The SE4 companion - Why the long wait?. [Archive]

Ruatha

April 28th, 2004, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by aiken:
It can't be used as save game editor, since it doesn't touch the .gam file, but edits *_plr_xx_event.txt.

Ruatha, small feature request: dropdown list with most recenly used games, and maybe an option to automatically enter empire if it's marked as "Exist".

Thanks Ruatha for this great tool (though I prefer to keep track of diplomacy with organiser). Yes, the savegames are encrypted and I won't be messing with that.
A dropdownlist can be done, the auto select feature I'm not sure what you mean?
All empires in the game exists, some are marked Alive, but in the beginning of the game all empires are alive...??
Ohh, you mean if it already exists a event.txt file, yes, I can do that!
Guess I'll have to make an "options" screen.

I could do a favorite selection list aswell, to quickly enter a particular game and empire.
And perhaps a filter, showing only Messages a special turn or to/from a special player.
And in the multi line message an option to mark if it's from or to a player, and then that info in the ** Message starts ** line.

All ideas are welcome.
But today I'm back at work, I just did this yesterday as I was home and a bit boored.

It works quite well in both single player and multi player games (both seq and sim) right now, from the limited testing I've done.

//
So, the ver 1.3 will have an "advanced" check box, that will decide if it will show extra features such as Favorites lists etc, or the bare backbone cleanest possible screen, so that the first impression won't be that it's cluttered with features.
It will remember if the checkbox was filled in the Last time you used it.

//

Still the v1.2 as the current Version:
http://ruatha.homelinux.org/history12.zip
or at SJ's page:
http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/other/MM/SE4/Tools/

[ April 28, 2004, 10:38: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

bearclaw

April 28th, 2004, 06:20 PM

Love this tool! Great idea. Is there any way for there to be any sort of automatic entries? Or will it have to remain manual entry only?

Great job.

Ruatha

April 28th, 2004, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by bearclaw:
Love this tool! Great idea. Is there any way for there to be any sort of automatic entries? Or will it have to remain manual entry only?

Great job. In single play there are auto entries for contacts and treaties with other races, but not in multiplayer games, IIRC.

Atrocities

April 28th, 2004, 09:44 PM

Well all we need now is a save game editor. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

J/K

Ruatha

April 28th, 2004, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by aiken:
Ruatha, small feature request: dropdown list with most recenly used games, and maybe an option to automatically enter empire if it's marked as "Exist".
Finished the recent list, saves up to 20 games in a drop-down combo box, with a "enter if only one exist" check box.
So one click and you're in.
Will make a favorite list and some more changes aswell.
And await any bug report before making a ver 1.3.

Been to many releases too fast already!!

Aiken

April 28th, 2004, 10:55 PM

No bugs in the meantime.
Where was a small graphical glitch in v.1 with the button, but it disapperared.

One more feature request (I swear it will be the Last one http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif ) - possibility to delete multiple events at once, ie Shift+left click multiple text lines and then press Delete events to remove them all. Will be usefull to remove long multiline Messages.

Ruatha

April 28th, 2004, 10:57 PM

Originally posted by aiken:
No bugs in the meantime.
Where was a small graphical glitch in v.1 with the button, but it disapperared.

One more feature request (I swear it will be the Last one http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif ) - possibility to delete multiple events at once, ie Shift+left click multiple text lines and then press Delete events to remove them all. Will be usefull to remove long multiline Messages. I like requests.
I've had some problems with the recent list, but now it works, have only tried it with less tahn 20 games in the list, must fill it to see that it works.
A multi line delete function will be included in ver 1.3.

G'Night

Slick

April 28th, 2004, 11:15 PM

I can't believe I missed this thread until today. What a great program! Thanks, Ruatha!

Feedback:

- I notice that the history entries are not viewable in-game until the next turn. Is there a limit on how many entries can be made before processing a turn? Is there a limit to the total length of a history for a given race?

- I notice that if you choose "multi line entry" in v1.2, you still are forced to enter a main message before saving, but only the muli line entry shows up in the history, not the main message. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

- I noticed that the history is not actually sorted by in-game date, it is listed sequentially by when it was entered. Probably not much you can do about the sort order except to enter things on the turn that they happen so they appear sequential.

- I'm trying to think of the best way to use this in a multiplayer game. I'm thinking that, since we now have mid-turn save capability, that it would go something like this:
----- load turn and as a first action, read all incoming political Messages and other log entries that you want to enter into the history file.
----- minimize se4, load the history editor and enter all the updates to the history file.
----- save the turn, and reload so that you now have the entries in-game.
----- do all other actions for your turn except outgoing Messages or diplomatic actions (treaties, gifts, etc.) Save these for Last because of se4 quirk about sometimes not sending these if they are done early in a turn.
----- save game after orders made (optional).
----- Last, do your outgoing politics, then save game again.
----- make additional history entries based on our out-going political Messages/actions.
----- reload game and check history for correctness, then "end turn" to process the turn.

edit: ubb quirks on spacing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Comments?

Slick.

[ April 28, 2004, 22:26: Message edited by: Slick ]

Paul1980au

April 28th, 2004, 11:24 PM

Good appraoch slick

Atrocities

April 29th, 2004, 12:09 AM

Suggestion, a back button. This way you don't have to keep loading the same save game over and over again. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

April 29th, 2004, 04:38 AM

Thanks slick.

- I notice that the history entries are not viewable in-game until the next turn. Is there a limit on how many entries can be made before processing a turn? Is there a limit to the total length of a history for a given race?

-Don't know, I've not imposed any limits, but I don't know if the game has a length limit.

- I notice that if you choose "multi line entry" in v1.2, you still are forced to enter a main message before saving, but only the muli line entry shows up in the history, not the main message.

-I don't understand quite what you mean, could be a bug that's already fixed in the current dev Version.
When I make a multi-line message and exits the entry-box it's in the message list to the left in the application, and when I choose save changes it's saved, just as if I'd made a normal single line message.
And it doesn't seem to delete any followed single line entry now either.
So it could already be fixed.....
Nothing is saved until you choose the save button.

EDIT:Loaded up ver 1.2 and yes, you where right, and yes, it's already fixed in next ver.

(How could I fix a bug I didn't know about?
After compiling and building v 1.2 I added a few other changes, didn't like them and closed the project and reloaded it, just to see that I hadn't saved after making the multi-line message function.
So I remade it, obviously better this time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

- I noticed that the history is not actually sorted by in-game date, it is listed sequentially by when it was entered. Probably not much you can do about the sort order except to enter things on the turn that they happen so they appear sequential.

-Will make a sort by date button, thanks!
---------

AT, what do you mean?
Do you mean an ability to go back to the player selection screen without reloading the game?
I can do that.
In the current dev Version there is a recent list with an auto entry check box, one click and you can be in the edit mode for any of the Last 20 games.

Edit2: Will post a new Version before the weekend, as I'll be gone for a LAN meeeting with some friends this weekend I won't be working on this app.
=============================

Todo:
-Favorites, button and combobox.
-Multi line delete, selection.
-To/From multi-line message mark, radio buttons.
-Back to player selection button, button.
-View history by date or player, dialog.
-Re-sort history by dates, button.
-Mark ini file with Version, ini file.
-Show initial info-splash screen when new Version or first run, ini file.
-Reg button, just to let me know if anyone is using it, won't effect application, button.

Done:
-Mark Multi-line Messages with header,end and left side markers.
-Fixed multi-line saving bug, re-programming.
-Recent games list, combo box.
-Auto select if only one event file exits in game, check box.

[ April 29, 2004, 05:52: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Intimidator

April 29th, 2004, 06:56 PM

Wauw, needed that tool 3 years ago.

Intimidator

Ruatha

April 29th, 2004, 08:23 PM

New Version 1.3.
All new buttons are in there, but most are still disabled as the code isn't finished.

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/history13.zip

Done:
-Mark Multi-line Messages with header,end and left side markers.
-Fixed multi-line saving bug, re-programming.
-Recent games list, combo box.
-Auto select if only one event file exits in game, check box.
-Mark ini file with Version, ini file.
-Show initial info-splash screen when first run, ini file.
-Reg button, just to let me know if anyone is using it, won't effect application, button.
-About, Dialog.
-Status bar, counts number of executions of application, bar and ini file.

Done in development Version:
-To/From multi-line message mark and clipboard paste, radio buttons. (Enable) (*)
-Back to player selection button, button.(*)
-Select Last turn+1 in turn(date) box, button. (Enable)(*) /Note to self, +1 and inc maxdate when spedadv inc /
-After addition, autoscroll down to added item.(*)

Still Todo:
-Favorites, button and combobox. (Enable)
-Multi line delete, selection. (Program)
-View history by date or player, dialog. (Enable)
-Re-sort history by dates, button. (Enable)

(*) = Finished/Enabled in current dev Version.

Going away for the weekend.

More suggestions and bug reports wanted before monday.

Se Ya
Ruatha

[ May 01, 2004, 05:56: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Atrocities

April 29th, 2004, 09:05 PM

Excellent program Ruatha, thank you very much. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

April 30th, 2004, 06:13 AM

BTW, the new registration button.
It doesn't cost anything and not registering means nothing.
Wheater you register or not, the application is still the same.
If you wish your name in the status bar but don't want to register, hit the reg button and cancel the meail instead of sending it.

The only reason to register is to encourage me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

(It's a " I like your work" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Button)

This is with all buttons and boxes, the current dev Version.
It may look like some things are on-top of eachothers but they won't be displayed at the same time:

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/exempel3.jpg

[ April 30, 2004, 10:59: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

April 30th, 2004, 11:20 AM

SJ, could you upload this asap to the tools section.
I'm sure my wife will turn off the computer when I'm away this weekend.
Telling her not to seldom works http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

Lord_Shleepy

May 2nd, 2004, 02:44 PM

Nice gizmo Ruatha! Thanks for the hard work!

Ruatha

May 3rd, 2004, 05:20 AM

Hurrah, I 've got my first (and so far only) registred user.
This means I'll have to continue the development to support the clients!

Thankyou XenoTheMorph.

bearclaw

May 3rd, 2004, 05:32 AM

I've downloaded and installed v1.3 but I can't find a register button. Otherwise, I'd have registered my copy too!!

Slick

May 3rd, 2004, 05:40 AM

It's the "reg" button.

Although, Ruatha, what am I supposed to put in the first "input" box? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

Slick.

Ruatha

May 3rd, 2004, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by Slick:
It's the "reg" button.

Although, Ruatha, what am I supposed to put in the first "input" box? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

Slick. Hmm, guess it need more work.
Answer: it's suppose to say name: there.
That's the only info entered, ie name or nickname.

I'll change it to Register in the next Version, the next Version will be much more slick http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ May 03, 2004, 05:08: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

bearclaw

May 3rd, 2004, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by Slick:
It's the "reg" button.
Yeah, I know that. But I don't have a Reg button. Not on the main screen, about screen, or history input screen.

Slick

May 3rd, 2004, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by bearclaw:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Slick:
It's the "reg" button.
Yeah, I know that. But I don't have a Reg button. Not on the main screen, about screen, or history input screen. <hr /></blockquote>Have the latest Version? 1.3?

edit: whoops, you said that.

Slick.

[ May 03, 2004, 15:11: Message edited by: Slick ]

Paul1980au

May 3rd, 2004, 10:27 AM

V 1.4 here we come - good work there
Wonder if MM will make SE3 opensource once SE5 is out. Maybe a few in the opensource community will take it to enhance the game - he wont be making any revenues from it anyway.

Ruatha

May 3rd, 2004, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by bearclaw:
I've downloaded and installed v1.3 but I can't find a register button. Otherwise, I'd have registered my copy too!! Hmm, it checks the ini-file for the name Unregistred, if that's there it should show the button.
Did you upgrade an older (a few days older http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif ) Version or make a completely new install?
In the event entering screen, does it give any name in the statusbar at the bottom? i e Registred to: Unregistred?
I'd be glad to know as it would help me be a better programmer!

Aiken

May 3rd, 2004, 02:54 PM

bearclaw, delete hist.ini file to see the reg button. Then restart, and you're are registered.

Ruatha

May 3rd, 2004, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by aiken:
bearclaw, delete hist.ini file to see the reg button. Then restart, and you're are registered. Regged user no 2: Aiken.

Yes, you are right about the hist.ini file.
It wasn't supposed to work that way and I've fixed it in the next Version, but right now you need to delete the ini file, or wait for the next Version that will correct it and then you'll see the reg file.
Will be out in the end of this week.

Aiken

May 3rd, 2004, 06:20 PM

I wonder, why Registered user N 1 is not Ruatha http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

bearclaw

May 3rd, 2004, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by aiken:
bearclaw, delete hist.ini file to see the reg button. Then restart, and you're are registered. Got it, thanks

Atrocities

May 3rd, 2004, 11:40 PM

how do you register it?

Atrocities

May 3rd, 2004, 11:50 PM

I have Version 1.3 and it looks nothing like what you have posted. It does not seem to have a register button at all.

Aiken

May 4th, 2004, 12:14 AM

Find hist.ini file in the folder where history.exe is placed, and delete this file. Now launch history.exe and you should see Reg button. After regging program will create a email to Ruatha. Send it to let him know that you're regged.

Ruatha

May 4th, 2004, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by Atrocities:
how do you register it? You can wait until the end of the week, ver 1.4 will show the reg button for you aswell.

Atrocities

May 4th, 2004, 04:44 AM

Thanks, registered. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

May 4th, 2004, 05:04 AM

Done in current development Version:

-Multi line delete, selection.
-To/From multi-line message mark and clipboard paste, radio buttons.
-Back to player selection button, button.
-Select Last turn+1 in turn(date) box, button.
-After addition, autoscroll down to added item.
-Bug fix, Reg button didn't show when old ini file existed.
-New start page appearance with original logi by David E Gervais.
-Clear selection button.

Working on:
-Re-sort history by dates, button.

Still Todo:
-Favorites, button and combobox. (Enable)
-View history by date or player, dialog. (Enable)
Readme file with button.

Should be finished in a day or two.

Registrant no 1:XenoTheMorph.
Registrant no 2:Aiken
Registrant no 3: Atrocities.

