Dariuas - Good evening and welcome to our 22nd Ultima Online Celebrity Chat. UOCC is a forum wherein we bring to you celebrity guests from the UO community, ranging from website administrators, OSI personnel, counselors, seers, and even roleplayers and PKs from your own shard!
Dariuas - They drop by to answer your questions about UO, their experiences in it, and about their own contribution to the community. Our system is similar to the UOHOC chats. All you have to do is /msg a designated question taker with your question or comment.
Dariuas - Tonights guest will be Tug of Tugsoft.com, Creator of UOAssist.. While we are waiting for questions lets listen as our guest introduce himself.
Dariuas - Tonight's Question Takers will be, Prescient, Gilthas, and Kaltes, please /query or /msg them with your questions! Do not msg other ops or the celeb!
Tug - Thanks, glad to be here
Tug - I'm supposed to intro myself here I guess:)
* Dariuas nods *
Tug - I'm Tug, the creator of UOAssist - I first started work on UOAssist in Dec 97
Tug - And have continued working on it since
Tug - It has been an interesting project from the start, working with OSI to make sure it wasn't considered unbalancing and all

Dariuas - Go ahead Teilahn
Teilahn - hey Tug
Teilahn - I really wish there was an option in UOA that would save the settings per key so my friends don't have to change my macros every time they want to play on my computer. Do you think that would be possible in a new patch?
Tug - You can do that, On the common page in UOAssist make sure you turn off the 'Global Settings' option
Tug - Then hotkey settings will be per character
Teilahn - ah, even better =)
Teilahn - thanks
Tug - yw

Dariuas - Go ahead DrSyn[FaT]
Dariuas - DrSyn[FaT]?
* Gilthas pokes DrSyn.. *
Tug - maybe he got syn attacked to death
DrSyn[FaT] - ooh Kaltes looks around for DrSyn
Gilthas - There he is.
Gilthas - You're up. =)
DrSyn[FaT] - Tug, I was wondering how many times people ask you for the source to UOAssist
Tug - We get that request about 4 times a year Gilthas chuckles.
DrSyn[FaT] - Wow, ok. Thanks again for the program, it's a LIFE saver!
Tug - YW and TY
Tug - :) Gilthas can't play UO with out...he's addicted. *sniff*

Dariuas - Go ahead Vitus_TDK
Vitus_TDK - hello
Vitus_TDK - I would like to ask
Vitus_TDK - is it passible for him to make keys like tab etc to be able to use as macro keys in uoa because we feel uoa is too resitrcted with keys
Vitus_TDK - errr oops
Vitus_TDK - I meant for u
Tug - We've tried to avoid keys that UO uses 'natively' but use most others
Tug - so no ESC or TAB Vitus_TDK nods
Tug - but we are looking into added more again
Vitus_TDK - but I hate UO built in macros
Vitus_TDK - oops
Tug - last adds were the numpad
* Vitus_TDK nods *
Vitus_TDK - thanks :)
Tug - yw
Tug - followup we are considering the spacebar and tab additions:)

Dariuas - Go ahead Acero
Acero - Hey Tug nice to have you here... Too ask the question everyone is wondering... When do you plan on changing to a 2.0 version of UOA and will there be an add'l fee?
Tug - Originally I had planned for version 2.0 for Aug 98
Tug - :)
Tug - but changed my mind, now it is not in the plans at all
Acero - Thx Tug :P
Tug - IF (big IF) we did do a 2.0 there would be a small upgrade fee for it BUT we would not
Tug - require it as we would still support 1.x
Tug - Thanks
Acero - ahhh
Gilthas - Small: $44.95, one-time only!
Tug - Gil, you in marketing?
Tug - :)
Gilthas - Hehe.

