Universe?

[Andrew Boulton]

Life's too short to get on the TML again.

Minor bugs:

- The first time I ran it, it crashed immediately, although it's been stable since
- I didn't install into the default directory (I already have a .../Universe), but Help expects to find its file there.

Wishes/suggestions:

- I hate the desktop icon! I've replaced it with http://www.cix.co.uk/~fubar/Traveller/sunburst2.ico
- It'd be nice to see borders on the universe dot map
- On sector/subsector views, show the names of the neighbouring sectors/subsectors around the edge of the map, and allow navigation by clicking on them
- On maps, use sans serif font for starports
- On maps, show hex numbers
- On big sector maps, show subsector grid
- On world details screen, include table showing travel times to orbit/10d/100d

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Andrew Boulton:
Life's too short to get on the TML again.

While I usually only read about 25% of the TML, connection time is a big problem for me right now. (Plus occassionally I have to connect via a mobile at speed=9.6!) Consequently I usually only get to read 1 or 2 CotI posts a day.

Minor bugs:

- The first time I ran it, it crashed immediately, although it's been stable since

That's currently under investigation. I've seen this twice now, both times when the program had just been installed on a machine for the first time. But as yet I haven't been able to consistantly reproduce it, so I have no real idea what causes it. (Actually, I haven't had much time lately ... I don't even know what continent I'll be living on next year ... so work on Universe will be slow for the next few months. But I am aware of this bug.)

- I didn't install into the default directory (I already have a .../Universe), but Help expects to find its file there.

Ah, okay, my bad. I'll add that to the to do list.

Wishes/suggestions:

- I hate the desktop icon! I've replaced it with http://www.cix.co.uk/~fubar/Traveller/sunburst2.ico

Hmmm ...

- It'd be nice to see borders on the universe dot map

That could be complicated. I'll have to look into the feasability of that.

- On sector/subsector views, show the names of the neighbouring sectors/subsectors around the edge of the map, and allow navigation by clicking on them

One of the design requirements was that everything had to fit an 800x600 display (with 'small' fonts). Consequently I'm short on space. I did try a compromise in the Navigate menu.

Hmmm ... I suppose I could have adjacent names as optional depending on detected display size ... Okay, added to list.

- On maps, use sans serif font for starports

I kind of linked the existing style, but I'll look into it.

- On maps, show hex numbers

Added to list as optional display option. In the meantime, you do have tooltips that pop up when you hover over a map hex.

- On big sector maps, show subsector grid

Added to list.

- On world details screen, include table showing travel times to orbit/10d/100d

The intent is for Release 2 to include system details (worlds, moons, their orbits, etc). Travel times to orbit/10d/100d and insystem between objects was going to be included then (for each object).


Regards PLST

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Will upgrades be free?

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Andrew Boulton:
Will upgrades be free?

Any release 1.x patches will be available as free downloads ... these will cover any major bug fixes and (probably) added support for MSDE (aka MS SQL Server) as an alternative to InterBase.

Most of the minor change requests will be rolled into release 2.x. Release 2.x will be available as a full retail version, and a cheaper upgrade version for those who already have release 1.x.

Regards PLST

 

[kaladorn]

Just got my copy from the Gnome Merchants...

Noticed an interesting asterisk on the box saying their were issues with my OS du Jour (XP). However, I didn't see any kind of further notation. Should I run the install? Of what nature are these issues? Cosmetic or the kind that will make me bemoan ever having installed? (Hopefully not as I really liked the look of it....)

Tom B
In Ottawa, CD in hand, with some Trepidation

 

[Falkayn]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
[QB]Noticed an interesting asterisk on the box saying their were issues with my OS du Jour (XP). However, I didn't see any kind of further notation. Should I run the install? Of what nature are these issues? Cosmetic or the kind that will make me bemoan ever having installed? (Hopefully not as I really liked the look of it....)

I helped do Beta testing and run it on Windows XP Pro with no major issues.

The support website says that there are some speed/performance issues with Windows XP if it runs System Restore. If you use fast user switching it must be installed by a member of the Administrator group or only the person that does the install can use it. <shrug> Neither of those were problems for me ...

 

[kaladorn]

Well, I installed it. It installed (as did Interbase and the driver). It starts okay. I can pop up a subsector and I can go into ref mode. But every time (I think it is this that causes it) I click on the nice subsector map, blammo - I get a windows pop up telling me the program has glitched and would I like to send a report..... so I don't seem to be able to keep it up and stably running. I've restarted the PC and that did nothing to address the issue.

