Testing Server
 

The testing server is called "Testbed Server" (may be changing soon). I will provide an overview of the testing server in this thread. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions feel free to contact the testing server team:
HoudiniMan - Founder
Tig - Founder & Director
Chompy - Scripting Instructor

The ranking system is based off of how many hours you've spent on RC.
The more time you've spent on RC the higher the rank you receive.
To view the top ranks, type "/npc rank top10" in RC. Here are a list of other commands:

Available ranks (subject to change):
- Newbie
- Novice
- Junior Member
- Member
- Active Member
- Senior Member
- Testbed Junky
- Elite Member
- Veteran

For more information on the ranking system & updated lists of commands check the comments of "ranks" while you're logged on RC.

What is the testing server?
The testbed server is a server where people who want to learn how to script (or already know how to script) can work on non-playerworld related scripting projects and may join us on RC. To receive an RC contact either me (Tig) or HoudiniMan. The best way to contact me is via AIM (which you may find by clicking the AOL icon to the left of my post), or by logging on to GK and PMing me.

Can I use the testing server to start my playerworld before I buy it?
No. The testing server is strictly for people who need a place to learn GScript2. There are currently no available methods of learning GScript2 unless you work on a server. The testing server provides a chance to learn GScript2 with no commitment to develop for the server itself. People who are found working on their playerworlds on the testbed server will be removed or suspended (unless you're testing something).

Do I qualify to work on the testing server?
That depends. We're not looking for people who want to have an RC so they can upload staff boots & summon scripts that they didn't even make. The testing server is a place for people who are serious about learning how to script may come to practice.

Do I need gold to participate in the testing server?
No! The testing server is available to classic subscribers as well. To get to the testing server simply press F8, and type "test" (may change soon) in the text box near the bottom of the menu, then press enter.

Can I use the testing server to work on my levels, ganis, sound effects, and other development skills?
No, because those are skills that can be practiced primarily offline. The purpose of the testing server is to provide a place to use the current engine instead of the outdated one that the Graal Editor uses.

What happens if I purposely delete massive amounts of content on the testing server?
Depending on the situation you'll receive a global ban and the lost data will be restored to the server, so it's really not worth it. (It's happened before, so beware.)

What happens if I disturb people who are working by being disruptive or abusive?
Depending on the situation you'll be banned from the server for a week or more and blacklisted from receiving an RC there in the future. We're not looking for people who want to be rude and disruptive. If you come on the testing server and misbehave you will receive bans, there is no jailing system on the testing server.


Special thanks to Clockwork aka Aeko for allowing us to use his server.

If you have any other questions or concerns please don't hesitate to let us know!

I definitely like the Lab.

Nice ranking system, though.

This is a great idea.

Only the smart people are choosing The Lab as the new server name.

Obviously not.

Your response is not satisfying. :mad:

The Lab is a horrible name and wouldn't make new people have a clue about what the server is about. Testbed Server is a way better name for that purpose, although I'd rather see something... else.

If you're going to be scripting on Graal then you should be using the forums. If you use the forums, then you should not miss the topic that tells you where you can test your scripts.

I chose the lab, just so I can pretend to be smart like you <3

EDIT: The Sandbox would also be nice, and it makes a bit more sense.

'The Lab' does have a nice ring to it :cool:! But ya its a great server to do scripting on :D there are people you can ask for help, etc.

I'm going to be honest, I disagree with the direction you are wanting to take the server in. The problem facing most servers is the lack of developers on the game as a whole; potential developers have no drive to acquire new skills, and those that have them rarely feel like applying these skills. The reason that people are developing less now than they were before is because, to put it simply, it's no longer fun. The development pool being thin isn't limited by the lack of documentation, with an obvious exception with scripting, it's just developing on Graal is no longer providing the entertainment on the scale that it used to.

A testbed server has massive potential in terms of fixing the problems Graal has with development. However, you're limiting it too much, considering the fact that you are trying to encourage people to develop. It really just comes across as contrived, especially with a ranking system based on online time. I know you're trying to encourage people to use the server and everything, but that should probably be done in a little less obvious way.

Successful games are about content, not code, and that is why I believe that the focus of a development-encouraging testbed server should be for all sectors of Graal development not just scripting. Yeah you guys don't have a place to practice or showcase your work unless you purchase a server, but neither do any of the other development areas other than graphics. Level designers can make levels offline, improve their skills through practice and collaboration on the forums of different ideas, but they don't, and neither do gani artists, graphic artists, hell no one does. This is the issue you should be targeting, and as a testbed server is a good platform for a community to practice content development in easy outlet to expressing ideas, it works. Ideally, players would be able to develop alongside other developers, improving their skills together as a community and show off their levels live rather than in screenshots where a lot of the content is stiff. Multi-developers would also benefit from being able to practice and apply their skills on multiple levels, like Dusty did with his Mario remake.

There is a wide variety of areas that you can provide resources for and with actives and 'competitions' development can be fun again. How do you think websites such as DeviantArt and PixelJoint promote development of graphics AND community aspects? Through challenges and community projects. We often have things like this on the forums, scripting practices, level collaborations, but the testbed server can be a great way of showcasing these fun activities to anyone that would like to see them. With an increase of activities and monthly challenges that are linked between the forums and the server, you will see an improvement in the state of the development pool. Improved and applied skills, broader population of design talent, community incentives.

i may try this :O

The testbed server was originally for scripters only, I wanted it to be for all developers. However, HoudiniMan and Stefan both agreed that it should be for scripters only since you can practice levels, sounds, etc offline.

