CEO Companion Application (Open Source)

Printable View

03-26-12 01:22 am
BatXmaN

CEO Companion Application (Open Source)

Hey guys/gals,

I've started a small companion application for this wonderful game.
I decided it would be open source so anyone can pitch in, either, via coding or bug reporting.

Here is the project page.

Here is where you can post bugs.

Here is a page where you can comment at will.

I hope this helps our community with a better game experience.

Edit: Per Hobnocker's request, and a sensible and politely formulated one as it is :) , I'm explaining what it does:

The User interface is multiple tabs.

New Tab The first tab is now the News tab. Apart from my side of some news, I'll also try and add news from the game.

The second tab is now "Todo list". It's a simple task editor.

The third tab is "Keyboard Shortcuts" and has the 3 keyboard shortcuts that I know of.

The fourth tab is titled "FAQ" and will contain a copy of all the FAQ content I can muster.

The fifth tab is titled "Tips and Tricks" and will have content that seams important from the forums.

The sixth Tab is called "Adventure Guides". This tab will have a list of the best Adventure Guides on the forums.

The seventh tab is titled "Battle Calculator" and should have code from Selak, if he replies to my private.

The eighth tab is titled "Production Chain". It contains the contents from BB_Arad1's post on the subject. It will however contain a calculator with more interaction so you can put your building and their levels and it will calculate if you have enough to not go short.

New Tab The nineth tab is the Trade Calculator. Still not done, but I still have a long way to go.

The last tab is the "About" tab and contains various links related to the app.

Will post a/some screenshot/s once I choose which app to use on Ubuntu :)

Developer Diary
Wed 28 Mar 2012: I've added a tab for Adventure guides, just the tab :) . I'm building a software library of the units(Buildings, Settlers, Bandits) that can be used in this app and by future developers if they want.

Sun 1 Apr 2012: I've added a Todo List tab so we can track our todos. I've picked this one up from suggestions for the Dev team forum.

Sun 8 Apr 2012: I've been mildly busy at this and had the time to test some components for Free Pascal/Lazarus.
I'm now using an HTML Viewer which will give a better presentation of all of the content I'm planning on getting on.
I've also started the Settings Dialog with the early stages of all the tweaks I can muster onto the app.
Content will be served from the source repo and can already be seen under the content folder.

Mon 9 Apr 2012: The settings functionality is up and running.
Added the possibility to configure Top or Bottom for the tabs.
A stub for language selection is in place.
A stub of the frequency for update checks is also in place.

Wed 18 Apr 2012: Add, Edit and Delete are done, on the Todo List tab.
Just need to code the Save, now.

Thu 26 Apr 2012: Re-wrote all of the tab management system to include the hide tabs feature.
Added 2 more tabs: News and Trade Calculator.

Sun 6 May 2012: Added the possibility to turn "Show Close Button" on/off for the tabs.
I've started to add Hints to some components. They show as regular Hint Windows and a more detailed int show on the Status bar.
This includes having the address for the clickable links on the About tab showing on the Status Bar.
One of the containers for the Online Updates was created.

Next release will be RC2 (Release Candidate 2) with the Online Update feature.

Cheers,
Gus
03-26-12 03:57 am
Hobknocker

Did you maybe want to take a moment & tell us what the app does? :)
03-27-12 05:14 pm
BatXmaN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobknocker

Did you maybe want to take a moment & tell us what the app does? :)

Hope my edit of the thread clarifies things.
Anything else you guys want to ask, please feel more than free to shoot :)

Cheers,
Gus
04-01-12 07:07 am
BatXmaN

Todo tab will make my second release

I'm very interested in getting the todo functionality on my next release since I really want it for myself.

Once I get it on, please give me some feedback.

I'll also publish the Screenshots after I release the next version.

Thanks,
Gus
04-08-12 12:59 pm
BatXmaN

Quote:

Originally Posted by BatXmaN

Sun 8 Apr 2012: I've been mildly busy at this and had the time to test some components for Free Pascal/Lazarus.
I'm now using an HTML Viewer which will give a better presentation of all of the content I'm planning on getting on.
I've also started the Settings Dialog with the early stages of all the tweaks I can muster onto the app.
Content will be served from the source repo and can already be seen under the content folder.

