OSpora News
The latest news from OSpora.
IRC Channel
You can get to the IRC channel through this web page thing i setup.
http://steve.object4.net/ospora/
And for those in the know, we are now on freenode (irc.freenode.net) on the #ospora channel.
Wiki
Our third wiki has been set up at http://wiki.ospora.com/
Please use it this time :) You must register to edit articles. Also, please check the recent changes page from time to time to revert and rubbish or bot edits.
Forum Changes
This evening the following changes were made to the forums:
[list:1d5a3c4fb4][*:1d5a3c4fb4]Upgrade to 2.0.22
[*:1d5a3c4fb4]272 spurious user accounts were deleted. Apologies for any accidents. Wolfie, you had a close call! :)
[*:1d5a3c4fb4]New style applied (I'm not sure about it, though - opinions?)
[*:1d5a3c4fb4]New CAPTCHA (image verification on registration) installed
[*:1d5a3c4fb4]Post counts resynced[/list:u:1d5a3c4fb4]
As always, if there are any problems let me know.
Merry Christmas
Regarding "Element Evil"
Early last month, Enkryptor purchased the client and server source of Xiaspora from FreakNigh. It was Enkryptor's intention to bring Xiaspora back from the dead, a move which caused much excitement among its players.
To get things rolling, he enlisted the help of huntercool who had experience in VisualBasic programming. All was going well until huntercool stole the client and server source and used it to set up his own game: Element Evil (EE).
[b:53a217e637][size=16:53a217e637]Element Evil is based on stolen software. Their game and their ways of working are ones that not only condone, but actively encourage [u:53a217e637]theft[/u:53a217e637].[/size:53a217e637][/b:53a217e637]
This is what their project has stolen:
- Firstly, and most importantly, the server and client source code
- OSpora search engine rankings - their site, one which is completely unaffiliated with the OpenSpora project includes the OSpora keyword in the code of the site so that anyone searching for OSpora will also find Element Evil
- OSpora website content. There are examples [url=http://elementevil.com/iqs/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=27][1][/url] of content that has been copied and pasted from our site into theirs. This is copyright theft.
The OpenSpora project can not and will not condone this type of action.
Effective immediately:
- There will be no links from our site or forums to theirs. This would serve to increase their search engine rankings. Those who post links knowing this may face an immediate ban. Any found links will be removed.
- Discussion of EE is [b:53a217e637]not[/b:53a217e637] prohibited. You may speak about it freely.
- Action will be taken to have the stolen website content removed.
I ask those of you with any sense of decency to avoild playing this game, and I ask that Enkryptor reconsider his decision to not bring back Xiaspora. It would be great for the community to have a game to play again. :)
Mike
New Website
The OSpora website has been completely redesiged. Please take a look - more information is available there.
On the credits page is a list of forum names and real names. If your real name isn't there, it's because I don't know it, so let me know.
If you want your real name removing, let me know :)
Possibility of resuming work
Well, it seems like Darkalpha may be resuming coding, and over Christmas I will possibly be resuming work on the GUI.
Is anyone else interested in helping out still? Or are we officially dead?
Handing Back to Dr. Dimento
Right guys,
Im now working full time from 9 to 6, everyday, except weekends, where ill be sleeping. I am on a completly different timezone to all the other devs, and as work isnt going anywhere, im stepping down from any sort of dev team that still exists.
Ill check these forums often, my usual everyday peek, feel free to use any of the graphics I made, not many, agreed, but whatever. You know, I really love the diaspora community, all the people ive met over the years, and I really hope to work with you in the future on Ospora if it ever gets anywhere.
Doc, you said you'd be around to coordinate people, I hope you can manage a better job than ive managed over the summer months.
You guys are all as lazy as me, but your all great, all very talented in your respective fields, so put your talents to good use.
...
Out.
Project Update
With Exhume stepping down as lead programmer (but sticking around to help out), DarkAlpha has taken up the job and has laid out some more of the groundwork required. If you know of any Java developers with spare time on their hands, please point them in this direction, I'm sure DA would appreciate the help.
Mike and I were able to produce a database that should suffice until we're approaching a beta product and I understand that work is currently being undertaken to work that into the server code.
As part of our efforts to attract developers and promote development transparency, I've opened up the [url=http://www.ospora.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=20]Game Requirements[/url] forum to the public. I have made decisions about most aspects of the game, based on suggestions, feedback and my general knowledge of 'spora games, but they are not final. They are, however, read-only, so that we can keep clean usable documents for developers. Discussion in the Think Tank forum is encouraged.
I hope to have some more updates for you in the near future and will issue another press release when the time is right.
Exhume Steps Down as Head Coder
Hey guys,
With development set to start today; a major (but not unsurmountable) problem has arised.
Exhume has decided to leave as head coder because of other time consuming things; he will stay however and help us code.
On that note development simply cannot start today as the framework is not ready.
Im sorry guys, but this is beyond me. Any of the current coders who feel they can lead the team, gimme a buzz on MSN.
Im going to try and sort out the coders today, and try and get coding going again tomorrow.
CGI:IRC Client [Web-based chat]
CGI:IRC has now been installed for those of you who want to join in the development meetings but have no knowledge of IRC or no interest in learning about it.
The CGI:IRC client works just like your average web-based chat room and can be accessed from http://www.ospora.com/cgi-bin/irc/irc.cgi
As Dr. D also pointed out in a PM to me, this will also be useful for those who want to join the channel but are away from home on a computer without an IRC client.
Be sure to enter your nickname before connecting.
Forward
Hi folks,
As some of you may have noticed i havent been very commited recently. Basically it all boils down to other more important things taking precidence. The next year is going to be no different. Ive got a year long placement starting mid june.
It's rather unfair if i let this boil on that back burner for much longer.
It is with this note I hereby withdraw myself from the OpenSpora project. There is no reason i deserve to be on the team any longer without putting in any work.
I wish everyone all the best.