Project Team: Sign Up!

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 19:05

Sign up to participate in the Project Team.
This is quite a large project and it would be wise to form a team to efficiently and successfuly bring this project to a result.
If you don't want to join the team but make some work on your own go ahead. If your work is useful in any way it could be used.

Currently there is need in the following sections:

A) Programming

We are in need of programmers with knowledge in C++.
If you know C but you're not familiar with object-oriented programming or C++, you might be of some help as well.

The current demand is for 1-2 program leaders and several coders.

1) The program leader(s) will organize, supervise and direct efforts made in programming the code.
2) The coders will work in the actual code.

B) Quality Assurance

We need several testers that will test changes made in the code, and are familiar with Call to Power 2 or computer games in general.
Also text showing up in dialoge boxes, messages, interface and Great Library will be tested for grammatical errors, translation and logical or historical inconsistancies.

The current demand is for 1-2 test leaders/managers and several testers.

1) The test leader(s)/Manager(s) will organize, supervise and direct the testing efforts.
2) Testers will play-test the changes made in the code.

C) Documentation

We are in need of programmers to document the code.

Important Notes

Some positions are limited to 1-2 people.
Thus if the offer is greater than the demand inevitably there will be some selection.
The criteria I propose are (in that order of significance):

a) Availability. How much time and effort you're willing to put forth.
b) Skills. How good you are in it.
c) Date/Time of sign up. If the above two are not enough then order priority will be considered.

The positions are the very current needs. As the project progresses new ones will be added and other removed.

Additions and changes

[7/11/2003] If you are a programmer and want to sign up mention your preferable C++ compiler and if you have access to it.

[7/11/2003] Choose the area you would like to work on mostly, regarding coding and testing. Depending on the offer and demand or your skills, you might not get what you want.

[7/11/2003] For all positions available add any previous work or experience you might have related to it, a rough idea on your availability and a way to contact you (your email address, icq #, etc.). If you don't want to post your email address or icq # in public, simply email me at marc13@otenet.gr.

[7/11/2003] A guide for your application:

SECTION: Programming, coder

COMPILER (only for applications in programming): Borland C++ Builder 6

AREA OF INTEREST: I would like to get involved in the multiplayer coding.

BACKGROUND: I have a solid knowledge in C/C++, I've worked as a software engineer in several projects, professionaly and unprofessionally, I've been moding Call to Power for some time now and playing civ-type games since I was a kid. Oh I have a girlfriend who loves Call to Power

AVAILABILITY: I can work for a couple of hours per day most of the week. I might not be able to work at all though sometimes, for brief periods.

CONTACT: Email: me@home.com, ICQ# 12345678

COMMENTS: You kind busted my nerves with all these guides et al but I forgive you

BTW, you might want to add an art section for graphics and sounds

Note that the above guide is what it implies: a guide. You don't actually need to follow that structure when you sign up. You can put it the way you like but make sure to include all necessary information: Section/specialty, background, compiler (for programming), availability and contact. Area of interest or comments are optional.

Related thread:

Source Code: Project Team

Locutus · November 6, 2003, 19:54

Sign ups so far:

Project Management

Project Managers: Keygen and Locutus

Programming Team

Lead Programmer: Locutus and/or J Bytheway

Programmers:

Locutus
Mikhail_T
DDowell
Martin Gühmann
Fromafar
kaan
J Bytheway
closms
Gramphos
bobbley
berXpert
sadOldMan
Mathemagician
Dale
Peter Triggs

Quality Assurance Team

QA Lead: Keygen

Playtesters:

Maquiladora
Turambar
Tamerlin
child of Thor
Asmodean
Gilgamensch

Auxilary Team

Artist: hexagonian

Webmaster: Locutus and/or Turambar

Translators: Tamerlin (French), berXpert (Spanish), Mathemagician (German)

Documentation: child of Thor, Gilgamensch, Tamerlin

External Consultant: Pyaray

---

I don't understand the Documentation section: you want to have a seperate team for documenting the code and for programming? How would that work? In order to be able to program you'll first need to document the code. While programming, you document your activities. These things go hand in hand. It makes no sense to me to seperate them.

I would also want to add a Auxilary/Misc category: we're going to need artists to create new game art (particularly UI, but maybe other art as well). We could use some capable writers to work on the user documentation, e.g. to develop a new manual (especially once we start really changing things the old one will soon loose it's value, as far as it had any), we may need some people to keep the text files in line with the new executable (and to document any features that are added/changed in the text files), maybe some people to work on PR, perhaps someone who could help out with the website, etc. There's probably some other things that need to be done that I can't think of right now.

A note on QA: aside from regular playtesters, we'll have a specific need for MP playtesters.

