rails-devel — List for discussion of Rails development

[Rails-devel] Nonmodal Message dialog

[Erik V. <eri...@xs...>]

I have added a new nonmodal MessageDialog, which is
now used to display server-generated messages after 
a player action. Not yet in other cases.

A few remarks on the nonmodal dialogs: 

1. All windows are now accessible when such a dialog
is displayed. I have not taken much effort yet to make
sure that all actions in those windows are disabled.
But be warned that doing anything else but answering the
dialog may wreak havoc to your game. To remind you,
the dialog will always stay on top anyway.

2. The layout is simpler, no icon is yet included, 
as it is in the previously (and still to some extent) 
used standard dialogs. Any beautification can come later.

3. The nonmodal dialogs will appear on a different, fixed
position (400,400). Not sure if that is to everyone's 
taste, but these dialogs are no longer children of another
window and can therefore not be positioned relative to 
any other window. 

Erik.

Re: [Rails-devel] 18EU: starting a company after phase 5

[Erik V. <eri...@xs...>]

I had already fixed that (slightly differently), 
but I suppose I did that just after 1.1.2 was released.

Erik.

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Davies [mailto:de...@gm...] 
Sent: Wednesday 20 January 2010 17:13
To: Development list for Rails: an 18xx game
Subject: [Rails-devel] 18EU: starting a company after phase 5

If you start a company after phase 5 begins, the following error
occurs after choosing the company home tile:

Missing text for key SelectedHomeBase in locale English (en)

And in the report window:

....
Phil starts KPEV at $70 and pays $140 for 2 shares (20%) to KPEV
<SelectedHomeBase>
The remaining 80% shares of KPEV are put in its treasury
....

Fix is attached - needed a line added to LocalisedText.properties as
well as a change to the order of data sent to the reportbuffer
(otherwise the SelectedHomeBase would equal the companyname!)

Phil

Re: [Rails-devel] Next player variable

[Erik V. <eri...@xs...>]

Are you sure that the properties files has actually been read? No errors in
the startup window?
 
When I run version 1.1.2 as follows :
    java -Dconfigfile=C:/Projects/Rails/18xx/my_my.properties -jar
rails-1.1.2.jar %1
I'm getting what you see, because the properties file is not found. 
The fix in this case is to leave out the C:.

Erik.


  _____  

From: Chris Shaffer [mailto:chr...@gm...] 
Sent: Wednesday 20 January 2010 07:36
To: Development list for Rails: an 18xx game
Subject: Re: [Rails-devel] Next player variable


I just tried it again - a fresh install of rails-1.1.2, a new game of 1830
with players Tom, Dick, Harry.  I edited the fresh copy of my.properties to
remove the # before the line save.filename.suffix=NEXT_PLAYER.  Here is the
file name that was offered on saving after Tom made the first bid.

1830_20100119_2233.rails

I was hoping to see this filename instead:

1830_20100119_2233_Dick.rails

--
Chris

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.



On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 2:07 PM, Chris Shaffer <chr...@gm...>
wrote:


No, I don't think so.  It is correctly appending the time stamp to the file
names. 


--
Chris

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.



On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 12:54 PM, Erik Vos <eri...@xs...> wrote:


Hmm, it works for me...
But it may not work if you previously have saved a file *not* accepting the
file name proposed by Rails.
In that case Rails just keeps the name you have provided for any further
save actions.
 
Could that explain it?
 
Erik.


  _____  

From: Chris Shaffer [mailto:chr...@gm...] 
Sent: Tuesday 19 January 2010 10:39
To: rai...@li...
Subject: [Rails-devel] Next player variable


We have this in My.Properties

save.filename.suffix=NEXT_PLAYER

but it doesn't append a player name to the save file.  Any suggestions?

--
Chris

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
Conference
attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
through
interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
_______________________________________________
Rails-devel mailing list
Rai...@li...
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

[Erik V. <eri...@xs...>]

> I propose to revert my suggested changes, and I come up with an
> alternative patch that does exactly this in Java when I have some time.
> That shouldn't be too hard (even with my limited Java skills). Are there
> preferences:
>
> 1. add support the unlimited="-1" attribute as above
> 2. add support the nounlimited attribute as above
> 3. don't add an attribute. Unlimited is unlimited.

Actually, there is an even better method, now that I'm thinking about
how to solve the problem.

