bugs Simtropolis 9.0.x - Bugs & Issues Report Thread

[rivit 3,391]

OK and Thanks , I will spend a little time being more observant of my actions as my post (in retrospect) was a bit ambiguous.

From a mail notification (messages top right) I go directly to the pm, but from the left hand list of mail threads it always goes to the first entry in a thread of mail - pretty sure that used to be the last one or first unread.

I probably click the Topic Titles - would not think to click on the Date - which would explain what I observe, so will try that out.

[Cyclone Boom 16,893]

11 hours ago, rivit said:

I will spend a little time being more observant of my actions as my post (in retrospect) was a bit ambiguous.

No worries at all. There have been many changes to the site over the years, and lots of them are far from obvious.

Oftentimes between major versions they (the software devs) even keep us guessing. Where's this gone, where's that gone? If they're not bugs, sometimes these subtle changes are made with no known justification, and then it's a case of trying to pick up the pieces.

 

11 hours ago, rivit said:

From a mail notification (messages top right) I go directly to the pm, but from the left hand list of mail threads it always goes to the first entry in a thread of mail - pretty sure that used to be the last one or first unread.

I can confirm that behaviour, since the dropdown list adds a ?latest=1 to the end.

For the messenger's left sidebar, this does jump to the first page regardless if a conversation spans multiple pages. Maybe you recall this was different in a previous site version? I'll check with Dirk to see if it'd be a quick fix to add the latest message query (link) to where it reveals the date.

[redfox85 659]

Should I be able to embed streetview images into a post? I ask as the error msg I get is "The google maps API server rejected your request. This API project is not authorized to use this API".

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

1 hour ago, redfox85 said:

Should I be able to embed streetview images into a post?

My guess is we'd (read: @Cyclone Boom) would have to do some magic behind the scenes as mentioned here. I'm not even sure if it's possible, but since it isn't even remotely my area of expertise don't let that disillusion you.

Times I've included satellite imagery, I've simply taken a screenshot of it, saved as a .jpg, and then posted that. With this method even if the linky goes bad or the imagery on their site changes then whatever I've posted will not be affected.

[Cyclone Boom 16,893]

@redfox85

Well, it's technically "Barge View" up the River Thames, but I did manage to get this to work...

Spoiler

 

In Street View, I clicked the little dropdown menu icon (with the 3 vertical dots), then Share or embed image.

Then in the "Embed image" tab, picked a size and copied the source code:

 

This is a basic HTML iframe with a URL and size attributes:

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!4v1509075718561!6m8!1m7!1sOR5otbAWMeo9L8ecmQKxIg!2m2!1d51.50597895710629!2d-0.07625873685674378!3f118.85!4f0!5f0.7820865974627469" width="800" height="600" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

(All that seemingly random string of numbers and letters is what Google must use to identify the starting position and orientation.)

Myself (or any admin) can edit and embed the map into your posts and/or content items. It requires a special source editing mode, which allows HTML and other scripts to be parsed and rendered on the site. Just send a PM and we can sort this out whenever or wherever you'd like.

 

20 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

My guess is we'd have to do some magic behind the scenes as mentioned here.

From my own initial research, an API method does seem the ideal solution. This would allow the URL to be embedded directly without needing the source format. Basically it'd bridge the gap between Google Maps and the site software, allowing them to communicate and the format interpreted. Checking the Invision Community forums, some users mentioned they got it working, so there's no reason why ST can't likewise do the same.

 

20 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

Times I've included satellite imagery, I've simply taken a screenshot of it, saved as a .jpg, and then posted that. With this method even if the linky goes bad or the imagery on their site changes then whatever I've posted will not be affected.

That's a good point which applies to any interactive element. One would hope they'd bear that in mind and setup a conversion or redirect method. However, it's possible should Google alter their format, the old syntax (as embedded) would no longer be supported.

  Edited October 27, 2017 by Cyclone Boom  
Missed the image!

[nos.17 5,120]

Anyone else noticing the problem with cover pictures returning? Mine seems to have shifted to the top with no option to Reposition. I clicked around and found it on a few other profiles too.

