DevchatClient 1.0.0 Released! 'In Game Chat' now available, Updated [21-02-11]

[mark_a_condren]

What is it?

A stand-alone client for Egosoft's Devchat: Developed by Samuel Creshal

[ external image ]
Among other advantages (e.g. not needing to have a browser window open all time) it offers tabbed PMs (like Pidgin, Miranda or similar chat clients), reliable audio notifications, better responsiveness when the server is (again) near breakdown, and up to 10 preset texts instead of 3 with the browser client.
And, it is free/libre open source software, so it's good for your karma. And you can make sure that I'm not spying on your passwords by checking the source code. Just make sure you don't have better things to do that week.



Now available with an 'ingame' interface.

Ingame Menu Interface:
[ external image ]


Download Links:

1.0.0 Windows installer (All dependencies included)
Source tarball (for Linux/Unix users and masochists who want to try compiling it under Windows - make sure to read the file INSTALL)
Pkgbuild for Archlinux-based distributions
0.5.6 ebuild for Gentoo (made by Dorsai)


Want / Need to send messages longer than 1 text entry dialog box?

Long message sending now included in download package.
Just add + to the end of a message to be able to add to it.


FAQ
FAQ

Deutscher Thread | Topic italiano | English Thread in Off Topic


===============================================

To Use:

Download and run the EXE installer.

To enable it for ingame use, set your TC installation folder in the preferences dialog. see "Setting Your TC folder:" below.

The client must be started before chat will become functional in game.

The client will be available from your ships command console under 'custom'. It is also Hotkey settable.

- Adding text together to send a longer message.

• - Add + (plus sign) to the end of your text in the text input dialog box, then enter.This will then open the text input again so you can add to your previous message. You can do this as many times as you like. Simply dont add the + to send your message.

- Options menu available from the Message screen.

- Stealth mode activated from the 'Options'.

- Selected options displayed in message screen.

- Available options;

• - Max number of messages to be displayed.
  • - choices 50/100/150.
    • - Newest messages upto this setting will be displayed.

• - Update message time.
  • - choices fast/medium/slow.
    • - determines how often the menu is updated.

• - Play sound on Poke or PM.
  • - choices Yes/No.
    • - Plays 'Incoming transmittion' speech if 'Yes' selected.
      - Auto enabled in 'Stealth Mode', reset to prev setting on exiting 'Stealth Mode'.

• - Run in Stealth Mode.
  • - choices Yes/No.
    • - Upon selection the message screen is closed but the updater script continues to run.
      - Play sound on Poke or PM auto activated.
      - Updater script slowed down and various parts deactivated to reduce resources used.
      - (added waits and a 10 second update cycle used)

• - Remove DevChat hotkey.
  • - choices Yes/No
    • - On selecting 'Yes' and then 'Save and Exit' the Hotkey entry is removed.

• - Turn Debugging On.
  • - choices Yes/No
    • - Runs Debug code thoughout the scripts and generates a log file 'log07640' of all outgoing messages.
      - Displays subtitle messages each time the messages are updated or the update script shuts down.

• - Restore Defaults.
  • - Imediatly resets options to their default setting and displays them in the options menu.

• - Save and Exit.
  • - Saves the current settings and exits the 'Options Menu' and excutes any actions required due to options selections.

Setting Your TC folder:

Set your TC folder by going to Edit / Preferences / Misc tab / Terran Conflict Folder:

As shown here.
[ external image ]



Version Info:
1.0.0 [16-02-11]

• 1.0.0 is out, just some minor changes. I declare it to be stable now (don't you dare proving me wrong! ).

0.7.1
Updates include

• TC folder select on install.
• Long message sending.

0.6.6

• Initial ingame release.

Resources Used:

COMMAND SLOTS : 1
COMMAND_TYPE_CUSTOM_747 -> INGAME_DEVCHAT_CLIENT


text file page id's:
= 7640
= 7641
= 7642
= 7643


log file id's:
log07642

Posted with the client authors knowledge and consent. (cos he said "i'm not doing it, you are")

[mark_a_condren]

:Reserved:

[mark_a_condren]

Hotfix for v1 (0.6.6),now available to allow long message sending from the ingame menu.

See OP for download link.

MarCon

[jocan2003]

You gotta be kidding, that is AWESOME!, seriously thats freak

As soon i start playing back im grabbing that for sure ( Please EGOSOFT, sign/include/whatever in the next patch if there is any or for your NBT )

Great job man

[Xenon_Slayer]

Well, this turned a few heads in the office. Look forward to trying it!

[Requiemfang]

@ what Xenon_Slayer said

[enenra]

Nice.

I doubt I'll be using it often but it certainly looks cool.

