HI-SCORE: worldwide sharing & public competitions (easy way)

[severdhed]

i tried with drivehq.com last night, set up an account and mapped the drives, it worked fine until rebooted. then it shows up as a disconnected network drive and makes me re-enter the password.  i couldn't get it to automatically remap the drive upon reboot, although i didn't mess with it very long last night.  i tried mapping the drive via batch file, but without explorer loading none of the startup processes run.  i'm not sure if i can use srvany to create a custom service to run the batch file to map the drive or not. 

how would I go about using the hitotext utility to eliminate the problem with two people running the same game at the same time?

[upprc04]

I think you can use the net use command to have network drives be persistent.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490717.aspx

Not sure how it works with explorer not loading.

[torino]

i tried with drivehq.com last night, set up an account and mapped the drives, it worked fine until rebooted. then it shows up as a disconnected network drive and makes me re-enter the password.  i couldn't get it to automatically remap the drive upon reboot, although i didn't mess with it very long last night.  i tried mapping the drive via batch file, but without explorer loading none of the startup processes run.

net use DRIVE: WEB_ADDRESS /user:USERNAME PASSWORD


For example to map my web-folder to Z: drive type this:

net use z: http://www.drivehq.com/webdav/OnlineMAME /user:OnlineMAME letmeplay


If you do not have "net" command I attached .zip file, also containing .BAT script and HiToText utility.

i'm not sure if i can use srvany to create a custom service to run the batch file to map the drive or not. 

I don't know what you call "service" but all you have to do is instead of starting up MaLa directly you start your .BAT file which first does all the initialization and then at the end calls MaLa and everything goes as usual from there.

Maybe you're talking about "when" and "how often" the scores will be synced with the server? I would not use any background process to make updates at some time intervals, rather you should be able to execute "SYNC.BAT" script from within your front-end, say triggered by starting and/'or exiting a game.

By the way, don't know about MaLa, but they say HyperSpin has ability to show hi-scores outside of the game, in the front-end itself, which is actually the original purpose for HiToText utility. 

how would I go about using the hitotext utility to eliminate the problem with two people running the same game at the same time?

HiToText have "-r" command to read (parse), and "-w" command to write (merge) scores, so when you execute something like this:


FOR /f "skip=1 tokens=1,2,3 delims=|" %%A IN ('HiToText -r ../hi/galaga') do (
   SET /a IsDuplicate=0
   FOR /f "skip=1 tokens=1,2,3 delims=|" %%E IN ('HiToText -r ./hi/galaga') do (
      if %%B==%%F (IF %%C==%%G SET /a IsDuplicate=1) )
   IF !IsDuplicate!==0 HiToText -w ./hi/galaga %%A %%B "%%C"
)

...it reads client scores, one by one, compares them to server scores and if the entry does not already exist it inserts (merges) that client score with the rest of the server scores. In my original script file I do this both ways (step 3 and 5), which is unnecessary, but if you are ready to try it out I will write a better script, probably without locking of the server file during the syncing which is most likely not necessary either. There also are some quirks with file paths when using HiToText, so the directory structure is important, which I will explain once you are ready to try it out.

[severdhed]

i tried mapping the z: drive to my drivehq account, which works fine either manually (right-click, map drive) or via command line. (net use...both with and without the /persistent:yes switch) and no matter what, though when i reboot, it shows up as a disconnected drive and asks for a password when i double click on it.

i used the mala launcher plugin which will launch additional programs after mala loads, to launch a batch file with the net use command in, but it still doesn't seem to work.


as for what i call a "service" i mean a windows system service.  you can use srvany to create custom services, if you need an application to run as a service...this does not seem to work with batch files.

i then tried going back to drop box, and using the mala plugin to launch it, but it still doesn't seem to work consistently.  it seems to be an issue with dropbox and keeping multiple versions of files. (for instance, i have a client with two computers in two different buildings. monthly, they need to transfer 17 small files from one computer to the other for accounting purposes.  we used a batch file on each end to copy the 17 files from the original folder to the drop box, and one at the other end to copy from dropbox folder to the destination.  however there seemed to be a problem because when we copied the files into the drop box on pc1, you can see the files and the date and time they are created.  however if we do it again to overwrite them, it copies the files correctly, but the created time doesn't change.  even if we delete the files out of the drop box first, and then copy them in, it still doesn't change.  unless we delete them, wait about 30 seconds, then copy them...then they work.  i think the same thing is going on with the mame hi files.  they are being overwritten, but aren't changing properly.

i'm about to just give up on this...

as for that batch file to merge the hi scores, that looks complicated and coded for just galaga, would there be an easy way to have this work with every game, or would each game have to be hard coded in?

