New login prototype: Test

[SGroe]

During the last few weeks I have worked on a tool which should make the whole login-process more comfortable for both competition organizers and drivers. The tool (which is a Java Applet) includes the login itself, the selection of a session and the download of the trackfile into the game folder. After the session the result files (screenshot, replay, track) are collected and automatically sent to the race server. The tool works with GeneRally 1.10c and 1.2c. A screenshot of the tool is attached.

Starting today, I want to give you the possibility to assess this Competition Helper Tool in order to give some valuable input for myself. I would like to receive positive/negative feedback, problem descriptions, wishes, questions, ... If this test is successful, the tool can be used in future competitions.

If you want to help me, please send me a private message or reply here in order to get your login information and game files. I only need your username. Team name and car number are optional. I have prepared three sessions: 1 hot lap, 1 time trial and 1 race. All sessions are open starting now. There is no deadline, but I appreciate early feedback. The tool will give you the game settings (tyre wear, number of AIs, ...). You do not have to perform well.

Here are the detailed steps during a session:
(1) Browser: Browse to the login website
(2) Tool: Log in
(3) Tool: Choose a session
(4) Tool: Choose the file "GeneRally.exe" within the game pack
(5) Tool: Start the race
(6) GeneRally: Check settings, drivers, track
(7) GeneRally: Race
(8) GeneRally: Create screenshot AND replay after the session
(9) Tool: Finish the race
(10) Give some feedback

Important note: This is a prototype, the tool is not complete. Again, if problems occur, please let me know.

Now it is time for you to enter this test.

Have fun with the Competition Helper tool
SGroe

[Herbal]

SGroe, this seems nice and fluffy. And if you allow my , I'd suggest you to ask the server time of clicking on 'Start Race' button and on the time uploading files start. If done, I think I'd use your version for sure for my future competitions. ^^

[RudyOosterndijk]

He has done even more than that against cheating. I have already tested this tool a couple of times and I never got away with it.

As for the competition: I'm in.

[Herbal]

He has done even more than that against cheating. I have already tested this tool a couple of times and I never got away with it.

As for the competition: I'm in.

Dann kann ich eine Kopie von ihm haben?

(In English: Can I have a copy of it?)

[ivaneurope]

Finally, a login tool. This is gonna help me a lot when I organise a new compo.
PS: Is this thread must be in the tools section rather than the compo section?

[Trigger Happy]

This is not topic of a ''tool'' in strict sense of word, but rather its testing of the system in shape of private race. BTW it's not a tool, but java ap, which you'll have incorporate into structure of your own compo website, if I understand the matter correctly.

BTW Jo.sk login system (excel file), is also sticky in this subforum (as was at ).

[Jo.sk]

It seems to be a very good tool and with it, I think cheating become almost impossible.
Maybe I can give a special multiplier (after the tests) for competition which use this tool, like surprise login or more.

[TuomoH]

Maybe I can give a special multiplier (after the tests) for competition which use this tool, like surprise login or more.

You have to carefully think that - I've always thought the multiplier reflects more how hard the race it is for the racer in terms of getting a good result, not that much how hard it is to cheat (even though that factor is in there to some extent).

Anyway, great to have something like this.

[SGroe]

Thanks for those who have done the test sessions already.

Dann kann ich eine Kopie von ihm haben?

(In English: Can I have a copy of it?)

BTW Jo.sk login system (excel file), is also sticky in this subforum (as was at ).

As soon as the tool is ready for release, I will post it here in the championships section similar to Jo.sk's login system.

[ivaneurope]

Positive feedback
This will help me with creating compos with login system.

[Jo.sk]

You have to carefully think that - I've always thought the multiplier reflects more how hard the race it is for the racer in terms of getting a good result, not that much how hard it is to cheat (even though that factor is in there to some extent).

Anyway, great to have something like this.

Your point of view is interesting, and the special multiplier is currently only an idea

[majortom]

I have tested the CompHelerTool. It works fine without problems.
Great Job

With the tool it should be easier for the racer to do the login
because their will be no trouble with down/upload and zip/unzip files.