The ranking system is to simply give a perk to the people who do dedicate a lot of time on the testbed server helping people. Some people on the testbed server log on specifically to sit around and help people, not to learn. Those people should have some sort of reward, don't you agree? How about a higher rank that shows that you're on a lot and probably know what you're doing?

We can't force people to want to develop, all we can do is provide a place for people who want to learn how to do things that can't be accomplished offline.
I know this is not ideal for people like level makers, but as you can see in the many posts in the level sections from people like Dusty and Wan, you don't need a server to make levels. You only need the Graal Editor. Right now scripters are the most suppressed type of developers on Graal because they have no place to practice or learn. The only way to learn GScript2 is if you work on a server. You can learn how to do graphics, levels, sound effects, ganis, and other development fields offline using the other tools which are available. There are no tools available for people who want to learn GScript2, which is the supported scripting language of Graal right now.

I assume since you're going to reward people for time spent on RC, you're also going to start enforcing AFK rules, right? A lot of people just sit on RC and AFK all day long, and never say a thing on RC at all, save once or twice popping in.

Script Test & Learning Server <--- It'd be a good idea to have a clear server name. The Lab and testbed aren't as clear for new people, and those are the ones you want to attract. I'm not sure if server names can be that long though.

i voted "other"




the laboratory.

Only if we name the NPC-Server Dexter, and have a random NPC go around pressing buttons they shouldn't be pressing. :p

What happened to Ziro's script-help guild?... Developers Circle?

By the way, I've never scripted a day in my life, teach me everything.

RAWT, DEXTER IS A COOKIE.

Yeah, I could use a refresher anyway. I never Did learn how to do image flipping; mostly I made math.gani then got ticked off that a month later a feature finally came out that made it irrelevant.

Hopefully some day this communal dev learning will be an integral part of the community...

Until then, however, everybody should know the scripters were disadvantaged without this resource and I made it my mission to help them. Yeah, levelling together would be beneficial, but you'd have to have a staff team to make sure that server doesn't infringe on the rental server income. And yeah, maybe a lot of things could be run differently regarding renting servers. In the end, this is a small change I was able to bring about now, and it is relevant today, and we aren't wishing for a place to learn to script anymore. Now we have it.

You should post this in "Updates and Events on Graal" on the Login server.

Dusty's, not mine.

It already was there when it first was introduced.

Really?
I missed it xD

I'm not sure how Tig/Houdini plan to advertise it. Tig said he didn't want a bunch of people flocking to the server not interested in learning or helping others. We've had a few people who want to come and just play with other people's weapons (not the scripts, the actual weapon on player), and I imagine we'd have people who would come just for the sake of deleting things.

However, I agree that we should advertise this better.

I have no preference in what the server is named. I do believe, however, that it should be kept true the exact purpose of the server; it doesn't need an actual "playercount" with players. Just make sure it holds it's original goal - to support graal development (to assist in learning how to properly Script) - and it should be fine :).

I do agree with Chris - that it should be Advertised that there IS a place to learn how to script, and if you are serious about learning, you are eligible to join up and learn. I feel like it's a "gem in the rough" so to speak; it's an amazingly great idea and tool, but not enough people know about it :).

I'm sure Tig, Chompy, Inverness, Chris, myself, etc. will be available most of the time for that purpose.

Which is great! Let's just make sure it stays true to it's purpose of learning, and not become a place of "hangout" :D. I think Testbed will continue to be a great asset.

Although I haven't been on RC because I have zero inspiration for scripting at the moment (and I have 4 new games to occupy myself with), I am available on AIM often if anyone has scripting-related questions.

Guys, let's just put that server to visible in the server list, under..."Developement" tab or "Others" maybe...

I think that would be the perfect way to advertise the server's existance.

And instead of a Picture of the server (Like GK has it's Map, so does UN, etc), post a description of what purpose the server serve's, as well as who to contact to get Dev. Access to it.

Great idea Soala!

Yeah lol

Ganadagb./

Bump?

I think the ideal place to advertise the server is a sticky in the scripting forum.

For one simple reason: If you were an active member of the Graal community, you'd be on the forums at least as a reader. If you wanted to script at all, you would - at minimum - check out the scripting forum and the stickied threads that say "LEARN HERE:" etc.

I don't understand why this haven't been stickied yet, and it really need to be better advertised to Graal as a whole. Would help if Tig were to actually be online on the server as well, I've heard he isn't very often other when people urgently need him there.

If people need help on the Testbed Server, I'm also available. Unless I need PWA abilities to help. ^^

This **** should've been put into the News, it never happened.

I have forwarded a few people on to the Testbed server, but only when I really thought they'd make good use of it. Chompy and Aeko assisted them and they were pretty quick to get it set up (probably because I have them on MSN) but the people I referred were not aware of it until I brought it up. In that regard I agree with Ziro in that there should be a sticky (and possibly advertising somewhere?) but in the scripting forum rather than the Playerworlds forum. People might want to learn how to script, but not everyone wants to make their own server and I don't think that's allowed anyway on the Testbed Server :p

I'm pretty sure that there was a news entry for Testbed Server by HoudiniMan when it first was released.

I'm sure if Chompy or Tig asked Darlene to sticky this someplace they would do it. News announcements are fine but if you didn't happen to be log on during the current news item you're going to miss it anyway. What I think should be done is have Testbed on Hosted tab so its visible on the playerlist. At least then in its playerworld description it could say what its purpose is for. Maybe then new or aspiring developers might spot it easier and it wouldn't have to rely on word of mouth advertising alone.