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A Serious Disorder

Hi everyone,

I need to talk to you today about a serious matter that affects many Americans, Canadians, and all of those across the world.  It is a serious disorder that has spread across the world, and seems to have no signs of slowing down.  It will eventually take over the world without serious intervention from the general populace.

I am, of course, talking about SNS Syndrome.

SNS Syndrome is a disorder that can affect people from all walks of life, but most commonly affects those that are heavy computer users.  It has been diagnosed to many people in the Linux community, gaming circles, and yes, the Minecraft community at large.

If you are unfamiliar with SNS Syndrome, please read the information I have below on this serious condition.

SNS Syndrome Explained

SNS Syndrome is really an acronym for Shiny New Shit Syndrome, which is the disorder currently plaguing the US, Canada, and nations abroad.  It was brought to my attention by the knowledgeable folk in the Debian IRC Channels, and now that I know about this condition, I see it all around me.

Here are the symptoms of SNS Syndrome:

• Uncontrollable urge to blab constantly about new updates
• The inability to stop asking about when updates are coming
• The feeling that you must have the latest version of something
• Making nonsensical decisions, such as upgrading to the latest version of something opposed the stable, older-version counterpart

If you exhibit these symptoms, you might have SNS Syndrome yourself.

What you can do about SNS Syndrome

SNS Syndrome tends to break out in an epidemic whenever a new version of something comes out, such as Minecraft Beta 1.5.  If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of SNS Syndrome, you can help. Here is what you can do to help yourself or help someone else:

• Try your hardest to resist the urge to upgrade to something instantly.
• If you feel urges to try out Beta 1.5, back up your Minecraft directory first.
• If you do not have the knowledge on how to back up your Minecraft directory, ask someone that does, or don't do it at all.
• Realize how great something is that works and works all the time.
• Remember all the great things about Beta 1.4_01 before immediately abandoning its status as a good game

These simple steps will help you and your Minecraft brethren and sistern fight the ever-prominent SNS Syndrome all around you in your daily life

In case you didn't get the hint

SLOW THE FUCK DOWN if you are bitching about the fact Eagleworld is not on Beta 1.5 yet.  Bukkit has not yet been updated for Minecraft Beta 1.5.  That means NO plugins, NO iconomy, NO security, NO nothing.  The server will have about 5% of the functionality you are accustomed to if I upgrade right now.

And when Bukkit is updated, I have to wait for ALL OF THE PLUGINS WE USE to get updated.  That could take days.  And after THAT, I have to test it all.  If you are not familiar with the amount of work this takes, take a look at this post about Beta 1.4.  It takes a lot of work, usually on the scale of 10-20 hours per version.  It's not going to happen overnight.

The spoiler contains the upgrade plan I used on Beta 1.4, updated for Beta 1.5:

So, please do not forget how good Beta 1.4 was to you.  Don't abandon it for the latest and greatest.  While Beta 1.5 is partying all night, getting drunk and high on cocaine, Beta 1.4 is sitting right here, ready and waiting for you.  Don't let Beta 1.4 fall into obscurity while Beta 1.5 is still partying hard, making life difficult for everyone.

Eagleworld updated to Minecraft 1.4

Hey everyone.

Well, it took me staying up until 4AM and about 15 hours of scouring code repositories for plugins, testing, migration, updating, and other crap, but Eagleworld is now stable on Minecraft SMP verion 1.4.  I'll just quickly bulletpoint the changes made:

Latest Server Build

• Craftbukkit is now on the latest recommended build, 617.
• Essentials 2.1.11 is successfully installed and all configurations are updated.
• iConomy is now on 4.6.5 and works fine on 1.4.
• Townymod is on an unofficial build at version 0.61, updated for 1.4.
• LWC is up to version 2.11, updated for 1.4.
• BigBrother is on a snapshot build of 1.7.2, but is working fine.
• SimpleShop was not updated as of 1.3, but works on 1.4.
• LocalShops was updated to 2.2.0 and works fine.
• CreativeStick is updated to 0.6.0, which despite being a 1.3 plugin, works fine.
• FlatEarth is on version 0.6, and works great with 1.4.

As you can see, I had to update almost every plugin.  There were tons of config changes, and some added functionality.  I have not had time to update the help page yet, though, so you'll have to find the extra stuff on your own for now.

Current Server Bugs

And now, let's go over the bugs that the server has right now.  They are not severe, but could cause minor issues:

• Townymod's latest version has a problem with usernames preceding with an underscore (like "_Nod_").  I don't know if this is going to prevent Nod from being part of Towny or not yet.
• iConomy is throwing database errors upon startup, which in my opinion aren't a problem, but I'll probably want to eventually fix.
• BigBrother attempts to update the database every time I start the server, despite the database being fully updated.  I'm not sure what impact this will have, but the bug is there.
• SimpleShop, since it's not updated, is throwing warnings due to it using deprecated craftbukkit function calls.  While this won't affect anything now, this could mean the plugin will no longer be supported if it is not updated soon.
• The dynmap plugin does not work yet.  I have to wait for an update.   Period.
• I am not 100% sure wolves will follow you throughout warping.  If you lose a wolf because you were warp-happy, I'm not going to do anything about it.  You were duly warned.

Time for a rant

I got the server up faster than I expected, thankfully, but you people didn't make it easy.  Nothing but nagging left and right, and people actually explicitly logging on to tell me that they are updating and "won't wait around for this server."  Frankly, it royally pissed me off.

When Minecraft got updated to Beta 1.2, it broke hMod completely.  The server was down for three days.  I got nothing but bitching and moaning that the server was down for three days.  Never mind the fact that I was working my ass off during that.  The server was down.  You people couldn't play.

Come Beta 1.3, I got smarter.  I thought it would be smart to allow you people to play on the server in "anarchy mode" with no mods and no rules until I could get the server up with mods and revert.  People did nothing but bitch and complain about it, still complaining that the server was not right and they didn't have iConomy.

Come this last update, I said it would make more sense to keep the server in a stable environment and keep it on Beta 1.3 until I could get the server stable on 1.4.  This way, you lose NOTHING and everything stays as it was.  I got nothing but bitching from people that they couldn't play with wolves and that I wasn't "just updating it already."

Minecraft is a BETA PRODUCT.  INCOMPLETE.  Survival Multiplayer is NOT STABLE SOFTWARE.  IT BREAKS.  I am doing as best of a job as possible as a system administrator by delivering you a stable experience with unstable software and unofficial mods that bring the server into a playable state.  It takes a good deal of effort to turn the mess of plugins into something that actually works, and works all the time.

If you think it's just a matter of "updating a file," go try it yourself.  Sure, you might get it working, but try getting it working so your server stays up and doesn't lose data.  My server only goes down for two reasons: the nightly reboot (which gives you roughly 10 seconds of downtime the most), and for server upgrades.  Since Beta 1.2, the longest my server has been down for upgrades has been about 5 minutes.

If you calculate my uptime percentage, I'm hitting about 99.9%, folks.  Also, as far as data loss goes, I haven't lost any.  Ever. There is not much more I can do to make the server better.  Especially considering the fact that I DO THIS FOR FREE. This is not something you pay for.  If you had to, I can guarantee that you could not afford my rates.

So, enjoy your damn update.  It may be the last one I do for this server.  Go have fun with the stupid wolves.  I won't.  I need a break from Minecraft.

Minecraft 1.4 Updates (April Fools)

Hey everyone!

I've started some preliminary work on the migration, and I have some updates:

1) Minecraft 1.4 Vanilla appears to work 100%.

Thankfully, I have tested the vanilla 1.4 on Eagleworld.net with no bugs.  So far, so good!

2) Craftbukkit appears to let the server start, but it is very buggy.

It looks as though craftbukkit has been updated, so Minecraft does in fact load on 1.4.  However, we are probably going to have to wait for the next recommended build for it to be stable enough for use.  There are a few bugs, which might affect plugins from working properly.

3) Essentials plugin is riddled with bugs.

