11/15/11
Fear not!!! Maps and vehicles are still available. In trying to fix the issue with IE and Chrome I edited the site a little. Map and vehicle availability will require joining the site. When you are logged in you will see the Map and Vehicle button again. The page contains new links along with instructions to access the downloads. I have tested with IE 9 and the links do work now. So, if you have not joined the site, do so now to access all of the map and vehicle downloads that I have available!

11/14/11
It has been brought to my attention that the links for maps and vehicles do not work in Chrome. I also found they do not work in IE 8 or IE 9. They do, however, continue to work in Firefox. I am not sure why this is the case as they used to work IE. If you are having issues I suggest trying Firefox.

On another note, iFiler 4 development has stalled. I just have not had the time to mess around with it and there is little clamor for a new version. In fact, I have not had a single complaint that iFiler3 is broken! (Which it is in its current configuration!) Maybe the mood will strike me to work on it again. Maybe... I would like to finish the project for my own satisfaction... so we will just have to wait to see.

8/22/11
It has been a while since I did any updates here. There has not been much to mention as far as updates go really.... UNTIL now!

iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition will no longer, in its present configuration, connect to the server. If you are attempting to download game packs and their associated maps or vehicles you will find that you cannot connect to the remote server. Rather than try to explain how to fix this here (as it is a little convoluted), just shoot me an email through the contact us page. I know there are so many out there deprived right now :/

Also the web links for downloading content on this site are mostly going to be dead. I am actually going to try to resolve that issue soon, but since I have not heard anyone screaming about dead links I don't feel terribly obliged to hurry. Suffice it to say I will get it done, when I get it done.

Until then... for all that are still enjoying iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition, I will try to right these issues for you. For those still interested in iFiler 4 drop me a note as I am back to feeling that it probably isn't worth the effort to rewrite everything for no one. Get me excited to work on it again by saying you want it.

9/4/10
Well I am working on the new iFiler 4 a little at a time. I have most of the GUI planned out and set up. I actully would have been done with that part of the project but I was making things difficult on myself (imagine that!) by trying to make the program window auto resize depening on the users resolution settings. This would have made the main GUI window vary in size so that no one would have a tiny window or a window that fell off the edge of thier screen. That part of the project turned out to be a real pain and it still isn't perfet but.... I need to get moving in a forward direction! So like I said the GUI is pretty well laid out at this time. I am posting a screenshot that shows most everything including the NEW icons that will take place of the asterisk in iFiler 3. The asterisk was all that indicated if a file is installed, stored, or not present. Now there are little icons to help make the idf status a little clearer and in a fancey way! (This was a requested by Banger :) I might even make the icon groups a selectable option since I have 5 groups that look pretty good. But anyway, if anyone has any requests for options or issues with iFiler 3 they would like to see cleared up, send me a message and I will see what I can do to incoorporate your suggestion! Until the next update, enjoy the screeny! You can find the screen shot on the IDF Converter page along side the old iFiler 3 image... and yes it has some of the iFiler 3 graphics still :/

8/3/10
I decided to add some links on this site to a complete list of all the IDF files created for Insane. I am putting this up on the net because I believe every other source for Insane files is now defunct.

This is a list of all the files that I have been able to acquire. Do you have any files not in my list? Message me about them so that I can make arrangements to acquire them, too. I am attempting to compile a complete database of every file ever made and released for Insane.

iFiler 4 update: I have the new layout for iFiler 4 worked out. It has not changed too much but I hope that the new look will be a little more user friendly that the current version! Progress is still slow at this point so don't hold your breath!

7/28/10
Well, I have not done much with iFiler since ver 1.0.7.1. I have most of ver 1.0.7.2 done which actually has the ability to download all needed Insane files! It worked but there were a few pesky bugs that I have not had time to work out. In the mean time I have updated to Win 7 and I have found a couple issues under Win 7, particularly with the way iFiler dispays, so I actually started work on a new interface for iFiler. This is slated to be a full rewrite of iFiler which will be iFiler 4! Unfortunatley I have had little time to work on the project, so it may be a while before we see iFiler 4. In the mean time, enjoy the current version!

4/20/10
I nearly had a new version of iFiler finished but the project has been put on hold for a bit as I have gone back to school! :) I will finalize the new version and get it out when I can. I had just a couple buggaboos with the new content to work out then the new version will be ready to go. Check back for a new version sometime in the future!!!

2/11/10
I can't believe I have not updated my news in so long! I have done a few more revisions of iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition since my last posting. Several new features have been added. The new version as of this posting is 1.0.7.1. I think I am getting close to being done now :P Of course I have said that a few other times! But anyway... I have also done a little clean up of the site. I got rid of some things that didn't need to be posted any longer, I did a little updating on some of the other pages, and I rearranged some of the pages as well. The site is still mostly the same but I hope it is a little less cluttered. So, check out the new version of iFiler 3 and take a few minutes to putter around the site to check out te changes!!! If you want the nitty gritty on what has been added take a look at the Version History under the Help menu item.

12/19/09
Today I released another new version! 1.0.6.8 - contains some minor repairs and a large new feature. The major new feature is the built in ability that iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition will now have to launch Insane directly! These will be launched as IP style games. The best part of the update is that ther is nothing new to learn about iFiler 3 to use this function! The Host simply sends MadPak Game information to the server as always. Once the send has been completed successfully the Host will be asked if he wants to launch Insane. If he selects yes then his game will start directly into multiplayer mode as the Host. Anyone who wants to join this IP game simply runs the Client function as always and selects the Hosts new game. Once the pack has completed loading the Client will be given the option to join the game. Make sure that the Host has already launched the game and click yes. Insane will launch in the client mode with the correct IP address to join the Hosts new game! Fun, Fun!!!

