Due to continued spamming after I enabled comment moderation, I've installed a plug in to check against a shared database.  We'll see if that cuts it down a bit.

I updated the blog software over the last couple days to the latest version of Blog Engine.  Because I’m still working on the OpenID stuff, it’s using SQL Server for a couple days.  Everyone’s logins should still work.

Because of the number of spam comments, I’ve enabled moderation on comments.

Tentative update to Minimum System Requirements:

Intel ATOM 1.6Ghz or faster.

1GB RAM

Windows XP Home for Ultra Lowcost Computing

 800x600 min resolution (the specific device I am targetting is 1024x600).  16bit or 32bit color.

*** I believe that 1.6ghz is probably a reasonable target clock speed.  If we can run successfully lower than that, that's great, but I think that the target clock should be right around that anyway.  Like I said, I have a specific device in mind.

*** The invite still will be coming soon for the staff player association.  I'm testing things now, and will send it off as soon as I am sure that it is working.  Long term, the Wiki and blogs will have a visible change as well (authentication will be for all of BattleBazaar.net/BattleBazaar.com, and not for individual pages). 

 *** Part of the delay is that I want to make sure the web features as they stand are "working right."

* Launcher requires the "Install Software" permission on Windows.

* Patcher requires no permissions on Windows.

* Content updates do not require patching (at all).

* Launcher requires root to install for all users on Unix-like operating systems.

* Patcher requires a setuid process on Unix-like operating systems.

I've updated the TLS certificates for BattleBazaar.net and BattleBazaar.com.  Sorry for taking so long, but just did the rekey and reinstall.  That means no more nasty warnings when viewing them about them being expired.

I am getting ready to post a beta version of the patcher and some other software.  Among other things, I'm experimenting with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) which is what Sony is using for their voice chat, and what Microsoft uses in Exchange.  That would allow us to have voice chat without being "in the middle."  I'll update on that when I determine if it's something I want to go forward with or not.  SIP is the protocol used by most VOIP phones also, which makes it convenient to route to soft phones for support.  It's also used by most Internet PBX-equivalent phone systems.  It is almost certain that I will go that way in place of the XMPP support I had been working on, just because of the potential to support Voice in this way.

* Be aware: if you're on the development or staff mailing lists, you will be receiving a link soon.  That link will get you set up with the OpenID software on the server.  The invite will be on the TLS (HTTPS) site, and will be to the "GM-Developer" and/or "GM-Staff" player associations.  You should accept those invites, and fill out your profile as needed.  If you're using Yahoo's OpenID provider, they will not provide profile information.  If you are using MyOpenID.com, they'll ask you what fields you want to share and you should mark them.