Software I'd like to see
- Thread starter Somebody
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AndrewW
Emperor Mongoose
BenGunn said:
Better idea support multiple platforms from the start, make the code multi platform to ease porting. Linux, Macintosh and mickysoft windoze should probably all be supported.
BenGunn said:(1) Unless you decide to start with Solaris/10, in that case please start with the LEAST common plattform first
I'll disagree. The original Traveller software from GDW was for the Apple II but that's not a very common platform these days.
I could second all these, particularly the support of Windows mobile.
As I realize that's it's probably unlikely we'll see these as BenGunn proposes/requests, let me throw out an alternate idea - making them all available as online tools accessible via a web interface (but please support mobile devices, too). I would be willing to pay a reasonable monthly or annual fee to access such tools, provided I could download any output in some sort of text or other common format, so that I could have offline access to "my" creations and retain copies of them should I stop paying the monthly fee.
As I realize that's it's probably unlikely we'll see these as BenGunn proposes/requests, let me throw out an alternate idea - making them all available as online tools accessible via a web interface (but please support mobile devices, too). I would be willing to pay a reasonable monthly or annual fee to access such tools, provided I could download any output in some sort of text or other common format, so that I could have offline access to "my" creations and retain copies of them should I stop paying the monthly fee.
GypsyComet
Emperor Mongoose
kristof65 said:
As an old gamer and netizen, the software-as-service business model sickens me, and I would not support it.
I'm that way on many things as well. Frex, I don't particularly care for WotCs new online "tools" for D&D 4e nor how their business model for it mirror's online games like WoW.GypsyComet said:
However, I do realize that in the case of a character generator (or starship generator or world builder, etc) , what I'm really interested in is the output of that program more than the program itself - IE, the character, the starship, the world, etc. As long as I can download that output, keep it indefinitely, and load it into other "tools" like a word processor or spreadsheet (and this part is important) and still have access to that data in a modifiable form even after I stopped paying for the access to the generator(s), then I can be a little more supportive of that business model. Particularly if it can be set up as either a subscription based model and an ala carte, pay as you go model so that people can choose either.
Is this my preferred solution? Not really. The only reason I mention this is that I know it provides some advantages for the company, as well as for the consumer.
- as an online service provided through a browser interface, if properly done it will support any operating system that has a browser available to it. This gives it the widest possible market, as just about every current OS option out there has a browser available for it.
- distribution of software and updates. By having it a host based service, any software updates can be applied immediately, and all customers benefit from them. No worrying about installation and upgrade issues.
- reduced support issues.costs. Again, because everything's on the host, no worries about bad disks, improper programs, etc being shipped/downloaded/etc. Fewer installation issues due to firewalls, etc.
Basically, if it comes down to the choice of these tools being provided as a "software-as-service" model, or not at all, I would choose the "software-as-service" model, IF it met my conditions above and was reasonably priced - no more than $9.95 a month or $0.10-$0.25 a download. Obviously, the lower the price per month, the more likely I'm to use it, at least for the durations of my campaigns.
kafka
Mongoose
Don't forget about us Linux users...whatever you make for Windows...make some for us.
In addition to all that has been cited (as they are all very good), I would very much like to see a character illustrator for Traveller. Take common motiffs eg. Vacc Suit, Cmbt Armour, civies, etc. plus standard science fiction uniforms shorn of their identifying marks (I am sure the copyright holders would not mind if you asked them nicely).
In addition to all that has been cited (as they are all very good), I would very much like to see a character illustrator for Traveller. Take common motiffs eg. Vacc Suit, Cmbt Armour, civies, etc. plus standard science fiction uniforms shorn of their identifying marks (I am sure the copyright holders would not mind if you asked them nicely).
kristof65 said:
The problem here is that the phone OS market is far more fragmented than the desktop OS market. There's also a lot more 'churn' in mobile phones. Which is to say people change phones more often than they change desktop or laptop computers, and there is a much higher chance that their new phone will have a completely different OS to the last one.
Finaly, even if someone does switch desktop OS, there are plenty of system virtualisation or emulation options that will allow them to keep running software for their old platform. There's nothing like that on mobile phones.