Dariuas - Go ahead Bill-afk
Bill-afk - hi tug
Bill-afk - question
Tug - hi
Bill-afk - is there a chance in the future you might consider implementing a % feature of a targets head that indicates life?
Tug - You don't like the built in indicator?
Bill-afk - currently in pvp managing enemies and friends health bars is a bear
Bill-afk - thanks
Bill-afk - no
Tug - ah
Bill-afk - the built in indicator
Bill-afk - is one target specific
Bill-afk - %
Bill-afk - would be over multiple
Bill-afk - say i had 3 people in my guild
Bill-afk - i can monitor all their health
* Stratics-UO has kicked Bill-afk from #ultima-online (flood) *
Tug - right, (i don't like it much either:)
Gilthas - Awww.
Kehleyr - uhoh
Prescient - easy on the enter key :)
Gilthas - Careful Bill. =) Dariuas chuckles
Bill-afk - sorry :)
Bill-afk - um uo party system is bugged...what i'm saying is it's nice to monitor multiple people's health...friends or enemies
Tug - We are considering more options for tracking people and there stats, but it is a ways off yet
Bill-afk - % is easier to monitor than the single healthbar or multiple healthbars all over ur screen
Bill-afk - k thanks
Tug - yw

Dariuas - Go ahead Greed[FaT]
Greed[FaT] - hey tug
Tug - hi
Greed[FaT] - i have a question for ya
Greed[FaT] - why it is that everytime I make a seperate macro for drinking potions such as greater agility, greater strength, etc, I must do so for every one of my characters. I have the global settings checked, but I can only get them to work for the keys that were preset when I downloaded UOAssist
Tug - well because
Tug - when macros were first created there was no 'use item type' ... in UOAssist, so you had to have the specific item for the macro to work
Tug - since no other characters would have that item it didn't make sense for the macro to be used by the other player
Tug - so it is a hangover of that
Tug - now it could be changed with the use item type ... ability but it probably won't happen soon
Tug - hope that makes it understandable
Greed[FaT] - thanks, i was just wondering if that'd ever be fixed
* Gilthas blinks.. *
Tug - we are considering a macro export/import ability which would help there

Dariuas - go ahead Celptic
C_Cleptic_Grading - Thankyou Darius
C_Cleptic_Grading - First off, I love you Tug! I've been using UO:A for about 4 weeks now, and was wondering: What changes can we expect in the near AND distant future for UO:A and will it PLEASE include something that will use similar wepons, (Q-staffs, war maces, or whatever) without needing to re-set the arm macro?
Tug - as for changes coming
Tug - some are listed on the Updates page already, those are in the code already and awaiting OSI approval
Tug - and then we have others we are working on like a cartography skill agent addition
Tug - and better support for full screen mode
C_Cleptic_Grading - Just for the record, what is tugsofts URL?
Gilthas - http://www.tugsoft.com
Tug - support for the new third dawn emotes
Tug - and so on, can't give everything away:)
Tug - that url is right:)
Gilthas - Psst, Dariuas, there you go!

Dariuas - Go ahead Tanir
Dariuas - Tanir ?
* Dariuas twiddles *
Dariuas - Ok, Tanir, msg me when you get back :P
Dariuas - Go ahead Brucie
Brucie - ok, hi Tug
Tug - hi there
Brucie - is there any chance of having a "next target" option in UOA, like in the UO macros? Also, any chance of a bandage timer for vetinary?
Tug - on next target -
Tug - there is a chance but OSI has been very touchy lately about getting things approved so I've avoided anything combat related
Tug - on bandage timer for vet - i've been meaning to get that in
Brucie - it's not for combat
Tug - well it may not be but it can be used for that:)
Brucie - ok
Brucie - thx
Tug - yw

Dariuas - Go ahead Pierre
Gilthas - Pierre?
* Dariuas pokes Pierre *
Dariuas - Ok
Dariuas - Pierre, msg me when you get back please

Dariuas - Go ahead Tanir
Tanir - Is there some way for other people to write programs, like a plugin, to interface with yours, like an API?
Tug - yes there is
Tug - http://www.tugsoft.com/uoassist/thirdpartydev.asp
Tug - That URL has the info needed to interface with UOAssist like UO Magic Tool, UO Auto Map ... do
Tanir - sweet! thanks!
Tug - yw

Dariuas - Lets try this again shall we Pierre
Dariuas - Pierre ???
* Dariuas twiddles. *
Dariuas - I'll ask for him
Dariuas - Tug?
Tug - yes?

