[Dev Thread] Enhanced Thief Fan Missions Archive (Last update: 2017/12/24)

[EnYB0La]

Enhanced Thief Fan Missions Archive

Last update: http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post2380000

I'd like to open this new thread to present you my incoming project I'm working on right now. It's called ETFMA or Enhanced Thief Fan Missions Archive.

The main idea is to have the most complete, visually minimalist, detailed, simple to use and modern web application dedicated to the Thief Fan Missions; a modular platform that can be accessed from a desktop computer (browser) and a smartphone (responsive design) with the most complete database of the existing Thief Fan Missions. It should includes basic information as name, author, version, release and last update date, and then more detailed ones as the category, related contest, description, youtube walkthroughs, loots list, screenshots, rating, a list of custom resources included, ZIP size, download links, if it's Newdark and what's the min required version... etc.

The other idea is to build a public database in JSON/YAML that can be used by every player/developer if they need to use it in their own application(s)/website(s).

Why?

I know there are websites like Southquarter.com, ThiefMissions.com and DarkFate.org, where we can download Fan Missions and have some details about each of the FMs.

I really like them, but I detected some major problems...

1. Most of them are not well updated or don't have the most complete database and details of each available Fan Mission (screenshots, loot list, YT walkthrough, secret places, NewDark or not?, etc...).
2. We don't really know how many FMs have been published since the public release of the first of them.
3. FM makers cannot submit/update their mission(s) on those platforms, and depend on the website creator to do so.
4. Those websites are not really accessible from smartphones or tablets.

A month ago, I asked Where can we find the latest and most updated published FMs list? and as a conclusion, we have to combine the information from each of the quoted websites to answer this question... What a mess today!

So, as a profesional Web UI developer and a Thief fan, I decided to create a new platform to fix those main issues and add new modern features.

How?

This platform is build over two main web technologies: Hugo and GitHub Pages.
This is an open source project, published on GitHub, under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.

When?

2017: Create a modern and responsive website which includes the most updated/detailled database of the published/existing Thief Fan Missions (TDP, TG, TMA). The database can be updated with Git.

2018-2019 (?): Create a desktop app as the NewDarkLoader (or maybe work with the creator) based on this project which can retrieve an updated list of available Fan Missions from the same ETFMA database and then offer to the app user to automatically download and install the FMs in his computer (something as the TDM interface and features).

--

[Development thread]
Please, use this thread to comment, suggest and, if you want, participate to this project.

[EnYB0La]

2017/05/19

Changelog

1. The items are ordered by First release date, DESC when is first loaded.
2. Live Search module is working well. You can search by FM name, author, related game, newdark version, first release and last update dates:
- User types something and the table is automatically updated.
3. You can sort the items too by FM name, author, related game, newdark version, first release and last update dates, ASC and DESC:
- Just click the desired option and the results are ordered automatically.

Technology

Angular 4.1.3 and Bootstrap 4.0.0-alpha6

Preview
(Linked animated GIF, 4MB)

[Brethren]

The first thing that came to mind is: pick an original name.

You don't want to create confusion when there is already a "Cheap Thief Missions" site. Somewhat reminiscent of when the "New Thief Enhancement Pack" was released, people will wonder if it is directly associated with the prior project.

Other than that, this sounds great. Good luck with the project.

[fxdwg]

I applaud your enthusiasm, look forward to your offering, and wish you luck as well.
Keep it real, keep it simple.

[TannisRoot]

I would personally love a Thief fan mission site that worked like the Tomb Raider fan mission site. It's strength is community integration. It would be so awesome for users to be able to submit reviews, loot lists, and hint guides, etc. It would also be nice to be able tag missions for search clouds.

We constantly see new threads on TTLG from new players asking what the must play fan missions are. On TRLE this isn't a problem as they have a top missions list and a hall of fame that's sorted by year. Sure you can find all you need here with a little determination, but with (1000?) fan missions, it's very daunting for new players to get started.

[EnYB0La]

2017/05/22

Changelog

1. As Brethren suggested me, I changed the name of my project.

[EnYB0La]

I applaud your enthusiasm, look forward to your offering, and wish you luck as well.
Keep it real, keep it simple.

Thanks buddy

I would personally love a Thief fan mission site that worked like the Tomb Raider fan mission site. It's strength is community integration. It would be so awesome for users to be able to submit reviews, loot lists, and hint guides, etc. It would also be nice to be able tag missions for search clouds.

I visited your website and yes, this is basically something like that I'm trying to create. Thanks for the suggestion.

[fortuni]

Why call it The Former Keepers house?
Do you need to include the word Former, just calling The Keepers house would work fine.