Anyway, I'll sign up for (lead) programmer, next to my work as co-project manager.

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 19:55

If you are a programmer and want to sign up for the team please mention your preferable C++ compiler and if you have access to it currently.

For all positions it would be nice if you could add in your post any previous work and experience.

Locutus · November 6, 2003, 20:00

As for compiler, I'd prefer gcc, though Visual Studio 6.0 is fine as well. I may over time upgrade to .NET though. (See? This is why I don't think we should choose a single compiler

)

Experience: I'm a student of Computer Science and have particated in and managed several programming projects in the context of my study. I've done loads of programming in my own time (been programming since I was like 8 years old), in numerous languages. C++ is definitely not my favourite or most used language, but I can handle myself.

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 20:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus

I don't understand the Documentation section: you want to have a seperate team for documenting the code and for programming? How would that work? In order to be able to program you'll first need to document the code. While programming, you document your activities. These things go hand in hand. It makes no sense to me to seperate them.

That is not necessary a team structure suggestion. That we are of need for people to program and document the code does not necessary means different teams. There might be some people that want to document the code but are not willing to work on it. Why not give them a chance?

It is expected of cource that people that will work on the code to document it as well but it would be nice if someone could document in a text file the general structure of the code, its main sections, any general problems or suggestions, etc. That could be done by anyone in the programming team or more than one but is defenetely a different thing than to code.

Locutus · November 6, 2003, 20:14

A rather subtle and trivial difference IMO, but if you want to use it that's fine with me

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 20:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus

I would also want to add a Auxilary/Misc category: we're going to need artists to create new game art (particularly UI, but maybe other art as well). We could use some capable writers to work on the user documentation, e.g. to develop a new manual (especially once we start really changing things the old one will soon loose it's value, as far as it had any

It is too early for adding new stuff or even improving the code. That's the lack of it for in the thread. Let's get with the documenting and bug fixing first and the rest will follow. My humble suggestion.

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 20:19

Just a note. The above positions are the very current needs. As the project progresses new positions will be added.

Locutus · November 6, 2003, 20:23

Well, hex is already working on a new UI. And the current manual for the game is crap, so if anyone wants to start on a new one right now I would applaud that. I agree we don't need the other positions filled yet, though it wouldn't hurt to at least gauge interest...

BTW, I took the liberty to top the thread and remove the PROJECT prefix (for topped thread, I'd say the Top prefix is enough). Hope you don't mind

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 20:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus

perhaps someone who could help out with the website, etc. There's probably some other things that need to be done that I can't think of right now.

A note on QA: aside from regular playtesters, we'll have a specific need for MP playtesters.

Anyway, I'll sign up for (lead) programmer, next to my work as co-project manager.

Website is in the "To Do" list. An yes, there are other things too that I can't think of either right now or it is not the time for it yet

Good to see you signing up for the programming lead

I will sign up for the QA lead as an ex-professional QA engineer unless of cource we find a good one for the job

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 20:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Locutus

BTW, I took the liberty to top the thread and remove the PROJECT prefix (for topped thread, I'd say the Top prefix is enough). Hope you don't mind

Not at all

I put the PROJECT prefix per your suggestion about thread labeling.

Maquiladora · November 6, 2003, 20:32

Obviously i can do testing, MP, PBEM, Hotseat and SP, help with art too.

Locutus · November 6, 2003, 21:07

Quote:

Originally posted by Keygen
I will sign up for the QA lead as an ex-professional QA engineer unless of cource we find a good one for the job

Good, I like keeping the management small (especially while the team is small as well). The project leaders also being the team leaders helps with that

MrBaggins · November 6, 2003, 21:22

OK... who's going to be President. And we'll have to vote for ministers too.. and write a constitution

Keygen · November 6, 2003, 21:32

OK, let's keep it clean ladies and gentlemen.

No further comments please.

Only related posts.

hexagonian · November 7, 2003, 00:16

Well, I'll be willing to put together any art-related files (like the aforementioned UI), but I will need directions from the programmers for what is needed.

SECTION: Graphics creation/revision

COMPILER: None

AREA OF INTEREST: Art (see my work in the Candle'Bre/Empire threads)

BACKGROUND: Graphic Artist by trade. Expertise in Photoshop. Extensive CTP2 modwork via textfiles (not that it'll matter in this project...)

AVAILABILITY: On an 'as needed' basis.

CONTACT: PM

Mikhail_T · November 7, 2003, 04:27

Hello to all of you.
My name is Michael Tsibelman.
I am a new at this forum but an idea of working on an actual civilisation game source is very existing for me.

A little about my self.
I have a B.A in software engeniring and I work as a programmer developing database related aplications using C# as my main language.

