Input Program

For all those playing the game the Input Program web link should have been given to you with your setup. As I had to scramble to write a modern version it inevitably does not measure up to the old one. However that one was written in 1997-98 and Microsoft decided not to support 16bit programs when they moved to 64bit. If you have questions please ask them here. As a quick start here are few pointers. I'll put a help button on the screen when I get some time in the next few days with full instructions or at least instructions.

Buttons at the top:

Action Codes. Clicking on this button gives you all the action codes with examples on how to fill them out.

Load Turn Results:

First click on the browse button to it's immediate left and choose your last turn results file sent to you by Takamo. Then Click on this button to load your last turn. Additionally you can then click on the following links.

Show Turn Results:

Click on this button to read you last turn results file.

Planet List:

Click on this to show all the planets you own.

Fleet List:

Click on this to show all your fleets and there locations.

Load Turn:

First click on the browse button to the immediate left and choose a file you saved previously. Then click on this button. Your current work will be cleared from the form and the turn you selected will be loaded into the form.

Save Turn:

Click on this to save your turn so you can email it to Takamo. You should keep the file name as is. Changing the extension to something other than TAK will cause a little issue as Takamo looks for files with that extension so it can run your turn. Also do not name it with a TXT extension as some email programs embed those files in the body of the message and it cannot be read by the Takamo program.

Some helpful hints.

Use the tab key to move from field to field. I tried to block out the Return key and Backspace key but web browsers will respond to those commands in their own way if you're not careful. For instance hitting backspace will take you to your previous web page you might have been browsing. To avoid this always open a new browser window and type in the web address for the input program or select it from a bookmark. Backspace will then not delete all the work you've done.

The action code box has a search function built into it. If you start typing a number it will bring up all numbers that start with it. For instance 2 will bring up 2, 20, 21, 22, etc. You should select the action you want with the mouse or up and down arrow keys and then tab to select the one you want. If you type in a word it will bring up all action codes that have that word in it. Really helpful to find an action code when you don't remember the number. For instance if you wanted to install a Fort type in the word Fort and you'll find action code 13 is the action code for installing Forts on a world from a fleet. Not to be confused with building them on the world which is a build code.

I will have further help for build codes both for planetary builds and ship builds as well as soon as I get time.

Things of note. Please fill in the top of the form with your player ID so Takamo knows who is running the turns. The Empire Name and Turn Number field is for your own use but also helps the moderator identify players and to make sure turn numbers line up. Your last turn number is always in the top header of the Turn Results.

And last but not least save your turn routinely when filling it out. It won't hurt anything and prevents the loss of your entire turn if something crashes or you inadvertently close your browser or whatever.

Several players are having trouble with the web based version of the input program so I'm putting up a generic page without all the advanced features. That should speed it up on some systems and especially some browsers as it appears they are not capable of displaying some of the code properly. There will be a link at the top of the current page called Input Lite or something like that. It will take you to another page. Only functions it will have is the Load and Save buttons. Plus several people seem to like to write notes at the end of their actions so I'll provide a box for that if time permits. May just put up the generic page as soon as I can first and add that later. Anyway hope that helps. Then I can take the time to figure out how to make the regular page work properly. It would also be helpful if people would respond here with the Computer, Operating System and Browser they are using and whether they are having issues with the web page. For instance: PC - Windows 7 Home (32 bit or 64 bit helpful) - Internet Explorer 10. Works okay but a little slow. Thanks much.

I found that using excel to write the turns is so much easier and then just importing it to the web based input program. Mostly due to the cursor jumping from field to field, the backspace key and a few other things. I write my turn differently than the input program wants you to do it and it is hard for me to adapt without messing stuff up. Just my opinion

New version of the Input program is posted, Input Lite. Has no bells or whistles but gets the job done. Will add a notes field after the spec # as I've had requests for that. But this should solve most issues.

Link is at the top of the Input page.

Notes field added to the Input Lite web page! Will refit the main page with a notes column in the near future as well.

