New Auto File Compression Feature

Admiral DadMan · Post by **Admiral DadMan** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 7:00 am

If I had to choose taking the extra step, I'd do it, because this slows down my saves

David Heath · Post by **David Heath** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 7:41 am

Hi Guys

The bottom line is simple here. One it makes it very hard if not almost impossible to cheat in PBEM games, which is our main goal here. Second it make takes away the step of needing to Zip the save files before you email them. We got a 9 meg save file down to 900k that is a big improvment.

We are sorry for it taking a little longer and maybe we should up the minimun requirements for the game but this is a feature this really needs to stay.

David

Caltone · Post by **Caltone** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 7:51 am

Hi David,

The auto compression feature is great but the slowness is the time switching between screens, especially when going to the save game screen, nearly a minute for me. Any comment on this issue? I've seen several others post similar experiences.

My machine is:

Athlon XP 1800
512 mb DDR ram
GF3 Ti 500 64mb
Win Xp Pro

My system should easily handle anything UV can throw at it, maybe someone can take a look at this?

Love all the new features and thanks for the wonderful support.

David Heath · Post by **David Heath** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 8:05 am

Sorry if I sound like an idiot (no comments)

but explain what you mean in detail about switching screens... I want to make sure I understanding you. Also tell me your system specs and available HD space.

David

CommC · Post by **CommC** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 8:18 am

With v2.0 it takes a lot longer to save the game because the save game screen takes a long time to come up once you select the save game icon on the UV menu bar.

v1.4 was a lot faster to get to the save game screen.

I have a PIII 600, 128 mb ram, TNTII Ultra 32 mb graphics card

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 8:41 am

I like it.

mogami · Post by **mogami** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 9:54 am

Hi when you select save game the pause is the file being compressed. If you are playing a solo it is a pain in the butt (some players save every turn) If you are playing PBEM then you don't lose any time (time here used to be spent zipping and unzipping files) So what I think some of the people want is compression only on PBEM files.

gus · Post by **gus** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 10:49 am

Originally posted by David Heath
Sorry if I sound like an idiot (no comments) but explain what you mean in detail about switching screens... I want to make sure I understanding you. Also tell me your system specs and available HD space.

David

Hi David,

From discussions with my PBEM friends the performance issues that most people are encountering occur during the initial loading and saving of the UV game file, accessing the save game file screen, and when accessing ship,TF and base screens of a pre- UV 2.0 save game file.

The loading and saving performance issue is due to the automated decompression and compression feature and so is therefore at worst a wash but IMO quite handy thank you very much!!!

The perfomance hit incurred when accessing info screens while in-turn are strictly a one time hit AFAIK and once the save game file is converted to the new format that performance hit disappears. So at least from my perspective I do not believe this will be an ongoing issue once the old files have been overwritten or removed.

The performance hit for accessing the save game screen is not incurrred because the current turn file is being compressed but because the UV needs to decompress every file in the UV save game directory to populate the file list and their respective comments. If you clear out all of the old pre UV 2.0 save game files this will help quite a bit. Also keeping as few files as possible in this directory helps as well.

Cheers

Gus

David Heath · Post by **David Heath** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 11:28 am

OK this has helped a bit and also reminded me of something I had forgotten. The Listings have been made to sort much faster after the first time they are loaded. Ok I am going to be watching this but I think for the most part this is how its going to play.

Thank you for your help.

Pawlock · Post by **Pawlock** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 6:12 pm

To be honest, I never did have a problem with the old system, as the latest version of Winzip would automatically open my email and attach it. Now I find myself doing a lot more alt tabbing than before to send a turn.

And yes it does slow my sytstem down somewhat, nothing great as I have Top spec machine, but could certainly sympathise with people who have lower end machines.

At the end of the day Matrix/2 by 3 are in a catch 22 situation, so I can also sympathise there too!!

