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Post by t0mahawk on Feb 14, 2007 15:20:56 GMT -5
Now seems to be working for me - I'll 'try and break it' but hopefully it'll work fine and save me a heckuva lot of bother with character tracking.
Nero (I think) had the same trouble as me - how have you gotten on with the new version? (When you download, be patient - the filefront site takes it's time)
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Post by t0mahawk on Feb 14, 2007 15:24:29 GMT -5
This is a bit cheeky - how can I output to a .txt file, or isn't possible yet?
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Post by Kaimontfendo on Feb 14, 2007 21:53:29 GMT -5
So, the new version should work just fine with all the characters I've already built in the earlier one? And there's still no way to export characters to a text file? Seriously, that one of the main features I'm waiting for.
Very nice work. Keep it up.
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Post by Stain on Feb 15, 2007 11:20:22 GMT -5
The program will automatically convert your previous saves to the new version when you open them. Normally a newer version wouldn't necessarily require a conversion, but I've slightly modified the structure of the *.cha file this time. I've tested the conversion component extensively and it should work fine. To be safe, you should always back up your saves first (but I don't anticipate any problems).
Also, the new version will overwrite any changes you've made to the database. I'm sorry if this causes any inconveniences, but I'm working on a feature that will fix this problem.
Finally, I plan on releasing the printing feature with the database revisions. Would you also find it useful to output to a *.txt file? That wouldn't be too difficult to do. I'm hoping to release all these major upgrades in a "1.1" release. It could take a while as some will require extensive revisions; that's why I went ahead a released this update to fix a few things.
Thanks for the input and suggestions! Keep 'em coming!
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Post by Neros on Feb 15, 2007 18:53:01 GMT -5
YEA!! The program works for me... Great work man Some Features which seem to be missing (or some things i miss), and a single "error": * Personalized Actions * Personalized Modifiers * Personalized Challenges * Pirvat Investigation... Spelling Error i guess
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Post by Kaimontfendo on Feb 15, 2007 19:57:11 GMT -5
Alright. Another compatibility question. How does the new version handle characters who have actions I added to the database myself?
Oh, and output to a *.txt file? I can totally get behind that idea! One of the things I find a tad annoying about the program is how it doesn't display all the specialties, options and so on that a character has (not without a fair bit of mouse-clicking, anyway) and the ability to export the data to a text file would be very helpful. I know you said it shouldn't be too difficult, but I would guess that getting it to display Powered Armor and Transforming characters could be difficult.
If I still understood anything about Visual Basic, I'd offer to help. But right now, I can't even build a working program.
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Post by Stain on Feb 15, 2007 20:13:44 GMT -5
Unfortunately, it will not display any Actions you added to the database since that Action would no longer exist. The tag for the Action will still exist in the character save, so if you add your custom Actions, in theory, the same order as you added them, they may show up when you load the character. Regretfully, this is a big problem that I didn't anticipate. This is mainly because I didn't anticipate A) Corrections to the database B) Extensive Customizations by the end-user. The next release will implement a new feature (Similar to Morrowind & Oblivion) whereas all your customizations are saved as seperate "mods" that are loaded with the main database. Changes are never saved to the database, but are instead saved as selectable mods. A nice thing about this is that then we can trade customizations on the boards with mod files without the danger of damaging the database. I apologize if this doesn't make sense. It's gonna work, just be patient.
Here is a workaround to preserve customizations. Before you install, use the "Backup" button in the data editor and save your custom database with another name. After installing the new version, 'Restore" your backup and it should preserve all your customizations.
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Post by kxjubilee on Feb 15, 2007 23:59:15 GMT -5
Actually I was going to suggest something like that. There is a Shadowrun Character Generator that allows you to edit database and allows you to make a custom database.
Also I should note that you did leave off some of the energy weapons for power armor like Pulse Beam. I was working on converting a few of my characters that don't have special rules being used. I do how ever like the idea of having the ability to produce custom databases with different house rules. I also would like to see maybe a separate section where you can buy goods that may not play a large role in the game but cost money like houses and roller blades. Maybe it is because I play shadowrun but I highly value these items.
All in all I like what this is shaping up to so far and I noticed that you have a program to edit the database so maybe once you get that to save you can force it to save into a new file and ask the player what database they would like to use. Also I know I would find it helpful if there is a option added where people can add descriptions on powers and options so that way thous of use like me, who are still learning about the game can see what people agree on what the powers do. It is just an idea but I really like the idea of being able to use custom databases but I think saving the entire database with additions and changes would be a good idea.
