New Tool, BF2 Contrafibulator
EDIT: New version, and a new name too.
Now entitled 'BF2 Uplink'
Installshield Installer -
If you have any errors when running the app, please ensure you have the .NET framework installed.
New look coming soon...
---------------------
Created as a personal tool for me and my friends to use - but I smartened it up in case others would like to use it.
Features -
IP broadcast to other users, so you can all join the same game at the same time. IP can be intercepted from your server browser (The All-Seeing Eye etc) and transmitted to your friends automatically before your own game launches.
Registry Editor so you dont need to reinstall the game if u alter/move it. Can restore the registry from scratch too.
Profile editor to make advanced changes to your graphics settings or load those settings from other profiles or backup existing.
OpenAL Sound Fix, mentioned somewhere on these forums I think.
Movie removal.
Peer to peer chat client.
Auto-Updater
Its probably got some other stuff too, but Its early and I'm hung over after last night :)
I'd like to hear if you have any bugs/suggestions, but at the same time go easy as I still consider this beta and I'm not the worlds best programmer.
It's in VB.Net so you will probably need the .Net framework installed. But hey, who doesn't have it these days.
EDIT2: I forgot - It does Stat retrieval too... so don't have to log onto the web. It'll do it by nick too, so you can check on all your friends etc.
Readme.txt....
BF2 Uplink
==========
This file was last updated on 22/08/05
---------------------------------------
BF2 Uplink was created by
Sam Marshallsay (Synergy)
(contact me at smarshallsay@hotpop.com for all bug reports, suggestions etc)
with graphical support from
Ross McGrath (Drof1337)
---------------------------------------
Introduction
------------
This tool was created for two reasons.
The first is I (Sam) have started a new job and need to learn all of the .NET languages.
The second is that I love playing BF2 with my friends and as we are not part of any clan
yet, it can be annoying finding a server that is sufficiently empty for us all to join and
ensure that everyone has the IP of the server before joining.
This tool initially started out as a simple broadcasting app, so that when one person
launches BF2 via a game browser (only tested on 'The All Seeing Eye' so far) the IP
address of that server will be transmitted to another PC which will also launch BF2 and
connect to that address.
More functionality has been added since, and I realise this tool may be useful to others.
This tool is still in beta, and has mainly only been tested by myself and two friends.
I can pretty much guarantee that there will be bugs, but most of the nasty ones should be
gone.
This is my first VB.Net app, and in fact the first program I have ever created for 'fun'.
So please be constructive in your criticisms.
I welcome all bug reports and suggestions for future versions, I plan at some point to
implement an integrated server browser amongst other things.
Requirements & Installation
---------------------------
This tool requires a PC, with BF2 installed.
It can be installed wherever you wish, just bear in mind that it does create a few extra
files once it has been run so you probably wouldn't want to run it from your desktop for
instance.
The tool features an autoupdater which (at least temporarily) will download the latest
version of the app from my own personal webspace. This autoupdater can be run from the
autoupdater.exe file or from the menu option within the tool itself.
The tool requires port 4890 UDP incoming and outgoing to be open.
Basic Usage
-----------
Run the .exe
Your currently active player name should appear in the 'Your Handle box', your stats
should also be shown if you click the 'Show Stats' button.
You may now add your friends to your buddy list.
Enter any name you like with a valid IP or DNS name and click add friend.
Once you have added all your friends, send them a message by making sure they are all
checked in the friends list, typing your message and clicking send.
Each friend that successfully received your message will now have your name and IP entered
in their friends list (if your IP was not already in their list).
If you wish to see your friends stats, enter their 'in-game' name into the box provided in
the stats section.
If you wish to use a game browser to transmit an IP to your friends so that you can all
join the same server quickly...
In The All-Seeing Eye do the following...
Click Filter/Configure Games/Installed Games/Battlefield 2 and set the program location to
the .exe for this tool instead of the game executable.
Other Game Browsers are untested as yet but should work in a similar fashion.
Now whenever you launch a game using the server browser, the server information will be
transmitted to every 'checked' friend in your buddy list. If the tool is not open it will
open and transmit before the game is launched. If any checked friend fails to respond
(their name stays red) then the launch process will be aborted. To continue anyway just
click 'Launch Game', the friends who received the data successfully (turned green) will
already be launching the game.
If you are receiving an IP, you do not need a server browser, you just need this tool open
and BF2 installed.
Configuring
-----------
-*BF2 Configuration*-
Registry Settings - Here you can change the current install path of BF2 as well as the
CD-Key you are using. Be aware that mistakes here may stop BF2 from running.
Profile Management - From this screen you may configure your graphical settings, load
graphical settings from the performance based presets I have provided or copy graphical
settings from another profile on your PC (your brothers character for instance).
'Disable BF2 Intro Movies' - This will stop the movies prior to the login screen from
playing. This will allow you to get into the game quicker.
'Disable BF2 Menu Background Movies' - This will stop the greyscale movies that play
behind the menus from loading and playing. This will improve menu performance and loading
time.