I have experience in C/C++ development so i think i can benefit this project as a programmer.

DDowell · November 7, 2003, 04:47

I'll be happy to join the programming team (A).

Sign me up!

Keygen · November 7, 2003, 08:02

Top post updated.

Additions and changes added.

Turambar · November 7, 2003, 08:35

I'll sign up for testing! I'm in my second year of BSc Internet Computing (we only get taught Java unfortunetly), and I've been playing the CTP games for ages etc.

Did I hear someone mentioned a website? I may be willing to do / help out with that if it's needed. And I've a shed load of web space + bandwidth lying around unused which could be used if apolyton doesn't want to host it.

Locutus · November 7, 2003, 09:00

Tur,
The 'website' (you can't really call it that, at this point) is here: http://ctp2files.apolyton.net/source/ -- it would've been posted already but it's probably gonna take Markos forever to update the necessary links... (Reverse psychology always seems to work well with him

)

If you have any ideas for it or want to help out, let me know.

Tamerlin · November 7, 2003, 09:23

I am willing to be a playtester, though I am only playing CtP2 as SP game I can give a hand for MP sessions.

I can translate texts from English to French as I have been a professional translator (and because I am also hoping to become one again). I have already worked on a translation of the SAP2 though I still have to finish it (most of the job is already done, shame on me).

Martin Gühmann · November 7, 2003, 14:05

OK let's try:

SECTION: Programming, coder

COMPILER: Available VC++ Authors Edition 6.0. Well this is enough more modifying and testing the code but doesn't allow me to publish an *.exe without a nice disclaimer.

AREA OF INTEREST: Extension of the amount of slic functions.

BACKGROUND: Some knowledge in C++ and I am the creator of GoodMod so I know the text files and slic.

AVAILABILITY: I might not be able to work at all though sometimes, for brief periods.

CONTACT: Apolyton private message, I don't expose my email address here on the forum I already get enough spam, but you can find it on my homepage via the Apolyton link.

-Martin

Fromafar · November 7, 2003, 14:57

I'll be happy to participate. Some information:

SECTION: Programming, coder

COMPILER: No specific preference. At the moment, I have access to Visual Studio 6, Borland Builder 5, mingw.

AREA OF INTEREST: Improving/bug fixing the game to make it more fun to play it myself.

BACKGROUND: I am a professional programmer with experience in C/C++ and various other languages. I have experience in developing embedded software and PC software in an industrial environment. However, I have not worked on games before.

AVAILABILITY: probably 2 or 3 evenings per week.

CONTACT: Apolyton private message.

Pyaray · November 7, 2003, 15:34

Can I be the guy that occasionally throws out the random nuggets of wisdom, and occasionally go "Oh yeah, I sorta remember that...." While all the while sitting (mostly) quietly in the back corner snickering?

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'd love to help, but it would be conflict of interest, but I will try and offer input and insight where possible.

Pyaray

Keygen · November 7, 2003, 15:55

I can't possibly resist not to comment on this

David, you're more than welcome to help here the way you can and when ever you can

Should I presume that your ex-employment in Activision and participation in the making of CTP2 is the reason for not joinning the team and participating more actively?

kaan · November 7, 2003, 15:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Pyaray
Can I be the guy that occasionally throws out the random nuggets of wisdom, and occasionally go "Oh yeah, I sorta remember that...." While all the while sitting (mostly) quietly in the back corner snickering?

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'd love to help, but it would be conflict of interest, but I will try and offer input and insight where possible.

Pyaray

that would be just wonderfull Pyaray, keep those nuggets coming

Solver · November 7, 2003, 15:59

Conflict of interest, Dave? You are interested in CtP... so are we. Where's the conflict

?

kaan · November 7, 2003, 16:02

oh and while im here i might as well sign up.

SECTION: Programming et al.

COMPILER: GCC

AREA OF INTEREST: Bug fixing and porting.

BACKGROUND: I have an education in computer science and are skilled in many programming languages. C++ isnt the language im best at but i guess that is one of the reasons im signing up.

AVAILABILITY: Varies greatly, ill know two weeks ahead most of the time.

CONTACT: klaus@kaan.dk

Pyaray · November 7, 2003, 16:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Keygen
Should I presume that your ex-employment in Activision and participation in the making of CTP2 is the reason for not joinning the team and participating more actively?

No, not at all, it has to do with my current employment. While it would probably never actually come up, you're not supposed to work on things that could be considered "competition". I seriously doubt they would consider this competition, but I'm overly paranoid, and I'm one of those play by the rules type people.

And in addition to that, I really don't have much free time. I meant to download the source and build it last weekend, but never found myself with an hour to spare to actually do it.

Pyaray