[quote='Nicademus' pid='3158' dateline='1398110943']
I found that using excel to write the turns is so much easier and then just importing it to the web based input program. Mostly due to the cursor jumping from field to field, the backspace key and a few other things. I write my turn differently than the input program wants you to do it and it is hard for me to adapt without messing stuff up. Just my opinion
[/quote]

I also had to fight the input program as I add my data in a non-linear fashion. What format are you saving your data in?

Thanks

Distance calculator added to the input page. Green button. Type in your overall tec level, not the fleet as that doesn't matter, the location you're fleet is currently at and the destination you want the fleet to jump. The result will tell you the percentage chance of making the jump. 100% is always safe, the rest is up to you to figure if you want to take the risk of the fleet suffering damage or destruction. If it says you have almost no chance of making the jump that's pretty much what it means.

[quote='Rocketeer' pid='3278' dateline='1399939835']
[quote='Nicademus' pid='3158' dateline='1398110943']
I found that using excel to write the turns is so much easier and then just importing it to the web based input program. Mostly due to the cursor jumping from field to field, the backspace key and a few other things. I write my turn differently than the input program wants you to do it and it is hard for me to adapt without messing stuff up. Just my opinion
[/quote]

I also had to fight the input program as I add my data in a non-linear fashion. What format are you saving your data in?

Thanks
[/quote]
OK I write my turn in excel...which give me the ability to load all the scans/probes/and other stuff and move it around if need be. I then copy paste it to a word document which I keep and then I load it to the input program and save it to my download file which I then email it to randy for processing. May be a few steps but its a lot easier for me as the input program does not like anything I try to do with it. I am unconventional in how I make my turns also. I have seen the way others track information and I am not saying what they do is harder it is just easier for me the way I do it. I can share the files if anyone wants them.

[quote='Takamo44' pid='3282' dateline='1399998381']
Distance calculator added to the input page. Green button. Type in your overall tec level, not the fleet as that doesn't matter, the location you're fleet is currently at and the destination you want the fleet to jump. The result will tell you the percentage chance of making the jump. 100% is always safe, the rest is up to you to figure if you want to take the risk of the fleet suffering damage or destruction. If it says you have almost no chance of making the jump that's pretty much what it means.
[/quote]
I wrote a distance calc in excel...it doesn't give me the % to pass but the distance from one location to the other and then I just look at the table. I am working on a flight path creator but time isn't letting me get that done

TakDB has a flight path creator once you get enough data in it.

The input web pages are temporarily down due to a server change. I moved the input lite web page to another web page I host on a different service provider . You can use this link to do your turns for the time being. Sorry, it's only the lite version as I have too many data base connections/data to move the main page quickly.

http://www.midway42.org/takamo/inputlite.aspx

[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3287' dateline='1400025071']
TakDB has a flight path creator once you get enough data in it.
[/quote]

I can not make it work and I dont have any older systems to make it work...

There are two distance calculators in the files section of the Tarkia yahoo group.

i took that bookmark out years ago...can you give it to me again?

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Takamo-Tarkia/info

Received first turn results and very pleased. I would recommend using the Lite Input page.

Tried the Lite program this last week...I liked it. I'll be using that one from now on.

Okay, this is frustrating:

I pulled up my turn to complete it for this week and line actions 6-15 are gone. So on the turn it goes 1,2,3,4,5,16,17,18, etc...

It's like the Input program wasn't happy with my cargo run.

[quote='Rocketeer' pid='3329' dateline='1400699673']
Okay, this is frustrating:

I pulled up my turn to complete it for this week and line actions 6-15 are gone. So on the turn it goes 1,2,3,4,5,16,17,18, etc...

It's like the Input program wasn't happy with my cargo run.
[/quote]
i have had multiple problems with the input...I started using an excel file to build my turns and then paste that to a notepad file and then copy it to the input program...look it over and save it that's what I send in. Sounds lengthy but it really is not and in excel you can move stuff around easier.
JMHO

[quote='Rocketeer' pid='3329' dateline='1400699673']
Okay, this is frustrating:

I pulled up my turn to complete it for this week and line actions 6-15 are gone. So on the turn it goes 1,2,3,4,5,16,17,18, etc...

