[RandomTiger]

I'm hopefully going to make up a new version of the launcher for fs2_open soon. So if anyone has any problems with the launcher now is a good time to say so and I can look into it.

I need Ed/an fs2_open coder to answer two questions:

1. Is the launcher code in cvs?
2. Has the launcher code been changed by anyone since I gave it to you guys?

Bugs:

I have taken a note of the two remaining fairly trivial bugs in bugzilla and will fix them if I have time. I also intend to fix ViRGE's rather more pressing problem (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,15890.0.html) that he is helping me lock down.

In addition I will include the launcher speech options.

Any thoughts?

[vyper]

Launcher sets devices to things like "Direct3D8" but this means when fs2 open is launched, I get an error "Failed to create device". However, if I remove the offending entry from the registry, run the old launcher then use the built in options from fs2_open, things run fine in dx8.

And yes, its bugzilla'd.

[karajorma]

Not a problem so much as a request. Can we choose the -mod folder via a requestor rather than by having to type it in?
 Typing intorduces the possibility of spelling errors etc which then mean you have to quit out of FS2_open and run it again (not to mention having to look for rogue Data folders).

EDIT : I was going to correct the spelling error but then I decided how nicely it illustrated my point and decided to leave it

[KARMA]

ehy the mod option is a nice idea:yes:

[phreak]

i'm going to take a look at it to get some opengl stuff in it.

[RandomTiger]

ViRGE: Check your mail, hopefully I’ve sent you something approaching a fix.

Vyper: Did you file it under the launcher section? Give me the bug number and e-mail me and I’ll look into it for you if you’re willing to try test exe’s etc.

karajorma: Please elaborate on what *exactly* you want with examples if possible. Is what you want a pre-set parameter name for each mod? If so compile a list for me and I’ll try and squeeze it into the interface or perhaps just create a mod’s tab.

PhReAk: I deliberately set aside an OGL section for you that DX8 shouldn’t interfere with. Give me an e-mail and tell me what you want to do and I'll see if I can give any help.

[Anaz]

RT, can't you use some of the windows API functions to query a directory for subdirectories? then they could be picked from a list?

[karajorma]

Originally posted by RandomTiger
Please elaborate on what *exactly* you want with examples if possible. Is what you want a pre-set parameter name for each mod? If so compile a list for me and I’ll try and squeeze it into the interface or perhaps just create a mod’s tab.

Basically what I'm asking for is that -mod no longer has to be entered as command line option into the Custom section (although of course you can if you want to ).

Instead you have a button marked -mod. Press the button and a file requestor opens up (defaulting to your Freespace 2 directory of course). All you then have to do is pick the directory that your mod is in.  The launcher then automatically passes that to FS2_open for you.

Much easier to use and it really shouldn't be that hard to code either

[Woolie Wool]

I want to see FS2 in software mode just for the hell of it.

[IceFire]

Originally posted by Woolie Wool
I want to see FS2 in software mode just for the hell of it.

Bah pointless

[RandomTiger]

Originally posted by karajorma

Instead you have a button marked -mod. Press the button and a file requestor opens up (defaulting to your Freespace 2 directory of course). All you then have to do is pick the directory that your mod is in.  The launcher then automatically passes that to FS2_open for you.

That simple so I take it the result is:

-mod

Is there anyway to verify if a chosen directory is a valid mod?
On the whole sounds like a quick job, I'll send you an exe if/when I get it done and you can test it.

[RandomTiger]

Originally posted by Woolie Wool
I want to see FS2 in software mode just for the hell of it.

Just load up fred for DD/software fs2

[karajorma]

Originally posted by RandomTiger


That simple so I take it the result is:

-mod

Is there anyway to verify if a chosen directory is a valid mod?
On the whole sounds like a quick job, I'll send you an exe if/when I get it done and you can test it.

Yep. You've got it.

I can't think of any simple way of check to see if the folder choosen is a valid mod but that's really a problem for the FS2_open.exe rather than the laucher anyway
 Besides apart from creating a new Data folder it shouldn't really cause that much of a problem if you make mistake.

[Goober5000]

Does the launcher now handle the registry keys properly?  I remember when I first installed the launcher not only could I not launch FS2_open with it, I couldn't launch retail FS2 either, even when I re-ran the retail launcher.  And when I hacked the registry to make it work, I could only run FS2 or FS2_open in 640x480 mode.

[KARMA]

another thing: could be possible to have a switch button to launch the original fs2?
i know it is stupid, but if the launcher will become a simple gui for dummies that will work as a mod manager, well this could be nice (with maybe the possibility to select between more than two versions of the exe, in case some mods will use specific fs2open versions).
I'm just thinking at how half life handle mods, you can launch each mod individually, but you also can launch the game and then in a simple way activate what you want to play.

[Woolie Wool]

Originally posted by RandomTiger


Just load up fred for DD/software fs2

I meant PLAYING it in sofrware (remember the FS1 demo, which had no hardware acceleration?).

[Woolie Wool]

Originally posted by KARMA
another thing: could be possible to have a switch button to launch the original fs2?
i know it is stupid, but if the launcher will become a simple gui for dummies that will work as a mod manager, well this could be nice (with maybe the possibility to select between more than two versions of the exe, in case some mods will use specific fs2open versions).
I'm just thinking at how half life handle mods, you can launch each mod individually, but you also can launch the game and then in a simple way activate what you want to play.

You get the option to choose your exe in the ORIGINAL launcher; they won't remove features.

[karajorma]

Originally posted by KARMA
another thing: could be possible to have a switch button to launch the original fs2?
i know it is stupid, but if the launcher will become a simple gui for dummies that will work as a mod manager, well this could be nice (with maybe the possibility to select between more than two versions of the exe, in case some mods will use specific fs2open versions).
I'm just thinking at how half life handle mods, you can launch each mod individually, but you also can launch the game and then in a simple way activate what you want to play.

Umm. Haven't you used the Launcher?

You can choose whatever .exe you want (you can even mistakenly choose FRED and launch that as I once did! )

[RandomTiger]

Originally posted by Goober5000
Does the launcher now handle the registry keys properly?  I remember when I first installed the launcher not only could I not launch FS2_open with it, I couldn't launch retail FS2 either, even when I re-ran the retail launcher.  And when I hacked the registry to make it work, I could only run FS2 or FS2_open in 640x480 mode.

I dont know, I didnt get direct feedback after I did it. So it probably will do exactly the same. Give me an e-mail with full details and I'll look into it.

Include details of this registry hack.

[Goober5000]

Oh, I don't even remember what happened. I'll just have to try it again.