The SE4 companion - Why the long wait?.

[bearclaw]

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

[Ruatha]

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..


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]

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!!!


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

But, my God, it works!!!

[geoschmo]

Cool!

What's the LOG window?

[Ed Kolis]

Most likely the one in SE4 that says things like "Anti-Proton Beam III Discovered" and "Xertuy Empire Destroyed"

[Ragnarok]

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

[primitive]

Ruatha;
Stop wasting your time basking in the glow of our admiration. Go program !!!