Clorius

Most of the current board regulars probably won't remember me - I left over a year ago due to quite a few things all snowballing together at once. I have come back for a bit (due, in part, to some free time I got due to the shutdown of Dungeon Runners) to what was my first MMO.

I do have to say that logging into Atlas and hearing that music brought back many good memories - though Atlas is now filled with AE mission "spam" I can filter that out in my head and remember how it was when I started. I have really missed this game.

Quite a bit has changed since I was gone, is there a site w/ a comprehensive list of changes since about, oh, Issue 11/12? I noticed that teams have an option to auto-exempt now and you can change a setting to allow for auto-accepting of level range changes, Kheldians are unlocked much earlier, a whole bunch of stuff seems completely out of sync (to me - but I will get used to it I am sure).

The best part, so far, has been seeing at least a few familiar forum names still posting on a regular basis (Bill Z, Aett_Thorn, Fulmens, Memphis_Bill, and more) - that, more than the continued existance of the servers, is the best indication that the game is still likely something I will love.

Well, gotta see if I can squeeze some time into the game - take it easy Paragon

Fair Winds and Following Seas Professor - may your next journey be a fruitful one.

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I don't use Vista, I use XP, and I'm using Visual Basic 5. I have no idea how I would implement this.

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This article might help http://support.microsoft.com/kb/252652

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I searched the web for some examples of this function being used, and it made my head explode. I am not good enough of a programmer to figure out how to implement this. Isn't there some sort of easier, one-line bit of code that will determine the user's application data folder? The examples that I found seemed all WAY too complex to perform what should be such a simple function.

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You can use the GetEnvironmentVariable function. Here is a site with sample code: http://allapi.mentalis.org/apilist/G...Variable.shtml

The easiest way for you would be to copy the function code and just paste it into either your code module, or in the beginning of your form code (before the form declarations).

After inserting the function declaration(s) just call it like this:
<font class="small">Code:[/color]<hr /><pre>
'Make sure to declare the variable for the AppData path
Dim strAppDataPath as String

strAppDataPath = GetEnvironmentVar("APPDATA")
</pre><hr />
Then, insert the strAppDataPath variable wherever your code is calling to save to/read from the configuration file.

In the .NET versions of Visual Studio, there are much easier methods of determining this information - even VB 6 has better methods if I recall properly (I think all you have to do is use the Envir namespace and the Expand sub space to get it) VB 5 takes more code than really necessary (IMO) but that was the way it was done in the day

(I remember having to code functions for things that are taken care of with a simple declaration now)

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Crap, I just checked out the new boards again, and it looks like they already have a built in WYSIWYG editor.

Would anyone STILL be interested in an "offline" forum editor if you already had a full editor like that online? I would like to see if there would be any interest... if not, why bother?

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Well the draw to a program like yours is that forum connectivity issues won't cause the post to go bye bye mid-draft. You will always have a copy on hand to try again if the internet eats your post - so go for it

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I don't use Vista, I use XP, and I'm using Visual Basic 5. I have no idea how I would implement this.

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This article might help http://support.microsoft.com/kb/252652

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Standards say

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Who's standards? Link?


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Windows programming standards, especially since Vista came about with UAC - writing config files to the program folder will either 1) need elevated permissions, or 2) write to the Virtual Store for that folder [Vista] (\Users\{username}\appdata\local\virtualstore\...)

Writing config files to the Application Data path allows 1) UAC to be bypassed without requiring elevated permissions, 2) multiple users able to have different options for the same software program.

Some links: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310294 - skip down to Classify Application Data.

Heres an article about how UAC affects application development in Vista: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb530410.aspx

It is the same sort of standard (basically over looked) that says Game Files should be stored in the Documents\My Games folder [thus providing a central location to backup save games - not many games use this, but most modern games do write save games to the Documents folder - you will notice that older games that are installed to Program Files and that normally are set to save games in the program folder will either require elevation or use the Virtual Store (default action)] - many developers overlook small things like this, leading to more UAC frustration than needed on Vista systems and config file sharing on XP systems.