[ May 04, 2004, 07:15: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

bearclaw

May 4th, 2004, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by Ruatha:

Registrant no 1:XenoTheMorph.
Registrant no 2:Aiken
Registrant no 3: Atrocities. Hey! Did you get my registration? My ISP has been acting up so I'm not sure if all my emails are getting through.

Kana

May 4th, 2004, 06:53 AM

Reg sent...thank you...can't wait to see 1.4

Kana

[ May 04, 2004, 05:54: Message edited by: Kana ]

Kana

May 4th, 2004, 06:35 PM

Hey...it sure looks great...

Question...what's the favorite button for?

Kana

Ruatha

May 4th, 2004, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by Kana:
Hey...it sure looks great...

Question...what's the favorite button for?

Kana If you check the favorite check box when accessing a game, you can choose that game in the favorite drop down box after starting the program, and accessing the game with that player file with a single click, the same as if you've checked the Autoload player and chooses a game from the recent box that has only one existing player file, but the Favorites works also if there are several exisiting player event files in the same game. The Autoload checkbox doesn't work if there are several exisitng player event files in the same game.

So for most it will be superfluous but for some it might come in handy.
If no favorite check box are checked, the favorite drop down box won't be displayed.
The most used favorite will be at the top of the favorite list.
In the recent games box the Last used game will be at the top. If all works as I've intended http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ May 04, 2004, 18:09: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

May 5th, 2004, 01:14 AM

New Version, 1.4:

-Multi line delete, selection.
-To/From multi-line message mark and clipboard paste, radio buttons.
-Back to player selection button, button.
-Select Last turn+1 in turn(date) box, button.
-After addition, autoscroll down to added item.
-Bug fix, Reg button didn't show when old ini file existed.
-New start page appearance with original logo by David E Gervais.
-Clear selection button.
-Re-sort history by dates, button.
-Favorites, button and combobox.
-Propably added a few new bugs.

To do:
-View history by date or player, dialog.
-Readme file with button.
-Better errorr handling.
-Total remake from scratch.
-Tooltip on more buttons etc.
-Help button.
-Improve clipboard copy with width detection and non splitting words.

Here it is:
http://ruatha.homelinux.org/history14.zip

Sj, can you upload it to tools?

Registrant no 1:XenoTheMorph.
Registrant no 2:Aiken
Registrant no 3:Atrocities.
Registrant no 4:Kana
Registrant no 5:Mudshark

Nope Bearclaw, mail must've been messed up.

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/exempel4.jpg

[ May 04, 2004, 13:16: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

XenoTheMorph

May 5th, 2004, 01:56 AM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
Hurrah, I 've got my first (and so far only) registred user.
This means I'll have to continue the development to support the clients!

Thankyou XenoTheMorph. It is a great editor http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Really helps me add feeling (and more obscure events) to my races history http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif Oooh Prettyyy must get 1.4!!!!!

[ May 04, 2004, 12:59: Message edited by: XenoTheMorph ]

Ruatha

May 5th, 2004, 05:08 PM

V 1.5 will be a totally rewritten from scratch Version.
As I've added so much i'd like to get it better structured.

I'm thinking of incorporating into the Favorites that it can autolaunch SE4.exe with a defined mod and password, so one click and your in both the editor and SE4 in a normal or modded game.
And perhaps an option to also autolaunch any program you like with a defined file, for example a excel or notepad file.

But it will also be more structured and not as clottered as v 1.4.

Any ideas for incorporation are welcome, especially now that i'm doing it from scratch.
So far it's been much easier the econd time around even though I'm using totally different components and no re-used code.
This is fun.

Slick

May 5th, 2004, 06:17 PM

I like the current Version, but you asked for suggestions, so:

- Is there any way to import the turn event log into the program such that I can drag & drop selected entries from the log into the history file?

- Is there a way to enable mouse wheel scrolling in the windows?

Slick.

Aiken

May 5th, 2004, 06:21 PM

Kind of bug report: frequently when using favourites or autoload features, programm will create another event file and will always logon to that incorrect event file after that. I've noticed it with the savegames where the Dead empires exist.

Atrocities

May 5th, 2004, 07:39 PM

Could you add a note pad feature to it that can be positioned while we are in game. This way we can use it to write notes on the side for later inclusion into the event log if we so deem, or use for story telling?

Ruatha

May 5th, 2004, 08:30 PM

- Is there any way to import the turn event log into the program such that I can drag & drop selected entries from the log into the history file?

I don't understand what you mean with turn event log? That is what we are editing... the Game_plr_1_events.txt is the history event file, all that's in it is included.
I guess you mean something else.

- Is there a way to enable mouse wheel scrolling in the windows?

In next Version mouse wheel is enabled.

Could you add a note pad feature to it that can be positioned while we are in game. This way we can use it to write notes on the side for later inclusion into the event log if we so deem, or use for story telling?

In next Version you can connect each favorite game to an external app and file, so that it starts each time automaticly, might be a text file or excel sheet.
Could make a internal notepad function aswell, that can be connected to all games, not just Favorites (that is maximized to 20 right now).
That could auto mark entries with turn date.

Kind of bug report: frequently when using favourites or autoload features, programm will create another event file and will always logon to that incorrect event file after that. I've noticed it with the savegames where the Dead empires exist.

Hmm, that's not good. I assume it's in single player games? Or games that you have hosted?
If so that would explain it as there would be game generated event files then.
But if not... I'll look into it.
Next Version is completely rewritten with all new bugs.. but it'll take weeks or a month before next release.

Thanks for the suggestions and bug reports!

-----------
ver 1.5 what's done:
-New ini file handling, now standard window ini format, easy readable.
-Encryption of entered game passwords when saved to ini file.
-Saving of window position to Ini file.
-Ini and variables prepared for mods and external apps with associated files.
-ConVersion procedure of old ini file to new.
-Creataion of new ini file if no exists.
-source Code remarks.
-Dialog information when problems with app.
-String grid data field for history event files instead of multiple edit boxes, better scrolling and sorting, and nicer looking.
-Datafield mousewheel scrolling.
-Fully Keyboard operatable, no mouse is needed.
-Fully mouse operatable, no keyboard is needed (data can be pasted).
-Automatic installation of SE4 small font, used for in-game history file and in history event stringgrid in application.
What you see fit in the application is also what fits in the game.
-Saving and loading of event file data to and from string grid.
-Game choosing page graphic by David E Gervais.
-Multi Form app instead of single form.
-Graphic, font and readme file included in exe, used from stream.
-Registration Dialog.
-Settings window wher most settings can be forced (Font install/uninstall, re-registration. Default Path)

[ May 06, 2004, 12:41: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Slick

May 5th, 2004, 10:27 PM

Suicide Junkie

May 5th, 2004, 11:03 PM

v14 is up on imagemodserver, also in RAR format for a 22% smaller download.

Ruatha

May 6th, 2004, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by Slick:
I mean the "Log" that shows everything (almost) that happens in a turn (F10, I think) that lists construction, intel, research, politics, misc, etc. If the program was able to import this list in a side-by-side format with the history file, we could drag & drop items into the history file from the Log. I wouldn't want to copy over things like building a research facility, but I probably would copy over significant battles, or other major events. Just a thought.

Slick. Ahh, that's worse. I'll hvae to say No to that as that's encrypted in the save game file.
I can make it drag and drop friendly.
And I'd like to have a key combination that copies in the current selection from any other program without switching focus, but I'm not sure I can do that.

-Thanks SJ.

-About that AutoLoad Bug, I think I've got a clue.

Bearclaw, your registration popped in now along with some others http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ May 06, 2004, 04:02: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Kana

May 6th, 2004, 05:10 PM

Ok...had a problem today...

D/L new PBW game turn...put in Savegame dir. Tried to pull up History 1.4 prog and I get the following error:

-----------------------------------------------
Access violation at address 00404CDA in module 'History.exe'. Read of address 010100F9.
-----------------------------------------------

I looked into the hisory.ini file...(it is an .ini right?) And this is what it had in there:

-----------------------------------------------
D:\Sean's Games\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame
1
notreade@D:\Sean's Games\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame|09!3
1
notreade@D:\Sean's Games\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame\notreade.gam
True
Kana
1.4
16
----------------------------------------------
Then I tried some reinstalling and stuff...which didn't correct the problem...I also tried it with a saved game I had available...and it worked fine...this is what .ini file looked like:

-------------------------------------------------
D:\Sean's Games\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame
1
TDM-Mod@D:\Sean's Games\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame|01!2
1
TDM-Mod@D:\Sean's Games\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame\TDM-Mod.gam
True
Kana
1.4
1
-------------------------------------------------

Not sure what happened...the saved game works fine...thankfully...there are all the entries in the history file up to that point...I just can't access them now via the History prog. Could this be some issue with the saved game file itself?

Any idea what happened, and possibly how to fix it?

Kana, registered user Number 4

Aiken

May 6th, 2004, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by Ruatha:

Kind of bug report: frequently when using favourites or autoload features, programm will create another event file and will always logon to that incorrect event file after that. I've noticed it with the savegames where the Dead empires exist.

Hmm, that's not good. I assume it's in single player games? Or games that you have hosted?
If so that would explain it as there would be game generated event files then.
But if not... I'll look into it.
No, this bug occur with pbw games and I'm not a host. And it definitely happens when where are dead empires right before me in the players list: dead empire is plr 1, me is plr 2 in the 1st game and dead empire is plr 10, me is plr 11 in the 2nd one.

Ruatha

May 6th, 2004, 06:24 PM

Kana >
Hi.
Could you tell me what Version the PBW game is in?
I've only trie dit with 1.84 and 1.91, and those are handled different from eachother.

I'll do better error routines in the next Version to make it easier to spot problems.
The inifile propably hasn't got any problem, I suppose it's with reading the game file itself.
I think I'll make an option in the next Version where you don't have to access the savegame file, now it's just to read the names of the different empires.

Sorry I can't help you more right now.

Aiken>
I think it might be that there are fewer accessible player files than one(?) and then it choses the first best one.

Have you tried using the Favorites option instead, that should alleviate that problem atleast. So uncheck AutoLoad, enter the game you want to use and check the favorite check box, and use that drop down box instead in the future.
I'll check about the dead empires, I haven't used any in my test gamefiles but it shouldn't make any difference... but obviously it does(!)

I'll make sure this doesn't afflict the next Version, and adain, sorry I can't be to more help right now.

[ May 06, 2004, 17:30: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Kana

May 6th, 2004, 10:27 PM

Stock Game...1.91 patch.

I had been using...to keep track of stuff...because I had noticed...that there was no history in the pbw game...some kind of bug?

Your program was a great new toy...which was working just fine...I'm sure there is something funky with the game file...I'll try and experiment when I get back from my trip...with the saved turn files of previous turns and see if they work...also try it when I get my new turn...of course that wont be till monday due to being out of town.

Thanks,

Kana

Ruatha

May 9th, 2004, 11:02 AM

-

[ May 09, 2004, 10:04: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

May 9th, 2004, 11:04 AM

Short peek on the future, shell GUI isn't finished, as you can see.
Most code isn't finished.
It will be a mod picker, history event editor, PBW mail handler, Real time client.
You'll be able to easily download PBW games, launch SE4 and external applications, the editor and upload the file, all with a minimum of clicks.
Still, any input and ideas are welcome.

If things go as I wish, it'll be the SE4 companion.

BEST used like this:
1. Start it and minimize it to the system tray.
2 it will either:
a) scan the mail for PBW mails and unpack these.
b) scan the PBW server Online and download turnfiles
3. Alert you that a turn is ready, you press a button on the message box and the SE4 game starts and logs in to your turnfile with the correct passsword.
It starts any external files you have, ie excel or word files.
It pops up the history editor.
4. You play the game, copy Messages by selecting them pressing CTRL+C in the game, switch to the companion and presses "paste from clipboard", back to game and finish.
5. You either press in the companion:
a) Pack and mail rutnfile to PBW or
b) Upload turnfile to PBW server on-line.

It can upload automaticly but I don't see that that will be a very used feature, as you'd like to be able to save the turns and continue before you upload.

Not very much code is used from the SE4 Editor, even though they look much the same, and I haven't come around to changing the name yet.

Right now I'm pretty sure I can complete it all, except the real time on-line bit, where I need help, see the other thread:
SE4 forum other thread (http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=011650)
---

Here's a few screenshots (Will go down when my computer is resetted):
(I'll be gone a week and will propably not respond to any Posts during that time).

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/ett.jpg
http://ruatha.homelinux.org/tva.jpg
http://ruatha.homelinux.org/tre.jpg
http://ruatha.homelinux.org/fyra.jpg
http://ruatha.homelinux.org/fem.jpg

[ May 09, 2004, 12:00: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Aiken

May 9th, 2004, 11:43 AM

wow. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif That would be The Real Thing I Always Dreamt.

Asmala

May 9th, 2004, 07:16 PM

That program would be truly awesome http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Atrocities

May 10th, 2004, 01:03 AM

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh awe struck atrocities

Kana

May 10th, 2004, 03:40 AM

So will this replace the 1.5 Version of the History Editor?

Kana

Slynky

May 10th, 2004, 04:06 AM

This looks quite interesting! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Fyron

May 10th, 2004, 07:02 AM

I assume you will be able to disable any particular feature you would not want to use?

Ruatha

May 14th, 2004, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
I assume you will be able to disable any particular feature you would not want to use? Yes.

Will resume work on monday evening.

Ruatha

May 14th, 2004, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by Kana:
So will this replace the 1.5 Version of the History Editor?

Kana Yes

Kana

May 14th, 2004, 10:35 PM

[/qb][/QUOTE]Will resume work on monday evening. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Great...can't wait...keep up the great work...

Kana

Fyron

May 15th, 2004, 12:40 AM

Will this be open source, perchance? Not much reason not to do so...

Ruatha

May 15th, 2004, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Will this be open source, perchance? Not much reason not to do so... I don't want several parallel Versions to pop up, also there is the coding of the passwords.

I'll think about it but I won't release the source before it's finished anyway.

(And it's far from finished...)