[torino]

i tried mapping the z: drive to my drivehq account, which works fine either manually (right-click, map drive) or via command line. (net use...both with and without the /persistent:yes switch) and no matter what, though when i reboot, it shows up as a disconnected drive and asks for a password when i double click on it.

Did you make some "INIT.BAT" script that contains a line like this: "net use z: http://www.drivehq.com/webdav/OnlineMAME /user:USERNAME PASSWORD", and placed it in your "Startup" folder so it executes upon Windows boot?

If that does not work it's because internet connection is not ready yet, but that's not a problem as we do not need to map that drive until we actually need to access files on the server with our "SYNC.BAT" script, so we can put "net" command there together with everything else.

i used the mala launcher plugin which will launch additional programs after mala loads, to launch a batch file with the net use command in, but it still doesn't seem to work.

Do you start MaLa by placing its shortcut in "Startup" folder so it launches upon boot? If so than again it's most likely too early for Windows to do it at the very beginning when network drivers are not yet fully initialized. This would affect dropbox just the same.

i'm about to just give up on this...

Hold on, we have not even started yet. All you need to do is find out if MaLa can run .BAT scripts either triggered by selecting, starting or exiting some game. That's it. If you can do that, then you have everything ready to go, and I'll do the rest.

as for that batch file to merge the hi scores, that looks complicated and coded for just galaga, would there be an easy way to have this work with every game, or would each game have to be hard coded in?

Code is ugly, but its meaning is simple, it's the easiest way to do it properly. The script can be extended to also work with every other game supported by HiToText, and I'll do that if you conclude you're happy with initial tests and how the system generally works.

[CheffoJeffo]

Do you think people submitting their scores to Twin Galaxies would not be interested, and many more who would publish their scores if it was simple and automatic?

Since it wouldn't meet requirements for submission and validation ... nope, they won't be interested. 

What do you mean? I am talking about MAME players, they only need to submit recorded input as a proof, no?

http://forums.twingalaxies.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8772

 

[torino]

http://forums.twingalaxies.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8772

 

Yes, submissions are complicated and tedious, which certainly does not attract and encourage people to participate, and that's exactly why I propose simpler and automated solution. So, my question to you is why do you think people would not prefer this simpler and automated submission process?

What does meeting current requirements have to do with my question? That's what makes is unattractive right now, it's not something users want or prefer, it's just the only option, so what in the world are you trying to say?

[Sjaak]

so what in the world are you trying to say?

He is answering your question.

[CheffoJeffo]

so what in the world are you trying to say?

He is answering your question.

This.

A custom driver-man build of MAME will simply not be accepted for TG submissions.

It is that simple.

 

[torino]

so what in the world are you trying to say?

He is answering your question.

You claim to understand?


QUESTION:
- Why would people not prefer simpler and automated submission?

ANSWER:
-  It wouldn't meet requirements for submission and validation.


He is talking about current requirements, which is exactly what I propose to change in order to make it simpler and automatic, so how can this nonsense and direct logical contradiction possibly be answer to my question? It makes sense as much as this:


QUESTION:
- Why would people not prefer cars over bicycles?

ANSWER:
- Because then they will not be able to pedal.

[Sjaak]

You asked:

they only need to submit recorded input as a proof, no?

[torino]

This...

Feeling bored and purposeless?

What can I do for you? What do you want?

[CheffoJeffo]

This...

Feeling bored and purposeless?

What can I do for you? What do you want?

Grow a brain ... or die in a fire ... either one works.

 

[torino]

You asked:

they only need to submit recorded input as a proof, no?

Yes, and that's true. What is your point? What are you trying to say and how does that answer my question about people preferring, or not, simper and automatic option?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

People trying for Twin Galaxy high scores are probably not going to want an automatic system as they are only allowed to submit a single 'try' file. if you make a mistake or do not score as high as you want to, you stop the record session by quitting the program and start a new attempt, dropping the old file...

And what does the .inp files that TG want have to do with the .hi files?

[torino]

People trying for Twin Galaxy high scores are probably not going to want an automatic system as they are only allowed to submit a single 'try' file. if you make a mistake or do not score as high as you want to, you stop the record session by quitting the program and start a new attempt, dropping the old file...

I am proposing different type of scoreboard, where people are allowed to submit any score they want and as many as they want, as often as they want. Look, submissions can either be automatized or not, and I am proposing it can. Now, you can't really be serious anyone would prefer wasting 15 minutes for a single submission if there was an option to do it all automatically in 5 seconds. We have computers for the love of drugs, they can do those boring, repetitive and tedious tasks for us, right?

And what does the .inp files that TG want have to do with the .hi files?

What makes you ask, what are you referring to?

