New Facets

[Annachie]

Edit: I just had a thought, I suppose if +C would allow it, V and I could publish a list of some of the scripts we need and anyone who thinks they've 'got the stuff' could write things and send them to coli to evaluate. It would likely have a slightly larger available audience than the staff position since that requires a whole lot other than just being able to write a script or two. I'll mention it to him and see how he feels about it.

This will probably be a bad idea.
Whilst I'm sure that there are people here who could write such scripts, it might require more access than +C would like to give, and he'd have to spend about as much time checking peoples work as if he did it himself what with the whole making sure it works, that it's commented correctly, and that there's no hidden surprises.

[Devlin]

Whilst I'm sure that there are people here who could write such scripts, it might require more access than +C would like to give, and he'd have to spend about as much time checking peoples work as if he did it himself what with the whole making sure it works, that it's commented correctly, and that there's no hidden surprises.

It's actually a pretty good idea. Let people try to script. Maybe they do well, or at least get the idea right, which helps the staffers in the right direction. Nyx and I spoke on this earlier; It's not hard to see most errors; if it doesn't compile on the start, you can basically not bother, or skim through to see. Maybe the whole thing doesn't work, but some parts do. And maybe one of those parts is really awesome and helps the staff figure something out.

Not everyone has a lot of time to devote, and some scripters may not have applied for a staff position as a result. This "open scripting" would allow those players a chance to contribute to the shard; I know a few qualified people who could add some stuff, but can't give an incredible amount of their time. However, they would love to do small projects like these, but wouldn't know where to start. Who knows? Maybe we unearth a gem and find the next daat99 playing here, quietly lurking in the shadows. It's not like people would get access to the libraries; just the opposite. They get nothing. They give us something. We give them cookies.

[+Nyx]

Indeed. Any scripts requiring actual access wouldn't even be put onto the public list - those would stay on +C's private list. We're talking scripts like "a deed that when clicked sets the suchandsuch property on the player to suchandsuch2". Or, "modify this runuo published script to work on our version" - someone can do that with a base install of our version of runuo and absolutely zero access to the uoex server itself. Some might be more complicated, I do have a few entire systems I want added, but that'd be up to +C whether they'd be allowed onto the public list.

[fixxer1963]

Indeed. Any scripts requiring actual access wouldn't even be put onto the public list - those would stay on +C's private list. We're talking scripts like "a deed that when clicked sets the suchandsuch property on the player to suchandsuch2". Or, "modify this runuo published script to work on our version" - someone can do that with a base install of our version of runuo and absolutely zero access to the uoex server itself. Some might be more complicated, I do have a few entire systems I want added, but that'd be up to +C whether they'd be allowed onto the public list.

**scripts like "a deed that when clicked sets the suchandsuch property on the player to suchandsuch** Ohh, this is brilliant, because when magery is made more viable, people will need to lower strength or dexterity in order to raise intelligence. It may even be possible to use in on weapons or gear.

sorry for the tangent, but this thread is titled "New Facets". If you think this should go on another thread, it can be moved, or at least copied.

[+Colibri]

I see this has become quite a constructive thread. Some valid points raised and discussed.

Yes I know these facets have been dragging on for much longer than originally planned or what I have imagined. Yes I am currently the only scripter and there's just 24 hours in a day (minus sleep, other projects, people in jail, doing laundry, and the mandatory walks around the village here that keep me from loosing it hehe).
It's definitely not a vapor-ware project. Some of it is already done and the rest is on the way. I am waiting patiently for HL2 Episode3 which I guess is a similar story.

In the first post it was mentioned that I said something about just shutting down the shard. I don't know when that was, I don't remember saying it. Maybe a misunderstanding, or a remnant from an April 1st joke but that was many years ago, before the facets were even a concept.
One of the primary motivations behind this shard, is to make a stable persistent world, that is balanced and up 24/7 without lag or reverts. So far, that aspect of the shard, has been quite successful and my goal is to keep it that way for decades to come. Also I have my own ideas that I want to add... though i'll keep those a surprise.

Two points were mentioned here:
1. Setting a deadline. The problem is, we'll probably miss it and then get complaints. Though perhaps a semi-deadline: a date, and a periodic announcement of the progress. At least to show for example, ok this week we're 10% closer. The second week, there has been no progress. Third week, about 15% closer. So at the deadline date, if we're at 70%, I hope it will be seen as a positive thing: glass is 70% full, not 30% empty

2. Coding crowdsourcing. Having some experience with these things, I'm not really a fan of the idea. Very simple scripts would actually take more time to do (discussion/coordination and then review of the finished scripts), than if I just sit here an hour and do them (that's for example a deed that makes +1 LRC on a weapon for example). And most of the things on the to-do list are either complex or require editing of several distro files. But overall, I would like to export some of the work to other people, so this would be a good step towards that. Also, keep in mind that having all sorts of scripts fly in won't necessarily help, since I still have to review and test them. I'll think about picking one or two suitable additions to publish and then we'll take it from there.