[ May 15, 2004, 06:32: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Atrocities

May 15th, 2004, 10:49 AM

Looking forward to it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

geoschmo

May 15th, 2004, 12:51 PM

Security for the password coding should not be a problem as long as all the players passwords are stored locally with an .ini file or something. That way even if the source code allows a person to crack that, they still would only have access to their own passwords.

geoschmo

May 15th, 2004, 11:46 PM

Yes, Admiral wrote it. I'm not sure how much help we can give you on that though. RTC is a java app that is heavily tied to the workings of PBW as a whole. The programs use a lot of the same code and the functions work together. I'm not saying it would be impossible to make a standalone application. And I think it would be great if you could. This thing you are working on seems like a great idea. But I don't know how much the exsisting RTC code will help in that area.

Ruatha

May 16th, 2004, 01:44 AM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Security for the password coding should not be a problem as long as all the players passwords are stored locally with an .ini file or something. That way even if the source code allows a person to crack that, they still would only have access to their own passwords. Yes, that is the idea, but I still think that when I release the sourcecode I'll remove the local password encoding.
Otherwise there's no need of password encoding.

Still need help with the PBW RTC though, was it Admiral who made it Geo?

Ruatha

May 16th, 2004, 03:03 PM

I'll try to get into contact with the Admiral and see if he can tell me some useful info, otherwise I'l have to skip that part and let it use the mail functions instead.

So far I've worked most on the editor, right now it's better than the Last ver of the SE4 history editor, good.

[ May 16, 2004, 18:38: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Fyron

May 17th, 2004, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
I don't want several parallel Versions to pop up, also there is the coding of the passwords.If you want to crack passwords, you just have to write a program that loads the game with command line options... it will be a bit slow, but quite doable. I don't think this is much of an issue.

Asmala

May 17th, 2004, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruatha:
I don't want several parallel Versions to pop up, also there is the coding of the passwords.If you want to crack passwords, you just have to write a program that loads the game with command line options... it will be a bit slow, but quite doable. I don't think this is much of an issue. <hr /></blockquote>You mean brute force cracking? It would be too slow...

Fyron

May 17th, 2004, 06:48 PM

It doesn't take that long to launch SE4 using the command line options... and I did say it would be slow. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif You could always make the program launch several SE4s simultaneously to speed up the process...

Asmala

May 17th, 2004, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
It doesn't take that long to launch SE4 using the command line options... and I did say it would be slow. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif You could always make the program launch several SE4s simultaneously to speed up the process... Well, if it'd take 1 second to start SE, it would take over 1000 years to crack my SE passwords http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif But as you said, it'd be slow. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Ruatha

May 19th, 2004, 06:30 AM

The history event editor is finished, with new capabilities, amongst otehr autosorting, save to HTML, EXCEL and text files. Print function. Clipboard awareness. Search function...

Will fix the favorite and recent list now.
After that the autolaunch of SEIV and external applications.
Then Mail functions.
Then Archive functions.
If possible then the RTC functions.
Then fix all lose ends.
Add some bloatware and it will be finished.

I'll have to look up the PBW emergency server code tonight and see if it needs more work, that should halt development of this application.
I'll propably just let it be as the autorun functions aren't necessary and it was so loong ago I worked with it... will have to see if I can raise my interest for it.

Fyron

May 20th, 2004, 11:40 PM

Add some bloatware and it will be finished. Ack! No bloatware! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Ruatha

May 21st, 2004, 06:12 AM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Add some bloatware and it will be finished. Ack! No bloatware! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif <hr /></blockquote>Yes !!! Whoa ha ha, revenge of the bloatware!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

narf poit chez BOOM

May 21st, 2004, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
<blockquote>quote:<hr /> Add some bloatware and it will be finished. Ack! No bloatware! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif <hr /></blockquote>Yes !!! Whoa ha ha, revenge of the bloatware!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif <hr /></blockquote>I thought that was 'middle' age.

Ruatha

May 21st, 2004, 06:27 PM

Done the favorite and recent list now.
So soon (when autolaunch is finished) it will work as a mod launcher capable of launching for several different exe Versions.

To do:
The autolaunch of SEIV and external applications.
Then Mail functions.
Then Archive functions.
If possible then the RTC functions.
Then fix all lose ends.
Add some bloatware and it will be finished.

Ruatha

May 23rd, 2004, 08:45 PM

Done autostart for SE4, so now it works as a modlauncher, for several different exe Versions aswell.
One click on a listbox on the first page and this is the result, both the program and se4.exe starts:

You can enter the password to the games in the application and so start games that do or don't use a mod without entering any password.
You can password protect the application itself, have an open protected system (passwords in applictaion replaced by '*', no pasword required for application) or unprotected system (All passwords shown in clear text, no password needed to enter the application)
The option is yours.

You can use ver 1.84 or 1.91 exe for your games.. any mod you like.

Have started on the mail functions and will do the external file autostart soon too, then you'll get a notification (if you want to) when a new turn exist and can press a button to download (if you don't want it download automaticly) the turn and start SE4.exe and the companion application.
Most things in this application will be user choosable.
I'll write the help and readme before releasing the beta, but the sourcecode only after it's bug free and final.
No mail or internet contact from the app is sent or received without approval from the user.

There is some things that can only be done by rightclicking on the event text, I'm afraid many people will miss this. I don't know how to inform properly about these functions without c�luttering up the space, I don't want to use a tooltip on that component as that is used often, hmm must remember to make tooltips user choosable..

(hmm, I see on the image that the SE4 fonts weren't used, will have to look into this...)

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/exempel.jpg

[ May 24, 2004, 10:31: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

May 24th, 2004, 05:09 AM

Just a clarification (Have been asked this):
During the making of this program, there has been no harmful or painful testings done on any PBW server. (There's been no testing at all).

I still haven't got a clue as to how the RTC works, don't even know IF it still works...
So anyone having any information as to the inner workings of the RTC please contact me. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

Edit:
Now added sidenotes.
Most other features such as autostarts are connected to making the game a favorite game, but sidenotes can be auto-opened for any game.

Whats left:

Finish the mail functions.
Turn unpacking.
Turns sending

[ May 25, 2004, 05:07: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

May 27th, 2004, 06:31 AM

Had some problems with the many settings, when I turned everything on strange things happened.
Straigthened that out now and am coming along well with the mail functions.
It can now alert audible and visually when a new turn has arrived.
Will get to work with downloading and unpacking now and after that thje mail send functions, even though they don't work at the PBW right now I hope they will soon.
Have included a quick button to the SE4 modder as I think that no SE4 player can survive long without that handy utility.
Estimated time left is 3-5 days and after that documentation and help files, then beta release sometime next week.

Ed Kolis

May 27th, 2004, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
[QB]You can use ver 1.84 or 1.91 exe for your games.. any mod you like./QB]What about 1.49? Believe it or not, I still have one of those games running... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Ruatha

May 27th, 2004, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruatha:
[QB]You can use ver 1.84 or 1.91 exe for your games.. any mod you like./QB]What about 1.49? Believe it or not, I still have one of those games running... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif <hr /></blockquote>I haven't tested 1.49, I have only savegames from 1.84 and 1.91 and they differ enough in structure to have to be handled differently by the application.
I'd be happy if you could try it out when I release the beta, or mail me a savegame ver from 1.49, I don't feel the urge to reinstall my SE4 to try it.

Ed Kolis

May 27th, 2004, 07:35 PM

Wait... your program actually parses the binary savegame data??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif
Does this mean there's a scenario editor coming up in the foreseeable future??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif
Though this would open up the door to cheating, as well... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

In any event, I'll send you my savegame when I get home, seeing as you're not in this particular PBW game so you'd have nothing to gain from peeking at it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Ruatha

May 27th, 2004, 07:47 PM

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:
Wait... your program actually parses the binary savegame data??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif
Does this mean there's a scenario editor coming up in the foreseeable future??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif
Though this would open up the door to cheating, as well... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

In any event, I'll send you my savegame when I get home, seeing as you're not in this particular PBW game so you'd have nothing to gain from peeking at it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Oh no.
It only reads savegame Version, the empire names and turndate, nothing more and never will.
There is an manual option where you can access any eventfile without the savegame but then the empires are called "player 1, player 2.." instead of "The dreaded Katz Empire, The Rage collective.."

Ruatha

May 28th, 2004, 09:40 PM

Thanks to Geo who came up with a new way to access PBW I'll have a special RTC in the new program... Thanks GEO (It's coming along well!)

Ruatha

May 29th, 2004, 07:28 AM

Right now it can check on-line and alert for new turns, it does the same for mail but there it doesn't remember if it's alreadya lerted, so if it's set to not delete the mails from the server it will alert at each check.
This will be fixed.

It's coming along well but it's taking some time...

bearclaw

May 30th, 2004, 04:51 AM

Every time I check out this topic my mouth starts to water. Can't wait for this one to be done.

Ruatha

June 2nd, 2004, 06:20 AM

Ok, I should've known better then to set some kind of release date.
I've worked 5 days with getting the downloads from the PBW server to work...
It's been the greatest challenge I've faced in programming...

First it seemed like no problems, the application just asked if the player wanted to download or save the file (The regular browser "Save AS" dialog appeared), shouldn't be a big problem getting rid of that I thought! HA!!!

Some routines worked great with my server but couldn't download the password protected files from the PBW server.
Some wanted that "Save as" dialogue.
Then when things started to look bright I for the first time found out the problems with multi-threaded programs... Oh how I miss the days of line-numbers and when subroutines was something fancy you've heard about but couldn't for the life of you see the meaning with...

Now I've finally managed to get the seperate threads to march in unison, so it wil download one file before it says that it has downloaded the next and triued to start the third (That hasn't ben downloaded..) and at the same time trying to download some other stuff aswell(?).

So now I predict a straight and nice course towards completion.. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Whats left:
Connect downloads to favorite paths.
Manual turn download.
download and unpack mail attachtments.
Turn sending routines.
Deadline nag option.
More documentation (I've started on that in paralell).

[ June 02, 2004, 05:21: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 2nd, 2004, 04:01 PM

Heureka!!!

Today I statred the SE4 companion, it scanned the PBW site, downlaoded two games and started one (which was marked as favorite) and opened it with passowrd and everything!!

So I can start the Companion when I go to work, when I get home if there is a new turn at the PBW site it will be opened with the LOG window staring at me from the screen, the SE4 game started and ready for my commands.

I personally never thought it'd work!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Now all the finetunings and making sure it can start two Favorites after eachother and then the mail functions...

But, my God, it works!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

geoschmo

June 2nd, 2004, 04:08 PM

Cool!

What's the LOG window?

Ed Kolis

June 2nd, 2004, 04:17 PM

Most likely the one in SE4 that says things like "Anti-Proton Beam III Discovered" and "Xertuy Empire Destroyed" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Ragnarok

June 2nd, 2004, 05:00 PM

I cannot wait until this utility is released. It will bring so many more options to the table.

primitive

June 2nd, 2004, 05:11 PM

Ruatha;
Stop wasting your time basking in the glow of our admiration. Go program !!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

geoschmo

June 2nd, 2004, 06:39 PM

Oh my, I am sooo stoopid. I thought he meant LOG as in L.O.G. and I didn't know what that stood for. He meant log window. DUH! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Ed Kolis

June 2nd, 2004, 10:50 PM

Not to burden you or anything, Ruatha, but perhaps for a future Version of this utility, do you think you could put in music playlists? I like to listen to thematic music when I play my games - e.g. if I am playing an evil race I will listen to dark, ominous music. So perhaps each PBW game could have an associated playlist, and then the program will play a random selection from that list. So for "Fantasy Empires" where I'm playing as the Hyrule Kingdom I'd have a list of music from "The Legend of Zelda" games and I'd just get a random Zelda tune each time I start up that game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Just a thought... don't know if it would be too hard for you... What programming language are you using anyway?

Atrocities

June 2nd, 2004, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by primitive:
Ruatha;
Stop wasting your time basking in the glow of our admiration. Go program !!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I am afraid I must second this statement. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

June 3rd, 2004, 05:15 AM

I'm sorry, but I haven't asked my emploeyer if I could program here at work... so I'll just post instead!

About MP3 playlists, there are three possibilities:

1) You use the Favorites already inbuilt ability to open an external program with an external file to open a different playlist with your current mp3 player, this is already enabled.

2) I make a "playlist" option for each favorite and you define your preferred player once in the settings, this is the way I'm likely to go as it's easy and quick.

3) I make my own built in player, it seems to be free(?)
http://delphi.about.com/library/weekly/aa112800a.htm

BTW, I use delphi, still many bits to piece in, gotta make fail safes and error handling, and code that avoids errors.

Atrocities

June 3rd, 2004, 05:43 AM

Don't risk your job to program for a game. Also by programing at work you may in fact be giving your idea to your employer. When I worked we all had to sign an agreement that anything we designed, made, invented, created, wrote, thought, pooped out, consumed, considered, etc belonged to the company.

Ruatha

June 3rd, 2004, 06:12 AM

No problem, I'm not programming at work, that's why I have time to post(!).

I don't have any machine with any programming language installed here anyway.

And BTW, I like so to bask in the glow of your adminiration, it gives such a nice tan http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Next week I'll work night and'll have more time during mornings alone at home while the kids are off to their respective daytime occupations, I hope to finish it then. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

It seems so easy, the complete code is there!
I think I'll make a dedicated MP3 player and include it in the project, that way the user won't have to define paths and extensions.
If you want to use another mp3 player you'll just use the external program option instead of the bundled mp3 player.

[ June 03, 2004, 05:43: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

dogscoff

June 3rd, 2004, 12:08 PM

Just want to say, I am drooling in anticipation of this application.

So it automatically downloads pbw files as they become available and then opens se4 for you. Excellent. Two questions:

-When i finish my turn, will it automatically upload the necessary file? That would be really really sweet.
-Can I configure it to notify me with some sort of on-screen alert (New turn available for game XXX. Play turn? Y/N) instead of automatically opening se4 every time?

Also, please could you code in a module that will monitor the beer-content of my fridge and automatically send a robot down the shops for me to restock different brands according to the mod I'm playing.

Aiken

June 3rd, 2004, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Atrocities:
Don't risk your job to program for a game. Also by programing at work you may in fact be giving your idea to your employer. When I worked we all had to sign an agreement that anything we designed, made, invented, created, wrote, thought, pooped out, consumed, considered, etc belonged to the company. OMG it's a natural slavery! Call for Spartacus!

Ruatha

June 3rd, 2004, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Just want to say, I am drooling in anticipation of this application.

