right interim news time:
first up minbrowser:no longer closes on exit, update to grab an additional server list from here & check for new releases (including routes)
lfhosts mirror has disappeared, so no map screenshots, but all the routes need updating with the new versions. Ill work on getting together what content still needs doing probably this weekend
linux:well, Ive got a new AGP radeon 9200, not the best, but it should do the job (fingers x'd) so it should be possible to release an 'alpha' version of the game engine for linux with the next update (the game dll is now sync'd for both linux and windows and works with any 3.20/3.21 game engine) - im downloading mandrake 10.0B now so Ill let you know how I get on.
windows game engine code:still have some plans I'd like to see in 1.7final but its generally all round stable already.
game dll:everything minus the content mentioned above seems to be working now. I've just worked out that I can use my crash trace routine to generate full function reports with timings (to identify problem functions+allow easier optimisation) so I've still got some work todo here. AMP-G2 tables seems to be working nicely so Ill be tieing those into goal selection for better team based movements.
We need to get some form of FAQ together, covering the openAL and any current issues still in hand (nocheat/q2ace spring to mind) - any volentiers??
I keep meaning to tie the web based irc client into the forums (see below)
As for a release date, well Im aiming for a birthday update of february 26th (yep 1 whole year since the first major release

) whilst its looking less and less likely that this will be the whole hog Ive a good idea what can and cant be done and Ill be able to clarify this further after next weekend.
last but not least, I found this a day or so ago on the q2ice website:
mSparks
Expelled troublemaker
Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
not been there since late last year (other than check the news page) so no idea where that came from, so I guess that means any q2ice/ltktbm association is now officially gone. On a lighter note it forces my hand to section out the AQ2 game engine for general Q2 stuff (name suggestions?)