Multiplayer capabilities - Windows Phone 7 Software Development

Hello.
I have a question to developers with practical experience: what is the easiest way to add network multiplayer capabilities to the turn-based, peer to peer game. Of course I'm looking for free or cheap service; or for open source server solution what I can host on my own (paid but basic) Linux/ASP hosting.
P.S. I know how to do it yourself but trying to save my time.

Well, if you want true peer-to-peer, you wouldn't be using any kind of hosting service at all. However, since most mobile operators firewall incoming connections to phones, and since the official APIs are very short on any kind of proper server socket (you can send or receive UDP broadcast, I think?) that would limit you to a mildly crippled WiFi-only network.
Even if you just want to use a central server for matchmaking and scorekeeping and such, you'll run into the same problems as above - you could find people across a larger range than WiFi, but you couldn't actually play with them. If having everybody connected to the same WiFi network is an unacceptable limitation, I'm not sure peer-to-peer is practical.
For something robust enough to handle actual multi-player gaming, I'd suggest going with a "cloud" provider (Azure, AWS, Rackspace, whatever). That doesn't cover the actual software, of course, but hopefully somebody else knows of a good solution there.

GoodDayToDie, as for custom implementation (if I don't find any "ready to go" solution) I thought about very simple ASP .NET service with send and receive connectors (that solution works pretty fast, easy and stable with WP7, already tested) hosted on $10-20 ASP hosting (there are bunch of cheap ASP .NET hosting in the internet). Azure is too expensive and too big for that purpose (although I received some months/may be year for free because of my BizSpark account - if you have your own company and fit the BizSpark requirements, I recommend you to open BizSpark too)
As for "peer-to-peer" - sorry, it was incorrect sentence. I just mean that turn-by-turn game will have only two players per session/game Of course because of IP limitations I should use client-server architecture. But I'm trying to find any existing free/cheap solution (I believe Android and iPhone multiplayer games also needs that kind of service) to save my time for coding/debugging server side.

would this help : http://www.bestwp7games.com/exit-games-interview-helping-devs-build-cross-platform-multiplayer-games.html

Related

SDIO WiFi which support Host AP,Can we build an Access Point

I know this may seem rhetorical, as most people use their PDA as WiFi clients. However, i've noticed a plethora of cheap SDIO WiFi cards, many of them OEM's. In fact, I have an Ambicom branded SD WiFi card which is actually the same OEM card as produced by Spectec in Taiwan. Unfortunately i haven't seen a pocketpc driver by them that supports the softap function. The specs for the cards show that they can do "Host AP Mode", which is what it takes.
What this means, is that with these cards it should be possible to turn the Harrier/(Blueangel with SD Wifi Card) into an actual Access Point.
My knowledge of how the Windows Mobile kernel operates and its packet routing infrastructure is pretty much nil. I have seen that you can add ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) as a catalog option when compiling a rom for Windows CE. An older product called Segue SoftAP by PCTEL actually did something similar while running under Windows XP, and utilized the built in ICS on it. I'm just curious if anyone knows of a way to build a ROM that something like this could be done through. I've never even seen a DHCP server for pocketpc, so there would need to be a few new things written for sure.
I would just like to know if this is absolutely impossible to do because of the operating system, i know that the hardware can do and handle this, easily.
Also, to know if there is an interest in having something like this by the users in the community.
Would be nice with a video capture device - streaming video from the handset directly to connections.
IH.
Actually, personally i was planning on using it with the Sony PSP to have internet access for it...
There would be many benefits to having the device set up as an access point. Almost limitless.
I guess i'll answer my own question. Apparently there is no routing built in to the OS (PocketPC).
However, companies like airscanner have managed to write drivers which interface to NDIS 6.0 for a firewall. Someone writing a packet router would be really cool.

Best Freeware IRC Client for this phone.

Been looking for a decent IRC freeware client for the dash, Any suggestions ?
you can try this one : http://www.pocketpcfreewares.com/en/index.php?soft=129
freeware and work fine
SmartIRC
I use SmartIRC as my IRC client. It's a little goofy, and doesn't have every feature known to man... hell, it doesn't even install, it's just an ARM-compiled EXE that sits in your My Documents. But it gets the job done.
One of the most interesting quirks about the program is that all messages in all IRC channels populate the same window simultaneously, but with little notes next to them that tell you from which channel they were sent. When you change channels, you're just changing which channel your message is being sent to.
If that's working for you, then try a Java client. They're actually not half bad.
There are some other Smartphone-compatible (I don't know whether they're compatible with the Dash though) clients too; for example, wmIRC. I haven't tested the other clients on Smartphones (only PPC's); you may still want to check out my IRC client (and IM)-related articles at, say, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=295227 , making sure you follow the links back to my earlier / other reviews. Some of the (WM5+ only) originally as PPC-only-advertised clients may also be compatible with the Smartphone too.
You didn't get it from me. =D
http://dotsis.com/mobile_phone/showpost.php?p=151431&postcount=23
WMIRC is what I use and it's been nothing but perfect. Highly recommend it. Depending on what IRC network your connecting to it may not work with the tmobile proxy gprs but it will work with wifi. This will be a problem with any irc app btw.
Also does anyone know how to get WMIRC to work with tmobile proxy?
I tried many, wmIRC is the only one I can use without any problem. What I especially like it about: running in the background without hurting battery life; sound notification; multiple language support.

