Master Server - Garry's Mod

[QUOTE=Sechs;17344696]i'm sorry but this is an absolutely horrible concept. you're basically saying you want to create a server which you join, and then join another server from? why even bother? it takes 1 minute tops for the server browser to populate, at which point it isn't very hard to pick what you're looking for and join the server. so what you're doing is essentially adding more bloat to this process by having people join the lobby server, run around and find another server, then join that server. so you get double the load time, plus whatever time it takes you to download content for the lobby, plus the time it takes you to find what server you want to join. i seriously can't see any use in this. even if you don't know what gamemode you want to play it isn't hard to experiment and join a few random servers that are fairly populated and ask people what's going on....[/QUOTE] I'm not sure how great your internet connection is, but I have a reasonably good connection and it takes way more than a minute to populate. If you hate the concept, well nobody is forcing you to join.

regardless of how long it takes you to join a server, adding a middleman server to the simple task of joining one is effectively doubling the time you'd take to join a server. and yes, i won't ever be joining your server.

[QUOTE=Sechs;17345040] and yes, i won't ever be joining your server.[/QUOTE] Cool.

[QUOTE=Sechs;17344994]The normal server browser does the same job essentially but with 100% less bloat...[/QUOTE] You're right, the server browser will point out useless shit servers from actual good servers. My apologies, I realize the error of my way. There is no "bloat" on Garry's Mod. The possibilities are nearly unlimited for what you can make, there's no reason not to make something if you have the ability to, unless it's that it's already been done in almost the exact same manner.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;17344998]I'm not sure how great your internet connection is, but I have a reasonably good connection and it takes way more than a minute to populate. [/QUOTE] That's not the point. You are creating a solution to a problem that doesn't exist, and overcomplicating it in the process. It's rather futile to join a server for the whole point of joining another server. Most of the time you will find a community you like through trial and error, or through people you know in real life, Steam, forums etc. If you really need to index communities and their servers, I would suggest that you made a website rather than this overengineered crap.

[QUOTE=GreyIOutcast;17345209]You're right, the server browser will point out useless shit servers from actual good servers. My apologies, I realize the error of my way. There is no "bloat" on Garry's Mod. The possibilities are nearly unlimited for what you can make, there's no reason not to make something if you have the ability to, unless it's that it's already been done in almost the exact same manner.[/QUOTE] I agree.

[QUOTE=GreyIOutcast;17345209]You're right, the server browser will point out useless shit servers from actual good servers. My apologies, I realize the error of my way.[/QUOTE] there's this little thing called sorting the servers by name/# of players/ping.

[QUOTE=SteveUK;17345227]That's not the point. You are creating a solution to a problem that doesn't exist, and overcomplicating it in the process. It's rather futile to join a server for the whole point of joining another server. Most of the time you will find a community you like through trial and error, or through people you know in real life, Steam, forums etc. If you really need to index communities and their servers, I would suggest that you made a website rather than this overengineered crap.[/QUOTE] I partly agree with this. Yeah it's over complicating a process which you can do by joining a number of servers or a favorite. But this could separate all of the crappy servers which pollute our server list, from the ones that are actually good. [editline]08:04PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Sechs;17345264]there's this little thing called sorting the servers by name/# of players/ping.[/QUOTE] Yes, but again, I would find it more fun to explore a server to find servers carefully categorized by their [b]actual[/b] features.

You know, if you plan on making players wander around looking for servers, you're map's going to be the solding point of a server. Let's say there's the Mario Boxes server announced, try and make the area look like mario boxes, so players don't have to go around and just read shit but watch it too.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;17345279] Yes, but again, I would find it more fun to explore a server to find servers carefully categorized by their [b]actual[/b] features.[/QUOTE] Make a website instead please, that will at least have a nice concise guide to servers and communities rather than having to launch Garry's Mod, download the map and assets, wait for it to load and then walk around until you find something you like. This is why this idea is fundamentally flawed, because it makes it a whole manual process again just like searching for a server using the browser is.

[QUOTE=SteveUK;17345375]Make a website instead please, that will at least have a nice concise guide to servers and communities rather than having to launch Garry's Mod, download the map and assets, wait for it to load and then walk around until you find something you like. This is why this idea is fundamentally flawed, because it makes it a whole manual process again just like searching for a server using the browser is.[/QUOTE] You don't have to like it, or join. I'm not going to force you to play. Besides, a website is so much more boring.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;17345436]You don't have to like it, or join. I'm not going to force you to play. Besides, a website is so much more boring.[/QUOTE] Is that how you reply to every negative criticism? Saying "hurrr you don't have to join it" rather than attacking my negative points doesn't show that you have a lot of faith in your idea.

[QUOTE=SteveUK;17345375]Make a website instead please, that will at least have a nice concise guide to servers and communities rather than having to launch Garry's Mod, download the map and assets, wait for it to load and then walk around until you find something you like. This is why this idea is fundamentally flawed, because it makes it a whole manual process again just like searching for a server using the browser is.[/QUOTE] Not everyone uses windowed mode. I'd prefer a server over a website. The map doesn't need to be large. Set up a download on garrysmod.org or some filesharing mirror and you'll be fine. And please, read the earlier posts before knocking it, to see what was discussed. I thought I already covered the case that the idea will do good.

[QUOTE=SteveUK;17345572]Is that how you reply to every negative criticism? Saying "hurrr you don't have to join it" rather than attacking my negative points doesn't show that you have a lot of faith in your idea.[/QUOTE] I'm accepting your criticism, but the way you phrased the comment sounded as if it was a scourge to the server list which you couldn't accept existing. But yes you are right. It's more of a novelty than a necessity.

i think some people are getting the wrong idea this isnt like a normal server that takes 10 minutes to join, its carefully modified so that its quick and efficient it would be as simple as loading a web page, then instead of staring at the screen moving your cursor trying to click tiny links, its more interactive so you can look at the same thing friends are looking at, or find a good exciting server you may miss in the small fine print of the server browser....