I also added the option to install the 'New Flag Fix'. This is simply the newest version of the GameComms.dll. We are hoping that this slimmer dll file will improve our online gameplay. If it does not prove to be beneficial then there is an option to to restore the old dll if yours was backed up (iFiler will back the old file up if you use it to update your dll). I also added a restore option for your GameSpy full.cfg. This file can be edited with the Install funtion and restored if it was previously backed up. I also fixed a minor issue with the install function that dealt with the full.cfg. I hope to have that completely fixed this time!

This will probably be the last update until next year! So Merry Christmas to everyone and have a safe and enjoyable New Year celebration.

12/17/09
Alrighty! I am rubbing my hands together about this latest update! iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition now has in game hotkeys that will switch your MadPack maps while in game! You can select between all 8 varieties of the original standard maps without leaving the game! With iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition version 1.0.6.7 open and hotkeys turned on, just hit ctrl and any number from 1 - 9 to try a different style of original map! It is great fun. I have also set up an install option that allows some setup for iFiler to be done easily and also lets you do some GameSpy tweaks that even long time players may find useful. Check it out.

12/9/09
OI!!! I released version 1.0.6.3 and there was a big problem! Oh NO! Thanks to my son helping me troubleshoot (he was one of the few having problems) I finally figured out why the MadPak Map conversions were working for some but not for others. iFiler 3 versions from 1.0.6.2 are using the 7zip cammand line program to swap the MadPack Map info into your working folders. It turns out that the 7zip file I was using was not the stand alone version!!! I have repaired the program and set the file updater in iFiler to download the standalone 7za.exe and hopefully all will now be well!!! I also made a couple other small fixes to the MadPack Map function that I discovered after I released v63. I think I have gotten all the kinks out of swapping MadPack Maps around using the much smaller converted versions! After I make sure this is ironed out I can then move on to some of the other ideas that I still have to incoorporate into iFIler 3 - MadPack Edition like hotkeys to swap MadPack Maps while ingame!

12/6/09
Yay, I am finally back to being able to edit this site! My ISP did some changes and I lost the ability to edit for a while. Anyway, there have definitely been some updates to iFiler3 in the mean time. The last update actually came out just today. It has some fun updates including mirror and mirror/reverse versions of the OnRoad maps! I also forced a conversion of the 29 standard maps that constitute the MadPak Maps (all original maps excluding the moon). Doing this has enabled me to eliminte the need of have big bulky downlaods for all the different versions of the MadPack Maps. Now all the MadPack Maps are contained in single download of only about 7.6 MB instead of around 225 MB!!! I have also added a bunch of smaller items including some helpful tooltips. The current version as of today is 1.0.6.3. I will get an updated version posted here ASAP.

As a result of forcing the conversion of the MadPack Maps getting rid of the bulky idfs for each variety of each map I will also be deconstructing part of this site. There is now no need to have pages full of individual MadPack Map downloads. This update should be completed shortly.

8/30/09
I have been a little side tracked from iFiler 3 for the last week. I have been developing a brand new program that may actually make iFiler 3 nearly obsolete! The new program is IDF Converter. Visit the new page to see what it is all about! But briefely it reduces the IDF sizes to allow us to add more maps and vehicles than ever before! I have actually installed all 285 of my IDFs and they all work! That is about 3 trimes more than I could install prior to running IDF Converter.

8/25/09
I have continued to fiddle, tweak and refine iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition! The current version is 1.0.5.9. I have added a routine that can check all of your iFiler files to make sure you have the latest versions. Of course, if there is a newer version of a file available iFiler can download and install it automatically. This is handy for adding new thumbnail images or new maps and vehicles to the deffinition files when people have released new addons! 1.0.6.0 is also in the works and will contain a game launcher. We will actually be able to use iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition to launch IP games instead of relying on Gamespy!

There is also a new concept that may render iFiler 3 nearly pointless. It came to my attention a few days ago that there was a discussion going on about the fact that the IDF files can actually be made much smaller by not including all of the files typically packed into the IDF file. This actually reduces the IDF size from 1 MB or more to less than 10 KB! To take advantage of this idea I have created a new program called IDF Converter. This program automates the task of unpackin, repacking and manipulating files. It will also back up all your original files in case you need to go back to the original packaging. Test it out! You will find IDF Converter on the new IDF Converter page. Enjoy!!!

7/24/09
It has been a long, long time since I have updated the news here! I must say that while iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition has not recieved unanimus support from the Insane community those who have been open minded enough to try it have found it a bit complicated at first but fun to use once they got the simplest things figured out!

There has been little else to report as I have not worked on the program much in the last few months as the last version 1.0.5.3 was quite good. However, a small bug and a couple other small things that I wanted to tweak a little prompted me to do a couple more updates. I added a couple more CMN sounds as well as fixing the stuttering sound made when loading several MadPack Maps at once. I also repaired the downloading bug concerning the MadPack Maps. The latest update that I just put out tonight includes a small fix that updates the file sizes correctly when activating MadPack Maps. It seems that the mirror maps are slightly larger than the rest of the MadPack Maps and this is now displayed correctly. This newest version is 1.0.5.7.

I would still like to create a nice installer that would help make Ifiler 3 - MadPack Edition simpler to set up for the intial install. Other than that I may add a few tweaks here and there but things are pretty well at a finsihed stage. Download and join us for a fun new game of Insane the MadPack way!!!

3/11/09
I think I finally got the last little bugs out of the downloader last night! Yeah!! If you find anything strange happening when trying to download a file that iFiler 3 indicates you are missing please let me know.

I also added a couple more sounds in the latest version which as of this writing is 1.0.5.0. For anyone wondering, yes, the sounds are all from CMN! I thought they would make a nice touch and bring back some memories to those who used to play that long ago. If you pay attention to the sounds (you can turn them off if you choose) you will notice that each action has its own sound. Therefore you can determine what the program has done just by listening. I think one of the most useful sounds may be the one indicating a successful connection to the server; hear that sound and you know that everything should be updating shortly!