Dariuas - from Pierre
Tug - what is the question, i think i missed it
Tug - *Pierre* What do you reccomend people who want to go into the programming field do?
Tug - ok better
Dariuas - :)
Tug - I recommend starting off by thinking of a SIMPLE program you'd like for yourself
Tug - like a tic tac toe or checkers game, something not too complicated and then getting a good book
Tug - and starting on it, trial and error city but lots of learning
Tug - then add more and more features to continue learning
Gilthas - If I might add..
Tug - books/classes are good but I think you can learn more as you try to apply yourself
* Gilthas is taking a Visual Basic 6.0 class next year, would that be a good recommedation? *
Tug - just what I said silly
Gilthas - Well I said it at the same time.
Tug - take the class, but think of a program you'd like for yourself Gilthas sticks his tongue out.
Tug - and write it
Tug - :)

Dariuas - Ok Children
Tug - Not the corner again :(
Tug - :)
* Kaltes smirks *

Dariuas - Go ahead IndWk - Sorry about the delay
IndWk - Word
IndWk - no probs
IndWk - 1st question is:
IndWk - I am wondering if UOA will include any one of the following features: displays on how many hitpoints you just inflicted on a monster/person when hit, & Floating [always on top] reagent counters etc. instead of the current titlebar format.
IndWk - oh
IndWk - and
Tug - on the hp ? -- we have gotten this a couple of times but uoa can't tell
IndWk - my "other" question
IndWk - Do you feel somewhat disheartened that your 3rd party tool that once enhanced the game so much now just fortifies the position of an unbalanced, wrecked PvP system?
Tug - it can tell percentage damage but if other people are hitting it as well it would be off
Tug - on the 'floating' question - as mentioned we are working on features to better support full screen mode, it will also be nice for windowed mode
Tug - on the pvp ? - I think most people would feel that if anything UOA was more balancing 2 years ago before OSI added things like arm/disarm and last target to the client itself
Tug - fair enough?
IndWk - Ok cool
IndWk - congrats on the great tool
Tug - ty
Tug - CORRECTION -- on the PvP it should have been uoa was more UNbalancing before, sorry about that

Dariuas - Go ahead Retalin
* Gilthas grins. *
Dariuas - Retalin ?
Retalin - -Tug: I was just wondering when Ultima Online dies, which it will Im not being mean but games do not last forever.. will you release the source to your tool?
Tug - doubtful but maybe parts
Retalin - thanks.
Tug - yw

* Dariuas pokes tug *
Tug - yes?
Dariuas - oh lag :P
Dariuas - Go ahead Darkstar|
Darkstar| - Grief
Darkstar| - I want to know
Darkstar| - If you will add in the ability to add more "User Items"
Darkstar| - Beyong the two already available.
Tug - that is about #5 on the bigger tasks list
Darkstar| - w00t
Tug - to make resource counting more flexable (including more user items)
Darkstar| - As long as it's on the adgenda and whatnot, danke ^^
Tug - don't get to excited as the items before it are big time consumers:)

Dariuas - Go ahead Reptile
Reptile - Ok
Reptile - My question was if you plan to implement into UOA in the near future a option to make stat capping easier, such as with the option on macroing to make it wait until a certain hp/mana is reached, instead apply that to skill
Reptile - I.E. a option so that say when arms lore reaches 10, the macro sets that skill down and another one that you specify up
Tug - no such plan but that is a good idea, a stat gainer agent
Reptile - nod, to reduce the tediousness
Reptile - since everyone hates statcapping :P
Tug - it is a good idea and i'll put it on the suggestion list (we really do have one:)
Reptile - woot, thanks :) (btw UOA owns)
Tug - ty
Gilthas - u rox!