[Cyclone Boom 16,893]

54 minutes ago, nos.17 said:

Anyone else noticing the problem with cover pictures returning? Mine seems to have shifted to the top with no option to Reposition. I clicked around and found it on a few other profiles too.

I can confirm this was an issue just now, but I've reset the site's theme cache which seems to have fixed it and restored the option.

Let me know if you're still experiencing this.

[Fantozzi 4,067]

When you hoover over the medals below the avatar there's a text shown that explains the merrit of the user. I know this because I've been hoovering over my brand new medals the whole day (polishing, rubbing them gently).

This text doesn't fit the pop up window size and therefore is cut.

[Cyclone Boom 16,893]

11 minutes ago, Fantozzi said:

This text doesn't fit the pop up window size and therefore is cut.

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll forward it to Dirk who's the master of all things design, layout and formatting. The awards system is a custom addon, so it'll require a few CSS refinements for it to best integrate into the site's custom theme.

Something else I've noticed is the spacing between the medals. I think this could be consolidated for more efficient usage of the posts display panel.

[matias93 7,535]

3 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

Something else I've noticed is the spacing between the medals. I think this could be consolidated for more efficient usage of the posts display panel.

What about using service ribbons for the panel and the full medal appearing when hovering? It's much more compact and its the default solution to avoid chests of medals...

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

Seems like I recall an old screenshot where the medals just overlapped each other to save space.

[Cyclone Boom 16,893]

1 hour ago, CorinaMarie said:

Seems like I recall an old screenshot where the medals just overlapped each other to save space.

I think this might be the format:

And more recently:

[Hamish 1,369]

26 minutes ago, CorinaMarie said:

Seems like I recall an old screenshot where the medals just overlapped each other to save space.

We used to do that, but we specifically moved away from that model because we were running out of room for these images in members post panels. This new system was designed to break up a members awards and graphically show what parts of the site they spend their time in and are recognised for. 

We will need a slight tidy up in their layout, which we couldn’t do earlier because we wanted to keep them secret and unfortunately couldn’t test them without making them public. We'll work on that over the coming days.

[Fantozzi 4,067]

Download link (attachment?) in this tutorial doesn't work for me anymore.

 

 

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

4 hours ago, Fantozzi said:

Download link (attachment?) in this tutorial doesn't work for me anymore.

Clarifying it's this: "3. The icon strip template (see icon_base.zip)." in the article that just reloads the page rather than providing a file. Hopefully @Cyclone Boom can take a peek under the hood at the actual files database and see if it's lurking in there somewhere and can be re-linked.

[BC Canuck 207]

I have an iPad issue and it seems related to the latest software/server upgrade.

my iPad version can only be upgraded to OS 9.3.5 which I have - It is about 3 1/2 years old.

I can no longer see cj pictures or forum images including avatars and even the Emoticons, except in my replies.

I frequently use my iPad for browsing through Simtropolis as it is more convenient.  Now it could be that nothing can be done but I thought someone should know. 

PS - no problem viewing other websites icluding sc4devotion, only Simtropolis seems to have this problem.

Please let me know what you find out.

Thank you

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

Hiya, Carol.

First off, I prolly don't know what I'm talking about since I know very little about the techy part of our site and even less about iPads. Ofc, that doesn't stop me from posting my guess. Could it be that your OS has a block option for when part of a site (the images in this case if I understand it right) are not https like the site itself? Or maybe some kind of script blocker addon?

[Cyclone Boom 16,893]

10 hours ago, Fantozzi said:

Download link (attachment?) in this tutorial doesn't work for me anymore.

6 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

Hopefully @Cyclone Boom can take a peek under the hood at the actual files database and see if it's lurking in there somewhere and can be re-linked.

Thanks for reporting. Looks like the URL target was empty, causing the current page to be loaded.

I've managed to locate the correct file and re-attached it to the article.

