nBrowse 2.03
 

nBrowse 2.03
© 2003 Newbies Incorporated

by Warren Chandler

  • About nBrowse
  • Installation
  • Launching nBrowse
  • Features
  • Known Issues
  • Future Versions
  • Acknowledgements


 

 

About nBrowse

nBrowse came about after functionality in many existing IRC scripts ceased with the release of Call of Duty.  With this in mind, I started scripting, using mIRCScout as a base, adapting the script to work with Call of Duty.

After a while however, I realised that even that wasn't enough, and through listening to requests from nBrowse users, began adding new modules, such as master querying and buddies, completely revamping the base script.

Special thanks have to go out to everyone who tested nBrowse and it's still going on today, and especially to Morgn, author of the excellent MorQuery, for his valuable help.

Installation

To install nBrowse, extract the zip file to your IRC directory, making sure you keep the folders and paths intact.  Delete any old versions first, although you may want to back up your favourites list or buddies list before you begin, so you can copy and paste them in at a later date.  You can remove old versions by right clicking your IRC window and selecting the unload option, or by typing /unload -rs nbrowse/nbrowse.mrc on the command line.

Once this is done, to install the script type /load -rs nbrowse/nbrowse.mrc on the IRC command line.  You will then be prompted to select your CoDMP.exe, and any additional parameters (leave this blank) and then you should be ready to roll.

Note: If you wish to select a different path to your CoDMP.exe file at a later date, you can setup the script again from the menu, by right clicking any IRC channel window and selecting 'setup' from the nBrowse menu.

Launching nBrowse

Launching nBrowse can be performed in three different ways.  The easiest way to do so is to double click an IP posted in your IRC channel.  This will automatically open nBrowse and query the server.

Another way to do this, is to right click any IRC window.  You should see the nBrowse option displayed, and then it's just a case of selecting 'launch' from that menu to open the script.

The final way you can launch nBrowse is by typing /nBrowse in any IRC window.  Why anyone would want to is a mystery to me, however.

Features

nBrowse expands on the functionality of many existing scripts, yet still has its limitations, due to the nature of IRC scripting. 

Querying a Server

Querying a server (i.e. to get the number of players, status and ping etc) you can do by a number of methods.  As mentioned above, you can query the server by double clicking an IP in your IRC channel, but this sometimes can be inaccurate as far as ping is concerned and will need a further click on the 'refresh' button to ensure what you see is accurate.

Another way to query the server is to type the IP into the 'IP Address' edit box, and either press Enter or click 'Refresh'.  You can also double click any server from the master list or your favourites list to query the selected server.

Once a server is queried, you will see a message in nBrowse confirming this, and the details in the diagram to the right of this text will be updated.

 

 

Favourites List

The favourites list works exactly as you would expect, allowing you to add your favourite queried servers to retrieve at the click of a button.

To add a server simply query the server you want to add, using the method described above, and then click the + button (shown right).  To delete a server from the list, simply click any server in the favourites list and click the - button.

Quickfind

The quickfind search works in conjunction with the favourites list, and can be used to find a certain gametype, map or player.  Simply either check a gametype box, enter a map name (e.g. mp_harbor) or add a player's name (this can also be done via the buddy list).  Then click find and servers that contain your specified search will be marked with the appropriate icon.

Please note:  At present wildcard searches are not possible.   I will endeavour to incorporate this in future releases.

 

Master Server Query

The master server query facility does exactly what it says on the box, searching the Call of Duty master and returning all servers from the master list, in ping order.  Since the number of servers is ever growing (1550 at the time of writing), I have added a filter option which I recommend you use.

nBrowse will always query the master server via the latest protocol (will be updated in subsequent versions should the master server or protocol change).

Filters

Clicking the filter button allows you to filter out servers which ping over a certain ping (ms) and also enables you to skip full or empty servers.   Simply click the Set Filters button, set your filter options, save them and return to the master box and query the master.

Note: At present it is not possible to sort by anything other than ping.  This will be addressed in future updates.

 

 

Buddy List

The nBrowse buddy list allows you to save your friend's names in order to quickfind them in the future.   To save a name, you can do this in two ways.  