I don’t expect to be updating the program in the near future, though you never know! If I get bored I might just add something or reconfigure something to make it work a little cleaner. I will likely update the help files soon so that they cover the most recent changes. Always check through iFiler3 for the latest updates. I do not always get the incremental updates up on the web page!

3/10/09
A few minor revisions have been made to repaired a few small bugs. I have also added the much requested dummy button! It seems that everyone wanted an easy one click method to go back to the standard maps and vehicle plus the TRM1 maps and randoms. While I protested that it was easy enough to create a default pack and load it with the Client function I decided to relent and added a button that will in one click load a default pack. I even added in the ability to automatically create a defualt pack if you do not already have one that contains nothing but the orignial stuff with the only additions being the 2 TRM1 maps and the TRM1 randoms. Be aware that you can easily change this default (dummy) setting by adding some extra maps and vehicles up to 156 MB and then using the Host function to save the pack locally. Save the pack as Default.pac and your dummy button will load that pack each time it is clicked. Just be sure that your defualt always contains the defualt maps and vehicles along with TRM1 or people will howl!

iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition has evolved nicely and I will probably not be doing much more with it unless I receive some more requests. There may be some more minor updates while I work on the downloader a little more or tweak something here or there. Most everything is working just fine however though the downloader still has one or two wierd things happen in certain cases, such as when canceling the download or when a file is not on the server. So, make sure you check for updates through iFiler 3 regularly!

3/4/09
The iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition is nearly complete! I have implemented the last big item that I wanted to transfer over from the old MadPack HOST and CLIENT, that being a download monitor! There is now a status bar that pops up to show the progress of each individual file download. Now you wont be left wondering if the prgram has locked up or if it is still busy working on a download! I still need to get an install package worked out but so far most everyone has had good results installing the program with the self extracting exe.

I have also fixed a couple items, added a few requested functions and replaced the Insane music with sounds that should be familiar to the old time Insaners! Aside from a requested dummy button to set everything back to default I have been getting positive feedback from everyone. A few are a bit confused by all the different buttons and functions but once you poke around in the program a bit you'll likely find that it really is not so difficult. I have included some basic help info along with the program so click on the help menu item and see the help file for the function you are interested in.

2/16/09
I have added 2 new downloads for the iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition. One is an upgrade version for anyone who already has the old CLIENT/HOST version of the MadPack. The other is a complete version package for those who are new to the MadPack. The complete version is not a complete self-installer however and will require a little setup. I hope to create a self-installer soon. Until then ask around Gamespy for help if you are having any problems getting things set or use the contact link to send me a message. Things are shaping up nicely.
iFiler 3 seems to be working for everyone so far and I have been getting a lot of positive feedback even though there has been a little setup confusion! There are just a few more items I need to finish up and one little bug at this point but everything else seems to be working well. The bug is only related to downloading missing MadPack maps so those who have everything from the Cilent/Host days will have no problems, those who are new will find error messages when trying to download the MadPack maps even when the files are there. Just restarting iFiler 3 takes care of most of the problem. Hope to have it sorted in a few days tops! Be sure click on the Help Menu item to check for newer verisions as I have been having updates every day or two.

2/13/09
WoohOOO~!!! I have a fully working version of the new iFiler 3 - MadPack Edition!!! I will likely be getting this out to some people today for further testing and I know that there will be some needed tweaks and updates but otherwise the program is now fully functional!
  Use iFiler’s original functions to select your choice of maps and vehicles. This has been made easy by showing the file names along with the real name for the map or vehicle and in many cases an image so that you can see what you are selecting. Create map and vehicle paks to easily facilitate changing between favorite setups. Install maps and vehicles singley or with user defined groups.
  Added to these original functions is the ability to swap in and out your choice of MadPack maps. Select a whole group or pick and choose your favorites from the 6 different types of maps. Random map selection is also an easy click away. Choose from the 3 currently avaiable types of random generated maps!
  Save an entire MadPack game setup which includes your installed maps and vehicles, your choice of MadPack maps, and your selected type of random maps. Save locally on your computer or send the .pac to our server for others to retrieve! Load these .pacs from your previously saved local files or connect to our server and download other people’s .pacs and install their entire game setup with a just a couple clicks!
  And possibly the greatest part of iFiler 3 – MadPack Edition… When you have selected another person’s game pac from our server you may be missing some of the files they have. You will now be alerted to the missing files and be given the choice to automatically download and install them all! No more tedious hunting for that missing map or vehicle!

2/10/09
I have been hard at work on iFiler 3 and have not taken the time to update this page, but I will now report on the current progress. The program is nearly complete! About 9/10ths of all the functions contained in the original MadPack HOST and CLIENT are now functional in iFiler 3 and they are better than before! MadPack Maps can now be manipulated fully; you can choose one MadPack Map or many from each group or a whole group at a time! You can select between the three different random map types. The Host function allows you to save a current setup locally as well as sending the info to the server. The Client function allows you to load a MadPack .pac from a local source or you can connect to the server to get the latest Hosted options! Everything works at this point but the missing file downloads. I thought I would have that done this passed weekend but I have run into some issues on the method I would like to use. Therefore I will probably make a version that will do the trick in the easiest way while I work out how to do it the way I want it. I believe I have the iFiler 3 updater working now too, so new versions should be easy to implement. I hope to post the newest version later today. It will be a file only download as I still need to work on an installer package for the full install, but if you already have the old Host program you can easily update to the new iFiler 3 with just the file!