Supporting unlimited tiles doesn't require changing the XML.  It
simply requires finding the places in the code where we check for tile
availability, and adding an extra condition to it, so that it reads
"if a tile is available or the unlimited tiles option is selected, lay
a tile".

-------------------

[EV] Hardcoding the unlimited setting would exactly having been 
my approach in this case.
That would require only adding one condition to Tile.java line 203
(the game options map is passed down through the Tag hierarchy).

(Sorry, for reasons unknown to me, Outlook 2003 won't indent copied mail,
although I have told it so. If anyone knows a solution, please let me know).

Erik.

Re: [Rails-devel] Info: trains and phases

[Freek D. <sf_...@ma...>]

Erik Vos wrote:
> I have added "Trains" and "Phases" to the "Info" menu.
> For each train and phase a selection of its properties is displayed.

Great addition, thanks!

The user interface could be improved though: I would prefer to see it in
a separate window with tabs per topic instead of burried in submenus.


You asked what was missing. Rick mentioned the "18xx rules difference
list" (thanks!) and I would say: more or less all the information in there.

Particular things I tend to forget:

All kinds of bank rules (as they vary per game, and I tend to forget):
- when does a public company float (# of shares sold)
- share restrictions for each phase
- is there an escrow for sold shares, when does it apply? (in 1856, yes
for shares depending on the phases, and released if destination is
reached; in 1835 for shares sold; in 1830 all money)
- where does operating money end up for unsold shares or shares in the
pool? (in 1856 dividend for shares in the bank pool; in 1870 for
unissued shares)

For public companies:
- destination location

Regards,
Freek Dijkstra

Re: [Rails-devel] Info: trains and phases

[Freek D. <fr...@ma...>]

Erik Vos wrote:
> I have added "Trains" and "Phases" to the "Info" menu.
> For each train and phase a selection of its properties is displayed.

Great addition, thanks!

The user interface could be improved though: I would prefer to see it in
a separate window with tabs per topic instead of burried in submenus.


You asked what was missing. Rick mentioned the "18xx rules difference
list" (thanks!) and I would say: more or less all the information in there.

Particular things I tend to forget:

All kinds of bank rules (as they vary per game, and I tend to forget):
- when does a public company float (# of shares sold)
- share restrictions for each phase
- is there an escrow for sold shares, when does it apply? (in 1856, yes
for shares depending on the phases, and released if destination is
reached; in 1835 for shares sold; in 1830 all money)
- where does operating money end up for unsold shares or shares in the
pool? (in 1856 dividend for shares in the bank pool; in 1870 for
unissued shares)

For public companies:
- destination location

Regards,
Freek Dijkstra

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

[Rick W. <wes...@pu...>]

John A. Tamplin wrote:
> On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 11:27 AM, brett lentz <wak...@gm... 
> <mailto:wak...@gm...>> wrote:
>
>     Supporting unlimited tiles doesn't require changing the XML.  It
>     simply requires finding the places in the code where we check for tile
>     availability, and adding an extra condition to it, so that it reads
>     "if a tile is available or the unlimited tiles option is selected, lay
>     a tile".
>
>
> Note that a number of games specify the plain yellow tiles (7/8/9) are 
> unlimited, but the rest are limited to those provided in the game. 
>
    Yes, but those games (1826, 1846, 1851, 1861, 18GL, 18US and 18West) 
can be taken care of already via the 'quantity' value for their tiles.  
That is, unlimited 7/8/9s in those games are not an optional feature.  
That being said I can see that some game variants (I can not think of 
any official ones at the moment) might specify some tiles as unlimited 
while leaving the rest limited.    Since the number of tiles to be 
modified in this manner would probably be small this could be taken care 
of via the XML IfOption tag.    The current discussion of 'unlimited 
tiles' affects all tiles and thus does seem to be better taken care of 
within code.

*

*
-- 
Rick Westerman wes...@pu...

Re: [Rails-devel] 18EU: Buying a train at limit with a Pullman...

[Phil D. <de...@gm...>]

Hmm, also on this subject...if you DO exchange your Pullman, things
are totally fine until you save the game and exit.

