World of Torg

[imported_Magman]

I didn't spend as much time as I wanted on the site. Found myself at the park playing ball for a few hours (sorry :) ). But I did manage to get things started on a good note.

* Worked out most of the registration and login.
* Worked out the layout of the main page. (Haven't developed it yet.)
* Started to display some basic fields for 2 randomly selected NPC's. (very few at the moment.)
* Working on the general display for the character view. (tricky)

Have not incorporated the permission levels to add, edit or delete characters just yet.

I will work on that part tonight and tomorrow. Want to put up a forum or blog (more than likely) so I can have updates and such. Don't want forums all over the net where we have to look for things.

Please I welcome comments, suggestion and corrections. Either PM, email or post them here in this thread.

Not too much to see on the site just yet. It is coming together slowly though. I grabbed like 20 fields from 2 characters and enter their data. Just wanted to get a feel of moving between records and stuff. Take a peak if you wish.

User name: test
password: test

or register and create your own for now.

Thanks

http://www.worldoftorg.com/beta1/login.php

[Stormchild]

Funny, one of the two example characters is my favourite template. The Larendi chieftain (he's fun to play due to his extreme eco-world view).

[imported_Magman]

OK a little busy today so little got done.

On a good note, I did get the call I was waiting for about a new job I wanted. $$$$$$$$

So will work on the page tonight and tomorrow some.

Thanks

[Stormchild]

As you are not yet ready with the layout of the site (no intent to hurry you, just eager to see it), I had an idea last night. How about giving the PC database the design as though it was the official database of the Delphi Council that was being hacked by Storm Knights and put into the internet. Or the official page of the Guildmaster to show their customers whom they offer as operatives. Something like www.kanawa.com. I don't know who did it but this site has a great touch (though this site could be a treasure chest for lawyers).

[imported_Magman]

I am all about eye candy when it comes to designing web pages (just look at what I intended to do for Septimus (http://www.septimusonline.com) until it went bottoms up. )

I thought this time, I would get the mechanics of the site working in a crude unforgiven form to the eye. As long as it functioned, I could easily format the content to whatever theme I wanted.

I figured my basic concept of how I want the editing to go. Just need to put in some Form validations for the fiels and throw in a permission level. I am also going to developed for the edit system a request/comment feature.

I am only going to allow the owner of the character to edit their work, all others will need to make a suggestion with this new system. The information they want to have changed will be places in the public spotlight. This hopefully will allow open discussions and have public opinions make their case why such and such should be changed. (This hasn't been started yet.)

But to answer your question, I will most defiantely have the entire site as a theme toward Torg. I will keep your suggestion in mind when doing so.

[imported_Magman]

Ok today I entered all the skills into a DB table to prepare for the editing code for skills. I have only been working on the attributes thus far. Skills are a little more complicated as it isn't free text.

I haven't developed the form validation yet. So right now, any characters can be entered into any editing slot.

I gave permission to edit characters only to their owners. Everyone else has an option to leave a comment for the data you want to change. This is still being worked on and is not completed yet.

Tired so going to relax until tomorrow. Will do more at work.

[imported_Magman]

Sorry been busy so little work on the webpage. Tomorrow at work I am going to design the skill edit section.

Once I have this up, will design the basic Add New Character feature with the basic fields I have thus far. When I see this is working without any difficulties, I will start to add all the other missing data fields for the character.

Thanks for the patience!

[imported_Magman]

I finished the comment section and the update coding for the skills. I just need to add features to delete and add skills to existing characters.

Once I complete that, I will begin on the form for New Character entries.

I understand that there is only a basic amount of fields here thus far, but it is a start. Again, plan is to get what I have designed to this point working perfectly. Then I will start to add in the other character features. Along this path I am expecting to tweak the system where needed and hopefully get some input from you guys. Whether it be to change, add, delete or whatever to the site.

The overall purpose of this site is going to be for the Torg public to use. So participation in its design/features is highly recommended.

