G'day All,
I'm not sure on the best UI to support what I'm thinking of and it is possible there are other existing ways to achieve what I would like. So please bear with me and be gentle with your replies.
The first is a filter on the type of information messages, for example I would like to optionally filter out spawn point selected, cannot reach point, etc messages.
The ability to have message history so you can scroll back and look at previous messages (maybe with a limit on either the number or the time frame that you keep messages).
The third is a tad trickier and most prob should be dependant on the second one. I would like to determine the context from the message. Not that I want the context to be displayed, but a way to select the source of the message.
For example, if I get a message saying that a bot cannot move, it would be nice to click on the message (which would depend on some form of activable message box) and the bot/vehicle automatically selected and the view centred.
The fourth one is to have the last prefix (as in a:, s: or none) used by the player be the default for the player. Currently it appears to be the last used prefix in the messages, irrespective of who used it, which can cause a player or a spectator to accidentally broadcast something inappropriate.
The fifth is more a general question as to whether it would be useful, I'm not really to certain, but i was thinking of either messages or a visual/audio alert that something is under attack (that hasn't been for a predetermined about of time), with the option to change focus to whatever is under attack. maybe just having the mini map flash whatever is under attack with a pulsating/flashing circle or similar. again, not sure how this would pan out, but it would be handy when trying to ascertain where the attack is. I know for experienced players this wouldn't be a problem, maybe more of a hand to those who are new or inexperienced.
Hope you guys don't mind my suggestions, just thoughts that I felt may enhance spring.
General enhancements for messages
Moderator: Moderators
I have an old widget that does 1 and 2, and could probably be made to do 3
(with a single call-in addition for the next spring version). I'll clean it up and
release it when I get the chance. In the meantime, I think that there are at
least two other console widgets floating around, that might have some of
the features that you want.
Item 4 should probably be changed in the engine. I've never liked the
current policy.
I've written the minimap_events.lua widget that show units under attack
on the minimap (along with new builds, unit deaths, differentiation for
paralyzing, stockpile count changes). In case there isn't a public version
somewhere else:
http://trepan.bzflag.bz/spring/minimap_events.lua
(with a single call-in addition for the next spring version). I'll clean it up and
release it when I get the chance. In the meantime, I think that there are at
least two other console widgets floating around, that might have some of
the features that you want.
Item 4 should probably be changed in the engine. I've never liked the
current policy.
I've written the minimap_events.lua widget that show units under attack
on the minimap (along with new builds, unit deaths, differentiation for
paralyzing, stockpile count changes). In case there isn't a public version
somewhere else:
http://trepan.bzflag.bz/spring/minimap_events.lua