:max: Following up on a line of thinking in another thread (leeching from AB) I spent some time creating some example programs that could be included in each download to identify the provider (Abandonia), drive more traffic to the site and partially address leeching issues.

http://www.jesustaxi.com/mikel/ab_thumb.jpg

The "fancy" option, shown above (at a reduced size) is, of course, a larger foot print, weighing in a 620KB uncompressed and 233KB compressed. This might be acceptable when included in a larger download, such as MDK, which is already 80MB.

This is a Windows application with the text (what ever is decided) scrolling into the distance ala Star Wars. It looks pretty nice if I do say so myself.

http://www.jesustaxi.com/mikel/ab2_thumb.gif

The next option is still fairly nice, but not as graphics heavy, and thus requires a smaller foot print. Only 180KB uncompressed and 78KB compressed. Not a bad size considering that it is a Windows program. Clicking on the logo will launch the internet browser directly to Abandonia. Again the text shown is just my initial attempt at what could be displayed.

:sos:

Another option, which is primitive, but still effective, would be a small batch file (1 or 2 KB) that simply uses "echo" to display some text. I do not know enough about Windows XP's DOS emulation to say if it has ANSI support built in or not. This means the text may be black and white - plain Jane. It could still be an option to get the mesage out and redirect folks who may be paying for a free download.


Feel free to toss out other options. These were the ones I thought of and could program on my own.

Is this something that would be of interest and worth pursuing further (i.e. some approved text), or not really of interest to folks (and Kosta)?

:titan:

Nice ideas. I think the middle option is best as it is reasonably small and gets the message a croos nicley. You also may be able to include a .bat saying run first for people who put the game straight onto an old machine that the play on.

I'm all for tagging the archives in some manner. Though personally I think we could stay with a simple textfile...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(the_fifth_horseman @ Mar 9 2007, 02:31 PM) [snapback]282589[/snapback]</div>No it's gotta be BOOM BANG POW SPLASH and colorful and noisy... LOL ;)
I didn't quite understand the idea in the beginning. Now that my cogwheels get running I think it's a good thing! :ok:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(the_fifth_horseman @ Mar 9 2007, 01:31 PM) [snapback]282589[/snapback]</div>
:huh: Uh, well uh... sure that might work, but uh... were is the fun in that!? :bleh:

Of course, logically you are correct. A text file is small, convenient and efficient. just not much "wow" factor to it. Some times a little "wow" will be the turning point in getting someone to stop in. Some times not.

It would be nice if there were some actual metrics available, such as how many folks are using Win 95 or less (including a DOS machine) vs. how many folks are using Win 98 or better. How many folks are broadband vs. dialup. Using the "80-20 rule" you could then determine if the demographics supported a small, medium or large approach to this.

and i think it d add to "fame" of abandonia

I'm nor entirley sure but don't the admins have a way of seeing what operating system was running when a comp-uter downloaded a file off the site. Since I know they can track ip addresses. So maybe they can use that to do it.

I vote tagging, either text or *boom bwaf splash* as icewolf stated so very delicate.

Certainly a must-have if you take a look at *eerie sound* the competition (!)

(not sure if anyone can compete with Abandonia ® :ok:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Taskmaster @ Mar 9 2007, 03:11 PM) [snapback]282601[/snapback]</div>http://www.abandonia.com/updates/Gam...s/System_1.jpg


http://www.abandonia.com/updates/Gam...s/System_2.jpg


http://www.abandonia.com/updates/GameArchives/Speed.jpg

Data from last week.

:ok:

:kosta: Very nice! So basically a Windows app covers 96% of the folks, with ability to run it (Win 95 and up) at 97% and size of program for download speed consideration not really a major factor for 74% (or more) other than server space on Abandonia's part.

Again, just something to thing about when deciding what to do, if anything.

:titan: