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Fleet Tool

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Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.01.25 22:19:00 - [1] Well, I have been waiting to write this post for quite some time now. Being in Eve Online for a little over a year now, I have had the pleasure of being in a few fleet engagements. I have had the most fun, being part of fleets that are run well, by successful Fleet Commanders (FCs). These particular FCs had the benefit of a very useful tool. It was simply called the Fleet Tool. It was written in PHP and had the ability to be accessed by both the FC and all pilots to be in the fleet. Now I never had the opportunity to see the code for it, but since I am a programmer I decided to get started on it. I don't know whether or not it makes use of flat files or a database, but I chose to make use of MySQL for obvious reasons to be explained in the next few paragraphs. The fleet tool is web-based and accessible via the In-Game Browser (IGB) and is in the middle stages of coding. Testing is being performed during the entire process and so far there are three stable pages, the login for FCs, the pilot form for inputting your pilot's name, ship and important modules (i.e. EWAR and remote repping) and the third page is the fleet tool's overview. The overview screen will give quick access to all in the fleet, with totals for ships and their loadouts. Login Image - http://www.eds-online.net/images/login.jpg The next stage is for me to develop the reports screens that will be accessible only to users that have been given the security rights (i.e. corp administrators and select FCs). The reports pages will provide easy to view matrices of data into usable information. The reports will incorporate fleet tool data as well as simple killmail data. This will give the benefit of knowing an FC's effectiveness as a commander, as well as knowing a given pilot's kill ratio and the percentages of damage to enemy factions and/or corporations. Pilot Info Image - http://www.eds-online.net/images/pilot_info.jpg The last step will be for me to decide how to retain my control over the source code (a little interesting considering it is all open-source) and how to make a little profit on the side. Now I have given thought to those successful corps and players and will definitely offer payment options in ISK. Real life money will also be accepted via PayPal. The application and database will be hosted by a reliable third-party vendor and access will be given to paid subscribers for an annual fee, paid in one lump sum. No it's NOT going to cost some outrageous amount of money, but realize that the ISK amount will be higher than RL cash. The subscription fees will primarily go to paying for the hosting of the servers and to further the research involved in creating upgrades to the existing tool. Fleet Overview Image - http://www.eds-online.net/images/overview.jpg Beta testing of the current fleet tool (version 0.1) will be available shortly. Please contact me via eve-mail, so I can give you the login page link. You will then be given other instructions on how to make use of the fleet tool for you and your pilots. Thanks for reading and safe pew-pew. More information will be added, updated and available at http://www.eds-online.net/video_games/eveonline-fleet-tool/
Schalac Caldari Apocalypse Reign	Posted - 2009.01.26 04:21:00 - [2] I guess shield tankers don't get to spider tank. You should add that because I think more people are going to be using remote shield reps before they build a gang to remote hull rep.
Mitch Taylor Dark-Rising IT Alliance	Posted - 2009.01.26 05:29:00 - [3] Thats a nice thing mate, welldone. Mitch
Primnproper	Posted - 2009.01.26 16:54:00 - [4] Looks ace, one suggestion though, you can get character name + location through the igb, so you should be able to make it so that you don't need to log in, maybe just need a password or something...
Meridius Dex Amarr Gunship Diplomacy	Posted - 2009.01.26 23:10:00 - [5] Originally by: Schalac I guess shield tankers don't get to spider tank. You should add that because I think more people are going to be using remote shield reps before they build a gang to remote hull rep. I emailed him last night about that and he said he'd already fixed that and shield transfers have been added to the list of gang support items. Looks good. I don't know how many people are familiar with Agony Unleashed and their fleet tool, (upon which this is based), though. So you may want to explain that this software allows an FC to organize at a glance all the participants in his gang. Each participant enters his shiptype and what kind of ewar and gang assist modules they may have fitted. As the FC refreshes his ingame browser screen, he can visually see his entire gang and what each member has fitted. He will have a total count of how many of each ewar/logistics module type he has in gang and instruct individual members to make any changes as needed.