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Post by Kaimontfendo on Feb 16, 2007 0:29:10 GMT -5
Before you install, use the "Backup" button in the data editor and save your custom database with another name. After installing the new version, 'Restore" your backup and it should preserve all your customizations. Are there any known side-effects of that? I mean, that would pull out all the fixes you made to the database. Right? How majorly overhauled was the database, anyway? Could I easily backup my database, install the new version, restore my backup, and then duplicate any changes you made to the database? (I'm probably getting back into that confusing wording trap again. Sorry.)
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Post by Stain on Feb 16, 2007 14:29:04 GMT -5
Also I know I would find it helpful if there is a option added where people can add descriptions on powers and options so that way thous of use like me, who are still learning about the game can see what people agree on what the powers do. Thanks for the great ideas and suggestions! I may add a feature later on that converts dollars into Stones. I purposely strayed away from this simply because it's pretty subjective and requires the GM's discretion. It's certainly a useful feature that I might add later. As far as the descriptions go, you can do that on the character side of things, but I purposely didn't allow it in the database for copyright reasons. It would be impossible for me to police abuse (especially if we're trading around mods). I'm sorry, but I just don't see a way around it right now - not to say that I won't figure something out later. Are there any known side-effects of that? I mean, that would pull out all the fixes you made to the database. Right? How majorly overhauled was the database, anyway? Could I easily backup my database, install the new version, restore my backup, and then duplicate any changes you made to the database? (I'm probably getting back into that confusing wording trap again. Sorry.) Yes, you are correct! I'm guessing you probably went through and corrected a lot of things already, so my updated database would be redundant to the work you've already done. Doing the backup/restore workaround would be safe in your case. Also, no conversions are necessary for the database. Saying that, I must warn you that the database will be handled very differently in the next release. In fact, I'm not sure yet if I'll even be able to preserve any customizations. This is an unfortunate circumstance that I would like to avoid. It can probably be done, but it will require some thought on my part. I love a good challenge! There may be some "growing pains" along the way, but please be patient. I assure you that the next release will be worth it!
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Post by swsquall on Feb 19, 2007 10:55:18 GMT -5
Just wanted to let you know I ran this through my ringer (AKA I did everything and anything I could to crash it) as well as ran through it. Diagnosis.
Crash Factor: 0/5 I did everything, and I mean everything, I could to crash this thing (even ran it in Safe Mode?!) and I couldn't. I slowe dit down some, but didn't crash it.
Usefulness: 5/5 Holy crap. I finally don't have to write a ton of crap on paper and then painstakingly transfer it to word. The only thing I could think of that could be improved would be if you had, as a Save As option, the ability to save as a .txt or .doc file.
All in all, 5/5. Please let me test the next thing you turn out. I'll gladly be a guinea pig.
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Post by minotaursrage on Feb 19, 2007 14:20:02 GMT -5
it's strange...I am unable to download the file...it redirects me to a "did you mean ____" page
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Post by Stain on Feb 19, 2007 14:27:01 GMT -5
Check your browser settings...something has likely intercepted your request and redirected you somewhere else. Possible causes are:
Spyware/Adware (most likely) DNS Misconfiguration (unlikely)
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Post by Stain on Feb 20, 2007 15:47:06 GMT -5
All in all, 5/5. Please let me test the next thing you turn out. I'll gladly be a guinea pig. Hey, thanks for the rigorous workout, swsquall. I appreciate it! You've given me a good idea...It might be beneficial to beta test the 1.1.0.0 release on a handful of selected people. There will be some major updates that may expose some undiscovered bugs. Anyone who is interested in being a beta tester should PM me. I'll let you know more then. KNOWN BUG: I just discovered a nasty little bug in the 1.0.12.0 release. Choosing a Fixed Action from the drop-down box will cause the program to crash. This one is really stupid and I can't believe I missed it. Thankfully it only affects one Action. It has been fixed for the 1.1.0.0 release.
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Post by Pope Mega Force on Mar 1, 2007 19:22:30 GMT -5
I found the one problem with it now that I can finally use it. You did make the common mistake. You can reduce actions below half cost. You CAN'T reduce them by more than half cost LEVEL. The book words it sloppily.
Edit: Also, the reducing it by half refers to after advantages have been put on. So a force field of 3 can be reduced by three cost levels before you have to stop.
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