1) Use the forum by setting up a special area (look a the full forum list and you'll see 3 special areas are already there).

2) Setup a seperate website, but have it on the CCN site also. Such as a christiancoders.com/kablooie. I would give access to a person to maintain and update that area.

3) Setup a file-sharing system so members of the area can send files, grab files, etc.

Any other ideas? To me this sounds doable, but difficult. I'm going to have to do some serious coding to get this to work...but I love a challenge

Before I start, though, let's get the ideas on the table for features and such.

Thanks!

-Krylar

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I was thinking just yesterday about an idea which I am not sure how you would impliment it.

You would start with a HOME PAGE which has the game outline.

The home page would have links to the different section of the game:
1. Introduction
2. Menu System
3. Main Game
4. Multiplayer Game
5. End Game Sequence

Then you could click on the INTRODUCTION link which would take you to a new page.

GAME INTRODUCTION: (Now there would be a list of what was needed)
NEEDED
1. MUSIC (mp3 - 20 seconds looping)
2. GAME GRAPHIC (bmp - 640x480 24bit)
3. VIDEO SEQUENCE (mpg - 10 seconds max)
4. FINAL SPLASH SCREEN (bmp - 640x480)
5. Intro Coding (basic) - to tie all media files together

On this page you could upload the media files, or click on the link to INTRO CODING.

INTRO CODING.
On this page you would have a textbox for people to submit their code, and on the page will be submitted code, and the final code that the Main Programmer has modified and chosen to use.
(This would make the code opensource, which will be great for others who wish to learn how to program, as well as making this concept game freeware)

What do you think?
This means that anyone could pick a section and then do some coding for it. If you are a beginner, you can do some easy coding, or if you are advanced, take the more challenging functions.
Then the Main Programmer then can use that code and modify it whatever language he wants to make the game in.

Hope this gives you ideas.

Revelator!

------------------

www.revelatorgames.com

anyway, my idea is somthing similar to source-forge, except a lot simpler, as the projects will be less, smaller, and wont require so much.

Each project gets its own folder on the system, in which you have 2 sub-folders: private and public. within these you would have some sub-folders, the main ones being "official" (in both of them).

All members of the project can upload files into private & public, and can submit "messages" explaining each one into the project as well. also, if you upload a file, you *must* upload an explaining .txt, so "madprof-patch-1.zip" & "madprof-patch-1.txt" would be uploaded.

the project admin(s) would be able to take whatever was in private & public, and make an "official" binary & source version, as single .zip files in the public/private "offical" folder. in the main (root) directory of the folder would be the website info, including an ftp link to the public folder, and links to any offical versions.

also two forums for each project, public & private, as before. everyone can access public, but only project members can access private.

the thing is that if there are no "rules" for how projects work, then it just turns into a complete rabble of files, READMEs, and other things.

So each time anyone uploads a file, they should post a message on the relevant forum, explaining what the file is for.
Back to "madprof-patch-1.zip", as an example:

contents of madprof-patch-1.zip:
-> /graphics/sprite1.bb
-> /gui/menu.bb
-> /config/menu.conf

contents of madprof-patch-1.txt:
author: MadProf
date: 10/7/01
official: 0.1
patches: none.

Fixes annoying bug where the sprite would
be able to move over the menu.
Also adds DEBUG codes into the menu system.

contents of message on private forum:

subject: madprof-patch-1.zip

text:

Fixes annoying bug where the sprite would
be able to move over the menu.
Also adds DEBUG codes into the menu system.

explanation:

the .zip file contians only the files which i have changed,
the .txt file contians info on what is changed, and shows from which official version & patches are needed for this one to work. This means that if patch A fixes one thing, but stops another from working, and patch B fixes the problem in patch A, but requires the changed made by patch A, it makes sense.
the message just tells everyone that the patch is there.

this system is similar to the way that open-source projects work, and how CVS (a very big, complicated system for this type of thing) also works (i think). however, this system *shouldnt* be *too* difficult, I hope, and allows everything that I can think needed for a project.

I can only think of a few little extra things, like within the private & public folders haveing "graphics", "source", "patchs", "config" etc.

This system may seem a little spartan, or "bare-bones"ish, but its designed for multi-programmer coding, rather than telling the world what they are doing! Also, all the files & things Revelator was talking about could be put in the public folder, with links on the main page.

MadProf

[This message has been edited by MadProf (edited April 03, 2001).]

1) I set up a site area for each project: ie. christiancoders.com/kantagh.

2) I set up a msgboard area for each project as well

3) I give admin privs to the person who's the project lead
a) Admin can add/remove members
b) Admin can add/remove file areas (ie. graphics,maps,exe,etc.)
c) Admin can add/remove info areas (ie. design,needs,etc.) Each area added will put a link in the left nav bar to that area. So, if you wanted to create an area called "news", a directory called "news" would show up and so would a link. Then you could edit the news page and put information in there. This would be 1-tier only!
d) Admin can update pages via forms. This will make it so the Admin can list all of the needed stuff, and when things are completed...they can edit it and say "completed by name...". Also allows for putting up designs info and all that.

