The Controller v4.1 thread

[Cpp]

As many of you know already, I've been working on a new version of my multipurpose server program, Project Controller v4.1 and I am continuously working to improve it. Recently I have been integrating a wonderful new addition called CRT (CreateRemoteThread) that allows the execution of some functions located within jj2 module itself. This means there is little need to write my own functions once I have located a working function inside JJ2 that does all the dirty work for me. There are virtually limitless possibilities here and I have a to-do list for future versions, however, not all ideas may get to see the light of day due to usefulness/usage. The program is currently in a public beta stage and it's expected to stay that way for a while - at least until most of the features are done. This is the first program of my own that I have made publically available for betatesting and the latest beta is currently available for free download - see link below.

The reason I am making this thread is to ask YOU jj2 players.
What new features would you like to see integrated into PCv4.1 (no ideas for cheating plz)?

Some ideas that have already been taken into consideration:
- Health editor (allows the server to edit health of individual players and update it to all clients)
- Score editor (allows server to set score of individual players/ctf teams and update them to all clients)
- Some new server tool that allows the server to delist/relist/update/etc the jj2 server in the server list
- Ability to update players with multiple things - triggers, names, fur, etc.


The latest beta is always available here:
http://downlink.lordprime.com/jazzjackrabbit/2/pc41beta/

Note: The next beta release may be delayed a bit or a toned-down (incomplete) version will be released due to some real life issues and the developement has been halted a bit. Also the time limiter will be removed in the next release to allow unlimited use of the program.

[minmay]

Yay toggleable triggers =D

[blurredd]

The addition of CreateRemoteThread makes it sound like future versions of Project Controller will be even less compatible with Win9x.

[Cpp]

Not really, blur. The CRT functionality should only be available in NT's for that matter (NT exclusive), the rest of the features should still fully work in Win9x. There's not much I can do about that tho. :(
./whine at micro$oft

Well it seems like most features are already there and here is not much more to add to PC4.1. I look forward to finishing this program. Might be my last in VB.

[blurredd]

I should have mentioned this in my first post: PrcHelp (http://www.apihooks.com/PH.HTM). The description says it all. Monolith and I have used it, and it seems to work well enough.

[Cpp]

That's an interesting find there, blur. I'll see if I can integrate it for Win9x users. Also I haven't tested PC4.1 on Longhorn yet so I'd need someone to do that too. *looks at Nimrod*

Ryder: You must be talking about Controller v4.0 then. vv

[Speeza]

Hmmm overlord i think you should give up,i mean jam's forest has everything your controller has, plus a huge amount of other good stuff.
I can't see anything what can beat forest.

[Stijn]

Why don't you just shut up. Not only does "Forest" not have "everything your controller has", it lacks a good graphical user interface, it does not even have a readme and there are several buttons I have no idea of what they do, while Controller is easy to use and does not lack any important feature Forest has. Besides, why should that be a reason to stop developing? Do you really think Overlord is trying to "beat" Forest? Should Microsoft also stop developing Windows because Max OS X/Linux/Insert your OS of choice here is better? Is it so hard to read that this version is a beta and nowhere near feature-complete? Why shouldn't Jam give up instead?

Geez, such things crack me up. This is not some competition where everyone has to make the best server tool. This is just another cool Jazz2 utility.

[jam]

What Stijn said.

[Cpp]

Ryder, just because his program has "everything your controller has, plus a huge amount of other good stuff" doesn't mean that I should stop developing my own. I haven't come to argue what program is better, I'm merely asking for suggestions here on how to improve my own (for those who care).

Regarding Forest, if jam is trying to beat me at it then good luck to him. I am not trying to develop a program that would be better than any other, I'm simply trying to include as many features as possible that fit this utility style... which is why I decided not to include some other features Forest may have.

[Speeza]

god you are a bunch of angry beavers today.
I was only trying to say what can the new controller better.

[ThunderPX]

god you are a bunch of angry beavers today.
I was only trying to say what can the new controller better.

IMO, saying "your program is inferior, give up" does not give any tips on how to improve the new version.