Thanks

[Stormchild]

As you have links for the skills, how about turning them into mouseovers or using the links for explanations of these skills.
Also I would recommend sections for spells, miracles, equipment, Psi, Martial Arts, eternity shards, Pulp Powers, world laws, did I forget something?
Sory for additional work, but you asked about it ;)

[imported_Magman]

Also I would recommend sections for spells, miracles, equipment, Psi, Martial Arts, eternity shards, Pulp Powers, world laws, did I forget something?


Yes absolutely know that. LIke I mentioned though, just trying to get what I did thus far squared away before adding everything else.

[imported_Magman]

UPDATE: After a little mishap of having 2 hours of my work erased (GRRRRR!!!) I got it back to where it was before the mistake. Tomorrow at work I will work on the form to enter new characters in with the field that is currently displayed.

I am going to input more character than just the 2 that are currently there. I will give ownership username and password to those characters so you can see what the editing features is like.

Everything is still a work in progress so I welcome all opinions and suggestions.

[The Game Guy]

It's an interesting site. When you get it a little more along the way let me know and I will add it to the resource database

[imported_Magman]

UPDATE: Ok at this point I feel the coding and format is starting to drift into the sloppy zone. I have no error checking, no form validation and haven't checked all pages for security yet. So I am going to work on this today and probably tomorrow.

I want to change the overall look of the character screen by having tabs at the top for each category (Skills, Equipment, Spells..) But the idea of not visibly seeing the entire character and its stats might be a turn off for most. Any opinions on this?

I added a basic add new character link to the mainindex page. So feel free to try and slap a character or two in there.

I noticed that there is a lag sometimes moving between pages or after hitting the submit button. If you get impatient and hit the submit button again, you will have duplicates in there. I am not sure if it is my coding or just a poor ISP server (using godaddy right now.)

At some point, if lag persist, I might just switch it over to my home server and run it from there. We will see.

As always, your opinions are welcomed.

[imported_Magman]

First, I just want to say sorry for those annoyed about all my post about "Updates". From my experience, I always felt better when there was communication and constant updates about progress or lack of regarding a situation.

ok so the update now. :)

I took care of most of the security issues with the pages, but hadn't worked on the form validation. Instead, I spent the day making a more snazzier interface for the characters. I reach a road block though trying to transcribe the skills code I already did and incorporate it into the new Div and ajax coding (not important if you don't know.)

I made some progress with the problem but its late and tired. So tomorrow is another day. Once I figure this bump out, I will replace the old interface with the new one. But currently, I only have the base stats and skills portion done.

On a different note, I am not sure if the bulk out there cares too much about my little project. That is fine if you don't - just ignore all my post in this thread with updates. This type of stuff I do as a hobby, I enjoy it, and this project I believe once complete, others will be able to enjoy it as well. So that is reward enough for me.

[skeloric]

On a different note, I am not sure if the bulk out there cares too much about my little project. That is fine if you don't - just ignore all my post in this thread with updates. This type of stuff I do as a hobby, I enjoy it, and this project I believe once complete, others will be able to enjoy it as well. So that is reward enough for me.

I know I enjoy watching this thing get built even if I can't honestly say that I'll get involved.
While I have plenty of essentially free time, I can never be certain of my mood and some days I read more and post less so as to avoid sharing how poor my mood is that day.
Still, who knows. I might take it for a spin eventually.

[Stormchild]

First, I just want to say sorry for those annoyed about all my post about "Updates".

Please keep on updating. It is very interesting watching how this project unfolds and it always reminds me of all the things I still want to do (I will add some characters of my own soon, but I have to find them first).

[imported_Magman]

You do not have to kill yourself to enter legit characters now if you do not want, as the future of them might be short lived as the site developes.

Again right now I only have baseline stat (as I call them) and the skill section. Once you see the new layout I made sometime today, you will see how far I want to take it.

Anyhow, let me see if I can resolve this problem now. Always found taking a break and walking away seems to work wonders while programming through problems.

EDIT: And like always, after taking the break, just 10 minutes I figured it out. oh I forget the echo "</table>"; statement!