1/20/09
I have been making headway on iFiler 3! I am actually getting a bit excited again. I have gotten the MadPack Map display working and I am finally getting to the part of moving the files around! Within a day or two I hope to have the entire MadPack Map portion working like it should. With the ease that iFiler 3 affords over the manipulation of files I am working to develope some features that the current cmd line MadPack programs lack. One of the big features is the ability to select just one MadPack map to activate (install) or several of different types! For example: you will soon be able with a couple clicks and a couple double clicks to select the ATV and Germany OnRoad races, the Motocross and Derby Reverse races, and the Mirror Tanzania race all while leaving the rest of the standard maps as the original maps! Of course, you will easily be able to change them in group fashion as well. If you choose to have all of the reverse races simply right click anywhere in the Reverse Map list view then select activate all the reverse standard maps!

As soon as I complete this part of iFiler I will make it available to everyone! Unfortunately I ran into a problem with my automatic update part of the program so I will not be offereing as many incremental versions, but I will be getting newer versions with more complete functionality released as soon as I get one function or another completed. Stay tuned!

1/7/2009
Happy New Year! It sure is hard to believe that this decade is only one year from completion! Perhaps this next year will bring the MadPack to completion as well. I have done a little work here and there on the iFiler 3 version but I am finding it more difficult to incorporate the functions that I desire into this form. I have the UI pretty well completed and right now I am trying to work out the display for the MadPack maps. Tricky business dealing with these multi leveled variables! After I manage to get the files displayed I will still need to work out how to manipulate them! It may be a while before I we see any kind of real working version of iFiler 3.

I have maintained all along that I have enjoyed working on this program as a way to explore something new but I am wondering if I should even bother. Not many people really seem eager to use the current MadPack Host and Client programs and there seems to be fewer and fewer people getting on Insane. I do hope I can complete the project as it is a challenge just to make it do what I want but after a year+ of constant work I am getting a little burnt…

We will see what this new year brings!!!

12/8/08
I have not had a lot of time to work on the new iFiler-MadPack but I have made a little progress. In the stats chart I have added a section that shows the total installed file size, the total stored file size, and the total file size. The key peice of information is the installed total. Keep this under the IDF limit and you will be able to play with everything you have selected. The IDF limit is around 170 MB. I will play around with it sometime to see if I can determine the exact limit size. (Unless someone can tell me what it is!) I have also added part of the process that will check for an updated version of iFiler3-MadPack Edition. Once I have that running correctly I can add the updated Ifiler-MadPack any time and still have it function with the current CLIENT and HOST. I have also added the buttons that will allow you to host and to retrieve game info though niether of them are currently working. I am mostly trying to familiarize myself with the Autoit programming and I think I am starting to catch on a little. Hopefully I can get things moving on a little faster!

12/4/08
I hesitate to say that the HOST and CLIENT programs have been completed, but I have not made any changes in a few weeks! However, I have talked with Kaine and he has told me that I am free to edit his iFiler program in any way I would like. In fact he has actually done a bit of updating his source code so that I can start with a good working copy! What does this mean for the MadPack? For a while now I have been hoping to get away from the command line programming and create a nice clickable UI for the MadPack. So, what I am planning to do is to add the MadPack functions to Kaine's iFiler to create a nice all-in-one application! This may take some time as I am not very familiar with the Autoit programming but I am going to be working on this exclusively for now and unless someone has a problem with the current MadPack versions I will probably not be updating them again. Enjoy them as they are and I look forward to bringing you the next MadPack: IDF Filer 3 – MadPack Edition!!!

11/13/08
Now it is time for me to take a break! I have finished my data base conversions of all the maps and vehicles I can find. (I did not think I would ever finish!) If anyone has a map or vehicle that they would like me to add to the automatic download database please send me the file!! Be assured that I have included anything you uploaded with your original file. If you have you have downloaded any files with the MadPack take a look in both your MadPack\Stored\Map &\Vehicle folders. You will find the Info folders. Inside the Info folders you will find additional folders with the name of each map or vehicle. In most cases this folder has the same name as the original zip file. Inside these individually named folders you will find all the extra information. Things such as replay files, build files, skinning files, and of course the ReadMe files. The MadPack also takes care of placing extra object and sky files where they belong so that your map will work as intended the first time you try it! The MadPack places any new skin folders appropriately so that any vehicles that came with extras will have them available as well.

Time to play now! Test out the programs. Tell me if you have any problems. I think I have solved the automatic downloading issues that have popped up (mostly due to different PC regional setups), but there may be a few other issues that I have not seen yet. Run things through the wringer and see what comes out the other side! If you are daring set up a mirror copy of you Insane files and see if you can break either MadPack program. Search the bugs so that I can destroy! :) Most of all have fun!

11/10/08
Alrighty! Thanks goes to JJ for wasting his play time tonight to help me troubleshoot his problem with the CLIENT. It seems that the download monitor is giving me most of the problems people are encountering! I have even considered pitching that part altogether, but with Banger's help earlier and JJ's help tonight I have been able to get it working smoothly for everyone who has tested the CLIENT, so far. I learned my something new for today at least. :) Hopefully I will be able to get it working easily for anyone else having a problem. One note... If you are using a non-English operating system let me know, that is what caused the problem JJ was experiencing!

11/9/08
I put a new version of the MadPack HOST up on the server. This new version adds several options to the PAC creation page. If you are trying to develop a new PAC with some different add-ons there is now an option allowing you to view all of your installed and stored maps and vehicles. The list is separated into four groups and shows not only the idf name but the actual name of the map or vehicle. I hope this option makes it easier to create new PACs! There is also an option that allows you to look at the maps and vehicles contained in any of your saved PACs. This will certainly make it easier to remember what PAC is what after you have accumulated several different PAC set ups! I also fixed a small error I had in the PAC save area.

I am thinking of the possibility of adding a method that will allow you to select the maps and vehicles that you want to use in a PAC and have them moved or removed automatically. This would be the best way to create a PAC file (instead of having to move the files around by hand). It would be similar to Kaine's iFiler except that you won't have the slick clickable interface. Instead you will likely have to enter the number of the map or vehicle you would like to move.