Waukesha Amarr Invictus Australis BricK sQuAD.	Posted - 2009.01.26 23:17:00 - [6] nice
Waukesha Amarr Invictus Australis BricK sQuAD.	Posted - 2009.01.26 23:18:00 - [7] nice!
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.01.27 00:24:00 - [8] Originally by: Primnproper Looks ace, one suggestion though, you can get character name + location through the igb, so you should be able to make it so that you don't need to log in, maybe just need a password or something... You are absolutely right! The Login page is for FCs. As long as a pilot has been authorized to create an FC account, he/she needs to create one on the Register page. The Username field of the login page will auto-fill because a pilot MUST accept the Fleet Tool as a trusted site. Then just the password created on the Register page will need to be entered. If an FC forgets his/her password, there is a link (from the Login page)to show the password. This also makes use of the trusted site code to retrieve the database info. The Pilot Info page's Pilot Name field is also auto-filled when the site has been trusted. I have not bothered to incorporate the Pilot's location, as that seems unnecessary to me at this point.
Altered Ego Deep Core Mining Inc.	Posted - 2009.01.27 07:39:00 - [9] Originally by: Dirk Garret I have not bothered to incorporate the Pilot's location, as that seems unnecessary to me at this point. These things are the most important things to incorporate! It may not seem so important when you are in a large fleet moving from point a to b to take down a pos but would be in valuable for a roaming and defensive gang or gangs distributed over more than one system. At a glance the FC will know how his assets are distributed and so have a better idea of what he needs to do to consolidate his forces. You should also build a status and intel features so that the FC can know what everyone is up to (camping gate/station, enroute to rally point, engaging the enemy) and scouts can update intel (how many ships/types, enemy status, in visual contact) with out having to tie up coms for updates. Another thing to add to the wish list would be to have this info updated automatically and have it all displayed in a 2d map of the universe.
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.01.27 18:20:00 - [10] Originally by: Altered Ego Originally by: Dirk Garret I have not bothered to incorporate the Pilot's location, as that seems unnecessary to me at this point. These things are the most important things to incorporate! It may not seem so important when you are in a large fleet moving from point a to b to take down a pos but would be in valuable for a roaming and defensive gang or gangs distributed over more than one system. At a glance the FC will know how his assets are distributed and so have a better idea of what he needs to do to consolidate his forces. You should also build a status and intel features so that the FC can know what everyone is up to (camping gate/station, enroute to rally point, engaging the enemy) and scouts can update intel (how many ships/types, enemy status, in visual contact) with out having to tie up coms for updates. Another thing to add to the wish list would be to have this info updated automatically and have it all displayed in a 2d map of the universe. You have many good ideas. Good ideas are were great things come from. I would love for this tool to become something indispensable for fleet operations. I see your point in wanting to know where a pilot's present location is, so I am looking into adding a sub-field to a pilot's name in the data row. This sub-field will show the present system a pilot is in. I have also given thought to having the overview page auto-refresh every 5 minutes, to update locations and other such future items. If an FC wants it to refresh sooner, they could easily reload the page themselves. The only downer to the refresh, for immediate info, is that the IGB seems to take a very long time to do page loads. The screens are table-based (and I know about the warnings of table-based pages) but I even tried them in a div-based layout and there was no noticeable change in load times. Plus, the screens really didn't look as nice to me. I would love them to be even nicer in the eye-candy department, but the tool needs to load as fast as possible. The thought of adding more items to the page (your status/intel suggestion) makes me think of making the page layout in a HUD-style format. I will test the ability of the IGB to using a frameset, or even AJAX. These ideas may go nowhere, but they may make things more compact and have faster refreshes. It may end up that the status/intel idea should be escalated to CCP for a future integration to the fleet windows in some fashion?
