Website updates... broken links, etc.....

[rharpe]

Hey Chris, (or AGS webmaster,)

The site has been up for sometime without any updates. Lots of broken links and old archiveable items are still lingering on many of the pages... how about a nice REVAMP? New games to download, a blog of Chris, RSS feeds, challenges...etc...etc...

Does anyone have ALL the old tutorials for scripting, background designs, sprite animations, sprite designs, sound/music, etc.? Is there a new AGS manual for version 2.7 in PDF, RTF, DOC, or HTML? What about some new tutorial pages? (Also, some of the AGS users pages are WAY out of date as well... some have expired or link to "free space available" sites.)

This is not a rant... I visit alot and would somtimes like to see something different other than another post/reply to the forum. You may take my suggestions or ignore them... just trying to help.

If anyone has ALL of the old sprite, backgrounds, & scripting tutorials... please send them to me via e-mail: kp_sidekick(at)hotmail.com  (Don't forget any links that may still work as well. Use this title in your e-mail subject line: "AGS tutorials, links, etc.", so I know the e-mail is valid.)


Thanks for listening...

[scotch]

Hm, the site is updated when it needs to be... the scripting tutorial was updated for 2.7, the manual is always in compiled html help format with the program, the AGS map is being updated, and new games are put on the games page...
RSS feed of new games added might be nice though, I don't check the new games forum too much but a feed I would subscribe to.

[Ishmael]

New games to download

Youknow, you'll just need to budge a forumload of people to work on their games hard enough to get them done, and you'll be there. New games are added as authors get them done and submit them.

(Also, some of the AGS users pages are WAY out of date as well... some have expired or link to "free space available" sites.)

Might that be because of some members haven't updated their pages in their profiles, because, for example, they don't visit the forum anymore? As far as I know the member pages list is compiled from the data people have entered into the forum profile.

And besides, I barely visit the main page, I have a favourite on the forum index, and that's where I come. All the important stuff it displayed here anyway. And then there is #ags...

[GarageGothic]

I agree, people working with AGS uses the forum instead of the website anyway. It's mostly for people new to AGS, and for them downloading the newest game is likely to mean a bad first experience. And blogs... I suppose they would mostly consist of new beta info, which should be kept far away from new users.

[rharpe]

thanks for replying. 

What's #AGS??? Is that IRC or something? No thanks.

It's true, the users need to update their sites. But if they don't, The AGS webmaster should delete the link from the site so an unfortunate soul, like myself, won't try to access it and be dissappointed.  :o

The AGS blog from Chris sounds neat to me, because I would love to see in the mind of a master programmer! (He probably doesn't have any time, just thought I'd dream out loud.)

The RSS feed would be kinda neat. Maybe live feeds of new games that are available for download. Also, make it a requirement that people submit at least 3 screenshots of there games in the Games and Download Area, on a dedicated server that is known to work.

The rating system needs to be updated a little. There are three icons with brief descriptions... Just a little more on the description would be nice. (Maybe more icons?)

Just thinking out loud again....

[Evil]

The game rating system was just redone, and I doubt it will change for a long while.

Also, most of the users' websites are located in their profiles.

And like it's been said, the website is for new people to learn and download AGS as long as play a few games to get the idea of what can be done. All of the regulars get all the information they need either from here or the IRC chat.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

What if you told the website's owner about the broken links instead of having the link to that page deleted? I, for one, would love to get feedback on broken links.

[rharpe]

The game rating system changed? In what way? I don't see anything different.  (The icons and their descriptions, anyway.)

Must I go to a users profile to see if they have tutorials on their websites? I hope not.   

IRC, chat, or whatever it's called now-a-days is a waste of my time. Kids just want to shoot the pooh with me and I have better, more important things to do. Thanks for the suggestion though.

A more interactive site that engages the users/visitors that frequent it should be the webmasters goal. Not just a portal to the forums or IRC chat. Anyways, broken links and missing images on a website are big NO NOs on any site.

Hopefully, more of you can come up with some improvement suggestions. I'm just hoping they fix some of the basic problems with the site.  8)

Rui "Brisby" Pires: Who do I send the broken links to? What e-mail address?

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

Well, it depends on what page you're visiting, no? If you visit mine, let me know. If you visit someone else and you can find out to who it belongs (a page called "Sylpher's page" or "Dorcan's website" is a rather good giveaway), let them know by PM, or try to find an e-mail.

[Ishmael]

Your big NO NOs have NO NO thing to do with Chris, they are all up to the game authors. If someone's site goes down, and they don't bother to go to the site and update the entry with new info, well, that's your problem, and you can discuss it with the author of the game, instead of whining to Chris in the public.

And by the rating here is meant the content rating. I don't see anything wrong with it. You want the ESRFBSDPF to rate every game? No thanks. If you can't cope with it, don't use it. It's been jolly good for 2000+ poeple already, or so it seems, as no-one hasn't put up such a riot about it.

And to your point about IRC, the AGS channel is a bit different from normal IRC channels, atleast the ones I've got to know. But hey, it's all optional.

And what did you say about going to profile to see if they have tutorials..? I don't get that... And if a link is broken, go to the users profile and use the contact details there to tell them about the broken link, if they happen to have any interest to fix it.

[rharpe]

Ishmael: I feel a slight tension in your post. I assure you I'm not ranting/rioting about the site. I'm just trying to make constructive suggestions. This is not an attack on Chris or the webmaster of this site. I don't mean to offend anyone... just providing advice.  :o

Maybe I shouldn't say anything about the #AGS IRC channel untill I try it. I've had some bad experiences in the past using chat in general.

