POStudios Forum

The Royal Archives => The Silver Age => General => Topic started by: Darkmage136 on June 04, 2004, 09:17:20 AM

Title: Downloading
Post by: Darkmage136 on June 04, 2004, 09:17:20 AM
Hmm... I dunno if this was suggested already but... how about you guys use bittorrent to handle the massive onslaught of fans onto the download screens?
http://bitconjurer.org/BitTorrent/ (http://bitconjurer.org/BitTorrent/)

Well... that's my 2 cents... O and by the way... My first post! W00t!
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Say on June 04, 2004, 02:35:22 PM
welcome to the kq9 forums, and I'll keep that in mind, thanks
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: B'rrr on June 04, 2004, 07:56:39 PM
congratz with your first post ; ) ...I already welcomed you in the other thread... so.... I do it again here  ;-D

Welcome  ;-D
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: etgadsby on June 04, 2004, 09:01:11 PM
bittorrent sounds cool! I don't know if it would suit KQ9's purposes (and I'm not the right person to comment on it) but the geek in me thinks it's a spiffy idea.   ;D
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: MangoMercury on June 06, 2004, 02:34:02 PM
BitTorrent does = teh useful you know. *nod*
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: B'rrr on June 06, 2004, 03:07:23 PM
hmmm...well I didn't thought Phoenix wanted to get money  ;-D
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 06, 2004, 03:29:52 PM
I was mainly talking about the fact that I'd like a CD option. I've seen Gamespy and others get money for burning free software onto a CD, and sending it to people. I'm at least hoping it won't stop me from using Star-Downloader.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 06, 2004, 05:14:15 PM
I'm willing to burn the game for anyone who wants it, but I'll only post to Australia and New Zealand.

I'm sure there's a few people on the teamwho will post in the US and Europe.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on June 06, 2004, 09:33:57 PM
Yeah, I'd be careful what you promise, grundy.  :suffer:  We have a lot more Austrialian and New Zealand fans than you'd think!  XD
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: GunHoMac on June 06, 2004, 10:33:44 PM
just upload it to 100 people and wait 5 minutes for it to spread like a virus on P2P...pick any flavor you like (eMule, fileDonkey, kazaa, limewire, mirc, aim, yahoo, msn, sharebear, earthstation5, etc...) it'll be there with free bandwidth
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 06, 2004, 10:52:52 PM
KQ9+virus=bad reputation.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on June 07, 2004, 07:42:26 AM
Wow!  And $10 Australian dollars is like $5 Canadian Dollars, which is like $3 American dollars!  !!!

Also, I agree with Louisiana that if it's placed on a file sharing network, there's no guarantee of the security of the file (i.e., someone might decide to infect setup.exe with a lovely virus XD).  If you have a virus scanner installed, you don't need to worry that much.

But still, if I were to download something this huge, I would prefer getting it from a reliable source I could trust (i.e. this website) than from some unknown stranger.  ::)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 07, 2004, 05:05:35 PM
At the moment $10 AUD = about $7 USD

:)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: InvertedSilence on June 07, 2004, 08:15:02 PM
Anyone who dosent want to have to stay online for large periods of time to get the whole file should just download a good download manager (certain browsers come with em) so you can sign on and off at will and pick up from where you left off.
Of course, if you know enough about the net to be on a forum you probably have a download manager already thereby making this a moot point.
...And... my existence is totally unjustified.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: etgadsby on June 07, 2004, 09:22:06 PM
InvertedSilence your existence isn't totally unjustified...  :) I'm sure your Mom and Dad are with me on this point...

Seriously even the best of us forget about these things, keep up the good suggestions!  :)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: GunHoMac on June 08, 2004, 01:01:39 AM
bittorrent is probably the most efficient way to go that's mostly reliable...I would also recommend rar'ing the download file(s) or gzip, etc... and then use HJSplit to separate further down if needed
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 08, 2004, 01:08:30 AM
It all depends on your preference for getting the file and connection speed.

Since I have a decent Broadband connection  :suffer:, I would much rather download a FULL ISO of the game in one download session.
There should be a few options, hopefully!
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 08, 2004, 01:11:32 AM
I think RAR and Gzip are better than ZIP files, but that's just me. A program like Star Downloader(if the site doesn't do a lot of redirecting), and/or seperating it is my prefered method. Unless there will be a CD option, for the US(hoping).

As most people here have guessed, I use a 56k.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on June 08, 2004, 10:45:47 AM
I wouldn't want BitTorrent to be the only option... I doubt P2P programs work very well on a 56K. Plus Opera has a built-in pause feature for its download manager, so I'd rather download from someplace where the pause feature would work.

