All in one editor

[narcberry]

Thanks anyone and everyone that makes doing anything easier for others. Seriously, thank you.


As far as a all in one tool goes, I'm not a fan of using VB. It's such a hacked language, requiring all users to jump through silly hoops. Plus, you're running things client-side usually so my devs end up waiting through ridiculous downtime between each action when working on the database (on the order of 5 seconds per line operation). It should be server side, since that is where the database is (probably) and that is where the spells file is and that is where all the quests are and that is where all the config files are and that is where all the logs are and that is where the ...

To me, the obvious solution would be a php based tool. It can be available to all your devs, as well as maintain security. php is very good at interfacing with databases and you only have to set it up once, on the server. It could easily be used to edit quests and spells, even make the latest spells file available for download. It could even interface directly with the server as it is running. All of this in a well designed tool. VB is so icky (no offense georges).

I have no intention of crushing your spirits, but I would hope before you get too far along you consider a redesign using a server-side all-in-one tool. If you do, I'd be willing to help. An all-in-one tool would just be too helpful.

[Fynmun]

Keep in mind though, some servers are clients as well -- such as my case.

Yes, PHP would be useful for devs in remote locations because of its ease to interface and it can be made into a nice (and pretty) HTML page.

My only suggestion is that a check-out system should be implemented. Two or more devs working on the same thing can end up being disasterous.

I would say switching all the way to PHP has weaknesses, but I personally cannot think of one. The ease of making a nice and effecient page for editing is easily done using PHP/HTML. Database interface (like said above) is a breeze. Connection to the server can be restricted easily via passwords and other security measures. Etc. Etc.

As much as I praise this idea, I do not condemn the idea of making a non-PHP AiOE. Though the useage of this type of editor would be limited, it would be stronger for those in that group. This group being anyone who doesn't have a dev team for their project. For the people who just want to install n' run, a non-web based editor would probably be ideal -- instead of having to install PHP, install Apache, set up a server, configure the PHP, etc etc.

In essence:
1) If Dev Team Then PHP.
2) If Loner Then non-PHP.

In either case though, something like this would be unbelievably useful -- especially to the people who are using the EQEmu as a base for their own custom game.

[Dispair2]

Thank you both for your input, unfortunately i do not know php and will have to stick to finishing the standalone vb.net. Also this application does connect to remote machines as i am using one of many machines in my domain to create it and the sql server is stand alone windows 2003 server. this application would also be very easy to implement "check out" as all i would have to do is create a filename.chk file and then when trying to open the file check for that. It is not something i thought about but it is a GREAT idea and will put it on my list. As far as updating the spells files client side, that would have to be done by a client and a simple asp or php or even html page could accomplish this just by having an updates page.

As an update for the actual application, i missed a file in my last publish and have put it on the web server.

The XLS file

[AndMetal]

Originally Posted by narcberry

I have no intention of crushing your spirits, but I would hope before you get too far along you consider a redesign using a server-side all-in-one tool. If you do, I'd be willing to help. An all-in-one tool would just be too helpful.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I have put some work into an all-in-one PHP-based editor. It's still quite pre-alpha, but does have some decent functionality. The most functional part is the character viewer (semi-Magelo, but is based on the default UI of the Titanium client).

Of course, the downside about an all-in-one editor is it takes forever to get everything working right, because there are so many things you want to be able to do. If anything, maybe something based on a plug-in system would be best, where you can add the components you need, which is where I'd ultimately like to take the one I've been working on.

[Fynmun]

It depends on what you want the AiOE to do. Dispair2's is only 4 tabs, the one I'm creating is only 3.

In any case... My view is simplicity rules the day. If you've got so many things you want it to do, then break it down into, like you said, plug-ins and packages. Time is only an issue if you work on a bunch of different ones at once. Get the base down, then work on one package at a time until it works as intended, or close to intended.

[Dispair2]

I just read through all the posts and that is some great feed back, I hope to hear more so that i can make this application more user friendly. I will take into consideration ALL input let here for me.