CoasterBuzz Games rewrite

Jeff's avatar
If you go to CoasterBuzz Games right now, you'll see a totally unformatted, but entirely rewritten, site. I'm working on making it pretty again.

The site was something I hacked together about two years ago and the code was a mess. It didn't perform well, it wasn't particularly secure, and it was just generally too hard to maintain. The new version doesn't really add much functionality, but here are the things I can think of:

  • Edit your file descriptions
  • Mods can delete a ridiculous rating
  • Much better text parsing (in fact, it's from the alpha of the next forum version)
  • Ratings in all grids (will replace the zero with "N/A" for unrated on my next upload)
  • Split up "my files" into three areas
  • All files are can now be indexed by search engines

I think that's it. It's hella fast now. I can't believe the crap I wrote two years ago. I need closure. I feel like I never finish projects.

When we know RCT3 file extensions and formats, we'll add those right away.


Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Rctycoon2k's avatar
I must say, from a developers stand point, great job!

All of the new features seem perfect, all it needs is a nice GUI... hehe ;).

Now, here come the comments of "Can non-club members upload now?"


Shaun Rajewski
Founder, Lead Developer
Epic Web Studios, LLC

Jeff's avatar
That's not going to change, especially with RCT3 on the way. What a zoo it would be. I like the current arrangement because anyone can download, but the "drive-by" types that flood the site with crap can't upload.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Rctycoon2k's avatar
Oh, I wasn't really asking that question, just a general statement that those might be coming, since I am a club member and it doesn't matter to me... ;)

Keep up the good work, Jeff!

BTW, there is going to be another version of POP Forums?


Shaun Rajewski
Founder, Lead Developer
Epic Web Studios, LLC

Not being able to upload is one of the main reasons I'm joining back up once I get all my summer coaster trips out of the way(its coming soon:)).

I dont' even mind not being able to upload right now as long as I can download.

My only question, Jeff, is this: Is there any way to either get rid of the "top 10" on the front, or atleast lower how many ratings it needs? It hasn't had anything listed for months:).

Mayhaps it could just be a "newest files" instead of top 10? Or Top 10 of all time?

Just a thought, Can't wait till RCT3 comes out and its really active again.

Lord Gonchar's avatar
The top 10 is only for "current" files. Once a file is more than 2 weeks old it drops off the top ten. It also needs 5 votes to make the list.

There were buttons at the top of the list that could switch between 'current' and 'all time' view. Then, of course, the dropbox to sort the different file types.

Basically what I'm saying is it wasn't necessarily just the low voting that kept the list empty, but also the lack of 'current' uploads to fill the list.

I really like the idea of a "recently downloaded" list.

The search box is a nice touch too. :)


Jeff's avatar
Yeah, I've already decided to replace the top 10 with a recent file list. Working on that now and trying to pretty it up a little.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Jeff's avatar
OK... I've got the "skin" up now. I'll finish it up tomorrow. I need a nap.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Jeff's avatar
OK, new site complete. Got most pages rendering in under .1 seconds. If it's possible for programmers to kick ass, I think I just did. :) Granted, most people will never see any difference, but I do. Time for a well-deserved beer...

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

kpjb's avatar
Looks nice!

I like having the ratings back on the main page. When there's only a couple files being uploaded at a time, it's easy to check them all out. When the boards start getting flooded with RCT3 stuff, though, it's nice to not waste my time on something that obviously sucks.

Coincidentally, while there was such an uproar about the boards being "dead," good rides like Lord Gonchar's are still getting over 100 downloads. Not bad at all for a game that's a couple years old.

So are you going to add pages for the "other" saveable things in RCT3 like fireworks shows and custom peeps? Or are we sticking to just coasters and scenarios/games still? (Not that I think the others are necessary... just wondering.

[Edited to remove Gonch's real name. Oops.]

*** Edited 9/14/2004 10:31:17 PM UTC by kpjb***


Hi

Jeff's avatar
Anything you can save as its own file, we'll probably support. It takes literally two seconds to add a new file type. I have to warn people now that if you can save fireworks displays with MP3's, I won't support that. Obviously we'd become a drop zone for illegal downloads in no time.

I agree about the popularity. Gonchar's rides are still getting 100 downloads each. Up until last week, the site was still getting more than 300 visits a day, which really surprised me. That's part of the reason I decided to rewrite the site. Obviously it's important to someone even if it's not that critical to me. *** Edited 9/14/2004 10:37:17 PM UTC by Jeff***


Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Rctycoon2k's avatar
I was wondering if this feature could be added... remove rating.

Hence... I rated my own tracks way back when, and now I want my rating removed, is there going to be an option to remove your own rating from the file listing?


Shaun Rajewski
Founder, Lead Developer
Epic Web Studios, LLC

Jeff's avatar
Nope, you're stuck with your own. Only moderators can remove ratings.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Is the Recent Downloads page personal or global?

SFNE Central- Online Six Flags New England Resource

Jeff's avatar
Just you.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

I plan to check it out, First of all I am severly interested in becoming a member this year, whats the price? Second of all, I beleive one of the sights said that firework shows will not save with the custom mp3, it will only save game music files that came with RCT3, so Jeff I beleive you'll be safe! Keep up the good work!
Yes, I've seen it stated officially a few times that mp3 files must already be on someone's computer for it to work properly with the Fireworks you create. I'll probably do alot of my own mixing and composing for fireworks displays, but if I do even upload that to CBuzz games, I'll let everyone know so that they can get the file either from me, or my website.

Looks good, Jeff, have your beer, and get ready for the storm brewing in a few weeks. I feel the Games site will be fully ressurected.

Jeff's avatar
Yeah, I wasn't suggesting the MP3 would be embedded into the save file, but rather that it could be uploaded together. If you've ever uploaded a NoLimits file you'd see that you can actually upload additional train texture files (Targa format) to be zipped up with the file.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog


Jeff said:
Up until last week, the site was still getting more than 300 visits a day, which really surprised me. That's part of the reason I decided to rewrite the site. Obviously it's important to someone

It's me and Evo we are addicted, and click refresh 150 times a day each just to see if a new ride has been posted.

May I request an all time top 5 rated box for rct3 rides please.

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