I just put up a link for the new MadPack instructions the other day, but it looks like I am going to have to update them again! So, take a look at the HOST instructions again. I have added explanations of the new options. :)

11/7/08
I think I finally have the CLIENT downloads working without tripping!!! I have tested downloading 100's of megs without it breaking and Bangers said it finally ran straight through all the downloads for him too! I also included something new. Look at the title bar when the CLIENT is downloading any add-on maps and/or vehicles. It now shows the percentage downloaded for all the files that will be downloaded in this run! Now not only do you see the file size and amount downloaded of each file, you will also see the percentage you have left for the entire batch! Makes for a nice addition when you need to download quite a few files at once.

I am still working on the vehicle data base. I do have a couple hundred set up and ready to go but there are still many more!

Don't forget to check out the new instructions page!

I also reopened the forum. Now that it looks like we might get a little more interest generated I thought I would put the forum back up. You do have to log in to use the forum. You can use the forum for ideas and suggestions, problems or just general chatter :)

11/2/08
I can't believe it is November already! The MadPack is nearly a year old! And our first reverse maps have been around for about 14 months! Time sure flies when you are having fun! :-)

I have done a few more program tweaks and I think both the CLIENT and the HOST are working pretty good. The more people I have testing the better! Send me your constructive comments and suggestions! Let me know if you have any problems.

I have written a whole new instructions page! It contains a lot of detail on the different functions of both programs and is quite lengthy. If you are new to the MadPack check it out, you will learn everything you need to know. Even if you have been playing with the Madpack for a while you may find some useful information. I hope that I have covered everything but if you find you still have some questions let me know.

I am still planning to get a new install program out before long, but until then the self updating features will update the older files in the current install package.

10/30/08
I finally have what I think are really good working copies of the newest version of the CLIENT and the HOST programs! Thanks to a couple hours worth of troubleshooting help from my UK friend Banger I think I finally have the automatic file downloading and installing routine corrected and working for all the non-USA people (fingers crossed)! Yeah!!! A simple change to account for a minor difference in the way other countries report time.

The new versions allow for easy changing of ALL add-on maps and vehicles NOT just the MadPack maps. The HOST now has the ability to choose from different saved pacs of maps and vehicles to make changing the add-ons a much simpler process. While these changes make setting up a hosted game a little more complicated the CLIENT remains as simple as ever. Simply run the program and select the game you are joining. If you happen to be missing any maps or vehicles that the host is using you will be given the option of trying to download the missing files. Although not recommended, you can also choose to skip the file downloads, waiting to do them later at a more convenient time. That is it! Sit back let the program move your files around and in a few seconds your Insane game is set up exactly as the hosts game. No more, “I don’t have that map” or “I don’t have that vehicle”!!!

Look, in the next week or so, for me to put out a new install package for these latest versions. Until then you can download the current install package and upon running for the first time the CLIENT will update itself. The HOST will update either with the update option or the first time you run it for a hosted game.

As always I appreciate any constructive feedback. If you have any questions don't hesitate to send me an email, just click on the contact us button.

10/23/08
I must say that the HOST program is being much more difficult to rewrite than I had figured. This is mainly due to trying to make it do more than I initially anticipated (imagine that). I now have it working to save and select different map and vehicle 'PACs'. It will move maps and vehicles into storage that will not be used and take them out when they are needed. That was about as far as I had originally planned, but I decided to allow you the option to use all, not use any, or to use just some of the standard maps in your saved pacs. This will allow for many more varieties of pacs! I am thinking it may even lead to creating some different random generators. It is getting there! I hope to have a working HOST program within the next couple of days. It will still need some further testing as our evening games seem to have really fallen off and I have not had frequent feedback from anyone, but from my at home tests everything seems to be great so far!

10/14/08
I have not worked on the MadPack for a bit because I have been busy creating the new data base for the add-on maps and vehicles and also updating the definiton files. What a lot of work to convert the simple zip files into the format I need them to work with the auto download and install option in the MadPack! I now have many/most of the available maps archived and I am feeling a bit burned out on the process so the vehicle conversions may be put on the back burner while I do some more work on the HOST program. I plan to set the program up to allow the Host to select from different map and vehicle 'pac's so that they can easily swicth between various combinations of add-ons.

10/2/08
I had to go back over the CLIENT a little bit tonight. There seemed to be a little bug that would not allow you to set the game back to your original configuration. I hope to have that worked out with this new version. I also trimmed the program a little and hopefully stream-lined it a tad. If everything now works correctly with the CLIENT I plan on doing some work on the HOST program. My idea for it is to add the ability for the HOST to choose easily between different 'packs' of add-on maps and vehicles. I may have this worked out sometime next week. I also hope to update the instructions page soon to reflect some of the new workings in both the CLIENT and the HOST. Once I have completed the HOST I plan on making a new install file for the whole MadPack and all the MadPack maps along with a new updating install. In the mean time don't forget both programs have self updating features! Also, the newest version of each is available indiviually for downloading on the MadPack Download page.

10/1/08
OH YES!!! I now have the new MadPack CLIENT working in full!!! If you have been keeping track of the news lately you would know that I have been working on an overall solution to the problem of not everyone having the same set of maps and vehicles. The MadPack CLIENT has been able to automatically download and install any missing original maps and any MadPack maps for about half a year now. I have tinkered with the idea of expanding the CLIENT's capability to enable it to automatically download and install any map or vehicle that the Host is currently using. Borrowing some of the ideas that Kaine used in his iFiler program I have added the ability to store maps and vehicles the Host is not using and swap in the files that are in his current 'pack'. The prior version of the MadPack CLIENT would only display a list of any maps and vehicles the Host was using that you did not have. The current version takes the last step -- it will now download and install any of those missing maps and vehicles... automatically!!! This could be the solution we have all been waiting for!

