Just because the developer isn't working on the software anymore that doesn't mean that the program can't be used anymore. There is a perfectly good server running on woogerworks.com that's been up and running for a while now. And if that goes down, anyone else can run the server software on their own server with ease.
This is why I'm glad Cockatrice wasn't developed as a web-based app as it would've likely lost all functionality after receiving a C&D. Although I wonder if new development might feel pressure to be more web-friendly due to growing adoption of smart phones and mobile internet.
It will be interesting to see if other Hasbro entities outside Germany get involved, as Cockatrice (or its successor) move to other countries. Despite some pretty clear legal strategies available under, for example, U.S. IP law, it'd be interesting to see how a legal challenge would play out. It's too bad these cases tend to be decided on access to financial resources, rather than the legal merits of the case.
Most IP law in first world countries is all the same, do to trade agreements and organizations.
Also, 3kronor is so transparently on Wizards payroll (or payroll of marketing/public perception firm hired by Wizards) that's it just hilarious. Kudos to brianpk80 for pointing that out. In the future, guys, might want to make it a little less obvious - find an old account from years ago that someone is willing to give up, maybe? Argue less like a lawyer and more like a real forum poster? I mean, geez - at least take the time to put up some generic avatar to make it look less like you registered the account a day ago.
Being dismissive is a poor argument to make, and just engenders hurt feelings and animosity. If the best argument you have is to attack the poster and not the statement, might I suggest not posting at all.
Most IP law in first world countries is all the same, do to trade agreements and organizations.
Similar, yes, but there are substantial differences between IP law in the member nations of the EU and in the U.S. In particular, Germany does not have a general Fair Use provision.
Source: I am an undercover lawyer paid by Wizards of the Coast (but, shhh, don't tell anyone).
This is why I'm glad Cockatrice wasn't developed as a web-based app as it would've likely lost all functionality after receiving a C&D. Although I wonder if new development might feel pressure to be more web-friendly due to growing adoption of smart phones and mobile internet.
Because it's written entirely with the QT API, it could be recompiled pretty easily on any mobile platform that supports that library. I know Nokia is heavily invested in QT, but I'm not sure about the iOS platform or Android, but I'd be shocked if at least one of them doesn't have a native QT implementation.
I don't really think that the Cockatrice project needs to cast a wide net for new users. That's not what they're aiming to do. It's a non-profit service to the community that wishes to test decklists without paying tons of money for new decks that may or may not work in the long run.
I don't think that being PC/Mac-specific and non-mobile / non-web-based is an issue unless Cockatrice was a startup actually seeking to generate as much revenue from new users as possible.
And it's pretty telling that Wizards of the Coast themselves made efforts in the past to bring MTGO to a web-based platform but scrapped all of those efforts up to this point.
Is there any news on this front? Can we use the program like before? Are there any differences in the functionality? Are servers available? Can we get the new sets?
Is there any news on this front? Can we use the program like before? Are there any differences in the functionality? Are servers available? Can we get the new sets?
You can still use the software, but you have to connect to a new server. And you have to manually download the cards.xml file.
The new server is play.woogerworks.com. Just put it in the text box where it currently says "play.cockatrice.de".
Seems quite simple to edit the actual cards.XML file. But for that, you need Word Pad, an internet connection and Gatherer. I'm putting it into spoilers to reduce post length. For those uninterested, just skip my post and keep reading or writing. This is a partial description on how to actually make the card.XML file and written for manual update of the said file.
First of all, the set name, here's an example of a set name structure:
It goes under the sets bracket. No need to place it in alphabetical order as long as it's in between the sets brackets. They look like this:
<sets></sets>
Then, there's the cards of the sets. Be prepared for the long work, cause it will be long. You first need to go on Gatherer to get all the cards description of the set. You also need the image URL so you can see them.
You will also need to do a lot of copy paste to save some time. Here's an example:
Here's one thing in particular. This card has 2 image URL cause there's more than one edition that has this card. Card data goes between the cards brackets, which looks like this:
<cards></cards>
You don't also need to place them in alphabetical order, so it makes less work for you. And if anyone says it's illegal to do that, you are wrong. We are allowed to take data from Gatherer and use it as we like.
Now, if you have all the time you can get, I evaluate the work time to take around maybe 2-3 days on the brightest side and a week on the darkest side, depending on the set size and the work speed of the one doing the work. Best method is to make a copy/paste of one card and edit it for each cards you want to add.
And there's also searching and scrying trough the net and praying of finding one updated by someone without any added junk like viruses.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Casual crazy magic player, otaku maniac, unrully cosplayer, what did you expect me to be?
Seems quite simple to edit the actual cards.XML file. But for that, you need Word Pad, an internet connection and Gatherer. I'm putting it into spoilers to reduce post length. For those uninterested, just skip my post and keep reading or writing. This is a partial description on how to actually make the card.XML file and written for manual update of the said file.