And here it is for convenience: icon_base.zip

 

1 hour ago, BC Canuck said:

I can no longer see cj pictures or forum images including avatars and even the Emoticons

If not caused by scripts blocked as Cori mentioned, it could be due to the storage mechanism for these images. The site has recently switched to a new server setup (the location which points to: simtropolis.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com). We've noticed intermittent performance issues with this which will require further investigation. Most recently yesterday evening I noticed these images were slow to load, and this does include profile pics and attachment images.

Something else I can suggest is a cache refresh on your iPad's browser. Residual local data can occasionally cause display issues.

[BC Canuck 207]

Hi and thanks to @Cyclone Boomand @CorinaMarie

Yes cleared my history and cache yesterday as I thought that might be causing the problem.

Not sure  what "script blocked" means and where to find it to check in settings. ?  That's a bit above my tech level....

I disabled restrictions inSafari as well thinking that might be a problem but it didn't help.

And I can't sign out as the simtropolis search box blocks the sign out tab. 

I'll see you all later on my pc laptop hehe.

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

@BC Canuck

I can only reply with a vague answer by example. As we switched from regular http to https that caused many browsers to have a conniption because some of the stuff was secure and some was not. Not that there is anything unsafe about sending publicly viewable icons, avatars, and images, but that the browsers (and/or their addons) believe they are protecting you by being annoying.

Ofc, it could be something else completely. I'm still just guessing.

[BC Canuck 207]

Hi Cori @CorinaMarie

Yep that might be the culprit http vs https - Apple knows best don't ya know (Ha!)

I did try with Chrome (no luck) and my preferred browser Firefox, on the iPad however the newest version can't be downloaded to my OS 9.3.5 iPad anymore.  Firefox will only update to version OS 10 or 11 on the newest iPads (it looks as though Apple has made them do it)  - they just want the consumer to spend, spend , spend and I say no,no and no!!!

Well at least my laptop is quite happy all around (newest Firefox installed earlier this week), my adblocker works fine without interference from the Simtropolis software/server except when I download and I have to disable it but hardly a big deal.

Fingers crossed CycloneBoom will be able to fix the problem for Apple products. Any  iPhone complaints?

[huzman 445]

8 hours ago, BC Canuck said:

Not sure  what "script blocked" means

I don't understand that either. An I DO get more often than not when I first login in ST.
Once, I got a CTD with this triple message:

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

(Split from another topic.)

On 11/25/2017 at 9:27 AM, huzman said:

If I may point out that 3 or 4 files didn't work out.

Would you happen to have the list of which ones (besides the mentioned SC4Fix)? If not, I can check each one and see what it takes to fix up the linkys.

[huzman 445]

Ah, sorry cori. But that one is the most important.
Another is
toroca's Industry Quadrupler mod (https://www.simtropolis.com/STEX/details.cfm?id=21293). (sorry for the lack of formatting).
The others are almost eye candy.

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

Well now I'm totally confuzzled. I can't get any of the SC4Fix ones I see to not work and I don't see the Industry Quadrupler in that thread. I do see the Opera House Fix by toroca there tho.

How about quoting the problem ones in that thread so I'll know exactly which ones are borked? No need to worry that'll bump an older thread. (You could even mention Cori said it's ok to bump so we can fix the problem linkys.)

[huzman 445]

All right, I get on it later (soon). I ran out time here at ST. 

[huzman 445]

Just took a few minutes to check all them downloads, Ain't getting any significant answers. Give me some time and I get back to you.

EDIT on nov. 26:

@CorinaMarie , Here are my findings:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?mode=viewtopic&topicID=48119 - 404 error

NAM Team uploaded a file to Mods & Tools - September 25, 2011 - Right now, is updated to v36

SC4Fix: third-party patches for SC4 0.0.3
Development Thread - brings you back here
Source Code - Sends you to GitHub

Couldn't find the "file not found" different from the "404" one.

(sorry for my ranting before)

  Edited November 26, 2017 by huzman  
complements

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

Re-hiya, @huzman.

Thanks for getting back to me on this. I'm going to do this out of sequence in the order in which I would be able to do something for them.