[Grytolle]

Since I am such a nice guy and feel like annoying jam, not to mention want to prove that both forest and pc4 are made for the fun of developing... Here's the code for synching with the listserver! I wish you all luck with your developing Overlord, and perhaps you can put me in the credits for somehting I foudn out myself this time :D (Note that the second CRT in the functions can't be used for listing a server that was previously unlisted ofr some unknown to me reason.

inline void Jazz2::UpdateListServer() {
CreateRemoteThread(pHandle, NULL, NULL,(LPTHREAD_START_ROUTINE)0x485F40,NULL, NULL, NULL); // delists server
CreateRemoteThread(pHandle, NULL, NULL,(LPTHREAD_START_ROUTINE)0x485F60,NULL, NULL, NULL); // relists server
}

inline void Jazz2::TSFUpdateListServer() {
CreateRemoteThread(pHandle, NULL, NULL,(LPTHREAD_START_ROUTINE)0x4854E0,NULL, NULL, NULL);
CreateRemoteThread(pHandle, NULL, NULL,(LPTHREAD_START_ROUTINE)0x485500,NULL, NULL, NULL);
}

Edit: To clear things up: Neobeo found out how to delist a server for 1.23 and I found the rest out :P

[Cpp]

I'm about to release version PB3.5. Yes, it's not PB4 I'm afraid as I haven't had much time to work on it.

[Grytolle]

What will be new and cool in it?^^

[Cpp]

Updated - see link in first post. I haven't had much time to work on it so this release is about half done and it may lack some features. The new features are instant music change (CRT), client trigger sync (CRT) and a new half-done intro/warning system. There will be a new config box and a score editor in the near future releases. Also the CRT are for NT's only, but I will try to use the method Blur suggested to expand that functionality to Win9x/Me.

[Grytolle]

Cool! How is that instant music change with CRT done?=o

[Vegito]

Alright, I have downloaded it, and will be happy to test ;P

[Cpp]

Many of the CRT's are yet to be improved. While the music does change immediately on save, it does not yet stop playing when you save it with empty textbox. That is to be fixed. Also I haven't tested the trigger panel CRT functionality extensively, but it should work in both, 1.23 and 1.24.

Stay tuned for more updates!

[Grytolle]

Given that you use the same addresses for trigger functionality as we do for the different versions, I suppose it should work very well :P

And I'm still interested in what function you CRT for music change. So you mean it doesn't try to play no song at all when you press save?=o

[Cpp]

I haven't fully finished the function, gry. So far when the textbox is empty it does nothing.

[Grytolle]

Well let's finish it then ;o

[PyRRamid]

I suggest Memory Editor ;)

[Grytolle]

Good idea :)

[NovaStar]

Hmmm overlord i think you should give up,i mean jam's forest has everything your controller has, plus a huge amount of other good stuff.
I can't see anything what can beat forest.

...that's...I...

Ok, from the start, Forest requires you to enter values/a filename/labels and then click a button. Now, as a new person, you might not know what these are. Project Controller 4, however, lets you select things you want to use/do.

Example:

FOREST
<insert value number here> [Change Version]

PC3.5
[Tools] [Version Editor] [Load a version preset] -=Select Version=- [OK]

The values have to be the JJ2 ones, eg. 1.21 > 1.23

EDITE! - Renaming players doesn't work.

EDITE 2! - Nvm, works now.

shameful edit 3 - <3 "OMG PLZ RUN JJ2 K THX BYE!"

[PyRRamid]

Hmmm overlord i think you should give up,i mean jam's forest has everything your controller has, plus a huge amount of other good stuff.
I can't see anything what can beat forest.
Forest does NOT support version 1.24 and It's less user-friendly. Keep-working Overlord! ;-) :+

[Grytolle]

For your information next release of Forest, which would be sometime during this month, will have slightly improved userfriendliness, some new cool functions, and complete 1.24 support :P

That still doesn't make Overlord's much more visually appealing progeam a worthy alternaitve if you don't mind having a lesser amount of functions.

[PyRRamid]

For your information next release of Forest, which would be sometime during this month, will have slightly improved userfriendliness, some new cool functions, and complete 1.24 support :P

That still doesn't make Overlord's much more visually appealing progeam a worthy alternaitve if you don't mind having a lesser amount of functions.
I use Forest Server Tool, but only when I play JJ2 ver. 1.23. When I host a level on 1.24, I use Overlord's Project Controller. I hope Forest will improve (more user-friendly and 1.24 support) so I can use it instead. Anyway, It's better when one can choose. ;)

[Vegito]

Is this a "what do I use?" thread?..:P
Okay, well, I use Controller and Forest.. Just depending on what I need to do :-)

[NovaStar]

Same, but I use Controller more.