Not trying to criticise, just putting some info out there that has helped me develop custom apps that don't run afoul of UAC. The only reason I brought it up is because of Vista to be honest; I used to use the Program folder for config files as well but found some articles and tips on using AppData instead and things have gone much smoother.

(Note: In older versions of VB there is no My.Settings namespace, you have to either create a custom namespace/object or use the APPDATA environmental variable)


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what installer program are you using?

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Advanced Installer

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I use InnoSetup for my custom programs

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I'll take a look at it, thanks for the tip.

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No problem, just trying to share some knowledge with the world

[Disclaimer: I am not a guru by any means - tips I give are meant to be helpful but are not necessarily the only way to go. YMMV. Dislcaimers are just another way of seeing if people get the gist behind a post or find nitpicky things with it ]

Nifty idea, some tips

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<ul type="square">[*]No longer saves a "settings.ini" file in every directory where someone saves a text file to. Now only saves one in the program's directory.[/list]

[/ QUOTE ] -- Standards say to save settings files in the Application Data folder rather than the program folder - this bypasses the irritations of needing Admin rights to save settings adjustments (Depending on which version of VB you are using you can use the My.Settings namespace for storing data like Settings.ini)

Also - what installer program are you using? I use InnoSetup for my custom programs (very easy to use and free) - InnoSetup provides the option to bundle required items (like runtime files) with the installer and install them if necessary - it can also be configured to download the required items and install them (either from your web host or you can set it to download direct from MS).

Other than that good job and keep it up

This is the laptop I got recently: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220518

Runs CoH on max settings with no issue. 4GB RAM, 1GB Dedicated Graphics (nVidia 9650 GT). Can run Fallout 3 on High Graphics so its a decent little rig and falls under 1k

I am hoping this arc could get some face time, I ran out of time working on it (My leave ends and I return to Duty with the Army today :/) but here goes:

Arc ID: 110733
Arc Name: Roleplayer Renegades
Length: 2 Missions
Enemies: Custom Mobs (LAIRE Extremists)
Level Range: 1-54
Difficulty: Easy-Medium (depending on AT, difficulty setting and build - most AT's and builds should breeze through the mobs.)

Specials: None - no AV's/EB's. 1 LT upgraded to boss.

Custom Mob Information: All mobs set to Standard difficulty at creation and Easy for special encounters. Main AT = BS/Shield Scrapper. Minor AT's: Psi/Archery, SS/Regen

Arc Synopsis: A group of Live Action Roleplayers goes on the rampage, hinting at a mysterious Game Master and a large scale plan (Initially was going to be a 5 story arc, but I decided that with my time constraints 2 would be good to introduce the custom mobs and tease at the story).

Warning: My writing skills are very rusty.

Hopefully I didn't flop too horribly on it

I don't know if my arc will meet your requirements, I ran out of time working on it (My leave ends and I return to Duty with the Army today :/) but here goes:

Arc ID: 110733
Creator: @Clorius
Arc Name: Roleplayer Renegades
Length: 2 Missions
Enemies: Custom Mobs (LAIRE Extremists)
Level Range: 1-54
Difficulty: Easy-Medium (depending on AT, difficulty setting and build - most AT's and builds should breeze through the mobs.)

Specials: None - no AV's/EB's. 1 LT upgraded to boss.

Custom Mob Information: All mobs set to Standard difficulty at creation and Easy for special encounters. Main AT = BS/Shield Scrapper. Minor AT's: Psi/Archery, SS/Regen

Arc Synopsis: A group of Live Action Roleplayers goes on the rampage, hinting at a mysterious Game Master and a large scale plan (Initially was going to be a 5 story arc, but I decided that with my time constraints 2 would be good to introduce the custom mobs and tease at the story).

Warning: My writing skills are very rusty.

