RE: [Arianne-general] Project Report (1st)

[SkyFlash <web...@ha...>]

> We have a:
> - 2D Client that doesn't compile or in case it compile it 
> won't run against 
> server.

Actually the 2dclient isnt far behind, I can make it work with the
current server in a few days. However, I think too we should drop it.


> - A poor Client Foundation mainly because the lack of 
> man-power to drive a 
> bigger test.

Actually, its a lot better than it was. We do have a decent framework
now, however its way too complicated, but that problem is everywhere in
the Arianne sources.


> - A TCP based internet IPv4 protocol.

Yeah please move it to UDP, I just didnt have the time. I simplified the
whole networking code up to the point that I was able to see what needs
to be changed, but I didnt have time for the change.


> - A server with small number of threads that used to have 
> support for MySQL 
> and XML database.

It still does. Both MySQL and XML database support are currently
working. I don't think we should drop the mysql support, unless you
never want to make the actual game use the databases. For logins, XML is
good enough, however we wont be able to have the server access XML for
game play, cause its so friggin slow. I think actually (seeing how Star
Wars Galaxies is done) that we do need to focus more on using mysql for
the whole game, cause the idea of having the whole world in memory is
not really working. At all.... :) Also, the single server for a zone
idea is not really working either.... but oh well.


> - A protocol that supported optionally secure login but that became 
> mandatory.

I removed all secure communications long ago. That means, I removed the
SSL comm from the server and client. The only secure thing that is left
is that the code passes MD5 or SHA hashes instead of plain language
passwords, thats what openssl is used for.


> - A good amount of XML Object files
> - XML Object Templates
> - A good amount of Music for the game
> - A sufficient amount of 3D objects for a basic world.

Yeah the base is set, and the XML stuff is coming along nicely. However,
we surely need the XML network comm, because the current code is damn
hard to debug across the network.


> - A HUGE! CVS repository that make HELL HARD for newcomers to 
> ever find 
> anything.

Well, it becomes clearer if you work with it for a day. Its really not
that bad, and if we remove the 2dclient too it becomes real easy.
However, I think we should remove some parts from the developers CVS,
like the DLL stuff, and provide it somewhere as a download in a zip
file. That means of course you wont be able to download the CVS and
compile it anymore.


> - Lack of documentation or really outdated one.

Well, as long as only one man is programming... lol. Anyway, I was going
to set the base code first and then write docs about it, then add a
better DOC base as things develop. Anyway, who has the time? :)


> - A basic RP system more or less outlined.
> - No collaborators ( The Infamous One Man Project! )
> - A non functional Website.
> - A great amount of people waiting for us to become with 
> something... I find 
> interesting the fact that we have around 1000 visit per day.

Lol... yeah


> - The secureness that C++ is the way to go.

Great.. :)


> - Totally outdated libraries.

Uh no, I updated to the newest libraries whereever I was able to. So we
actually use the newest libraries everywhere. That means, at the time
when I stopped coding...


> - A directory structure that has become too much (structure) 
> for too less 
> (code).

I still think the structure is good... lol.... however we do need more
code. :P


> - Lack of RPM packages constructios
> - Total lack of Linux support.

Yeah, due to lack of linux supporters currently. They are waiting
though.


> - Lots of wanna-help-nice-to-meet-you weekend-warriors - I 
> consider myself 
> the first one. :-(

Yup


> Ok, looks like things are really ugly.
> Things are really ugly :-D


Yeah they are, but the problem is mainly that we dont have the staffing
we need. Many software projects fail cause the code is getting trashy, I
dont think thats the case with Arianne. The code is actually not too bad
(got to say that cause I wrote most parts of the current code, mostly
based on Miguels of course. :P) The problem is that Arianne missed out
on refactoring for a long time, like the whole first 2 years or so, and
then when I started refactoring I kinda rewrote most parts. But most
software projects would have died after 2 years coding without
refactoring, so thats not a bad job Miguel. :P The code was just so damn
cluttered, and it was more a design analysis than real purposeful
coding. Oh well... check out the code, its much better now. :)

SkyFlash