Dom-III PBEM manager
 

Its written in Python, its cross platform (though I've only tested it for cygwin and win-2k/XP).

It can perform various mundane tasks related to PBEM hosting.

Please note that it works only if the host has a gmail account!

It can do the following:
1. Retrieve game turn files from gmail (so long as the game's name is in the subject field)
2. Verify that the turns are valid and report invalid ones.
3. Backup (on request and automatically prior to hosting)
4. Restore (reload specific turn from backup)
5. Broadcast messages to players.
6. Send status notifications that include automatically generated report of invalid/missing turns reports to players.
7. Host
8. Distribute turn files to players.

The interface is CLI.

Usage:
1. Install python. whatever platform you're using doesn't matter, the utility doesn't contain platform specific code.

2. Extract the zip file attached, it contains a configuration file and the utility.

3. Dl and install Libgmail.
Install is usually as simple as extracting the lib then running: python setup.py install.

4. Edit the file .domIII_PBEM_conf for the configuration values. It's a text file that contains explanations.

5. Run domIII_PBEM_utils.py.

6. Follow the CLI instructions.

I already use this utility for hosting, and it saves me plenty of "dirty" work.

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

Looks nice, thanks !
But I don't use gmail, and neither do my friends ...Any possibility to have standard (pop/smtp) mails retrieved/sent ?

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

It was a "design" decision not to go for pop/smtp, mainly because I don't have access to a POP server and as for smtp, I was to lazy to setup a server. I wanted to take advantage of free web mail services such as yahoo and gmail. The thing is that those services have an additional layer wrapping the pop/smtp layer so I had to decide specifically which one I wanted to support. Having found a python lib that wrapps gmail my decision was clear http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I can add pop/smtp support but it will take some time before I can really put my mind to it.

Its actually quite convenient to have a gmail account. If you don't have one and would like to try it I can send you an invitation (PM me with your email).

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

Oh and please bear in mind that *only* the host needs to have a gmail account!

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

Wraithlord,
There are some simple free tools allowing to send/retrieve pop/smtp mail via command line , no need to setup a server.
I can't really recommend one but it's easy to find.

As for gmail indeed it's not a problem usually, but I don't have access to webmail at work so prefers to use my own address ... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

I have Gmail http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
Maybe I'll give your program a try if I get a chance to, but I don't think I'm about to host any PBEM games soon.
Good work either way http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

Thanks for the encouragement guys http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

@PDF, if you know a good, free, cross-platform, CLI enabled mail tool please tell me, I will test it and add it to the utility.

I am aware of similar tools but they are solaris/unix/linux tools and I want this utility to be cross platform (Also, if you are working on a linux server a couple of bash scripts will also do the trick -> my tool is not aimed for sys admins/devs).

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

Its too involved for me but it looks like some people will find it very useful.

I was going to try and work something out on my linux server (which of course makes everything simpler). Such as, I can create an email address just for the game, and directly process the email directory as the emails come in. And I can send turn files wiothut having to access another server to send them.

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

Mmmm, interesting, very interesting. Is Python hard to learn?

Re: Dom-III PBEM manager
 

You should be asking whether or not it would be worth it to learn Python. To answer that, the ones in the know would need to know what you'd use it for.