Firstly, you can query a server, and if you see a familiar name, simply right click the player window and select the add to buddy list option.  Alternatively, open your buddy list, and click the add button which will then ask you to specify your buddy's name and automatically save to your list.

You can also delete a buddy, by selecting the name from the buddy list window and clicking the delete button.

While the buddy list is open, you can also place a buddy name in the quickfind field, ready to search your favourites for that player.  To do this, double click any name from within your buddy list.

To search for a group of buddies, simply open the buddy list and click the search button.  This will search through your favourite servers to find anyone on your buddy list. 

 

Away System

The away system does exactly as you would expect, setting you away when you join a server and giving a reason to anyone who queries you.  The box to the right is self explanatory so I won't go into further detail.

Note: The nBrowse away system has known conflicts with a few other IRC away systems.  Should you wish to use other away systems in addition to nBrowse, this facility may not be available to you.

 

 

Spam

The Spam button is simply that.  It spams the currently queried server to your IRC channel (shown right) with IP, name and ping, allowing other nBrowse users and other script users to easily follow.

Also shown right are the help and about buttons, the help being what you are reading now, so you may have already found it, and about being a little about the script itself. 

 

 

Demos

nBrowse also has a basic ability to play your Call of Duty demos.  To do so, click the demo button shown above, and a dialogue (below) will appear.  Next find your Call of Duty demo files, which should be located within your Call of Duty/Main/demos/ folder, assuming you have recorded some.    Finally, simply click Play Demo and the demo should begin playback.


Triggers

There are also certain triggers available to nBrowse users that allow others to find where they are or if they are in game.

Use !plap in your IRC channel to see where all users are, or to query an indvidual, type their name preceded by an exclamation mark (e.g !n|waz'CoD).  This should tell you where they are if they are in a game, allowing you to quickly follow.

The !plap command can be disabled by right clicking any main IRC window and selecting the !plap > disable option.

RCon

For remotely controlling a server, nBrowse now has Rcon functionality courtesy of Morgn.  To use this, simple click the RCon button, enter IP and Rcon password, and let your imagination do the rest.

 

Voice Communications Compatibility

nBrowse also allows users to connect to Teamspeak 2 or Ventrilo servers from within the main dialogue.  To do so, simple fill out the appropriate boxes, check which voice tool you use and click the start button.  While testing, we have noticed certain issues with some Ventrilo servers, and we are working with the makers to find out why this is.  If you have such problems, we recommend you launch Ventrilo the conventional way.

 

Joining a Game

If a server is queried, you have filled out the away nick and reason boxes, and you have set your path in the nBrowse setup, it is simply a case of clicking the connect button.   That wasn't too hard now was it? :)

 

 

Known Issues

Most of the known issues have been mentioned in the features section above, but we can't guarantee that all functions will work as intended. 

We suggest disabling firewalls and virus scanners to test features if you have a problem, and also disabling any scripts you may think would conflict with nBrowse.

That said, my nBrowse functions 100% as it should, so I am confident that a high percentage of you will have little or no problems at all.  If you do, you can contact me on waz@newbiesinc.com or find n|waz in #newbiesinc on Quakenet and I will attempt to help you solve your problem.

Future Versions

You will be notified when an update is available, so you will always keep up to date with changes.  Future versions should include;

  • A config editor.

  • Sortable master query.

  • Better voice comms incorporating other comms software such as Roger Wilco.

  • Something else I haven't yet thought of.

Acknowledgements

nBrowse was originally based on the mIRCScout query system, so thanks to Istari for his unknowing contribution.  The rest however is down to alot of hard work, plenty of time on my hands and a little help from my friends.

Special thanks to Ads for the logo, and uber special thanks to Morgn for his help.  Without it, there would be a sham of a script, that's for sure.  Oh and thanks to everyone who helped test.

Final thanks go to my mum, dad, dog and I accept this award on behalf... feck that, see you on the battlefield soldiers. :)

n|waz

- Newbies Incorporated - http://www.newbiesinc.com - #newbiesinc -
"Running for cover since 1999"