I currently have only a limited number of maps and vehicles available on the server. The files not on the server will have to be downloaded manually from InsaneHeat.com. The CLIENT will still display a list of the missing files showing their idf name along with their real name to make it easier to track the file down. A text file is also generated so that you can search and download these files at your liesure.

I would like to ask everyone (especially those who often Host) to use the contacts page or email me at themadgod@the-mad-house.net to send me the links for the maps and vehicles not on the server (or email me the files directly). I will add these files to the server so that others will be able to use the automatic functions of the MadPack CLIENT to get the same files. Then we can all more easily enjoy the hard work that people have put into the add-ons over the years!!! (Note -- I will not be hosting any of these maps or vehicles on this web site. The files will only be available for automatic downloads while running the CLIENT.)(Note 2 - The Host will still need to manually set up his game with the maps and vehicles of his choice. The MadPack HOST can help keep you under the idf limit but it will only give a warning that you are over.)

As always, I invite any constructive feedback and ideas that anyone may have. Send me a note with the contacts page or email with your ideas and suggestions.

9/24/08
I have the new MadPack CLIENT functioning and available to all!!! This new version not only sets your game to the hosts MadPack options it can also swap in and out the maps and vehicles that the host has as his current playable set of maps and vehicles! If you are missing any of the maps or vehicles that the host is using a window will pop up telling you the name of the missing idf (as well as the real name of the map or vehicle making it easier to find the file on Insane Heat). A text file is also generated with the information and stored in the MadPack folder so that you can go back later to download files at your liesure.

Another addition is a very simple way to set your map and vehicles back to original your choice of add-on maps and vehicles. Simply hit enter when told to select a MadPack game and you will be set with the same maps and vehicles you started with as well as being set to the original forward maps and the TRM1 random maps. If you ever want to change your default selection of maps and/or vehicles simply delete the myIDF.txt file from the MadPack folder copy the maps and vehicles of your choice into your working directories then run the MadPack CLIENT again! You will have a new set of default maps and vehicles!

Simply put... the MadPack can now set your game to the exact options that the host is running! It will alert you if you are missing any maps or vehicles that the Host has running. And it has a simple way to set your game back to your choice of options!

I will be working on the Madpack HOST next to incoporate these same functions. Run the CLIENT and let me know what you think!

9/16/08
This is getting kinda cool! I now have a working version of the CLIENT that can read the host's current map and vehicle list. It can then move those maps and vehicles from a storage folder into your working folders. On top of that it will also create a text file as well as an on-screen list of all the maps and vehicles the host has that you do not have! It not only provides the idf name of the file but the real name of the map or vehicle so that you can more easily search them out to download them. There are some more functions that I need to add to pull it all together the way I would like but it is getting closer to the vision I have for an completely automatic utility for Insane!!! :)

9/10/08
I have not updated the web page for a bit and developments have been pretty slow lately. There have been a few revisions in the last couple of weeks but nothing that anyone will notice as of yet. In its present state the MadPack CLIENT and HOST are pretty much complete, barring any new map packs. However the next new thing is slowly being started upon! I am still trying to work out how I would like it all to function then I will have to figure out exactly how to make it work. :) This evolution, when completed, will be an attempt to get passed Insane's map and vehicle limits. Not by allowing more files to be used but by automatically switching into your working folders the same maps and vehicles the host of the game is using. The gist of how this will work is that when you select a MadPack game you will also recieve a full list of all the maps and vehicles that the host has in his working game folders. This list will be checked against the maps and vehicles you have in your working folders and in a storage folder. If you have all the files they will be swapped in and you will be good to go for any map or vehicle combination the host wants to play! No more over the idf limit, no more crashing the game with add ons!!! If you are missing any of the hosts maps or vehicles you will be notified of the missing files. I would like to eventually link these missing files to an automatic download just like that MadPack maps currently have so you can retrieve them and install them with complete ease.

I must say that Insane has been pretty quiet lately and not many people are really taking advantage of what I have created (which is really too bad because those of us using it have had a lot of fun with it!) but I continue to find it a diverting and interesting puzzle on which to work. Until I loose interest I will continue to update and try to make this a program that all Insaniacs will find fun and useful!

8/17/08
I have created the new OnRoad Reverse Map download page. You can now download and try out all of the OnRoad Race circuits in the reverse direction. Just like our original reverse maps these maps really are a different experience to drive. While you recognize the course it takes a few laps or more before you start to get comfortable with it! Check them out and let me know what you think!

8/15/08
A new map version is now available!!! We have been racing around the standard maps on the roads and having a good time with it but that of course led to comments similar to -- that would be a cool map in reverse! -- So, now you have them! I went ahead and set up the MadPack CLIENT and HOST to make the new OnRoad Reverse maps! Thanks once again to Kaine's handy app these maps didn't take me nearly as long as the original reverse maps! And now they are there for anyone and everyone to enjoy. It may be a couple days before I get the new download page set up but the new maps are currently available to anyone running the CLIENT when there is a game hosted for the OnRoad Reverse maps!!!!

8/12/08
It has been a couple weeks since I have noted any news. Things have been pretty quiet but that does not mean nothing has been happening. I have done a bit more work on the CLIENT. I fixed a nagging issue that could occasionally cause the program to crash (or at least I think it is fixed now!) and tweaked a few other things. The biggest addition was added last night. The CLIENT is now capable of detecting if you have an old version of a certain map. If so, it will delete the old map then automatically download and install the newest version! This will come in handy as I continue to tweak the OnRoad maps. It would also make possible my idea of creating a new course for a map on a weekly basis!

I am also looking into the idea of using just the checkpoint files to change maps to a new course. If I can incorporate this into the MadPack it will greatly change the way the map changes work. It will also mean no more downloading and saving 1+ MB map files. Instead you'll only need to download the new checkpoint files which are only a few KB!!!