Hatsumi Kobayashi D00M. Northern Coalition.	Posted - 2009.01.28 04:43:00 - [11] Armageddon with ECM ITT! On a more serious note, I love this idea. Anything that can alleviate cluttered fleet chat and voice comms when requesting information is a welcome addition. The only thing that would worry me is the IGB's sometimes awfully low loading times. Modules that you might have forgotten: energy transfers, cap boosters (maybe?), warp disruption field generators, ECCM (maybe?), remote sensor boosters, salvagers (lol), mining lasers, ganglinks. Would it be possible to add special information for, say, faction warp jammers or webs with longer range and size of remote assistance modules? If pilots are carrying logistics drones? Also, to reduce the number of icons (there is a crapload of stuff after all), if the FC could pick what information he wants to be shown, that would be cool. For example, if some pilots in the fleet have some tracking disruptors equipped or no one has ECM fitted (lolghostfalconwhine), the FC might not care about those icons being on the page. Or, even further on that idea, there could be an option to filter for only some modules. For example, the FC needs to know who has neuts, he clicks on some button, and then the page shows only the names of Bob in a curse, Jane in a drake, John in a typhoon and Dirk in an armageddon. Bit too much?
Misina Arlath Amarr	Posted - 2009.01.28 12:32:00 - [12] It's all a conspiracy! You log in, see the layout of your entire fleet... .. but so does he, and he'll sell your fleets layout to the enemy for billions of isk, then laugh as you get blown to stardust. Conspiracy I tell you!
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.01.28 13:24:00 - [13] Originally by: Hatsumi Kobayashi Armageddon with ECM ITT! On a more serious note, I love this idea. Anything that can alleviate cluttered fleet chat and voice comms when requesting information is a welcome addition. The only thing that would worry me is the IGB's sometimes awfully low loading times. Modules that you might have forgotten: energy transfers, cap boosters (maybe?), warp disruption field generators, ECCM (maybe?), remote sensor boosters, salvagers (lol), mining lasers, ganglinks. Would it be possible to add special information for, say, faction warp jammers or webs with longer range and size of remote assistance modules? If pilots are carrying logistics drones? Also, to reduce the number of icons (there is a crapload of stuff after all), if the FC could pick what information he wants to be shown, that would be cool. For example, if some pilots in the fleet have some tracking disruptors equipped or no one has ECM fitted (lolghostfalconwhine), the FC might not care about those icons being on the page. Or, even further on that idea, there could be an option to filter for only some modules. For example, the FC needs to know who has neuts, he clicks on some button, and then the page shows only the names of Bob in a curse, Jane in a drake, John in a typhoon and Dirk in an armageddon. Bit too much? I have already taken into consideration an earlier post and added pilots' current locations. I was already thinking about dropping the clutter and load times of the icons. Since the FC is really the person that needs this tool in the first place, the FC's version of the overview screen will allow the option of turning off the icons. I also want to clarify something that Meridius Dex mentioned in an in-game chat, this Fleet Tool was originally intended as a pre-launch fleet assessment tool. It offers an FC a way to verify that his/her bases are covered for what that FC has determined to have as resources for the current fleet-op. It makes it easier, at-a-glance, how to divide pilots into more effective Wings. I understand the importance of pilot location for scouts (why it's been added), as this seems to tie up comms (at times) just trying to determine that info. I have decided to add the scout option to the Pilot Info page, that can be set by the pilot at the FC's discretion, to differentiate scouts from other pilots in the overview. Other filter options may be incorporated, but I have to decide how much can be considered functional additions. The IGB is unfortunately limited in that JavaScript (which kills the AJAX idea) would make the tool VERY sweet. I may have to just offer the IGB version of the overview page as very basic and then have a more intuitive version that is OOG friendly!