So it automatically downloads pbw files as they become available and then opens se4 for you. Excellent. Two questions:

-When i finish my turn, will it automatically upload the necessary file? That would be really really sweet.
-Can I configure it to notify me with some sort of on-screen alert (New turn available for game XXX. Play turn? Y/N) instead of automatically opening se4 every time?

Also, please could you code in a module that will monitor the beer-content of my fridge and automatically send a robot down the shops for me to restock different brands according to the mod I'm playing. There will be an option to have it upload it automaticly, but it won't be set as default, you might want to save the turnfile in between.

To have it open SE4 automaticly you must also set an option, otherwise it will only alert you that a new turn is ready at the PBW site.
there is one option to download before alert and one option to autostart if possible after download.
Unlike the current RTC client it won't be connected to the PBW site, it will check it at an interval you set (minimum 3 minutes).

The alert box will look different depending on what you have choosen in the settings and what game it is alerting for, it can be that it alerts when a turn is ready and you might then have the options: Do nothing, download, download and start SE4, alert me later.

I'll just make the robotmode for my hometown as I don't have the stamina to program maps with beer resalers for the entire world, I'm sorry.
Will fix this to Version 2.0 though! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Now I must decide what it'll do if there are two games to download and autostart possible, it can't start two games as it has to start the companion application game window open when it starts a game and it can only have one of those open at the same time.
Propably it'll wait until the application game window closes and then start the next if the option to autostart downlaoded games is set.

[ June 03, 2004, 13:09: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

geoschmo

June 3rd, 2004, 02:28 PM

If you need to test that, you could setup a couple PBW games with just you as a player.

Ed Kolis

June 3rd, 2004, 02:56 PM

Wow, that's incredible, you might actually put in a built-in MP3 player... you think it could do MIDI's too? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

dogscoff

June 3rd, 2004, 03:20 PM

you might actually put in a built-in MP3 player... you think it could do MIDI's too?
You think anyone would want to? (Midis are horrid =-p )

Ed Kolis

June 3rd, 2004, 04:37 PM

I don't have an MP3 collection like most people... I have a collection of MIDI's from video games http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Aiken

June 3rd, 2004, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:
Wow, that's incredible, you might actually put in a built-in MP3 player... you think it could do MIDI's too? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif I guess it's that Ruatha called "bloatware"? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Ruatha

June 3rd, 2004, 06:50 PM

Bloat bloat bloat, it will play MIDI aswell, whoa ha ha!

Will set up several 1 player PBW games, thanks Geo for the idea.
Now I don't have to wait two days to play my NeGoC5 turns just to have a turn to check, why didn't I think of that???

Ed Kolis

June 3rd, 2004, 10:42 PM

Wow, thanks! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Atrocities

June 3rd, 2004, 10:44 PM

Ruatha it appears that you are enjoying this far too much.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Fyron

June 3rd, 2004, 10:47 PM

You should concentrate on finishing the program as it is before adding new (useless) features. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Aiken

June 4th, 2004, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Also, please could you code in a module that will monitor the beer-content of my fridge and automatically send a robot down the shops for me to restock different brands according to the mod I'm playing. Koolio at your service, Master (http://slashdot.org/articles/04/04/23/0059246.shtml?tid=137&tid=159&tid=186&tid=216) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Ruatha

June 4th, 2004, 06:11 AM

I'll add the music list later, it seems like a 30 minutes job. (Hybris)
I'm still working on the PBW download, the automatic download works fine, but now I'll have to make a manual download option aswell.
This is much more complicated than I thought (And fun yes!!)
And then the deadline closing alert and the upload option. Finish the mail options and the documentation. And the music list.

The main distractions are:
-Summer and sun. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif
-Two kids. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
-A work. (will work this weekend aswell http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif )
-A wife that thinks I should clean the house and move the lawn and stuff like that.... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Still, progress being made each day.
I hope that everything else than this download thing will be easier, I've felt for several days that I'm near completion, yet when I look at it it seems as far away still as it was a couple of days ago... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

dogscoff

June 4th, 2004, 09:17 AM

, I've felt for several days that I'm near completion, yet when I look at it it seems as far away still as it was a couple of days ago...
Perhaps because you keep adding new features..?

Ruatha

June 4th, 2004, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />
, I've felt for several days that I'm near completion, yet when I look at it it seems as far away still as it was a couple of days ago...
Perhaps because you keep adding new features..? <hr /></blockquote>Could be.... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Download finished, now I have no clue as to how to make the uploads.... and am tired...

Edit2: I've got the hint of a clue as to what to do, something to build with anyway and a hope!
Will do the music bit in between to rest my brain a bit http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ June 04, 2004, 18:31: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Slynky

June 5th, 2004, 03:36 PM

You da MAN, Ruatha! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Ruatha

June 5th, 2004, 03:52 PM

But I'm still in the blind about uploading.
I'll need to find a way to do multipart/form-data post to uplaod the file through the application.
There are a few hints on the net but I haven't succeded yet, so if anyone has done that on a passowrd protected server before please give me a hint...

I could do a dirty Version where you get a filebrowser and choose the turnfile, but I'd prefer the hard way, a button click only.

Still, tomorrow is all work and no programming so I'll have time to think about this before I try again!

[ June 05, 2004, 15:53: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ed Kolis

June 5th, 2004, 08:37 PM

I feel so useless, coming up with new features for this program while being too lazy to work on my design analyzer program... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Then again, my job DOES involve programming all day so it's not something I really have much patience for when I get home... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Ruatha

June 5th, 2004, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:
I feel so useless, coming up with new features for this program while being too lazy to work on my design analyzer program... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Then again, my job DOES involve programming all day so it's not something I really have much patience for when I get home... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif Do you do some programming involving sending HTTP headers??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

This is where I'm stuck right now:
<blockquote>code:<hr /><pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: monospace;"><link href="seiv.css" rel="STYLESHEET" type="text/css">
<html>
<head><title>Join Game: (Nearly Gods) The Conflict 5</title>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Expires" CONTENT="-1">
<base target="_top">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#000000" text="#0099FF">

<H3>Upload your latest turn</H3>
Please upload your turn file; the sooner everyone uploads their turn,
the sooner the next turn can start! If you don't get your turn in on time,
you risk having the AI play for you.
Note: Your turn file should be named
<CODE>NeGoC5_0001.plr</CODE>
or else you are probably uploading a turn for the wrong game!
<FORM METHOD=POST enctype="multipart/form-data" ACTION='/GameUpload'>
Turn file (.plr): <input type=File name='file' size=20> 
<INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME='command' VALUE='pturn'>
<INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME='game' VALUE='147s84n'>
<INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME='ok' VALUE='/text/index.jsp?menu=gamemenu.jsp%
3fgame=147s84n&body=gamebody.jsp%3fgame=147s84n'>
<INPUT TYPE=image src="img/sendturn.gif">
</FORM>

</body>
</html></pre><hr /></blockquote>I'm trying to understand this code and see if it can help me:
http://www.matlus.com/scripts/website.dll/Tutorials?DelphiTCPIP&IndyMultiPartFormData&5

Currently the app uses an embedded hidden webbrowser that surfs and logins to the PBW server without user input.
Then it uses this procedure to download the files:

<blockquote>code:<hr /><pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: monospace;"> function TForm1.GetInetFile
(const fileURL, FileName: String): boolean;
const BufferSize = 1024;

// Uses wininet
var
hSession, hURL: HInternet;
Buffer: array[1..BufferSize] of Byte;
BufferLen: DWORD;
f: File;
sAppName: string;

begin

//showmessage(fileUrl+'-'+FileName);
Result:=False;
sAppName := ExtractFileName(Application.ExeName);
hSession := InternetOpen(PChar(sAppName),
INTERNET_OPEN_TYPE_PRECONFIG,
nil, nil, 0);
try
hURL := InternetOpenURL(hSession,
PChar(fileURL),
nil,0,0,0);
try
AssignFile(f, FileName);
Rewrite(f,1);
repeat

InternetReadFile(hURL, @Buffer,
SizeOf(Buffer), BufferLen);
BlockWrite(f, Buffer, BufferLen)
until BufferLen = 0;
CloseFile(f);
Result:=True;
finally
InternetCloseHandle(hURL)
end
finally
InternetCloseHandle(hSession)
end;

end;</pre><hr /></blockquote>But now about the uploads, I can handle simple forms like the login form, but sending files is harder.
If I (the Se4 companion rather) inputs a filename with path in the textbox and presses send it says that it won't accept that (The full path), it accepts the filename only but then I don't know what happens, it says it has uploaded and executes but I can't see that I've sent any file... Does it create a dummy file?

I'll have to look what it is it receives at the PBW server, on monday, tomorrow 22 hour workday.

Any input is welcome!

[ June 05, 2004, 20:44: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Slynky

June 5th, 2004, 09:24 PM

Ruatha

June 6th, 2004, 01:13 AM

Now the music works, it can have 101 songs in a playlist for each game, if it's a favorite game it will remember the Last played song.
It plays both mp3 and mid.

Now to the uploads... that's worse...

Aiken

June 6th, 2004, 06:09 AM

Ruatha, most likely my advice is stupid and incorrect, but afaik pbw will accept only quoted path in the form, ie
'c:\games\se4\savegames\blah_x.plr'

or with double quotes:
"c:\games\se4\savegames\blah_x.plr"

(i don't remember which variant is used, and pbw is offline at the moment, so I can't check it).

I don't think this will help, but you can try http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

June 6th, 2004, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by aiken:
Ruatha, most likely my advice is stupid and incorrect, but afaik pbw will accept only quoted path in the form, ie
'c:\games\se4\savegames\blah_x.plr'

or with double quotes:
"c:\games\se4\savegames\blah_x.plr"

(i don't remember which variant is used, and pbw is offline at the moment, so I can't check it).

I don't think this will help, but you can try http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Can it be so easy???
I belive so, if so you are my Hero!!!!!
THANX

Ruatha

June 6th, 2004, 04:32 PM

Hi Aiken.
It doesn't seem to work.
With double quotes I get:
Cannot execute player command: Bad inputs to uploadPlayerTurn

and with single quotes:

Cannot execute player command: Filename uploaded was unexpected; expecting: se4ct2_0001.plr

Back to the black hole of despair again!

Edit:

I don't get it, now when I enter the full path it accepts it....without quotes!
I'm kinda pretty sure (92%) that I've tested that before and then it didn't work.

[ June 06, 2004, 15:54: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

geoschmo

June 6th, 2004, 04:52 PM

The single quote error message you are getting sounds promising. That's what you would get if you used the regular web interface and tried to upload the wrong file. Are you sure it's typing the filename correctly? It's including the path and the file extension?

Ruatha

June 6th, 2004, 04:57 PM

Now it accepts everything without quotes, can't wait to get home and try it with an actual gamefile and see if it's the correct file it takes.
Now I'm at work and uses renamed textfiles.
The path is the same when I used single, double and no quotes

c:\temp\se4ct2_0001.plr

EDIT:
Guess I'll have to write down my assuredness that I'd tried this before to, oooh 48% now

And to think that I've tried all those strange HTTP header programming and teared my hear (Not actually but it sounds good) when it was this easy... if it is..

[ June 06, 2004, 16:01: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 7th, 2004, 11:44 AM

Now the companion can upload aswell.
have spent almost all day after work to bugtrack a bug whendeleteing a favorite in the favorite settings window.
Will have to check all download options now and see that they work as expected before finishing the mail options!!

It's going good right now.
Now off to pick up the kids from school.

Ruatha

June 7th, 2004, 04:46 PM

Soon very soon.
Uplaods seems to be working, mail download and zip unpacking seems fine (Have only tested with one mail at a time yet).

To do:
Mail upload.
General Error handling.
Check for obvious bugs.

Release beta 0.7 and write the documentation afterwards(?)

If so.. perhaps.. tomorrow (Dangerous, don't trust this statement!!)

Now off to dinner with my boss!

Release schedule:
0.7 rough beta.
Help files
0.8 Bugfixed beta and eventual new features.
0.9 bugfixes
1.0 Final

[ June 07, 2004, 16:09: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

geoschmo

June 8th, 2004, 01:20 AM

I wonder though if the .plr file will be in C:\temp\ on everybodies computers? Is that something that varies from machine to machine depending on your setup? Would it be preferable/possible to give the program a path setting that you can configure so it knows where to locate the savegame folder?

Geoschmo

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 01:30 AM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
I wonder though if the .plr file will be in C:\temp\ on everybodies computers? Is that something that varies from machine to machine depending on your setup? Would it be preferable/possible to give the program a path setting that you can configure so it knows where to locate the savegame folder?

Geoschmo Don't worry.
It takes the path that the plr file has, I was just using that TEMP path at work to test it out.
At home it uses different paths for 1.84 and 1.91 games.

geoschmo

June 8th, 2004, 01:51 AM

Cool, so when are we going to have a beta we can try out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 09:14 AM

A very ROUGH beta 0.7 without documentation.
Will do documentation next and upload that.
Then fix all bugs and implement the features not yet implemented:
-Deadline alert
-Delete downloaded turns from mailbox
-Delete nagmails from mailbox.
-Alert for PBW game news at PBW server and/or in mailbox.

A recommendation:
If you are alone at your computer:
Set a master password and check the "password not needed to login" checkbox.
Then all passwords will be shown in clear text instead of "*".
Don't forget to check the alert checkboxes, otherwise it will only show a listbox about turns it has scanned.

I will answer questions, but please experiment first.
It hasn't been extensively tested, nearly not tested at all.
Remember that the PBW servers mail functions are down, but when they come on-line again they should work with the companion as it is today.

All bug reports welcome, and any new features wanted must be suggested before ver 0.8, after that there will be no new features.

Good luck:

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion07.zip

[ June 08, 2004, 08:17: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 09:25 AM

Bug report 1:
Got invalid filename while downloading files from PBW
Had checked:
Scan for PBW turns
Do not scan while in event game page
Use on-line mode instead of mail
Download turn automaticly
Autostart SE4 if game is favorite
All alerts

made a manual on-line scan and at second game it said invalid filename and still shows DOWNLOADING game as title.
It only downloaded first game.

