New p99 patcher + utility bundle (testers and feedback needed)

[tristantio]

Hello all,

I have a new patcher + utility bundle that I am working on (created exclusively for p99) that currently does the following:


Auto-detects your EQ install directory
Checks if any files need to be deleted for p99 to work (the nektulos/arena ones etc)
Checks if any files in the latest patch bundle (v30) on your EQ install do not match the p99 zip bundle files
If a file deletion or download+install needs to happen, does it automatically (including opening of the zip file etc)
Automatically backs up any changed files prior to changing them
Shows realtime progress of file scan and download time remaining
Can launch EverQuest with a Play button click


The things I plan to add that are not there yet:


Support for third party add-on installations (spell graphic packs, high res textures etc.)
Integrated modules built in that work on the log file (starting with the auction tracker log uploader)


Some other ideas I have for realtime log parsing functionality (all will require you turn /log on) will include the ability to type something such as:


/me [ahu] pc fbss


Which the software will read in your log file as it comes in, and respond by querying the auction tracker/wiki pages for a proper price check on the item, and ultimately display a Windows/Linux/Mac pop up (gtk) box showing the price on the item.

Or another one:


/me [ahu] dps self


Which may open up a pop up box showing your current dps as parsed out in real time.

At this point, I'd appreciate some feedback/testers for what I have so far (which is just the working patcher, none of the other stuff yet).

Before testing, please back up your EQ directory just in case (although in my tests I haven't had anything bad happen).

You can download the software at:

http://ahungry.com/p99-patcher-min.7z

And run it by extracting via 7zip and double clicking the batch (.bat) file.

You can view all the source code at:

https://github.com/ahungry/p99-patcher/

At this point I have tested it under Arch Linux, Windows XP and Windows 7.

As the software runs on port 4444, you may receive a prompt from your Windows firewall/antivirus alerting you of this (and requiring an OK or Yes click).

If you do find an issue, please email me at m@ahungry.com.

Thanks!

[tristantio]

Download file has been updated to include any dll's you may be missing

[Whovian]

Thanks tristantio! I'm going to give this a try. Good to see another Arch Linux user here!

[Skittlez]

The play option doesn't work for me, I get a error. Patcher is premo though.

[Autotune]

Sounds like a great way to share my credit card information!

[tristantio]

Hah, I wish :p

If something doesn't work (for instance, the "Play" button) can you include what Operating System you tried it out under?

I don't have a full EQ install on any of my Windows virtual machines so tested a junk "eqgame.exe" executable with the "Play" button to ensure the proper process was spawned and passed the first argument ("patchme").

Thanks!

[element08]

Haven't tried running it yet but I did go through the source just in case anyone was worried about running it and can provide 3rd party confirmation that the only connections it makes are to project1999.com for the p99 patches (with a checksum to make sure you got what was expected) and a call to http://ahungry.com/p99-patcher.json to get an updated list of p99 patches. I'll give it a shot sometime to see how it runs on ubuntu 12.04. Also thanks for the auction tracker! That thing is awesome.

[tristantio]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy it and I appreciate the code review/assurance for everyone out there :)

[Swish]

I support tristantio's efforts fully! :)

Akkadius's patcher (no longer supported here) was updated to include a checkbox option to load EQ running a single core... I don't know how easy that was for him to implement, but will you be adding something similar? :)

[tristantio]

I had a tester email me regarding Duxa's batch script, which is something similar to:


C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C Start /affinity 1 .\eqgame.exe patchme


Inside a batch (.bat) file for launching the game, if that's all that is needed then it should be an easy fix/update to include a check box for launching with a single core.

Do you think that should be the default (checked) or let user check it and default to multi core?

Also, if you have your game installed in an entirely custom location, you will need to add to the settings.lisp file a line similar to:


*eq-path* "D:\I\Hate\My\C\Drive\EverQuest\"


Which points to your unique install location.

[Laok]

UIErrorLog created at Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014
[Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014] Warning: file EQLSUI.xml not found in directory UIFiles\default\. Attempting to use file from Default skin.
[Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014] Couldn't open or read UIFiles\default\EQLSUI.xml
[Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014] Error reading XML.
[Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014] Error loading skin: loading default skin instead.
[Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014] Warning: file EQLSUI.xml not found in directory UIFiles\default\. Attempting to use file from Default skin.
[Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014] Couldn't open or read UIFiles\default\EQLSUI.xml
[Sat Jan 18 10:41:05 2014] Error reading XML.


EQLSUI.xml is in /uifiles/default

[tristantio]

From what I see, it doesn't look like this is related to the patcher or the latest patch set (v31), I don't see an entry for EQSLUI.xml in either (although I could probably add a fix for this regardless to copy over the needed file automatically).