Then, once you load the saved game back up again, the P reappears in
your list of trains for that company

Phil

2010/1/20 Phil Davies <de...@gm...>:
> That's what exchange seems to mean in this instance.  It exchanges the
> Pullman AND pays $500 for the 5 train.  The 'buy train without
> exchange' options shouldn't exist
>
> Phil
>
> 2010/1/20 Chris Shaffer <chr...@gm...>:
>> Alternatively, the others should have a parenthetical note "(discard
>> Pullman)."
>>
>> --
>> Chris
>>
>> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 1:15 AM, Phil Davies <de...@gm...> wrote:
>>>
>>> Behaves a little strangely, see following screenie:
>>>
>>> http://dl.dropbox.com/u/218527/buytrain.png
>>>
>>> The KKOB is at limit with a 3 P (train limit for corps is 2 in phase 5
>>> of 18EU).  It's offered either a purchase or an exchanged purchase of
>>> the 5 (not to mention all the other trains!).  If you select purchase,
>>> it does allow you to buy and go over limit.  It should only give it
>>> the exchange option in this scenario.
>>>
>>> Phil
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
>>> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
>>> Conference
>>> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
>>> through
>>> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established
>>> companies.
>>> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Rails-devel mailing list
>>> Rai...@li...
>>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
>> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
>> Conference
>> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
>> through
>> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
>> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
>> _______________________________________________
>> Rails-devel mailing list
>> Rai...@li...
>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>>
>>
>

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

[John A. T. <ja...@ja...>]

On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 11:27 AM, brett lentz <wak...@gm...> wrote:

> Supporting unlimited tiles doesn't require changing the XML.  It
> simply requires finding the places in the code where we check for tile
> availability, and adding an extra condition to it, so that it reads
> "if a tile is available or the unlimited tiles option is selected, lay
> a tile".
>

Note that a number of games specify the plain yellow tiles (7/8/9) are
unlimited, but the rest are limited to those provided in the game.

-- 
John A. Tamplin

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

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

On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 8:20 AM, Freek Dijkstra <sf_...@ma...> wrote:
> Rick Westerman wrote:
>
>>> Other than requiring a lot of tedious XML editing, it's easy to
>>> support, so I see no reason not to add it.
>
> Rick Westerman tutored:
>
>>    The problem with tedious (and repetitive) XML is that it leads to
>> tedious and much harder debugging.
> [...]
>> <Tile id="1" quantity="1" unlimited="-1">
>>
>>    Or better yet only exceptions to the rule if a given tile is not
>> suppose to be unlimited.
>>
>> <Tile id="4" quantity="2" nounlimited>
>
> I propose to revert my suggested changes, and I come up with an
> alternative patch that does exactly this in Java when I have some time.
> That shouldn't be too hard (even with my limited Java skills). Are there
> preferences:
>
> 1. add support the unlimited="-1" attribute as above
> 2. add support the nounlimited attribute as above
> 3. don't add an attribute. Unlimited is unlimited.

Actually, there is an even better method, now that I'm thinking about
how to solve the problem.

Supporting unlimited tiles doesn't require changing the XML.  It
simply requires finding the places in the code where we check for tile
availability, and adding an extra condition to it, so that it reads
"if a tile is available or the unlimited tiles option is selected, lay
a tile".

>
> Regards,
> Freek

Go ahead and send in 2 patches:  One that reverts your changes, and
one that implements a better solution.

---Brett.

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

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

On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 6:15 AM, Rick Westerman <wes...@pu...> wrote:
> brett lentz wrote:
>> It's a play option for those that want it, It defaults to being
>> disabled. The Simtex 1830 game had it.
>>
>> Other than requiring a lot of tedious XML editing, it's easy to
>> support, so I see no reason not to add it.
>>
>> ---Brett.
>>
>   The problem with tedious (and repetitive) XML is that it leads to
> tedious and much harder debugging.   One's eyes tend to glaze over when
> comparing a game's tile manifest.   As an example, when looking at tile
> #1 in order to check that the manifest correct, which is the easier XML
> to debug?

There are a few different things that make this easier.  Syntax
highlighting, etc.

One thing that has been on the to-do list is developing JUnit tests to
help automate the more mundane debugging work.


>   A rule of thumb that I use with my student programmers (and with
> myself and with my fellow professional programmers) is that whenever I
> find myself doing copy'n'paste then I should stop and ask myself, how
> can I do this better?  I.e., in a programmatic way?   I would prefer to
> see either:
>


I don't disagree.  However, I consider shipping to also be an important feature.

Not everything requires or can have an ideal technical solution.
Sometimes "good enough" is exactly what is needed.

---Brett.

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

[Freek D. <sf_...@ma...>]

Rick Westerman wrote:

>> Other than requiring a lot of tedious XML editing, it's easy to
>> support, so I see no reason not to add it.

