Universe?

robject · Oct 19, 2003

Yah, MySQL isn't one's choice for a full-function database. It works okay, though. It's what I've been hacking with lately.

I figure PostgreSQL is a stronger DB. Not sure how much stronger -- except it's got rollbacks or something like that. Much more recoverable than MySQL. That's what I've heard anyway.

Of course, Oracle or DB2 are the Big Boys.

Hemdian · Oct 20, 2003

Originally posted by kaladorn:
Is it Universe that's using the Borland Powerbase (I think that's it) db? (I think we had a conversation at one point about DB Triggers being missing in mySQL)

Universe was developed to use InterBase (by Borland). One of my beta testers reported it also works with Firebird (not surprisingly as Firebird was branched from InterBase). And I'm tinkering with including support for MS SQL Server 7 (aka MSDE 1.0). At a later stage I might even include support for Oracle. Universe was designed internally to allow flexibility in this area.

Regards PLST

tjoneslo · Oct 20, 2003

Originally posted by Hemdian:
At a later stage I might even include support for Oracle. Universe was designed internally to allow flexibility in this area.

Regards PLST

I've looked through the DB schema you are using, and a port to Oracle would be a relatively trivial matter.

kaladorn · Oct 20, 2003

I was thinking of a feature I'd *really* like to see (and it'd be relatively easy to code) in these software tools.

Given that they produce maps, and Universe produces (IMO) quite beautiful ones, I'd love to see them create an image map file (or at least a vertex list) to go with them.

Here is an example:

<blockquote>code:<hr /><pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: monospace;"><html>
<head>
<title>
Image Map Test
</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Spinward Marches Sector</h1>

<map name="TestMap">
<area href="sm_1511_tionale.html" shape="polygon" coords="601,480, 630,480, 643,504, 630,528, 601,528, 589,504, 601,480">
<area href="sm_1711_extolay.html" shape="polygon" coords="686,480, 714,480, 727,504, 714,528, 686,528, 674,504, 686,480">
<area href="sm_1910_regina.html" shape="polygon" coords="770,432, 799,432, 811,456, 799,480, 770,480, 758,456, 770,432">
</map>
<img border="0" src="sm.gif" usemap="#TestMap">

</body>
</html> </pre>[/QUOTE]This is only partial, and relies upon the particular map image in question.

What does this do? It essentially makes each hex a 'hotspot' on the image. What's it for? If you ever want to post your sector designs or detail your campaign area on the web (even if it is only an intranet for your players), this is phenominally useful - the ability to have a map hex link to another set of html pages is huge.

What's the stopper? Well, doing it manually, as I have done, means using an image editor to locate the six vertices of the system hex. ARGH! (If you try it for a sector, you'll see why ARGH!)

Yet each and evey utility that draws these must locate the points in order to draw the GIF or JPEG in the first place! If they'd then export the vertex list (or better yet, be unlazy enough to spend the extra few lines on making a working image map), that would be a huge asset.

Note the format I took above for naming the subpages (if you wanted to generate skeletal subpages for a sector, that would be easy too...) - "sector name" underscore "hex location" underscore "system name". (Again, all things the software knows).

Is something like this feasible? It'd be a great asset for web-ifying one's universe development.

Hemdian · Oct 23, 2003

Originally posted by kaladorn:
Given that they produce maps, and Universe produces (IMO) quite beautiful ones, I'd love to see them create an image map file (or at least a vertex list) to go with them.

<snip>

Is something like this feasible? It'd be a great asset for web-ifying one's universe development.

The way the program is coded this should be relatively easy to add for both sector and subsector maps. In fact, if I have time, I may put this out as a patch later this year, rather than make people wait for Release 2.

Regards PLST

Hemdian · Oct 23, 2003

Originally posted by tjoneslo:
I've looked through the DB schema you are using, and a port to Oracle would be a relatively trivial matter.

By design. I've tried to keep everything as standard as possible for just this reason.

(Note that the ER diagram and SQL scripts on the website are a minor version out of date. I'll be updating it at the end of ext week.)

Regards PLST

Hemdian · Oct 23, 2003

Just to keep everyone here in the loop: I now have agreement in principle for Universe to be sold internationally via Gnometrader (in addition to the BITS stand at conventions). Unfortuneately for the past week Andy and I have been playing telephone tag with each others answer machines, otherwise this would be a done deal by now. Expect an anouncement on the Gnometrader website this weekend and sales to start by next weekend.

Regards PLST

kaladorn · Oct 23, 2003

I know this isn't a commercial ad site, but would you mind terribly posting an update at least to this thread once things are ' a go '. (maybe, as an assist, an URL for gnome trader so people don't have to demonstrate their Google-fu also).

This is of general interest to this community, so I'm sure it would be acceptable. (Just 'Yes, it's now a go, you can get Universe on CD here - URL)

tjoneslo · Oct 23, 2003

Originally posted by Hemdian:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by tjoneslo:
I've looked through the DB schema you are using, and a port to Oracle would be a relatively trivial matter.

