Topic: So is Taldren going too release the Source Codes too SFC?

[Magnum357]

Ok, I've been a way for a little while, but I was excited to hear that Taldren might release the source codes of SFC.  Will this include all the source codes (even SFC3) or just 1 through OP?  If Taldren doesn't release SFC3 source code, I would be disappointed, but I would like it if the OP source code was released. 

From what i have read, SFB is releasing new rules for X-ships (specifically, 3rd generation X-ships in years of 220+ of SFB) and I think it would be neat if SFC OP had more updated mechanics of X-ships rules or X2-ship rules too.  If Taldren gives the source code, I think this is very doable buy the comminity, if we got some good C++ programmers here.

[Bonk]

I think we're waiting for word on whether Quicksilver will agree to the release. I'm not even sure if anyone has asked them?

[Chris Jones]

I smell the possibility of new and different weapons, maybe more than 16 races, etc.. all kinds of fun!

Time to learn C++

[Lepton]

Yes, this is the issue.  People are getting awfully expectant about the source codes, but are there programmers to handle the task??  Supposedly, Taldren was a group of professionals working full time to develop these titles.  I have my doubts as to llkelihood of any vast changes in the game i.e additional races, new weapon systems, etc within even a year or more of the source code being opened.  Small tweaks here and there may be very doable.  Adding stuff?  Sounds tough to me.  I am not impuning anyone's coding skills.  I know nothing of programming.

Who will be the programmers?  How will they manage tasks and work together?  What are the priorities?  Who will set them??  If you think there were arguments over server details, just imagine those over game engine issues.  Will we resurrect the old rebates over hold costs and charge cost for plasma torps, fusion cannons, etc??

Be that as it may, this would be the biggest challenge to this community ever.  Not that it can't be done, but caution is advisable.

[Bonk]

I agree wholeheartedly Lepton. Long term, organisation will be critical - we'll need a CVS host for serious re-writes as Strafer suggested on the old forums. Simpler stuff like fixing the SQL serverkit, if necessary, will be easier to manage.

Of course this all depends on how the fine, wonderful, extra beautiful people at Quicksilver respond...
 (no butt kissing here, nope!    )

[RogueJedi_XC]

Yes, this is the issue.  People are getting awfully expectant about the source codes, but are there programmers to handle the task??  Supposedly, Taldren was a group of professionals working full time to develop these titles.  I have my doubts as to llkelihood of any vast changes in the game i.e additional races, new weapon systems, etc within even a year or more of the source code being opened.  Small tweaks here and there may be very doable.  Adding stuff?  Sounds tough to me.  I am not impuning anyone's coding skills.  I know nothing of programming.

Who will be the programmers?  How will they manage tasks and work together?  What are the priorities?  Who will set them??  If you think there were arguments over server details, just imagine those over game engine issues.  Will we resurrect the old rebates over hold costs and charge cost for plasma torps, fusion cannons, etc??

Be that as it may, this would be the biggest challenge to this community ever.  Not that it can't be done, but caution is advisable.

I don't think there will be a lack of willing programmers, it's a lack of organization and a defined method of adding stuff to the game that would be the problem. As Bonk suggested, a CVS repository would be necessary. IMO, a group of solid, trusted players and developers would need to be in charge of deciding what actually gets added so that we don't get stuff being added willy-nilly. That would ruin the game rather than help.

[KBF-Crim]

Yes, this is the issue.  People are getting awfully expectant about the source codes, but are there programmers to handle the task?? 

Yep...

Supposedly, Taldren was a group of professionals working full time to develop these titles. 

Kinda backanded compliment...dont you think?

Wasnt bruno from the community?

Wasnt Magnum man from the community?

Khoros?

I have my doubts as to llkelihood of any vast changes in the game i.e additional races, new weapon systems, etc within even a year or more of the source code being opened. 

Time will tell....

Once upon a time final patches for EAW , OP, and SFC3 looked "unlikely"...

Small tweaks here and there may be very doable. 

Very..

Adding stuff?  Sounds tough to me.

Not so tough....whats tuff is getting new stuff to play nice nice with all the old stuff...

  I am not impuning anyone's coding skills.

BUT.....

 

I know nothing of programming.

Really?

Who will be the programmers?

Quite few people come to mind right away...we allready play with/on things they have created for us...I wont be so crass as to embarrass anyone by throwing names about though...

  How will they manage tasks and work together? 

Probably without your allways positive input...

What are the priorities? 

Fix crap.....like get SQL to hold more than 25 peeps...for instance...

Who will set them??

Who cares?...put up a poll...see what peeps want...flip a damn coin....let beta testers decide...Anything other than "put leptin in charge"  is cool with me....

 

If you think there were arguments over server details, just imagine those over game engine issues.

Yeah...imagine having to remember all the stuff we talked, threatend, ranted over, and begged for....when I was testing...

 

Will we resurrect the old rebates over hold costs and charge cost for plasma torps, fusion cannons, etc??

Good....some of those arguements never came to logical conclusions....they were artificially ended or made moot by design decisions....most often due to time contstraints.....something no longer effecting what is decided...