Rick Westerman tutored:

>    The problem with tedious (and repetitive) XML is that it leads to 
> tedious and much harder debugging.
[...]
> <Tile id="1" quantity="1" unlimited="-1">
> 
>    Or better yet only exceptions to the rule if a given tile is not 
> suppose to be unlimited.
> 
> <Tile id="4" quantity="2" nounlimited>

I propose to revert my suggested changes, and I come up with an
alternative patch that does exactly this in Java when I have some time.
That shouldn't be too hard (even with my limited Java skills). Are there
preferences:

1. add support the unlimited="-1" attribute as above
2. add support the nounlimited attribute as above
3. don't add an attribute. Unlimited is unlimited.

Regards,
Freek

[Rails-devel] 18EU: starting a company after phase 5

[Phil D. <de...@gm...>]

If you start a company after phase 5 begins, the following error
occurs after choosing the company home tile:

Missing text for key SelectedHomeBase in locale English (en)

And in the report window:

....
Phil starts KPEV at $70 and pays $140 for 2 shares (20%) to KPEV
<SelectedHomeBase>
The remaining 80% shares of KPEV are put in its treasury
....

Fix is attached - needed a line added to LocalisedText.properties as
well as a change to the order of data sent to the reportbuffer
(otherwise the SelectedHomeBase would equal the companyname!)

Phil

Re: [Rails-devel] Autopass & RequestTurn

[Chris S. <chr...@gm...>]

Yes, it can really slow things down.  I've seen several 5 player games where
one player is just finishing up, but everyone else is on "autopass unless
sale."  If that player has 5 shares left to buy... it could add a week to
the stock round.

To be honest, I think you may be right about the complexity of the offered
solution, but I would really like to see two options given to the players:
"autopass" and "autopass unless sale."

--
Chris

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.


On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 2:23 AM, Phil Davies <de...@gm...> wrote:

> I think this is going to a lot of extra hassle for a limited use
> feature.  In dropbox play or similar if someone presses autopass they
> should be genuinely out of options for the turn and not intent on
> coming back in.  If they want to jump back in then simply don't use
> autopass and just pass normally until whatever you want to worry about
> happens.  Does it really slow most people's PBEM games down waiting on
> people to pass?
>
> Things will be slightly different in a network version when we have to
> think about that.  I can see autopass being a bit more valid here but
> providing the player with a 'hand up' or 'interject' button that
> cancels the autopass.
>
> Phil
>
> 2010/1/18 Erik Vos <eri...@xs...>:
> > Autopass is now available as an extra button in the Status (&SR)
> > window only (not yet in the Start Round window).
> >
> > In addition, I have added a generic Request Turn facility, which
> > can be used in any case where a user that normally would not get
> > a turn could request one, provided that a situation exists where
> > that would be valid.
> >
> > I'm currently aware of two such situations:
> > - a user has autopassed but wants to unset that for any reason,
> > - in 1830, a user has the M&H and wants to swap it for a NYC share
> >  anywhere in between other player's SR turns or company OR turns,
> >  out of that player's normal stock turn.
> >  The rules allow this, but we couldn't implement it so far.
> >
> > In such a case, the Special menu will be highlighted (for all players)
> > and will contain an entry "{player-name} requests turn".
> > This is now only implemented for autopasses.
> > If that menu option is selected, the autopass will be reset
> > and the player will normally get a turn. This action must be taken
> > *before* the previous player finishes his/her turn, otherwise
> > the turn will already have passed to the next player after the
> > player who autopassed. Then the only way to get that turn is to undo
> > the last move and have the previous player set the turn request as yet,
> > before redoing that last move.
> >
> > In hotseat or moderator play this will be no problem.
> > In PBEM-like play via dropbox, the requesting player should ask
> > the current (or any other) player to execute this action before
> > finishing the current turn.
> >
> > I am thinking of a way to automate this and give the player
> > who wants the turn to do this himself. I am thinking to have
> > the requestor's program save a file named like
> > "18xx_playername.requestturn" and have all other players program
> > copies check for the existence of such a file, and,
> > if found, execute the request behind the scenes,
> > before checking who the next player will be.
> > That file should then be removed immediately.
> >
> > The possibility to do this depends on whether or not the Rails
> > copies of all players can delete each others request files;
> > does anyone know that?
> >
> > Any comments on this approach?
> >
> > Erik.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
> > world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
> Conference
> > attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
> through
> > interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established
> companies.
> > http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
> > _______________________________________________
> > Rails-devel mailing list
> > Rai...@li...
> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
> Conference
> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
> through
> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> Rails-devel mailing list
> Rai...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>

Re: [Rails-devel] 18EU: Buying a train at limit with a Pullman...