Some links here on this site are broken. Also some images in the game downloads area are broken. It would look/be much better if they were not.

As for the users sites... I'm just looking for tutorials. Someone had mentioned that I should go to random user sites. I don't think they understood what I was talking about. There are some really good links on the Tutorials link... it's just that some of them are old and not present anymore. So I suggested that they be removed from this site, (because they are considered broken.)

Now last but not least, the rating system is good. I just thought it would be even better to add more icons or info for the user to view up front... that's all. If the 2000+ people are happy with it, then great... but again, I'm adding constructive advice, and that's all.

Please do not take offense to this reply. 

[passer-by]

I only used the Ags homepage when I first heard about the program. I use the forums now, and I check the users' profiles for details. I can find all the information I need in the forums and I can see game details,screenshots and hints... in the forums!
Personally I wouldn't like a blog from CJ if it took time from programming a new version  . To be honest, the bloggs I enjoy are extremely few .
As for broken links, I agree it is annoying, but I would contact the sites owner...Well, members that haven't been active for a very very long time are bound to have abandonned the AGS idea overall anyway...
Abour irc: I don't use it, in general. It caused my AV to go mad and I never went back.

[Ishmael]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound attacking. For some reason I went around my usual use of smileys for softening up the statements...

Also some images in the game downloads area are broken. It would look/be much better if they were not.

As I did say, the images are hosted by the game authors, and are on their responsibility. If an image is down, it's not Chris' problem. You should ask the game authors about them.

As for the users sites... I'm just looking for tutorials. Someone had mentioned that I should go to random user sites. I don't think they understood what I was talking about. There are some really good links on the Tutorials link... it's just that some of them are old and not present anymore. So I suggested that they be removed from this site, (because they are considered broken.)

There's a thread about tutorials in the Critic's Lounge...

If a broken link bothers you, contact the sites owner. If you find broken links in forum profiles, it's quite easy to get in touch with the page owner, given that they do visit the forum, if no email address is specified. There isn't much for Chris or anyone to do about that...

Do I repeat myself? Well, wouldn't be the first time...

[Pumaman]

Broken Links

Which page are you referring to, can you supply a URL? If it's the Tutorials page then yes these need to be looked at and fixed or removed.
However, the Member Websites page is generated automatically from forum member profiles, and with over 2000 members it's simply not practical to go through and verify all the links.

"New games to download"

All new games are accessible on the Games page, so I presume you're referring to Game of the Month. Yes, this really needs to be updated and I'll prod AGA or another willing volunteer to do so.

Is there a new AGS manual for version 2.7 in PDF, RTF, DOC, or HTML?

The CHM manual is included in the AGS download. There is an online HTML version here:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/manual/

What about some new tutorial pages?

That'd be great! Unfortunately tutorials don't write themselves, but when people do write a tutorial, I'm only too happy to include it on the website.

A Blog

Personally I hate blogs, most of them are the dullest things known to man.  Sorry but I really don't have the time or inclination to write one.

RSS feeds

The idea of an RSS feed for new game releases is a pretty good idea, it's worth looking into at some point.

Also, make it a requirement that people submit at least 3 screenshots of there games in the Games and Download Area, on a dedicated server that is known to work.

Unfortunately this isn't really practical. Most people don't have access to a dedicated server and having this sort of requirement would significantly reduce the number of games on the website.

The rating system needs to be updated a little. There are three icons with brief descriptions... Just a little more on the description would be nice. (Maybe more icons?)

If you've any specific suggestions, feel free to say so. However, the icons are designed to give you a feel as to whether the game will be suitable for you or not. I don't think it really needs detailed descriptions of what the violence/sex/langauge actually is -- either  violence is something that upsets you or it isn't, in which case you'll know whether to play the game.

The game rating system changed? In what way? I don't see anything different.  (The icons and their descriptions, anyway.)

I think there's some confusion over language here. "Game ratings" is usually interpreted as meaning the "Vote for this game" thingy, whereas "Content advisory" is usually used to refer to the sex/violence icons.

Also some images in the game downloads area are broken. It would look/be much better if they were not.

I agree completely, this looks unprofessional. But unfortunately, there's not much we can do about it, other than hope that the game author notices and fixes it.

[Andail]

IRC, chat, or whatever it's called now-a-days is a waste of my time. Kids just want to shoot the pooh with me and I have better, more important things to do. Thanks for the suggestion though.

You're absolutely right.
All the people here who partake in IRC-sessions on regular basis do it because their lives lack  good and important things.

[pslocum]

Yeah. It's unfortunate that they don't get to go out in the world and moderate an adventure gaming forum.

[Ishmael]

I sorta agree with that previous guy ¬¬

[m0r1arty]

Hi all, new to this forum, just thought I'd contribute something I've noticed that would've aided my learning curve (still would).

In the thread <<(([[|| * READ FIRST *BEFORE* POSTING!!! (updated 28 Jul 2005) * ||]]))>>

The links under UTILITIES and OTHER NEAT STUFF namely 'Character and Template Downloads' and 'More Templates, Fonts, and Other Downloads' either do not work or lead to a site where there are no files.

I'll just be popping in and out now, doing my scratch and sniff stuff with my projects.

-m0r

[passer-by]

Speaking of broken links...is anybody else having trouble with MicroTech? All related files and images here and on my site are gone...

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

Same here. I'm giving them another week, cause I love em - then I switch hosts.