[Freeciv-Dev] Re: PATCH: gui-gtk: revamped metaserver window

[mueller <mueller@xxxxxxxx>]

Tuomas Airaksinen wrote:
> 
> On Sat, Sep 23, 2000 at 09:45:10PM +0200, mueller wrote:
> > This is a completely reworked metaserver window.
> >
> > - shows server list on first page
> > - has an interface for starting local servers
> >   (a civserver that knows option -b must be first in path)
> > - can specify options for local servers
> > - proposes (by default) player names to join as when connecting to a
> > running game
> > - has a 'show rules' button (needs new helpdata.txt)
> > - adds a Help menu item Essentias on top
> > - proposes best server after metaserver list update
> > - hides (by default) server the cannot be connected to from the
> 
> Good start. I tested this and made some quick fixes (mostly lingual),
> and added "normal" difficulty. I also collected all 4 diffs
> (server.diff, client.diff, gui-gtk.diff and data.diff) to one diff (because
> my straight modifications to patch file failed...:|).

Normal difficulty is of course good, had forgotten about that one.
About the text changes:
 (Autostarted) -> localhost (autostarted)
    I think the former is better. Newbies should not have to know
    what a "localhost" is. Takes much space too.
 Opponents: ->"AI Opponents:
    "What does AI mean?". There isn't room for "Computer controlled
    opponents" so I think Opponents should be just fine.
 Advanced -> Manual:
    Advanced means hands off, you're going to hurt yourself :)
    The word Manual can be misunderstood for handbook.

So while I'm not 100% happy with your your versions, I'm not
with mine either. Only the first should go back.

> This new connect dialog will probably override need of server
> GUIs when we get option list ready (including all server options,
> or optionally only most common ones of them).

Keep in mind that new users have the biggest need for server GUIs.
We veterans don't mind using the command line. Therefore the most
important thing is to have the simple options in a GUI.

> Something that could be better:
> 1) Local games should also be possible to be saved somehow.

I've thought about that already. Again, we only have to cover the 
needs of newbies. Therefore I'm thinking of an autosave very few 
turns, always using the same file name, e.g. .civsavegame . The 
connect dialog presents a shadowed entry
  (Autostarted) 5555              Resume last autosaved game
The shadowed entry is there to inform the user that he can 
continue old games. It becomes active when .civsavegame exists.
Minor server modifications required.

> 2) Server shouldn't start automatically until when pressing start game
>    button

That's already the case.
 
> Something that should be fixed immendiately (before CVS):
> 1) AI opponent number should be made with a "scale"-widget instead of
> radio buttons, 2) map size should be possible to set whatever you want.

ot sure if I agree with these two. The GUI I've built is directed to
the freeciv newbies - only newbies play against the computer but
that's what gets them hooked. Therefore, I think its not unreasonable
to prevent extreme settings. Mind you, the original Civilization could
not set map size at all IIRC.

Extra reasons:
- It looks nicer if it's all radio buttons
- I have no idea how to implement sliders :)
- There's always the command line for precise options

Are there any plans when a new version is going out?

 -Urban   (playing as Zop)