 

21 hours ago, huzman said:

SC4Fix: third-party patches for SC4 0.0.3
Development Thread - brings you back here
Source Code - Sends you to GitHub

I went to this exact STEX entry: SC4Fix: third-party patches for SC4 and I do see it contains 3 separate linkys within the description like this:

Demonstration

Click here for a video showing the ability to hover puzzle pieces over transit-enabled lots with this DLL.

Development Thread and Source Code

Development Thread
Source Code

Now, the Click Here one does take me to a YouTube video which plays ok for me.  The Development Thread one takes me to the first post in @simmaster07's SC4Fix: third-party patches for SC4 thread. And the Source Code one does indeed go to GitHub as it is intended to. The relevant part of the GitHub looks like this for me:

GitHub itself is like this huge programmer's playground where peeps share their work with others so this seems like a logical place for the linky to direct to.

 

21 hours ago, huzman said:

NAM Team uploaded a file to Mods & Tools - September 25, 2011 - Right now, is updated to v36

For this one I went to Network Addon Mod for Windows INSTALLER Version 36 on the STEX. The download linky does pop up the option for me to get a copy of it so I suspect you are saying that the original upload date of about 6 years ago is the discrepancy. (I'm not sure if this is what you mean or not.) Anyhow, that date is correct for when a prior version of NAM was re-hosted on the STEX. (I believe there were two prior times it got lost, but that's another story.) As each new version is released the @NAM Team updates this same entry so that any linkys elsewhere will still point to the most current version. The entry was last updated in September of this year.

If the point is the original upload date seems odd, then that is technically something we could tweak in the database to reflect that last update date as the submitted date. However, I'd only do so if it was desirable to @Tarkus and the rest of the NAM team. It's quite possible the date as shown is how they would like it to be. (On the other hand, they might even want the date set further back in time to reflect the very first time NAM was hosted here.) This'll be something I'd not alter without express permission from them.

 

21 hours ago, huzman said:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?mode=viewtopic&topicID=48119 - 404 error

Ok. Yeppers. This sure is a dead 404 linky. I mean like instantly dead. It doesn't hesitate to bring up that error page. I do know from some history lessons from @Cyclone Boom that idealbb version of the site was around 10 or more years ago. No surprise that this linky is thoroughly borked. The key question is: On what page did you find it? Where is it purported to go to? The best I might do is update where it's listed with a new linky or simply edit in a statement to say it's no longer available. I'll just need to know where the dead body was found.

[CorinaMarie 29,610]

Tis me again.

I almost forgot about this:

On 11/25/2017 at 9:40 AM, huzman said:

toroca's Industry Quadrupler mod (https://www.simtropolis.com/STEX/details.cfm?id=21293)

CB is going to fix this one up later this evening as the Quadrupler mod has gone missing. In the meantime you can get a copy here (scroll down to the second download). This is also one where I'd like to know where the bad linky itself was found so I can update that post to the corrected one once we get this repaired.

And, I realized we are taking this Gog Sale thread completely off topic. I'm going to split out our posts and tack them onto the Simtropolis 9.0.x - Bugs & Issues Report Thread.

[Tarkus 6,932]

Regarding the NAM upload/update dates, historically, we've always just updated our existing download from whenever, in order to keep the URL constant.  The bigger issue for us has been that whenever we need to make a small tweak on the description, that triggers the "updated" date to change.  The actual upload date for the NAM on the STEX before the two deletions from 2011 probably wouldn't have been listed properly, as the NAM technically wasn't on the STEX until 2009 (it had been in the separate "Modds & Downloads" area, where approved larger files had been hosted), but the release of NAM 1 came on April 24, 2004.

Those two deletions were the result of a perfect storm, coming from the combination of a new reporting system, and newbies making errant reports on tons of popular files.  The STEX mods accidentally purged all of the reported files on multiple occasions, which wiped out the NAM twice, and I suspect this might have been what got the Industry Quadrupler.  The NAM's download count wasn't carried over after the second deletion, but it would be somewhere in the vicinity of 1,000,000 if it had.

-Tarkus