[FreeCiv-Java] Re: JFreeciv experiences

["Ben Mazur" <bmazur@xxxxxxx>]

> Hi,
>
> I am a java developer and civilisation fan, and I just discovered
jfreeciv
> tonight. I downloaded the latest source and binary for the client,
and thought
> id send back my experiences:
>
> 1. source snapshot wouldnt build by default with Ant because its
missing empty
> directory "java_po". added dir and it built ok.
>
> 2. The binary ran fine first time from windows explorer (jdk1.4,
win98), and
> connected ok to a civ 1.12 server. However, I saw some problems with
graphics
> that made the game unplayable:
>   a) Cant access city screen at all

As jfreeciv has yet to implement a way to track mouse clicks on the
map, you can only access the city dialog from the "find city" dialog.
Sort of silly.

>   b) Cant see units not on top of the stack
>   c) fog of war not clearing when units move around

Well, if you're interested in developing, those are some good places
to start. :)

> ...and also, a question: Jfreeciv interfaces to freeciv at the
network protocol
> level. How often does the freeciv packet format or protocol change?
Is this a
> headache when developing the client?

The C version of freeciv has made an effort not to break the protocol
format in quite a while.

> ...and a suggestion: add a way to view stderr/stdout from the GUI,
for windows
> users starting from explorer to see stack traces. (I suspect it may
be throwing
> background exceptions Im not seeing).
>
> Nice work. Ill keep playing around with it.
>
> Regards
> Ben

Good luck,
Ben (also)