Freeciv forum

[Thue]

How about a freeciv forum on apolyton!

Freeciv is a civ2 clone with multiplayer capability. If you want to learn more about freeciv go to www.freeciv.org (http://www.freeciv.org) .
The AI (allmost) doesn't cheat, but will still give everybody a run for their money at the hardest level.

ps: Have you tried freeciv on your newly installed linux yet, MarkG?

pps: My fog of war patch is now in CVS together with a lot of my bugfixes, so if you want to try that one just download current CVS http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif. This means it will be in the next official freeciv release

[DanQ]

We are working on a FreeCiv section, as matter of fact, for our <A HREF="http://apolyton.net/alt">Alternative Civs</A> area.

It should (hopefully) be unveiled by the end of the month.

----------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[don Don]

I've looked at that, but the last thing I want is a Civ with even more unbalancing Wonders. But it is nice to know it's out there, sticking it to MicroSoft and rampant capitalism.

[Rasputin00]

freeciv ounds good but wheres the windows version ???

[Thue]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><size=1>Originally posted by Rasputin00 on 03-21-2000 05:05 AM</font>
freeciv ounds good but wheres the windows version ???
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>Waiting for you to port it...
Most freeciv developers are too busy to use their time to port to every little obscure fringe OS. But we do have the important ones like linux, solaris, mac, amiga, beos, misc unixes... http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font>I've looked at that, but the last thing I want is a Civ with even more unbalancing Wonders. But it is nice to know it's out there, sticking it to MicroSoft and rampant capitalism.
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>Why are the wonders more unbalanced than in payciv?

<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited March 22, 2000).]</font>

[Thue]

*BUMP*

So how about that forum?
And how is the freeciv page coming along?

[DanQ]

An announcement will be made on Wednesday as to who will be taking over the Alt. Civs. section, and one of their first orders of business will be to complete the FreeCiv section.

----------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[Thue]

It seems to be dragging out somewhat...

Since freeciv has an open development mailing list and is in very active development right now I hope the ones who get to administer it is subscribed...

[CapTVK]

We're finally going to get a FreeCiv forum? That's great! http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif I remember asking about it once when there was a discussion about developing ACS but that was over a year ago (talk about slow paperwork).

For the record, I think we need a forum on FreeCiv foremost and a webpage later. www.freeciv.org (http://www.freeciv.org) already answers most of the technical questions but we need more user oriented questions answered. Questions from windows users in particular.
Granted, FreeCiv is not for the fainthearted and can be a pain to set up properly so it'll probably be a support forum for us (struggling) Linux/windows users in the short/medium run.


Eagerly awaiting the forum. But is it a 'this week' or more of a 'somewhere in the coming months' type of project?

[Thue]

Actually it is quite easy to set up under linux/amiga. It is only the windows port that was an afterthought.

Please everybody who want a freeciv forum post here.

Since my last post 4 patches have been posted to freeciv-dev.

*Thue goes off to finish coding the patch that will add AC style alliances to freeciv*

[Thue]

If you insist on having a freeciv section (when what is really needed is a freeciv forum), but lack a maintainer, I suggest posting to freeciv@freeciv.org asking if anybody want the job.

[DanQ]

I need to clarify/comment on a couple of things here:

1) FreeCiv forum -- while a FreeCiv sub-section is currently under development, and should be launched within the month actually, a forum for the game is not planned to open at the same time. If someone from the FC team asked us to open one, however, we would do so as quickly as possible.

2) As for "slow paperwork", our Alt. Civs. section unfortunately has not received the attention it deserves -- at least, until a few weeks ago when he 'hired' a person to look after the area, Paul.

FreeCiv will be the latest addition to the games we cover in our <A HREF="http://apolyton.net/alt">Alternative Civilizations</A> area.