It's like the Input program wasn't happy with my cargo run.
[/quote]
Are the actions gone, or were they not run? There is a difference. Could you post a sanitized copy?

[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3333' dateline='1400709499']
[quote='Rocketeer' pid='3329' dateline='1400699673']
Okay, this is frustrating:

I pulled up my turn to complete it for this week and line actions 6-15 are gone. So on the turn it goes 1,2,3,4,5,16,17,18, etc...

It's like the Input program wasn't happy with my cargo run.
[/quote]
Are the actions gone, or were they not run? There is a difference. Could you post a sanitized copy?
[/quote]
I think he means in the input stage not results

[quote='Nicademus' pid='3340' dateline='1400717476']
[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3333' dateline='1400709499']
[quote='Rocketeer' pid='3329' dateline='1400699673']
Okay, this is frustrating:

I pulled up my turn to complete it for this week and line actions 6-15 are gone. So on the turn it goes 1,2,3,4,5,16,17,18, etc...

It's like the Input program wasn't happy with my cargo run.
[/quote]
Are the actions gone, or were they not run? There is a difference. Could you post a sanitized copy?
[/quote]
I think he means in the input stage not results
[/quote]

Yes, I am going to take a number of things out of the input web page. Seems like all the tools I programmed into the page are getting in the way of a smooth interface. Took everything out of the lite version and most people seem happier with that anyway. I don't really understand where the missing actions could have gone as all it does is read each line one at a time. If you opened the file in notepad are the actions there?

One thing I liked on the original version of the input page is the list of ALL action codes.

[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3342' dateline='1400729504']
One thing I liked on the original version of the input page is the list of ALL action codes.
[/quote]

That button will stay. I think most of the problems people are having with the page is the drop down list in the action code box. Helpful yes but it causes some people a long delay before it advances to the next box. I can't recreate that on any computer I try but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I did it mainly so you could search for an action code by typing a word in the action code box like invade. It would bring up all action codes with the word invade in the description. However I don't think most people see it as anything other than annoying. Most of the other buttons and such will stay for the time being unless they too are causing problems.

It's helpful, until you try to use it, at which point it manifests itself as instantly annoying.

[quote='Takamo44' pid='3351' dateline='1400773578']
[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3342' dateline='1400729504']
One thing I liked on the original version of the input page is the list of ALL action codes.
[/quote]

That button will stay. I think most of the problems people are having with the page is the drop down list in the action code box. Helpful yes but it causes some people a long delay before it advances to the next box. I can't recreate that on any computer I try but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I did it mainly so you could search for an action code by typing a word in the action code box like invade. It would bring up all action codes with the word invade in the description. However I don't think most people see it as anything other than annoying. Most of the other buttons and such will stay for the time being unless they too are causing problems.
[/quote]
I don't think it has anything to do with the computer. It is more about the internet speed, which would make the pop up boxes react slower, or if you are using the computer for other things at the same time. That might be why you cant recreate the problem. The search function in that action code box is nice.

[quote='Nicademus' pid='3355' dateline='1400779084']
[quote='Takamo44' pid='3351' dateline='1400773578']
[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3342' dateline='1400729504']
One thing I liked on the original version of the input page is the list of ALL action codes.
[/quote]

That button will stay. I think most of the problems people are having with the page is the drop down list in the action code box. Helpful yes but it causes some people a long delay before it advances to the next box. I can't recreate that on any computer I try but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I did it mainly so you could search for an action code by typing a word in the action code box like invade. It would bring up all action codes with the word invade in the description. However I don't think most people see it as anything other than annoying. Most of the other buttons and such will stay for the time being unless they too are causing problems.
[/quote]
I don't think it has anything to do with the computer. It is more about the internet speed, which would make the pop up boxes react slower, or if you are using the computer for other things at the same time. That might be why you cant recreate the problem. The search function in that action code box is nice.
[/quote]

I suppose internet speed would be a bottleneck now that I think of it as the program has to make a round trip to the data base server, retrieve the data, analyze it and then send it to the computer to display it. All the code is server side so the real lag is the speed between the user's computer and the internet. Okay. That makes sense. Plus I've since found out that microsoft has had a bug in the routine I'm using for years but have not fixed it so that's why you get the jumps around the screen when the action code is entered. So until they fix it I guess it's off limits.