I'm still sticking to my word and will have the next release when the Todo List is useable/complete.

Just to bump up the thread announcing another entry on the Dev Diary.
04-09-12 02:53 pm
BatXmaN

Dev Diary Mon 9 Apr 2012

I've added the ability to change some of the behaviour of the application through options.

I've added a stub for, both the Language selection and the Update Frequency.

Now to resume the Task management feature.
04-11-12 07:35 am
BatXmaN

Hi guys,

I was about to make a Release Candidate(RC) today but while compiling the app in windows, the HTML Viewer with the Production Chains was misbehaving.
I'll have to investigate why, meaning, it's going to take longer than I wanted. I'm really bummed about it :(

I'll keep you guys posted on the HTML Viewer issue and I'll finish the Todo List feature in the mean time.

I've also had some time to investigate about the translation. I'll be conducting some tests to see if I can get the language selection switch without having to restart the app, so fingers crossed.
04-13-12 09:35 am
BatXmaN

Hey guys,

So yesterday was my BDay, hence no activity on the app.

You have to have a look at the most wonderful cake my missus made:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pt4RHXCUUc...BatmanCake.jpg

Oky, now back to the app... Come along, nothing to see here :)
04-13-12 09:51 am
BatXmaN

The combat generator and "pinching" some code :)

Hey guys,

I've pm'ed Selak and Draxxon asking for the code for the combat simulator. It's been more than 2 weeks now, I think, and still no answer.

Having re-read Selak's post about the app, I've noticed that he programmed it with .NET. Well the guys over at Sharp Develop have made the, very useful, ILSpy. This is a very good, open source, .NET debugger and decompiler.

So I crossed my fingers and hoped that Salek didn't obfuscate his code much and used ILSpy on his app. He didn't, so I was able to retrieve his code. Yes, it's bad and I should bow my head in shame, but I did try to get it from the source. Probably should've waited a tad more and not be impatient... Well, next time then :) And if Salek is ofended in any way, I'm appologising(deeply sorry Salek) in advance!!

I haven't had time, with my BDay and all, to have a propper look at the code. From the diagonal perusal of it, I've managed to understand that he uses the "brute force" method of simulating a battle. I've been thinking about how to go about it, while waiting for a reply from either Salek or Draxxon, and I think there's another approach. So, in the end, I probably won't even use Salek's code.

Well, that's all I had to say about the combat simulator. I'll have a better look at Salek's code and then decide on what to do.

Cheers,
Gus

PS: Salek, again, if you are ofended with my peeking your code, please pm me and I'm very sorry that you would feel that way! Really!!
04-13-12 09:55 am
Hobknocker

Did you really just publicly post that you stole someone's code and are planning to use it without the author's permission?

Hopefully Selak has a disclaimer somewhere that permits this, or otherwise gives you permission. If not, you maybe just opened yourself up to an IP lawsuit.
04-13-12 10:22 am
BatXmaN

Some overdue screenshots.

Hey guys,

Feeling bad because I wasn't able to do the RC.

So here are some screenshots of the app on my side of the court (Ubuntu 11.10 amd64):

The Todo list
http://ceo-companion.googlecode.com/..._task-list.png

The Keyboard shortcuts
http://ceo-companion.googlecode.com/...-shortcuts.png

The Production Chains
http://ceo-companion.googlecode.com/...ion-chains.png

The Settings dialog
http://ceo-companion.googlecode.com/...n_settings.png

Hope you like it.

Cheers,
Gus
04-13-12 10:30 am
BatXmaN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobknocker

Did you really just publicly post that you stole someone's code and are planning to use it without the author's permission?

Hopefully Selak has a disclaimer somewhere that permits this, or otherwise gives you permission. If not, you maybe just opened yourself up to an IP lawsuit.

I publicly acknowledged that I've had a peek inside Selak's code. Haven't stolen since I haven't coded the combat sim yet.

And if I am liable, then I'll welcome any criticism and bad rep that I deserve, but I also did say that I've asked permission for a peek at the code to two members of these forums and they haven't replied to any of my callings yet.