'OpenAL Sound Fix' - Forces the game to use the OpenAL library installed with your sound
drivers instead of its default, this may help people who are having problems enabling
hardware accelerated sound or are getting sound performance problems / stuttering /
looping etc. It is recommended that you ensure you are running the most up to date sound
drivers for your card before running this fix.
-*Options*-
Local Chat Echo - Show any messages you send.
Auto-Populate Friends List - When a message is received from a user that is not currently
on your friends list, they will be added to it using their current IP and the name entered
as their handle.
Launch Game On Data Receive - When you receive an IP from a friend, automatically launch
the game. If this option is unchecked your tool will just be populated with this
information and you will be notified that you have received it.
Countdown Before Game Launch - 5 Second countdown before the game is launched.
Transmit and Launch on IP Command Line - When an IP is provided on the command line,
automatically transmit the IP to any checked friends and launch the game.
Always on Top - Keeps the tool on top of all other windows.
Minimize On Startup - Minimize to the system tray on startup.
Play Sounds - Play annoying sounds when stuff happens...
Close On Game Launch - Closes the tool on game launch, you probably don't want to do this
as once minimized the tool usually takes up under a megabyte of memory and it is useful to
have open in case you and your friends wish to change servers.
Minimize on Game Launch - Minimizes the tool to the system tray when the game is launched.
Close And Automagically Update! - Closes the tool and runs the auto updater program which
will automatically upgrade it to the most recent version, your friends list and options
will be retained.
-*About*-
About - Info about the tool
What's New - Will bring up the what's new information for the most recent version, this
also shows when you run the autoupdater.
Readme - Opens this file.
Troubleshooting
---------------
** A friends name stayed red and did not turn green after you have transmitted an IP or
sent a message.
There was a problem receiving the acknowledgement packet from them, they may never have
even received your message.
This is probably due to a firewall configuration error at your end, or theirs.
Ensure you both have port 4890 UDP open.
This could also be due to the fact that your friends machine is turned off or their IP has changed. If the latter is the case, just delete the old entry from your friends list and get them to send you a message, they will be re-added to your friends list if you have the auto-populate option enabled.
** Text for options in 'Display Settings' (in-game) is all funky.
This is when you have an option set at ultra-high, text was never entered by EA/Dice so
you're just seeing the name of the variables they use most likely.
** Latency on one or more of my buddies sometimes spikes
This is just a bug I haven't fixed :)
** Your Tool takes up tons of memory!
No, it doesn't. If it shows as 10+ mb of memory its just because of the way .NET handles
its memory, if any other app needs memory this footprint will get smaller. Also whenever
the tool is minimized (for instance on BF2 Launch) the app will consume under 1mb of
memory
Now entitled 'BF2 Uplink'
Installshield Installer -
If you have any errors when running the app, please ensure you have the .NET framework installed.
New look coming soon...
---------------------
Created as a personal tool for me and my friends to use - but I smartened it up in case others would like to use it.
Features -
IP broadcast to other users, so you can all join the same game at the same time. IP can be intercepted from your server browser (The All-Seeing Eye etc) and transmitted to your friends automatically before your own game launches.
Registry Editor so you dont need to reinstall the game if u alter/move it. Can restore the registry from scratch too.
Profile editor to make advanced changes to your graphics settings or load those settings from other profiles or backup existing.
OpenAL Sound Fix, mentioned somewhere on these forums I think.
Movie removal.
Peer to peer chat client.
Auto-Updater
Its probably got some other stuff too, but Its early and I'm hung over after last night :)
I'd like to hear if you have any bugs/suggestions, but at the same time go easy as I still consider this beta and I'm not the worlds best programmer.
It's in VB.Net so you will probably need the .Net framework installed. But hey, who doesn't have it these days.
EDIT2: I forgot - It does Stat retrieval too... so don't have to log onto the web. It'll do it by nick too, so you can check on all your friends etc.
Readme.txt....
BF2 Uplink
==========
This file was last updated on 22/08/05
---------------------------------------
BF2 Uplink was created by
Sam Marshallsay (Synergy)
(contact me at smarshallsay@hotpop.com for all bug reports, suggestions etc)
with graphical support from
Ross McGrath (Drof1337)
---------------------------------------
Introduction
------------
This tool was created for two reasons.
The first is I (Sam) have started a new job and need to learn all of the .NET languages.
The second is that I love playing BF2 with my friends and as we are not part of any clan
yet, it can be annoying finding a server that is sufficiently empty for us all to join and
ensure that everyone has the IP of the server before joining.
This tool initially started out as a simple broadcasting app, so that when one person
launches BF2 via a game browser (only tested on 'The All Seeing Eye' so far) the IP
address of that server will be transmitted to another PC which will also launch BF2 and
connect to that address.
More functionality has been added since, and I realise this tool may be useful to others.
This tool is still in beta, and has mainly only been tested by myself and two friends.
I can pretty much guarantee that there will be bugs, but most of the nasty ones should be
gone.
This is my first VB.Net app, and in fact the first program I have ever created for 'fun'.
So please be constructive in your criticisms.
I welcome all bug reports and suggestions for future versions, I plan at some point to
implement an integrated server browser amongst other things.