[skeloric]

EDIT: And like always, after taking the break, just 10 minutes I figured it out. oh I forget the echo "< /table >"; statement!
Careful. That thing is live!
*defuses Internet Bomb*

[skeloric]

If you do that < /table > thing you break your text out of the box.
Like this.
</table>

I have escaped the box and am now loose to pillage the interweb!

[skeloric]

Its just not a good idea.

[imported_Magman]

Yes but I am dealing with an unknown variable (number of skills for a character) so I can not have a set table (well I can with extra rows which I do not want.). So I build the table on the fly with each new skill row for that record; as I my knowledge goes right now, this is done either with the echo or styles.

The echo statement is the quickest fo me right now.

[imported_Magman]

OK newest Beta version available for viewing and whatever.

There is still a huge lag sometimes when clicking through the pages. Sometime it is instant, other 5 secs. As said before, will wait until the project is a little further to see if I am going to remove it from that hosting company.

You will note all the tabs now for a character. They all one day will be filled, but for now, ONLY the BASELINE AND SKILLS are programmed.

The others will do nothing and simply bring up the baseline stats.

You will note that when you page to an OWNed character, a green OPEN indicator will appear in the upper right hand side. This means you own the character and can alter it as needed.

A red LOCKED means you can only leave comments for the owner.



On the main page is still the Add New Character form. I haven't touch this yet and I assume it should work ok.

Thats if for now. You can still use username: test password: test


EDIT: For now, disregard the Error on Page in the lower left hand side. Something to do with the javascript that I have not been able to track down. Everything is working though... so ?!?

I am viewing this in Internet Explorer 7 and using a 1280 x 1024. If you are viewing your screen with anything less than that, you should be shot!

[The Game Guy]

What I would do is have the main page that comes up when you log in available when you go to the site. The only difference would be that the links will not work until you log in.

Going to the site and the first thing you see is a log in box looks to me a bit tacky

[skeloric]

Especially as there seems to be no registration box?

[skeloric]

Yes but I am dealing with an unknown variable

I was more concerned with your using it here.

Because it gave me a new toy.

[Stormchild]

Looks good. Now I know where you are heading to. I don't want to give you too much additional work but could you add a page for the sniplets. I have already worked out a lot and you said it would be easy ;)

Up to now I have this format: Time (in Month), Realm (2 entries possible), Level (1-3) and up to three sentences.

[imported_Magman]

Remind me again about the snipers. They are just a list of fact so to speak that you want to present to the players. right?

Do you want them link to larger snippets, or stand alone?

Do you want them associated by realm, npc, event?

I will change the site main page so you can get there and view the page without login in. The login will be visible there somewhere if you haven't set the cookie yet (I will have the cookie option there soon.)

[Stormchild]

For example:
Month: 1-8, Realm: Core Earth, Level: 1 The US-President and Vice President are lost in New York which has been cut off by storms. The speaker of the house assumed presidency, appointed secretary of defense Dennis Quartermain vice president and was assassinated.

These sniplets could be sorted in a data base for GMs to pick and put them in a file. This file could then be printed and given to the player, so he can see on a glance what his character knows.

Maybe the sniplets are open to comment for all viewers so we can try to agree on how much info is general knowledge (Level 1) for people of that realm and what is more specialized or secret knowledge.

GMs could even use a new skill like war knowledge (or even one knowledge for each realm) to reflect what the PC knows. So if a player wants to know whether his PC has the appropriate knowledge, he can roll on that skill as long as he has got at least one sniplet of the same level and realm.

[imported_Magman]

Will think about this tonight and some time tomorrow I will post the structure I come up with to see if you guys have any comments on them.

The snippets will be the next thing I will work on for the site. Will have it listed on the main page where no login is requred.

I thought there was a registration button listed there on the login screen?

Is anyone else having this problem with it not being listed there ?

[skeloric]

I thought there was a registration button listed there on the login screen?

Is anyone else having this problem with it not being listed there ?
No button, just text and I did not made the connection between it and registering.
You need a GIF image that says REGISTER! or such instead of link text.

[imported_Magman]

Ok, my reasoning for the snippets structure is once I start to design the section, I want them to be vesatile as possible for searching purposes.