[QUOTE=Donkey Kong;17348663]i think some people are getting the wrong idea this isnt like a normal server that takes 10 minutes to join, its carefully modified so that its quick and efficient it would be as simple as loading a web page, then instead of staring at the screen moving your cursor trying to click tiny links, its more interactive so you can look at the same thing friends are looking at, or find a good exciting server you may miss in the small fine print of the server browser....[/QUOTE] That's a bold statement coming from my graphic designer. :v: But no, it certainly won't be as quick or efficient as loading a normal web page, but it will definitely be more interesting. I would personally prefer walking around a lobby searching for servers with a group of friends than staring at a web page. I also forgot, there will be a web page version of this for the server to gather data from so if you'd prefer that then be my guest. I have yet to get the web page designed, but I have it planned out. So for people like Rambo or Steve, you can check that out once it's done if you'd like.

[QUOTE=grea$emonkey;17346188]I'm accepting your criticism, but the way you phrased the comment sounded as if it was a scourge to the server list which you couldn't accept existing. But yes you are right. It's more of a novelty than a necessity.[/QUOTE] There is nothing wrong with novelty. Not in this lifetime, I hope.

[QUOTE=Donkey Kong;17348663]i think some people are getting the wrong idea this isnt like a normal server that takes 10 minutes to join, its carefully modified so that its quick and efficient it would be as simple as loading a web page, then instead of staring at the screen moving your cursor trying to click tiny links, its more interactive so you can look at the same thing friends are looking at, or find a good exciting server you may miss in the small fine print of the server browser....[/QUOTE] We are talking about GMod here right? It's [i]always[/i] slow to join servers, no matter how "efficient" they are, even on a vanilla install (maybe a little faster).

garry added sleep(9999999999999999999999999+e1) remember guys.

New screenies! Huge breakthrough, finally got the server querying system working! No Socket either! [media] [url]http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5494/mastertest0012.jpg[/url] [url]http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2517/mastertest0010.jpg[/url] [url]http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/7894/mastertest0011.jpg[/url] [/media] That's right, almost all of that information was remotely grabbed from the server.

[QUOTE=PoliticalM;17365925]We are talking about GMod here right? It's [i]always[/i] slow to join servers, no matter how "efficient" they are, even on a vanilla install (maybe a little faster).[/QUOTE] I can join servers (without needing to download anything) in about 15 seconds. That's an approximation, but I don't wait that long. Oh, and that's on a laptop.

Generally, all Source 2007 games take longer to get playing than games like Counter-Strike: Source which takes me less than 10 seconds to join with my download filter on none.

Really? It takes me about 5 minutes to join a gmod server(Fresh install/vanilla). Its not my specs; 4GB DDR2 ATI 4870 E8400.

I really like this idea, my only suggestion would actually be to take the analogy someone made about it being a 'gmod airport terminal' and actually act on that - when you work out the initial mechanics and start making this into a functional thing, design the level to be a literal airport terminal. An otherwise boring lobby waypoint becomes a nice bit of ambiance while waiting for a server to reboot or open up. The format of a terminal works perfectly especially when you take into account the kind of scale you need if you're going to have connections to dozens or even hundreds of different servers. Throw in some trams and moving sidewalks to help people get around quickly. Players can wander around, soak up the scenery, look at other 'flights' while deciding what to take, talk to other people trading server recommendations, add in a few fun things to do while people are waiting for servers to free up like a youtube lounge or a minigame area and you've got something truly amazing. [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Denver_International_Airport_terminal.jpg/800px-Denver_International_Airport_terminal.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=menellom;17387370]I really like this idea, my only suggestion would actually be to take the analogy someone made about it being a 'gmod airport terminal' and actually act on that - when you work out the initial mechanics and start making this into a functional thing, design the level to be a literal airport terminal. An otherwise boring lobby waypoint becomes a nice bit of ambiance while waiting for a server to reboot or open up. The format of a terminal works perfectly especially when you take into account the kind of scale you need if you're going to have connections to dozens or even hundreds of different servers. Throw in some trams and moving sidewalks to help people get around quickly. Players can wander around, soak up the scenery, look at other 'flights' while deciding what to take, talk to other people trading server recommendations, add in a few fun things to do while people are waiting for servers to free up like a youtube lounge or a minigame area and you've got something truly amazing. [/QUOTE] I definitely won't be doing the airport theme. It's been done before. I want a more sci-fi teleportation theme. The idea is a completely self-sustained high-tech environment. Also, new kiosk model pic: [img]http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6336/kiosk.png[/img]

I like the design of the kiosk, but let's just hope there are not any servers hosted by the coca~cola community.

I've decided to change the kiosk from lua coded into an html based visual. Not quite sure how I'll get a similar look, but it will probably turn out better. Anyone want to help me?

I would be more then happy to help you out with that.

[QUOTE=Aftermath;21209832]I would be more then happy to help you out with that.[/QUOTE] I won't be needing any help with it for a bit. I've been recoding it, but I have other projects to work on as well.

I have a request. In the kiosk thing that pops up and tells you the information, can you add a check mark for noclip enabled as well as a check mark to see if Phoenix and Wire is loaded? Also in a fretta one, a box that tells you what game is currently being played would be awfully helpful. And one last thing, can you make a sign above the portal (so you don't have to go to the kiosk) that appears when it is full? These are the helpful things that the server browser does not tell you!