{SPUF} -> [Petition] [Suggestion] [Steam Pipe] Previous TF2 versions/builds are available for the players

[This is the petition and the suggestion discussion thread. Please, post a comment, not only a 'signed']
The idea is about making possible to download any past update and play on the same version of server(s). Since the Steam Pipe (when it is up) merges both TF2 and TF2 Beta being the same client, I see this option could be implemented too (if no technical difficulties*, such as "VALVe delete all the updates after the newer update is created").

This option could be available via Settings of the game (eg., click with the Right Mouse Button on the game in Library > "Choose the update > [List of updates]). Of course, the default update is the current one. If you want to play the newest version of TF2, you need to exit the game and choose (in some kind of Settings) the 'Current Build'.

For example, you download the patch from the February, 2009, which was a Scout update. No further updates and patches are available for your game (maps and weapons/cosmetic items too**). Bugs, glitches, etc. are there too, for your enjoyment. So, you downloaded the update and search for the server that has the same downloaded patch and play on it.
(If you know how the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. update system (sorry, no update news on Steam) works, you understand me clearly.)
Or the update when the game has been released. Or the patch that adds Polycount items. Or the Engineer update. Or the update when the crouch-jumping have been broken. Or the update that broke the gamemode modifications' (made by community) models customization. Or any other update you want to play on.

P.S. I am all for the productive/constructive criticism.

*It would be very-very great to have a VALVe staff comment here.
**The only thing that must not be updated is the backpack. Let me explain this note: All items that were added later are in your backpack, but they become not available for using (reminisce about how items aren't usable when you try to use any tool on them - they become grey), if they were not existing on that update. The item drop still works, adding any existing item to your backpack (but, as I said earlier, you won't be free to use them). Plus, there must be no glitches, related to items (such as painting the Cowmangler 5000 or the Pencil Pusher). No buying retired (or deleted) items, etc. No gaining promo items, etc.

Link to the thread on SPUF.

New kind of the 'crates'.

Something like the spheres or the pyramides.
With new kind of 'keys'.

Sprays with qr-codes

For example, this is a .png-file of qr-code for this blog:

Of course, you can make a decal too.

"TF2-related links" subpage.

Special page (based, again, on blogspot.com domain) for the links I have in my bookmarks.

Categories: /audio, /modelling, /other, /pictures, /press, /software, /videos.

Halloweesion

Special essence, that remakes the Pyrovision Goggles into the Halloweesion Goggles.
(Halloween / Full Moon time restriction.)
The textures on many maps are remade to present the Hell textures (burnt grass, earth, smoke everywhere, flames are going through the rifts on the ground, etc.)

P.S. Or just a separated item.

New Recipe: Switch Tokens

Slot Token < --- > Class Token
Simply done!

Possible (subjective) example of the recipes:
Some Slot Token + Same slot weapon, any Class --> the Token of this Class
Some Class Token + Same class weapon, any Slot --> the Token of this Slot

SPUF thread

"possible solution on how to make the metal even more useful"

Just imagined how it could be done (though I was thinking about the same theme* a lot, during veeery looong time):
1. Make it so that the crafted items would give any special stats on any special map / gamemode (new or old) (For example, on MvM: the crafted weapons give extra cash per destroyed bot).
2. If the item has been crafted by its owner (the person who equips it), the bonus is even bigger (or it is even changed in a quality, not just in a quantity).
This way people would have choice to buy the key and open the chest OR to craft the hat / weapon to use it with the (additional) bonuses. And the metal would have more options to be used!
(Again: on special map or in the gamemode, not during the vanilla gameplay!)

(*Of course, the item_origin and/or the item_quality could be used in some user's modification, to make the gameplay more variative. "Crafted" items (even cosmetic ones) could have 1 kind of bonus, and the items "Found in crate", or "Gifted", would have another bonus, in very specific gamemode and map. On that special map, even hats would give special bonuses to their wearer.)

Source (my post in the thread "Let's talk: Keys", on SPUF)

Anti "Sniper vs Spy" update.

[Alright, time to go out of my own shadow and continue my <bitten by raccoons> blog.]
Here you go for the details : http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=9714
«Retired» hats. The only way to obtain them: trading, <marketing soon?>, uncrating crates (but not the unusual.