[Phil D. <de...@gm...>]

That's what exchange seems to mean in this instance.  It exchanges the
Pullman AND pays $500 for the 5 train.  The 'buy train without
exchange' options shouldn't exist

Phil

2010/1/20 Chris Shaffer <chr...@gm...>:
> Alternatively, the others should have a parenthetical note "(discard
> Pullman)."
>
> --
> Chris
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 1:15 AM, Phil Davies <de...@gm...> wrote:
>>
>> Behaves a little strangely, see following screenie:
>>
>> http://dl.dropbox.com/u/218527/buytrain.png
>>
>> The KKOB is at limit with a 3 P (train limit for corps is 2 in phase 5
>> of 18EU).  It's offered either a purchase or an exchanged purchase of
>> the 5 (not to mention all the other trains!).  If you select purchase,
>> it does allow you to buy and go over limit.  It should only give it
>> the exchange option in this scenario.
>>
>> Phil
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
>> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
>> Conference
>> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
>> through
>> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established
>> companies.
>> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
>> _______________________________________________
>> Rails-devel mailing list
>> Rai...@li...
>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
> Conference
> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
> through
> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> Rails-devel mailing list
> Rai...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>
>

Re: [Rails-devel] 18EU: Buying a train at limit with a Pullman...

[Chris S. <chr...@gm...>]

Alternatively, the others should have a parenthetical note "(discard
Pullman)."

--
Chris

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.


On Wed, Jan 20, 2010 at 1:15 AM, Phil Davies <de...@gm...> wrote:

> Behaves a little strangely, see following screenie:
>
> http://dl.dropbox.com/u/218527/buytrain.png
>
> The KKOB is at limit with a 3 P (train limit for corps is 2 in phase 5
> of 18EU).  It's offered either a purchase or an exchanged purchase of
> the 5 (not to mention all the other trains!).  If you select purchase,
> it does allow you to buy and go over limit.  It should only give it
> the exchange option in this scenario.
>
> Phil
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
> Conference
> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
> through
> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> Rails-devel mailing list
> Rai...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

[Rick W. <wes...@pu...>]

brett lentz wrote:
> It's a play option for those that want it, It defaults to being
> disabled. The Simtex 1830 game had it.
>
> Other than requiring a lot of tedious XML editing, it's easy to
> support, so I see no reason not to add it.
>
> ---Brett.
>   
   The problem with tedious (and repetitive) XML is that it leads to 
tedious and much harder debugging.   One's eyes tend to glaze over when 
comparing a game's tile manifest.   As an example, when looking at tile 
#1 in order to check that the manifest correct, which is the easier XML 
to debug?

<Tile id="1" quantity="1" />
---

<Tile id="1">
<IfOption name="UnlimitedTiles" value="no">
<Attributes quantity="1"/>
</IfOption>
<IfOption name="UnlimitedTiles" value="yes">
<Attributes quantity="-1"/>
</IfOption>
</Tile>


   Obviously the first single line is easier.   Especially when looking 
at 50+ tiles.    It becomes hard to make sure all of the ones and the 
negative ones are correct.

   A rule of thumb that I use with my student programmers (and with 
myself and with my fellow professional programmers) is that whenever I 
find myself doing copy'n'paste then I should stop and ask myself, how 
can I do this better?  I.e., in a programmatic way?   I would prefer to 
see either:

<Tile id="1" quantity="1" unlimited="-1">

   Or better yet only exceptions to the rule if a given tile is not 
suppose to be unlimited.

<Tile id="4" quantity="2" nounlimited>

   Of course this will require program changes which, given my limited 
Java skills, I can not create.   Still I hope that someone more capable 
agrees with me that copy'n'paste is sloppy and thus will create such code.