7/24/08
The MadPack Map Checker has recieved a revision. It has now been replaced by the MadPack File Check program. It is still serving the same function it just operates a little differently. It has a much simpler output. A green page will still indicate that all the required files were found while red page indicates that you are missing one or more files. You will notice that the green pages now simply state that you have all the files required for that pack and does not list them all. The red pages now show only the missing files eliminating the need to scan the list to discover the missing files! I think it turned out well and should be easier to use than the old Map Checker.

The HOST has had a couple small updates, the CLIENT has remained steady. I think that until more content is added the programs are pretty well set. I won't promise that they are finished and final as I always seem to find something to tweak but if you have been waiting to get the programs until they were finished get them now!

7/19/08
Good-Bye to the old Updater 3.0!!! The link has been removed. The new full install package for the CLIENT and HOST has been added to the website!!! The full install includes all the newest MadPack programs plus all the MadPack maps, including the new OnRoad Maps! It is designed for those who do not already have the MadPack on thier systems.

The upgrade package is also now available! It is a small package designed for those who already have the MadPack so that they don't have to download all the maps over again. It will install the CLIENT and HOST, create desktop shortcuts, and clean up all the old MadPack files. It does NOT contain any maps. Remember that the CLIENT has the ability to automatically download any missing maps, but if you need any of the maps in order to host a game they are all available for download on this website!

By the way I took down the forum since no one was really using it. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions send me an email from the contact us link! If you want the forum back give me a shout.

7/18/08
OnRoad maps are now all available on this web site! There are a couple that I might change after I get a little input from others. Something to be aware of! I should have the new installer set up and ready for the CLIENT and HOST this weekend, too. After that becomes available the MadPack Updater 3.0 will be taken down as it is now obsolete.

7/14/08
After a weeks vacation I have done some more work on both the MadPack CLIENT and The HOST! They have not received any major upgrades but I have added a few tweaks here and there. The most noticeable change for the newest versions are the way that they check for new versions of and install themselves. After you have updated to these versions you should have no more problems with any future updates behaving strangely!

I have also changed the way that the CLIENT unpacks and installs missing maps and random files making it a less complicated affair. If you are currently missing any MadPack file you may find that when the CLIENT attempts to download and install the file it does not do so successfully and will instead keep trying to re-download the missing file again and again. I have not updated all the map downloads to be compatible with the new version yet. I apologize if this causes any inconvenience! I will have the files updated within the week!~ This will mainly affect those who have not already gotten the OnRoad set of maps.

OnRoad Maps page is now up! The links are not currently active but they should be good to go within the next week.

I have been dealing with an irritation cause by a recent AVG antivirus update which has caused my Gamespy to cease functioning!!! I can not currently log into gamespy to play Insane!!! It has been driving me nuts but I have not felt like reinstalling Windows again.... argh!!! That will probably be remidied this week as well. Watch out for AVG if you run Gamespy regularly!!!

6/27/08
The OnRoad maps are complete!!! I have not driven them all yet but there are a few that turned out really good: real fast but challenging races! A few I would like some feedback on because they could easily be changed if people don't care for them. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to post them all to the website yet and they are only available through the auto downloads with the MadPack CLIENT. I have posted links for the both the MadPack CLIENT and the HOST. If you do not have them yet they are available on the download page! Remeber that the MadPack CLIENT will download any needed map and install it automatically!

I am on vacation for a week so expect nothing new for a bit. I hope to get a new installer created when I return. After I get that complete the MadPack Updater will be taken down from the site as it is going to be obsolete. The CLIENT and the HOST may still be merged into one program as well... that would make it a MadPack Updater reborn :)

I did fix the self updating issue on the CLIENT that I mentioned a few days back. You will not see the results of it until the next update but it does work much smoother now with no errors. (At least none that I know of! Let me know if you have any problems.)

While I did put the link up for the HOST it is still not finished, so expect some more updates to that when I get back.

6/24/08
The OnRoad standard maps are coming along nicely. I only have a couple left to complete and I am hoping to finish those up tonight. While the maps are not available as downloads from here yet they are available to be downloaded with the auto downloader in the MadPack Client. If you join a MadPack hosted game that has the OnRoad maps selected as an option the Client will automatically download and install the OnRoad maps!

One note on the auto updating ability of the Client and the Host... If when you run either of them for the first time on a given day you get an error simply run it again. Sometimes when the program updates itself it does not finish running the way it should but when you run it again it should be the newest version and the program should run through completion. I will see if I can address this problem in a future update but for now be aware of it.

6/19/08
I have some new content started! We have been discussing the possibility of making an onroad series of maps from the Insane standard maps. Well... They are starting to come out! :) We were running a couple of them last night. I am going to be testing some variations on a few maps to see what works best as far as layouts, then I will post them up to be downloaded by everyone.

The MadPack Client and Host programs have been updated a few times in the last few days. The Client seems to be working quite nicely. Updates right now are for added content! Thanks to the handy self updating ability of the MadPack Client the updates for it have been seamless (the current version as of last night is 1.3.0). The latest version of the MadPack Host (currently 1.2.4) now has the self updating ability as well!! I am working on a new options page for the MadPack Host after which I will post the program on here for everyone. Until then if you want to try it out send me an email or catch me on Gamespy.

Once the new options page is complete the MadPack Reverse & Random Mod Updater 3.0 will become obsolete. The main reason for this is that I don't want to have to keep updating both the Host and the Updater when they are both doing the same thing. I may eventually decide to combine the Host and the Client into a single program as well as this new options page would make that possible. It would certainly make it easier to maintain as one program :) I invite anyone with an opinion to vote for having the Host and the Client as seperate programs or as a single combined program. I will be setting up a new install package once this is complete as well.