Dariuas - Go ahead Aeva
Aeva - I have a question, call me an old school RPG neophyte, but what is this base skill vs. skill? Also, kudos on making uo more playable and having an excellent response time on the few times I've snivelled via email at ya re: patching etc. But that's not all, how come the hotpack agent doesn't work if I haven't cleared it recently...? (done) :D
Tug - base skill vs. 'display' skill is an OSI creation
Aeva - So I feared
Aeva - okee
Tug - originally OSI did not display how stats affected skill levels so UOA calc'd them and displayed it for you
Tug - with the skill cap of 700 people wanted to know that info
Aeva - I find such annoying...ok
Aeva - lesser numbers are always disturbing
Tug - since the skill cap is based off the 'base' skill level and not the 'displayed' level
Tug - Please explain the hotpack problem more
Tug - what isn't working?
Aeva - I've noticed that vendors don't respond to my hotpack
Aeva - if I haven't cleared it before say... crossing a server line
Tug - when you try to sell?
Aeva - Yes
Aeva - That's the only time I utilize it
Tug - hmm, haven't had any reports on that one
Aeva - I didn't want to snivel further ;)O
Tug - as far as i'm aware it is working right, try counting resources before selling
Aeva - I'll email next time with more details
Aeva - Ok
Dariuas - all done?
Tug - sounds good

Dariuas - Go ahead DrSyn[FaT]
DrSyn[FaT] - This time I'm awake :)
Dariuas - We can hope
* Kaltes smirks *
DrSyn[FaT] - Tug, another question for you. Unknown Packets, are they caused by UOA not being patched to the most current UO client?
Tug - The Opps unknown packet error is an UO error and people without UOA have been reporting them as well
DrSyn[FaT] - Also,
DrSyn[FaT] - Can you somehow change the initial welcome window
Tug - last Saturday I started looking into them some (posted on Stratics U.Hall)
DrSyn[FaT] - so it doesn't have to download ALL of the HTML content before continuing?
Tug - and there seems to be no pattern to them at all, the cause is UO having a packet it does not expect, UOA ignores such packets but UO puts up the error
* DrSyn[FaT] is sorry for posting too quickly... *
Tug - on the updater - what happens is if after 7 seconds all the content is not there it will allow you to continue
Tug - granted 7 seconds seems like a long time if in a rush:)
DrSyn[FaT] - Yes, usually I am :)
DrSyn[FaT] - Always someone getting into trouble, needing help
Tug - Just keep UOA open then:)
DrSyn[FaT] - Again, thanks for your answers.
Tug - yw

Dariuas - Go ahead Lemaitre, last question of the night.
Dariuas - Lemaitre ?
Dariuas - ..
Dariuas - Ok. Then we'll goto the other one.
Dariuas - Go ahead Acero, last question of the night.
Acero - Does Tugsoft have any intentions of expanding the development team?
Dariuas - Acero?
Tug - not currently
Acero - hehe sorry I thought the other guy had the last question :P guess I am lucky :P
Acero - If you do have plans will they be posted on the web site?
Tug - Don't have any plans at the moment, if we did we would draw from local talent
Acero - Thx for your time Tug!
Tug - ty

Dariuas - Thank you for attending tonight's UOCC. Remember, UOCC occurs every other Monday night at 7pm CST. The log of tonight's chat will be posted on http://uohoc.stratics.com.
Dariuas - Please feel free to join us here in #ultima-online at any time of the week for help in game, the latest UO news, or just to chat. Have a nice evening.
Dariuas - Special thanks to Tug for joining us!
Kaltes - Thanks Tug!

Dariuas - Please email [email protected] or [email protected] with suggestions for future guests or topics Thank you all and Good Night =)
Tug - Thank you for the oportunity
Tug - bye all