Requirements & Installation
---------------------------
This tool requires a PC, with BF2 installed.
It can be installed wherever you wish, just bear in mind that it does create a few extra
files once it has been run so you probably wouldn't want to run it from your desktop for
instance.
The tool features an autoupdater which (at least temporarily) will download the latest
version of the app from my own personal webspace. This autoupdater can be run from the
autoupdater.exe file or from the menu option within the tool itself.
The tool requires port 4890 UDP incoming and outgoing to be open.
Basic Usage
-----------
Run the .exe
Your currently active player name should appear in the 'Your Handle box', your stats
should also be shown if you click the 'Show Stats' button.
You may now add your friends to your buddy list.
Enter any name you like with a valid IP or DNS name and click add friend.
Once you have added all your friends, send them a message by making sure they are all
checked in the friends list, typing your message and clicking send.
Each friend that successfully received your message will now have your name and IP entered
in their friends list (if your IP was not already in their list).
If you wish to see your friends stats, enter their 'in-game' name into the box provided in
the stats section.
If you wish to use a game browser to transmit an IP to your friends so that you can all
join the same server quickly...
In The All-Seeing Eye do the following...
Click Filter/Configure Games/Installed Games/Battlefield 2 and set the program location to
the .exe for this tool instead of the game executable.
Other Game Browsers are untested as yet but should work in a similar fashion.
Now whenever you launch a game using the server browser, the server information will be
transmitted to every 'checked' friend in your buddy list. If the tool is not open it will
open and transmit before the game is launched. If any checked friend fails to respond
(their name stays red) then the launch process will be aborted. To continue anyway just
click 'Launch Game', the friends who received the data successfully (turned green) will
already be launching the game.
If you are receiving an IP, you do not need a server browser, you just need this tool open
and BF2 installed.
Configuring
-----------
-*BF2 Configuration*-
Registry Settings - Here you can change the current install path of BF2 as well as the
CD-Key you are using. Be aware that mistakes here may stop BF2 from running.
Profile Management - From this screen you may configure your graphical settings, load
graphical settings from the performance based presets I have provided or copy graphical
settings from another profile on your PC (your brothers character for instance).
'Disable BF2 Intro Movies' - This will stop the movies prior to the login screen from
playing. This will allow you to get into the game quicker.
'Disable BF2 Menu Background Movies' - This will stop the greyscale movies that play
behind the menus from loading and playing. This will improve menu performance and loading
time.
'OpenAL Sound Fix' - Forces the game to use the OpenAL library installed with your sound
drivers instead of its default, this may help people who are having problems enabling
hardware accelerated sound or are getting sound performance problems / stuttering /
looping etc. It is recommended that you ensure you are running the most up to date sound
drivers for your card before running this fix.
-*Options*-
Local Chat Echo - Show any messages you send.
Auto-Populate Friends List - When a message is received from a user that is not currently
on your friends list, they will be added to it using their current IP and the name entered
as their handle.
Launch Game On Data Receive - When you receive an IP from a friend, automatically launch
the game. If this option is unchecked your tool will just be populated with this
information and you will be notified that you have received it.
Countdown Before Game Launch - 5 Second countdown before the game is launched.
Transmit and Launch on IP Command Line - When an IP is provided on the command line,
automatically transmit the IP to any checked friends and launch the game.
Always on Top - Keeps the tool on top of all other windows.
Minimize On Startup - Minimize to the system tray on startup.
Play Sounds - Play annoying sounds when stuff happens...
Close On Game Launch - Closes the tool on game launch, you probably don't want to do this
as once minimized the tool usually takes up under a megabyte of memory and it is useful to
have open in case you and your friends wish to change servers.
Minimize on Game Launch - Minimizes the tool to the system tray when the game is launched.
Close And Automagically Update! - Closes the tool and runs the auto updater program which
will automatically upgrade it to the most recent version, your friends list and options
will be retained.
-*About*-
About - Info about the tool
What's New - Will bring up the what's new information for the most recent version, this
also shows when you run the autoupdater.
Readme - Opens this file.
Troubleshooting
---------------
** A friends name stayed red and did not turn green after you have transmitted an IP or
sent a message.
There was a problem receiving the acknowledgement packet from them, they may never have
even received your message.
This is probably due to a firewall configuration error at your end, or theirs.
Ensure you both have port 4890 UDP open.
This could also be due to the fact that your friends machine is turned off or their IP has changed. If the latter is the case, just delete the old entry from your friends list and get them to send you a message, they will be re-added to your friends list if you have the auto-populate option enabled.
** Text for options in 'Display Settings' (in-game) is all funky.
This is when you have an option set at ultra-high, text was never entered by EA/Dice so
you're just seeing the name of the variables they use most likely.
** Latency on one or more of my buddies sometimes spikes
This is just a bug I haven't fixed :)
** Your Tool takes up tons of memory!
No, it doesn't. If it shows as 10+ mb of memory its just because of the way .NET handles
its memory, if any other app needs memory this footprint will get smaller. Also whenever
the tool is minimized (for instance on BF2 Launch) the app will consume under 1mb of
memory
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