Galactic Feed

JohnStabler · Jul 12, 2014

Calling all guilds and role players!

I've created a simple, anonymous, broadcast messaging system. Ideal for use with mobile devices or in-game addons such as Overwolf. The proposed ship-to-ship hailing will be great, but there may still a requirement for broadcasting of messages / news to groups of players, without the need to use forums or public chat rooms.

Guilds can decide on a secret channel to organise their nefarious efforts, but the opportunity exists for eavesdropping by spies and moles

It's designed to be very simple to use (like an in-game version of Twitter). If people use it then I'll certainly develop it further. Check out the help on the web page. Please send all bug reports and suggestions to john.stabler@gmail.com

Here's the link: http://bit.ly/1mIU36w

Aewarin Jameson · Jul 12, 2014

Very nice John.

Sent a "hello" to get the feel for it ... could be useful.

(FD - watch that space

)

JohnStabler · Jul 12, 2014

Thanks Liqua.

I can already see the global channel being very busy/spammy if there is any uptake. Filters should help people with stuff like that.

MikeSnos · Jul 12, 2014

Nice idea... especially the channel setting.... May be worth at some point adding 'membership' for access to certain channels...

JohnStabler · Jul 12, 2014

MikeSnos said:
May be worth at some point adding 'membership' for access to certain channels...

That kind of breaks the idea of possible eavesdropping. Just make sure you use an obscure channel key and don't share with saboteurs

Erimus Kamzel · Jul 12, 2014

Really good idea! This would come in handy for the end of premium beta 'get together' a few of us have planned at Aulin Enterprise. Using something like this to co-ordinate battles with the people wanting to video them etc, it could be an ideal way to communicate during the events.

MikeSnos · Jul 12, 2014

JohnStabler said:
That kind of breaks the idea of possible eavesdropping. Just make sure you use an obscure channel key and don't share with saboteurs

True... valid point... If you want secrecy I suppose then you 'scramble' your messages or code them... I like it

JohnStabler · Jul 12, 2014

MikeSnos said:
True... valid point... If you want secrecy I suppose then you 'scramble' your messages or code them... I like it

Will be interested to see what kind of codes people come up with to obfuscate their intent.

Erik Marcaigh · Jul 12, 2014

I checked this out many hours ago - very cool! And there was some news report of Thargoid artifacts stolen from Aulin.

I just tried to check back in and I'm getting a parser error.

Specifically:

Code:

Server Error in '/' Application.
Parser Error
Description: An error occurred during the parsing of a resource required to service this request. Please review the following specific parse error details and modify your source file appropriately.

Parser Error Message: The file '/webservices/Comms.aspx.cs' does not exist.

Source Error:


Line 1:  <%@ Page Language="C#" AutoEventWireup="true" CodeFile="Comms.aspx.cs" Inherits="WebServices_Comms" %>
Line 2:  
Line 3:  <!DOCTYPE html>


Source File: /webservices/Comms.aspx    Line: 1

Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:4.0.30319; ASP.NET Version:4.0.30319.18067

JohnStabler · Jul 13, 2014

Erik Marcaigh said:

I checked this out many hours ago - very cool! And there was some news report of Thargoid artifacts stolen from Aulin.

I just tried to check back in and I'm getting a parser error.

Specifically:

Code:

Server Error in '/' Application.
Parser Error
Description: An error occurred during the parsing of a resource required to service this request. Please review the following specific parse error details and modify your source file appropriately.

Parser Error Message: The file '/webservices/Comms.aspx.cs' does not exist.

Source Error:


Line 1:  <%@ Page Language="C#" AutoEventWireup="true" CodeFile="Comms.aspx.cs" Inherits="WebServices_Comms" %>
Line 2:  
Line 3:  <!DOCTYPE html>


Source File: /webservices/Comms.aspx    Line: 1

Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:4.0.30319; ASP.NET Version:4.0.30319.18067

Yeah, I'm really not sure what happened. I was out of the house when I saw your post and confirmed the problem. However, it seems to have started working on its own. Makes me think it was a problem with the hosting server (load balancing weirdness perhaps).

Anyway, it seems to be working again now.

JohnStabler · Jul 17, 2014

I've updated the application to use UTC plus 1286 years, so it should match in-game data nd time.

Bromley86 · Jul 17, 2014

JohnStabler said:
That kind of breaks the idea of possible eavesdropping. Just make sure you use an obscure channel key and don't share with saboteurs

Won't that effectively prevent guilds from using it then? From their POV, why add extra risk when they can use a different messaging system.

JohnStabler · Jul 17, 2014

Bromley86 said:
Won't that effectively prevent guilds from using it then? From their POV, why add extra risk when they can use a different messaging system.

Sure, it allows for players to leak the channel key. But then again, there's nothing stopping people sharing login credentials for other communication systems (username & password etc), or simply leaking all the information.

I mention eavesdropping in that way because I think it an interesting concept which I'd like to see being as something acceptable (rather than morally repugnant and deserving of real life bulling/threats).

In theory, a 32-bit key allows for a huge number of channels; so as long as the guild picks a good key then it'll be impossible to chance upon it.

Cmdr Eagleboy · Jul 17, 2014

Yeah, FD isn't very clear about broadcasting thing locally, but this thing could be nice major galactic BBS...something FD could replicate later down the road in actual game. Good idea, thumbs up.

CaptainKremmen · Jul 17, 2014

Outstanding. Well done mate.

JohnStabler · Jul 17, 2014

CaptainKremmen said:
Outstanding. Well done mate.

Thanks for your support. Now we just need to hit a critical number of users.

Neillm · Jul 17, 2014

JohnStabler said:
Thanks for your support. Now we just need to hit a critical number of users.

Do we have to sign up anywhere, or just use it?

Err...having just clicked the link, filtered in channel 42, I may have just answered my own question.

Move along...nothing to see here!

Anyway, nice job. :smilie:

MikeSnos · Jul 17, 2014

Even if the channels are open people could choose to encrypt or code their communications... I can already imagine what the Cockney Guild channel will be like!

JohnStabler · Jul 17, 2014

Neillm said:
Do we have to sign up anywhere, or just use it?

Err...having just clicked the link, filtered in channel 42, I may have just answered my own question.

Move along...nothing to see here!

Anyway, nice job. :smilie:

Requiring people to create an account is a barrier to entry which isn't necessary right now. All messages are anonymous unless users choose to identify themselves. This is by design and will have some interesting consequences, but might cause problems in the future (which I'll address if it becomes an issue).