And, I'm selfish enough to want ZIP files so I don't have to install a second archive program. :P

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: GunHoMac on June 08, 2004, 01:26:03 PM
I'd personally prefer 2 zipped files to use Flashget or NetTransport on...one with ISO and another with the installation/pak/sound/etc... files
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Say on June 08, 2004, 08:33:25 PM
there is nothing written on stone but we will certainly have ways for our low bandwith users to come and download it the most convenient way.

welcome to the forums ashrie
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Ashrie on June 08, 2004, 08:37:19 PM
Quotewelcome to the forums ashrie
Thanks  <3
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 08, 2004, 08:42:56 PM
Connor isn't part of the royal family. I consider MoE a spinoff, so I never played it. I'm trying to find it now, because I've heard good things about it(not from adventure game fans). I've played the demo, so I think I know how the game plays. Only people that like action/adventure(heavy on the action) will like it, if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: etgadsby on June 08, 2004, 08:54:18 PM
Ashrie, let me join Say in welcoming you to the forum. Post early, post often, and just ask if you have any questions!
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Ashrie on June 09, 2004, 01:01:47 AM
Thanks everyone *feels very welcome*  :lovegoggles:
All KQ fans...*tears up* ;]
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 09, 2004, 03:47:31 AM
Where abouts in Aus do you live Ashrie?! I live in Canberra, so yeah, I would definitely post a cd to you!

( I can see all the yanks with 56k modems going.... "damnit!" )

:suffer:
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Storm on June 09, 2004, 10:04:45 AM
[shadow=yellow,64]Welcome to the forum, Ashrie!! ;D[/shadow]

I know we had this debate before (though I can't remember whether it was here, on the AGDI forum or on both) - But wouldn't selling the game on CDs (even at cost price) be an even worse copyright violation? ???

IIRC, that's what prevented AGDI from distributing their games on CDs... they even tried to stop someone from doing that on eBay :S
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on June 09, 2004, 11:16:44 AM
I'm not a lawyer (obviously), but I don't really understand how at-cost CD selling can be a violation. It's not like anyone would be making money. If at-cost CD selling is a violation, then that would mean that the only way not to be in violation would be if you're always *losing* money, either by giving away CDs, or giving away download bandwidth, or both. Seems kind of strange to me.

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 09, 2004, 03:58:39 PM
All Americans aren't yankees.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: InvertedSilence on June 09, 2004, 08:27:28 PM
QuoteAll Americans aren't yankees.

Too true, im an Orioles fan myself.  XD

Ooh that was horrible.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 09, 2004, 09:07:23 PM
I was expecting a comment like that. I'm don't pay much attention to sports(as far as watching on TV), so would you mind telling me where the Orioles are from?
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on June 09, 2004, 09:17:19 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Orioles

Hmm. Apparently the New York Yankees used to be the Baltimore Orioles. I'm assuming the joke was intentional, in which case I salute you. ;)

(Ah, nothing like research skills to cover up a lack of actual knowledge about a subject. ;D )

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: etgadsby on June 09, 2004, 09:31:40 PM
Nobody mess with the O's... sorry I'm a local boy... they might be mediocre at times but they are the home team!

Louisiana Night the Orioles are from Baltimore... http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=bal
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 10, 2004, 01:12:35 AM
I know it's not tenchically correct, but most aussies call any american a "yankie"... :P

A bit like all you yanks calling us.... ahh.... what do yuo guys call us?    ::)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: GunHoMac on June 10, 2004, 01:23:33 AM
pouchless kangaroos
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 10, 2004, 02:05:11 AM
It doesn't really bother me, it just stands out. Like if I said Ya'll(you all). I call Australians, Australians. I've heard people(mostly Australians, but some from the US) call Australians, aussies though.

Yankee
historically=people from New England
technically=people from Northern US


P.S. Thanks for telling me about the Orioles.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 10, 2004, 02:55:58 AM
Nah, the Eye Rolling just seemed appropriate at the time...  ::)

As for distributing the game on CD... I was wondering whether it was legal or not. I guess I'll have to look into it a bit more before I go sending out cd's to everyone hey! ( Too bad for those on dial-up! )

???
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 10, 2004, 01:24:49 PM
Assuming that KQ9 is legal, making CDs(and being payed for the labor of burning them) should be just as legal.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: B'rrr on June 10, 2004, 02:53:19 PM
...is kq9 legal??  ;-D :suffer:
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 10, 2004, 05:14:43 PM
Tricky situation....

