[RandomTiger]

Hello there. I still have not got direct access to the internet and dont intend to get it back any time soon. Sadly what I wanted to show you I forgot to put on my floppy disc and it doesnt seem to be working in this drive anyway. Doh.

If this is old news Im sorry, Im a bit out of touch.
Anyway before I went away I took a copy of the Icculus project despite the fact I dont have Linux. I had a look over it and managed to figure out the bits they changed to get the code working with the demo data.

While this is still under a different compile flag (FS2_DEMO) its a good start and when I applied it to a fresh copy of the PC code it seemed to work OK on a release build however running in debug it wouldnt let me get so far. Asserts etc.

I'll post the needed code changes as soon as I can. However its quite simple so if you want feel free to get it done before then. Windiff is a great thing.

Anyone who doesnt realise the significance of having the code work with the demo should think about distribution issues. Its getting hard to find a copy of FS2 and thats bad news for our comunity, this looks to be the solution.

Its unlikely I wil continue working on this as I have other things I want to get into with the code so heres an idea of how to proceed if anyone wants to take up this job. I suggest using a branch.

Step 1: Get demo data working to same level I have. Release build seperate compile flag working.
Step 2: Get working with debug release
Step 3: Resolve other DEMO issues like lower limit, no asteroid code etc
Step 4: Have a dynamic detection system that allows use of full or demo data (or both) using same exe (difficult probably).

If no-one is interesting in picking up this job I would consider it if I was given a branch of my own to protect me from continuing developement.

Also I had a go at reducing loading times by setting up textures not to unload and reload between missions if they are still needed. Either I did something wrong or its just not that effective because it doesnt seem to have much effect on loading time even if you reload the same level. Might be better if more of the game textures are pre-chached.

So thats what I've been doing, my life has calmed down somewhat now and I actually have some free time. I also recently got a new joystick to replace my old one I broke. Its much better and I played my way through FS2 all day yesterday from beginning to end. Damn, its still great.

So its likely I'll keep coding on FS2 related stuff and I'll keep you guys informed of anythig cool I find out.

Bye for now again, have a good new year everyone

[GT-Keravnos]

I am just a noob here, and with a lot to learn, but I have watched you making this game work with DX 8.0 and all the other stuff and thus I am awed by what you have done.

If I may say so, you still have the bug (that FS2 is to those who can appreciate it)

However, due to the hard work and the long hours you spent on it, you burnt out. It is quite logical, and you should take it easy, as apparently you are.

I can appreciate what turning DEMO to FREE FULL VERSION exe could mean, and I must say that you should indeed start working at that, whenever you feel like it, and at the rate you deem sufficient. No one is rushing you, or anything.

If later, you feel like it, well, you can always return, as there are nothing but praises for you around here!

I have a feeling we will all be here for a LONG time.

Right now there are 997 in the list. We are close to breaking 1000. Just think what the number would be if you could make that demo breakthough. Thanks, again.

[RandomTiger]

Thanks for the support  GT-Keravnos. And for any coders out there heres a cvs diff fle for you.

Looking at this in combination with the linux code and fs2_open you can have the demo data working in release.

Code: [Select]


