[WIP] Radio Station Manager

Digital_Trucker · 08-05-07, 04:15 PM

V1.0 released. See http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...020#post623020

Beta version 0.9 (last Beta) now available. It has all of the editing functions enabled and you can now save your changes. It also now has data checking functions such as verifying that media files for events exist and checking event date/time order. About all that's left to do is the nag screens for saving changes before exiting the program and the documentation. Thanks to Misfit138's testing all the bugs should be worked out now.

It's available at http://files.filefront.com/RSM090Bet.../fileinfo.html

Based on Misfit138's Workaround for radio repeating the broadcasts when loading a save and the discussions in his thread http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=119443 , I have begun development of a "RadioStationManager" application.

This application would allow you to create and add radio stations in an automated fashion and solve the problems with the scripted radio broadcasts being repeated when you reload a saved game in the middle of a patrol.

This is the basic layout I have in mind for the app (with a description following the screeny). Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

In this area, all of the information for the radio stations defined in your radio.ini file would be displayed for editing.
In this area, all of the scripted events (if any) contained in the events.ini file would be displayed and available for edit.
This button would allow for the importation of new radio stations. Basically, you would create (or download) a radio station folder with the music and scripted events (if any), place it in the blah,blah,blah\Data\Sounds\Radio folder then press this button. You would be presented with a dialog to allow the selection of the folder containing the new radio station. Then you would fill in the required information (start and end dates and so on) and the station would be entered into your radio.ini file automatically.
This button would allow you to delete a radio station from the radio.ini file.
This button would save changes made to the currently selected station.
This button would perform the necessary operations to prepare all radio stations for the reloading of a game. It would first present you with a dialog allowing you to specify which saved game you were going to load. Then, if the game that you select was not saved while on patrol, all events in the events.ini files for all radio stations would be uncommented (many thanks to JScones for the idea on how to handle the replay problem) so that your radio will start on the correct date. If the saved game you select is one that was saved while on patrol, then the SaveData.crp file will be examined to find the last command issued while on that patrol and that date/time will be used to determine which events are commented out to prevent their replay. In order to insure that the correct date/time is used, you would only need to issue an order (of any kind) immediately before saving your game.
This button would allow you to choose a media file for the event that you are entering/editing. You would be presented with a dialog to select a media file from the events folder in your radio station. No more having to type (or even copy/paste) the name of the media file when creating/editing an event.
This button would allow you to add an event at the end of the events list for the current radio station you are working on.
This button would allow you to delete the currently selected event in area 2.
This button would allow you to insert an event in front of the currently selected event in area 2.

Before I start actually coding this app, I'd like to get a little feedback on any operations y'all might like to see added to it, or any changes in the layout that you think would be an improvement.

THE_MASK · 08-05-07, 04:58 PM

Keep the mods comin baby. Awesome stuff

Von Manteuffel · 08-05-07, 05:29 PM

Lookin' Good!!!

How difficult would it be to include ( I think as part of "8" and/or"10" ) a setting which would allow the user to specify the period between dates ( e.g. from "previous + 1 day", to "previous + x days") This would greatly speed-up the creation of events.ini files.

Keep up the good work.

Digital_Trucker · 08-05-07, 07:11 PM

Thanks, sober.

VM, what I had in mind was what JScones suggested in the other thread, that is commenting out (putting a semicolon in front of) all the entries prior to the date/time of the saved game that is about to be loaded. That way, the entire events.ini file doesn't have to be recreated each time, just modified a little. That also leaves room for manual editing of the file without messing anything up.

If I'm not mistaken, when the game starts, it reads the events.ini file for each station until it reaches an entry that is at or past the date/time that it is looking for and it doesn't read the next entry in the file until the game time is past the time in the events.ini record. If this is the case, then there wouldn't be any advantage to leaving out any entries at the end of the file. I could be wrong about that. I'll make it a point to time how long it takes my dilapidated Socket A system to set up the events files. If mine can do it in a reasonable amount of time, then anyone's should be able to

ReallyDedPoet · 08-05-07, 07:33 PM

Look forward to this one

RDP

Misfit138 · 08-05-07, 07:43 PM

This tool I've been working on looks so pitiful compared to yours :rotfl:

But are you gonna continue from this on? Just asking so that I know should I drop this project of mine. Been making slow but steady progress ever since I got that one problem solved

fred8615 · 08-06-07, 10:39 AM

As a radio station creator, I like the idea, and really like what you've got so far.

Digital_Trucker · 08-06-07, 12:51 PM

OK, here's my redone layout with JScones suggestions implemented (as I understand them anyway

)

Note: I didn't add the "Edit Event" button since the data grid will be editable.