*** 1 - Duration from start of war it can be known
*** 2- Home Cosm
*** 3 - Level
*** 4 - Modifier
*** 5 - NPC Attached
*** 6 - Event Attached
*** 7 - Key Words
*** 8 - Prerequisite Snippet #
*** 9 - Snippet
*** 10 - Snippet Ref #

(1) This really becomes pertinent if you are following the original storyline Torg has laid out. If you are running your own seperate campaign and disregarding this storyline, the time frame listed might not pertain to you.

(2) For searching purposes.

(3) The depth level for this snippet. This would be similiar to the Pre-Req Snippet field I have, except this in based solely within this Snipper Ref # and ignoring any other outside snipperts.

(4) If a roll is being used to determine if a player realizes the snippet, a modifier value can be applied.

(5) NPC and Event attached. For searching purpose for particular NPC's or events that happen in game.

(6-7) For searching purpose

(8) This will allow snippets to be linked to other snippets and only unkown unless the other snippets has been successful rolled on.

(9) The actual snippet

(10) Snippet reference number.


Comments, opinions and suggestions always welcomed.

[Stormchild]

Yes, that is a good format. I did not think about alternate timelines, this is really needed of course. Esp. since the timelines are very sketchy in the sourcebook, f.i. the novels compared to High Lords' guide. But it is also very useful for alternate campaigns. Also the tie-in of events and NPCs helps a lot, allowing the snippets to be used as a tool for GMs to find and construct adventures.
But I think a comment section could be useful

[imported_Magman]

Yes the comment section will be there as well. I am going to figure out while doing this to have the comments get dumped directly into the phpBB forums I have. I want to discussion to continue there. Just will havet o figure out how to create and fill in all the fields automatically. Shouldn't be too tough.

[The Game Guy]

Yes the comment section will be there as well. I am going to figure out while doing this to have the comments get dumped directly into the phpBB forums I have. I want to discussion to continue there. Just will havet o figure out how to create and fill in all the fields automatically. Shouldn't be too tough.

Are the comments being dumped from a form?

[imported_Magman]

Any comments on the site are coming from a form. I thought about using XML but decided not too.

I do not see a problem incorporating it into the phpbb forums. Just haven't even made it that far yet.

[The Game Guy]

Any comments on the site are coming from a form. I thought about using XML but decided not too.

I do not see a problem incorporating it into the phpbb forums. Just haven't even made it that far yet.

What kind of scripting language have you decided to use?

[imported_Magman]

PHP - Javascript (AJAX)

Should have a basic design up on the site for the snippets tonight. I am feeling a little under the weather, so I will see if I do any work on the computer when I get home from work. We will see.

[The Game Guy]

Question: Will it still be just the logon screen when people go to that URL or will some kind of webpage come up when you go to that page

[imported_Magman]

Currently if you go to Worldoftorg.com or you be redirected to the main page and no need to log in. I intend to have a non-password entry to most things for the website and a theme as well. Just right now, everything I am doing is mostly database oriented and a username and password is required. I am not concerning myself with the eye candy front pages right now.

Anything really to do with adding or editing within the database, you will need to be logged in for obvious reasons.

I managed to finish the add new snippet page (still have two problems to resolve, one with pre-requisites, the other with selecting existing data from drop downs. Not too important unless this features is going to be used.)

I also managed to finish a basic read snippet page. But I still need to add the indepth search features for it (they are listed there, just not programmed yet. It simply displays all the sniplets in the system).

I am adding some bells and whistles too, little things to complete it. The comments for them are not done yet either.

If you care to see the pages you can. You need to be logged in for the Add Snippet page.

http://www.worldoftorg.com/beta2/snippets.php

http://www.worldoftorg.com/beta2/addsnip.php

[Stormchild]

Looks good. Do you think you can add "other" to worlds as there are lots of other worlds too that don't fit under the featured worlds like f.i. Aztek Empire.
Now I have to go to bed, but I will come back tomorrow to add what I have got by now.

Will you put a print out button on the search function? Will the search function also print out timeline and Level?

[imported_Magman]

Absolutely to everything you said.

I was a little hesitant regarding the duration.

