - Another one for the Tactics and Training forum. Some advice may be to slow down your tempo, or to check out your players stats for composure and other mental stats.

Contributed by backpackant

Can I die? - No. You can be older than Methusula if you have the time and patience.

Wouldn't being able to become a chairman be a great idea? - No. It would not.

Wouldn't it be absolutely FAB to be able to buy cars and date bimbo celeb wannabes and learn golf and ....? - You are mistaking Football Manager for Sims or Fifa Manager. The game is in-depth enough without non-footie matters imposing.

What about 3D graphics? - General concensus seems to be that they would be welcome, but many people add "only if SI sort out the rest of the game first". There are some fierc debates. Use the search function for more details on past discussions.

What's a "search function"? - Thank you, I wish more people would ask that. It's the box with the word "Find" and a little picture of a magnifying glass in the top left corner of each forum. It's not the best facility, but it's quicker than writing out a whole new post. Plus other users won't think you're lazy and/or stupid.

Will there be another patch after 8.0.2? - Unless you count FM2009 as a "patch", then no. There will be no more patches.

Why can't the board just be happy with me? - In management speak, the board confidence page feeds you a "praise sandwich" when you are doing well. Two slabs of praise with a bit of "could do better" in the middle. It's mostly cosmetic so don't worry.

Why does my board keep accepting paltry offers for my best players? - In real life boards will accept offers over the manager's head if they feel it is too good to turn down, which is why the function was implemented. In FM the lowest acceptable price is too low and SI assure us they are looking at this. In the meantime, ensure your players have a high asking price and are "indispensible" in their transfer status screens.

Why are transfer fees so high? - Another minor programming issue, I'm afraid. Again, it is being addressed.

Can I "tap up" a player? - No. And nor will you be able to in future editions, any more than you will be able to bribe refs. At least not until it becomes legal.

I've got a great idea for FM2009! Listen... - FM2009 is in the bag now, so no new features will be included that haven't already. If it's a great idea SI haven't thought of already (and realistically able to programme) it might make it to FM2010. Please put it in the Wishlist Thread. They say they DO read this thread and note down good ideas for discussion at their planning sessions, so it's more likely to get their attention than a new post.

Hey, Backpackant, why are you writing so many questions in this thread? - Because I think FAQs should be a mod-edited sticky at the top and I'm hoping some of these will enable new and/or ranting types to find the answers they need without littering the forums up further.

Unfortunately i was unable to find the threds being linked to in some cases, hence the omision of a couple of FAQs

Also, this was a mini formatting nightmare, the links shoud work, but i haven't tried all of them, which makes me think...

Formatting your posts in the new forums

I've tried figuring out how to do these things and thought it might be a nice addition for users trying to do something as simple as make something bold who are only familiar with the old forum software.

How do i type in bold? - Highlight the text and press ctrl+B - so much easier that the old forum.

How do i make neat and tidy links? - {url=X/]Y[/url] - first you will need to replace { with [ - i had to use these so you could see the code. Then X = the site itself, e.g. www.hotmail.com etc, and Y = what you want the link to look like.

So, if i replace { with [ and make X "www.hotmail.com", and Y "This is a nice shiny link" - we should be left with..... This is a nice shiny link

There are more complex things that can be done, but for a start i think these should be sufficient.

That should start us off, i've resisted the urge to include comedy responses, but i'll leave it to your discretion as to what's appropriate.

How do you combat 4-2-4?

Excellent thread Ched, also great work Canvey & Backpackant, always wanted to know how to make neat tidy links, thanks really usefull - just got to learn how to master taking and posting screenshots.

How do i make neat and tidy links? - {url=X/]Y[/url] - first you will need to replace { with [ - i had to use these so you could see the code. Then X = the site itself, e.g. www.hotmail.com etc, and Y = what you want the link to look like.

So, if i replace { with [ and make X "www.hotmail.com", and Y "This is a nice shiny link" - we should be left with..... This is a nice shiny link

I have a tip for those posting how to use URL BB Code in these new forums. If you surround your example by [noparse][noparse][/noparse][/noparse] (I had to do it twice here so the [noparse][noparse][/noparse][/noparse]s didn't get parsed), then your message will appear without the URL code being parsed. So you could say:

How do I make neat and tidy links? - [noparse]Text[/noparse] comes up as Text

How to Post a Screenshot

• While in FM, press the 'Prt Sc' button (usually next to F12 on your keyboard).
  
• Open an image editing program such as Paint and paste the image
  
• Save the file as a JPEG
  
• Or press Alt+F9 and look for the image in Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 2008\screenshots
  
• Upload the image to an image hosting website such as Photobucket or Imageshack
  
• Post the direct Url to the image here.
  

Excellent thread Ched.

How to Post a Screenshot

• While in FM, press the 'Prt Sc' button (usually next to F12 on your keyboard).
  
• Open an image editing program such as Paint and paste the image
  

Or alternatively press Alt+F9, then go to your screenshots folder which is under my documents/sports interactive/football manager 2008 and open it from there. Easier if you have multiple images to upload, you don't have to constantly switch between the game and Paint app as you can take multiple screenshots in a row.

Yeah, that's true. I just copied and pasted that from the dafuge's challenge thread. I'll edit the other way in now (has anyone else noticed they can now edit any post they've made? - I feel like a moderator of myself )

Any other formatting tips? - Try This

What does "LLM" mean? - Lower league managers - aka llamas

What does "Ass Man" mean? - Assistant manager

What does "ME" mean? - Match engine - the thing that calculates what your blobs do

Very good idea, this thread. Would go down even better without the sarcastic questions/answers.

Very good idea, this thread. Would go down even better without the sarcastic questions/answers.

TBF there isn't that much sarcasm, and it's meant in a jovial manner, honest

Thanks for the info on clearing the hall of fame list. For Vista users, check in your Public folder for the list.

Ched. You crack me up:D.

Do height and weight matter? - no they're purely cosmetic (although height does slightly affect how jumping can develop).

Lies. Damn lies I tell you:D.

TBF there isn't that much sarcasm, and it's meant in a jovial manner, honest

Don't worry, I'm having a laugh, but a good FAQ thread would indeed be a nice thing to have on here and those funny bits in between might prevent it from being stickied, that's all

Don't worry, I'm having a laugh, but a good FAQ thread would indeed be a nice thing to have on here and those funny bits in between might prevent it from being stickied, that's all

I think the general lack of interest is what prevented it being stickied lol - i did start this thread in july!

The 3D question surely needs updating now...

Brilliant thread.