Demo module

[Grinning Fool]

Papillon, is there any chance of getting a set of functions that allows us to write to the ini/config files? Doing that and using the standard GUI popups, we could do all setup in-game if we wanted -- the user would never even have to open an ini file themselves. Unfortunately, for database plugins that would mean that it would have to allow us to connect to the database after load if info was not initially present, so I'm not sure how feasible it is.
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[Papillon]

Well, a disconnect and reconnect command would not be too hard.

The idea for setting up the plugins ingame is really cool! What kind of functions would be needed ? Just some to manipulate the settings that are already there, I guess, so no methods for creating new sections or something like that ?

While it's really cool, this could be done in a second version of the demo module as well. Ideally, the main demo module and a database demo module would be available in a basic version first, as soon as NWNX leaves the prototype stadium (which should happen by the end of the year).

Speaking of which: Do you plan to create the database demo module as well, or does someone else want to do it ?
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Papillon

[Grinning Fool]

Having that feature for a second version sounds good. I think we'd just need the ability to get and set existing entries in the file(s). The mod could check if the values are blank and prompt for it; or if there are connection issues (or other issues in different demo mods) it would have them re-enter the values to confirm.

I've just got a bit more testing to complete on the database demo/setup module as well as the timer demo module (an NPC times the PC's run from point A to points B and C to show the timers in action ) ; I should have both soon after I get home tonight (GMT-5).

I'm also including a generic demo module that plugin authors can use to create their own demos. That may be another few of days, as I want to make it fairly painless for them to create the demo mod.
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[Papillon]

Cool, I can't wait to try them out! Thanks for working on this!
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Papillon

[Grinning Fool]

Bah -- sleep wins tonight... dozing off at the keyboard here. Having trouble getting storing/retrieval of objects to work, but I think it could be because I'm braindead at the moment. Will take another look and finish up tomorrow evening...
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[Papillon]

Do you mean Set and GetPersistentObject ? They do not work yet! I guess I should put up a note in sql_include...
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Papillon

[Grinning Fool]

Ahhh, that would explain it. Alright, that makes life a bit easier.
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[Grinning Fool]

Alright, finally!

The main module. THis is what you should be launching in the dedicated server.
http://www.khalidine.com/downloads/NWNX4Demo.zip

The main module looks for modules in the format: "nwnx_demo_" + tolower(subclass). (tolower is worth noting if Linux ever happens)

http://www.khalidine.com/downloads/nwnx_demo_mysql.zip
http://www.khalidine.com/downloads/nwnx_demo_sqlite.zip
http://www.khalidine.com/downloads/nwnx_demo_time.zip

Please let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, or ideas. I plan to have the 'base' demo module available late this weekend, but for now I have to return focus to my PW
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[Grinning Fool]

Anybody had a chance to test any of these out yet?
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[Papillon]

Not me... whole lot of work today. But the weekend is coming .
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Papillon

[Papillon]

I had a chance to try out the demo modules today.

First of all, the idea plays out really nicely ! The TIMER demo module is way more fun than I thought it could be.

1) I could not get a MySQL portal to work, i.e. there never was one

2) The SQLite portal worked, but the man always tells me that the pwobjdata table could not be created and that I should check my security settings - which do not exist in SQLite, of course. The object functions do not work yet... the module should say so, in order to not confuse the user. Another idea... if you join the module, you could make the man great you formally if it is the first time he sees you, or say something more familiar if you join a second time. Something like that, which demonstrates the persistence idea. Just a thought, the module is already fine like it is now.

3) The TIMER module worked and is really great!

4) When you join the server, you have a portal right in your face. Could you change the layout a bit, so that the player starts out in front of the portals, with a little sign (or NPC) saying what can be done here and why some of the portals are active and others not. That should improve clarity for new users.

Good work so far! The modules will be awesome, especially how you catch errors and offer possible solutions is great!
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Papillon

[Grinning Fool]

Cool, glad you like. I'll take another pass through them tonight and/or tomorrow night and clean up a bit.
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[Grinning Fool]

The bad news: my computer has started locking up every other time I launch NWN2, so no updates tonight. The good news: my new laptop'll be here tomorrow, so this is just a temporary condition.
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Khalidine, a NWN2 persistent world

Looking for volunteers.

[caloup]

nice work. The concept of portal is great !

Timerdemo is working nice. That gave an idea to use timer plugin : mini game !

Perhaps a sort of mini labyrinth game with a gift if you make less than X microsecond to find the end of the labyrinth !

Perhaps you could put a message on the entering of the module to say to the player : "Hello boy/girl ! Pass the portal corresponding to the plugin you want to test ! Enjoy ! "

personnally it take me 2 seconde from the first line to the end !

[Grinning Fool]

Alright, the main demo module has been revamped:

http://www.khalidine.com/downloads/NWNX4Demo.zip

Changes:
- new layout that I think is a little less intimidating
- added a guide NPC
- added text to appear a few seconds after attempting to enter a portal tha tdoesn't work (such as when no demo mod is available)

Strangely, the mysql mod is now crashing the server. Researching this...