Index: fs2_src/code/FREESPACE2/FreeSpace.cpp
===================================================================
RCS file: C:\projects\Freespace\fs2_tom\cvsroot/fs2_src/code/FREESPACE2/FreeSpace.cpp,v
retrieving revision 1.4
diff -r1.4 FreeSpace.cpp
8059a8048,8053
>
> #ifdef FS2_DEMO
> int Game_ships_tbl_checksums[NUM_SHIPS_TBL_CHECKSUMS] = {
> 1696074201,
> };
> #else
8069a8064
> #endif
8126a8122,8127
>
> #ifdef FS2_DEMO
> int Game_weapons_tbl_checksums[NUM_WEAPONS_TBL_CHECKSUMS] = {
> -266420030,
> };
> #else
8136a8138
> #endif
Index: fs2_src/code/MenuUI/MainHallMenu.cpp
===================================================================
RCS file: C:\projects\Freespace\fs2_tom\cvsroot/fs2_src/code/MenuUI/MainHallMenu.cpp,v
retrieving revision 1.3
diff -r1.3 MainHallMenu.cpp
1963a1964,1965
>
> #ifndef FS2_DEMO
1965a1968
> #endif
Index: fs2_src/code/MissionUI/MissionWeaponChoice.cpp
===================================================================
RCS file: C:\projects\Freespace\fs2_tom\cvsroot/fs2_src/code/MissionUI/MissionWeaponChoice.cpp,v
retrieving revision 1.1.1.1
diff -r1.1.1.1 MissionWeaponChoice.cpp
1202a1203,1204
> #ifndef FS2_DEMO
> // Disable check for demo since it doesnt have "$Allowed Dogfight PBanks"
1206c1208,1210
< } else if (weapon_flags & (1 << 0))
---
> } else
> #endif
> if (weapon_flags & (1 << 0))
Index: fs2_src/code/Stats/Medals.cpp
===================================================================
RCS file: C:\projects\Freespace\fs2_tom\cvsroot/fs2_src/code/Stats/Medals.cpp,v
retrieving revision 1.1.1.1
diff -r1.1.1.1 Medals.cpp
192a193
> #ifndef FS2_DEMO
194a196
> #endif
212a215
> #ifndef FS2_DEMO
214a218
> #endif
342a347,354
> #ifdef FS2_DEMO
> #pragma message( "Using FS2 DEMO medal table hack" )
> required_string("$Wavefile 1:");
> stuff_string(Badge_info[bi].voice_base, F_NAME, NULL, MAX_FILENAME_LEN);
> required_string("$Wavefile 2:");
> stuff_string(Badge_info[bi].voice_base, F_NAME, NULL, MAX_FILENAME_LEN);
> #else
>
344a357
> #endif
Index: fs2_src/code/Weapon/Weapons.cpp
===================================================================
RCS file: C:\projects\Freespace\fs2_tom\cvsroot/fs2_src/code/Weapon/Weapons.cpp,v
retrieving revision 1.2
diff -r1.2 Weapons.cpp
1441c1441
<
---
> #ifndef FS2_DEMO
1444c1444
<
---
> #endif


[Inquisitor]

Even from beyond, he contributes

[dkharrat]

Hello,

I don't mind taking the job. I'd be more than happy to work on it.

First of all, I'm a new member of this forum and I don't know much of what's going around. However, I have been working on freespace2 personally and learned a lot from it. I was very surprised and excited to see the achievements performed when I found the fs2_open project here.

Besides freespace 2, I've been working on a personal project (3d space game) before I even knew about freespace 2 and its source code. It can be checked out in: http://www.geocities.com/astral_encounters

[Inquisitor]

Shoot me an email.

[Fury]

Demo is good for those who are restricting to dial-up.
But because FS2 can be freely given to a friend, all broadband users will most likely download the full version.

What the heck. Proceed.

[RandomTiger]

Originally posted by dkharrat
Hello,

I don't mind taking the job. I'd be more than happy to work on it.

Good man, give me an e-mail and I'll see if I can dig up some stuff to make it easier (ie complete code). Also I suggest getting in contact with the linux boys who put together that code originally.


And this would be a good opertunity to use the tester list as well.
It would be cool if you kept your progress documented on these board so outsiders like me can keep track of it.

Originally posted by Mr. Fury
But because FS2 can be freely given to a

Can we have official confirmation of this?
Still I think having the demo working is a good side project just incase anything crazy happens.

[Inquisitor]

I am trading emails with him. Is that official enough?

And Mr. Fury: What;s this about freely distributing FS2? Last I checked, that was a no-no.

[Fury]

From the FreeSpace 2 License Agreement
You may make copies of the Software for your personal noncommercial home entertainment use and to give to friends and acquaintances on a no cost noncommercial basis.

According to that, you can give it to a friend as long as he/she does not pay for the copy.

If lawyer-guys have said something afterwards then it is another thing entirely, but I am not aware of such.

[Inquisitor]

That's pretty funny. I completely missed that part of the license agreement.

There is probably a clause in there that says "we can update this at any time" though, so I am sure the "real" agreement takes warez into account.

But that is a fascinating catch, Mr Fury.

[Fury]

Originally posted by Inquisitor
But that is a fascinating catch, Mr Fury.

I can't take credit for this catch.

[kasperl]

but AFAIK, the license agreement says that you have to copy ALL 3 DISKS, thats a lot of data, and that's a lot of downlaoding. and it also says to friends, family and acqautances, but nothing about a public downoad, i'm afraid. so you would only be able to send the iso's to people who you know, or at least, those who ask for it.
perhaps you should talk to :V: about this and ask if you can just send out the data, not they're missions and campaign. but i really doubt if that will work

[Inquisitor]

Well, when the released the source, they were pretty explicit. Redistributing game data is prohibited. So, no public downloads. Someone would get in a bit of hot water for that.

I'm just surprised that that clause is in the EULA If someone wants to pony up a lawyer and challenge it in court, be my guest, but do so at your own risk

Seriously, they have released things that supercede the written, boxed EULA. That's the problem with EULA's you can pretty much change them at your discretion and the rest of the world be damned!



Anyway, we're gonna get demo data working again.