----------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[Thue]

Umm, I <strong>am</strong> a part of the FC team! I even have write access authority to CVS.
It is me who have programmed the fog of war in CVS, the airplane goto soon to go in, and am working on the pacts patch. (besides lots of bugfixes)

If you don't believe me go to www.freeciv.org (http://www.freeciv.org) and find the administrators' email adresses. Any of them can conferm it is so.

(And no, you did not open one as quickly as possible when asked:P)
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited April 26, 2000).]</font>
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited April 26, 2000).]</font>

[Lancer]

Thue, Geeez that looks interesting!

Thank you very much.

Got a question though, w/ version 1.10 do I download targz ot tar bz2 if I want to play on win 95?
DOS?

[Thue]

Hmm; the place to go is http://www.freeciv.org/windows.html , but that page is seriously bad formulated.
What I can understand is this:
-There is no newer version than 1.9 available
-You will need to get a commercial X-server (no adequate free ones available)
-It will be a major hassle to get it working

I don't think anyone is actively working on getting newer versions to work. Someone is working on a java 1.10 client, but that one is far from completion.

There has been some work on a native windows client, but again this seem to be very slow.

Probably easier to just install linux http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif. May I recomment linux-mandrake.

(Administrators: no freeciv forum yet? You can do quicker than that http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif)

[Lancer]

Thue, I went to the freeciv org site you listed and went to the downloads section. In the downloads appears to be a choice 1.10, I just don't know which one to download. I went to the site you mentioned in the above post but I have no clue if I have an X server, or what that is.

Is there any hope of a guy like me, w/ almost no comp skills and too old and funky to get comp skills ever playing freeciv? Is there no site I can go to that says...

X Click here to download freeciv.

Or should I wait a few more months or years till you guys get it polished?

[Thue]

The "click here to download" is the freeciv source; it compiles directly for unix/linux and amiga, but is not suited for windoze.
When using it for windows some changes have to be made first, which is what someone had done for the 1.9 version. Apperantly it is not done for 1.10 .

I guess that if you wanted to play it the easiest way would be to install linux first, as I said. Linux Mandrake has an install just as easy as win98 in most cases, so it is not as far-fetched as it seems.

[CapTVK]

Thue,

Maybe we could use the Amiga version with WinUAE? I have never tried this before but it could work. If someone made an 'amiga in a box' with FreeCiv perhaps?(HD image for UAE with several programs installed)
Probably would be easier to use WinUAE than Linux as the Amiga seems to be well supported already.

[Thue]

Freeciv use a good deal of computing power for some things; it would be way to slow to emulate.

[DanQ]

Are you formally requesting a FC forum on Apolyton then, Thue? http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

If so, please contact Mark and I via email to discuss all the details about getting one going.

----------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[Mark von Wagner]

Quick instructions for installing FreeCiv on Windows:

1) Go to www.starnet.com (http://www.starnet.com) and download the demonstration version of X-Win32. Install it.

2) Download the Windows 1.9 version of FreeCiv from http://www.freeciv.org/windows.html

3) Start "Freeciv Server (do not announce game on metaserver)" from the start menu.

4) Type "set aifill 5" (or however many total players (human and computer) you want). Hit "enter".

4) Start X-Win32

5) Start the FreeCiv client from the start menu.

6) From the "Freeciv Server Selection" tab of the dialog box that comes up, enter the name you want to use in the "Name" field. Click the "Connect" button.

7) Switch back to the Civserver. Type "start" and press "enter". This starts the game.

8) X-Win32 will give you a message every half-hour or so that you will only be able to use it for a limited time. When it gives you a warning that it will quit in 15 minutes, select "Quit" from the FreeCiv "Game" menu. Click on the X-Win32 button on the taskbar and select "close". Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6. This will reconnect you to your game.

9) Remember, the AI isn't very knowlegable about diplomacy http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Mark von Wagner (edited April 28, 2000).]</font>

[Thue]

Thanks... I don't have windows so I am not very knowledgeable... (but what a pain with that nagware!)


