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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Well the new 1.4 cut installs well, everything
worked except the python plugin (I still had to modify the plugin Makefile,
remove the references to the 1.5 libs (since it correctly detected and used the
2.x Python.h to compile) and remake the plugin , but that is pretty painless
anyway.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Killpets works well, but I don't know if it is good
that they drop their inventories (free money). Seems a bit cruel.
Unsummon would be kinder. - but it was good work on a well needed
function.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>M.T. should be proud, the DX Client still runs well
under 1.4. Well enough to be a usable client for windows users
still (thought I should mention that somewhere). I have to say
it - it is still my favorite client.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Still playing with a concept for buying
castles/houses, I have one pretty simple solution i've been working on.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I made a file called 'lots' with the following
format : lot#, map, x, y, zone, owner</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>e.g
1,/city/city,16,18,house,vacant</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I wrote a python script (kind of like Collette's
IPO python script for mail) that will let you check the availability of a lot
and what can be built on it and purchase a deed for the lot. When you
buy a lot, a set of maps will be written based on a template map (read map file
-> find and replace the exits and the inventory checkers -> save new
file to player directory) and the target map from the 'lots' file will be
edited to add in the exits (remove or cover over the for-sale
signs-> place an arch linking to the player's new home map) - I'm still
workin on this but I think it presents no real issues.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It would be up to map makers to add in signs on
their maps indicating a lot number and zone type (so players would be able to
shop around) and to make an entry in the 'lots' file to make the lot
available.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>Initially there will be two templates (which are like the guild maps in
that there are lots of gold floors and altars to cozy up the maps), a 2
story house and a 4 story keep (so far single tile arches only to keep it
simple and avoid map congestion). I plan on adding in two more - tower and
castle if it works out.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Three problems I can see so far - </DIV>
<DIV>1. you have to wait for the map to reset before you can see or enter your
new pad.</DIV>
<DIV>2. mapmakers making mistakes either on maps or in the lot file</DIV>
<DIV>3. when updating maps have to be careful not to mung up players
houses</DIV>
<DIV>4. problems with adding files to the server (bloat issues?)- removing old
files</DIV>
<DIV>5. more stuff for server admins to do</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Advantages are:</DIV>
<DIV>1. easy to implement</DIV>
<DIV>2. lots of control for 'zoning'</DIV>
<DIV>3. players can buy as many as they like</DIV>
<DIV>4. pretty easy to do in python</DIV>
<DIV>5. more stuff for server admins to do...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Of course with some automation enhancements some of the problems could be
mitigated (I was thinking of adding a dm command to add lots (in python -
if you were carrying around some kind of 'wand of realestate'), and you could
always make a utility script to run through and clean up inactive players
and lots)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>anyone have thoughts on this? Am I
missing anything vital? Someone have a better plan?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Python Plugin is pretty cool.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>also:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I installed Sorcerer Linux a bit ago to try it out
and noticed that Crossfire is one one of the install spells you can cast.
Unfortunatly it is 'cast crossfire' and it gets the whole ball game- arches,
maps, client, server. Think it would be better to make three install
spells: client, server+maps, and the jED + arches. Anyway, have to look
into that later.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Just a 1.4.0 FYI - thanks folks.</FONT></DIV>
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