Some more feedback:

The login window should not contain too much information because
login time is quite short to read a lot of details (logintime,
nationality,team). Session/Round#, Trackname, Car, Settings is enough.
If the compo runs only one type of event, the session should be
preselected. If more infos needed, the applet could be embedded in
a bigger html site with such infos.

How is it possible to configure the tool for using it in a compo?
Is it as easy as using for the racer? Special demands for the Webspace?
Some Compos failed in the past, because webspace could not run php scripts.

The tool should be static, so every one can use it as it is without
changing any code. Configuration should be done by extra files
containing driver, passwords, tracks etc. or there must be an easy way
to put it directly in the applet, but hide the source code for the racer.

In the test version I found some absolute path's to Driver.xml,
session.csv and track. How are these files protected against direct
downloading or by manipulating the applet? The old php login script is
running on the server and the racer could not read the stored data.

The java login is running on the local computer, so their are
greater chances to get unauthorized access. I know, it is a beta version
and I have no experience in java but we should not forget the aspect of security.

[akouk]

usefull remarks!

[Trigger Happy]

With the tool it should be easier for the racer to do the login
because their will be no trouble with down/upload and zip/unzip files.

Only a detail, not sure, if it's correct or I'm just confused by a description, but I understood it does require all time opened browser and uninterrupted connection during whole login, so there's danger of loosing race because of connection failure or an error in browser/java itself? In that case it should have a backup by clause like ''if anything with uploading here goes wrong, send your race files ASAP on mailbox X'' and the organizer can count the login time of a racer in the ''old fashion''.

[SGroe]

Again, I want to thank you for spending some minutes for this test. You are a great help to improve the tool during the final stages of development.

I will answer your concerns and questions within the next 2 or 3 days.

EDIT:

Now it is time to give you some answers to your feedback.

Generally, I received positive feedback. Everyone was able to use the tool and liked the fact that down- and uploading the files is much easier.

Also, some problems occured. The login start and end date have not been displayed correctly in the USA (formatting error). And some users could not start the game GeneRally (this seems to happen at computers with Windows XP). I hope I can solve this problem soon. Until then, these users can launch the game manually. Another problem occurred during uploading the protocol file. I will change the protocol section before the initial release, which will resolve this problem.

The login window should not contain too much information because
login time is quite short to read a lot of details (logintime,
nationality,team). Session/Round#, Trackname, Car, Settings is enough.

I plan to reorganize this area. But I cannot tell you right now if some items will be removed.
Some of you had the idea of automatically changing the settings. I will keep that in mind for a later update. This feature is not a priority for the initial release.

Only a detail, not sure, if it's correct or I'm just confused by a description, but I understood it does require all time opened browser and uninterrupted connection during whole login, so there's danger of loosing race because of connection failure or an error in browser/java itself? In that case it should have a backup by clause like ''if anything with uploading here goes wrong, send your race files ASAP on mailbox X'' and the organizer can count the login time of a racer in the ''old fashion''.

Yes, the tool requires an opened browser and uninterrupted internet connection right know. But I have already thought about this situation and have some ideas in mind.

How is it possible to configure the tool for using it in a compo?
Is it as easy as using for the racer? Special demands for the Webspace?
Some Compos failed in the past, because webspace could not run php scripts.

For the initial release, the tool configuration will be very similar to the current login system. I will also use a excel file, which will generate PHP files.

The tool should be static, so every one can use it as it is without
changing any code. Configuration should be done by extra files
containing driver, passwords, tracks etc. or there must be an easy way
to put it directly in the applet, but hide the source code for the racer.

The tool is static, two PHP files (containing drivers and sessions respectively) are dynamic.

[Areen]

Hello SGroe, can I somehow download your new login system? I want to test it in our league

[SGroe]

I can give you the files tomorrow evening.

[Areen]

That would be very nice So I'm waiting for files

[SGroe]

@Areen: See your private message inbox.