Firewall and virus scan for Windows Mobile?

Is there such a thing? I've never heard it discussed but it would seem to be necessary.
I have a TP2 with WM6.1
Mobile Antivirus
This is info from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/totalaccess/columns/mobile-security.mspx
Windows Mobile antivirus partners
I've summarized those that are most appropriate for individual users or small business, and listed those that deliver enterprise-level solutions. This list is not exhaustive, but represents a sampling of Windows Mobile partners.
*
BullGuard Mobile Antivirus (Pocket PC). From London, England, this young company focuses entirely on protecting home users and small businesses. The software protects against malware sent via your most significant vectors: e-mail, SMS, direct download, Bluetooth or IR—with 24/7 live chat for support included. I give high marks to their very simple set-up, simple interface, and over-the-air updates. You are not overburdened with choices, but you do get to choose whether to quarantine or delete suspicious files.
*
F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus (Pocket PC). F-Secure is a well-known antivirus champion. Their product provides automatic real-time protection and OTA updates. It has an exceptionally clean interface. All files are intercepted and scanned when you access them. When a virus is detected, it is automatically quarantined. The F-Secure Web site is rich with information, including summaries of monthly threats, to make it easy to stay informed.
*
AirScanner Mobile Antivirus (Pocket PC and smartphone). AirScanner is ideal for experts. Besides scan, detect, and quarantine, it has options for "string search" and offers robust log information. The System Information screens give you a snapshot of memory resources, useful for detecting Denial of Service attacks that do not erase data but can bring your system to a halt. The "ActiveGuard" feature, turned on by default, offers real-time scanning and an option to do a double-check via a "slow" file system crawl that checks attached storage cards and files received through e-mail attachments and Web pages.
*
Symantec AntiVirus for Handhelds (Pocket PC). Symantec offers both an annual service edition and a corporate edition so that your software is always up-to-date to detect the latest threats.
*
Trend Micro Mobile Security (smartphone). This integrated antivirus and anti-spam solution is targeted to corporate and mobile cell service providers.
If you've read any of my other columns, you know I feel strongly that technology alone is not sufficient protection; your own best practices are just as important. I urge you to review some of the sidebar links about what you can do to protect your data in transit and data at rest.
At our company, we decided we wanted to be proactive and lock up the barn. Protecting our customers' information and our intellectual property is crucial to our reputation, and to our business. Do we need it now? We hope not. But it’s always best to take action before there’s a problem.
And Kapersky has a version as well
http://download.cnet.com/Kaspersky-...obile-Phone-Edition/3000-2064_4-10640245.html
Thanks for that great info. It looks like the list on Microsoft's site is purely anti-virus. The last link for Kaspersky does have a firewall as well.
I really dread installing security apps because I'm sure it will slow down my TP2 even more. I would be interested to hear if anyone is running any of these and what your experiences are.
Can anyone post me a link to known or suspected WM viruses please ?
Thanks
Don't bother with mobile antiviruses on Windows Mobile. I actually bought a 1 year subscription to Symantec Mobile Antivirus a few years back, and it had a neat feature to view all the viruses in the virus database. All 30 of them... Ignoring all the ones made for Java or Symbian, there were only about 5 viruses for Windows Mobile. And ALL of them required you to go to obviously illegal sites, download them, and install them on your phone. Common sense is the best antivirus for Windows Mobile. Save your money and your TP2's processing power for better things.
thats like sticking that gsm signal improvers
I use the Kaspersky Mobile Security for about 3 years and it's great. It includes Antivirus, Firewall, AntiSpam, AntiTheft and Childern Control. Best 39$ I ever gave...
This ought to speed up the phone
The phone is slow enough as it is and you want to install antivirus and firewall on it?????? Come on man.

Thinking of buying the Desire: VPN question...