Let us hope that someone has the heart to compile a laterwversion for windows. You are missing some great features in 1.9 (and bug fixes) build queues, barbarians...
Not to mention that you cannot play with the CVS, the development version.

ps: I asked them officially to make a freeciv forum. Let us see how quickly it is possible to do that http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Thue]

oh and

4.33) type "explain" to have a list of options. to "explain &lt;option&gt;" to have furthe information about a particular option. "set &lt;option&gt; &lt;value&gt;" will set it.

4.66) The ai defaults to easy. Type "hard" to have a challenge. The hard AI allmost doesn't cheat. (only it can see a little more of the map than you in some cases and it doesn't respect maximum tax rates).
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited April 28, 2000).]</font>

[Kumiorava]

KRAAAAH!!!

Nobody told me 1.10 was out...
Damn.

I can't see the point of making a windoze port. If your only OS is Win95/98, there is only program thing that can save you:

FDISK FOR DOS!

Then hurry up and get Linux, and your soul can still be saved.

[adaMada]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by Thue on 03-21-2000 09:29 AM</font>
But we do have the important ones like linux, solaris, mac, amiga, beos, misc unixes... http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>

Thue:

Is a mac version there? I can't seem to find one…

[Thue]

Oh sorry - my fault, there isn't. There is one labelled PowerPC, which I thought were MAC, but it is for linux on a MAC http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif.

[Thue]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by Kumiorava on 04-28-2000 01:14 PM</font>
KRAAAAH!!!

Nobody told me 1.10 was out...
Damn.

I can't see the point of making a windoze port. If your only OS is Win95/98, there is only program thing that can save you:

FDISK FOR DOS!

Then hurry up and get Linux, and your soul can still be saved.
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>

You got it! http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif
btw: if you have linux I strongly recomment getting the latest CVS. It has tons of cool new features and bugfixes, and you will be using the cutting edge freeciv! (plus the developers get more testers :P)
Once you have seen how easy it is to change the source code there is no going back!
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited April 28, 2000).]</font>

[DanQ]

Thue has contacted Markos and I, and we are currently reviewing the application. Stay tuned!

----------------
Dan; Apolyton CS

[Thue]

Some nice person (?can you be a good person if you use windows? http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif) posted an 1.10 windows version today (still needs an X server). It is at ftp://ftp.freeciv.org/freeciv/incoming/FCIV1100.EXE
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited April 29, 2000).]</font>

[Thue]

Some people on the freeciv mailing lists say they allready frequent apolyton, so the forum won't be completely empty http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Thue]

Will the wonders never end?

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font>On Sat, Apr 29, 2000 at 11:03:18PM -0400, Todd Goodman wrote:
> > > I've finally uploaded a 1.10.0 version of the self installing
> > > package for Freeciv 1.10.0 for Windows NT/95/98 (and I suppose
> > > 2000, but I don't have a machine here running that).
> >
> > Great news! Will you be updating the page that is referred to
> > from http://www.freeciv.org/faq/faq.html ?

I haven't mentioned it before, but I usually keep a recent CVS build
for windows at http://www2.msstate.edu/~mhp1/

Current copy is http://www2.msstate.edu/~mhp1/freeciv-win-20000429.zip

It doesn't auto-install - just unzip it into a directory and run the
batch files (civ.bat and serv.bat)

I usually post an updated copy every 4 days or so. It is compiled
using cygwin so you will need an X server. We usually use X-Win32 from
starnet.

I do this because while I run a Unix machine, everyone I play freeciv
with runs Windows and we didn't want to wait for the fog of war code
to show up in a release.