If you sell the cd's and only accept cash, and try not to get 'caught' by anyone who would care to sue us.... then there's no paper record of it... no tax... etc...

;B
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 10, 2004, 09:01:00 PM
I think if there is a risk of being sued, Phoenix won't do it. I see no problem just talking/typing about it.

Maybe if the option for adding other freeware was added, then there would be less trouble(Gamespy). I don't think that's a good idea, but I'm still hoping for a CD option. The people I know with broadband, live quite a distance from me. So I'm either going to have to wait for my download to finish, or get it shipped to me on a CD(priority mail).

or maybe do both, and have a race  ;D
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 10, 2004, 10:24:44 PM
The cd would win by a few weeks!  ;B lol
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 10, 2004, 11:07:17 PM
Vivendi? pays for the bandwidth of site/KQ9 files?
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: B'rrr on June 11, 2004, 03:00:27 AM
well I think the team could get problems if they would supply cd's (not sure though) but of course fans  (not connected to the KQ9-team)  can distribute them easily(easier)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 11, 2004, 05:10:53 AM
Well, Erpy, everyone is Innocent until Proven Guilty... so Vivendi would actually ahve to prove that you are part of the team. No the offender proving that he is NOT part of the team.     :)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Erpy on June 11, 2004, 05:39:07 AM
True, but it's not really the notion of official team members selling the game that has to be avoided, but the notion that the game is being sold in the first place.

I'm mainly talking about avoiding any situations that might provoke an immediate play of "hard ball". After all, if a lawsuit were to take place, VU won't really need to rely on someone selling the game to take action.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: B'rrr on June 11, 2004, 06:42:21 AM
or you could just freely distribute the cd's.  ...and get a gift(money) in return  ;-D


best way is to download or find someone that can download and burn) it for you  ;-D
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Say on June 11, 2004, 07:53:50 AM
Quote from: Louisiana Night on June 10, 2004, 11:07:17 PM
Vivendi? pays for the bandwidth of site/KQ9 files?

No, we do. We are not involved neither sponsored by any third party. Neither we've contacted Sierra.

And regarding about the rest, Erpy is absolutly right, the KQ9 Team explicitly likes to say that unless this information would be openly said by myself, Dean Pantelios or Cesar Bittar this is just nothing but a hopeful thought, we are not asking our fans to distribute (neither sell it obviously) the the game, and I explicitly suggest Rob and Grundy to be quite notorious when they make a personal statement and when they do one that represents the team, in no single moment we've encouraged this situation, whatsoever neither we could stop it.

The game will be open to download here at kq9.org and that's the official statement about it (so far). Whatever else (other) way to have this game available at different options shall be announced either by one of the previously stated Directors (if there would be). Other than that, this thread is certainly a guessing game.

Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on June 11, 2004, 08:30:08 AM
My post didn't come out all that right. :P

I don't have a problem with the legal system, more that he's right... people who do something for the love of a hobby or the fans get penalized because there are people out there who would try to profit off someone else's work, and it's impossible for an "outsider" to tell the difference.

And I personally understand that the only thing the team can offer is downloads. I was more wondering if there was a way for the fans to help each other out without getting you guys in trouble... and it seems the answer is "Not unless there's several people out there with a lot of disposable income." :-\

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Say on June 11, 2004, 10:10:29 AM
I think there was nothing wrong with your post (personally) but as a representative of the team I had to state clear before futher comments begin to get mixed and people start beliving other things that are not true  :-X  
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on June 11, 2004, 05:42:05 PM
Well, maybe I'll have broadband by then(doubtful, but I can hope).

I'm assuming that since Phoenix doesn't want to take money for labor(of making CDs),
they won't/can't take donations either?

P.S. I am unfamiliar with the word Vivendi, will somone tell me the meaning?
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on June 11, 2004, 06:57:36 PM
Vivendi is the company that owns Sierra now, so they have the final word when it comes to any Sierra Product.

As for the notion of distributing the game on cd, I was originally offering the service for free, until someone pointed out that there would obviously be A LOT of people wanting a CD sent to them.
My proposal of taking money for the service was wishful thinking, and would require probably too much time and effort, which with my Job and other things happening around me, I can't really spare.

I was initially suggesting the cd option because I felt frustrated for all the dial-up users who would have to spend years downloading the game...   :-\

Ofcourse the last thing I want to do is get myself, or the team, into a law suite....

So, as I said on the same subject at AGDI...