[quote='Takamo44' pid='3360' dateline='1400789090']
[quote='Nicademus' pid='3355' dateline='1400779084']
[quote='Takamo44' pid='3351' dateline='1400773578']
[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3342' dateline='1400729504']
One thing I liked on the original version of the input page is the list of ALL action codes.
[/quote]

That button will stay. I think most of the problems people are having with the page is the drop down list in the action code box. Helpful yes but it causes some people a long delay before it advances to the next box. I can't recreate that on any computer I try but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I did it mainly so you could search for an action code by typing a word in the action code box like invade. It would bring up all action codes with the word invade in the description. However I don't think most people see it as anything other than annoying. Most of the other buttons and such will stay for the time being unless they too are causing problems.
[/quote]
I don't think it has anything to do with the computer. It is more about the internet speed, which would make the pop up boxes react slower, or if you are using the computer for other things at the same time. That might be why you cant recreate the problem. The search function in that action code box is nice.
[/quote]

I suppose internet speed would be a bottleneck now that I think of it as the program has to make a round trip to the data base server, retrieve the data, analyze it and then send it to the computer to display it. All the code is server side so the real lag is the speed between the user's computer and the internet. Okay. That makes sense. Plus I've since found out that microsoft has had a bug in the routine I'm using for years but have not fixed it so that's why you get the jumps around the screen when the action code is entered. So until they fix it I guess it's off limits.
[/quote]
I think if you turn off the pop up boxes and just have a full list (searchable) it will make it faster for all.

I"m not sure what happened. I save frequently and may have saved while I had a gap there. Then tried to save when done and it didn't update.

Anyway, I've switched to Excel. Just use a tab-delimited text file.

#########

Update - The input page doesn't like my file. It's going to be a long night if I have to hand jam that...

Updated the input page to add Insert Line, Delete Line, Copy current Line, Paste Previously Copied Line. Also took out the drop down menu selection on action codes although you can still click on the button to see the list as it seemed to be causing all kinds of issues for people.

Things to consider:

Inserting a line will push all line up one action deleting the 50th one if it is filled so be careful if you have a completely filled in turn. You will lose the 50th action. May buffer this later but ran out of time this week.

Delete a line (red square with a white X on the right of the line) will delete the current line and pull every action down one action line. It does not buffer it either so if you delete it's gone for now till I get the buffer written.

Copy line will copy the entire line into a buffer but not erase the current line contents. If you wish to erase those contents either delete the line or just type over it.

Paste line will paste the previously copied line to a new line. It will over write the contents of that line so if you wish to keep the line your copying over insert a line first and then paste the line in the blank line.

The inputlite is still in the same place and the old input page is in a link on the top left of the new page.

Hope this helps. Any other suggestions let me know. See what I can do.

I cant get my turns to load at all on the input program or the input lite program

[quote='Takamo44' pid='3426' dateline='1401922168']
Copy line will copy the entire line into a buffer but not erase the current line contents. [/quote]

Where's the copy command listed on the turn input page?

[quote='GrimFinger' pid='3441' dateline='1402097261']
[quote='Takamo44' pid='3426' dateline='1401922168']
Copy line will copy the entire line into a buffer but not erase the current line contents. [/quote]

Where's the copy command listed on the turn input page?
[/quote]

Same place. http://magic.hobbytown.com/takamo/input.aspx Maybe you need to refresh your browser or clear history. Sometimes browsers will store the contents of the last time you looked at the page.

[quote='Takamo44' pid='3458' dateline='1402332368']
Same place. http://magic.hobbytown.com/takamo/input.aspx Maybe you need to refresh your browser or clear history. Sometimes browsers will store the contents of the last time you looked at the page.
[/quote]

I see it, now.