In the meantime stop by Gamespy in the evenings and try out some of the MadPack options. We have some pretty cool additions for Insane .... at least I think!!!

6/15/08
Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there!

As you can see there has been little going on as far as new stuff in the last month. I had some problems with my server which I hope to have fixed now! I did finally get the links corrected for all the mirror and mirror/reverse maps so you can download them one at a time to try or all at once. Of course I recommend that you use the MadPack Updater and or Client to switch between all the varieties of standard maps! There have been a few tweaks to the Client program and the Host program is available to anyone who asks. I still need to post that up for a direct download.

I am striving to provide additional error free content and enjoyment to the Insane game but I have had a report or two of some issues. Please, be sure to let me know if you run into any problems with any of the MadPack programs. Please do not remove or delete the progams until you have given me a chance to learn what the problem is and see if I can repair it. I can not improve on the reliability of the programs if you do not report any problems and can not explain what seems to be happening!

Enjoy and have fun!!!

5/15/08
I have not posted any new info on here in a week but that does not mean that nothing has been happening! The MadPack Client has gone through a half dozen revisions which thanks to it's automatic updating is completely seamless to all of you!! The solution from my last news brief has been accomplished!!! The host is now available to everyone!!! Changes to the client include: listing of multiple available games (sorted from the most recent game down... the newest update!), downoads are now monitored so that you know how big the file is and how much you have currently downloaded, many other tweaks to make the program run and look better!

5/7/08
I have been busy working on updates for the Client/Host programs. I am nearing a solution that will make it possible for multiple games to be hosted. After I complete the workings the Host program will become available to everyone!!! Don't forget that the Client is now self updating! If you have not downloaded the new updater, do so today and check out the mirror and mirror reverse maps!

4/25/08
The MadPack Updater has been expanded to include the mirror and mirror/reverse maps!!! There has been a change in how the maps are stored so make sure you run through the Updating program if you have a previous version of the MadPack installed! The new MadPack download also includes the MadPack Client! This is the newest program which allows you to automatically update to the hosts game options (providing the host has the host program.) It is also capable of downloading and installing any maps you may be missing (MadPack Maps only at this time). The client makes it very simple to join a game that has been hosted with the MadPack Host! No need to ask, 'What maps do I set my game too?' Just run the Client and you are set! Download today and check out the new Mirror and Reverse/Mirror maps!

4/21/08
Check it out!! Kaine got in touch with me just a couple weeks ago to see if I had any intentions of designing mirrored maps. I did not but I told him I thought it would be a great if he figured a way to do it . Now he has done it!!! He has made a utility that can reverse any add-on map (now what took me 20+ minutes to do with each of the standards can be done in 2 seconds with a single click!) and it can also mirror most add-on maps!!! I tried out his utility on the standards and it worked like a charm. Makes those standard maps kinda queer! Haaa!!! While it takes only seconds to use his utility to reverse a map it does take some time to mirror each map, therefore I am going to add the mirrored and even mirrored reverse map options to the MadPack. That will of course be for the standard maps only as I am not going to mod anyone elses maps. The new updater should be available in the next couple days and I will be adding it to the client program as well! Also I believe I have successfully added a self updater to the client program (it still needs someone to test it). Now you guys won't have to worry about re-downloading the client program each time I make a change. Any fixes and added functionality will be updated each time you run the client (after you manually download the first version with the capability, of course).

4/17/08
There will probably be no updates to the MadPack Client for a bit (barring any bug fixes). Kaine has pointed me to what he uses to do a lot of his programming, AutoIt, and I am going to take a little time to see if I can transform these command line programs into something a little more sophisticated! So go ahead and download the MadPack Client - RC now!!! I need some input on how well it works for everyone and it is done... for now!

4/15/08
I will not attempt to say that the Client is finished (I have some other ideas I may choose to include eventually!!), but I will say that it has now reached the level of release candidate and is no longer a beta! I beleive I have all potential bugs worked out and everything seems to be working well at this point. I will await some feedback from others to find out whether other options or fixes are indeed needed. So go download the latest version and give it a test drive. I will be online most evenings doing some hosting so you should be able to give the Client a workout! Just be sure to dowload and install the MadPack 2.8 prior to the Client!

4/10/08
The "MadPack Client" is available for BETA testing. Go to the MadPack download page for more info. Also be sure to look around the site for other tidbits of information on what I am busy with at this time!

4/8/08
Update on the update :) I have arrived at the testing phase with the client side of the new updater! Everything seems to be functioning as I expected. I just have to test for every possible method of killing it! If you'd like to do a test hail me in Gamespy and I will let you give it a go, but please have the current version of the updater installed first as it will make testing easier! Read the forum for a little more info on what the new updater is about.

4/4/08
Here is some news!!! A new version of the updater is in the works. This version is going to be something different. The best part is that this version will be able to check for the game options the host is using and will set your game automatically to those options! Stay tuned for more information!

Sometime between these dates!
I forgot to post the update about version 2.8! This version had a major overhaul done to the UI and also had a bug fixed that our friend Hoppah figured out! I think that this is the final version of the MadPack Reverse & Random Mod Updater!!!! Unless any further bugs are discovered or any other brilliant idea bubble up :)

3/17/08
I added a new option onto the "MadPack Updater". If you have an error showing that your maps are not installed properly you can now run the map checker directly from the updater by selecting option #6.

2/25/08
Our new web site has gone online!!!

For Insane:

InsaneHeat - for an insane amount of Insane content from many people.FatAlfies Insane Creations - Fat Alfies' maps and vehicles - great stuff.KingdomCrawlers - Saeb's crawlers paradise.Kaines Insane Creations - Kaine's many programs created to help people mod Insane.

We have also gotten back into another great game dating from way back in 1998: Forsaken!!! Check it out. You can download the whole game and get plenty of information at this site.
ForsakenPlanet - Download the whole game plus extra content.