[Mad_CatMk2]

Awesome work again!

and ditto with the lol @ XS's post

[jocan2003]

Haha i bet some devlepoer has been shocked today hehehe

[JackNapier]

Haha i bet some devlepoer has been shocked today hehehe

Maybe they'll make it available in the next game as an option to be part of the transparent HUD.


edit: One thing I notice is the typing lag, any way to optimize that? Another thing: Is it possible to have the input bar on the same window as the main chat?

[jocan2003]

Is it possible to have the input bar on the same window as the main chat?

I dont think its possible as the only possible way to get player input is via a command in script editor wich create the built-in input window. Im limited in scripting knowledge but thats what i think.

[mark_a_condren]

edit: One thing I notice is the typing lag, any way to optimize that?

The typing lag is mainly due to the input mechanisims we have been provided by Egosoft, it's not their fault, it just does not like quick consecutive keystokes. I've done quite a bit of testing to get it to the stage it is now, which is not to bad. I'll still try and get it a bit better if i can over time. No promises though.

Is it possible to have the input bar on the same window as the main chat?

As jocan2003 pointed out, correctly too btw, there is not much choice when it comes to inputs we can use. If i could get it as an input line under the menu display, i would rub my hands together and chuckle evily.

MarCon

[mark_a_condren]

Ooops, i'm bad !!!

Updated version, 0.7.1, now available from OP.
(it was released 3 days ago, sorry for delay in posting it here )

MarCon

[Killjaeden]

Quote:
edit: One thing I notice is the typing lag, any way to optimize that?

The typing lag is mainly due to the input mechanisims we have been provided by Egosoft, it's not their fault, it just does not like quick consecutive keystokes. I've done quite a bit of testing to get it to the stage it is now, which is not to bad. I'll still try and get it a bit better if i can over time. No promises though.

In L3 someone posted a little tweak for it (it wasnt very complex iirc, just a number change in one file) a while ago. Don't know where exactly though.

[Samuel Creshal]

1.0.0 is out, just some minor changes. I declare it to be stable now (don't you dare proving me wrong! ).

[Litcube]

In L3 someone posted a little tweak for it (it wasnt very complex iirc, just a number change in one file) a while ago. Don't know where exactly though.

I'll give you 6000 Internets for a hint as to where I can look that up. Or search terms. I've been looking for a day to find that since I read your post.

[mark_a_condren]

OP updated with latest version.

Apparently it is now a "stable version 1 release"

In L3 someone posted a little tweak for it (it wasnt very complex iirc, just a number change in one file) a while ago. Don't know where exactly though.

I'll give you 6000 Internets for a hint as to where I can look that up. Or search terms. I've been looking for a day to find that since I read your post.

I looked also and couldn't find the refered to post. If required i can post the code lines that need to be changed to alter the refresh rate for the display screen (menu). You can alter it to one of the presets in options, the slower it refreshes the less typing lag you will get.

MarCon

[Litcube]

If required i can post the code lines that need to be changed to alter the refresh rate for the display screen (menu). You can alter it to one of the presets in options, the slower it refreshes the less typing lag you will get.MarCon

First off, Mark, sorry for munging up your thread with this.

Yeah, if you could post the code lines, and the related file name, maybe I'll understand what you're referring to.

[mark_a_condren]

First off, Mark, sorry for munging up your thread with this.

Yeah, if you could post the code lines, and the related file name, maybe I'll understand what you're referring to.

No problems Litcube, thats what these threads are for anyway.

The code block you are looking for is in this file;

SC.Client.menu.refresh.xml

Code: Select all

121   |$Message.update.setting = $General.Options.Array[1]
122   |$Message.update.rate.display = 9 - ( $Message.update.setting * 3 )
123   |$Message.update.rate = $Message.update.rate.display * 1000

Comment out or Change line 123.
You need to change the variable $Message.update.rate to the value you wish the refresh rate to be. The greater the number the slower the refresh rate, 1000 = 1 second, 5000 = 5 seconds etc. The slower the refresh rate the less typeing delay you may experience.

As the 'Stealth Mode' overrides the variable $Message.update.rate later in the script and sets it to a 10 second refresh delay, this change will have no effect while you are in 'Stealth Mode'.

As the options menu gives you options in 3 second intervals the menu display is controled by lines 121 and 122. Changeing these will effect the display and timing, however, you will need to calc the delay you want allowing for the formula, i would not bother and just change line 123 and deal with the menu display being incorrect, but it's up to you.

In a futher version i will be changing the options menu and various script elements to allow you to control the refrsh delay in 1 second increments from 1 to probibly 20 seconds, I will also do a rewrite on some of the code to clean it up somewhat.

Note:
These changes will have No effect on how often the 'Client' refreshes. Only how often the script reads the text files generated by the client.

Any further info you need or want just say, only to glad to help.

MarCon

[Mr. Reeves]

I created a post about something like this.

http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php? ... 47#3630747

I've beaten Terran Conflict as far as I'm concerned but a chat feature is exactly what is needed for new gamers to ask questions and learn from the best of us.