"In the end, it's not a problem for myself, because I have a good broadband connection. It's the dial-up users that will suffer."
:P


:suffer:
;)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: InvertedSilence on June 11, 2004, 10:00:53 PM
Yeah, I mean, it's one thing if you're just giving a few cds to your friends who are paying for the cost of the cd but if your shipping thousands all over Australia and making a profit...
could be an issue.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: etgadsby on June 11, 2004, 10:03:46 PM
I agree dial-up is a "limitation" and that it's frustrating that distribution may not be as free as we'd all like but remember what Say said earlier:

Quotethere is nothing written on stone but we will certainly have ways for our low bandwith users to come and download it the most convenient way.

All told getting back to the quality control and virus issue. As of right now the game will be available on kq9.org when it is ready, this will be nice because I'm sure we will do our best to make sure the ISO is of high quality and free of any viruses or worms... just another way to look at this issue  ;)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on June 11, 2004, 10:12:03 PM
Quote from: grundy on June 11, 2004, 06:57:36 PM
As for the notion of distributing the game on cd, I was originally offering the service for free, until someone pointed out that there would obviously be A LOT of people wanting a CD sent to them.
IIRC, that someone was me.  ;P  As much as I understand your want to provide easier access to the game for lower bandwidth users, it's not really feasible numbers-wise, not to mention the legal risk involved.  :P

At the present point, we still don't know how large the game will be.  We know that it will be available in diferent options.  This in itself should save several hundreds of MB's in one dial-up session.  :D

I don't know any exact numbers right now, but I'm pretty certain this game will be big, yet worth the download.  :)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Tage on July 07, 2004, 02:01:11 PM
Oooo...  My first post.  P=  Well, anyway, I came to suggest what Storm already suggested.  X.x  
QuoteThey could send you a blank CD and a stamped envelope, you'll burn the game and send it back to them.
So...  I have to think of something else to say now...  ...  ???
;D  You could use the md5 algorithm on your final file (zip, rar, iso) and post the result on your website.  That way we could use p2p networks and donated server space to download kq9 without worrying as much about viruses.

Might be able to use a free program like this.
fsum (http://www.slavasoft.com/fsum/)

I, like a lot of people (I assume), have been lurking around the website for nearly a year.  I have been a fan of adventure games for more than half my life (makes it sound like a long time, eh?).  I remember the Tandy days...  Oh man, that sucked.  Installed kq5, it took like 3 hours literally for the wizard to take ONE step towards the chest at the front of the game!  =|  That wasn't fun, lol.  I appreciate all of you for working on this project!  Keep up the great work.  I'm going to apply to help with the website once I finish highschool...  >.<  I should have finished a couple months ago.  (::is homeschooled::)  I should finish this week.  The sad thing is I'm going straight into college next month (if they do the highschool paperwork fast enough  *sighs*).  =|  Anyway, keep up the great work!  =D

Tage
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 07, 2004, 02:07:42 PM
Welcome Tage!  ;D

Thanks for the information about checksum comparing.  I never thought about it before, but yeah we may in fact use some kind of file integrity when the game is ready.  :)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Storm on July 07, 2004, 03:41:31 PM
Welcome to the forum, Tage!! ;D

Hey, someone thinks my idea is good! :D
Maybe we could start a distribution network like that. I'll be excused though, since I have no CD burner :P

Truth is, I was going to suggest using checksum as well... but didn't since I was afraid I'd sound like an idiot. I thought "I don't know that much about this stuff... and if it were possible, someone smarter than I would have suggested it already" ;)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 07, 2004, 08:25:04 PM
Welcome Tage.

A CD wouldn't work. Out of what I understand, it'll surpass 700mb, easy.

P.S. That comment wasn't pointed at anybody, just reffering to what was said earlier(days/weeks ago).
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Tage on July 07, 2004, 08:27:34 PM
Thanks for the welcome!  ;D

Sorry I spoke your idea first.  >.<  Well...  you know what they say (who's they?  I dunno), great minds think alike!  =D  lol

Edit:  You could split it with an archiving program like WinRAR and put it on more than one CD and just unzip it onto your computer.  =D

Tage
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 07, 2004, 11:48:16 PM
QuoteYou could split it with an archiving program like WinRAR and put it on more than one CD and just unzip it onto your computer.  =D

If it requires 3 or more CDs, I'd prefer a DVD.

P.S. Which format does everyone think would make it fit into a smaller amount of space(not just the software, also hardware)? I don't think the .zip format would be best. I think either a program made for such a task, or a better compression format(rar, tar, gzip) would work better. Although, another compression format(other than zip) wouldn't work on all systems, without 3rd party software(that could be put on the CD/DVD).
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: GunHoMac on July 08, 2004, 01:16:47 AM
I would suggest a moderate split set using HJSplit...then pack a fraction of the HJSplit files into RAR files (ex: 5 split files per rar package)...then you can download the RAR packages separately, unRAR the split files into a directory, and combine the split pieces back with HJJoin (join feature on HJSplit).

