I didn't know that if you send a custom version number to GameSpy that they would accept it. My idea still would move more people to use OS though when they see a growning numbers of servers using OS.

Well I see where you are going but I don't know if you have realized that not many people are using OS right now even though many people would love its capabilities. Even I myself have problems seeing through how everything is suppose to work. Right now it is not really that clear how one is suppose to extend Halo with OS.

Now sure why you are talking about low level packet manipulations. Not talking about modifying the existing Handshake but making a custom one.

But now that you said that said your network improvements are all inline there is really no need for OS anyway. I still stand at my point though that OS right now if far to obscure for the general public. A simple all-in-one download package would OS for Client and OS for Server would have been a far better option. Just supporting 1.09, anti-cheat measurements, maybe remove the CD Key check and one could unite all players on one version.