Online RBI via this Website

[defen]

I know a decent amount (6+ years) so if he's not willing to help I will, but I don't know how much free time I have.

[Gantry]

6+ years beats out nothing...  I think I'll be undertaking this project, gotta have something to do and it's fresh....

Wouldn't need much time defen, just would post/email certain questions if I get stuck, that's all...

[defen]

Yeah, I'd be more than happy to answer anything you've got that I can.  

[nightwulf]

I should have initially said glibc (and the c++ libs) and not gcc - the issue isn't with gcc but the core c libraries.  This isn't an easy drop in replacement as with most packages.  If you install a whole major version of glibc you typically break binary compatability with older apps.  That's why RedHat always released a new version number on major glibc updates - 6.2 to 7.0 went to glibc 2.2 and 7.3 to 8.0 went from 2.2 to 2.3.  Ditto with Redhat 5.2 to 6.0 I think that was libc5 to libc6 (2.0) and so on.  So it's not the compiler moreso the libraries...

You're right, my fault. I didn't ask whether you were running into gcc or glibc problems. If you're running into problems not being able to compile software, it really might be time to look at overhauling the beast that is dee-nee ...

nightwulf, you were looking for a challenge perhaps you and I should try to improve the server code specifically for RBI.  The main server is only 800 lines of code (though c++) and I'd be willing to devote effort if I know you'd be somewhat on board.  You a way better programmer and I don't know c++ so I'd need someone to turn to with debugging and questions....

I'm not sure that the concept of a "network server" is the issue. The big stumbling block of network play in emulators has always been that network latency kills the experience. I don't see how adding an external server would change anything; people (like me) still have garbage upload streams on cable.

I'll glance at the source again, but I'm not likely to be of much help. My C is years old, and my C++ isn't any better.

Nightwulf

[One Flap Down]

"G"-money,

Your hard work is much appreciated. I'm sure once its all set up and running, you will for sure be rewarded by the RBI gods with a few "Through the Wall" HR's and an "E" or two from your first opponents......

Ps. Anyone want to guess what my username is referencing or would that be insulting everyone's baseball inteligence?

One Flap Down, over and out.

[Gantry]

You're right, my fault. I didn't ask whether you were running into gcc or glibc problems. If you're running into problems not being able to compile software, it really might be time to look at overhauling the beast that is dee-nee

I hear ya, but upgrades suck.  Plus I don't use it all that often as a workstation so the not-so-latest-and-greatest works fine for me.  A shell and a web browser is all I need...

Plus I don't have to compile much in the way of new software.   I do have gcc 3.4.1 thanks to last night's fun though so perhaps that'll keep me going awhile longer before the inevitable upgrade...

I'm not sure that the concept of a "network server" is the issue. The big stumbling block of network play in emulators has always been that network latency kills the experience. I don't see how adding an external server would change anything; people (like me) still have garbage upload streams on cable.

This is a good point, are there any emus that have good network play?   And stricly in terms of emus for systems that weren't designed with networking in mind.  Head-to-head RBI is just about a realtime as you can get, wonder how much upstream data is actually used on the client side with a central server...

[doveRBI]

Fuck me in the goat ass.  Usually I don't even bother to read this thread because I assume that nothing as sweet as true online RBI at dee-nee could be possible.  However, like Doc Brown and his flux capacitor it seems that Gantry has nearly hit his head on the proverbial toilet bowl and is nearing an earth shattering revelation.  Gantry are you prepared for dee-nee's membership to spike into the thousands?!  Fuck me.  I can't wait.  I will be bustin' on you ho's at all hours.  Yee-haw!

[fightonusc]

This is really the Holy Grail of RBI Baseball. If Gantry can pull this off, I'll name my firstborn after him. Which would really suck if it's a girl.

[nightwulf]

I hear ya, but upgrades suck.  Plus I don't use it all that often as a workstation so the not-so-latest-and-greatest works fine for me.  A shell and a web browser is all I need...

See, you disappoint me. True nerdliness involves upgrading your software libraries for fun.

Nightwulf

[Gantry]

Yeah, I'm getting too old for that shit...