Also I would just zip the master ISO or fileset into a single ZIP package for those with patience, DSL, cable, P2P, download accelerators with resume feature, or T3 like me
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 08, 2004, 01:21:55 AM
Quoteor T3 like me

Well, we all know who's going to be playing it first, outside of Phoenix.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: koko_99_2001 on July 08, 2004, 04:51:52 AM
Welcome Tage!

Hey guys, looks like we've got another Tennessee-ian on our hands!! :P

Cat
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Tage on July 08, 2004, 08:23:55 AM
;D  I'd prefer a dvd as well, but I don't have a dvd-rom.  :-[  I'm a bum who doesn't want to spend money on one.  Well, maybe I'm not a bum, but I still don't want to spend money on one, lol.  *is broke*

The highest compression ratio I've come across is in the 7-zip (http://www.7-zip.org/) format.  It's better than rar, but I haven't tried gzip before.

T3?!  :o  ;D

Yay!  Tennessee!  hehe  >.<!  Thanks for the welcome!  =D

Tage
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 08, 2004, 08:57:10 AM
I just did a test on a 247kb Word doc.

WinZip (*.zip) made it 26kb
UNIX Tarring and Gzip (*.gzip) made it 26kb
WinRar (*.rar) made it 17kb
7 Zip (*.7z) made it 13kb

So 7 Zip wins, but it also took the longest to compress the file, and since it does not have self-extracting ability, *.7z cannot be used.

So I used 7 Zip to turn it into a *.zip file and the file was 19kb!  However, when I tried turning it into a Self-Extractable, it said the method used must be "deflate" and not any other.  The deflate method makes the zip 24kb, which is not really an improvement over WinZip.

So, WinRAR is still the winner!  XD  Even when I made into a self-extractable, WinRAR's was 63kb while WinZip's was 88kb. :P
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Tage on July 08, 2004, 10:42:43 AM
7z does have a self-extracting ability.  Just put a check next to "Create SFX Archive" in the options.  At least my version does, 3.13.  I just did some tests as well with 7-Zip and WinRAR only.

With a 500kb .doc file,
7z SFX was 276kb
Rar SFX was 265kb

When I did larger files it was opposite.

4 wma files.
7,812kb
6,583kb
10,018kb
9,053kb

7z SFX was 29,107kb
Rar SFX was 30,304kb

I used best compression and solid archive with both of them.
Rar dictionary size set at highest (4,096kb).
7z's dictionary size was at 32mb and word size was 64.

=D

Tage
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Tage on July 08, 2004, 08:04:40 PM
No problem!  =)  Yah, different file-types compress at different ratios with different programs, lol...  Anyway, In my mind I was thinking about the extra time it would save the 56k- users by using the best compression ratio no matter how long it took to compress on the other end.  With a large file 700mb-like it might be able to compress 10mb more than a Rar on average.  On a 56k, 10mb is like...  Hrm...
5kbps
10,000/5=2,000
2,000/60=33 minutes
Half an hour...  Ah...  people will probably leave it downloading overnight with a 56k anyway.  That's what I did when I had a 56k modem.  Probably doesn't matter much...Only for the poor souls that eagerly watch that download bar.  :suffer:

Tage
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 08, 2004, 09:07:15 PM
I love broadband!
XB
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 08, 2004, 09:26:21 PM
Quote from: Tage on July 08, 2004, 08:04:40 PM
With a large file 700mb-like it might be able to compress 10mb more than a Rar on average.  

It might even be more.  Using the 4 wma files, the total uncompressed size is: 33466 kb.  7z was 29,107kb and RAR was 30,304kb.  The difference between both SFX's is 1,197kb or 3.58% of the original.  Now, if we pretend the files added up to 700mb, that's a savings of 25mb!  :o

However, using the other file, the difference was 2.2% which would be a savings of 15.4mb!

Anyway, the easiest thing to do is to make a SFX using both programs and see which one is smaller.  :)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on July 08, 2004, 10:27:00 PM
From my experience, video and audio formats that are already compressed, such as GIF, PNG, OGG, MP3, JPG, etc. don't compress very well. (In such cases, Zip files are more useful simply as a way to pack many files into one download.) Things like BMP, TXT, and WAV compress very well, but you likely wouldn't want to leave files in those types of formats anyway.

And AFAIK, Zip files are lossless. Certainly you can zip and unzip TXT and HTM files without any data loss!

Also, FWIW, I know from experience it takes ~7 hours to download ~100MB over a good 56k connection (about 5k per second).

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 09, 2004, 12:39:07 AM
3 days, to download 1GB.

If you had a good connection, and left  it on 24 hours a day.

:(

*starts making plans to use Earthlink's connection*
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Tage on July 09, 2004, 01:24:01 AM
I thought all of them were lossless as well.  =|  Anyway, it's always good to check if the archive works before you distribute it, lol.  Nothing like finally finishing the download and it was corrupted in the compression stage.  >.<

Tage
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Draco9898 on July 09, 2004, 11:59:18 AM
What's up with you people and Dial-up?  ;P Upgrade man.  :suffer:
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 09, 2004, 09:20:08 PM
Suffer(  :suffer: ) is right. We don't all have the option.

Cable and DSL= aren't available in all(most?) areas.
Satellite= can be slower than a 56k(games).
T1, T3, etc= COST(unless your job will let you use their bandwidth)
The one I can't remember(ISDN?)=cost(considering the slight increase in bandwidth).
any other options?

and finally, we might not be able to afford it.

So far, the best option I can see, is sending broadband over air waves(over a long distance). You'd have to get a license(HAM) to do it(at least in the US), but I think it'd be worth it(cheaper than letting a DSL company do it, which isn't very common).

P.S. If you haven't guessed, that's what I'm considering now(HAM).
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 09, 2004, 10:34:08 PM
HAM has become a big thing in Sydney, because of the cost of ADSL and Cable....

But where I live, Canberra, there is a VERY modern ( the last 3 years ) firbe network rolled out all over the city and the cost of broadband is extremely affordable.

You can even get upto 32Mb connections now for as little as $150/month ( AUD )
I'm on a great connection, which I pay $90/month for. Yes, I could go for a $30/month Broadband connection, but I like to spoil myself! :D

( This is all in Aussie Dollars, so cut it in half to get rough American dollars. )

DSL is affordable, and with the savings you make from not making a phone call everytime you connect, the cost of braodband is quite reasonable.

So if you're on 56K...    :suffer:
Do some research and you may work out ( like I did ) that broadband can even SAVE you time and money.

For example, I used to pay about $30/Month just for the phonecalls when connecting and another $30 for the connection costs with the ISP. ($60/month total.)
I can get a 512/128 DSL connection for $39.95/month...
Saving me $20!
( No phone calls, not waiting, high speed! )
And yes, the is an 'unlimited' DSL connection, no DL limits.

I'm just making a point, do your research...  ;)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 10, 2004, 12:18:56 AM
Quotedo your research

I am. I can't get broadband here(from any internet provider). So I'm trying to find an unconventional way(HAM).
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 10, 2004, 01:15:51 AM
The Catch22 is that HAM is probably only viable/doable in areas that already have decent DSL/Cable ISP's.

That has certainly being the case here in Australia.

Satelite is great for fast downloading, but if you want to play games, it's lag is unbearable.
( Atleast you will get KQ9 quickly! )

Otherwise, CALL the ISP's and ask about braodband, highspeed services, because they may not list them on websites/advertisements.
Best to call and talk to someone to find out their situation.
Sometimes it all comes down to the Phone Services comany, not the ISP's.  :-\
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 10, 2004, 01:31:52 AM
QuoteThe Catch22 is that HAM is probably only viable/doable in areas that already have decent DSL/Cable ISP's.

I'm about a mile out of range(DSL).

*bangs head against wall*
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 10, 2004, 12:26:38 PM
Quote from: Jeysie on July 10, 2004, 06:33:59 AM
Problem is, both DSL and Cable in my area are in $40-$50/month USD range, and that's just way too much money compared to $16 for dial-up.

That seems excessively high.  :o We pay $46/month for Cable and that's in CDN and after taxes.  We don't live in the downtown core, but when I did in Ottawa (the capital of Canada), I was paying around the same thing, though I was getting much faster speeds when I lived there.  ::)

I haven't looked into DSL pricing, but it must be around the same price.  Some of my relatives have DSL and say it's cheaper, but it depends on the account and bandwidth you use (i.e. HiSpeed Lite vs. Regular).
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 10, 2004, 04:09:18 PM
Quotewhen dail-up is dead

It won't die(not anytime soon, anyways). It'll be used in laptops. In other words, where broadband STILL isn't available.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Tage on July 10, 2004, 04:27:40 PM
You could hook the broadband up to a router and then hook the the laptop up to the router, if nothing else worked.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 10, 2004, 08:35:57 PM
THANK YOU   !!!
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 10, 2004, 09:32:15 PM
We're too kind Yonkey.