-- 
Rick Westerman wes...@pu... Bioinformatics specialist at the 
Genomics Facility. Phone: (765) 494-0505 FAX: (765) 496-7255 Department 
of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture 625 Agriculture Mall Drive 
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2010 Physically located in room S049, WSLR 
building

Re: [Rails-devel] Documentation

[Rick W. <wes...@pu...>]

Freek Dijkstra wrote:
> Erik Vos wrote:
> [about making some changes to the XML format]
>   
>> Rick, sorry for your documentation work - I'm afraid it will have to
>> describe this additional level!
>>     
>
> Out of curiosity: where can I find the documentation? I could not find
> it in the tarbal or on the website. Perhaps I overlooked it.
>
> Regards,
> Freek
>
>
>   
I'm still working on it.  A large part is understanding the program in 
the first place.  And, as with all of us, doing this in my spare time.


-- 
Rick Westerman wes...@pu...

[Rails-devel] Documentation

[Freek D. <sf_...@ma...>]

Erik Vos wrote:
[about making some changes to the XML format]
> Rick, sorry for your documentation work - I'm afraid it will have to
> describe this additional level!

Out of curiosity: where can I find the documentation? I could not find
it in the tarbal or on the website. Perhaps I overlooked it.

Regards,
Freek

Re: [Rails-devel] Unlimited tiles option

[Freek D. <sf_...@ma...>]

Aliza Panitz replied to Freek Dijkstra:

>> Attached is a patch [...] that adds another option to all games: Unlimited Tiles.
>
> What games use this?

It is a variant I play at home. I only own 1856, but am annoyed that
there are only two yellow #6 tiles (gentle curved railway with city).
In my experience this tile is often unavailable by OR 4, and when that
happens it only annoys the players, while -so far- I never seen this
shortage used strategically, and thus does not add to the game play.
At home, I created one additional tile by hand. In the electronic
version, "unlimited tiles" seemed a more natural option.

Regards,
Freek

Re: [Rails-devel] Autopass & RequestTurn

[Phil D. <de...@gm...>]

I think this is going to a lot of extra hassle for a limited use
feature.  In dropbox play or similar if someone presses autopass they
should be genuinely out of options for the turn and not intent on
coming back in.  If they want to jump back in then simply don't use
autopass and just pass normally until whatever you want to worry about
happens.  Does it really slow most people's PBEM games down waiting on
people to pass?

Things will be slightly different in a network version when we have to
think about that.  I can see autopass being a bit more valid here but
providing the player with a 'hand up' or 'interject' button that
cancels the autopass.

Phil

2010/1/18 Erik Vos <eri...@xs...>:
> Autopass is now available as an extra button in the Status (&SR)
> window only (not yet in the Start Round window).
>
> In addition, I have added a generic Request Turn facility, which
> can be used in any case where a user that normally would not get
> a turn could request one, provided that a situation exists where
> that would be valid.
>
> I'm currently aware of two such situations:
> - a user has autopassed but wants to unset that for any reason,
> - in 1830, a user has the M&H and wants to swap it for a NYC share
>  anywhere in between other player's SR turns or company OR turns,
>  out of that player's normal stock turn.
>  The rules allow this, but we couldn't implement it so far.
>
> In such a case, the Special menu will be highlighted (for all players)
> and will contain an entry "{player-name} requests turn".
> This is now only implemented for autopasses.
> If that menu option is selected, the autopass will be reset
> and the player will normally get a turn. This action must be taken
> *before* the previous player finishes his/her turn, otherwise
> the turn will already have passed to the next player after the
> player who autopassed. Then the only way to get that turn is to undo
> the last move and have the previous player set the turn request as yet,
> before redoing that last move.
>
> In hotseat or moderator play this will be no problem.
> In PBEM-like play via dropbox, the requesting player should ask
> the current (or any other) player to execute this action before
> finishing the current turn.
>
> I am thinking of a way to automate this and give the player
> who wants the turn to do this himself. I am thinking to have
> the requestor's program save a file named like
> "18xx_playername.requestturn" and have all other players program
> copies check for the existence of such a file, and,
> if found, execute the request behind the scenes,
> before checking who the next player will be.
> That file should then be removed immediately.
>
> The possibility to do this depends on whether or not the Rails
> copies of all players can delete each others request files;
> does anyone know that?
>
> Any comments on this approach?
>
> Erik.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for Conference
> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues through
> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> Rails-devel mailing list
> Rai...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>

Re: [Rails-devel] Running Rails directly from shared dropbox

[Phil D. <de...@gm...>]

It depends highly on who you have shared your dropbox with.  If you
are playing a game with random people picked up off the internet then
sure, I would be VERY paranoid about executing anything that went into
that shared file.  That said, Dropbox stores a complete history of
every version change for every file it holds.  If you are worried
about the people you are playing with, just check that the .JAR hasn't
been altered since the last time you launched the game every time you
play.  That way you know it hasn't been compromised.