[ June 08, 2004, 08:26: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Atrocities

June 8th, 2004, 09:25 AM

Awsome program, a bit complicated but wow.

one question can any one use this program to access another players PBW games?

I have to say great job http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

Also that I have crashed it many times now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

I love how it access PBW - great option.

[ June 08, 2004, 08:34: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 09:27 AM

If you have his username and password yes.

About the bug:
for now uncheck the Download automaticly checkbox and it atleast alert you.
It worked before I packed it, must have been one of the Last minute changes, sorry!
It will display the invalid filename though and doesn't seem to download correctly!
Will try to check game as favorite.
To retry the download you can in the settings page press the "Clear downloaded Lists"
Will fix to beta 0.8

[ June 08, 2004, 08:30: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 09:33 AM

I said it was a rough beta.
Won't have time to fix a new Version until tomorrow, sorry!

Atleast you will get an idea of how it works, and it did work this morning, before I fixed some minor things!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Idea: Make the Games at pbw site a HTML link box, so if you click a game you will come to that game at PBW. (DONE)

And remove that Last downloaded box, i doesn't work very well.

[ June 08, 2004, 10:22: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Combat Wombat

June 8th, 2004, 09:36 AM

This program is great but complicated is there any way for me to set it up for a bunch of savegame directories all at once instead of just the default se4 one.

Atrocities

June 8th, 2004, 09:39 AM

AWSOME work Ruatha. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Very very cool program. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 09:42 AM

Now I see it.
it goes to fast after it has been compiled.
I must put in some strategig 50 milliseconds pauses.
Took it off-line and will insert half second pauses.

[ June 08, 2004, 08:49: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by Combat Wombat:
This program is great but complicated is there any way for me to set it up for a bunch of savegame directories all at once instead of just the default se4 one. You can choose the "choose game button" and when in the game event page mark it as favorite, then press favorite settings and define an individual path.

Bet 0.71 coming in a few minutes

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 10:10 AM

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion071.zip

Not perfect but better, downloads might work now...
Now I gotta go out.

I was planning on making a set-up wizard to guide you through the various settings.
Se Ya

Maybe add a button to scan for other players, then dialog box for username and password that gets forgotten directly after the scan?

HTML links in the PBW status box has been added, will be in next Version.

[ June 08, 2004, 10:24: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by Atrocities:
Awsome program, a bit complicated but wow.

one question can any one use this program to access another players PBW games?

I have to say great job http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

Also that I have crashed it many times now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

I love how it access PBW - great option. We'll it is a ROUGH beta afterall http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Does it hang when it crashes or does it give any warning?
Is it Version 0,7 or did you download the all new 0.71? (It gives the same Version in-game, I didn't bother to change it as I guess only two people downloaded v0.7 before I took it down.)

I'll make a set-up wizard that explains the different settings further on.

I was thinking of making a "simple or advanced" checkbox on the first page, to hide some options.
But i guess I won't, why make things simple when you can make them so wonderfully complicated??

[ June 08, 2004, 11:04: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Raging Deadstar

June 8th, 2004, 12:05 PM

Tis the Grail!!! The Holy Grail!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

This is sounding very interesting, and i rarely play PBW (i have to much going on in the Play by Committee Games http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif ) I'm downloading it just to see what the hype is about http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by Raging Deadstar:
Tis the Grail!!! The Holy Grail!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

This is sounding very interesting, and i rarely play PBW (i have to much going on in the Play by Committee Games http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif ) I'm downloading it just to see what the hype is about http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif We'll it's actually the bastard son of the History event editor.
I've even used the "History event editor" name once in it I saw now.
Must change that.
So it's aiming to be everything, to beat it's father the history event editor http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Will release minor bugfixes along to 0.8,
0.72 will be up before I go to work.

[ June 08, 2004, 11:35: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 12:44 PM

Perhaps a bit fewer crashes 0.72:

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion072.zip

All crash reports and other bug reports are welcome, I'm aware that they exist http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

BTW, when updating the Versions, just unpack and owerwrite previous files, any settings you've made will remain.

Will change the Favorites page so that you can edit directly in the boxes instead of pressing change and clear, like in PBW settings.

If you hear the Audio Alert, it's Mrs Ruatha speaking (Or actually, we have lived in sin for 12 years but are getting hitched in three weeks!)

Must do: Alert if logging in to PBW fails, now it just shows 0 games
Bug: It says intenal browser busy, too often!
Bug: Readme file button doesn't work
Bug: Comboboxes first line is blank after changing.

[ June 08, 2004, 17:41: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Aiken

June 8th, 2004, 06:55 PM

I'm using IMAP server for incoming mails rather than POP3. Is it possible to add imap support in future Versions?

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by aiken:
I'm using IMAP server for incoming mails rather than POP3. Is it possible to add imap support in future Versions? I will look into it, have never used it myself but see no big objections why it shouldn't be in v 0.8.
Will have to learbn what it is first though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
But I think I've seen some easy examples of it so it's a good guess I'll do it.

(But as of current, the PBW server has shut down it's mail functions http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif )

[ June 08, 2004, 18:09: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

AMF

June 8th, 2004, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
If you hear the Audio Alert, it's Mrs Ruatha speaking (Or actually, we have lived in sin for 12 years but are getting hitched in three weeks!)
Congratulations!

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by alarikf:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruatha:
If you hear the Audio Alert, it's Mrs Ruatha speaking (Or actually, we have lived in sin for 12 years but are getting hitched in three weeks!)
Congratulations! <hr /></blockquote>Thanks! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Aiken

June 8th, 2004, 07:35 PM

Request:
1. Option to hide Recent games and Favorite games dropdown lists from the main page.
2. Show turn deadline in pbw games status dropdown list (on the main page), ie:
--------------------------------
Space Empires 101
2410.3
Ready
Turn due: Jun 9, 2:00:05 PM MSD
--------------------------------

Small bug: the clones of existing favorite games appeared in my Favorites list (main program page). When tried to choose the clone fav (it's lower in the list than true fav, usually) I've got error:
"When trying to determine savegame Version of the file:

doesn't exist!"

After restart they're disappered.
----------------------------------

I'd like to say many many good words to you Ruatha for your work. You'll henceforth be known as the Great Ruatha, The Magnificent Creator of the SE4 Companion, The Powerful Master of the History Files, The Intrepid Coder for Overbloated Interfaces, etc etc.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ragnarok

June 8th, 2004, 09:01 PM

Ruatha,

Great job on this utility! I am loving it so far. One thing I cannot seem to get working is getting it to open a mod. Is this feature enabled? I noticed in the favorite settings it has a used mod text area but you cannot put anything there. There is no "change" button like the others. It trys to open the turn just fine but it will not use the mod directory to do so.

Kudos for the "A new turn as arrived!" I like the sound of the voice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 11:07 PM

Thanks Aiken.
Will put in those checkboxes and see about those bugs.
The clones is propably just a missed CLEAR.
Adding the deadlines is harder but it will come, along with the deadline alert feature.
the IMAP mail seems more questionable though, I still haven't found out how to do it.

Ragnarok> You shouldn't be able to set a mod manually, it should take the mod from the path tha you have choosen the game in.
Say that you chooses a game in "SE4\Mods\Mymod\savegame\fungam.gam" it should set the mod to MyMod and use that mod folder when running SE4.
Doesn't it do that?
(Only favorite games can use mods)
If not, what does the Manual command line in the bottom of the favorite page look like?
That you can always set yourself, so that it can run the game with all the commands that are needed.
But it should grab the right mod.
I'd appreciate if you could post the commandline from the favorite page and the modname.

When I try it here at work with a dummy file structure it sets the command line to:
"C:\TEMP\companion072\Mods\Special\savegame\ngc3_pl r_2_events.txtngc3.gam" "PASSWORD" "2" "Special"
and the mod to Special
as it should. Except from the wrong path bit, a bug !

I guess you haven't put the mod savegames under the mod subdirectories.. I didn't think of that.
Will make an option to change that manually!.

[ June 08, 2004, 22:16: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 8th, 2004, 11:23 PM

Bugs:
-Wrong path in favorite settings. (When setting favorite after choosing manual event edit file)(fixed)
-Cloned Favorites in Favorites box. (fixed)
-Internal browser busy to often.
-Readme file button doesn't work.
-Combobox first line empty after change.(fixed)
-It can say that the SE4 font is installed but still use the wrong font (anyone else seen this? a blank event edit grid) (bad fix)? set option "Force font install at each start" to fix.
-Doesn't work on NT 4.0, (Can't find flaswindow start in user32.dll) (Make another titlebar alert routine?) (fixed)?

Suggestions:
-Manual setting of mods. (90% propability)
-IMAP mail support (Help!) (20% propability)
-Deadlines in PBW combo box list. (75% propability)
-Alert if login to PBW fails (i e wrong password) (95% propability)
- Improve music playlist page with ID3 tag and volume settings (45% propability)
-PBW Scan for temporary player substitute. (60% propability)
-Make dynamic menuitems in Sidenotes for easy entering of empire names (50% propability)
-RTC wrapper. (Third mode for access to PBW, make a dummy SE4.exe that passes parameters to the Companion from the RTC) (5% propability)
- Option to hide first page "Recent" and "Favorites" lists and autoLoad checkbox. (85% propability)
-Bloat the interface some more http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif (110% propability)
-Make it a tee wee bit more complicated http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif (234% propability)

To Do
-Deadline alert
-Setup wizard.
-help files.
-Delete downloaded turn mails.
-Enable backups in Favorites.
-Enable text boxes for "downloaded at" and "sent in" in Favorites.
-Enable PBW button in Favorites.
-Delete nag mails.
-Show PBW individual game news
-Make edit boxes in favorite page direct editable instead of change buttons. (fixed)

[ June 09, 2004, 09:38: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ed Kolis

June 9th, 2004, 03:37 AM

Wow, great work! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I just can't figure out how to get it to launch SE4... I hit the launch button and either nothing happens or I get an Access Violation in SE4.exe http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif Is the program perhaps not waiting long enough for the game to finish loading, so it aborts the process? Be nice to my poor hard drive! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Aiken

June 9th, 2004, 03:47 AM

Ruatha, I'm not familiar with coding, but if you're looking for delphi components to provide imap support, look here:
http://www.indyproject.org/Indy.html

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 07:56 AM

Aiken> I'll look into it, thanks, propability just raised a bit for IMAP! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:
Wow, great work! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I just can't figure out how to get it to launch SE4... I hit the launch button and either nothing happens or I get an Access Violation in SE4.exe http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif Is the program perhaps not waiting long enough for the game to finish loading, so it aborts the process? Be nice to my poor hard drive! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif There are a few steps needed.
First you have obviously already set the SE4 path, otherwise you shouldn't be able to try to start it.
Secondly, if you are using a password you must set the password in the favorite settings.
Third, check the manual command line at the bottom of the favorite settings screen, what does it say.
That is the parameters the application sends to se4, and if anything is wrong it should be seen there.
The application doesn't close the se4 program unless you have checke dthat it should do so when you exit the event page, otherwise it should leave it alone.

Could you post the commandline from the favorite page here (Exchange any PBW Game password if need be):
it should be something like this:
"C:\TEMP\zeta1.gam" "PASSWORD" "0" ""
Savegamepath password player mod

[ June 09, 2004, 07:03: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 09:12 AM

Could anyone with win NT download and try this routine?

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/flashtest2.zip

if that doesn't work try this:

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/flashtest.zip

It flashes the taskbar when the button is pressed, the other routin I'm currently using crashes the app in win NT.

Then, please post here if it works, and which one of them works.

[ June 09, 2004, 09:24: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 11:18 AM

minor Version to enable Win NT Users to actauly run the program (hopefully):

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion073.zip

Bugs fixed (and some not):
-Wrong path in favorite settings. (When setting favorite after choosing manual event edit file) (fixed)
-Cloned Favorites in Favorites box. (fixed)
-Internal browser busy to often.
-Readme file button doesn't work. (fixed)
-Combobox first line empty after change.(fixed)
- on win NT it can say that the SE4 font is installed but still use the wrong font (anyone else seen this? a blank event edit grid) (fixed)? set option "Force font install at each start" to fix.
-Doesn't work on NT 4.0, (Can't find flaswindow start in user32.dll) (Make another titlebar alert routine?) (fixed?)

[ June 09, 2004, 10:20: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 12:24 PM

I've found the mod problem, now hopefully fixed.
That's the only change i remember in 0.74:
(mods now work, still no manual mod setting, that will be in 0.8, now it's only automatic detection)

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion074.zip

[ June 09, 2004, 13:10: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ragnarok

June 9th, 2004, 03:03 PM

Hmmm, even with 0.74 I cannot get it to work. Same thing happens.
Here is the command line from the favorite screen

"C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador Machinations\Space Empires IV Gold\DevnullModGold\Savegame\MOMI.gam" "mypassword" "5" ""

BTW I do select the game from the mods savegame folder. But it still does not insert into the field which mod is being used.

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
Hmmm, even with 0.74 I cannot get it to work. Same thing happens.
Here is the command line from the favorite screen

"C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador Machinations\Space Empires IV Gold\DevnullModGold\Savegame\MOMI.gam" "mypassword" "5" ""

BTW I do select the game from the mods savegame folder. But it still does not insert into the field which mod is being used. Yes, it was bad programming from my side, and I can see the problem.
The auto function seraches for the word \MODS\ in the savegame path, as I thought that was where most mods where placed, the new manual function also tries to place the mods in that folder.
I'll make a 0.75 later tonight that will fix your problem, sorry.

(Now the compnaion would like your path to be:)
"C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador Machinations\Space Empires IV Gold\Mods\DevnullModGold\Savegame\MOMI.gam" "mypassword" "5" ""
(I'll fix it later tonight)

[ June 09, 2004, 14:40: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

geoschmo

June 9th, 2004, 03:45 PM

I was able to get the companion started on NT now. Thanks.

Ragnarok

June 9th, 2004, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
I'll make a 0.75 later tonight that will fix your problem, sorry. No big hurry. PBW being down has limited my need for this. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I just thought I would try to help point out possible bugs.

But knowing how it works now I can change my directory system no problem. But I imagine everyones system will be different so maybe a way to make it work with all would be nice.