Here is a table (FYI):

• DEMOMAN’S FRO — Crates ## 7, 10
• FOOTBALL HELMET — Crate #21*
• MINING LIGHT — Crate #28*
• PRUSSIAN PICKELHAUBE — Crate #11
• TROPHY BELT — Crate #8
• FANCY FEDORA — Crate #24*

Also, the BATTER'S HELMET is the only hat, which is a crafting ingredient.

Plus, Portal 2 Crossover hats: PYRO'S BEANIE, FANCY FEDORA.

*Crates numbered #19+ contain Strange weapons.

• #21: GRU, Shotgun, Minigun, Natascha; Hound Dog (nv)
• #24: Ambassador, Conniver's Kunai, Knife, Revolver; Private Eye
• #28: Shotgun, Frontier Justice, Jag, Wrench; Safe'n'Sound (nv)

Okay, let's check other crates:

1. #10: 3 Paints (Ind.Green, Zeph.Greed, Noble Violet), Expert's Ordnance set
2. #11: 3 Paints (Color 216, A Deep Purple, Orange), Medieval Medic set

1. #7: Chargin Targe, Direct Hit, Bushwcka; Dr.Dapper Topper, Rimmed Raincatcher, Milkmn; Desc.Tag, Team Spirit
2. #8: FAN, Bonk!, Huntsman; Horrible Headsplitter, Cadaver's Cranium, Fez; Dueling Mini-Game, Gift Wrap

 I liked this update because of few reasons: 
A. Community reaction(s) (it is similar to the reaction to the hats' implementation, but I can't proof my words because those threads have been archieved by Limbo). Just some of the links:

• Kiss These Items Goodbye! (wall of the announcement at Steam Community Official TF2 Group)
• There WILL BE a way for new of these 9 hats to enter the market!  (my post there: While there is no search for the specified crate series # at Steam Community Market, these crates are a part of the chaos there.
  
  IMO: this update is about the option to sell the retired items at Steam Market. And about the whole TF2 Market.)
• So are community contributor incomes going to be culled?  (my post: If Community items are at Steam Market, just add the additional purchase fee (this %% will go to the creator) or just continue to pay those 25% of the money you got by selling this item (i.e. 25% of the 5-15% fee = 1.25-3.75%).)
• NEW BLUG POST [Valve retiring some hats]  (one of the biggest threads about the update) 
• So, does anyone else think that "hat retirement" might just be part of an ARG? (conspiracy thread)
• the problem with the unusual hat retirement is you won't be able to get unusuals (about unusual hats, only 1 page at the moment)
• The effects of retiring hats on the unusual market. (too)
• I support hat retirement !!! (2 stars, because of the haters)
• What if they retired Unusuals? (one of the "what if .?." threads)
• There are too many hats. I think they should start retiring some of the old ones.  (another one)
• And now a moment of silence...  (community hub thread)
• etc etc etc (google "tf2 retire site:forums.steampowered.com)

B. The thoughts about TF2 cosmetic items and about the ways to obtain them are changed (these items are limited now, not infinitive, as everybody was thinking before).
C. The giant stock of the Refined metal now has its first purpose (craftcraftcraft, while you can). (Trading Conspirators could think here that the price of the metal will go up again...)
D. Mann Co Store flooded by players' money these 2 weeks (Yes, I'm happy that the game I love has more money for its future|longer existence).
E. Possible new features (such as: re-implementing these hats, with a slightly changed models; including these hats into new crates; making them tradeable via Steam Market; adding new item_quality; crafting "retired" hat with the random unusual hat to have the "retired" unusual hat, etc.), related to this "retirement".

My two words about this "update" (it will be 2 weeks later): I would like to have an option to gain these hats via: random item for each spent $20 bought items in Mann Co <Online> Store; random Duel Win item; random unusual uncrated; Secret Saxton random gift.

Web Forum Reader

Beginning from Today - I start to use the special soft to read the forums.
Why is it so great? Because now it's easier for me to read lots of the threads. And it means - more ideas of my own self!
Combining this program with the old good tips - now the reading is as wonderful as the swimming :)