Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 10, 2008 6:57:01 GMT
Has anyone thought of doing a version of StatsKeeper for the iPhone? I think it would be really ideal, and now that the SDK is out, I think it would be a great mini-project for someone. Sadly, I don't have the time at the moment...
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Post by jsager on Jul 10, 2008 13:12:04 GMT
I've given some thought to it, but i'd be more likely to do an HTML app that fits neatly on the iPhone screen ala what facebook did, so that it could be played on other mobile devices as well.
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Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 17, 2008 6:45:14 GMT
I see where you're coming from, but on the other hand, it would be really nice to have a native (offline) application. That way, you can always play and continue the adventure, even if you don't have an Internet connection (on the bus/subway, etc.)
Not to mention, it would be killer to have the books released as apps in the iTunes App Store, where you can really start to get a wider audience. At the moment, I think it's a pity that they only real way to find Lone Wolf is to be looking for it (for the most part). I truly wish I had the time to develop such an app, but I really don't have the spare time to get into it at the moment. I can imagine, though, that it could be a really great implementation with the wonderful UI that the iPhone/iPod Touch has.
Remember, if you develop a native app for the iPhone, you also have 3D graphics (dice rolling?), tons of storage space (entire books, bookmarks, multiple action charts, illustrations), offline play, HUGE exposure in the App Store, access to audio hardware (music, sound effects)...
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Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 17, 2008 11:33:25 GMT
Thinking about it further, maybe I will be able to find a few minutes every evening to do this. A few questions, though, for the devs here:
1) What is the best source data to use? Should I use the xml files that are on Project Aon? Is there something better, which offers a more complete data set?
2) Are the XML files kept up to date?
3) What are the legal ramifications? Can I use the images from here?
4) Does anyone have any skill with graphics that they could help? I'm useless when it comes to that kind of thing. It would basically only be small items like icons (app icon, tab bar icons, etc).
5) Are there any users here with iPhones/iPod Touches that would want to beta test as it moves along? I'm thinking of using the ad-hoc distribution for beta testing, until it's ready for launch.
6) Can I use the Statskeeper name? Any better suggestions for names?
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Post by alderaine on Jul 17, 2008 12:41:19 GMT
1/ Go with the AON XML, because that will be updated with all the navigation information you will ever need in due course. If you prefer, you can serve the pages themselves directly from the HTML. 2/ They are frequently updated, yes 3/ If you are hosting offline, all your files MUST be hosted on an AON staff website (give me your e-mail address and I will arrange one for you.) As long as it is also accompanied by the AON operating agreement in an appropriate place, all should be fine. You may not sell your software in any way - it essentially belongs to AON while it uses Lone Wolf books. 4/ We occasionally get volunteers - start a forum thread  5/ Ditto 6/ I believe Statskeeper is an existing software package, so that would cause confusion - create your own (iWolf?) |
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Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 17, 2008 13:11:44 GMT
3/ If you are hosting offline, all your files MUST be hosted on an AON staff website (give me your e-mail address and I will arrange one for you.) As long as it is also accompanied by the AON operating agreement in an appropriate place, all should be fine. You may not sell your software in any way - it essentially belongs to AON while it uses Lone Wolf books. How do you mean hosting offline? I was thinking of letting the software download the complete package (is there one?) of XML and images, and then reading off the device. Checking for updates would also be an option. How would this be handled? Does this mean that AON would spring for the $99 fee for developing iPhone apps? :S I would like to recoup the cost in some way (maybe 99 cents for the first 100 copies?) - anyone up for making donations? |
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Post by alderaine on Jul 17, 2008 13:26:11 GMT
There is no complete package that includes the XML (Hmm - another thing to add to the CNF project list!) but there are complete packages for the books. If you have any hassles finding them, give me a shout and I'll dig them out for you.
By hosting offline, I mean exactly what you say - including the books in your book reader means the software can only be downloaded from an AON site. (that's the only place legally allowed to host the books according to the licensing agreement.) If your software connects to the web, and downloads the books with a message saying where they are coming from, you could host it anywhere - but AON is still recommended.
Checking for updates is a burning issue with no easy resolution. I suggest we embed a "last updated" field into the CNF project XML which is somehow system generated. There are a number of "last modified" dates available around the AON website & the XML, but none are completely reliable.
Donations are allowed, but we do not currently officially distribute the software to any platform - all of the book readers are currently "hobby readers" or hosted on the AON website - you can not buy any from anywhere. Is there a fee for writing a hobby app for the iPhone? that's a new one on me! I doubt AON would cover it, but you could always ask when it gets nearer the time?