From my experience of maintaining the Mission by Type thread I can confirm it's a HUGE task for any one person to keep an eye open and repair a site with as many links that you are proposing, so am open source site where many people can get access and upload / link / replace etc gets my vote.

@ tannisroot
I'm working on a propect atm that should address some of the issues regarding finding missions to play, hopefully it will be finished in 2-3 months.....if you can wait that long.

[Unna Oertdottir]

There's already a Japanese Thief site called Keepers House

http://www.keepers-house.net/

[EnYB0La]

Why call it The Former Keepers house? Do you need to include the word Former, just calling The Keepers house would work fine.

It's not really I need to include it, but well I think it is a good adjective to describe Thief and his universe.

There's already a Japanese Thief site called Keepers House http://www.keepers-house.net/

Do you have an other suggestion? http://www.theformerkeepershouse.com/ didn't exist before I bought it recently. And, do Japaneses really represent our Thief community..?

[TannisRoot]

@ tannisroot
I'm working on a propect atm that should address some of the issues regarding finding missions to play, hopefully it will be finished in 2-3 months.....if you can wait that long.

I'll be around

[Gloria Creep]

that sounds great EnYBOla

[goldwell]

That Japense Thief site looks incredibly basic and hasn't been updated in 8 years. In fact I doubt if you ever mentioned anyone would know.

I think the name is great as it is now, also good luck with your project!

[Dominus]

Yes! That's a really awesome idea, I was just looking for a website like this!
The way I see it maybe a bit more visually friendly as well, like having specific icons instead of text for Thief game categories, adding screenshots for every mission, etc
It would be nice for each mission to have page similar to this one but a lot more cleaner: http://www.moddb.com/mods/thief-2-hd-texture-mod
You probably know about this list here: http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144797 - I like how it is cataloged in sections, maybe we can add #hashtags for the future website
It would also be nice to have a page on the website where all the Mods, patches, fixes, updates are listed and maybe a small how to install guide for each game.
Not good with coding but if you need any graphics I'll be happy to help!

[Unna Oertdottir]

There's a Wiki site for FMs, but it's not up to date
http://thief.wikia.com/wiki/FM:T2_List

[gamophyte]

There's a Wiki site for FMs, but it's not up to date
http://thief.wikia.com/wiki/FM:T2_List

Nice, the two places I go for a good list that often doesn't miss anything is http://www.darkfate.org/view/details...ssions/thief2/, contests are missin a lot though, so maybe http://www.ttlg.de/de/download/navig...astupdate_desc as a backup.

[fortuni]

http://www.darkfate.org/view/details...ssions/thief2/, contests are missin a lot though

All the contest mission are found in the top link on the OP of T2 mission section

[gamophyte]

Ah I never picked that up as some do actually appear under thief2, I just thought they were missing if not, thanks!

[EnYB0La]

2017/07/29

Well guys, my project isn't dead! I've been mainly working on refactoring the design. I'd like to create a one-page application. When an item in the main lsit is clicked, a new panel is opened below it with the details of the fan mission selected. It could be a great idea in the future to implement a QR code feature in order to redirect and share a mission from a phone application (2018?). I'd like also to implement an efficient search engine using keywords in order to find a specific Fan Mission.

I'm right now focusing my attention on the responsive design (design adapted to smartphones and tablets) and the detailled panel described previously.

Changelog

1. Mainly reworked the design adding colors, using less text and implementing minimalist features.

Technology

Angular 4.3.1 and Bootstrap 4.0.0-alpha6

Preview

[downwinder]

i hate the name of it "the former keeper house" please come up with something better

like "dewdrop inn"

[goldwell]

i hate the name of it "the former keeper house" please come up with something better

like "dewdrop inn"

I think "Dewdrop Bordello" works even better.

[Squadarofl]

i hate the name of it "the former keeper house" please come up with something better

like "dewdrop inn"

I don't think anyone here care about you and your opinions to be honest !

[icy7rider7]

I don't think anyone here care about you and your opinions to be honest !

DewDrop Inn ... i loved that why not? sounds way better than Former keeper house ... unless you're doing Horror Haunting part ... that would be different if not ... DewDrop Inn sounds awesome!

[marbleman]

Yet another thread derailed into discussing dewdrops...

[Squadarofl]

DewDrop Inn ... i loved that why not? sounds way better than Former keeper house ... unless you're doing Horror Haunting part ... that would be different if not ... DewDrop Inn sounds awesome!

Please don't encourage him to shitpost more .
Lot's of guys here are kinda sick of seeing the eternal "please ,add dEWDoRP.. .!!..' in almost every god damn thread.