*Grundy up's the poly count, just to make file sizes larger for Dial-Up users!*   :suffer:
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 10, 2004, 09:59:13 PM
Quote*Grundy up's the poly count, just to make file sizes larger for Dial-Up users!* :suffer:

Is it going to look much better? If so, I don't mind waiting a few more hours/days/weeks.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 10, 2004, 10:09:48 PM
Quote from: grundy on July 10, 2004, 09:32:15 PM
*Grundy up's the poly count, just to make file sizes larger for Dial-Up users!*   :suffer:
/me slaps Grundy with a low-poly MoE Connor.
 XD

Besides, increasing poly count shouldn't make the file sizes much larger.  I think it'll just make the game more GPU/CPU-intensive (which is still bad, hence the Connor-slapping).  :P
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 11, 2004, 12:48:27 AM
The game engine makes full use of the Video Card...
Textures and meshes are mainly what are stored in Video Card memory.  :)  So, 128MB video card, means highest quality textures.

And yes, more poly's means greater file-size.
But mesh/model information compresses VERY WELL, because it is simply a file with vertex co-ords, not much else unless you use a proprietry format like .max or .ma.
;)

*Grundy catches Connor and Turns MoE model into high-poly, KQ9 worthy mesh!*
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 11, 2004, 01:48:04 PM
Quote from: grundy on July 11, 2004, 12:48:27 AM
But mesh/model information compresses VERY WELL, because it is simply a file with vertex co-ords, not much else unless you use a proprietry format like .max or .ma.
;)

That's why I said they wouldn't be much larger.  Since increasing polys just mean increasing the number of points on a model.  I figured rendering time would increase, but the file sizes themselves wouldn't increase by much more than 10-20mb in total (rough estimate).
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 11, 2004, 03:45:47 PM
:) Every byte counts with dial-up!
MuHAHAHAHAHAHA!   XD
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on July 17, 2004, 06:41:14 PM
Hmm. One thing that occurred to me... how are you folks going to handle that much bandwidth being transferred? You guys must have some really gracious web hosts... (either that, or I hope they're *really* cheap :P )

And it is worth noting that if the game is really big, most dial-up users likely aren't going to want to bother, and there's still a lot of people still on dial-up. No way around it I suppose, considering what your script consists of, but still something to consider. (shrug)

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 17, 2004, 06:52:58 PM
Hey Team!
Have we considered sending the game out to PC/GAME magazines?

The #1 mag here in Aus, PC PowerPlay, already gives FREE games away with every issue, normally games that have been out for many years, but free either way. ( With permission from the companies too. )

They were the first Magazine in the world to offer a cover DVD, instead of just 2 cd's ( Which they still do for those without DVD drives. )

But, do you think there would be any legal issues with it being distributed as a FREE game on these cover discs?

If we find no problem with that, that may be the best solution for dial-up users.   :)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on July 17, 2004, 06:59:53 PM
Now that you mention that... some vague brain cells want to suggest to me that I've heard of PC game mags having fan *mods* on their CDs... but I'm honestly not sure if there's ever been any ones with full-fledged fan *games* (or fan remakes/sequels for that matter).

But yes, full old commerical games, at least, sometimes get released for free here in the States as well... my first taste of PC graphic adventures was from a PC Gamer collection of games I got four years ago, which included Secret of Monkey Island and KQ1 on it.

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Grundy on July 17, 2004, 07:19:39 PM
If we want to get technical, and get around any legal issues, we may be able to pass KQ9 away as a Tribes Mod... ! :D
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Storm on July 18, 2004, 02:10:55 PM
Quote from: grundy on July 17, 2004, 06:52:58 PM
Hey Team!
Have we considered sending the game out to PC/GAME magazines?
...
But, do you think there would be any legal issues with it being distributed as a FREE game on these cover discs?

AGDI's KQ2+ was distributed freely with a gaming magazine. I don't know if the magazine had AGDI's explicit permission, but I'm pretty sure they didn't have any legal problems with that 8)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 19, 2004, 01:04:10 AM
PC Gamer, Maximum PC, and Computer Games Magazine  have shipped with free(freeware) games on their CDs. PC Gamer is the only one I know, that ever uses DVDs. They've only used DVDs for special occasions.