Unfortunately, Essentials currently is a mess.  It runs, but with some bugs:

• Server will occasionally crash unexpectedly
• Wolves will not work.
• Your iConomy data might get deleted unexpectedly and you will lose your Talons.
• You will occasionally get spawned into the Nether.
• Chat sometimes doesn't work
• Attempting to purchase from a store will occasionally delete your player inventory.
• Ore blocks when placed (such as iron or diamond ore) will occasionally disappear.

These are bugs that are not going to get fixed for at least 6-8 weeks.  Essentials requires a complete rewrite for this to work.  I will however roll out the server before then so that we can play on 1.4.  I know everyone is excited for that.

That's all I've got so far.  I hope have more updates soon.  With luck, the server might be running version 1.4 in another 3 weeks or so.

Other Updates

I have some other news:  I'm suspending the Monthly Salary program.  I've decided that monthly salaries just do not make sense on the server, as it does not work fairly towards those that work hard on the server.  Instead, it promotes sloth and unfairly assists the poor on the server.  I'm sure everyone will agree with me on this assessment.

Server Upgrade Progress

As per the post yesterday, I've updated the server upgrade schedule and showed what has been done so far and what is left to do.  Feel free to check it out if you like.

Preparing for Beta 1.4

Hey, everyone!

Since Beta 1.4 is expected to come any day now (possibly today), I thought it would be smart to post a few reminders for everyone about what they need to do and what they should expect over the next few days:

1. Get the latest Minecraft launcher if you have not yet done so.

This is important to do especially for the recent newcomers to Eagleworld.  While the new installer has been out for a while, it is possible some of you might not have it yet.  If you are using the launcher with news updates right in line, there's nothing you need to do.  If you are using the older launcher (with just the login prompt), please make sure to get the new version on www.minecraft.net. Not doing so will leave you in a lurch come Beta 1.4, because...

2. Eagleworld.net will not automatically update to Beta 1.4.

I know this may disappoint a bunch of you, but this is the way it's going to need to be.  After the last two beta updates, everyone gave me way too much stress and hassle over things I have little to no control over.  I'm not going to go through that again.  Instead, the server will stay running on Beta 1.3 until it is good and ready.  This means...

3. Do not upgrade to Beta 1.4 if you wish to play on Eagleworld.

Simple as that.  If this disappoints you, I am not going to fret over it.  Like I said before, my previous attempts at accommodating everyone were met with harsh criticism and very impatient nagging.  Remember that this is beta software, and every plugin we use/depend-on breaks every time Minecraft is updated.  If you simply cannot wait for Beta 1.4, either back-up your install or forget playing on Eagleworld until 1.4 is rolled out on it.  I simply can't please everyone, and I'm not attempting to do so anymore.

4. I do not want constant nagging about the updates.

Every time the server's been updated or something broke, people just don't leave me alone about it.  If something isn't working or updated on the server, it's either out of my control, or I simply haven't had enough time to do it yet.  I do not offer time-frames or ETA's in any way, because I am not committing myself to any form of deadline.  I can promise you that asking me a million times about it will NOT make me go any faster.  In fact, the opposite might happen.

To make a long story short, if you want to nag me about the update or criticize how long it takes, don't expect an answer you will like.  Let me work at my own pace and I promise you it will get done as fast as my spare time and mental health will allow.

5. Check the blog regularly to stay informed.

In exchange for your not-nagging me about Beta 1.4, I'll make sure you're not kept in the dark about what's going on.  As long as I have any information to pass along to the players, I will make sure I give an update about it.  While I can't give ETA's on how long it'll take, I can at least make sure you know what has been done and what there is left to do.

6. Here's the basic upgrade plan I'm going to follow.

If you're really interested in what I actually have to do to get this going, take a look at my basic upgrade plan below.  Otherwise, just skip it.  Note that these steps are linear and require the previous steps to be done before I can work on them:

If you bothered to read the list, you can see it's a lot of work to upgrade the server.  Eight of these steps are necessary just to bring the server up on Beta 1.4.  After that, there's still a lot of pushing and pulling needed to bring the server back to full functionality.  Hopefully this upgrade won't as bad as upgrading to 1.3 was (almost 50 hours of labor), but I'm not holding my breath.