Main Aims In Re-writing BirMail
- Client/Server based - This should allow multiple DM's to run turns
simultaneously, reducing the workload and reliance on one DM running a
single game.
This will also allow players login securely to enter turns and see the
exact details of their character's domain. Characters may also be able to
follow the current turn processing status.
- Switch To A Database - Moving to a single (MySQL) database. This
should solve most of our file access difficulties experienced in BirMail v4.
This will also reduce data corruption as well as lay the base for the
client/server program.
- Move To 3rd Ed Birthright and Characters - Although many people in
the le_br game prefer to keep 2nd Ed, most people in the Birthright
community appear to want to use only 3rd Ed. Therefore in order to look
to the future of D&D the BirMail program must be based in 3rd Ed, while
attempting to keep 2nd Ed open.
2nd Ed Birthright rules should still be kept available.
2nd Ed characters can be simulated through most of the 3rd Ed data fields
- Re-do User Interface and Update Code - Re-writing BirMail is a
chance to re-act to many of the lessons learnt while writing BirMail v4.
This includes moving to a single main application window containing
internal windows.
- Utilise New Java Technology - BirMail v5 will run using the Java
Networking Launch Protocol (JNLP). This should allow everyone easy access
to the program, avoiding either having the application running in an applet
(which then has browser dependant problems). This will also avoid
complicated installation instructions for users, making the program much
easier to use.
- Reduction in DM Workload - With the new program, a large number of
DM tasks will be reduced, including no longer needing to upload game web
pages to a game web server. Also the new program will combine all parts
off the BirMail system into one single client program.
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