New Signature Pic feature [FEEDBACK]

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exp
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Post by exp »

EvoGT wrote:ok, seems there is no need for my script :D
Image
well that depends, if you're willing to help out, then you could probably join in easily. but keep in mind that we're not just looking for a script which creates signature pics.
the main issue is writing a good configuration interface for it, which allows users to customize their signatures in all kinds of ways.
(and some requirements engineering is also needed, because we just don't know what kind of stuff the users need yet :P)

the pic generation script is of course an important part, but only a very small one.

BYe!
EXP
EvoGT
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Post by EvoGT »

exp wrote:
EvoGT wrote:ok, seems there is no need for my script :D
Image
well that depends, if you're willing to help out, then you could probably join in easily. but keep in mind that we're not just looking for a script which creates signature pics.
the main issue is writing a good configuration interface for it, which allows users to customize their signatures in all kinds of ways.
(and some requirements engineering is also needed, because we just don't know what kind of stuff the users need yet :P)

the pic generation script is of course an important part, but only a very small one.

BYe!
EXP
like that: http://manga-network.de/sig/improved/settings.php ?
exp
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Post by exp »

well yeah, in a way.

but it needs to be much more customizable.
the idea is for the sig server to be the middle entity between anidb and the user, which allows almost any kind of singature pic to be created, according to the personal preferences of the user.
i am aware that this is a hell lot of work, but it's the long term goal.

so basically anidb will offer all kinds of stats data and more via xml, much more than is currently on offer. the sig server will transparently get it's data from anidb and the user will be able to pick all kinds of information bits from the available data and position and format it freely on a background pic which he can upload himself.
of course many users wouldn't need this degree of flexibility, so there would need to be some common premade default selections for style/info combinations which are most commonly requested.
and background images could be shared.
...

BYe!
EXP
EvoGT
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Post by EvoGT »

exp wrote:well yeah, in a way.

but it needs to be much more customizable.
the idea is for the sig server to be the middle entity between anidb and the user, which allows almost any kind of singature pic to be created, according to the personal preferences of the user.
i am aware that this is a hell lot of work, but it's the long term goal.

so basically anidb will offer all kinds of stats data and more via xml, much more than is currently on offer. the sig server will transparently get it's data from anidb and the user will be able to pick all kinds of information bits from the available data and position and format it freely on a background pic which he can upload himself.
of course many users wouldn't need this degree of flexibility, so there would need to be some common premade default selections for style/info combinations which are most commonly requested.
and background images could be shared.
...

BYe!
EXP
not really hard to accomplish.
you could give the user the abilty to change every single character
on the image with a different font,size,color,... doesn't change a
single line in the script. but you have to aks yourselve if there shouldn't
be a limitation.....
exp
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Post by exp »

why would we want any kind of limitation?
if the users feels like having a total mess of a sig pic where every single character is done in a different font type, color and size... why not let him do it?

BYe!
EXP
EvoGT
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Post by EvoGT »

exp wrote:why would we want any kind of limitation?
if the users feels like having a total mess of a sig pic where every single character is done in a different font type, color and size... why not let him do it?

BYe!
EXP
for the sake of your server^^
creating images with GD2 isn't an easy task.
exp
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Post by exp »

EvoGT wrote:for the sake of your server^^
creating images with GD2 isn't an easy task.
well, we have a completely idle dedicated server only for the sig generation, so server performance shouldn't be an issue. as long as you use some decent caching, that is.

BYe!
EXP
exp
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Post by exp »

so has everybody run off again? x_X

anyone still interested in looking into this?

BYe!
EXP
hardjowikr
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Post by hardjowikr »

After 3 times reading all 4 pages i finally understand what the sig idea is all about.

So let me get this straight. You guys want to implement a feature where an user can create their own signature image in for example their profile page.

THe dedicated server then creates an image based on the user configuration. Similair like xfire?
Image
Der Idiot
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Post by Der Idiot »

yes.

basically you get data via xml from the server, then the user adds his picture and applies all his other silly setting + chooses what data he wants and then that all gets munched together, stored on the server and refreshed in some specified intervall.

we got a shiny totally unused server for that project for some time already. everyone else who first wanted to do this run off after some time :(
hardjowikr
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Post by hardjowikr »

Mhhm. Well to be honost..this can be done easy and is pretty simple.

A difficult question of caching would be: when to refresh the cache.
Der Idiot
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Post by Der Idiot »

yes it is ratehr easy. the only somewhat extensive part is the configuration module as it should allow the most freedom to the user possible.
hardjowikr
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Post by hardjowikr »

OKe..is this project already started or what?

And how does developing work? You got to build a test version and post it on the forum? Maybe the others didn't ran away, but busy building their test version?
exp
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Post by exp »

well, I doubt that.
They've just disappeard it seems.

Some ppl have posted some ideas here, but no actual sourcecode which should be extended exists so far. So whoever picks this up is basically starting from scratch.

You'd work on your own system(s) and once you have a first version ready which is relatively stable and feature rich enough, we'll put it online on one of our servers. At least in the beginning you will not get direct access to any of our servers.
It would be a good idea to post links to a demo of your current system under development at regular intervals here on the forum in order to get early feedback.

BYe!
EXP
Der Idiot
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Post by Der Idiot »

no they all run off. one even wanted money... :roll:
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