Perhaps if there is a way to make the program check 2 \'s back from the thisgame.gam file name. So in my case it would check "C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador Machinations\Space Empires IV Gold\DevnullModGold\Savegame\MOMI.gam"
but it would check the path backwards. I don't know if that is very clear or even if it would work.

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruatha:
I'll make a 0.75 later tonight that will fix your problem, sorry. No big hurry. PBW being down has limited my need for this. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I just thought I would try to help point out possible bugs.

But knowing how it works now I can change my directory system no problem. But I imagine everyones system will be different so maybe a way to make it work with all would be nice.

Perhaps if there is a way to make the program check 2 \'s back from the thisgame.gam file name. So in my case it would check "C:\Program Files\Shrapnel Games\Malfador Machinations\Space Empires IV Gold\DevnullModGold\Savegame\MOMI.gam"
but it would check the path backwards. I don't know if that is very clear or even if it would work. <hr /></blockquote>I was thinking of taking the most right part of the path to the selected mod and subtract the left that equals the length of the selected SE4.exe path +8 letters,( subtract the rightmost /Savegame/and gamename length that should fix it for everyone.

God geo, thanks for letting me know. I had no way of trying it on a NT machine tonight.

[ June 09, 2004, 16:54: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 07:35 PM

ver 0.75 (Ragnarok Mod) is released:

Should play mod games even for Ragnarok http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion075.zip

[ June 09, 2004, 18:38: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ragnarok

June 9th, 2004, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Ruatha:

Should play mod games even for Ragnarok http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif I got the Last one to work once you told me you were looking for the MODS in the directory. But this new Version works both ways. Thanks Ruatha! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif And you should thank me, I helped make your program compatible for all. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Ruatha

June 9th, 2004, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by Ragnarok:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruatha:

Should play mod games even for Ragnarok http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif I got the Last one to work once you told me you were looking for the MODS in the directory. But this new Version works both ways. Thanks Ruatha! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif And you should thank me, I helped make your program compatible for all. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif <hr /></blockquote>I do thank you!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
It's really good when people tell me that things go wrong instead of just sitting and thinking bad thoughts http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
I like bug reports, I can't test every possibility myself

Ruatha

June 10th, 2004, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by aiken:
Request:
1. Option to hide Recent games and Favorite games dropdown lists from the main page.
Hmm, when I was about to do this I started wondering... why?
Isn't it easier to click on the game in a drop-down box instead of going through the "Choose game" browser?

Next Version will be much smaller, I've discovered the wonderful world of exe compression.
UPX compresses the current companion 1.76 from 2594K down to 853K, it's like magic!!

[ June 10, 2004, 18:15: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 10th, 2004, 10:27 PM

New suggestions:

-Button to PBW game forum.
-Change Game links in drop-down box to graphic PBW.
-Change PBW options (turn mails, password etc)
-The setup guide page, with option to add/remove start menu and desktop icons, and guide through all settings.
-Make all ALT-keyable

What's been done:
Retrieves deadline from mails, now that PBW is up again I'll start tomorrow to retreive it from the website aswell.
Also included timezone setting and autodetection for timezone and default SMTP server.

[ June 10, 2004, 23:28: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ed Kolis

June 11th, 2004, 03:26 AM

Is anyone else having trouble getting the tool to save settings between sessions? I can't even get it to remember my PBW login, which kind of defeats the purpose of the program... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

bearclaw

June 11th, 2004, 05:57 AM

Mine will save my settings just fine, and opens up other files perfectly (I LOVE that!), but when it trys to auto launch SE.exe, I get an access violation in the Companion.exe. It refuses to do anything more and anything I've done that session is lost. Oh, and it doesn't launch SE either...

Ruatha

June 11th, 2004, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by bearclaw:
Mine will save my settings just fine, and opens up other files perfectly (I LOVE that!), but when it trys to auto launch SE.exe, I get an access violation in the Companion.exe. It refuses to do anything more and anything I've done that session is lost. Oh, and it doesn't launch SE either... Hmm, I'd love to know what is happening here..
can you post the manual command line from the favorite settings and any "used mod" from teh favorite settings aswell? (is it v 0.75?)
I'd really like to know as I'd want to make it as crash proof as possible!

[ June 11, 2004, 08:32: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 11th, 2004, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:
Is anyone else having trouble getting the tool to save settings between sessions? I can't even get it to remember my PBW login, which kind of defeats the purpose of the program... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif Hmm, the app tries to save the inifile to the same location as the app is, can you look in that directory and see if there is any INI file at all there?
I'll make an error routine for 0.8 concerning saves and loads of ini file!

BTW, have you set the "App should autostart when windows start" option.
I remember something similar once when it autostarted, will look into it.
Would appreciate all info you can give.

I'd really like to solve this as it will make it lesser chance that it will happen again.. that's the sole purpose of Betas http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[ June 11, 2004, 11:10: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ed Kolis

June 11th, 2004, 03:00 PM

Yes, I set the autostart option, and no, it didn't autostart when Windows started... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

The program is installed in the folder "d:\Games\SE4 Gold\Tools\companion072"... or something along those lines, can't remember the final folder - but perhaps it's the space in "SE4 Gold" that's messing up your path?

Can't check for INI file now, I don't have my laptop with me... but I do seem to remember several INI files with various names in that folder.

I was also having the problem that Bearclaw was having with SE4 not launching from the autolaunch; I could launch it from the "select game" where you pick a .gam file, but not the autolaunch... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/confused.gif

Fyron

June 11th, 2004, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
ver 0.75 (Ragnarok Mod) is released:

Should play mod games even for Ragnarok http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion075.zip The operation timed out when trying to download this file.

Ragnarok

June 11th, 2004, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
The operation timed out when trying to download this file. Ruatha probably has his computer shut off, therefore you cannot download it right now. Try when you know he is on. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Suicide Junkie

June 11th, 2004, 08:54 PM

Idea:
Allow for compressed mods.

When you want to play the game, it can unzip/unrar the mod, run SE4, and then recompress (to retain savegames) and finally delete the modfolder it created.

Ruatha

June 11th, 2004, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
Idea:
Allow for compressed mods.

When you want to play the game, it can unzip/unrar the mod, run SE4, and then recompress (to retain savegames) and finally delete the modfolder it created. I can do that, and also allow savegames in another folder aswell.

Fyron -> Yes, thunderstorm so my wife turned off the computer.

Ed Kolis > I have found the bug.
It only saved the inifile if it was closed with the close button.
I will move ini-save to close event, that should fix it.
That it doesn't autostart bugs me some, what win Version is it? (It doesn't even put the little icon in the tray?)
The space in the path doesn't matter.
The "Autolaunch" checkbox on the first page is something I will rename. It only autlaunches the event editor if there is only one existing event file for that game, so you don't have to pick a player, it has nothing to do with autostarting the game, that is set in a checkbox in the favorite page. Will make it more informative.

It had problems autostarting SE4 before ver 1.74 if there was no password, that should have been fixed.
If you are having problem autostarting Se4, both Ed Kolis and Bearclaw;
Please post the manual command line from the Favorites page for that game, here, when you have time, then I'll fix the program.
And if you're having an earlier Version, please try 1.75.
But as said, until next Version it only saves the ini when closed with the close button (It's beta).
Any more info you can provide (ie manual commandline from Favorites) is highly appreciated.

If there are no way around it other than a new Version I'll fix a 0.76, otherwise most bugs will be fixed to 0.8, and that Version will take some time before it's released, still much to do.

[ June 11, 2004, 20:20: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Fyron

June 12th, 2004, 09:03 PM

Could you add the ability to directly process the turn as the host, instead of just loading a savegame or whatever? Using the command line options to suppress error Messages, of course.

Ruatha

June 12th, 2004, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Could you add the ability to directly process the turn as the host, instead of just loading a savegame or whatever? Using the command line options to suppress error Messages, of course. I need to know more of what you mean.
Run the turn local? If you are doing PBEM?
So should it be like a favorite game with a host turn button or should it be some kind of automatic process? check for files existing and run when all are collected?
I'd rather do another program for that in that case, as it would require another thread to watch over the files, if it's not something else your thinking of.

So manual hosting is easy (button press), auto hosting when files exist is to hard for this app as I hadn't planned on that.

Edit: Unless I make an OnFolderChange Event, and only check then, hmm , could be done..

[ June 12, 2004, 21:20: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Fyron

June 12th, 2004, 10:22 PM

Yeah, for PBEM games. Doesn't need to be automated or anything, as it is not meant as a server app. Just a tool for a game host to save time and trouble with all those extra mouse clicks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif It would run SE4 in the same manner that PBW does, with the options to not open the GUI and not display most error Messages (such as missing PLR files, AI errors, etc.), using the command line parameters.

[ June 12, 2004, 21:23: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Ruatha

June 12th, 2004, 10:36 PM

I'll add an option to choose player "0" HOST for all games, and then you just choose that player, if you then make it a favorite you can autorun the turn-hosting by clicking on the favorite in the favorite drop-down box, exit the event page automatic when SE4 closes and that's it.

will most likely be in 0.8.

The good part is that that is the only addition needed to the GUI of the app, player 0 in player selection!

[ June 12, 2004, 21:37: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Aiken

June 12th, 2004, 11:51 PM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Yeah, for PBEM games. Doesn't need to be automated or anything, as it is not meant as a server app. Just a tool for a game host to save time and trouble with all those extra mouse clicks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif It would run SE4 in the same manner that PBW does, with the options to not open the GUI and not display most error Messages (such as missing PLR files, AI errors, etc.), using the command line parameters. In accordance with KISS, you'd use a simple batch file to do it.

Ruatha

June 13th, 2004, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by aiken:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Yeah, for PBEM games. Doesn't need to be automated or anything, as it is not meant as a server app. Just a tool for a game host to save time and trouble with all those extra mouse clicks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif It would run SE4 in the same manner that PBW does, with the options to not open the GUI and not display most error Messages (such as missing PLR files, AI errors, etc.), using the command line parameters. In accordance with KISS, you'd use a simple batch file to do it. <hr /></blockquote>But this will look much better.
And why make things simple when you can make them so wonderfully complicated??

Fyron

June 13th, 2004, 01:35 AM

Originally posted by aiken:
In accordance with KISS, you'd use a simple batch file to do it. Actually no, you wouldn't. You would have to make a new batch file for every game. With the program you already have doing it, you just click the game, and hit the execute button. No need to make anything new for the game.

Fyron

June 13th, 2004, 01:39 AM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
I'll add an option to choose player "0" HOST for all games, and then you just choose that player, if you then make it a favorite you can autorun the turn-hosting by clicking on the favorite in the favorite drop-down box, exit the event page automatic when SE4 closes and that's it.

will most likely be in 0.8.

The good part is that that is the only addition needed to the GUI of the app, player 0 in player selection! Will this execute the game to process in command line mode? No GUI for the game, suppress error Messages other than RCEs?

Ruatha, can you please make the program function more like the Mod Launcher, and automatically detect all savegames and mods, making lists of them to load? The current method is very clunky and time-consuming. You can add an option to hide a particular mod or savegame if you don't want it to show up in the list...

[ June 13, 2004, 00:41: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Ruatha

June 13th, 2004, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruatha:
I'll add an option to choose player "0" HOST for all games, and then you just choose that player, if you then make it a favorite you can autorun the turn-hosting by clicking on the favorite in the favorite drop-down box, exit the event page automatic when SE4 closes and that's it.

will most likely be in 0.8.

The good part is that that is the only addition needed to the GUI of the app, player 0 in player selection! Will this execute the game to process in command line mode? No GUI for the game, suppress error Messages other than RCEs?

Ruatha, can you please make the program function more like the Mod Launcher, and automatically detect all savegames and mods, making lists of them to load? The current method is very clunky and time-consuming. You can add an option to hide a particular mod or savegame if you don't want it to show up in the list... <hr /></blockquote>Yep, it's automatic with no Messages, start and stops.

Right now it requires you to locate each game once, then it should be in the drop down favorite list (You can set the "make games Favorites automatic" option, if you don't want to check the favorite box for each game).
It's quite easy if you have a few games, I can see that it becomes troublesome if one has a smany games as you.

I've been thinking of a search function to locate all savegames.
And I could change the first page to add a few lists like the modder of savegame directories..
The GUI needs an overhaul anyway.

Fyron

June 13th, 2004, 08:37 AM

Perhaps a list of all installed mods, and the ability to load SE4 using such a mod by altering Path.txt? Might as well emulate the Mod Launcher utility fully. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Ruatha

June 13th, 2004, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Perhaps a list of all installed mods, and the ability to load SE4 using such a mod by altering Path.txt? Might as well emulate the Mod Launcher utility fully. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif From 0.74 to 0.75 I removed the mod part in the command line and changed it to alter the path.txt http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

I was thinking along your lines here, so that one might start a new game aswell instead of only old ones.

The current development path is:

0.8: will take a while, am working on grabbing deadlines and making deadline alerts now, don't have all that much time now as I'm getting married soon. Will have mod choosing cpacity and some listboxes.
IMAP4 and compressed folders won't be incorporated.

0.8--0.89 bug fixes.

0.9: much rewriting, no new features but streamlining, removing Favorites (All games will have the same options). Making things easier and in the right sequence. Better UI. Removing bad code.

0.9-1,0 bugfixing.

[ June 13, 2004, 08:45: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 13th, 2004, 10:41 AM

0.76: Not any main changes:
Only changes: Can grab deadline from mail, won't alert about it, will change it to defined timezone.
Can run turns as host.
Will save ini disregarding of way of closing.

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/companion076.zip

(It doesn't work perfect, but you're welcome to Beta test the host function Fyron.)
A tip, in the favorite setting for the hosted game, set to start se4 automatic and close event page when se4 is finished.
It will show an alert if there is something wrong with the races text files, ie AI files.
But not if there is something wrong with the .plr files.
I belive this is the same at PBW, and I can't see any way around that.

[ June 13, 2004, 10:04: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Paul1980au

June 13th, 2004, 11:12 AM

Good to see it moving ahead good work there.