First of all, the set name, here's an example of a set name structure:
It goes under the sets bracket. No need to place it in alphabetical order as long as it's in between the sets brackets. They look like this:
<sets></sets>
Then, there's the cards of the sets. Be prepared for the long work, cause it will be long. You first need to go on Gatherer to get all the cards description of the set. You also need the image URL so you can see them.
You will also need to do a lot of copy paste to save some time. Here's an example:
Here's one thing in particular. This card has 2 image URL cause there's more than one edition that has this card. Card data goes between the cards brackets, which looks like this:
<cards></cards>
You don't also need to place them in alphabetical order, so it makes less work for you. And if anyone says it's illegal to do that, you are wrong. We are allowed to take data from Gatherer and use it as we like.
Now, if you have all the time you can get, I evaluate the work time to take around maybe 2-3 days on the brightest side and a week on the darkest side, depending on the set size and the work speed of the one doing the work. Best method is to make a copy/paste of one card and edit it for each cards you want to add.
And there's also searching and scrying trough the net and praying of finding one updated by someone without any added junk like viruses.
Or you could download the latest cards.xml from a website that hosts it.
Download that file, put it into your Cockatrice folder, and then go into Cockatrice settings and put that directory into where it says, in "General Settings", "Path to card database".
And no, it's basically not possible to spread computer viruses via XML files. There's no executable code involved in an XML file.
But you could put a hidden link that could get read by a program that uses a .XML file for showing data. You could basically make a back door to other persons computers by hiding special links into such files. If we can get the card images because a program like Cockatrice read the URL in the file, it could also be plausible to put nasty links that will corrupt a PC and let the XML be read. No virus in it, but a really bad surprise later.
And yes, you could call that a slight bit of paranoia here, best anti-virus that can be found in the world. Also the safest security system as well as a lot of good and bad things that can be caused by paranoia.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Casual crazy magic player, otaku maniac, unrully cosplayer, what did you expect me to be?
Soriel is absolutely right here. While the XML file itself won't have vulnerabilities, the image files referenced inside very much can. There's been many, many security vulnerabilities in image processing code that can lead to total takeover of the machine. That said, on a daily basis people do all kinds of things on the internet with a similar takeover potential, and it's really about whether you trust this cards.xml source not to do that to you. You can of course inspect the file for oddities, but that's a lot of work.
If you're smart, you run your apps sandboxed anyway.
Run Cockatrice in a sandbox and even if something in the code is vulnerable to a buffer overflow, the code being executed by the exploit won't be able to do anything harmful to your computer because it will only be able to read/write to the cockatrice home dir and nowhere else, and will only be able to open outgoing ports to the specific IP address of the cockatrice server, as set forth in the sandbox file.
Furthermore, most security conscious people firewall their network from the outside and only allow proxy HTTP access (via a router machine) to the outside, or special rules for certain ports for other applications. This would prevent any rogue code from setting up a remote access waypoint into your computer even if it was compromised.
But I guess that the original point is correct - technically there can be buffer overrun vulnerabilities in the image-processing code in the QT library (which is the API that Cockatrice uses to process all of the JPGs, and do anything else). But I'm pretty confident that the partciluar JPG rendering code used by QT is pretty robust anyway.
But again, if you're smart, and sandbox apps and use proxy access (something like Privoxy on a router machine running as an unprivileged user that parses every HTTP request and logs it) to the internet, there is basically no way for your machine to be seriously compromised.
I for one am glad to see the program go. Have they shut down apprentice yet too?
Pardon for the bump, but having not seen this thread in a while, this post just seemed like too much of a cliffhanger to leave alone. Assuming you're talking about Cockatrice, why are you glad, out of curiosity? [plus, hey, it is fun to discuss and debate this politely]
I am also to happy to see it "go"
Yes, sure its still running on diffirent servers, but now its a ***** to update and has lost ALOT of momentum.
I'm not past emailing wizards with the new server and letting them know about it either.
This game isin't free and shoulden't be able to be played for free.
This is why I'm glad Cockatrice wasn't developed as a web-based app as it would've likely lost all functionality after receiving a C&D. Although I wonder if new development might feel pressure to be more web-friendly due to growing adoption of smart phones and mobile internet.
Most IP law in first world countries is all the same, do to trade agreements and organizations.
Being dismissive is a poor argument to make, and just engenders hurt feelings and animosity. If the best argument you have is to attack the poster and not the statement, might I suggest not posting at all.
Source: I am an undercover lawyer paid by Wizards of the Coast (but, shhh, don't tell anyone).
Because it's written entirely with the QT API, it could be recompiled pretty easily on any mobile platform that supports that library. I know Nokia is heavily invested in QT, but I'm not sure about the iOS platform or Android, but I'd be shocked if at least one of them doesn't have a native QT implementation.
I don't really think that the Cockatrice project needs to cast a wide net for new users. That's not what they're aiming to do. It's a non-profit service to the community that wishes to test decklists without paying tons of money for new decks that may or may not work in the long run.
I don't think that being PC/Mac-specific and non-mobile / non-web-based is an issue unless Cockatrice was a startup actually seeking to generate as much revenue from new users as possible.
And it's pretty telling that Wizards of the Coast themselves made efforts in the past to bring MTGO to a web-based platform but scrapped all of those efforts up to this point.
You can still use the software, but you have to connect to a new server. And you have to manually download the cards.xml file.
The new server is play.woogerworks.com. Just put it in the text box where it currently says "play.cockatrice.de".
How do i do this?
Seems quite simple to edit the actual cards.XML file. But for that, you need Word Pad, an internet connection and Gatherer. I'm putting it into spoilers to reduce post length. For those uninterested, just skip my post and keep reading or writing. This is a partial description on how to actually make the card.XML file and written for manual update of the said file.
<set>
<name>5E</name>
<longname>Fifth Edition</longname>
</set>
Then, there's the cards of the sets. Be prepared for the long work, cause it will be long. You first need to go on Gatherer to get all the cards description of the set. You also need the image URL so you can see them.
You will also need to do a lot of copy paste to save some time. Here's an example:
<card>
<name>Ancestor's Chosen</name>
<set picURL="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=34243&amp;type=card" picURLHq="" picURLSt="">JU</set>
<set picURL="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=130550&amp;type=card" picURLHq="" picURLSt="">10E</set>
<color>W</color>
<manacost>5WW</manacost>
<type>Creature - Human Cleric</type>
<pt>4/4</pt>
<tablerow>2</tablerow>
<text>First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)
When Ancestor's Chosen enters the battlefield, you gain 1 life for each card in your graveyard.</text>
</card>
Here's one thing in particular. This card has 2 image URL cause there's more than one edition that has this card. Card data goes between the cards brackets, which looks like this:
You don't also need to place them in alphabetical order, so it makes less work for you. And if anyone says it's illegal to do that, you are wrong. We are allowed to take data from Gatherer and use it as we like.
Now, if you have all the time you can get, I evaluate the work time to take around maybe 2-3 days on the brightest side and a week on the darkest side, depending on the set size and the work speed of the one doing the work. Best method is to make a copy/paste of one card and edit it for each cards you want to add.
And there's also searching and scrying trough the net and praying of finding one updated by someone without any added junk like viruses.
Or you could download the latest cards.xml from a website that hosts it.
Like: http://www.taipow.com/2013/01/21/cockatrice-gatecrash-update-249249/
Download that file, put it into your Cockatrice folder, and then go into Cockatrice settings and put that directory into where it says, in "General Settings", "Path to card database".
And no, it's basically not possible to spread computer viruses via XML files. There's no executable code involved in an XML file.
And yes, you could call that a slight bit of paranoia here, best anti-virus that can be found in the world. Also the safest security system as well as a lot of good and bad things that can be caused by paranoia.
Twitch channel
Run Cockatrice in a sandbox and even if something in the code is vulnerable to a buffer overflow, the code being executed by the exploit won't be able to do anything harmful to your computer because it will only be able to read/write to the cockatrice home dir and nowhere else, and will only be able to open outgoing ports to the specific IP address of the cockatrice server, as set forth in the sandbox file.
Furthermore, most security conscious people firewall their network from the outside and only allow proxy HTTP access (via a router machine) to the outside, or special rules for certain ports for other applications. This would prevent any rogue code from setting up a remote access waypoint into your computer even if it was compromised.
But I guess that the original point is correct - technically there can be buffer overrun vulnerabilities in the image-processing code in the QT library (which is the API that Cockatrice uses to process all of the JPGs, and do anything else). But I'm pretty confident that the partciluar JPG rendering code used by QT is pretty robust anyway.
But again, if you're smart, and sandbox apps and use proxy access (something like Privoxy on a router machine running as an unprivileged user that parses every HTTP request and logs it) to the internet, there is basically no way for your machine to be seriously compromised.
MTGO is not going anywhere, time for more players to migrate to the digital world.
Current MTGO Player and paper reseller/speculator.
Pardon for the bump, but having not seen this thread in a while, this post just seemed like too much of a cliffhanger to leave alone. Assuming you're talking about Cockatrice, why are you glad, out of curiosity? [plus, hey, it is fun to discuss and debate this politely]
First of all, your way of thinking here is wrong, Cockatrice is not dead and still runs on Woogerworks.
Second of all, Cockatrice's code is now open source, so we might see a brand new version with a brand new name comming up.
Third of all, MTGO is not the answer and it's not the best program Wizard and Hasbro could develop.
I am now requesting that this thread is closed by a moderator due to the fact that the C&D issue is now over.
I am also to happy to see it "go"
Yes, sure its still running on diffirent servers, but now its a ***** to update and has lost ALOT of momentum.
I'm not past emailing wizards with the new server and letting them know about it either.
This game isin't free and shoulden't be able to be played for free.
Big thanks to Rivenor for the sig!!
Die Fools!!!
Looking for a Pokemon RP:
http://pokemonhaven223.proboards.com
Indulge your inner trainer today....
Though I'll put it in a small font.
Please stop hijacking my reply box.