Be that as it may, this would be the biggest challenge to this community ever.

maybe yes...maybe no...

  Not that it can't be done, but caution is advisable.

Agreed

[Merlinfmct87]

I smell the possibility of new and different weapons, maybe more than 16 races, etc.. all kinds of fun!

Time to learn C++

Way ahead of you. I'm going to make the Andro DisDevs if it kills me...

Now let's see...next is recursive functions...:O

Merlin

[Rod ONeal]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong (I figured that if I didn't ask that nobody would do it ), but do we need the Q3 file? Or can we do a lot of worthwhile stuff without it. From what I understand Khoromag didn't have access to the Q3 file for patching purposes. I think that it's only needed if you want to add something to the UI. While that would put a big limitation on what could be done, no new races or systems, it seems that there would still be plenty of usefull and worthwhile things to do. Your work on the SQL, for example. Possibly fixing the DAC, which I swear is wrong but have no proof of it. Doing something with the G-racks, at least making it so an ADD rack is taken offline for a period for each drone that is fired, maybe? etc...

[Bonk]

I don't think you'll be able to compile a working executable without the code that reads the sprites file.
The serverkit is another matter however...

[USS Mariner]

Well, while we're on the subject, how exactly could UI's be changed? Would we have to "alter" exsisting ones or create brand new ones from the ground up?

If we have to pay for this to get done, maybe we should talk about getting a PayPal setup if Quicksilver wants money...I'm sure all of us donating $25 would easily be enough to buy the company.

[Strafer]

Now let's see...next is recursive functions...:O

Merlin

Also known as "How many rings can this tower_of_hanoi program process before running out of stack" challenge.

[Rod ONeal]

Well, while we're on the subject, how exactly could UI's be changed? Would we have to "alter" exsisting ones or create brand new ones from the ground up?

If we have to pay for this to get done, maybe we should talk about getting a PayPal setup if Quicksilver wants money...I'm sure all of us donating $25 would easily be enough to buy the company.

You know, after I went to their site I was thinking something similar, although not as colorful . It appears to have been abandoned 2 years ago. I didn't see any updates at all since early 2002. I wish that we'd hear something from Erik on how it's going. 

[Fluf]

Well, while we're on the subject, how exactly could UI's be changed? Would we have to "alter" exsisting ones or create brand new ones from the ground up?

If we have to pay for this to get done, maybe we should talk about getting a PayPal setup if Quicksilver wants money...I'm sure all of us donating $25 would easily be enough to buy the company.

You know, after I went to their site I was thinking something similar, although not as colorful . It appears to have been abandoned 2 years ago. I didn't see any updates at all since early 2002. I wish that we'd hear something from Erik on how it's going. 

Dont we all!   

Guess we shall just have to wait and see what happens.

[KBF-Crim]

Back up plan A....fan out and find Arctic....

Back up plan B...someone drive over and look through taldrens dumpster...

Back up plan C....stake out Daves house out and look through HIS garbage....24 hrs after leaving a LARGE amount of small bills into his mail box....

back up plan D.....chip in....fly two guys to korea...get Eirk drunk....tell him they are investigating software piracy...ask for some code to compare...

back up plan E....send southern california to Eirk...one box of dirt at a time.....COD....we'll stop when A) get the code or B)...we run out of southern california....

Back up plan F....Torment Erik with endless ESG sound loops played through loudspeakers....

[Age]

Well, while we're on the subject, how exactly could I's be changed? Would we have to "alter" ex sisting ones or create brand new ones from the ground up?

If we have to pay for this to get done, maybe we should talk about getting a PayPal setup if Quicksilver wants money...I'm sure all of us donating $25 would easily be enough to buy the company.

You know, after I went to their site I was thinking something similar, although not as colorful . It appears to have been abandoned 2 years ago. I didn't see any updates at all since early 2002. I wish that we'd hear something from Erik on how it's going. 

Dont we all!   

Guess we shall just have to wait and see what happens.

Well you said what I was going to say but they probably won't give it up unless there is some profit to gain for releasing and they wouldn't give it away as they are business and are in the business to make money not source codes.It is all about profit pure and simple.Sorry to say this.

[SkyFlyer]

I think Plan F will work best..

[Fluf]

Naw I would go with Plan G = "All the above"!

[SkyFlyer]

Naw fluf... that would screw everything up...  Everything is your fault... What is wrong with you? Dude that is the lamest excuse for a plan i ever heard. Dude u suck
Dude i need to make a new topic so i can flame u.. .

[Bonk]

I wouldn't mess with the Duke of Pies... 

As Mariner Class suggested, I'll pay if that's what it takes.
I don't think we can afford to buy Quicksilver but perhaps some kind of a license could be arranged? I estimate a core (die hard) fan group of about 200. $25 each would only be $5000. $50 bucks each would give 10K... which just might be enough? Myself, I'd be willing to go up to $100 (US). If we could muster 200 $100 donations we could offer 20K, a fair chunk of change that any sane company would have to at least consider.

I'm tempted to write to Quicksilver myself and beg and plead for our case... Would that be out of line?


P.S. like Rod, I am suspicious of the DAC as well, but then there were times I swore the dice were broken...