Staredit Network

Hmmm... What if there's something you all think are bugs, but the map creator has it in the map because that's how he or she wanted it to be in there? So you guys then just unprotect the map, because, of course, you can't find a way to contact the creator, and fix the so called problem in it. What about that?

And what if there's a guy with a 28.8k connection. (I use to have one for 6+ years.) And he downloads a huge map, one that's like 2,648kb or so. And then he's like, "Yay, I finally have downloaded the map that took me forever to get. Now to play it!" So he enjoys the map. So when he wants to join a game with that map all of a sudden he has to download the map again. Oh no, people ban him cause he's too slow. Why did this happen he wonders. It's the same version. But it turns out that you guys found a bug in the map and decided to change it, thus creating a new version for everyone to download.

Whatcha got to say about those?

They won't say anything, they'll just unprotect and fix it

This is a good idea anyhow. There are some cool maps from long ago that have bugs, they should therefore be fixed. No use having a buggy piece of semi-software running around on Battle.net

So we need a name. If we will expand to a large and active society we need a name. We can't call ourselves "Map Restoration Society" all the time. We could use MRS but that would be kind a lame.

What changes do you intend on making as far as version numbers or ways to allow people to know it was corrected.

I know your not trying to take credit but there should be a way to tell the old from the new appart. What about save name, cause you can't just save it as the same file name.

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My main concern for this is that any maps worth correcting when the author is out of reach is a lost cause to correct. Lets say the map Chess had a few small bugs and we wanted to correct it. Well people have been playing this map for years upon years and a barely noticeable correct would go greatly unoticed as people continue to play the bugged version.

In that regards i suppose the best thing to do would be to look at maps specificlly in our download database, and having them corrected. (although 90% of them the authors are probolly reachable). Or of course correcting old maps then submitting them here.

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Oh if you want to 'correct' my Reflector map I would gladly let you (cause i'm not doing it)

Well we could add "fixed" or something like that at the end of map/scenario name.

And I don't think anybody would fix your map just because your to lazy to do it yourself .

I am sorry for my recent inactivity. I will be on dialup for a while, and I can't always respond in time. Now, I will respond to your posts.

So far, the following members are in:

007Torrasque
DEAD
DevliN
Hikari256
LegacyWeapon
MiLlEnNiUmArMy
MindArchon
Shatter
UED77

The terms:

Only constructive fixing is allowed. There will be thorough discussions about the bugs discovered to decide their impact on gameplay and whether they should be fixed or not. It seems SI will help us with unprotection, and Snake)Ling, Toad, and others will contribute maps that need to be fixed. No member shall abuse their privileges and use their access to unprotected maps for credit stealing purposes.

A small notice will be added to each map, similar to "Fixed by the MRS". I was wondering if the Society could secure the endorsement of Staredit.net... then we could include the URL of Staredit.net to show our legitemacy.

Version numbers will differ from the original, and the filename will be changed upon saving. I have a strong dislike for map names like "Map Name v1.3 FIXED", as chances are bugs still exist, and then names like "Map Name v1.3 PERFECT FIXED FIXED" start to look ridiculous. Thus, version numbers most likely be merely incremented.

`BiG~kAhOoNa`, we will change the filename and version notice, so every user will at least notice that it's a different version. Of course, it is very unfortunate that some people ban others for a slow download, and given that I'm on dialup at this moment, I can fully understand such a user's plight. However, the user could bypass this by creating the game himself, and not ban others for a slow download.

I am glad that there is such an interest in this Society. As for our short name, I wanted to go with 'MRS', but I'm open to suggestions.

The first map fixed will be "Resident Evil: Raccoon City", as it was the first one to be suggested. Toad, could you please post the unprotected map in a passworded zip or 7-zip file, and PM the password to the people I listed in this post. Then, the bugs will be discussed, and the map will be fixed by our joint work. If any time one wishes to make a version under construction available for others, create a passworded zip or 7-zip file, attach it, and PM the password to the members.

UED77

Ok few suggestion.

1-You should group members instead just listing them. I understand that we are few at the moment but we will sure grow in numbers. Groups that I find needed for a society like MRS.