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.02.01 12:43:00 - [14] Edited by: Dirk Garret on 01/02/2009 13:20:29 I have added corporation branding to the tool, as well as the Scout and 2nd FC options to the pilot info page. The overview now has "No Icons" and "Status Only" options, to trim down the page load times while the IGB is minimized. Preliminary work has already begun for OOG browser design. AJAX is being used to speed up the tool's functions and this version of the tool will have an expanded feature base. AJAX will keep page loads and reloads to a minimum. Plans are already underway for killboard info integration. A new web page, besides this thread, has been created to allow you to visit and read more about planned features and the status on current work. The page is here: http://www.eds-online.net/eve-fleet-tool
Meridius Dex Amarr Gunship Diplomacy	Posted - 2009.02.01 14:34:00 - [15] Originally by: Dirk Garret Edited by: Dirk Garret on 01/02/2009 13:20:29 I have added corporation branding to the tool, as well as the Scout and 2nd FC options to the pilot info page. The overview now has "No Icons" and "Status Only" options, to trim down the page load times while the IGB is minimized. Preliminary work has already begun for OOG browser design. AJAX is being used to speed up the tool's functions and this version of the tool will have an expanded feature base. AJAX will keep page loads and reloads to a minimum. Plans are already underway for killboard info integration. A new web page, besides this thread, has been created to allow you to visit and read more about planned features and the status on current work. The page is here: http://www.eds-online.net/eve-fleet-tool This is looking very kickass and is coming along nicely. My corp has already expressed an interest and we hope to be involved in beta testing. This EVE Fleet ~~Tool~~ Manager (EFM? EFT is already taken ) has a good deal more features than the AU version and I think it could really catch on.
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.02.03 14:24:00 - [16] Edited by: Dirk Garret on 03/02/2009 14:25:50 Edited by: Dirk Garret on 03/02/2009 14:25:26 The FC Login page and FC Registration page are now both accessible OOG, so FCs can get the preliminaries out of the way more quickly. New screen shots are available, at http://www.eds-online.net/eve-fleet-tool, to view corp branding and the new color scheme. The choice of color schemes will be added to the tool's Admin area, to personalize the overall look to coincide with Corp/Alliance/Faction colors. Documentation is slow in coming but will be available shortly. The IGB tool is stable and ready for testing. Gunship Diplomacy has already requested and has been given a testing account. Please eve-mail me, Dirk Garret, to request your test account today!
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.02.24 01:02:00 - [17] A new web home for the tool is now taking shape. The URL is http://www.eve-fleet-tool.com and has update info. A link is soon to be added for a PDF of the current documentation. ENHANCEMENT UPDATE - New features have been added to the tool. 02/20/09 - Multiple fleet capability has been integrated. * Login page now has fleet status for multiple fleet clients. * In-space notification of pilot status now uses nearest location info. * Pilot-info page now has form info retention for easy module updates. * Remember - evemail me for a link to the test tool (ver 0.6) if you want to be involved with the beta testing and enhancement suggestion pool.
Baka Lakadaka Gallente Agony Unleashed Agony Empire	Posted - 2009.02.24 01:19:00 - [18] Looks kinda familiar <- checks the graduates list
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.02.26 14:34:00 - [19] Originally by: Baka Lakadaka Looks kinda familiar <- checks the graduates list It should look familiar! I have graduated from AU classes Basics and Wolfpacks. I loved the tool so much, I even offered to help AU with enhancements. But to no avail. I have since created a version and am testing it now. I have procured server services to handle the workload as well.
Sperrzone Stardust Heavy Industries Majesta Empire	Posted - 2009.02.28 13:32:00 - [20] Originally by: Misina Arlath It's all a conspiracy! You log in, see the layout of your entire fleet... .. but so does he, and he'll sell your fleets layout to the enemy for billions of isk, then laugh as you get blown to stardust. Conspiracy I tell you! Stardust ?! but all in all i like the idea
Grymn Loche Caldari Caldari Provisions	Posted - 2009.03.08 21:26:00 - [21] Excellnt, I have seen the AU tool in use but getting it was impossiable. I was hoping someone would take this project on and develope a new one. Where do I sign up to assist or purchase?
Maxivo Actus Reus.	Posted - 2009.03.11 23:54:00 - [22] A problem some fleets have is getting wing commanders with the rite leadership skills at short notice. Spending time waiting for replys and people checking there skills (if they dont already know them) is so time consuming. I think I may have read somewhere you can now move yourself in fleet?? But even so if its possible to make yourself wing commander someone else may have higher/better skills for the situation and the FC can point this out. Just thot id give an idea .