[Cpp]

For your information next release of Forest, which would be sometime during this month, will have slightly improved userfriendliness, some new cool functions, and complete 1.24 support :P

That still doesn't make Overlord's much more visually appealing progeam a worthy alternaitve if you don't mind having a lesser amount of functions.Don't make me start stealing the features from your program.

[Jerrythabest]

Is PC4.1 done yet? I've still got this PB3 which doesn't want to start because it's one of those beta's with a time limiter. I've been waiting for PC4.1 for months so I just felt like asking. Is there any place on earth where I can download a PC4.1 version that lets me actually use it? It looked so promising but I don't know what has happened now... I hope there is some working version available somewhere.

[Cpp]

OMG Revive!

Well there was a PB3.5 that was basically PB3 with time limiter removed and some other fixes. It was available on my website that is currently down. I have worked on PB4 a while back, but I have mostly stopped in favor of some C++ projects and real life things. I have a full to-do list for PB4, which is about 45% finished and I'm hoping to get it done sometime soon. It's good to see that some people still care about it tho.

[Cpp]

Basically here is the changelog for what has been done so far.
- Public Beta 4 and future beta versions of Controller v4.1 will no longer have a time limiter.

- In earlier beta versions each PC4.1 window had its own status update function. As of PB4 these functions are now merged into a common function. This should reduce the amount of lag reported by some people using older machines.

- New jazz 2 music should now start playing automatically (without the need to self-destruct) after manually changing it and hitting the save button. It should also stop playing when saving empty strings.

- A new program configuration window is now available. Many options that were previously editable by provided registry entries are now available here. The registry files have been removed.

- Fixed bug where Ban manager was reading ban list from a fixed memory address where the actual address was allocated dynamically by jj2. Also the ban manager code has been improved.

- A new random name generator is now available for Player Renamer. It attempts to mimic pronounceable English words.

- Trigger panel now has an ability to update all clients with the latest triggers

- The Controller warning system for first time users has been redesigned

- New score editor now available

- Various code improvements (replaced lots of deprecated code)

- More user interface tweaks (visuals, graphics, etc.)

- Improved Win9X/Me support (thanks, BlurredD)

[Jerrythabest]

It was available on my website that is currently down.Is it down for only some hours or days or so or is it permanently down? Is there any other way to get PB3.5? I know it's really worth uploading to some place :rolleyes:

[Cpp]

It's temporarily down. I am waiting for my ISP to change the DNS settings for my domain. after that I can set up my web server again and the old URL's should work once again. There is no telling how much longer this will last, but I'll try to find some temporary mirror meanwhile.

EDIT: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/atlastsome/controller.html">asdasdasdsasasa</a>

[PurpleJazz]

Like in Carrotade, make it so that a level doesn't load if it isn't found, so that you don't crash.

[Jerrythabest]

Thanks!!

=d

[Cpp]

I've just finished spicing up the stealth kicker GUI. Now it can show player CTF teams in colored text as well as flag carriers in bold. My next task is to add some functionality that allows users to manage player teams.

[BattleSpaz]

Overlords programs FTW. Controller is great!

[Jerrythabest]

It's looking like I got you active on this project again..

[Grytolle]

why is credit yours?

[Jerrythabest]

I bumped the thread ;p

and I already used PC4.1 PB3.5 ;)

[Cpp]

Oh yeah, I had some fun doing the recent upgrades. Basically I said to myself that I have to get this thing going again. Your bump of this post made that happen ;)

[Jerrythabest]

=) I feel useful ;p

[Hitch]

I was wondering how this was going?

[Cpp]

Okay perhaps its time to clear some things up.

I haven't really worked on Controller for a while due to a lack of free time. There will be a public beta 4 in the near future which will probably be the last beta before the final release. About 75% of all planned features have been integrated into the program so far. The TODO list is slowly shrinking as the program is taking shape. PB4 will likely be released when all the features are fully integrated. After PB4 there will be a bugfix period until the final release.

Then I can finally have some sleep ;)

[Hitch]

Ah, I see.

By the way, are there a list of features it has besides the beta, as well as some that we could suggest if they aren't on the program?

[Cpp]

I'm not sure if I'm still open to suggestions. The features yet to be integrated represent a lot of work and I'd rather focus on finishing those. There isn't an official list of features, but I can tell you that a number of new tools will appear. A health editor, a score editor and maybe a server editor.