By design. I've tried to keep everything as standard as possible for just this reason.
Regards PLST [/QUOTE]Let me caveat that. After completing a major SQLServer-> Oracle VB port, the difficult part wasn't the database. It was making sure the SQL statments in the code were acceptable to the DB. And this is where it can bite hard.

That and getting the ODBC drivers to work for the Oracle database properly.

kaladorn · Oct 24, 2003

As somebody who helped re-engineer some DB related network software and refit a POS system running across Canada with newer tech, yes, you've hit it right on the head.

Oracle has a lot of funky SQL support that is....kinda unique. And most DB's have their own twists. And sometimes going A to B is... fugly.

And don't even talk to me about the damned ODBC drivers... how many of those did we try? (and JDBC as another joy).

If you stick to vanilla SQL, it's usually *mostly* portable...

EvilDrGanymede · Oct 31, 2003

Any update on when Universe will be available yet?

Hemdian · Nov 1, 2003

Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede:
Any update on when Universe will be available yet?

Now finalised the last of the contractual details with Andy Lilly (BITS), production delayed slightly due to local shop not having *printable* blank CDs in stock (apparently their supplier has gone bust). Found alternative source on net ... should deliver materials on Monday.

Therefore: Production on Mon/Tue, ship to Gnometrader on Wed, arrives Thu, then Gnometrader/Amazon websites updated. If everything else goes without a hitch then I'd guess Friday.

(I know the sourcing of blank CDs issue sounds lame but I've had domestic issues to take care of.)

Regards PLST

EvilDrGanymede · Nov 1, 2003

Cool. Any idea how much it'll cost to buy? And any plans to make it available as a download?

Hemdian · Nov 2, 2003

Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede:
Cool. Any idea how much it'll cost to buy? And any plans to make it available as a download?

RRP is £11.99 plus P&P ... separate P&P rates for UK, rest of Europe, and North America. A download feature was not available for general use (only the beta testers), but any patches to the current release will be downloadable if and when they are produced.

Regards PLST

EvilDrGanymede · Nov 2, 2003

Originally posted by Hemdian:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede:
Cool. Any idea how much it'll cost to buy? And any plans to make it available as a download?

RRP is £11.99 plus P&P ... separate P&P rates for UK, rest of Europe, and North America. A download feature was not available for general use (only the beta testers), but any patches to the current release will be downloadable if and when they are produced.
[/QUOTE]Well, postage is kinda screwed in the UK what with this stupid postal strike... I suspect the postage to where I am (Vancouver Island) would probably be about as much as the CD itself, and I'd have to wait forever for it

. Hence why I was asking about downloads.

How big is the actual program? Does it actually fill the CD completely, or is it only about 10 MB?

Hemdian · Nov 3, 2003

Originally posted by Evil Dr Ganymede:
Well, postage is kinda screwed in the UK what with this stupid postal strike... I suspect the postage to where I am (Vancouver Island) would probably be about as much as the CD itself, and I'd have to wait forever for it . Hence why I was asking about downloads.

How big is the actual program? Does it actually fill the CD completely, or is it only about 10 MB?

Well it looks like the strike is over (but with three weeks to clear the backlog). If worst comes to worst then it should be on the BITS stand at Dragonmeet (London, December) and I may emigrate to Victoria/Canada in March (if you are near there).

As to the size, I don't have it in front of me at the moment but I think with all the componants (main program, maintenance utility, RDBMS, ODBC driver, sample database, etc) its closer to 30Mb.

Regards PLST

FrancoisUldry · Nov 10, 2003

Originally posted by Hemdian:
As to the size, I don't have it in front of me at the moment but I think with all the componants (main program, maintenance utility, RDBMS, ODBC driver, sample database, etc) its closer to 30Mb.

Regards PLST [/QB]

Actually not that big. A download with a link toward paypal for payment would be better for quick delvery in my eyes

I really dont get why you keep getting to brick and mortar shops ?

Anyway, let's hope we can get it quickly.
Francois

Hemdian · Nov 12, 2003

Originally posted by kaladorn:
I know this isn't a commercial ad site, but would you mind terribly posting an update at least to this thread once things are ' a go '. (maybe, as an assist, an URL for gnome trader so people don't have to demonstrate their Google-fu also).

This is of general interest to this community, so I'm sure it would be acceptable. (Just 'Yes, it's now a go, you can get Universe on CD here - URL)

Assuming this is okay (no one voiced any dissention to your suggestion) ...

Yes, it's now a go, you can get Universe on CD here - www.gnometrader.com ... look at 'Coming Soon' and pick the appropriate version for your location. (I know, I know, it should have been moved into the 'Recent Releases' section.)

Please note: Sales are completed via Amazon and some people have experienced problems with non-UK orders. If you try to place a non-UK order but experience problems please email robert@gnometrader.com and he will organise an alternative payment via PayPal.

Regards PLST

Andrew Boulton · Nov 24, 2003

Finally got my grubby little mits on a copy. Is this a good place to discuss bugs, wish-lists, etc?

Hemdian · Nov 27, 2003

Originally posted by Andrew Boulton:
Finally got my grubby little mits on a copy. Is this a good place to discuss bugs, wish-lists, etc?

My preference would be for the TML (my online time is very limited) but I do check CotI from time to time.

Regards PLST

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