Lips and I played a few innings today and it played great!  So there is still hope.  One of the joysticks wasn't usable so we just dicked around for a couple innings.  But there is progress and this may be doable.  More testing needs to be done, but be patient...

[fknmclane]

This is really the Holy Grail of RBI Baseball. If Gantry can pull this off, I'll name my firstborn after him. Which would really suck if it's a girl.

This is an absolutely savage post.  Well done, uscsucks.  

[fknmclane]

However, like Doc Brown and his flux capacitor it seems that Gantry has nearly hit his head on the proverbial toilet bowl and is nearing an earth shattering revelation.  Gantry are you prepared for dee-nee's membership to spike into the thousands?!  

Yet another "savage" post.
Gantry, I think dove is right.  If this gets done, dee nee will be worldwide.  Shit, my heart just stopped.  Wait, there it goes.

[BeefMaster]

Lookin' pretty promising, Gantry, at least for straight pitch (somewhat less precision necessary), which would be better than nothing.  Let me know if you need any beta testing - I've got a 128 kb up/1.5 Mb down connection, which is probably representative of many cable connections.  I'm also behind a router, if there are any issues there.

I do know C++, but I have zero experience in network programming, plus I haven't touched it since college (although I do Java now, which is fairly similar).  I can probably take a look at that code, but I don't have much confidence that I could be of much help.

[defen]

You're right, my fault. I didn't ask whether you were running into gcc or glibc problems. If you're running into problems not being able to compile software, it really might be time to look at overhauling the beast that is dee-nee

I hear ya, but upgrades suck.  Plus I don't use it all that often as a workstation so the not-so-latest-and-greatest works fine for me.  A shell and a web browser is all I need...

Plus I don't have to compile much in the way of new software.   I do have gcc 3.4.1 thanks to last night's fun though so perhaps that'll keep me going awhile longer before the inevitable upgrade...

I'm not sure that the concept of a "network server" is the issue. The big stumbling block of network play in emulators has always been that network latency kills the experience. I don't see how adding an external server would change anything; people (like me) still have garbage upload streams on cable.

This is a good point, are there any emus that have good network play?   And stricly in terms of emus for systems that weren't designed with networking in mind.  Head-to-head RBI is just about a realtime as you can get, wonder how much upstream data is actually used on the client side with a central server...

The central server cuts out on some of the upstream, but you do lose probably 10-20% on just overhead using the server rather than head to head, but that also makes finding games and connectivity that much easier.  I don't know if FCEU is the best network-ed NES emulator out there but I'll dig around sometime this weekend.  As always, if you get stuck or something send me an email at cpeacock@uscdev.com and I can take a look at the stuff.  My network programming is still pretty up to date, but who the hell knows what that thing is doing.

[Gantry]

The central server's biggest asset is ease of use.   With no many people with broadband routers, getting the old direct way to work was a PITA on the user side.   The docs for the server say it takes 65-70 Kbps per user to function, so hopefully it's a similar upload requirement on the client side.  It really did play with next to no lag at LIpitz's place I was most impressed.  I think the issue at my house was the old testing PC I used, it couldn't keep up with the emulation...

dee-nee.com is on a full 1.5 up/down T1 line so we can easily get 8 or so games going at once without server bandwidth issues...

Lips is heading out of town for the weekend, so perhaps I'll get on AIM and test with nightwulf, Beef or someone else over the weekend.  Gotta buy a Gravis though, can't test jack without a joystick...

[fknmclane]

Gotta buy a Gravis though, can't test jack without a joystick...

I will definitely have to purchase a controller of sorts.

[fightonusc]

[size=0]Here, you can see (from left to right) Lipitz, Gantry and Nightwulf at the Dee-Nee Laboratories working on the RBI Baseball central server, a concept which would later win them the Nobel Prize for Science, as well as the Nobel Peace Price for using online RBI Baseball to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.[/size]

[doveRBI]

That photoshop of Gantry and fucking univac-1 is fucking hysterical.  I am pissing myself.

[fightonusc]

I just wanted to say thanks, and also blatantly pad my post count.