Atrocities

June 13th, 2004, 12:38 PM

Big Happy SMILE FACE http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Fyron

June 13th, 2004, 08:04 PM

But not if there is something wrong with the .plr files.
I belive this is the same at PBW, and I can't see any way around that.
PBW will process if the PLR file is for the wrong turn. It refuses to accept uploads for improperly named PLR files though. That part will probably have to be up to the host to take care of.

dogscoff

June 14th, 2004, 12:12 AM

OK, just figured out how to get it working- fantastic! I can't wait for my PBW turns to be readt so I can play with it some more!

Are you still looking for more features to add to this beast? If so, I have one:

Could yo link it somehow to the game forum at PBW for the games listed in the PBWfavourites list? I hate going through all the clicks needed to access a game forum, especially when you go to all that trouble and there are no new Messages.
Wouldn't necessarily need the ability to post there, but just to see what's new and then a direct link to open the forum in my preferred browser.

I have more sugestions too, but they would probably belong in another prgram.

Paul1980au

June 14th, 2004, 02:03 AM

Excellent progress and its looking very good - should help players of PBW and SE4 single player

Lets also hope we get a Version 2.00 of SE4 as SE5 is ready to get to market just as a existing player reward and to fix most of the remaining bugs and perhaps a few new featuers as people will still keep buying SE4 after SE5 is out (those with older PCs etc.)

Fyron

June 14th, 2004, 02:07 AM

Lets also hope we get a Version 2.00 of SE4 as SE5 is ready to get to market just as a existing player reward and to fix most of the remaining bugs and perhaps a few new featuers as people will still keep buying SE4 after SE5 is out (those with older PCs etc.) SE4 is done. Please stop spamming the Boards with such statements.

dogscoff

June 15th, 2004, 12:21 AM

Once again, thanks and congrats on the se4 companion. I still get some wierd errors and crashes from time to time and I haven't quite figured out how to drive it, but by luck more than judgement I think it's all properly configured now -I have managed to get it to automatically download & decompress a turn for me, launch the game, then after I play the turn it automatically sent it off to PBW for processing. A complete success.

And I get a little smile every time I get the "new turn has arrived" message as well (and some of the error Messages are worth getting an error for too :-)

[ June 14, 2004, 23:22: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

Aiken

June 15th, 2004, 02:08 AM

I'm still confused a bit: how can I manually download new game turn from pbw? Need an advice.

bearclaw

June 15th, 2004, 02:47 AM

Well, with this new Version, the error I was getting is gone but it still won't automaticly start SE4. In fact I'm getting a different error now. Everything appears to go just fine. It opens an external .txt file I use to keep track of stuff and loads the history editor just fine. But it still doesn't want to actually lauch the game. Second, whenever I try to do Anything, it kicks me back to the main screen and won't let me do anything further.

Strange... But I'm not getting any error Messages this time.

Ruatha

June 15th, 2004, 06:14 AM

Originally posted by bearclaw:
Well, with this new Version, the error I was getting is gone but it still won't automaticly start SE4. In fact I'm getting a different error now. Everything appears to go just fine. It opens an external .txt file I use to keep track of stuff and loads the history editor just fine. But it still doesn't want to actually lauch the game. Second, whenever I try to do Anything, it kicks me back to the main screen and won't let me do anything further.

Strange... But I'm not getting any error Messages this time. Could youy please post the manual command line from the Favorites screen?
Du you have the setting checked to close the event screen when se4 closes?

What error did you get before? What error do you get now?

This information would be very valuable to me!!!
That is the only reason I've released the app already, to get Beta information!!

[ June 15, 2004, 06:19: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 15th, 2004, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by aiken:
I'm still confused a bit: how can I manually download new game turn from pbw? Need an advice. If you set up your PBW username and password, check the pop-up alert and then press the PBW scan button, you will get a question to download, the first time it scans undownloaded turns.
If you don't accept to down�oad then it won't alert again, unless you in the settings screen press the "Clear downloaded list" button.

Will make it more clear in the future.

[ June 15, 2004, 05:19: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Aiken

June 15th, 2004, 06:59 AM

Thanks Ruatha, I'll try again later.

bearclaw

June 15th, 2004, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
Could youy please post the manual command line from the Favorites screen?
Du you have the setting checked to close the event screen when se4 closes?

What error did you get before? What error do you get now?

The manual command line is:
C:\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame\Starscape VI.gam" "PASSWORD" "5

The game is using a mod which is in:
Space Empires IV Gold\Starscape folder.

I'm not getting any error message. It just keeps kicking back to the main screen. I can still attempt to enter my games but it still does the same thing. It will keep opening multiple copies of the external files though, so that works well. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

geoschmo

June 15th, 2004, 09:40 PM

Are you certain you have the password correct? If you try to open a turn from the command line and the player password is incorrect, nothing happens. Se4.exe quits with no error. Actually, I think it does have an exit code that Ruatha might be able to tap and have his companion program put up an error. But se4 wont display the error box on it's own.

dogscoff

June 15th, 2004, 10:26 PM

Is it possible to open sinle player games with this doohickey? It keeps insisting that I'm player 0, and even if I change the command line manually, it won't load the game.
EDIT: No sooner had I typed that than Itried again and it seems to be working now.

Also, is there any danger of me stupidly opening a PBW turn I've already played, hitting quit straiht away and then the companion overwriting my uploaded turn on the server with a blank one?

[ June 15, 2004, 21:28: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

bearclaw

June 16th, 2004, 01:08 AM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Are you certain you have the password correct? If you try to open a turn from the command line and the player password is incorrect, nothing happens. Se4.exe quits with no error. Actually, I think it does have an exit code that Ruatha might be able to tap and have his companion program put up an error. But se4 wont display the error box on it's own. Checked for that. Everything appears correct.

Ruatha

June 16th, 2004, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by bearclaw:

The manual command line is:
C:\Space Empires IV Gold\Savegame\Starscape VI.gam" "PASSWORD" "5

The game is using a mod which is in:
Space Empires IV Gold\Starscape folder.

I'm not getting any error message. It just keeps kicking back to the main screen. I can still attempt to enter my games but it still does the same thing. It will keep opening multiple copies of the external files though, so that works well. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Hi.
THANKS for posting this info!

I see your problem right away.
It will be fixed in the next Version that is far away..
But I belive you can make it work, but you'll have to locate the mod manually, and I can't guarantee that it'll work. Haven't tried it yet.

The problem is that you are using a savegame in the default savegame folder but a mod in another directory, try to locate the mod directory by using the "BROWSE" button beside the mod text box in the favorite window, that should work, I belive.

Right now it's trying to run it with standard files and it's gettin a "Data files is wrong" error.
Don't type in the mod manually, use the browse button, much better!

Ruatha

June 16th, 2004, 05:39 AM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Is it possible to open sinle player games with this doohickey? It keeps insisting that I'm player 0, and even if I change the command line manually, it won't load the game.
EDIT: No sooner had I typed that than Itried again and it seems to be working now.

Also, is there any danger of me stupidly opening a PBW turn I've already played, hitting quit straiht away and then the companion overwriting my uploaded turn on the server with a blank one? It depends on you, the companion can open a played PBW turn, if you then hit end turn it overwrites the old on, but not if you choose "Quit" in the SE4 game.
It shouldn't say that you are player 0, uncheck the "Autoload" checkbox in the first page and try to choose the correct player, 0 stands for host, in single player you should choose player 1.

Ruatha

June 16th, 2004, 05:41 AM

Ruatha

June 16th, 2004, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by geoschmo:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ruatha:
The problem is that you are using a savegame in the default savegame folder but a mod in another directory, try to locate the mod directory by using the "BROWSE" button beside the mod text box in the favorite window, that should work, I belive. I'd venture a guess and say Bearclaw has been using RTC prior to this. Since RTC doesn't actually support mods the workaround is to to use the default savegame folder and modify the path.txt manually or by using the mod picker before you start the game in RTC. If the Companion gets off the ground those of us that use RTC now could go back to using savegame folders in the mod folders like Se4 is designed to work.

Geoschmo <hr /></blockquote>Next Version will have support for both ways, but it'll take some time before I release that as the deadline scanning required major rework of the code, gotta think ahead in the future.
But it means it'll be a better program in next Version, and somewhat different, still the same features but easier to use I hope.

Right now, all ver 0.8 does is to scan PBW, grab all games, turn status, deadline, news date and news text, turn type and turnlengths (in hours), players left to upload, PBW identity, game name and short file name, turnnumber. Saves all data and compare with internal database.
No GUI sofar, doing it the other way around this time, functions first and UI later.
Cutting code from v 0.76 and pasting it into 0.8 and improving it and streamlining it.
Making error handling, debug functions and log from beginning.

This is what i'm thinking right now:

I hope to make the UI more like the modpicker, but different(!), it won't look like 0.76 anyway.
It will hopefully not force you to open the event editor to autorun turns, the event editor will be an option like the rest of the external autostart options;
-Event editor.
-Music List play.
-Sidenotes.
-External File/App.

Favorites will disappear and those settings will merge into one screen with settings and PBW settings, but sectionalized. (Current Favorite settings will be settable for each game individual, so no Favorites are needed).
There will be something similar though, an easy way to pick a game and player with minimum (1-2) clicks.

It'll be easier to pick games, start new games etc.

We'll see what it becomes, but don't expect any new functions, only changes to the existing ones.
I won't delete any functions either though..

[ June 16, 2004, 13:38: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Aiken

June 16th, 2004, 03:18 PM

Uhm, but what is PBW Identity? Did I miss something important?

Ruatha

June 16th, 2004, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by aiken:
Uhm, but what is PBW Identity? Did I miss something important? Uhh, shouldn't have mentioned that, it's for internal application use and has no real life use.
It's the string used in the PBW URL to define the game.
Geo told me about it and it's what makes the Companion tick.

[ June 16, 2004, 15:51: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

geoschmo

June 17th, 2004, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by Ruatha:
The problem is that you are using a savegame in the default savegame folder but a mod in another directory, try to locate the mod directory by using the "BROWSE" button beside the mod text box in the favorite window, that should work, I belive. I'd venture a guess and say Bearclaw has been using RTC prior to this. Since RTC doesn't actually support mods the workaround is to to use the default savegame folder and modify the path.txt manually or by using the mod picker before you start the game in RTC. If the Companion gets off the ground those of us that use RTC now could go back to using savegame folders in the mod folders like Se4 is designed to work.

Geoschmo

Ruatha

June 17th, 2004, 09:00 PM

Here's a peek preview of Beta 0.8, and it's faaaaar from close to being finished.
But feedback on UI is welcome.

I'm planning on making a very small game handling window, one that is open along with the game, instead of the current event editor.
From that small "game form" you can select the event editor and other files (music list, external files, sidenotes, se4 modder..), that you have choosen not to open automaticly.
You can also upload the turnfile and do some other stuff from it, but it will be quite clean compared to the current event editor.

This is the first page in it's very early first reicarnation:

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/080_2.jpg

[ June 17, 2004, 22:08: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ragnarok

June 17th, 2004, 09:39 PM

I love the new GUI. Much better and more understandable then before. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I can't wait to see it when completed in this Version.

Captain Kwok

June 18th, 2004, 04:25 AM

I agree that the new GUI is much better. I could hardly navigate the previous one! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Ruatha

June 18th, 2004, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Once again, thanks and congrats on the se4 companion. I still get some wierd errors and crashes from time to time and I haven't quite figured out how to drive it, but by luck more than judgement I think it's all properly configured now -I have managed to get it to automatically download & decompress a turn for me, launch the game, then after I play the turn it automatically sent it off to PBW for processing. A complete success.

And I get a little smile every time I get the "new turn has arrived" message as well (and some of the error Messages are worth getting an error for too :-) I missed this post before DS, http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif made me smile reading it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

In the next Version I hope that luck won't be considered a necessary subitem to the program http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
I hadn't planned on releasing it before it was finished, but I had announced it too much to keep it hanging until the autumn, and I've gotten alot of input from the beta Versions, so it was well worth it.
Now I know how all functions should be coded, just need to put them together in an easy understandable way and finetune them.
I belive 0.8 will be released in late summer early autumn (August?).

Ragnarok and CK > Yes, it did tend to get a bit confusing after everything was added on it bit by bit without any concious thought of making things easy, but then my motto always are:
-Why make things easy when you can make them so wonderful complicated?

Edit: Download for current beta 0.76 will be up over the weekend, after that it'll be down, so if you want it you'll have to grab it now or wait for 0.8 after the summer.

Another screenshot.. Critique and ideas on UI are welcome

http://ruatha.homelinux.org/080_3.jpg

[ June 19, 2004, 21:26: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

June 21st, 2004, 12:15 PM

Ok, I'm taking the server down tonight.
If you want to edit your eventfiles I'd recommend the History Editor 1.4 that can propably be found at SJ's toolpage.
The companion 0.8, a new beast, will be released in the fall.

Se Ya
Ruatha

Ruatha

July 21st, 2004, 07:24 AM

Q:So what's up with 0.8, whats taking so long time??
A: It's been totally reprogramed again, from the foundation and up.
The GUI has nothing in common with v 0.76.
I'm currently doing the individual game companions, then I'll make the settings screen and the set-up wizard.
Enhance the alert screen and add some sound alerts and make the help and readme file.
Then I'll playtest it for a week before I release it.

Q: That seems like a lot, when do you expect to release 0.8, next year?
A: Nah, in 4 weeks at most.

Q:What are these new features I've heard about?
A:Not very many. Those that existed has been improved, it now alerts for PBW game news, nag mails and other PBW type mails.
It can warn for deadline approaching and has quick links to the games PBW game forum.
And, it got a function that easily enables IRC contact with the SE4 channel, that works really good.
But above all else, it's easier to use, less clutter and more logic in the UI.

Q: 0.76 sucked bigtime, should I really try 0.8?
A:Yes, it's a completely different program, try it when it's released, you'll like it!

[ July 21, 2004, 06:26: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Slynky

July 21st, 2004, 11:59 PM

I'm still interested. 'Ppreciate your hard work!

Ruatha

July 22nd, 2004, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
OK, just figured out how to get it working- fantastic! I can't wait for my PBW turns to be readt so I can play with it some more!

Are you still looking for more features to add to this beast? If so, I have one:

Could yo link it somehow to the game forum at PBW for the games listed in the PBWfavourites list? I hate going through all the clicks needed to access a game forum, especially when you go to all that trouble and there are no new Messages.
Wouldn't necessarily need the ability to post there, but just to see what's new and then a direct link to open the forum in my preferred browser.

