TonyE

Thanks Enrique, I imagine these cross references are extremely valuable and want to make sure to recognize the effort. It takes time to load up potentially multiple databases to search for existing entries.

Don, yes, when we switched from 2047 to 4095 items per annex that included loading the entire database into memory. I tinkered with a similar approach a couple of years back except it was adding a new AnnexId (32-bit unsigned integer for 4 billion records) while leaving the existing AnnexId on all of the data structures. Your suggestion is an interesting variant that would allow loading any number of databases so a deranged (as they all are) database author could split up data among multiple databases (USA platforms 1946-1978 in one DB, USA 1979-2000 in another, Portugal in another, ...). For that person it would be a nightmare of maintenance but the existing platform editor could continue to be used. The game changes would be significant but less significant than any approach I've considered. A subset of the changes: 1. Data structure changes to have the database key move from AnnexId to AnnexId+DBName. DB Flavor is made up of name and timestamp. It is customary to also embed a yymmdd with the database name, ex. HCDB-150928. I would think we would assume that practice is in play and use just the name portion so the Ship with AnnexId 2048 would be 2048+HCDB rather than 2048+HCDB-150928 but it is a business rule choice, as a programmer, I don't care which approach is chosen. 2. Anywhere the game references an AnnexId, update to AnnexId+DBName. At the logic level this breaks scenario and saved game formats. We've had scenario format conversions for a long time and saved game format conversions for years as well so this isn't new ground. At the UI level, it means showing the DBName in a bunch of places (scenario editor unit picker so you make sure to grab an HCDB2 F-14D rather than an HDCB F-14D), Platform Display, etc. This could be a reasonable fallback approach. Thank you for raising it! If I missed your intent, please correct me. The approach driving my proof of concepts is to have a monolithic, multi-maintainer, database fronted by a web-based user interface. Once you decide it or a piece of it should be usable in the game there are a variety of approaches to consider. a. Make all of the game modifications to accept the gigantic database, build in filters to make selection easier (i.e. search for F-14 rather than scrolling to Iran or USA then finding right platform as we do today). I view this as the best user experience but the most development-intensive. b. From the platform editor have the scenario author choose the platforms they want to use in their scenario, enforce the 4095 items per annex limit, and export a one-off database for use in the game. No game changes would be needed to leverage this one-off. The complexity is on the platform editing tool side and the poor user experience is for the scenario author needing to select their platforms both in the platform editing tool and in the scenario editor leading to some back and forth, multiple database exporting, etc. c. Have the database authors group platforms into releases that fit within the 4095 item per annex limit. Scenario authors then have a package from which to start. But...scenario authors would be limited to the bundling choices made by the DB author so you probably won't be flying F-14s off of USS Nimitz against Misubishi Zero fighters.

Congrats, keep us updated, I'd like to add photos and a story to one of the Harpoon sites so we don't lose the history any time soon.

I wrote some custom code to turn the list of requested platforms Eric has been recording into a tabular format should it be a useful format for consumption. See the table at the bottom of https://harpgamer.com/harpforum/hc_platform_requests/

Wscenedt32.exe - Your system has some special characteristic, looking forward to hopping on a screen sharing session to troubleshoot.

Oh the memories, Destroyer shooting down aircraft with the AA guns, the nice delay effect on the aiming reticule. I may have spent too much time playing that game and lobbing a few 5" shells when I needed a break from air defense. That was on the Apple II compatible Franklin computer that I bet not many of you had!

Eric, thank you for attempting to organize the database requests. I'm an interested to see where it goes and appreciate the effort it take to maintain the list of enhancement requests!

Agreed. I choose not to give up and instead help build a platform editor that encourages newer platforms that lead to additional scenarios. It is a reprioritization from saying an easy to use game launcher is most important to saying a platform editor is most important. A 'modern' platform editor won't solve the problem, there has to be a vibrant community around the game which doesn't exist right now. People are out there and someone inevitably needs to rebuild the community for any tools to be put to use. I have the desire but not enough time to rebuild a community and build tools. Maybe someday I will but not right now.

I just sent an email to Don asking if he has a handy reference to packaged releases and if he is really well equipped, physical media releases. He has been very busy with work so no promises.