Added a click and paste function to the page today. After you load your last turns results if you click on the Planet List or Fleet List the box will display all planets you own or fleets you have. You can then click on a planet location or fleet. Click on the close window button and then use the paste button on the line where you want to add the planet location or fleet. Currently this will only send the information to Location#1 or Flt#1 box. It will not change any other information on the line so if the line already has info it will only replace the location or fleet box. This is helpful if you can't remember the exact planet location or where a fleet is at or was at considering you didn't move it earlier in the turn. The old input program had this function although more elegant but I have to program around some web limitations so this is what we get for the time being. Hope it helps a bit.

Updated the input page today by adding a Green button that will check your turn for action code errors. Whenever you like you can click on the button and it will check all actions entered up to that point. If it finds a box that you forgot to fill out the box turns red. If it finds an optional box that you didn't fill out it turns green. You can just put in the action code and click the button in which case it will show you the boxes you need to fill out to complete the action. Good if you don't really know which boxes you need to fill out and which ones you don't. Remember green boxes are optional boxes and don't need to be filled out to make the action work. However they do provide additional abilities to some action codes. For instance the build (3) action code. You'll find that the Fleet #1 box, the Empire/Ship Name box, and the Special Number box turns green while the Location #1, Quantity, and Build Code Box all turn red. The green boxes only need to be filled out if you are building a ship.

One word of caution. Even though I tested each and every action code to make sure the right boxes were highlighted there is no guarantee that I got every one right so check yourself if you think one is not quite right and let me know if you find an error.

Now if only there was an easy way to copy all or part of an excel worksheet and put it in the input page...

[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3470' dateline='1403031484']
Now if only there was an easy way to copy all or part of an excel worksheet and put it in the input page...
[/quote]

Working on copy and paste function. Little tricky as the copy goes to the clipboard so the web page has to access the clipboard and then parse the clip to the appropriate fields.

Even if it is only one line at a time would be helpful.

[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3472' dateline='1403042206']
Even if it is only one line at a time would be helpful.
[/quote]
it would be no different via the clipboard/web problem with one line or 60. I am hoping Thom can work this out too. I only use excel to make my turns.

[quote='Takamo44' pid='3469' dateline='1403027288']
Updated the input page today by adding a Green button that will check your turn for action code errors. Whenever you like you can click on the button and it will check all actions entered up to that point. If it finds a box that you forgot to fill out the box turns red. If it finds an optional box that you didn't fill out it turns green. You can just put in the action code and click the button in which case it will show you the boxes you need to fill out to complete the action. Good if you don't really know which boxes you need to fill out and which ones you don't. Remember green boxes are optional boxes and don't need to be filled out to make the action work. However they do provide additional abilities to some action codes. For instance the build (3) action code. You'll find that the Fleet #1 box, the Empire/Ship Name box, and the Special Number box turns green while the Location #1, Quantity, and Build Code Box all turn red. The green boxes only need to be filled out if you are building a ship.

One word of caution. Even though I tested each and every action code to make sure the right boxes were highlighted there is no guarantee that I got every one right so check yourself if you think one is not quite right and let me know if you find an error.
[/quote]

Nice addition to the Input Program, thanks Thom/Randy

Update to the Input page. I tried to make the spreadsheet import function a little more stable and less error prone. So the following changes have been implemented.

First and foremost the first three lines of the import still have to be player id, 1st line, Player name, 2nd line, turn number 3rd line. All have to be in the first column. Extra columns in each row are now ignored.

Second the import now ignores headers AFTER THE FIRST THREE LINES meaning that you don't have to remove the headers before you import the sheet. So headers that you use in your sheet for ease of readability and making sure you get the right numbers in the right columns can be exported with the sheet.

Third the import now looks at each ACTION NUMBER and sends it to the appropriate line number on the sheet. So for instance if you happen to have actions out of order on your sheet they will be imported in Action Number order. However word of caution. Duplicate numbers will be a problem. If you have two action 10's for instance for some reason only the last one will be imported. The first one will be overwritten by the second one. Sorry until I get some time to check for duplicates before the import you'll have to make sure you don't have duplicates in your sheet.