I have more sugestions too, but they would probably belong in another prgram. Now it (v 0.8) can access the individual game forums on PBW, with a click.
No need to enter username or password or browse through several pages.
What where those other suggestions you had??

-------------
These are the features of the SE4 Companion:

Easy starting of modded games, simply dubbelclick on the game in the gamelist.

No need to enter game passwords, enter it once and start the games in the future with one click.

Use for PBW games or single player games.

Use several different Versions of SE4.

Scan PBW on-line for new turns, new game news, see how many players are left to upload.

Easy access to the PBW game forum for your individual games.

Automatic download of PBW turns.

Easy upload to the PBW site on-line.

Scan your POP3 mail box for new turns, nag mails or other PBW related mails.

Be alerted when you've got new mails. (General mail alerter)

Automatic download and unpack of mailed turns.

Automatic deletion of Turn mails, nag mails other PBW mails.

Autostart games when they are downloaded.

Automatic upload of finished games to the PBW site, or by mail.

Set your own deadline alert time. (hours before deadline)

A easy to use specialized notepad, called sidenotes, that can be autostarted each time the game is started.

Easy insertion of turn number, game date, players and empires in the sidenotes.

A easy to use history event editor, copy incoming and outgoing game diplomacy from SE4 to the event editor, and you will be able to see these Messages in the coming turns, in-game!

Copy history file to HTML or Excel format or print it.

Launch any external file or program by a single click, or have it automaticly launched when your game is started.

Make individual music lists with mp3, midi or wave songs to any of your games, have it autoplay when the game is started.

Run games as host by a single click, see it execute and finish without further input from you!

Easy access to the #SE4 channel on IRC, with a handy alert if anyone has posted there the Last minutes.

Work through a firewall by setting up a proxy.

Be alerted for new turns either by audio and or by a pop-up, flashing keyboard leds, on-screen text or a discreet change of application icon.

Password protect the entire application, or have it hide all passwords, or run it totally open.

Easy set-up through a set-up wizard.

Just about everything is user changable, new PBW adress? Change it in the settings screen!

Autosearch for mods and games when a new se4 Version is choosen.

Autoscan the harddrives for se4 Versions, games and mods and autoinstall them.

[ July 22, 2004, 06:14: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

dogscoff

July 22nd, 2004, 11:46 AM

Wow... love that feature list... just beautiful. Ruatha I owe you many many pints.

Other suggestions? OK, you asked for it, but remember I did say they probably belong in an other program:

-Scan through All race AI files automatically and either flag up or fix all those missing lines that generate annoying error Messages in-game. I imagine this would be a pain to implement in a program that supports several Versions of SE4.

-Option to scan pictures/races and subfolders and delete any superfluous copies of the styletester program: It's easy to end up with many redundant copies of this eating up your HD space. Some ppl might want a copy in each and every race folder, so there should be an option to copy it in, too.

-Option to create empty race folders in mod directory - ie I have a shipset in pictures/races/vikings but in order to use the shipset in adamant mod I need an empty adamant/pictures/races/vikings folder.

-Some kind of support for the modinfo files for Maryx's modlauncher.

-scan all the general.txt AI files and look for missing dsgnname files, then copy them to mod subfolders where appropriate, and create a list of files that need to be found and downloaded.

-Race-style browser. (including an option to spit out a list of which installed mods and races are fully or partially neo-standard compliant or neo++ compliant, perhaps with some kind of races/mod compatibility table spit out at the bottom, so you can see which shipsets will look best under which mods.)

-(Not sure if this is possible) Option to look at your PBW games (either from the website or the saegame files) and determine what race styles you need to download. This ties in quite nicely with the following sugestion:

-(This one is really way out, and would probably require some kind of server somewhere, I think) Option to somehow scan the readme.txt, credits.txt and modlancher files of races and mods to determine what Version is currently installed. Then it either connects to a central server (and/or the SotAS site) or it searches for a URL in the local readme files and tries to determine whether a more up to date Version is available, then downloads, unzips and installs it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

If I think of any more i'll let you know.

[ July 22, 2004, 10:56: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

Ruatha

July 22nd, 2004, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
Wow... love that feature list... just beautiful. .

Other suggestions? OK, you asked for it, but remember I did say they probably belong in an other program:

-Scan through All race AI files automatically and either flag up or fix all those missing lines that generate annoying error Messages in-game. I imagine this would be a pain to implement in a program that supports several Versions of SE4.

-Option to scan pictures/races and subfolders and delete any superfluous copies of the styletester program: It's easy to end up with many redundant copies of this eating up your HD space. Some ppl might want a copy in each and every race folder, so there should be an option to copy it in, too.

-Option to create empty race folders in mod directory - ie I have a shipset in pictures/races/vikings but in order to use the shipset in adamant mod I need an empty adamant/pictures/races/vikings folder.

-scan all the general.txt AI files and look for missing dsgnname files, then copy them to mod subfolders where appropriate, and create a list of files that need to be found and downloaded.

-Race-style browser. (including an option to spit out a list of which installed mods and races are fully or partially neo-standard compliant or neo++ compliant, perhaps with some kind of races/mod compatibility table spit out at the bottom, so you can see which shipsets will look best under which mods.)

-(Not sure if this is possible) Option to look at your PBW games (either from the website or the saegame files) and determine what race styles you need to download. This ties in quite nicely with the following sugestion:

-(This one is really way out, and would probably require some kind of server somewhere, I think) Option to somehow scan the readme.txt, credits.txt and modlancher files of races and mods to determine what Version is currently installed. Then it either connects to a central server (and/or the SotAS site) or it searches for a URL in the local readme files and tries to determine whether a more up to date Version is available, then downloads, unzips and installs it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

If I think of any more i'll let you know. -Some kind of support for the modinfo files for Maryx's modlauncher.
This is already included, it reads in the name and Version right now and uses everywhere. the rest info along with a button to the website from the modinfo.txt and the e-mail to the author of the mod can be reached through a click.

Ruatha I owe you many many pints
Let's save that until you've tried it.... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

-(Not sure if this is possible) Option to look at your PBW games (either from the website or the saegame files) and determine what race styles you need to download.
I'll try to prepare for this by scanning the registred shipsets that player has choosen when uploading their shipsets, not sure if this will be included in 0.8 as that is almost finished, but perhaps for 0.9.

As to the others...
When the companion is done, I'll try to make a "Fixit all" proggie, will make a button for it in the companion so that when it's done you can press that button in the companion to check all files and make shipset empty dirs in all mods.
It won't include everyting of the above but I think I can do most!
Thanks for the suggestions

[ July 24, 2004, 08:15: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

July 24th, 2004, 09:20 AM

Added plug-in support.
Current plug-ins:
Map Editor
SE4 modder.
SE4 shooter

Planned plug-ins:
Drushoka-Man
Shipset/raceset viewer/browser.
Emty mod shipset directories maker.
AI files fixer.
styletester remover (Shipset cleaner)
PBW game shipset check (Player sets)

Will need some help later on in what's going to be included in each plug-in, will return on that topic after 0.8 is released.

Any executable file can be run as plug-in by writing a simple textfile and placing in the plug in directory, then you can get the parameters you want from the companion!
So Excel or netscape can be a plugin, anything.

This is the current plugin format (More path and parameter options will be added, to handle mods etc):
----------------

Files must end with .PLG and be placed in the COMPANION_RESOURCE\PLUGIN directory.
The files have atleast 5 lines, name, path, parameters, enabled and info.
The name is the name that is displayed in the companion
The path is the path to the plugin executable
in the path you may put :
[EXEPATH] to be replaced by the path to the choosen games se4.exe in the companion.

No paths are ended with a '\' so you must include that.
The third line is parameters, those are the parameters you wish the companion to apss to you, and they will be passed in the order you declare.
Parameters can be:
[EXEPATH] to be replaced by the path to the choosen games se4.exe in the companion.
[SAVEGAMEPATH] current savegamepath
[PLAYER] current playernumber
[PLAYERS] number of players in chosed game
[GAMENAME] name of gamefile
[GAMETITLE] Title of current game
[PLAYERNAMES] all playernames in current game surrounded by "
[EMPIRENAMES] all empirenames in current game surrounded by "

Then a line if the plug-in is enabled or not, disabled plug-ins won't show up in the companion
And then some info on the plug-in.

Plugins can be managed through any text editor or the plug-in editor in the settings page in the companion.
-----------------
Example (mapedit.plg):
NAME:MapEditor
PATH:[EXEPATH]\SE4MAP.exe
PARAMETERS:
ENABLED:YES
INFO:
The original SE4 map editor.
It will start the editor that exists in the currently selected games SE4 Version main directory, ie if the current game uses ver 1.91 it will start the map editor in the directory that contains the SE4.exe for ver 1.91.
-----------------

Can't do any work on it now for the next 24 hours do, am at work http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

EDIT: Now that I think of it, it could be possible to add se4.exe as a plug-in and make it start games that way, no use but it could.
And the Mod launcher aswell, no use but it could http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
A plugin for se4.exe would look like this:
-----------------
Example (se4exe.plg):
NAME:Space Empires IV Gold
PATH:[EXEPATH]\se4exe.exe
PARAMETERS:"[SAVEGAMEPATH]\[FILENAME]" " " "[PLAYER]" "[MODNAME]"
ENABLED:YES
INFO:
Play current game as single player without password, but with the games selected mod.
-----------------
(I'll include this as a plug-in, just to confuse people http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif ), the companion itself modifies the path.txt to enable mods, not by the command line.

Will have to try this one when I come home:
-----------------
Example (shrapnel.plg):
NAME:Shrapnel SE4 Forum
PATH:http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=23
PARAMETERS:
ENABLED:YES
INFO:
The Shrapnel SE4 forum where you will get all necessery help about anything!
-----------------

And ofcourse:
-----------------
Example (faq.plg):
NAME:SE4 FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
PATH:http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=005518
PARAMETERS:
ENABLED:YES
INFO:
The SE4 FAQ administred by Slick and Ruatha. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
Any question regarding SE4, here is the answer.
-----------------

Any plugin (*.plg) files you want to see shipped with the release? A special link?
Post here or mail me.

To do (28/7):

//Set-up wizard
//Settings page
//Plug-in editor
// More plugin parameters
//Global error handler
//make del turn button in gamecomp
//mark players as dead when scanning file.
//Plug-in: empire upload, create new game, host upload, host download, change PBW game password,
//PBW settings from settings page
// doesn't count players left to uplaod correctly?
//earlier Versions of exe and savegames/Gam files
//Hide option for mods (Enabled in modinfo.txt) and games
//map editor changes path.txt
//Changes game in browser when downlaoding
//Changes game in browser when mail check
//Gamesort enable all options
//Rewrite OSD to delete text
//Fill in all default values
//Deadline alert form instead of showmessage
//Enable pop-up for nag-mail and misc PBW mails

28/7: When testing it on NT machine: don't write to registry, splash screen form causes error? or is it registry read?

[ July 28, 2004, 21:29: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Ruatha

July 30th, 2004, 04:18 PM

Whats left:

//Set-up wizard
//Settings page
//Plug-in editor
// More plugin parameters
//enable del turn button in gamecomp
//PBW settings from settings page
//earlier Versions of exe and savegames/Gam files (Re-install SE-4 and do all patches one by one, save exes and savegames)
//Rewrite OSD to delete text
//Fill in all default values
//Enable pop-up for nag-mail and misc PBW mails
//Global error handler for underprograms
//If fail to acces internet, release Scan button, bugfix.
//move files to resources
//misc mail Messages?
// Does proxy settings work??? Think now! Check!
// When adding extra savegamedir to mod, app locks up when accessing mod editor, bugfix.

Should be finished about on wednesday, then one and a half week of personal bug tracking while I finish the "Dogscoff plug-in pack" that hopefully will be shipped with the 0.8 release.

App currently tested on Win NT, Win 2K and win XP, will test on Win98 before release.

[ July 30, 2004, 16:02: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

dogscoff

July 30th, 2004, 05:14 PM

*dogscoff bounces excitedly up and down in his chair...

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! I can hardly wait. You have no idea how this program is going to revolutionise my life!

Ruatha

July 30th, 2004, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by dogscoff:
*dogscoff bounces excitedly up and down in his chair...

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! I can hardly wait. You have no idea how this program is going to revolutionise my life! Oh no! All this pressure, I can't take it!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Hope you'll like it for real too, so far it looks good though (But I'm a tee bit biased http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ).

Fyron

July 30th, 2004, 06:36 PM

Could you please move a lot of the extraneous features (such as mp3/midi player) to become plugins/extensions? No need to clutter up the program for those that do not want such features... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Ruatha

July 30th, 2004, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Could you please move a lot of the extraneous features (such as mp3/midi player) to become plugins/extensions? No need to clutter up the program for those that do not want such features... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif Sorry, but those functions where already included before I added plug-in capacity, and the current plug-ins are user started, the current in-built features such as event-editor, sidenotes and musiclist can be autostarted when the game starts, that isn't supported by the current plug-in feature either, can be in next Version though...

But the exe will propably be around 6-800 K and these features are only discreete buttons, I can include a "Don't use" setting in the settigns to disable them and not show them at all (some other features have this already), as the settings screen is the Last thing I do, I want to have all variables defined first so I can plan the settings screen from ground up instead of adding things until it's not overseeable, as it was in the Last Version.
This time I've actually given the UI some thought http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

The current UI is a bit less cluttered than the previous (In my opinon, you are free to disagree when you see it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif , but I can confess that it's too easy to add "just one more" button, I try to evaluate the use of each button, label before I add them, but still they are too many right now.... Will hear from the Users after next realease which ones should go or be moved ).
I've noted your ideas and think they are valid!

31/7: to do
//Set-up wizard
//Settings page
//Plug-in editor
// More plugin parameters
//Plug-in: empire upload, create new game, host upload, host download, change PBW game password,
//PBW settings from settings page
//?? doesn't count players left to uplaod correctly?
//earlier Versions of exe and savegames/Gam files
//Rewrite OSD to delete text
//Fill in all default values
//Global error handler for download
// om Failed to access web page >5 then quit browse
//move files to resources
//misc mail Messages?

[ July 31, 2004, 15:50: Message edited by: Ruatha ]