[How big is your mods folder?]

Grand total = 8.74 Gig's!

at least 5 gig's is stuff I have made and have not finished (yet)

[Changing reticle without changing gameplay?]

First thing, make a back up copy of any and all files you plan on tinkering with.

Yes, you can adjust the reticles without it interfering with your online game play.

You can adjust the original files. This type of change will show up only on your PC, wether or not your playing single player, or multi-player. Even if you host the MP game, the people who join it will not have to have the same alterations. Like I said this will only show up on your PC. Something to consider though, if you choose this route without makeing a backup of the file you can permanetly (unless you reinstall the game)remove the original reticles.

Or, you can make a new mod folder and make your new reticle's for this. This will show up in single-player games only if you have this mod activated. Even if you have this mod activated, it will not prevent you from joining a multi-player game. The MP game will revert to the original reticles or to the mod reticles that the host has activated. If you host an MP game with your reticle mod activated then all the players who join will need that mod.

Most imporantly though, no matter which method you choose, Just changing the reticles will not improve the accuracy or take away from the accuracy of the weapon its asigned to. That is a seperate adjustment you would need to make in the gun editor.

[Placement of a command map]

The biggest problem you are going to have with making your own command maps for these maps is not having the original 3dmax file. If I am understanding your question correctly, these maps are other peoples creations - if thats so...interesting.

Ok to make a comand map you need to read the Commandmap.pdf that comes with both the desert seige and island thunder cd. It's in the "extras" folder that is located on the CD's - not in the game directory of your hard drive.

But, like I said if you dont have the original 3dmax file or have 3dsm you wont be able to make the map. You need to make a top view render of the map in Max.

If you do have these items, then it will be easy.

And the offest numbers in the enivornment editor adjust the command map so that the information displayed on the map (players, objectives, what-not) are centered correctly.

On a completely personal note though, you have permission from the map makers to do this to their work, right?