Tracker Protocol Version 2

From WinBolo

Server Properties

Here are a list of thoughts on what should be included in the tracker version 2 protocol:

This would work better as a table name, purpose, example.

• Server name's - brief description of the server - Chew Toy 3 - 24/7.
• Server DNS entry - Optional reverse DNS entry to use. Tracker will confirm it.
• WBN server key - Is this server participating in WBN.
• Players list - Players present in the game and WBN status.
• Server public key - Public RSA key so it can be tested against authorised server key lists.
• Is the game client locked?
• Is the game server locked?

Tracker vs. WinBolo.net Reporting

I believe we have the opportunity to completely remove the tracker server from WinBolo. Currently, a server can report one of four ways:

1. Tracker only
   • Players don't want to have stats reported.
   • Players don't wish their games to show up in player diaries.
   • People who only watch WBN for new games will not see these tracker-reported-only games.
   • Slower to respond. Games take much longer to time out and maybe 30 seconds (someone correct me on this - Sticks) to show up initially.
2. WBN only
   • Players want to have their stats tracked.
   • All 1x1 games will be properly ranked.
   • Very responsive in regards to active and inactive games. There should be minimal clutter on the active games list.
   • I think most players still hit the inbuilt tracker to find games. Thus, reporting to only WBN will miss most players.
   • Provides for more information on active games. For instance, which WBN-registered players are in a game, is the game locked, the start times, and last heard from times.
   • Able to filter on certain properties (game type, locked, started, passworded)
   • Players can still choose to play under a non-WBN registered handle. This way, their games played, statistics, and player diaries will remain private.
3. Tracker and WBN combined
   • Catches any player that is waiting for a game.
   • All of the points described above apply.
4. Neither
   • Great for testing and debugging.
   • Great for hosting private games organized via IRC or Ventrilo.