Personally, I play over Dropbox with people I know in real life so I'm
as confident with this method of play as I would be in receiving a USB
stick from them with files on.

Also, JAR's are pretty limited in their scope, they have write access
but unless you are running the JVM as a privileged user it shouldn't
have the capacity to do anything nasty to the system.

Like everything on the internet, it's a risk but I don't see it as a
big one.  Worst case scenario is that dropbox itself gets hacked, but
running rails from within a dropbox isn't going to make that situation
any worse than it already would be!

Phil

2010/1/19 Jim Black <ji...@ko...>:
>
> Guys-
>
> Running Rails directly from a shared dropbox isn't a 'slight' security risk- it's a huge security risk.
>
> This is the classic 'trojan horse' scenario, where people run something they think they trust- and it might be something completely different, or a virus-impregnated version of the original.
>
> When I run Rails, it has full access to read/write files on my local disk.   I need to trust Rails, essentially- I only do, because I get it myself from the sourceforge download page.  Otherwise I'd have no basis to trust the program at all.
>
> Most certainly, there will be some bad-apples/hackers in the online game community- you really don't want to run any programs this cavalierly.
>
> just my two cents.
>
>  - jim
>
>>
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for Conference
> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues through
> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> Rails-devel mailing list
> Rai...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>

Re: [Rails-devel] Log file query

[Phil D. <de...@gm...>]

2010/1/20 Chris Brooks <bro...@co...>:
> On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 3:14 PM, Erik Vos <eri...@xs...> wrote:
>>
>> So give each player a separate .bat or .sh file to start Rails.
>
> Or possibly have the log file go to a consistent non-shared path that
> (hopefully) would work across all of the machines (/tmp for example)?

This is probably the best option I think, it saves the messiness of a
conflicted file and also stops that little swirly synch thing on
dropbox from spinning constantly whilst you have rails open :)

> -Chris
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
> Conference
> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
> through
> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies.
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> Rails-devel mailing list
> Rai...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>
>

[Rails-devel] 18EU: Buying a train at limit with a Pullman...

[Phil D. <de...@gm...>]

Behaves a little strangely, see following screenie:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/218527/buytrain.png

The KKOB is at limit with a 3 P (train limit for corps is 2 in phase 5
of 18EU).  It's offered either a purchase or an exchanged purchase of
the 5 (not to mention all the other trains!).  If you select purchase,
it does allow you to buy and go over limit.  It should only give it
the exchange option in this scenario.

Phil

Re: [Rails-devel] Next player variable

[Chris S. <chr...@gm...>]

I just tried it again - a fresh install of rails-1.1.2, a new game of 1830
with players Tom, Dick, Harry.  I edited the fresh copy of my.properties to
remove the # before the line save.filename.suffix=NEXT_PLAYER.  Here is the
file name that was offered on saving after Tom made the first bid.

1830_20100119_2233.rails

I was hoping to see this filename instead:

1830_20100119_2233_Dick.rails

--
Chris

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.


On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 2:07 PM, Chris Shaffer <chr...@gm...>wrote:

> No, I don't think so.  It is correctly appending the time stamp to the file
> names.
>
>
> --
> Chris
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 12:54 PM, Erik Vos <eri...@xs...> wrote:
>
>>  Hmm, it works for me...
>> But it may not work if you previously have saved a file *not* accepting
>> the file name proposed by Rails.
>> In that case Rails just keeps the name you have provided for any further
>> save actions.
>>
>> Could that explain it?
>>
>> Erik.
>>
>>  ------------------------------
>> *From:* Chris Shaffer [mailto:chr...@gm...]
>> *Sent:* Tuesday 19 January 2010 10:39
>> *To:* rai...@li...
>> *Subject:* [Rails-devel] Next player variable
>>
>> We have this in My.Properties
>>
>> save.filename.suffix=NEXT_PLAYER
>>
>> but it doesn't append a player name to the save file.  Any suggestions?
>>
>> --
>> Chris
>>
>> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Throughout its 18-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the
>> world's best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities for
>> Conference
>> attendees to learn about information security's most important issues
>> through
>> interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established
>> companies.
>> http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsaconf-dev2dev
>> _______________________________________________
>> Rails-devel mailing list
>> Rai...@li...
>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/rails-devel
>>
>>
>