Suggestions for Version 2

[Barton]

Please consider the following for features to be added for version 2:
1) Adding a history tab. This would allow people to use the program to track the character. Also adding a hot key that would add a text string of the system date to any memo field would be great.
2) Add support for other graphic files for character sheets.
3) Include more prefabs in the base package.

Thanks for your consideration.

PS What will be the upgrade procedure for those who already own the package?

[JmOz]

Also one trait I feel is a "Deal breaker" for me is backwards compatibility, it should be able to read v1 files with limited fuss (less than there is for herocreator files perferably)

[Simon]

1) One of the things that I'm pondering would make this pretty much moot. I'm considering giving the ability to "version" characters. A character file would contain the information on all versions...allowing you to go back and take a look at v1 of a particular character....or v2....or v3, etc.

2) I will look into it....but there are some legal issues that need to be considered. I'll talk to Steve about it and see what he can dig up.

3) Some of the major new features that I'm looking at will (if approved) make this moot.

As for the upgrade procedure, I'm likely going to create two packages for purchase: one a full version installer and one an upgrade which will look for your existing installation and modify it to bring it up to date with v2.

[Simon]

Originally posted by JmOz
Also one trait I feel is a "Deal breaker" for me is backwards compatibility, it should be able to read v1 files with limited fuss (less than there is for herocreator files perferably)

Absolutely. No arguments here ;)

While I'm planning on making changes to the save format, the current format will continue to be fully supported by the app.

This has been my policy throughout (there have been save file changes in several of the updates...some of them reasonably major).

[Talon]

A java-based RPG character designer program that doesn't have backwards save compatibility? I can't imagine that happening! *coughpcgencough*

[Barton]

Originally posted by dsimon
1) One of the things that I'm pondering would make this pretty much moot. I'm considering giving the ability to "version" characters. A character file would contain the information on all versions...allowing you to go back and take a look at v1 of a particular character....or v2....or v3, etc.

2) I will look into it....but there are some legal issues that need to be considered. I'll talk to Steve about it and see what he can dig up.

3) Some of the major new features that I'm looking at will (if approved) make this moot.

As for the upgrade procedure, I'm likely going to create two packages for purchase: one a full version installer and one an upgrade which will look for your existing installation and modify it to bring it up to date with v2.

Thanks for your quick response. "Versions" of a character would work well. Sounds like from your response that #2 and #3 may even happen in one form or another. Good news for me.
Any idea on the cost (I hope it will be small) for the version 2 upgrade?

[Simon]

Originally posted by Barton
Thanks for your quick response. "Versions" of a character would work well. Sounds like from your response that #2 and #3 may even happen in one form or another. Good news for me.
Any idea on the cost (I hope it will be small) for the version 2 upgrade?

None whatsoever. The pricing is entirely up to Hero Games to decide on.....and I doubt that they'll be able to give any input on that until they actually see a beta of v2 so that they know what will be in it.

[Simon]

Originally posted by Geoff Speare
A java-based RPG character designer program that doesn't have backwards save compatibility? I can't imagine that happening! *coughpcgencough*
One thing that I should note: v2 will definitely be able to read v1 files...I wouldn't have it any other way.

However, v1 may not be able to read v2 files. I won't know for certain whether this will be the case or not (I will try to keep things both forwards and backwards compatible), but it is a possibility.

[Barton]

Originally posted by dsimon
One thing that I should note: v2 will definitely be able to read v1 files...I wouldn't have it any other way.

However, v1 may not be able to read v2 files. I won't know for certain whether this will be the case or not (I will try to keep things both forwards and backwards compatible), but it is a possibility.
Backwards compatible is must (IMHO), forwards compatible is a luxury.

[psychoph]

When you do produce version 2 will you still be making updates for version 1 or will all development and support for version 1 stop and people will be expected to upgrade to version 2?

[Simon]

Originally posted by psychoph
When you do produce version 2 will you still be making updates for version 1 or will all development and support for version 1 stop and people will be expected to upgrade to version 2?
In about 3 weeks I will be "freezing" the code for v1. From that point on, I will only put out updates to fix bugs....no more feature enhancements.

I will continue to support v1 in terms of bug fixes even after v2 is out....if you have v1 and have no interest in upgrading, you will continue to have a supported product.

[Jhamin]

Originally posted by psychoph
When you do produce version 2 will you still be making updates for version 1 or will all development and support for version 1 stop and people will be expected to upgrade to version 2?

I believe that Dan has already said that v1 will be frozen in a couple of months so he can work on v2.

Seeing as how v1 has alrady exceeded my expectations in a RPG character generator, that probably isn't the end of the world.

[psychoph]

Have you ever considered hiring a second programmer? I don't know how Hero Games currently runs things and you seem very on top of stuff. This is more of a curiousity question.

[Barton]

Dsimon:
You may want to consider a cutoff time at which Version 1 will no longer be supported for bug fixing.
I agree with you it would be nice to support version 1 (bug fix only), but with Microsoft changing things all the time after a while this may become very time consuming. Just a thought.

[Simon]

Originally posted by psychoph
Have you ever considered hiring a second programmer? I don't know how Hero Games currently runs things and you seem very on top of stuff. This is more of a curiousity question.

Not really....I wouldn't be able to pay much (if anything) and don't have that hard of a time keeping up as it is ;)

[Simon]

Originally posted by Barton
Dsimon:
You may want to consider a cutoff time at which Version 1 will no longer be supported for bug fixing.
I agree with you it would be nice to support version 1 (bug fix only), but with Microsoft changing things all the time after a while this may become very time consuming. Just a thought.
I'll support v1 in terms of the code base and the current rules. If Hero Games changes the rules in the future, those rules changes will only be reflected in the then-current version....back versions will not be altered.

In terms of Microsoft changing things, if they change things to the extent that an existing JVM will no longer run on their system, then the user is on their own if they apply that change. The requirements for HD v1 include the OSes that are supported.....if someone upgrades to Longhorn and HD suddenly stops working, then they'll need to find another system to run HD on. This is much the same as any other app on the market. I'll provide support for current operating systems, but not future ones.

[psychoph]

Will version two have the possibility of a list within a list or multipowers within a list?

I was working on star wars conversion and setting up quad and turbo lasers. The problem i ran into was organization and being able to list all turbo lasers under a turbo last category.

Also will version 2 allow the text for skills, and powers to extend when the left hand screen size is increased? Currently I have a 1400 X 1500 laptop monitor that I use for hero designer and when I move the divider between listed powers and selectable powers the text describing the power stays the same width instead of expanding allowing me to view more powers in the limited space instead of having to scroll.

When maximized hero designer seems to have a lot of real-estate that could be used.

[Simon]

Originally posted by psychoph
Will version two have the possibility of a list within a list or multipowers within a list?

I was working on star wars conversion and setting up quad and turbo lasers. The problem i ran into was organization and being able to list all turbo lasers under a turbo last category.

Also will version 2 allow the text for skills, and powers to extend when the left hand screen size is increased? Currently I have a 1400 X 1500 laptop monitor that I use for hero designer and when I move the divider between listed powers and selectable powers the text describing the power stays the same width instead of expanding allowing me to view more powers in the limited space instead of having to scroll.

When maximized hero designer seems to have a lot of real-estate that could be used.
Please check the other thread on v2 Features/Requests....most of this has been answered there.

If you have a request that is not in that thread, then post it there and I will repond/add it to the list.