Traveller Software

[Infojunky]

OK, there is a screaming need for some new campaign support software, i.e. System mapping, Subsector generation etc... Most of the software out there was built for much older OSs.

So the real question is if one where going to develop new software what OS would work the best as a start. Looking around I see some relatively easy installs of 'nix with Ubuntu being real common, and free. Maybe it's time we chose/agreed on a standard.

I kinda am just brainstorming here.

An of y'all got any ideas?

 

[AndrewW]

Well, you could add an option for other for those OS's you didn't list.

 

[kristof65]

Depending on the complexity of the program, Java or PHP could be options that would allow multiple operating systems.

 

[Infojunky]

Well, you could add an option for other for those OS's you didn't list.

Gimme a list of what you would like added and I will, I was just kinda free associating when I threw it up there.

ONe bad idea is building a Traveller specific OS and app suite.....

 

[AndrewW]

Gimme a list of what you would like added and I will, I was just kinda free associating when I threw it up there.

Not sure what others are using. OS/2 / ecs, FreeBSD, Solaris are possibilities. Got an Apple IIgs here that yes I do use at times...

ONe bad idea is building a Traveller specific OS and app suite.....

Hmmm, reboot to use Traveller. Nah, just virtualize it.

 

[Infojunky]

Won't let me edit the poll.....

Please don't consider the list in the poll complete or determinative. It just what came to mind at that point....

 

[Infojunky]

Hmmm, reboot to use Traveller. Nah, just virtualize it.

Kinda what I was thinking..... But what do I know I'm just a user. Though I do understand most of my computer problems exist between the chair and the keyboard....

 

[AndrewW]

Windows XP is IMHO the prime target platform to aim at. XP programs will normally work under Vista and between them the two have 80+ percent of the market. Go with the DOT-NET Framework and Visual Basic for a quick turnaround and easy graphics stuff.

Penguins are only good for lamp-oil anyway.

Depends on which market you mean. For the desktop business market probably. But that wouldn't really be a target market for Traveller products.

 

[Paladin]

some form of java would be your best bet if true cross platform were a must have.
php is largely going to force a web environment, where as javascript could be run in your browser locally without a web connection.
Personally, I'd go pure Windows and do .Net as BenGunn said because it's easier/faster/what I'm more experienced at.

 

[simonh]

Another problem is that the poll doesn't allow multiple choices. My primary home mchine is a Mac, but we also have a Vista laptop and I rgularly run Windows applications (and less often Linux) in a VM on the Mac. I also have a few Windows applications bottled up using Wine, so I'm actualy pretty Mac/Windows agnostic.

Also I don't see the point of 'us' choosing a standard. The standard is what is out there in the wider comunity, and overwhelmingly that's going to be Windows. Even for those of us who prefer to use a non-Windows OS flavour, there are plenty of compatibility options such as VMs, Wine and so on.

We applications are a possibility, they definitely can lay a valuable role, but that leaves the hosting problem, the question of how individuals retain controll of their work, and what to do if you don't have online acess.

Another point is that starting a new project with the goal of being cross-platform has never been easier, and while it's still not a cakewalk it is getting easier all the time. There are plenty of decent open source cross platform develpment toolkits now.

Simon Hibbs

 

[SSWarlock]

Another problem is that the poll doesn't allow multiple choices.

And I run both XP and Vista (Business version), though Vista appears to not have any problems running XP-based apps.

 

[lastbesthope]

Win XP, though I still have a reasonably operational Win 3.11/Dos 6.22 box (for X-Wing) and a Win ME box that needs a hard drive transplant and reinstall, but mainly Win XP.

LBH

 

[EDG]

I think there are enough flame wars going on in Traveller without people starting a "this software is better!" one

 

[AndrewW]

Windows XP is IMHO the prime target platform to aim at. XP programs will normally work under Vista and between them the two have 80+ percent of the market. Go with the DOT-NET Framework and Visual Basic for a quick turnaround and easy graphics stuff.

Penguins are only good for lamp-oil anyway.

Depends on which market you mean. For the desktop business market probably. But that wouldn't really be a target market for Traveller products.

Strange. I was really assuming that Software for a RPG would mostly be used on a DESKTOP system and not on a server. And the vast majority of Desktops is using something that simply works. Say, Windows XP or Vista.

I never said Traveller software wouldn't be on the desktop. But those figures are based on the business market not home users which would be the target market.

As for Servers systems: Why use a second rate system like LINUX with a load of politics and technical problems(1) when I can get a first rate operating system from SUN for free?

Maybe because it works? Not there there is anything wrong with using Solaris though it does have some problems.

 

[simonh]

According to Net Applications Windows overall share of the desktop market is currently 88%. MacOSX market share is rising, but is still below 10% even now and Linux is at approximately 1%. This is roughly in line with surveys and reports I've seen previously. Actually I'm surprised Windows has finally dropped below 90%.

This is data collected from browser statistics, so it's reflective of what's actually in use by people who are regular internet users so you'd expect it to favour users who are likely to be more technically knowledgeable and active on the internet, such as ... er... Mac and Linux users. ..... oh dear.

And this from a guy who converted to the Mac over 2 years ago. I have no particular reason to love Windows, but we're talking about facts here, not preferences.

Simon Hibbs

 

[kafka]

I may be showing my ignorance but why not have it mounted on a server and that being the Traveller splash page for Mongoose. As far as programming language...would not Java work best. I really like the MT Chargen (http://www.apst96.dsl.pipex.com/Traveller/MTpcgen/mtpcgen.html) or this CT Chargen (http://www.signalgk.com/cgi-bin/ctcg.pl) So why does not someone write this up for Mongoose rules and Matt you will post it on the splashpage?

 

[GypsyComet]

Actually I'm surprised Windows has finally dropped below 90%.

This is data collected from browser statistics, so it's reflective of what's actually in use by people who are regular internet users so you'd expect it to favour users who are likely to be more technically knowledgeable and active on the internet, such as ... er... Mac and Linux users. ..... oh dear.

Windows Vista has not gained any corporate traction to speak of, and the home users who had done any research at all weren't all that thrilled with it either.

On the flip side, iTunes has been driving Mac sales like crazy.

And lets do the reality check here. 10% of the installed base (for Macs) or even 1% (for *nix) is still a LOT of people. Millions of them.

Whether or not the installed base has a different computer mix when you just consider FTF gamers is another question. Internet polls are increasingly being taken as more and more indicative of reality, but the truth is still far short. I'm sure Matt could come up with sales numbers for all of Mongoose's current lines. Comparing that to the number of registered members here should be eye-opening...

 

[Infojunky]

While statistics are fine and all I was more curious if there was some way to find a consensous for a common platform. OS is only a minor bit.

I have seen Java run up the flag pole a couple of times, what are the issues with this?

And I wasn't really kidding that much about a Traveller specific os/app package. Thoug really that is beyond fan development basis.

But the real meat is What sort of software do you think is needed?

 

[EDG]

If anyone's going to produce any Traveller software, it'll have to run on Windows XP and Vista at the very least - it's not worth designing it for compatibility with anything prior to XP. Fact is, not enough people have Macs or Linux to make it worth specifically targeting those environments.

Compatibility with any other O/S should be a bonus (making it web-based or java-based, or even excel-based would be nice for that I guess), but isn't required.

 

[rust]

But the real meat is What sort of software do you think is needed?

For me it would be world building, ship building, vehicle design, robot de-
sign and trade.