Hopefully I didn't flop too horribly on it

Edit: Gah - I should have read the title and thread closer. No sleep = bad. You are looking for sequels? Er, this is a starter not a sequel . I would still like some feedback on it.

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I actually did have them in the correct sequential order, I even created them in that order. However, after deleting and recreating the second mission, it seemed to fix the problem. Guess the Architect still has a few bugs. Thanks for the help Clorius.

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Yeah, the Architect has some kinks to be worked out yet - hopefully the next build will fix alot of issues we are seeing with it (like this one).

Glad I could help.

Try removing and re-adding the triggers in the order they have to happen. I have read of issues where, if one of the triggers is out of sequence, the MA will throw that error.

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Text color..

oky, im in the text feild, I added {M1} to the clue, highligheted to change it to light blue, all the options on right click im getting are Copy/cut/past

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It means that field doesn't support text formatting

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oky, 3 Q's..

First how do i add color to my text. I wanna make some text Light Blue, yellow, red, green,) add to clues, and descriptions.


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Highlight the text in the text box, right click, and (if formatting is available for that field) select the color from the color sub menu.

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2, I opened the editor and clicked on the main mission setting page, aka the pen, and when to look at the suveiener and the text was just blinking and flashing soo i couldnt read it. I tried clicking on the text but it didnt help. this is the only text that has done this to date.


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I have read that some fields that are close to the text limit (i.e. 3000 chars for Souvenir text) will do this - seems to be a bug with how the field resizes itself to fit the text or something.

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3rd, After having a crash the other day and lossing 3 hours of work cause auto save got turned off and i didnt notice.. Im now very leary of making sure this is working right.

I want to tweak a published arc, But if i trun auto save on it says "null" I dont wanna lose my whole days work on a crash again. SOo basically is there a way to get auto save working on a published arc?, or do i just republish, I get tried of updating my Sig and mision number all the time.. any tips?

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I believe that the published arc becomes "unlinked" from its local counterpart when edited online (thus why online changes do not reflect on local arcs). You might be able to get around this by using the 'Save As...' option and specifying the local arc file name (thus overwriting it) - from then on auto-saves should save to that file. Not for sure though because I haven't done much editing of online arcs yet to see the effect.

In certain fields if you highlight text and then right click it, a menu of formatting options will be brought up - including colors. This doesn't work for all fields.

I have noticed this too with battles, one side (usually my custom faction) will have the battle done with before the PC gets to them :/ - the Unaware / Active text also seems to be firing wonky as I rarely ever see the Unaware text before the Active text shows up (same goes for hostages - I have been looking straignt at a hostage group and seen no text until I 'activated' the mobs and then both popped up)

Not possible with the current system :/

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..I don't want the power to spoil your game by turning you into a giant purple dinosaur, I want to offer the opportunity for you to be dressed appropriately.

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Heres the thing though, for every author who uses it properly for story line enhancement (causing people to turn this option on), you will find a bunch of 'special' people who use it to do just what you say you wouldn't do (i.e. turning the PC into a large purble dinosaur thingy)

Hmm - that doesn't make sense then. I think I have read about other people fooling the size limit system the same way (being at the cusp and then editing Live and republishing to decrease file size some how).

Looking like the size information is wonky with the MA system right now.

Pop a non-custom mob into the mission (as a hostage or something) that doesn't spawn below level 50 [or the 50 range like 45-50] - this will 'hard' set the mission to that level and anyone entering will be SK'd up to that level... though low levels will have a tough as heck time (For little to no reward) fighting level 50's.

Your custom critters are probably missing, thus shrinking the file - take a look in your local store for 'em.

Oh heck yeah I am so behind this idea

Ah - sorry, reading comprehension isn't working well for me the past few days :/.

Hopefully a minor bug that can be quashed easily...

I have had this happen with me as well - I had some random NPC's set up to be hostages with a custom critter group; going through the mission showed that not only were the hostages in the enemy critter group, but they ware also members of that group :/. I am thinking I might have to create a custom group called Hostages or something and just put NPC's in there.