Multiboxing software

[Midol]

Hey guys,

Right now I am coding a multiboxing program. I am unsure at this stage if I'll ever release it because:
a) It's written in a dead language - VB6.
b) VB6 is slow.

I think the speed of VB6 is fine for this type of work but I might wait till I am profficient at vb.net and port it over to vb.net - Once I'm done and have the bugs ironed out I'll consider releasing it if I am happy with it's performance (and the bug testers are.) I'll also consider releasing source code depending on how embarrassing the code ends up being :P

Anyway, the point of this post is to ask what features do people desire in a multi-boxing program?

I've discovered the PiP system in keyclone program (written by the admin guy on here I think?) and have implemented something similar into mine (screenshots linked to below) but what other functions are sort after but so far have been left out? I can't think of anything major that would be desirable that I haven't included!

www.sibehuskies.com/images/squid/ contains a few screenshots of my system of multiple WoWs on one system. Some are a bit distorted as I am obviously disregarding aspect ratios and I've yet to decide whether I ditch the borders or not.

BTW, can people refrain from telling me I "stole" ideas, as I quite clearly did so there is no need to point it out.

[magwo]

Scary url is scary.

[Midol]

My goal is functional.

Borders make it appear slightly ugly, but it defines the edge of one window which makes it easier for users to click in them (as clicking activates them, or shift clicking doesn't) just for those users who don't like keys.

And yeah, aspect ratios have been ignored. I don't care much for aspect ratios :P

[antishadow]

The URL appears to be safe here.

The speed of VB6 should be perfectly fine. Just make sure that you're not sending keystrokes to a dead window or it could hang the app. Pretty simple stuff though. very nice. Well done :)

[Vyndree]

Moved to software forums. :)

[Ughmahedhurtz]

I wrote a ghetto keyboard broadcasting app in vb6 that I used for about 6 months before I went hardware, so I know it works just fine for this sort of application. The exception might be mouse broadcasting where you really start to notice lag.

[keyclone]

BTW, can people refrain from telling me I "stole" ideas, as I quite clearly did so there is no need to point it out. isn't that just funny...

[Midol]

BTW, can people refrain from telling me I "stole" ideas, as I quite clearly did so there is no need to point it out. isn't that just funny...You should be flattered :D

[Freddie]

Right now I am coding a multiboxing program.
Welcome to the club. :)


I think the speed of VB6 is fine for this type of work...
The time-sensitive parts of the program will probably turn out to be the keyboard hook and socket code, which are pieces of the operating system, so I don't think your choice of language matters very much.


I'll also consider releasing source code depending on how embarrassing the code ends up being :P
I know the feeling all too well. :)


Anyway, the point of this post is to ask what features do people desire in a multi-boxing program?
I think you'll start getting good answers to that question after you begin releasing beta versions and people are using the program. Your users will tell you what they want, and that's how you'll find out which features are most desired. That has been my experience with HotkeyNet. My users have been a never-ending source of excellent ideas.

Therefore, if I can make a suggestion, release a simple but useful version of the program immediately. It can be the maximizer/PIP version you've already written. Start building up a group of users. They will tell you everything you need to know. Then add stuff to the program bit by bit.

[keyclone]

You should be flattered :Disn't that just funny...

[k4rm4]

Im not sure the seriousness of the OP but if hes going thru with it lets make it an open source project??!!

[Freddie]

An open-source boxing program is a great idea. To make that work, I think somebody has to stand up and really take responsibility for the project. And for open source the program should probably be written in a popular up-to-date language like C# for .NET.

[eqjoe]

Hey guys,

Right now I am coding a multiboxing program. I am unsure at this stage if I'll ever release it because:
a) It's written in a dead language - VB6.
b) VB6 is slow.



So go with VB.NET.

[Midol]

Hey guys,

Right now I am coding a multiboxing program. I am unsure at this stage if I'll ever release it because:
a) It's written in a dead language - VB6.
b) VB6 is slow.



So go with VB.NET.

Is it too much to ask for people to read entire posts?

VB.net is a completely different language, a language I am still learning. Once I am proficient, I'll port it over.