Greetings to all,
After three years of faithful service, i feel that my trusty Kaiser is ready to retire. It has served me well and survived a lot (including being dropped in sea water), but it is time to move on. I think i will just keep my Kaiser in the car as a gpsnav until tomtom is released for Android...
Anyway, I am almost set on buying the Desire, but i was wondering if someone could answer the following: I use Bluefire VPN (with group authentication) to access my work email. Is there something that would work equally well on Android?
Thanks for any information you might have.
aalex
The desire has a VPN set up option built in, I don't use it and don't know if it is what you are looking for, but it is worth checking out.
adesonic said:
The desire has a VPN set up option built in, I don't use it and don't know if it is what you are looking for, but it is worth checking out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for responding buddy. I will try and find out more info if i can. Problem is that i cannot test it unless i get another android phone on my hands.
VPN on the desire does what it should. It makes it act as if you were connected to that network. You browse the web through it, you can retrieve exchange mail, etc. I have not yet found a way to access network computers though.
In order to access network computers, you can try Remote RDP from the market. There is a free version "Lite" with which I was not so happy. Since the exchange mail works fine, and since the screen is still too small to really work on the Desire like on a network computer (although it is way bigger than the screen of the Kaiser, I also had one), I decided not to invest into the pay version of Remote RDP and leave it. Actually, I don't miss anything.
Hi there,
does anyone know how to use VPN with a token? Have not found out....and currently I need it but is useless...
Also, can I use this VPN and its settings to get connected to "secret"/hidden network? My company uses a secret net, which the Desire does not find....but was thinkning that if I could set up correctly this net I can login into it (but we use RSA tokens).
Anyone who can help?
thanks

Use ethernet port on Fire TV to bring wireless access to non-wifi device?

I have a 1st generation XBox that only has an Ethernet port. Is there a way to connect it to the Fire TV to get it access to my network through WiFi?
When Ethernet port is plugged in it disables wifi connectivity. after that a bunch more work making wifi the default gateway with routing... if it is possible. . prolly worth your time to just spend the $30 on an adapter for it or install dd-wrt on an old router you have laying around. . I had a similar request where I wanted to know if my firetv can double as a coffee maker but no-one has solved where to put the k-cup.
Its not so much the device in this case that is unfit for the purpose (well - unless it is, as described above.. ) - it is, that the minds that are interested in and forming around solving those problems are working on much better (reputation) and wider known projects - AND the devices they support cost anywhere from 10-30 bucks used already. So dont tell them why you bought a Fire TV instead.
I know that current "technophiles" see the world as app based solutions that will come to them if they ask around often enough - but really, we already are at the minimal knowledge and minimal cost stage - and they are in essence complaining about convenience.
I have a problem - and see the solution in this one ethernet port another device I bought already has. Let the internet work out the rest, I am waiting for my app - its already rooted, how hard could it be.
And thats not how this works.
First of - why should they be working on an app based solution? A functionality layer if you will - if they dont have control over the entire ecosystem and networking, I heard has something to do with security. Sometimes. And with devices that have to work longterm - quite unlike the little plastic box that currently sits under your TV. And that today is rooted but tomorrow might not be - because, well its not yours to decide. Entirely.
dd-wrt and openwrt are what you are looking for - but that was already mentioned by the person posting before me.
I'm just here to explain why the "asking for a service" mindset ultimately breaks, when it comes to open source movements. Especially when your demands get more and more specific. ("I have bought a...")
I can say all this, because I currently use ddwrt to service some of my needs and it works perfectly well, creating all kinds of synergies I actually actively use - many of which actually are real enablers for owners of Android based Kodi boxes.
Well - then again, it might actually work already... (Turn off WLAN in the gui, then enable it via the shell (maybe that way both can be set active at the same time) and start configuring iptables).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=444004
But understand that this would be very much a hack. So usability, interfaces, security concerns are not on the forefront of peoples minds. Also - have fun configuring ports that way (ftp mostly I suppose.. ) - if you dont want everything to be open.
Google and 2 minutes - btw.
When you read through the thread you start to recognize - that what you are actually looking for is implementation and support (Hence dd-wrt or openwrt). Also - it becomes very clear why this probably never will become an app (needs root, needs to install a new library (think of stuff only busybox does as a core function on android - this has to be vetted not to cause unexpected problems), still only circumvents Androids core functions (either ethernet OR wlan), isnt fully featured, and most of all - most technically inclined people who actually need the functionality simply buy into the dd-wrt or openwrt ecosystem and its all there already).
So to break it down to a few sentences - if you get a person willing to establish a very specific function for his/her own purpose against prior design on an open source OS, you are golden. But, you wont get them by randomly asking around for help on an internet forum. And dont expect to get entire featuresets or usability options alongside it. If you want those - and you do - go with the communities that are known for solving those problems and buy into the devices/ecosystems they use. 10-30 USD should be well worth it.
But if you are in a hacking state of mind - go for it and make those devices work like you want them to.

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