If it comes down to "Draw your lawyer", then I guess I was under the bad impression that this was a friendly comunity that understood cooperation and not go that way. But we are humans and pride will be brused sometimes...

Also I'm apologising if it is the case that the code was very secretive. And to make my last point, I've added Salek to my credits tab even BEFORE I've sent the PM asking permission. That's publicly available on any of the 3 downloads that I'm providing.
04-18-12 12:52 pm
BatXmaN

Add, Edit and Delete for the Todo List done.

Hey guys,

I've completed the most basic of functionalities on the Todo List: Add, Edit and Delete.

Now for the Save List.

Cheers,
Gus
04-18-12 04:42 pm
Evelude

sorry, did you say something i got lost at the cake in your avatar.
04-19-12 02:09 am
BatXmaN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evelude

sorry, did you say something i got lost at the cake in your avatar.

Nothing what so ever ;)

Glad you enjoy me 3 layer choc cake :)
04-19-12 12:33 pm
winsland

Quote:

Originally Posted by BatXmaN

Nothing what so ever ;)

Glad you enjoy me 3 layer choc cake :)

yum!! me too

and good work :)
04-19-12 01:15 pm
BatXmaN

Thanks Winsland.
04-19-12 01:16 pm
BatXmaN

Note to self: Feature request

Add the ability to hide tabs. Pro users might want to hide all of them but the Todo List, Battle Calc and Production Chains.
04-19-12 01:28 pm
BatXmaN

Winsland request

Do not forget a Trade Calc tab.
04-19-12 01:49 pm
winsland

yep, :)
04-23-12 02:30 pm
BatXmaN

Release Candidate 1 (RC1) is out, with the Todo List

Hey fellow settlers,

Like promised I've released the RC1 with the Todo List feature.

You can get the files here.

If you have any bugs to report, please do it here.

Change log:
1. An initial settings dialog is added.
2. The Todo List feature is complete(almost?)
04-24-12 07:26 am
BatXmaN

Somewhere to comment...

Hey guys,

I've just realised that I didn't have a place so everyone could give it's opinion about the app.

So I've blogged about it here: CEO Companion Application

In the hopes you are enjoyin the new release!!

Cheers,
Gus
04-24-12 11:26 am
winsland

ok, good work! :):):)

i have just downloaded RC1 and its great!
i know you have had problems finding code for the battle calc so here is a few website that may help:
www.castleempiresim.com- this also has a trade calc
hallophp.de/dso_kampfsimulator - this is on the german version of this game
settlersonlinesimulator.com/dso_kampfsimulator/ - this is the german one
settlersonlinesimulator.com/dso_kampfsimulator/fr/ - french version
settlersonlinesimulator.com/dso_kampfsimulator/us/- the author is asipak

ill will get more soon :):):)
04-25-12 02:00 am
BatXmaN

Quote:

Originally Posted by winsland

ok, good work! :):):)

i have just downloaded RC1 and its great!

Thanks !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by winsland

i know you have had problems finding code for the battle calc so here is a few website that may help:
www.castleempiresim.com- this also has a trade calc
hallophp.de/dso_kampfsimulator - this is on the german version of this game
settlersonlinesimulator.com/dso_kampfsimulator/ - this is the german one
settlersonlinesimulator.com/dso_kampfsimulator/fr/ - french version
settlersonlinesimulator.com/dso_kampfsimulator/us/- the author is asipak

ill will get more soon :):):)

This is very welcome, many, MANY thanks mate!!

Cheers,
Gus
04-26-12 12:38 pm
BatXmaN

Ufff, what an afternoon ;)

Wilst trying to get a feature in, the one that would allow to hide some tabs, I realised I had to re-write the entire Tab management system.

So that was my afternoon, re-doing all of the tabs in order to get this feature in. But it wasn't at all bad. I realised that one of the bugs that I had before, couldn't put the tabs either left or right, has now gone and I've already included the options on the Settings.

I've added two more tabs, News and Trade Calculator. They will come live on the next release(Release Candidate 2 RC2) with the online update system.

