Automatic backup of turn files

[Lollipop]

This is my first post and I hope I don't get a bad rep as 'the gal who propagates cheating tools', but 1) it was useful during my 'what? only 20 devils! Pretender, let's go!" phase, and 2) I want to contribute something (semi) useful, before I start bothering you with my 20000 questions.

Okay first the windows version for the mortals:

1) create a link of your dom3.exe (right drag to a location of your choice and select 'create link here')

2) right click on your link, select 'properties' and find the line containing 'dom3.exe'

3) add ' --preexec backup.bat'

4) open notepad

5) copy & paste the following lines:

Code:

---

set Game=<name>

cd savedgames

del /S /Q "%Game%.backup"

mkdir "%Game%.backup"

copy "%Game%\" "%Game%.backup\"

---

save in your dom3 install directory as 'backup.bat'

You have to substitute "<name>" with the name of the game you're currently playing. It's clumsy but it's windows. So if your last game was called 'trash' and you start a new game called 'MoreTrash', you have to edit 'backup.bat' and set the appropriate name.

Now whenever something goes horribly wrong (power failure, your husband mentioning that the kitchen looks like a battle field or simply walking your mages while sneaking your meatshield), go to the 'savedgames' directory, delete the <name> directory and rename <name>.backup to <name>.

A much nicer version which finds the last played game, but requires python (though if you have Civ IV, you probably have python installed):


Code:

---

#!/usr/bin/python

from os import *

from os.path import *

import shutil



def checkDate(name):

    turnFile = join(name,"ftherlnd")

    if access (turnFile,F_OK):

        return getmtime(turnFile)

    return 0



def findLastGame():

    lastTime = 0

    lastName = ""

    chdir("savedgames")

    for file in listdir("."):

        if isdir(file):

            time = checkDate(file)

            if time > lastTime:

                lastTime = time

                lastName = file

    return lastName



def doCopy(name):

    backup = name + ".backup"

    shutil.rmtree(backup,True)

    shutil.copytree(name,backup)



last = findLastGame()

if len(last) > 0:

    doCopy(last)

---

Use sparingly.

Hopefully someone find this useful..

kind regards
Pia Kraft