[CheffoJeffo]

And what does the .inp files that TG want have to do with the .hi files?

What makes you ask, what are you referring to?

Which illustrates why everybody involved in this hobby knows that you are an idiot.

Next time read the page that I link to before you post. Save yourself the embarrassment.

[torino]

Which illustrates why everybody involved in this hobby knows that you are an idiot.

Next time read the page that I link to before you post. Save yourself the embarrassment.

You are an idiot, my little angry friend.

If you have something to say, then say it, stop making fun of yourself.


Now, can you explain what are you talking about? Can you articulate your point?

[CheffoJeffo]

Now, can you explain what are you talking about? Can you articulate your point?

That somebody who wishes to change the way hi scores are submitted and verified should probably understand how such scores are submitted and verified.

 

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

http://forums.twingalaxies.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8772

Ensure you are using the CORRECT TG Approved version of Wolfmame for your submissions. The most recent version will be in an Announcement notice in this forum, much like this Announcement.

1. All submissions MUST include the .INP and .WLF file! [Screenshots, while very welcome, are optional.] Failure to include either in your submission will invalidate your submission. [Though we usually try to email you and ask, in case you honestly forgot to archive the both. It happens, we're only human after all. This is also the part of where having a valid email address helps.]

5. All Mame Submissions are 1 Shot attempts! This means when you make a recording, your 1st attempt is what counts. If you think you sucked, or died too easily or any number of wonderful things, please note that you can simply hit Escape to stop recording and then choose to record again. This is due to the fact that unlike a VHS tape/DVD, we have no means to rewind an .INP file.. and even Fast Forwarding is a chore if you're 12th attempt is the one you completely dominate the world at, but it took 8 hours of playing in the recording to get to it.

.INP files really aren't something you'd want to 'sync' with other people, and .hi files are meaningless to TG.

[spoot]

torino,

I can only assume at this point that English is not your native language as you seem to not grasp what people are saying easily.  Please visit http://www.hookedonphonics.com/ and see if that helps you out.

[torino]

http://forums.twingalaxies.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8772

Ensure you are using the CORRECT TG Approved version of Wolfmame for your submissions. The most recent version will be in an Announcement notice in this forum, much like this Announcement.

1. All submissions MUST include the .INP and .WLF file! [Screenshots, while very welcome, are optional.] Failure to include either in your submission will invalidate your submission. [Though we usually try to email you and ask, in case you honestly forgot to archive the both. It happens, we're only human after all. This is also the part of where having a valid email address helps.]

5. All Mame Submissions are 1 Shot attempts! This means when you make a recording, your 1st attempt is what counts. If you think you sucked, or died too easily or any number of wonderful things, please note that you can simply hit Escape to stop recording and then choose to record again. This is due to the fact that unlike a VHS tape/DVD, we have no means to rewind an .INP file.. and even Fast Forwarding is a chore if you're 12th attempt is the one you completely dominate the world at, but it took 8 hours of playing in the recording to get to it.

.INP files really aren't something you'd want to 'sync' with other people, and .hi files are meaningless to TG.

Who are you talking to? What are you arguing about? What's the disagreement?

I never said anything about "syncing" .inp files nor I said .hi files have meaning to TG.



All I am saying is that submission can be automatized. Do you agree or disagree?

[torino]

torino,

I can only assume at this point that English is not your native language as you seem to not grasp what people are saying easily.  Please visit http://www.hookedonphonics.com/ and see if that helps you out.

I say submission can be automatised.

That's what I am talking about. Do you agree or disagree?



Now, why are you still unable to put in writing and tell me what the hell are you talking about? What is it you imagine we are arguing, can use your English and describe where exactly we disagree about? Show me!

[torino]

Now, can you explain what are you talking about? Can you articulate your point?

That somebody who wishes to change the way hi scores are submitted and verified should probably understand how such scores are submitted and verified.

 

You still did not tell me what are we supposed to be arguing about.

Where do we disagree, exactly?


You are not saying anything, you just keep talking about ME.

I am simply saying submissions can be automatised, do you agree or disagree?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

I was going to explain what you are missing but I'm just getting tired of your inability to communicate and comprehend.

<clever picture of facepalm here>

[torino]

I was going to explain what you are missing but I'm just getting tired of your inability to communicate and comprehend.

<clever picture of facepalm here>

You were going to? And what the hell were you talking about so far then?

What is it I am missing? What are we arguing about, what's the disagreement?


You're mumbling. It's you who is unable to articulate your point or even answer the simplest question. You are arguing with me, yet you are refusing to to tell me what exactly do you disagree about. It's funny. -- Do you speak English? All I am saying is that submissions can be automatized. Do you agree or disagree?