All these effects restrict the market for mobile applications, and the ammount people are prepared to pay for them, because such applications are perceived as being 'throwaway' in a way that desktop apps aren't.
Simon Hibbs
Oh yeah, I'm a long time Windows Mobile user, and I'm very aware of that issue - even within Windows Mobile itself there are lots of differences and fractures. The appearance of the iPhone even had the effect of reducing the Window's mobile market even more. Yes, I would like Windows Mobile based Traveller applications. But I know the likelyhood of that happening is very, very slim.simonh said:
That's why I have the view point that the most viable option from a market size and development perspective is a host based, web browser accessible tool. That way, you're really only "developing" for "two" markets - larger screen desktop/laptop devices and smaller screen mobile devices. And most of that difference can be accomplished through identifying the browser type and the use of style sheets.
Basically, if the software is developed for a specific OS family, people are going to be left out because of their hardware, or the development costs will go up by trying to develop for more OSs. OtoH, developing a web based service gives just about anyone access no matter how obscure their OS is, and the bulk of people left out are either because of their internet access speed or by choice.
Well, I was toying with the idea of making an iPhone app - but I don't think I could even give it away without the express permission of Mongoose. 
For the generator apps all you're interested in is the output - which is generally just a text string in Traveller. For these applications I think a script written in a scripting language like Ruby or Perl is most appropriate.
If you want an application to help you design a character or a ship or a world - then really you're just as well off with a correctly designed spreadsheet as you are with bespoke application.
BTW I have a nice Apple Pages Character sheet: if anyone wants it, PM me.
For the generator apps all you're interested in is the output - which is generally just a text string in Traveller. For these applications I think a script written in a scripting language like Ruby or Perl is most appropriate.
If you want an application to help you design a character or a ship or a world - then really you're just as well off with a correctly designed spreadsheet as you are with bespoke application.
BTW I have a nice Apple Pages Character sheet: if anyone wants it, PM me.
alex_greene
Guest
I was actually thinking about Java, Perl and Ruby as possible options for such stat generator software.
Would Python be any good as an optional source language?
Regardless of the language or platform, the process of creating stats is fairly simple - it is just crunch, after all, because you're doing the playing and not the computer - but apart from the concerns about the source language and multiplatform compatibility, two other concerns are of interest to me:-
- Expandability: the programs need to be expandable, preferably by the users through customisable controls, but if not, then through licensed updates and expansion packs released by the company and authorised third party software providers;
- Interface design: as well as a good engine, a good interface design is paramount, because it makes the program enjoyable and fun to use. Having a smart interface that enables a character sheet to be generated, say, as a PDF (or at the very least as a printable document of some sort, even an OpenOffice.org .odt file) would be really useful to players and Referees alike.
The interface also has to be smart enough to take the more exotic player options into consideration. If I want to generate a pack of Vargr scientists, I'd like the character sheet to read "Charisma" instead of "Social Standing," and a Droyne character sheet to have "Caste" there instead. Oh. And Psion characters and anyone with awakened psionics to have not only a Psionic Strength stat, but also space to list their Talents.
I'd honestly pay good money for software that was that well-designed and well-thought out.
Would Python be any good as an optional source language?
Regardless of the language or platform, the process of creating stats is fairly simple - it is just crunch, after all, because you're doing the playing and not the computer - but apart from the concerns about the source language and multiplatform compatibility, two other concerns are of interest to me:-
- Expandability: the programs need to be expandable, preferably by the users through customisable controls, but if not, then through licensed updates and expansion packs released by the company and authorised third party software providers;
- Interface design: as well as a good engine, a good interface design is paramount, because it makes the program enjoyable and fun to use. Having a smart interface that enables a character sheet to be generated, say, as a PDF (or at the very least as a printable document of some sort, even an OpenOffice.org .odt file) would be really useful to players and Referees alike.
The interface also has to be smart enough to take the more exotic player options into consideration. If I want to generate a pack of Vargr scientists, I'd like the character sheet to read "Charisma" instead of "Social Standing," and a Droyne character sheet to have "Caste" there instead. Oh. And Psion characters and anyone with awakened psionics to have not only a Psionic Strength stat, but also space to list their Talents.
I'd honestly pay good money for software that was that well-designed and well-thought out.