Caltone · Post by **Caltone** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 6:55 pm

I'm going to rescend my complaint about the slow down. Today it is much better. Yesterday I was returning games all of which were 1.4. Today all my opponents have converted to 2.0 and it is much faster. Still a longer delay than before when going to the save game screen but since it is auto compressing this is much faster than loading winzip, etc. I'll get used to restarting the game for each turn as well. Good job guys and thanks.

mariovalleemtl · Post by **mariovalleemtl** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 7:36 pm

I prefer the new system.

mv

Admiral DadMan · Post by **Admiral DadMan** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 9:36 pm

Hey! I rated a "Sticky"!

Seriously, I like the idea that there's increased PBEM security, and the idea that saved games now take up less than 5% of the space they used to (250KB vs 9MB).

When I added up the time added by the Auto Compress vs. launching a "zip" program etc., it was pretty much the same.

I guess where it came into play was during solo games vs the AI. If you're one to save before execution then it comes into play. It also adds about 10 seconds or so to the combat resolution becuase the program zips the Autosave (save000.dat) file.

All in all, I love it for PBEM, grumble about it for solo play, but.... I'll get used to it.

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Sat Nov 09, 2002 11:52 pm

I rescind my approval. Having to reload the game every time is a pain in the rear.

U2 · Post by U2 » Sun Nov 10, 2002 12:05 am

Originally posted by Sonny
I rescind my approval. Having to reload the game every time is a pain in the rear.

Hi

Rename the VIDEO folder (to anything you like) and create a new folder called VIDEO that is empty. Since you no longer get the video intro you are back to a new game in no time.

Dan

bilbow · Post by **bilbow** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 2:59 am

Overall time is about the same, but it saves disk space and having to remember to send the replay file if I'm Japanese, and not if I'm allied. It's annoying for one's opponent to tell me I sent the wrong file, and then waiting some more for his turn. Or sometimes even having to regenerate the replay if I've played a turn from another game in the meantime. I've only got 3 going- I can imagine the screwing around with files that more games would entail. Hassle that is now gone, at the expense of a bit more in-game time.

A definite plus.

Bill:)

Pawlock · Post by **Pawlock** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 3:47 am

Originally posted by bilbow
Overall time is about the same, but it saves disk space and having to remember to send the replay file if I'm Japanese, and not if I'm allied. It's annoying for one's opponent to tell me I sent the wrong file, and then waiting some more for his turn. Or sometimes even having to regenerate the replay if I've played a turn from another game in the meantime. I've only got 3 going- I can imagine the screwing around with files that more games would entail. Hassle that is now gone, at the expense of a bit more in-game time.

A definite plus.

Bill:)

Hmm, so does it compress the replay file too all into 1 file? I tried it with just the data file but wether Im doing something wrong it doesent seem to uncompress the combat replay as well eg : in my efforts I can play my turn recieved from an IJN opponent but if wish to view replay I get the old replay from days gone by.

If it does compress the replay too , how do you uncompress it?

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 4:01 am

Well I think that it is just great! It has made my game play a lot easier.

CapAndGown · Post by **CapAndGown** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 6:42 am

My big gripe is having two files to mess with, and not being able to name them what I want. :rolleyes: Oh please let us have the standard file selection dialogue!

mogami · Post by **mogami** » Sun Nov 10, 2002 6:43 am

Originally posted by Pawlock

Hmm, so does it compress the replay file too all into 1 file? I tried it with just the data file but wether Im doing something wrong it doesent seem to uncompress the combat replay as well eg : in my efforts I can play my turn recieved from an IJN opponent but if wish to view replay I get the old replay from days gone by.

If it does compress the replay too , how do you uncompress it?

Hi, The replay is a large file as well. 2.00 compress's both but PBEM Japanese still need to send the game file and 001 (replay)
then allies watch 001 then load the game file to make their turn
(same as before) so make sure your opponent is still sending 2 files.

New Auto File Compression Feature

New Auto File Compression Feature

Delay

Ok Ok

.02$

2 files