I couldn't simply have it as free text as the slighest character difference in a mispelling or added space would negate the search feature (unless I do fuzzy logic searching which I am not getting into programming)

I might convert it to a more elaborate system where you would select a #, then a day, week, month, or year as a start. Then repeat that process for the end.

I was also thinking for the print option having a type of shopping cart system. You can browse and preview a bunch of snippets, simply click add to cart button on the ones you like. When ready print them out.

[skeloric]

Just testing this out.

Another test

:D
Clean up your tests eventually.

[imported_Magman]

My aren't we picky. :p

OK will get around to it today and get the search feature working as well. Ran into a problem with sending a form to a AJAX div. (Don't worry if you don't know). Will resolve it tonight.

[The Game Guy]

If you want to add a discussion forum for World of Torg let me know and I will create a fan site forum section and add a forum you can link to.

[imported_Magman]

Once I get the site to a more functional level and if people actually use the thing - sure. But let's see if I do get it to that point and if it's even worth listing here.

The site will have its own forum on it, but my vision is to have its use solely for discussions regarding the comments. I do not want it to be a place to discuss anything other that the content in the database.

I finally resolve the AJAX problem. Pain in the butt as you can not pass form values to an AJAX page I learned (Well at least I couldn't and everything I found online said otherwise.) You need to strip all value from the form within javascript then reassign them into the new page which is loading into the DIV.

I am coding the search features now. Should be done within 2 hours. (4:00 EST)

[The Game Guy]

Once I get the site to a more functional level and if people actually use the thing - sure. But let's see if I do get it to that point and if it's even worth listing here.

Right, I understand that. I didnt mean that it was going to happen right now, I was just making the offer.

I would like to have a section of forums for fan sites so people can discuss the content on said fan sites.

[imported_Magman]

Sorry but been exceptionally busy at work so little post here or updates.

I changed to main screen to have links to mostly everything that I have done thus far. In the future, this page will be themed; but for now, it is simple and has text links.

For the snippet section, everything is there except the ability to print pre-select snippets. The searching and add snippets should work fine. Hopefully by the weekend, I will have the printing option completed.

[The Game Guy]

Looks good.

But instead of setting up PHPBB to have forums, why not have me set up a forum section on here and you just link to the forums?

I mean, there will be plenty of people here who will learn about your site and they haven't have to sign up for one more forum.

Just an offer

[imported_Magman]

I will consider it, but since I am using the forums for a purpose other than freely posting topics I might have to later the original code for the forums. If that is the case, I will need to run it on the website rather than messing up yours.

I haven't got to that point yet to find out what direction i need to take.

[The Game Guy]

I will consider it, but since I am using the forums for a purpose other than freely posting topics I might have to later the original code for the forums. If that is the case, I will need to run it on the website rather than messing up yours.

I haven't got to that point yet to find out what direction i need to take.

Ok, as I said it was just an offer

[Stormchild]

Magman are you still at it? I just took a look at the site and am impressed. The snippets work like a charm. But I realized there should be a way to discuss the snippets. Is this possible? Add to cart has no exit, am I correct that you are still working on it? Is the site ready enough to add snippets or would it only make things more complicated at this stage?

[imported_Magman]

I am still on it, though I started a new job recently which changed my working hours (much longer) now. I have been using my weekends to keep up on other things, so I apologize that I have put the website on hold for a short bit.

I fullly intent to revisit the project when I get things in order.

You can add snippets, that will not effect me in any way. Add Cart is where I left off and is not even close to being completed yet. So there is no print function yet, other than the one built into your browser right now.

[imported_Magman]

Things are slowing down for me at my new job so I am planning on starting on the web page within the next week. I am glad you started to add some snippets. Any thoughts of things I am missing before I start up again? The coloring and cart will be corrected 1st thing.

[The Game Guy]

I am still on it, though I started a new job recently which changed my working hours (much longer) now. I have been using my weekends to keep up on other things, so I apologize that I have put the website on hold for a short bit.

I know the topic got really quiet and I figured that your new job, the same job that made it hard for you to stop by here would probably also make it hard for you to work on your site.

Keep us informed on the progress