Editing DevelopmentPlans/2.3

==Overview==
BZFlag 2.3 will be a development version that will be released as 2.4.0.0. This is to get around the problem that [[BZFlag 3.0]] development has stalled and does not look like it will continue. This is a last ditch effort to get development moving again.

==Goal==
The goal is to release a new version of [[Main Page|BZFlag]] that is incompatible with 2.0.x for a good reason, and has at least one new feature that will make many players '''want''' to upgrade.

The hope is that this process will renew developer motivation and attract new developers.

==Schedule==
* Move trunk to a v2_99_branch. '''Complete'''
* Copy v2_0branch to trunk and change protocol number. '''Complete'''
* Change the version docs to make compatibility be the minor version number. '''Complete'''
* Solicit specific change proposals that can be completed within one month.  Each proposal must be sponsored by an individual developer who will lead its implementation. '''Complete'''
* When proposals are in and accepted by consensus, start the 1-month countdown clock.'''Complete'''
* Implement accepted proposals and test.'''In progress'''
* Document server upgrade process for the many server owners. '''In progress''' ''Thumper by 6/20/2011''
* If release is not stable by 6/17/2011 revert changes that made it unstable.
* Public beta on 6/20/2011
* Public RC on 6/27/2011
* Release on 6/30/2011

==Projects==
These are the many ideas, both new and old, for changes to BZFlag.

===Assignments and tracking===
Task tracking is managed via a google spread sheet that can be found here.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0Agca59DESlNKdC1CSUtUMUhiSldrOVVPSHcwQUNzOUE&output=html

Developers with assigned tasks can request edit access to the document on IRC.

===Timeline===
Project must be completed by June 14th 2011 or they will be rolled back and excluded from the release.


===Viable Projects===
The developers believe any (but not all) of the following could be added to 2.3 within the proposed schedule.

====Backports====
These 2.99 features are suitable for porting to 2.3.

* Connection header change (HTTP-style) '''JeffM'''
* New GUI elements '''DTRemenak'''
* Server-side scoring '''DTRemenak'''
* Segmented simulation loop (to prevent wallwalking) '''JeffM'''
* Server-side flag ID and pickup '''Pimpinella'''
* [[2.3_NewShotGraphics|New shot graphics]] (geolaser/geothief) '''JeffM''' '''Discuss on IRC'''
* HUD markers '''JeffM'''
* [[2.3_QualityChanges|Removal of low graphics, promotion of experimental to high]]. '''JeffM'''
* Server list from GSoC '''DTRemenak'''
* BZFS API rework '''JeffM'''
* Remove local authentication (the /identify command) '''JeffM'''
* Windows project cleanup '''JeffM'''
* New make system '''BulletCatcher'''
* New source docs (authors etc...) '''Constitution'''
* Server-side handicap '''Thumper'''
* Guided Missile shot checks
* Stealth fixes for rabbit '''mdskpr'''
* Asynchronous screenshot compression so client won't freeze up during screenshots '''DTRemenak'''
* BZFlag update notification '''DTRemenak'''
* Wings velocity change (additive flap instead of instant upward velocity) '''blast007''' (r14997, r15162, r15832)
* Message protection (ensure network messages are valid) '''A_Meteorite'''
* Add message types so that actions (/me) are properly implemented '''blast007''' (r19833)
* New artwork '''JeffM''' [[2.3_NewEffects|Effects Updates]]
* Server option to disable teamkills '''JeffM'''
* OpenFFA '''JeffM'''
* Download URL change (to force just images.bzflag.org, not any .org or .bz) '''Constitution'''
* Remove option to turn off fog '''JeffM'''
* Require OpenGL 1.2 '''JeffM'''
* Only allow a single end shot credit for holding the shield flag '''Thumper'''
* Only players with POLL permission are eligible to take part in a vote '''Thumper'''
* Add the /serverdebug command '''Thumper'''
* bzfs: Report errors to stderr instead of stdout '''Thumper'''
* bzfs: Add -utc switch to output log messages in UTC instead of localtime '''Thumper'''
* bzfs: Fix timestamp buffer size so -ts micros output fits '''Thumper'''
* Joystick input fixes/enhancements '''DTRemenak'''
* Remove -geometry and make -window take a size '''JeffM'''
* bzfs: Allow -time to have an ending time '''blast007'''

====New Changes====
* Round Robin for services '''JeffM'''
* Fix the protocol bug that version [[BZFlag 2.0.16|2.0.16]] was a band-aid for
* Facilitate moving global services (e.g., my.bzflag.org) to new hardware, if any changes will help '''JeffM''' '''Blast007''' '''JoeVano'''
* Import client customization settings from the 2.0 config.cfg file to the 2.4 version
* Implement new version numbering system into code. (/src/date/buildDate.cxx and DEVINFO at least, there might be more places where it is needed)

===To Evaluate===
These items need further evaluation to see if they can be or should be backported from 2.99. These may exist as code or patches.

====Backports====
* Map changes '''mdskpr'''
* HTTP plugins '''JeffM'''
* New API events '''JeffM'''
* Custom flag system '''DTRemenak'''
* BZFSCron '''Thumper'''
* Server Side Players '''JeffM'''
* Bug fixes not in notes '''Thumper'''
* Hunter as proper team '''mdskpr (grabbed by DTRemenak)'''
* bzfs -publickey '''trepan'''
* push stats as default

====New Changes====
* Countdown/reload timer position fix for when showCoordinates is enabled '''mdskpr'''
* SVN props cleanup '''Bullet Catcher'''
* Display BZBB rank images in game. '''JeffM'''

===Exclusions===
These items should not be done or backported at this time due to stability issues or the large effort required. These are generally the blocking items preventing 3.0's current release.

* New flags
* Network buffering
* Lag compensation (needs a lot more testing)
* Acceleration changes
* Font system (still has some bugs/glitches and possible performance issues)
* New Translations (requires the new font system)
* Map geometry changes (requires flag zap zone support or breaks existing servers)
* Website changes.

==Known Issues==
===Empty Flag Types===
When you start BZFS with +f good{2} the server will generate 8 "empty" flag IDs in addition to all normal good flags (no flag type.)
This can be seen by doing '/flag show'. You can also '/flag give' the empty flag types, although all it seems to do is say "user: grabbed flag " in chat and make the flag pick-up noise - it doesn't actually give you a flag.

[[Category:Versions]]