Yes, there might be legal problems that would stop them from sending them on DVD. PC Gamer would probably work around it though.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 19, 2004, 12:00:06 PM
This is a very interesting idea!  If we decide to make use of this form of distrubition, of course, the magazines that have worked with us in the past (i.e. Game Informer, Computer Games Magazine and GameSpot) will get priority over any others. :suffer:

8)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 19, 2004, 11:03:08 PM
Well, PC Gamer's reign is over.

*starts his subscription to PC Games Magazine*

P.S. I think that's the one I was talking about. I must have gotten the name wrong.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on July 20, 2004, 08:11:38 AM
No way, Louisiana... you should subscribe to Computer Games Magazine. I <3 that magazine, it rules. Although I actually don't have the with-CD subscription myself.

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 20, 2004, 09:58:43 PM
Quoteyou should subscribe to Computer Games Magazine

I used to.

I get PC-Gamer magazines free, they won't stop sending them.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Jeysie on July 21, 2004, 12:20:46 AM
Quote from: Louisiana Night on July 20, 2004, 09:58:43 PM
Quoteyou should subscribe to Computer Games Magazine
I used to.

I get PC-Gamer magazines free, they won't stop sending them.

Hee. That's how I got hooked on Computer Games Magazine, actually... they either just started sending free issues to my mother one day, or I got a card in the mail for a free offer or something, and they just kept sending them! I finally bought my own subscription when I moved out, but my mother kept getting issues to her house. She would mail them to me here, and I would bring the extras into work for the other employees to read. (I was working at Toys R Us at the time.)

I'll assume they've stopped by now, since she no longer sends them, but I think it was for something like a couple years, they were free! XD Crazy magazine people.

Peace & Luv, Liz
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 21, 2004, 11:47:25 PM
I remember a guy telling me, that they make more money from advertising, than subscriptions. That's the best explination that I've heard.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 24, 2004, 02:10:53 AM
I'm planning to sell some of my old KQ games. Would it be okay, if I burned a disc with KQ9 files on it, and gave it away free with the KQ game?

I'm not talking about online, I'm talking about a fleamarket(best description I can think of).
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Erpy on July 24, 2004, 06:40:23 AM
QuoteAGDI's KQ2+ was distributed freely with a gaming magazine. I don't know if the magazine had AGDI's explicit permission, but I'm pretty sure they didn't have any legal problems with that

Some of them have done so, but I also recall a magazine which wanted to host our games on their CD, but was required to notify their contact at Sierra first. The idea was rejected immediately.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on July 24, 2004, 07:54:55 PM
Quote from: Louisiana Night on July 24, 2004, 02:10:53 AM
I'm planning to sell some of my old KQ games. Would it be okay, if I burned a disc with KQ9 files on it, and gave it away free with the KQ game?

I'm not talking about online, I'm talking about a fleamarket(best description I can think of).

It's pretty hard to answer that right now because there are a lot more factors involved.  Ask again when the game is ready and we'll have a better idea.  8)
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Louisiana Night on July 24, 2004, 08:07:46 PM
I'll have sold them by then(hopefully), but thanks for answering.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: rccola18 on September 20, 2004, 08:40:59 AM
hello, i'm a newbie!  i think bittorent is a bad idea, there is a long ass wait time, and i think it should be zipped and sent over multiple servers. Goodbye.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on September 20, 2004, 09:07:48 AM
Welcome rccola18!  ;D

Bittorrent is like any other file-sharing program out there.  The more people hosting the file, the faster it is.  Most likely it will be hosted multiple servers, but due to the huge file sizes and bandwidth required, they may not be enough.  :-\
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Darkmage136 on September 21, 2004, 09:39:38 PM
Wow long time no post from sir dot-a-lot! lol
anyway, yea bittorrent can take a long while, but there are a lot more ways of d/ling using the bittorrent feature (i.e. Shareaza, ABC, azureus, etc.) so far from the ones i've tried in the past Shareaza works the best for me but it can time out a lot for some people... distributing using magazines sounds great, but I'm one of those people who get practically no magazines/newspapers since my parents don't want any, so hopefully most of the options shared will help distribute KQ9.
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: B'rrr on September 22, 2004, 02:46:58 AM
Welcome rccola18!
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: RAVEN on June 26, 2005, 03:43:39 PM
Is there any chance to us fans in Central America to get the game too? I mean you guys are talking about send, cd`s, But i supose it`s only inside the US , so waht about us?
My internet connection isn`t very fast..
Title: Re:Downloading
Post by: Yonkey on June 26, 2005, 03:59:26 PM
Why not upgrade to broadband before the game is released? XD

Otherwise, get a download manager like GetRight and just keep pausing and resuming the download.  :)