Some ConnectUO News

[Jeff]

First off, I'd like to apologize for the lack of updates with ConnectUO's Client Software. With the discovery of the issues behind the Windows 2k, 98, ME bug, I have found it was not worth the time to fix the problem. It would have required a lot of time, work, and testing on my part which I had not wanted to spend on fixing something that didn't deserve as much effort. So with that said, let me show you some of the stuff that has been going on with the new and improved ConnectUO .

First off, I've gone completely away from the whole idea of Windows Form Client. It was great and all but the GDI+ used for it was slow, and buggy. It may have looked nice, but I always had a issue with its slowness. With this, I went with an idea that was proposed to me be ASayre which was "Why not make it work like Google Desktop". At that point, I had absolutely no idea what or how Google Desktop was and worked. So I downloaded, installed, and checked it out. I thought Nice, this looks great, has very little overhead and I don't have to code any GDI+. So I went with the idea, started coding test applications and laying out my design. Well hours upon hours of testing and trying new things I've finally got some great results.

So heres the first public screen shot of the new "ConnectUO Desktop"(linked due to size)
ConnectUO Desktop Screen Shot

Now let me explain some new features.

Features
-New web based interface
-Public server list updates every 30 minutes
-Completely new patching library
--Supports MUO, UOP, Verdata patches
--Supports Zip & Rar (more compression types planned)
--Still supports Mul files
--Limitless number of patches for each server(will explain more on release)
-Skinning ability(HTML, XHTML, PHP(maybe), ASP(maybe) )
--It has its own template keyword API for these types(more on this later)
-Favorites update with the public server list
-More information for each server
--Online count graphs
--Vote count
--Banners
-Ability to vote for servers
-Possibly some stuff I left out

My main purpose for this Announcement was to calm the jets on some people that are complaining about not having updates for ConnectUO for some time now. This is more to show you that we have been working on things, and in a sense have completely re-written ConnectUO from the floor up. The current status of ConnectUO Desktop is looking good, I plan on having something for you guys to play with soon. With this I'm hoping to completely revamp the ConnectUO - Shard List forum structure and possibly look over the next few days/weeks. So if you see things new one there, this is why

Jeff

[Anti-Basic]

Originally Posted by Jeff

First off, I'd like to apologize for the lack of updates with ConnectUO's Client Software. With the discovery of the issues behind the Windows 2k, 98, ME bug, I have found it was not worth the time to fix the problem. It would have required a lot of time, work, and testing on my part which I had not wanted to spend on fixing something that didn't deserve as much effort. So with that said, let me show you some of the stuff that has been going on with the new and improved ConnectUO .

First off, I've gone completely away from the whole idea of Windows Form Client. It was great and all but the GDI+ used for it was slow, and buggy. It may have looked nice, but I always had a issue with its slowness. With this, I went with an idea that was proposed to me be ASayre which was "Why not make it work like Google Desktop". At that point, I had absolutely no idea what or how Google Desktop was and worked. So I downloaded, installed, and checked it out. I thought Nice, this looks great, has very little overhead and I don't have to code any GDI+. So I went with the idea, started coding test applications and laying out my design. Well hours upon hours of testing and trying new things I've finally got some great results.

So heres the first public screen shot of the new "ConnectUO Desktop"(linked due to size)
ConnectUO Desktop Screen Shot

Now let me explain some new features.

Features
-New web based interface
-Public server list updates every 30 minutes
-Completely new patching library
--Supports MUO, UOP, Verdata patches
--Supports Zip & Rar (more compression types planned)
--Still supports Mul files
--Limitless number of patches for each server(will explain more on release)
-Skinning ability(HTML, XHTML, PHP(maybe), ASP(maybe) )
--It has its own template keyword API for these types(more on this later)
-Favorites update with the public server list
-More information for each server
--Online count graphs
--Vote count
--Banners
-Ability to vote for servers
-Possibly some stuff I left out

My main purpose for this Announcement was to calm the jets on some people that are complaining about not having updates for ConnectUO for some time now. This is more to show you that we have been working on things, and in a sense have completely re-written ConnectUO from the floor up. The current status of ConnectUO Desktop is looking good, I plan on having something for you guys to play with soon. With this I'm hoping to completely revamp the ConnectUO - Shard List forum structure and possibly look over the next few days/weeks. So if you see things new one there, this is why

Jeff

sex ?

[CEO]

B-e=a-utiful! Karma++;

[mordero]

I like it Jeff

[TheOutkastDev]

I'm somewhat indifferent.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by TheOutkastDev

I'm somewhat indifferent.

Explination?

[Bleach]

Can I make donations to ConnectUO?
*Serious Question, BTW*

[TMSTKSBK]

Can Jeff be exempted from needing to spread karma around?

[mordero]

Originally Posted by TMSTKSBK

Can Jeff be exempted from needing to spread karma around?

I agree
_____

[o0_Sithid_0o]

Mmmm, that looks sexy. Can't wait to use it.

[Rosey1]

Awesome Jeff!!

I <3 connectuo

[TheOutkastDev]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Explination?

It just seems kind of weird. I guess I need to download Google Desktop to really get an idea of what it would be like.

[clark71822]

Looks freakin' sweet, Jeff! Can't wait to try it out. Keep up the good work!

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by TheOutkastDev

It just seems kind of weird. I guess I need to download Google Desktop to really get an idea of what it would be like.

ya i thought the same thing, then i tried GD

[ASayre]

When do I get to tell everyone 'I told you so?'

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by ASayre

When do I get to tell everyone 'I told you so?'

Didnt I include that in that post but ya "You told me so..."

[milt]

Will it work with Firefox?

*edit* nm... Screen shot IS Firefox

[Anti-Basic]

aye, Jeff teh black japan FF theme looks like it'd go well with vistas black theme.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Anti-Basic

aye, Jeff teh black japan FF theme looks like it'd go well with vistas black theme.

Firefox 2 Vista Black Beta by ~Internauta2000 on deviantART

[Joeku]

I did notice that the Windows Form version was pretty sluggish - I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth though

Good job man, I can't wait for the new release.

[SetriC]

well i just wanted to say that when i first used connectuo few weeks ago i was like "wow" really nice, i think i will get same result with this one, the only thing that bothers me is its look, i like current connectuo skin but i think that both skins could be better.

anyways jeff you did great work much respect from me.

M

[Asmir3]

Sounds cool but when I used Google Desktop it would take up lots of cpu and sometimes crash my computer hehe, other then that sounds good and keep up the good work Jeff.

[mordero]

its the same concept but not the same. Google taes up a lot of CPU because it is indexing your computer. ConnectUO will just sit there until you actually use it (and even then it would use very little cpu).

[Midnightdragon]

I have to say I am loving this new look. I waited forever for an alternative to UOG what took so long lol. Seriously though you saved us all with this big time.