4) Members have upload abilities
a) A form is presented that requests the following info:
*Name
*Password
*Area to upload to (drop down list...ie. graphics, maps, etc.)
*One line description (for list)
*Full description
*File (browsable select)
b) All file descriptions are then put in a list with a link for downloading. The file itself will be in the appropriate area directory.

Although this will be a bit challenging, I think it'll be easier in the long run because it should be straight forward for people using it. Anyone see anything I'm missing? What do you think of this proposed setup?

MP: Nope...I don't own the server :/ But it's a pretty good plan

Thanks!

-Krylar

------------------

as you dont own the server, and so cant create-users/chmod (unix command), could you have an "ownership" mysql table, for files? so if I upload a file, only I, or an admin, can delete it?

also, this "wizard" or whatever it is your talking about for uploading files, will the admin be able to edit it? i mean, if you have categorys "source/graphics/webpages" or similar, will the admin be able to add/subtact them, so an rpg could have "maps/anims/configs" as well?

your idea is a *lot* better than mine, as it allows the admin to set up the project my way, if they want, or another way, ditto.

err... do you have any "maximum web-space" things do you?

MadProf

But I do share MadProfs concern about how much space you have on a server. It wouldn't take too long before you have megabites of media files being uploaded for these new games.

Anyway, I would love to try and get a game created through this system. It would be an interesting experience.

Revelator!

------------------

www.revelatorgames.com

Of course, this is provided that noone hates the idea of doing a project open source style.

Phil

[This message has been edited by Phillip Martin (edited April 03, 2001).]

MadProf

-------
"Protecting the earth from the SPAM of the internet"

so we've got two votes for an open source project so far (keep in mind that open source doesn't necessarily mean a free product either), what is everyone elses take on teh subject (for those of you who are interested in the littl ejoiint project discussion going on)?

Phil

[This message has been edited by Phillip Martin (edited April 04, 2001).]

It's true that SourceForge already has a lot of this functionality (and more)...so if you guys would prefer to go that route, lemme know before I go off an work on this Benefits I see on the CCN side is to keep the community together and to keep folks moving around discussing games and Christianity in the boards.

Either way I'm still going to make it so folks can create their own sites on CCN (assuming disk space doesn't become an issue).

-Krylar

------------------

anyway, I'd like to work at a team-project. How we host it doesn't matter, really. the main thing is to have a forum, an ftp/upload space, some rules for using the ftp space, oh, and some members! If is hosted on CCN, it would be nice, but source-forge or even geocities would be useable. Source-forge is a bit over-complicated, and very slow to connect to, etc. I've also gone and forgotten my password.

I just want to get coding!

We have a few sketchy ideas around the plce, no real concrete of direction, me thinks that a shared repository for code and other assets is quite a ways off. I reckon whoever is involved in a project together can make do with emailing and ftping to each other for a short time until things become a bit more organised. That way, there is no pressure on krylar, no rush to make any big decisions, just discussion and work to sort out ideas, and get them down on paper/screen

A short term file upload/download space would be helpful, but I don't think it is necessary right now. But if you feel like doing it krylar, go for it, I'm sure it would be a fun thing to do by itself anyway

Phil

I'll get on to design work on this.

-Krylar

------------------

that works well IMHO, and sounds like a UNIX program (why i like it!)

i'll try and think of some witty pun sort of thing...

how about... just as a quickie...

KREEPER

(as in plant)

Krylars Really Excellent Extendable Project Exchange RAD

I know its not that brilliant, but it works Also "RAD" normally means somthing a little different, but it works, sort of.

MadProf

I'd like to make it more CCN specific than Krylar specific, but KREEPER DOES sound extremely cool!

CCPT--Christian Coders Project Tracker
CCNTracker

...not as flashy as KREEPER by any means, but it kinda keeps things in the CCN realm better.

-Krylar

------------------

Anyway, I do agree with Phil that there is no rush to get this open source project happening yet. We need to have some concrete designs.

How do other people do it. I am working on Zim Church. I am only using a wordprocessor in Outline mode and then listing the game up into it's smallest parts. Is that how you all do it when designing a game?

Just curious to see how others do it.

Revelator!

------------------

www.revelatorgames.com

MadProf

I don't mind others using it if it's not too ingrained into this site (in other words, if it's portable I'd be happy to share), but I'd like it to have a CCN branding so people know where it came from and thus they may visit here and learn about us and, more importantly, about Christ.

Rev: I think the best person to comment on how it's currently being done remotely is Mack. He's got an entire remote staff working on a title....how about it Mack?

-Krylar

------------------

If it is open-source, then you can specify that it *cannot* be distributed without the credits, which could enclude a link to CCN. Or if non-open, you could do the same.

besides, as i said, it *is* your program, and as you are part of CCN, people (if they like/use your software) will want to see your homepage/workspace to see what other programs/software you have.

besides, when all said and done, the name of the product isnt going to be the most important part of the project ... and at most people are going to say "wowsa! what a cool name!!" or somthing, not exactly as if their going to look at the name and become a christain immediatly (well... they might God does have a sense of humor, after all... ).

MadProf