A new update on *DBL's 2.0 progress:
The database has been optimizied during the last week and is now running properly in MySQL. Unfortunaly my host still uses MySQL 4.1 and not the latest 5.1 release, which has many useful features I was used to from PostegreSQL(university). Beside that the database is huge although reduced to the minimum. The framework and database design is easily extendable. It should be no problem to add the *DAMN main news, Mac Downloads and all other parts from the *DAMN page at a later time.
Beside setting up the MySQL database, which was alone over 1100 lines of code, I created an own module for a trackback service and easy clan and player URLs. Instead of
www.damnr6.com/index?module=player&id?XY you will be able to use URLs like player.damnr6.com/XY/ or clan.damnr6.com/XY which directly brings you to your clan or player website.
The module could also be used to create a tinyurl.damnr6.com service if requested.
While I was typing the SQL code I asked myself if some planned features will be used at all? May you can help me and post what you think about the following features:
InstantCB List - The InstantCB List can be used to post pickup cbs. You post the game, ladder, size etc. Other clans can view all InstantCbs in a list, like GameRanger., You can enter view each entry of the list and post questions like in the forum and/or accept the InstantCb. Then you exchange IPs or start playing in GameRanger. The room is open as long as you are online at the page and auto_closes if you haven't been active for a few minutes. This feature should help you to get some cbs going if you are online, especially if the game isn't playable in GameRanger.
Its a bit like the .cb tag we used some time ago in GameRanger to indicate that you wanna cb and are online, but now you could sort such offers by game, ladder and size without asking each player.
Would you use such a feature or do you think that it is unnecesary?ServerIP List: with games like AA, or TCE, that only use a server list it is often difficult to find players or clan servers. You can post your server IP address, or URL, the game you host, if it is a 24/7 server and some resistrictions.
If a server is offline, just report it and after a few other user confirm your report the entry will be deleted.
The board could be used if you are playing crossplattform, or if you just wanna make your server accessable to *DBL Users.
The same question as above:
Would you use such a feature or is it unnecesary?So far an update about the*DBL 2.0 development.
This week I gonna create groups that will take care about new games/settings etc so you and the admins can work out a good start setup.
For myself I gonna work on the player module, design and also fill the database with some required setup data.
Bye,
Mauti