So maybe I do have an example of a duplicable XP bug that is terminal

I'll gladly provide copies of the content of the windows error popup (the technical details with info about the various DLLs etc) if it helps. Having it just blow up all the time kinda reduces utility...

 

[kaladorn]

Seems to blow up sometimes just after start, so I guess it isn't subsector map specific.

XP Pro SP 1 plus some security patches running on a 2.4 GHz P-IV with a Radeon 9700 Pro.

I got Unhandled Win32 Exception when I fired up Dev Studio (when an error occured). Here's the short story

Unhandled exception at 0x76b426d7 in Universe.exe: 0xC0000094: Integer division by zero.

There is more than that in the full error dump, but that's the crux of the issue.

 

[Hemdian]

Hi Kaladorn

I don't get an opportunity to check CotI too often so I've only just seen your problems.

First things first: There are some general installation issues with InterBase ...

However, it doesn't sound like this is the case here. In addition to the beta testers I have run Universe on a laptop with WinXP Home and a desktop with WinXP Pro ... both upto date with all the MS patches, and both without incident. So whatever is causing this is something more specific. If you could contact me privately (ptrevor.trisen@zetnet.co.uk) with as much detail as you can I'll try and get to the bottom of this.

Regards PLST

 

[kaladorn]

I seem to have solved the problem.

I created a new DB using the manager, then imported the data from the sample universe into it (thus recreating the sample universe). Using this db file, I got no further crashes.

The author got back to me in a fairly prompt manner, responded to my e-mail, and I am going to try to assist in further diagnosis when my time permits.

And I recomend Universe - and sure hope that V2.0 sees the light of day. It has a huge potential. It is already a really good tool. It can aspire to being freakin' great, given some time.

I'll buy a V2.0 and for 12 UK pounds ($20 US?) you can't go wrong! Buy one for you and one for your friends! (No, I am not getting a kickback, I just like it a lot)

 

[Nightshade]

Okay, can someone inform me of how to actually purchase this software without living in the UK?

A purchase and download option is sorely needed.

 

[kaladorn]

In answer to Nightshade, I quote the author by his COTI sig from earlier in this thread:

(Note, I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and ordered from Gnome Trader using (I think) PayPal and the order arrived quickly and without incident)

Originally posted by Hemdian:

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.)

 

[Hemdian]

Quick update:

www.gnometrader.com have moved the Universe pages to "Recent Releases". The "Coming Soon" list is filled with other BITS items that they already have in stock (I hand delivered a crate from Andy Lilly in December).

For UK Gnometrader deals through Amazon, for non-UK Gnometrader deals with email and PayPal.

Regards PLST

 

[Nightshade]

Got my copy of Universe today.

"A complex relational database with which to organise and store your Traveller data, a graphical query and display tool with which to drill-down into and maintain your data, a bridge for sharing data with other Traveller utilities and programs, etc."
Not really sure what the "etc." above refers to.

At $30 US I'd expected a significant amount more. More user friendlyness, more error checking (errors that crash to desktop are a pain in the ass).

I'm not really sure what this program does that Galactic doesn't (besides display and print pretty maps).

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Nightshade:
At $30 US I'd expected a significant amount more. More user friendlyness, more error checking (errors that crash to desktop are a pain in the ass).

I'm not really sure what this program does that Galactic doesn't (besides display and print pretty maps).

As the author of Universe I am sorry you are disappointed in this program.

First: If you have experienced any errors or crashes please contact me and I will endeavour to resolve the problem.

Second: Release 1 was *intended* to be similar to Galactic. System generation and other features are planned for later releases. However, in the current version Universe has the following features that Galactic does not:

- In addition to basic notes (library data) both the players and the referee can store their own notes ... referee notes are kept hidden from the players.

- There is a basic level of data validation not present in other packages (no invalid characters in the UWP string, no invalid stars, etc).

- Invalid UWP code *combinations* are flagged (in the UWP Maint screen) but allowed. These combination checks take into account rules from the various CT Alien Modules.

- You can use SQL to perform complex searches of the data.

- In the system display screen additional implications of the UWP string are indicated, and the GURPS translation of CT data is also available.

Finally: The "pretty maps" are a major reason for this programs popularity.

Regards PLST

 

[Bartleby]

Just got my version of Universe today.

Having done a little net research I knew what to expect from a functional point of view.

I had some stability issues at first (it never seemed to run without crashing). The Win2K/XP fix seemed to do the trick. I haven't been able to break the thing yet (and I have tried).

After playing around for 45mins I have to say I am very happy with the product. Well worth the investment! Great work.