Unprotectors

Bug fixers

protectors(most likely we can live with only legacy)

testers and distributors

2-well not a suggestion really but I am not sure that all people you listed wanted to be members. Looks like some of them just posted their opinions but made the members.

3-We could create a private channel on useast B.net so we can discuss stuff without flooding the forums and on privacy. Well actually we must make a private channel.

4-Method zip attach and stuff isn't just that good. As I said before I can handle all the files. Pass them and everything else. So I think Toad could PM the map to me without any passwords and stuff then we will discuss bug and I will pass the map to whoever will want to fix it. Because it is pointless to attach the map and PM passwords to everybody. Only one person should fix the same map. It would be lame that each of us fix the same map. And we can share maps through B.net.

count me in plz

I can't hex edit, but I'm in, if you'll accept me.

Ok I will make a treat where you all can join up. It's called MRS members.

Thanks for your support guys.

I only added those who posted their intentions of joining. We are all bug fixers and testers, at least that's what I had in mind. As for the channels, I think IRC would be a better, more flexible choice than Battle.net.

Sorry, I am used to Warboards.org and Blizzforums.com, where you can't attach files in PMs. Attaching the maps in PMs is a much better idea.

SacredElf and Dr.Shotgun, you are in.

I will contact Yoshi about SEN endorsement.

UED77

I still think that our meetings should take place on a private B.net channel because we can test and stuff directly from there. And about testers you are right we all can be testers but if somebody wants to help us but is not so advanced in starediting we could let testers join too. And we really need people who will distribute the new maps.

I would also like to join... I don't know Hex editing much, but there are quite a few maps that have some really annoying bugs that I would like to fix...

I've got an idea:
Restoring credit to mappers: If someone finds a stolen map and has the original copy, then we should rewrite the stolen map to include the orginal author.

Great idea but you must admit that the the stolen map is the same as the real but you can't delete the stolen map from all B.net users that have DL the map already. Actually you can't stop the stolen map from spreading though B.net.

Where do you intend on adding this notice? Breifing, After the game starts, Map Properties?

1-Well at first of course at map description.
2-As UED said we will change version number.
3-And we will add "fixed by MRS" in the briefings or objectives, according to situation.

[center]If I ever finish a map. And release it. And it has a bug in it, or you think it does. Don't fix it. Even if you can't contact me, don't fix it. And a few of my friends like `BiG~kAhOoNa` and Dubs McBacon don't want you to fix their maps either. Even if they finish one. And release it. And there is a bug in it, or you think it does.[/center]

You do have a point. As I've posted in a previous post, if you can convince me that this is not a good idea, I will reconsider this whole thing.

Therefore, the MRS can only fix maps that are unprotected. Protected maps are forever exempted, and unprotection will never be used. This means, however, that all re-released maps will be released unprotected as well. However, given that the number of protected maps out there is far larger than the number of unprotected ones, the significance of the MRS has by far decreased.

Given that unprotected maps can be fixed by anyone, the MRS might not even be necessary. Post your opinion on whether this effort should be continued or not.

UED77

What are you saying? Only unprotected maps? This is such a good idea. Are you going to trash it only for 1 bad opinion? You really can't take some critics? There will always be someone who will disagree with you. That doesn't mean you have to give up. However if you will give up, I won't. MRS can live without you, but could be better with you. If you are going to trash this idea, I am taking command.

Why not?

anyways, u dont make maps

Type: Don't Make Maps

We make maps but not as a society. MRS's idea is to FIX maps not make.

Type: FIX not make

He was talking about that king dude who for some reason thinks that its bad to fix bugs in maps that have been abandoned by their creators.
Oh, and where exactly are we supposed to hang out, do we have a channel or something?
Oh, and I think only working on unprotected maps would nearly totally defeat our purpose, after all, the vast majority of all maps are protected.

well maps like: Cat n Mouse, Golems, Bunker Wars and all those OLD GAMEs are all unprotected and full of bugs, cheats and others stuff, fixin those game will totally defeat our purpose? well.. maybe there will b always some nubs hostin those rigged/bugged maps