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.03.12 22:28:00 - [23] Originally by: Grymn Loche Excellnt, I have seen the AU tool in use but getting it was impossiable. I was hoping someone would take this project on and develope a new one. Where do I sign up to assist or purchase? Simply eve-mail me in game and I will create a test account for you as well as give you a link to the test tool. Then, just provide some feedback. NOTE: A ballpark price is being negotiated with current testers at this time. The talks are presently for ISK, to purchase annual access to a dedicated and branded tool (per corp or alliance). The pricing will reflect the number of available fleets per account, based on the requirements or size of the entity making the purchase. RL currency may also be an option in the future (via PayPal).
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.03.12 22:58:00 - [24] Originally by: Maxivo A problem some fleets have is getting wing commanders with the rite leadership skills at short notice. Spending time waiting for replys and people checking there skills (if they dont already know them) is so time consuming. I think I may have read somewhere you can now move yourself in fleet?? But even so if its possible to make yourself wing commander someone else may have higher/better skills for the situation and the FC can point this out. Just thot id give an idea . That is a very interesting thought. It may be reasonable to offer an expanded overview, with pilots' Leadership skills shown, for the FC's benefit. Unfortunately, this would require having the entire fleet's API information too (if it is to be automated). Not too helpful for on-the-fly fleet engagements. It may be offered as a later enhancement, if enough users feel it is necessary. Of course, an FC can always just trust a pilot to tell the truth about their leadership skills before making assignments. Fields could also be added to the pilot info form, to allow leadership skills to be entered. But where does the line get drawn on where the fleet can't wait for the IGB to load all the required info or how large does the overview screen get? It is possible to have too much info.
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.03.29 02:54:00 - [25] UPDATE The tool is progressing, but in different ways that can't be seen in-game. Code enhancements are making the entire environment more stable. The admin area has undergone early testing and the results are positive. Be aware, that the admin area is designed to be OOG accessible ONLY. AJAX powers the entire area, to make the experience quick and lightweight. The Admin area for EFMT gives the designated tool administrator(s) the ability to add FCs, delete FCs, update FC passwords, review previous fleets (filtered by FC, date and session) and change Corporation info for tool branding. The documentation will be updated to incorporate information for using the administration piece of the tool.
Grymn Loche Caldari Caldari Provisions	Posted - 2009.03.29 21:05:00 - [26] Originally by: Dirk Garret Originally by: Grymn Loche Excellnt, I have seen the AU tool in use but getting it was impossiable. I was hoping someone would take this project on and develope a new one. Where do I sign up to assist or purchase? Simply eve-mail me in game and I will create a test account for you as well as give you a link to the test tool. Then, just provide some feedback. NOTE: A ballpark price is being negotiated with current testers at this time. The talks are presently for ISK, to purchase annual access to a dedicated and branded tool (per corp or alliance). The pricing will reflect the number of available fleets per account, based on the requirements or size of the entity making the purchase. RL currency may also be an option in the future (via PayPal). Can you send this to Audi Amarr plz in-game mail sent, I can start the eval and feedback asap. Thanks in advance
Elgalis	Posted - 2009.03.30 13:33:00 - [27] I'm definitely liking this... Cheers m8.
Dirk Garret Caldari State Protectorate	Posted - 2009.03.30 20:04:00 - [28] Originally by: Grymn Loche Can you send this to Audi Amarr plz in-game mail sent, I can start the eval and feedback asap. Thanks in advance Grymn Loche, I have replied to your Eve-mail. Updated documentation (including the Admin area to date) can be found here: http://www.eve-fleet-tool.com/EFMT_Help_File_v3.pdf Viewing the test environment's Admin area, which will include the fleet(s) from your testing, can be accessed here: http://www.eve-fleet-tool.com/test/admin This testing Admin area is read-only, so no editing can be made. An active account's admin area will require logging in.
Seamus OReilly	Posted - 2009.03.30 20:20:00 - [29] The Singularity is near! Would it be possible/helpful to add some fleet stats, like dps at different ranges? I guess then the pilots would have to enter weapons, ammo, and skills, which might be going a bridge too far.
DolAmroth Gallente The Scope	Posted - 2009.04.23 23:46:00 - [30] So far this tool has been great. I was happy to accidentally submit my first fault report by asking where the OOG browser link was. I plan to use the tool for the first time in a decent fleet tonight. Many thanks to Dirk for a great little tool.

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