Fourth the import now ignores blank lines no matter where they occur in the sheet.

Fifth the import now ignores extra columns or missing columns at the end of all lines. So you could have 20 extra columns on one line or just have 2 or 3 columns total on a line.

Sixth you'll notice a button that now has some ship builds in it. Work in progress but thought you'd like to see what's coming up.

On ship build list, it would be ok to have tech level 10 ships that are race restrictive. If we are not that type of race, we can't build that type of ship anyway.

If you have a person's current tech level on the turn sheet, when you load the turn you can show what build codes they can use...

[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3561' dateline='1406131672']
If you have a person's current tech level on the turn sheet, when you load the turn you can show what build codes they can use...
[/quote]

Thanks. Good idea. I am working on a function where the ship builds are loaded from the turn sheet and automatically put in a file for the player for reference on later turns. I'd like to put them in a data base but have found that players internet connection is not the best as I had a particularly bad time with the action codes. Not going to repeat that again. But I'll get it.

I started working on next weeks turn and after 45 minutes the input sheet blanked. (Yes, I should have periodically saved...)

Also still having random issues with the input program failing on a save. You have to pay attention or you won't notice that it failed and you'll think that your data is safe.

I'm using IE11

Thanks

[quote='Rocketeer' pid='3579' dateline='1406969455']
I started working on next weeks turn and after 45 minutes the input sheet blanked. (Yes, I should have periodically saved...)

Also still having random issues with the input program failing on a save. You have to pay attention or you won't notice that it failed and you'll think that your data is safe.

I'm using IE11

Thanks
[/quote]

I'll give a run through on IE11. I haven't had any problems with saves on any browser but that doesn't mean there isn't one. As for the page blanking, no idea. So by blanking do you mean all boxes were emptied suddenly?

[quote='Rocketeer' pid='3579' dateline='1406969455']
I started working on next weeks turn and after 45 minutes the input sheet blanked. (Yes, I should have periodically saved...)

Also still having random issues with the input program failing on a save. You have to pay attention or you won't notice that it failed and you'll think that your data is safe.

I'm using IE11

Thanks
[/quote]

be very careful of the backspace key. It will erase everything as I have found out.

[quote='Nicademus' pid='3586' dateline='1407092555']
be very careful of the backspace key. It will erase everything as I have found out.
[/quote]

Yes Browsers use the backspace key to go back one page in their current page history, something left over from Microsoft's first Windows Explorer and then put into the first IE years ago to mimic Windows Explorer using the backspace to go up one directory as back on page in IE. If you want to make minimize the backspace key causing a problem either open a new browser window or open a new tab. Then type in the address of the input page or use a bookmark. Now the browser won't have any previously opened page so hitting backspace key will do nothing except erase text in a box for the most part. Alternately you can use Chrome and download an extension to Chrome called Backstop. That will prevent the backspace key from going back one page on Chrome, thus problem of wiping out your turn with an errant backspace eliminated.

Could you make it so we can delete several lines at once? Something like putting a checkmark in a box by the line and then clicking delete. This will help a lot when you load last turn to make this turn, but you only want to do about half the things you did last turn...

[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3615' dateline='1410109105']
Could you make it so we can delete several lines at once? Something like putting a checkmark in a box by the line and then clicking delete. This will help a lot when you load last turn to make this turn, but you only want to do about half the things you did last turn...
[/quote]

Yes...

can you also put a box that does the error checking after you load a turn. Mine are built in excel and loaded into the input program.

[quote='CHARON EMPIRE' pid='3620' dateline='1410216110']
[quote='Tregonsee' pid='3615' dateline='1410109105']
Could you make it so we can delete several lines at once?  Something like putting a checkmark in a box by the line and then clicking delete.  This will help a lot when you load last turn to make this turn, but you only want to do about half the things you did last turn...
[/quote]

Yes...
[/quote]

Your multiline delete function works great!!  Is it possible for you to add a multiline insert function?

New input program allows for 55 actions. More in the future...