Freddie, I am thinking I'll wait till I move it to vb.net before releasing code. I doubt I can be bothered running an open source project so I'll just release code and people can do whatever they want with it. Should be able to move it to .net in a few weeks. If you're wondering why I am wasting my time coding it in vb6 it's because I do security so effectively sit there for 12 hours some days with nothing to do :D

[Tasty]

Hey guys,

Right now I am coding a multiboxing program. I am unsure at this stage if I'll ever release it because:
a) It's written in a dead language - VB6.
b) VB6 is slow.



So go with VB.NET.

Is it too much to ask for people to read entire posts?

VB.net is a completely different language, a language I am still learning. Once I am proficient, I'll port it over.Chillax :)

[Midol]

I'm not angry, but I already said I am moving it to .net soon so the suggestion was kind of useless.

[eqjoe]

I'm not angry, but I already said I am moving it to .net soon so the suggestion was kind of useless.

Sorry if I missed that.

I have written tons of stuff in VB6 and .NET. I didn't think the transition tough at all. Once I got into C#, I never touched VB again. Of course your project is different from anything I have done....

[Tasty]

The suggestion wasn't useless, it was just redundant :)

[Freddie]

Freddie, I am thinking I'll wait till I move it to vb.net before releasing code. ... If you're wondering why I am wasting my time coding it in vb6 it's because I do security so effectively sit there for 12 hours some days with nothing to do :D
I wasn't wondering at all. You're obviously familiar with it and you like it. That's a perfectly good reason to use it.

VB6 is one of the most famous language tools that Microsoft ever published. Thousands and thousands of high-quality commercial apps were written in it. It still works as well as it ever did. If you want to use it, go for it.

By the way, I still often use the C++ compiler from that same edition of Visual Studio, version 6. Even though it's ten years old and no longer supported by Microsoft, it still works fine, even for cranking out Vista applications. So you and I are both living in the year 1998. :)

I think it makes perfect sense to start out in a language that fits you like old shoes. Especially if this is the first time you've written this sort of program. Often when I write a totally new kind of program, I make a sort of rough-draft version, then throw it away and start over, because that's the only way I can design a good architecture for the program. I recommend working that way, and it would fit in with switching over to CLR/.NET a little way down the road.


I doubt I can be bothered running an open source project so I'll just release code and people can do whatever they want with it. Should be able to move it to .net in a few weeks.
That's extremely generous of you. /Salute.

[Midol]

Release 1:
http://www.sibehuskies.com/SQUID.zip

This is unfinished, many bugs, many functions need reworking. I am still browsing the flexgrid to return values (instead of variables).

In short, this code is buggy, unrefined and unfinished. This was Mondays backup, so I've done more since then. Will post again in a week or so.

This is what I expect to add:
-Support for the screen layout form to configure multiple screens.
-Finish the hotkey code (comments indicate what I've yet to do.)
-fix bugs.
-allow users to dock windows of their choice (IE: NOT WOW) in spots where WoW originally goes in the layout screen. I just want this for me so I can dock my girlfriends msn window in that spot.
-Fix layout window to automatically align windows up and allow user to specify a "snap to" value for the grid.
-Fix layout window to warn users when two windows cross over.
-Switch hotkey detection to a subclass - way more effective (It's on a loop now as hotkeys aren't my priority.
-Figure out a way to grab the username and class from the windows (I have nfi how to currently, suggestions?) for smart hotkeys (used to target specific classes, exclude specific classes.)

What should be done by next update:
-All layout design points.
-Hotkeys

This is being written for me, and me only :P

Figured there is no reason not to post code, I don't know any of you so don't really care how much unconstructive criticism I get. BTW, this should silence the critics that I was going to release it ;)

If you use my code in an application of your own then please credit me as Midol from Dath Remar and also include www.sibehuskies.com even if the site links no where :P

ETA: Freddie, this is my first program like this which is partially why it is a bit buggy and rather unrefined, but that's the way I code (I refine and otimise at the end.)

ETA2: I am moving to C# now, and doubt I'll continue to release source due to an agreement.