I'm going to go ahead and start coding on it, but any further suggestions would still be welcomed.

Totally off topic:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JScones

Ah, COBOL. Will still be in use when the "year 9999 bug" hits. :rotfl:

I've got to start paying more attention to the state of the software world

. While travelling around the country in my second career, I totally lost track of what programming languages were in use with Windoze. I just "ass-u-me-d" that COBOL was dead. Now I see that there are several "free" COBOL compilers (or should I say translators since what I saw ports the code over to C). You may just be right about it still being around when the "9999" bug hits.

CaptainCox · 08-06-07, 01:00 PM

Looks like a kick ass app there Digital_Trucker.

This game is getting better by the day. We are seeing some darn good work kicking in at the mo when it comes to applications for this game.

ReallyDedPoet · 08-06-07, 01:16 PM

Dam there is some nice work being done here, keep it up

RDP

Bill Nichols · 08-06-07, 02:45 PM

This will be a must-have for me. I'm getting tired of hearing about the free Mexican Jumping Beans that are available at my nearest Shelly gas station...

JScones · 08-06-07, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital_Trucker

OK, here's my redone layout with JScones suggestions implemented (as I understand them anyway

)

Note: I didn't add the "Edit Event" button since the data grid will be editable.

I'm going to go ahead and start coding on it, but any further suggestions would still be welcomed.

IMHO much better! Good use of available "real estate". I like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital_Trucker

I've got to start paying more attention to the state of the software world

. While travelling around the country in my second career, I totally lost track of what programming languages were in use with Windoze. I just "ass-u-me-d" that COBOL was dead. Now I see that there are several "free" COBOL compilers (or should I say translators since what I saw ports the code over to C). You may just be right about it still being around when the "9999" bug hits.

Our mainframe system has been in use since the mid-1970's. We're still using COBOL.

Misfit138 · 08-08-07, 06:13 AM

Any progress?

I apologize my lack of patience but this is the tool I need before I start patrolling in the pacific

Digital_Trucker · 08-08-07, 07:53 AM

No problem on the lack of patience, Misfit138. I'm hoping to have the function that prepares the stations for a save game reload in mid patrol (that sure is a long function name:rotfl: ) ready today. I was planning on going ahead and putting it up with just the one function working until I get the rest of it coded since that discussion was what got me started on the project anyway.

Hope that's the part you're looking for 'cause the rest of it may take a little bit.

Edit:Thanks for asking the question since this post caused my rating to change. I was getting tired of lookin' at Popeye

08-05-07, 04:15 PM	#1
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	[WIP] Radio Station Manager V1.0 released. See http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...020#post623020 Beta version 0.9 (last Beta) now available. It has all of the editing functions enabled and you can now save your changes. It also now has data checking functions such as verifying that media files for events exist and checking event date/time order. About all that's left to do is the nag screens for saving changes before exiting the program and the documentation. Thanks to Misfit138's testing all the bugs should be worked out now. It's available at http://files.filefront.com/RSM090Bet.../fileinfo.html Based on Misfit138's Workaround for radio repeating the broadcasts when loading a save and the discussions in his thread http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=119443 , I have begun development of a "RadioStationManager" application. This application would allow you to create and add radio stations in an automated fashion and solve the problems with the scripted radio broadcasts being repeated when you reload a saved game in the middle of a patrol. This is the basic layout I have in mind for the app (with a description following the screeny). Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. In this area, all of the information for the radio stations defined in your radio.ini file would be displayed for editing. In this area, all of the scripted events (if any) contained in the events.ini file would be displayed and available for edit. This button would allow for the importation of new radio stations. Basically, you would create (or download) a radio station folder with the music and scripted events (if any), place it in the blah,blah,blah\Data\Sounds\Radio folder then press this button. You would be presented with a dialog to allow the selection of the folder containing the new radio station. Then you would fill in the required information (start and end dates and so on) and the station would be entered into your radio.ini file automatically. This button would allow you to delete a radio station from the radio.ini file. This button would save changes made to the currently selected station. This button would perform the necessary operations to prepare all radio stations for the reloading of a game. It would first present you with a dialog allowing you to specify which saved game you were going to load. Then, if the game that you select was not saved while on patrol, all events in the events.ini files for all radio stations would be uncommented (many thanks to JScones for the idea on how to handle the replay problem) so that your radio will start on the correct date. If the saved game you select is one that was saved while on patrol, then the SaveData.crp file will be examined to find the last command issued while on that patrol and that date/time will be used to determine which events are commented out to prevent their replay. In order to insure that the correct date/time is used, you would only need to issue an order (of any kind) immediately before saving your game. This button would allow you to choose a media file for the event that you are entering/editing. You would be presented with a dialog to select a media file from the events folder in your radio station. No more having to type (or even copy/paste) the name of the media file when creating/editing an event. This button would allow you to add an event at the end of the events list for the current radio station you are working on. This button would allow you to delete the currently selected event in area 2. This button would allow you to insert an event in front of the currently selected event in area 2. Before I start actually coding this app, I'd like to get a little feedback on any operations y'all might like to see added to it, or any changes in the layout that you think would be an improvement. Last edited by Digital_Trucker; 08-16-07 at 02:05 PM.