Michael

<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>

They like my Fog of War code http://apolyton.net/forums/biggrin.gif
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited April 30, 2000).]</font>

[adaMada]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by Thue on 04-28-2000 08:13 PM</font>
Oh sorry - my fault, there isn't. There is one labelled PowerPC, which I thought were MAC, but it is for linux on a MAC http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif.
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>

Then you don't have every important system… http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif



------------------
adaMada
adamada@springmail.com

[Kumiorava]

Thanks Thue, I'll check out the CVS. Btw,do you know if somebody has made/is making a GUI for civserver? If we manage to get some converts from the Windoze heretics here, most of them will probably be scared of again when they realize that they will have to know what a TERMINAL WINDOW (eeek!) is, and actually TYPE IN COMMANDS (scary stuff, isn't it?) to start a game. http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

[CapTVK]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by Thue on 04-30-2000 05:55 AM</font>
Will the wonders never end?

<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Thue (edited April 30, 2000).]</font>
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>

Just tested this Windows version with X-Win32, it works perfectly. Installed X-win32 and Freeciv, activated X-Win,started the server, started the client and was ready to go. It works far better than that previous windows port I tried out. Now I have to figure out how to play this online...


<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited May 01, 2000).]</font>

[Thue]

I think someone made an app for that I think - see www.freeciv.org/projects/projects.html (http://www.freeciv.org/projects/projects.html) -> WMCiv
I haven't tried it though.


<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font>Just tested this Windows version with X-Win32, it works perfectly. Installed X-win32 and Freeciv, activated X-Win,started the server, started the client and was ready to go.
It works far better than that previous windows port I tried out. Now I have to figure out how to play this online...
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>
Yardk - That mean .... he must have windows installed *brings out garlic and cross* http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

Anyway, to play online, start a client, go to http://meta.freeciv.org/metaserver/ and pick a game in "pregame" state, type in the relevant server and port in the client connect window and connect.
Ty type commands just type a / in front, ie "/set aifill 14"
There are only 1.10 version servers available, but if you start your own server with "civserver -m" it will annouce itself to the metaserver, and other players will see it and be able to connect. That way you can have your own CVS server.

[Thue]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by DanQ on 04-26-2000 09:59 AM</font>
If someone from the FC team asked us to open one, however, we would do so as quickly as possible.
Dan; Apolyton CS
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>
Well, we are still waiting... http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

*Here I could make comments about the range of what is possible for some people, but I won't http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif*

[MarkG]

obviously, what is considered a crime for an apolyton admin is to take some time off(so to speak, he should still reply to mails and posts and make a couple news items) and visit his parents during Easter... http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

[Thue]

Nah, it is just DanQ who made a very easy target with his own "As quickly as possible" http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Kumiorava]

Maby we should start harrassing him over e-mail, then? http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

[Rasputin00]

ok i downladed xwin32 and freeciv from your site but i cant get it to instlal it dsoenst make any sense obviosuly noty for novices...

[Kumiorava]

Check the other topics in this section. You should find the help you need, or at least a link to where you can find it.

[Rasputin00]

well I tried again .. mamaged t oinstlal freeciv this time.. but when i activate it from my Start Menu it opens MS-DOS prompt and runs thrtough a little batch file and finally ends with

[i] C:\Program Files\Freeciv>set FREECIV_DATADIR=.\data



C:\Program Files\Freeciv>set HOME=.



C:\Program Files\Freeciv>if exist postrun.txt goto start



C:\Program Files\Freeciv>civserver



This is the server for Freeciv version 1.10.0


You can learn a lot about Freeciv at <A HREF="http://www.freeciv.org/

" TARGET=_blank>http://www.freeciv.org/

</A>
0: setsockopt failed: The descriptor is a file, not a socket


0: bind failed: The descriptor is a file, not a socket

C:\Program Files\Freeciv>

[CapTVK]

Ras,

Try to state the problem a little more clearly. I've been running FreeCiv with X-win32 on WinNT for a few weeks now and it works without a hitch.

