[Rails-devel] Starting on a client/server

[brett l. <wak...@gm...>]

I just wanted to send a quick update to the list on new developments.

I've decided to get started on a client/server version of Rails. It's
been far too long since I actively wrote code, and I feel like I
should be more actively developing Rails.

I've been giving it some thought, and I think the best approach is to
write a new architecture (mostly) from the ground up, rather than
migrating our existing code into a client/server paradigm.

There are several reasons why I want to incorporate refactoring the
code into adding such a major new feature. One of the primary reasons
is that it will give me a chance to revisit the UI, the hex drawing
code, and many other areas of the codebase, and look at these things
with a fresh perspective. It's also a chance to clean up and organize
the code in ways that are difficult currently.

One thing that I want to make perfectly clear. I'm absolutely not
throwing out our existing code.

What I _am_ doing is starting from a new, empty project directory on
my workstation, writing a basic client and server, then slowly moving
our existing code in, one piece at a time. During this process, I'll
be cleaning up many areas of the code, and rewriting a couple of
things from scratch.

As soon as I have a basic framework, I'll publish a new module into
CVS so that everyone can jump in and help get network play fully
functioning.


---Brett.