I found a Commander's Edition DVD case included printed manual but only one so I don't want to sell that. I did not find any ANW DVDs, may have given them away already in a downsizing of the collection. Looking through my artifacts did make me notice that you don't seem to have WinHarp with EC2000. It was a release that came out almost the same time as HC97 except it was the 16-bit game engine in concert with the EC2000 BattleSets rather than HC97's 32-bit game engine. I don't have the CD handy but have attached a photo of the booklet cover and insert describing the BattleSets and game improvements.

Welcome! Out of curiosity, why are you attempting to complete the collection of physical goods? You already have the virtual goods via the Harpoon Ultimate Edition DVD. I appreciate collectors, again, just curious about your motivation. I do have Harpoon Commander's Edition and I think Harpoon ANW, will have to dig in a storage bin. I'll put out a feeler on Harpoon 3 Pro as well, may I share the e-mail you used o register on the forum with Uncle Harpoon/Don Gilman?

Thank you for your input, I hope more will answer. Now can I work up a proof of concept showing a "hello world" screen of a new editor leveraging your HarpGamer logons to show at the Friday Zoom meeting? That's the goal!

Three days to go! We will be talking about whatever topics you bring to the discussion as well as database editing as we consider potential paths forward on how to revive the platform editing vigor. Re-check your start time please as we went through the Daylight Saving's Time switch last weekend. The chat starts @ 19:00 (UTC-6:00) which equates to 02:00 (UTC+1:00) Saturday in Berlin. Next Harpoon chat on Zoom is Friday November 12th @ 7:00 PM Central. Hope to see you there! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88443754075?pwd=ZXhoVjdQdFpCbkczeUFwamduSWVtZz09 Meeting ID: 884 4375 4075 Passcode: 874700 One tap mobile +16699006833,,88443754075#,,,,*874700# US (San Jose) +14086380968,,88443754075#,,,,*874700# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 884 4375 4075 Passcode: 874700 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdfSLC4a5A

What logins would you be willing to use to identify you to the database editor? HarpGamer forum Google account Facebook account Wordpress account Microsoft account ??? How dare you try to associate my database edits with me as a real person? I happen to have all of the above types of account. Neither of my top two choices are in the list above. First would be one of the big name identity providers like PingId, Okta, Auth0. However, they are expensive except for a limited free plan from Auth0. My second choice would be a free solution such as a containerized implementation of LDAP + OIDC. However, I haven't identified a mature and well-maintained solution in that space. Desires: An approach that can stand the test of time. This is a 30+ year old game. The lifetime of Internet properties is much shorter without significant investment. Something users will use. I doubt we'll get many Millenials using Facebook accounts. Wider integration, seamless sign on would be great with other properties (like multiplayer HC someday, right?)

Great free resource, thanks!

Reminder: Next Harpoon chat on Zoom is Friday November 12th @ 7:00 PM Central. Hope to see you there! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88443754075?pwd=ZXhoVjdQdFpCbkczeUFwamduSWVtZz09 Meeting ID: 884 4375 4075 Passcode: 874700 One tap mobile +16699006833,,88443754075#,,,,*874700# US (San Jose) +14086380968,,88443754075#,,,,*874700# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 884 4375 4075 Passcode: 874700 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdfSLC4a5A

The file appears corrupt on all three Matrix Games servers that I tried. I've sent their support desk an e-mail asking for the correct file to be put back into place.

Oh, I'm looking forward to more spare time on your part! That sounds like a good timeline as well for a better platform editor.

Royal New Zealand Navy ANZAC class frigates with the 2017 Frigate Service Upgrade https://harpgamer.com/harpforum/topic/30283-are-these-two-ships-in-any-of-the-databases/ View full record

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https://harpgamer.com/harpforum/topic/30283-are-these-two-ships-in-any-of-the-databases/ View full record

Thoughts are good, keep 'em coming. To use LibreOffice would require a re-write of the platform editor anyway and would not have the collaborative editing features so I don't view it as a leading option. It does prompt the thought of the power of GoogleDocs, Office 365 collaborative editing, etc. to consider a spreadsheet solution rather than a full development effort. That raises the barrier to entry for successfully editing the database but would decrease development effort.