This checklist might help you further.
Did you install X-win32?
Did X-win32 install properly?
Did you activate X-win32 beforing starting the Civserver?
Did the server start up properly?
Did you active the Civserver BEFORE starting the Civclient?
When you start the civclient the server window will inform you that a player has logged in. Does this happen?


This pointers might help a bit, good luck.

[Kumiorava]

One more good tip that I remember has worked for Windows before:

Cross your fingers, close your eyes, and PRAY! http://apolyton.net/forums/biggrin.gif
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Kumiorava (edited May 13, 2000).]</font>

[Rasputin00]

Actually I followed the steps spelt out above in ealrier posts, According to ealrier post by Mark Von Wagner
You start Freciv first not XWin32.

Any way I tried doing it both ways, how do I check it is installed properly, Xwin that is...

As a purely Windows man this is very frustrating, but I am persistent and will try try again

Whe ni activate Xwin a window pops up that asks me to configure it . well how do i do that, whixh server does it want me to add...

For us initiated o X servers please spell it out plainer on how to activate Xwin properly

Yes I did start "Freeciv server dont annoucne game on metaserver" first....

[Thue]

I am quite sure it would be frustrating too for a linux user, which is why some people became linux users in the first place http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Kumiorava]

Oh yeah! Ever tried building configuring one of the older releases of XFree86 on a box with a non-standard kernel? http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif

[Rasputin00]

when linux has all the softeware i currently use i wiull swicth too http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif

[Thue]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by Kumiorava on 05-15-2000 08:50 PM</font>
Oh yeah! Ever tried building configuring one of the older releases of XFree86 on a box with a non-standard kernel? http://apolyton.net/forums/wink.gif
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>
No, but I find maintaining my current linux box much less challenging than I did windows :P

[sigra]

<center><table width=80%><tr><td><font color=000080 face="Verdana" size=2><font size="1">quote:
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1>
</font><font size=1>Originally posted by Rasputin00 on 05-16-2000 01:28 AM</font>
when linux has all the softeware i currently use i wiull swicth too http://apolyton.net/forums/smile.gif
<img src="/images/blue1.gif" width=100% height=1></font></td></tr></table></center>

What software is missing for you in linux?

[moseslei]

Rasputin:

The port probably assumes a 32-bit TCP/IP stack is installed on your computer. You may want to check if you have this.

First, check if you have a "Network Neighborhood" icon on your desktop. If yes, right click and select "properties." If no, go to Control Panel->Network.

Is "TCP/IP" in the list? If not, click Add->Protocol->Microsoft->TCP/IP.

If yes, or once you have it installed, go to the MS-DOS Prompt box and type "ping localhost". If that doesn't work, try "ping 127.0.0.1".

You should get output somewhat like:

Pinging schubert [127.0.0.1] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<10ms TTL=128

(With slightly different numbers and "schubert" replaced with the internal name for your computer)

If either of these work, you should have an OK stack. If you get an error message, try removing TCP/IP from Network properties, restarting Windows, and then reinstalling TCP/IP. If it asks you about replacing a new file with an old file, use the old file.

Also, if you have AOL, try upgrading to a newer version (4 or 5 works, I think).

Hope this will be helpful! If this isn't the problem, maybe someone else can offer a suggestion.

Moses
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by moseslei (edited May 16, 2000).]</font>

[Kumiorava]

Thue: I still can't figure out why my box, when running Windows, every now and then tries to read the empty floppy drive about 20 times in a row (no kidding). =>

Rasputin, I would very much like to know what software you can't find for Linux. OK, I admit that you can't find a lot of ports for newer games for Linux, but there's an easy fix for that: Just keep Windows on your hard drive for gaming.

For any other stuff you might use, take a peek into these sites. On them, you should be able to find an equal or (probably) better Linux apps to replace what ever you might use in Windows:

linux.org application resource links (http://www.linux.org/apps/index.html)

Tucows Linux (http://aww.linux.tucows.com/index.html)

<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Kumiorava (edited May 17, 2000).]</font>