Once the online update system is in place an relativately safe to publish, I'll be spending some time in producing the content. So it will be a while once I re-start the coding of the app. This will also mean that all the content I'll produce will be ready right after I upload it to the server and in your system once you checked for an update.

Cheers,
Gus
04-29-12 04:19 am
BatXmaN

Now I'm in double trouble...

So I've been investigating the best way to provide the online updates and I've come to the conclusion that I need to go into something called threads. This is needed so the User Interface does not freeze when the updates are running, kinda like a background task.

But it's very well known in the programming comunitty, that, whenever you get into threads, you have double trouble. So keep your fingers crossed and let's hope I don't mess it too much.

Cheers,
Gus
04-29-12 08:08 am
winsland

Quote:

Originally Posted by BatXmaN

So I've been investigating the best way to provide the online updates and I've come to the conclusion that I need to go into something called threads. This is needed so the User Interface does not freeze when the updates are running, kinda like a background task.

But it's very well known in the programming comunitty, that, whenever you get into threads, you have double trouble. So keep your fingers crossed and let's hope I don't mess it too much.

Cheers,
Gus

good luck to ;)
04-30-12 03:55 pm
BatXmaN

Quote:

Originally Posted by winsland

good luck to ;)

Eheheh, thanks mate, I'll need it ;)
05-02-12 12:55 am
BatXmaN

Will try and compile for Mac OS X

Well, I finally decided to bite the bullet and try to compile CEO Companion for Mac OS X.

I'm in the middle of installing a Mac OS X Lion Virtual Machine and I'm hoping that RC2 will also be released for Macs.

I've already started the Online Update effort with the object that compares the local and remote versions of the App and the content. I'm trying to get RC2 out by next week or this week end.

Cheers,
Gus
05-02-12 05:06 am
BatXmaN

I just realized that my machine is older than it should for a programmer :(

I'm missing the hardware to emulate a Mac OS X machine.

I'll try and compile it at a friends.
05-03-12 08:45 am
winsland

Quote:

Originally Posted by BatXmaN

I just realized that my machine is older than it should for a programmer :(

I'm missing the hardware to emulate a Mac OS X machine.

I'll try and compile it at a friends.

Ooops :D
05-05-12 05:02 am
BatXmaN

Quote:

Originally Posted by winsland

Ooops :D

Yeah, very much Oooops indeed :(
05-05-12 05:05 am
BatXmaN

Me and my OCD, humph...

Lately I wasn't feeling like doing some creative coding, like the Online Update, so I went into the repetitive coding mode instead.

This means that I'm doing the units library that I was talking about. It's the group of objects that contains all the information about Settlers, Bandits and Buildings. It's also the basis of the calculators.

I'm including one or two images with every object. I found out about the Settlers Fan Kit and after inspecting it's contents, it's not complete. It has images for buildings, for bandits, nice screenshots, for some resources, etc... but is missing the Battle units, like the Recruit, Bowman, etc..

I could go an Google some images, but my slight OCD, kinda gets me in trouble every time. I decided I would try and get the images that the browser loads, directly, from BlueByte/Ubisoft. These are the original ones, with more quality, and I already have a disclaimer stating that all belongs to them anyway.

I found out that there are quite a lot of images that I can use that come in PNG format. I also found out that others are contained inside binary files.

After some investigation, I found out that those binary files are AMF(Action Message Format) encoded, and most of them are simple arrays of the PNG files with a name attached.

This is where I'm going to be slightly delayed. I've done some Googling about AMF and the programming language I'm using for this app and came out with a commercial only solution. Not being one to admit defeat, I'm now trying to read those BIN files on my own.

I had an AMF project already in my mind, but it never came about for lack of a legitimate use. This changes it. So looks like I'll have to complete the AMF library after all.

I'll be keeping you informed of my image recovery efforts along the way.

Cheers,
Gus
05-06-12 09:25 am
BatXmaN

Dev Diary Sun 6 May 2012

Sun 6 May 2012: Added the possibility to turn "Show Close Button" on/off for the tabs.
I've started to add Hints to some components. They show as regular Hint Windows and a more detailed int show on the Status bar.
This includes having the address for the clickable links on the About tab showing on the Status Bar.
One of the containers for the Online Updates was created.