I know that major server changes aren't particularly popular, mostly because the admins have to try to strike a balance between keeping things running smoothly and keeping the playerbase happy. That is certainly easier said than done. For such reasons, I would normally find it diplomatic to avoid undermining such principled opposition. However, I myself am partial to the possibility of implementing changes to enhance gameplay, user interaction, recreational enjoyment, and variety.
So, with all that as a full disclaimer, here's what I think about your proposals, pinky. I like most of them. Heck, back in the day when I was a member of the now-defunct [SEXY] clan, I used to love honking the horn and sending jeeps and trucks barreling across the map. But if we are to seriously suggest (and, consequently, seriously consider) major changes to the server, it's important to concretely recognize A) the purpose of implementing such a change, and B) the long-term impact such a change would have on the playerbase.
For instance, let's look at your proposal to put friendly fire on in the jungle maps (by "jungle maps" I assume you mean Cambodian Incursion and Ho Chi Minh Trail). What's the purpose of implementing such a change? Well, I would argue that the only reason we'd make such a change on those two specific maps would be as a punitive/retributive measure. We would, in essence, be punishing the XM148 grenade launcher users by increasing the chance of them killing themselves or teammates by popping off grenades point-blank. I get it. It sucks. I, personally, can't stand those types of players, because it's just frustrating to be killed in such a disrespectful manner (and often because such behavior is done with intent to troll). That being said, we also have to consider the long-term impact such a switch would have on the game. One, we may accidentally trigger a new wave of deliberate TKing (which can easily be remedied with kicks/bans, but it would be a shame to have to add rampant TKing to our already-large list of problems). But even more importantly, we run the risk of alienating a significant portion of our regular users. We can, of course, argue the cost-benefit outcome of potentially driving away players like Lesuk or Nagi (I know plenty of people would not miss them), but the fact remains that noob tubing is not against the rules. As a matter of fact, it's a protected right to noob tube, since people who complain excessively about or antagonize other users about their choice of weapon are actually in the wrong and run the risk of warnings. So I would argue that no, we can't implement policy changes as a means of discrimination (in this instance, discriminating against users who favor certain weapons types).
Conversely, with regards to your Ia Drang Valley and LZ Albany proposals to add jeeps (and turbo charge the Ia Drang ones), the purpose in implementing such a change is radically different. Here, I would argue, one can reasonably interpret the intent behind such a proposal as beneficial. This will cut down on the often-frustrating wait times on huge maps with vast distances between capture points. Everyone benefits in equal measure because it facilitates transport to and from areas of combat. In the case of Ia Drang, it gives the US troops who spawn at the main after the Hueys and F-4 are in the air a chance to still get to the NVA hotspots more quickly. (Granted, driving a jeep from the US main to the nearest NVA base on Ia Drang would still take forever, but it's exponentially faster than walking.) In the case of LZ Albany, it simply gives more troops the chance to get to combat more quickly after the starting jeep is already taken. The jeep also has the potential to hold up to 3 players at once, so it benefits a lot of users at once. The long-term impact, therefore, would be to make gameplay more enjoyable by giving more users more chances to get into the heat of action.
I would be interested to see what other users think. I hope that my framework for analyzing change proves helpful. I understand that huge server changes are often very difficult and time-consuming to implement, and I also understand that for many users there sre frustrating aspects of gameplay that could potentially be addressed. This may be a way to compromise.
~The Deadliest Warrior
