The SE4 companion - Why the long wait?.

[Ruatha]

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 cöluttering 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...)




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

[Ruatha]

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.

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]

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]

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...

[Ruatha]

Originally posted by Ed Kolis:

quote:

---

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...

---

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]

Wait... your program actually parses the binary savegame data???
Does this mean there's a scenario editor coming up in the foreseeable future???
Though this would open up the door to cheating, as well...

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

[Ruatha]

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

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

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.."