08-05-07, 07:33 PM	#5
ReallyDedPoet Canadian Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada. The one and only, East Coast Posts: 10,890 Downloads: 946 Uploads: 5	Look forward to this one RDP __________________ Back in the Day

08-06-07, 10:39 AM	#7
fred8615 Saint of the seas Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sorrento, Louisiana Posts: 1,320 Downloads: 265 Uploads: 127	As a radio station creator, I like the idea, and really like what you've got so far. __________________ Frederick J. Barnett Radio Stations & Music Captain's Desk Photos FJB Camera Pre Pearl Harbor Career Start Office links, Info Boxes, & 50 cal Crew Rank Fix Sub Class Info Real Subs SH4 Randomizer Sub Images Office Images Sub Pinups & Pics 24 Hour Clocks Office Posters Nav Map Make-Over Add-ons FJB Navigation Maps Office Window Chronographs Someone's got to take the responsibility if the job's going to get done! Do you think that's easy?! - Gregory Peck, The Guns of Navarone.

08-06-07, 01:00 PM	#9
CaptainCox Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: A Swede in Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,897 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Looks like a kick ass app there Digital_Trucker. This game is getting better by the day. We are seeing some darn good work kicking in at the mo when it comes to applications for this game. __________________ DOWNLOAD MY MODS HERE

08-06-07, 01:16 PM	#10
ReallyDedPoet Canadian Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada. The one and only, East Coast Posts: 10,890 Downloads: 946 Uploads: 5	Dam there is some nice work being done here, keep it up RDP __________________ Back in the Day

08-05-07, 04:58 PM	#2
THE_MASK Ace of the deep . Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9,226 Downloads: 901 Uploads: 73	Keep the mods comin baby. Awesome stuff

08-05-07, 05:29 PM	#3
Von Manteuffel Commander Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 473 Downloads: 411 Uploads: 0	Lookin' Good!!! How difficult would it be to include ( I think as part of "8" and/or"10" ) a setting which would allow the user to specify the period between dates ( e.g. from "previous + 1 day", to "previous + x days") This would greatly speed-up the creation of events.ini files. Keep up the good work.

08-05-07, 07:11 PM	#4
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	Thanks, sober. VM, what I had in mind was what JScones suggested in the other thread, that is commenting out (putting a semicolon in front of) all the entries prior to the date/time of the saved game that is about to be loaded. That way, the entire events.ini file doesn't have to be recreated each time, just modified a little. That also leaves room for manual editing of the file without messing anything up. If I'm not mistaken, when the game starts, it reads the events.ini file for each station until it reaches an entry that is at or past the date/time that it is looking for and it doesn't read the next entry in the file until the game time is past the time in the events.ini record. If this is the case, then there wouldn't be any advantage to leaving out any entries at the end of the file. I could be wrong about that. I'll make it a point to time how long it takes my dilapidated Socket A system to set up the events files. If mine can do it in a reasonable amount of time, then anyone's should be able to

08-05-07, 07:43 PM	#6
Misfit138 Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 267 Downloads: 80 Uploads: 0	This tool I've been working on looks so pitiful compared to yours :rotfl: But are you gonna continue from this on? Just asking so that I know should I drop this project of mine. Been making slow but steady progress ever since I got that one problem solved

08-06-07, 02:45 PM	#11
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	This will be a must-have for me. I'm getting tired of hearing about the free Mexican Jumping Beans that are available at my nearest Shelly gas station... __________________ My Dangerous Waters website:

08-08-07, 06:13 AM	#13
Misfit138 Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 267 Downloads: 80 Uploads: 0	Any progress? I apologize my lack of patience but this is the tool I need before I start patrolling in the pacific

08-08-07, 07:53 AM	#14
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	No problem on the lack of patience, Misfit138. I'm hoping to have the function that prepares the stations for a save game reload in mid patrol (that sure is a long function name:rotfl: ) ready today. I was planning on going ahead and putting it up with just the one function working until I get the rest of it coded since that discussion was what got me started on the project anyway. Hope that's the part you're looking for 'cause the rest of it may take a little bit. Edit:Thanks for asking the question since this post caused my rating to change. I was getting tired of lookin' at Popeye