[Laok]

this morning was the first time i tried it

[tristantio]

Hi everyone,

For my own need, I wrote a simple damage parser (bash script ready for use by you *NIX users) and added to the github repo for this at:

https://github.com/ahungry/p99-patcher/blob/master/eq-damage-parser.sh

The reports it generates look like:


--------------------------------------------------------
DAMAGE TAKEN REPORT (AC)
--------------------------------------------------------

Data for 405 hits:

Breakdown (attacks done to you):
--------------------------------------------------------
Misses: 48.14814814814814814800
Dodges: 3.45679012345679012300
Parry: 2.46913580246913580200
Riposte: 2.71604938271604938200
Hit For: 43.20987654320987654300

Damage Spread (damage taken and how often it was taken):
--------------------------------------------------------
3 (25.1429%) 18 (2.85714%) 45 (1.71429%) 23 (1.14286%) 25 (0.571429%)
2 (16.5714%) 47 (2.28571%) 42 (1.71429%) 16 (1.14286%) 17 (0.571429%)
29 (4.57143%) 39 (2.28571%) 36 (1.71429%) 12 (1.14286%) 15 (0.571429%)
4 (3.42857%) 34 (2.28571%) 26 (1.71429%) 53 (0.571429%) 13 (0.571429%)
37 (3.42857%) 11 (2.28571%) 24 (1.71429%) 41 (0.571429%) 10 (0.571429%)
8 (2.85714%) 7 (1.71429%) 9 (1.14286%) 40 (0.571429%)
5 (2.85714%) 6 (1.71429%) 43 (1.14286%) 35 (0.571429%)
31 (2.85714%) 50 (1.71429%) 38 (1.14286%) 27 (0.571429%)

Averages:
--------------------------------------------------------
15.8171 damage taken per successful hit
6.83457 damage taken per swing (adding avoidance)


--------------------------------------------------------
DAMAGE DEALT REPORT (DPS)
--------------------------------------------------------

Data for 167 hits:

Breakdown (attacks you dealt):
--------------------------------------------------------
Misses: 23.95209580838323353200
Dodges: .59880239520958083800
Parry: 2.39520958083832335300
Riposte: 0
Hit For: 73.05389221556886227500

Damage Spread (damage dealt and how often it was delivered):
--------------------------------------------------------
102 (22.9508%) 40 (1.63934%) 125 (1.63934%) 55 (0.819672%) 131 (0.819672%)
58 (4.09836%) 36 (1.63934%) 121 (1.63934%) 52 (0.819672%) 126 (0.819672%)
32 (3.27869%) 30 (1.63934%) 105 (1.63934%) 44 (0.819672%) 118 (0.819672%)
92 (2.45902%) 23 (1.63934%) 103 (1.63934%) 42 (0.819672%) 117 (0.819672%)
84 (2.45902%) 168 (1.63934%) 98 (0.819672%) 41 (0.819672%) 115 (0.819672%)
62 (2.45902%) 150 (1.63934%) 93 (0.819672%) 34 (0.819672%) 114 (0.819672%)
27 (2.45902%) 145 (1.63934%) 82 (0.819672%) 29 (0.819672%) 112 (0.819672%)
133 (2.45902%) 144 (1.63934%) 80 (0.819672%) 163 (0.819672%) 109 (0.819672%)
76 (1.63934%) 140 (1.63934%) 69 (0.819672%) 162 (0.819672%) 108 (0.819672%)
75 (1.63934%) 138 (1.63934%) 67 (0.819672%) 147 (0.819672%) 106 (0.819672%)
71 (1.63934%) 129 (1.63934%) 64 (0.819672%) 139 (0.819672%)
45 (1.63934%) 128 (1.63934%) 63 (0.819672%) 136 (0.819672%)

Averages:
--------------------------------------------------------
92.3607 damage dealt per successful hit
67.4731 damage dealt per swing (adding avoidance)


I'm thinking of adding this parser to the launcher for both detailed reports (would be viewable at http://localhost:4444/report/) to display the above, as well as a realtime DPS listing that calculates DPS in real time.

Are there any hooks into an EQ UI file that would allow said file to be updated by the launcher and printed out in the EQ UI in game (in real time) or would the best option here be to simply pop up a small GUI window that prints DPS dealt/taken that the user could overlay with their EQ window manually (maybe via an always on top checkbox)?

[Lisset]

I'm not sure where to put this, but I just want to say the new UI on your website looks awful. The background makes it harder to read and frankly, the page doesn't render well on Chrome.

I realize the old UI isn't that attractive but at least it was functional without needless distractions.

[tristantio]

I figured some would not like it, which is why there is a link in the top right (right above the auction menu/filters) to toggle back to the old style (and it will persist as long as your cookie does) :D

[tristantio]

File updated for new patch

[andrewstan]

thanks for you sharing tristantio
http://watchfree.me/58/w.png

[iruinedyourday]

Im sorry, I just have to say I almost called your friends company just to tell them how awesome they were, even tho I don't live in texas.

Delivering justice, to lawns. *hammer on grass

that's hilarious.

[bktroost]

Has anyone confirmed that this doesn't make EQ play Rickroll everytime you loot a corpse? Like a mage looting Inny or a Warrior looting Sev?

If it did I might consider using it.