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Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 17, 2008 13:33:42 GMT
To be honest, I have no interest in re-hosting it. I am more than happy to grab it from projectaon.org, and let the user know where it's coming from. Don't worry about giving credit an so on...if I wanted to steal stuff, I wouldn't be posting here!  Well, if an XML/images packaging were to be created and hosted, it would be fairly easy to check the last modified date/MD5 sum/size of the file, to see if it has changed. I would recommend something like an MD5 sum file beside the ZIP, so I can just save the last obtained page signature, and then see if the one one the site is different. The way it works with iPhone is simple - if you want the app to run on an iPhone, you have to pay the $99 to register for the dev program. Only signed apps will work on an iPhone, and you can only sign an app if you are in the program. Distribution (after beta testing) would then have to go through the iTunes App Store, where you can set any price you like (including free). Apple takes care of the hosting, etc. For now, it's not a problem to develop on the simulator, but if we want anyone to test it/actually receive it, then I'll need to pony up for the dev program. |
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Post by alderaine on Jul 17, 2008 13:40:58 GMT
It's not a case of giving credit or stealing - it is pure legal requirement. Only AON has a license to host & distribute web editions of the books.
I have no idea what an MD5 sum file is, I'm afraid - Thomas sometimes breezes past these threads though, so may know if this is possible.
I don't know if distribution through iTunes would be an option - I will e-mail Jon (head license guru) and find out for you. He's a busy chap though. You are in very uncharted territory here! (The closest we have is for the DS, but that only works with Linkers & Emulators at the moment.)
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Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 17, 2008 13:49:26 GMT
I have no idea what an MD5 sum file is, I'm afraid - Thomas sometimes breezes past these threads though, so may know if this is possible. It's just a unique checksum on the file - just a string of letters and numbers that depends on the contents of the file. If the file changes, then the checksum will change. Well, if you want to go the legal route, iTunes is the only way. I could develop it for the jailbroken iPhones, but that immediately turns it into a kind of gray area. Ideally, I'd stick with the official program. Keep in mind, that only the app itself would be up on iTunes. I wouldn't include any proprietary information like the books themselves. The user would have to download them the first time in any case. I'm sure that would help to limit the legal problems. |
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Post by alderaine on Jul 17, 2008 13:54:46 GMT
It is not a case of wanting or not wanting to go the legal route - AON is an officially licensed organistation by the copyright holder, so we HAVE to go the legal route. Anybody who contravenes the license agreement is politely asked to step in line The developer of the DS software is very careful to point out on his site that the DS linker is being used for developing & beta testing, and should not be used for any form of piracy - that is the sort of dilligence that is necessary when dealing with licensed material. |
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Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 17, 2008 13:59:22 GMT
It is not a case of wanting or not wanting to go the legal route - AON is an officially licensed organistation by the copyright holder, so we HAVE to go the legal route. Anybody who contravenes the license agreement is politely asked to step in line The developer of the DS software is very careful to point out on his site that the DS linker is being used for developing & beta testing, and should not be used for any form of piracy - that is the sort of dilligence that is necessary when dealing with licensed material. Understood - I've already start the development, with a basic idea in my head. I'll try to get a mockup done tonight, and maybe post it here, if it's not too embarrassing. I won't apply for membership just yet - maybe that's something you guys want to do yourselves in the end, so that the app is clearly distributed by AON, and not just some dude on the Interwebs. Up to you, in any case. |
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Post by alderaine on Jul 17, 2008 14:03:52 GMT
Well it is OK to sandbox software anywhere you like (as long as books are not included) but becoming an AON staff member is highly recommended with no down sides that I know of Here's a little challenge I like to throw in now (because I know developers like to be challenged) - in the last year, I've had something like 10 projects cross my desk for book readers. Of these, the only ones remaining strongly active are DS and Seventh Sense... don't give up all you developers out there! If you hit hard times, post to the forums and see if we can help Hopefully the CNF project will give everybody a massive head start very soon... Jeremy... |
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Ryan
Kai Lord
Posts: 69
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Post by Ryan on Jul 17, 2008 14:08:56 GMT
Well it is OK to sandbox software anywhere you like (as long as books are not included) but becoming an AON staff member is highly recommended with no down sides that I know of Here's a little challenge I like to throw in now (because I know developers like to be challenged) - in the last year, I've had something like 10 projects cross my desk for book readers. Of these, the only ones remaining strongly active are DS and Seventh Sense... don't give up all you developers out there! If you hit hard times, post to the forums and see if we can help Hopefully the CNF project will give everybody a massive head start very soon... Jeremy... I'm happy to become a staff member, but at the moment, I'm all excited about the app - let's see how it develops. I know there have been lots of projects - I've been hunting through some of them. I briefly browsed through CNF, but I don't see it being mature enough yet to build an app on. I'll do my best to stick with it! |
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Post by alderaine on Jul 17, 2008 14:15:58 GMT
In terms of writing an app, use some kind of external file (could be XML if you like) for all your navigation information, and a standard routine for processing it. That way, when the CNF project is complete, you simply swap out your navigation file and swap ours in If Jeremy remains as keen as he is now, I hope to see something developing in the next few weeks on the CNF. |
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