Linux Client Detection in Tribes2
May 31st, 2001 by TimeDoctorAs seen via the in-game Tribes 2 news, Dave ‘QIX’ Georgeson posted this:
The folks at Loki (that created the Linux version of T2) would like to add a check to the network packets that will allow them to tell how many players are running Linux clients.
If they put this detection in, it would have *NO* other effect and would not relay ANY other information to us. The detection has nothing to do with your system. It merely detects if you are using the Loki-produced Linux version of T2, or if you are using the Dynamix-produced Win32 version of T2.
If you feel strongly, either yay or nay, we would appreciate it if you would respond to this news article. Essentially, we’re seeing if you’re okay with this idea, or whether you think it’s a violation of privacy for some reason.
If you add a comment…please…be as clear about why you feel one way or the other. Thanks all.
As QIX mentions, Dynamix would like to see your opinions on this using the in-game Tribes 2 forums.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Not NaH
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
fine by me.. go ahead ;-)
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
This may be the first time it becomes feasable to accurately determine how many people are actually playing under Linux and chart growth.
Promise you’ll make the aggregate results open, though?
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
A great way to see how many Linux gamers there are. I love it.[br] This is a quick way to say “Here’s the numbers you are turning down! Can your business afford turn down 15 people?” :)
[br]
Of course I bought Tribes 2, SMAC, Jagged Alliance 2, Civ:CTP, SimCity 3k, Shogo, Sin, RR:T2, Heroes3, UT, Quake3, etc.
[br]
Just wish others would support em.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Go for it
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I think it would be fine for Loki to determine that I am using their games.
Of course make sure this doesn’t open any security issues. And I liked the above recommendation for this being optional. Just have it default to allow this.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
It’s totally cool with me if loki wants to demonstrate some real numbers – this, coupled with their sales i think will help people realize that there is a linux gaming community, and we love to frag!
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Get some good hard data.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I don’t see how this is any different then your browser’s user_agent reporting the browser version and os. I am not really why this number would be any different then the # sold and how they could report on the data since it would probably only available to the server you are connected to.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I think it’s a nice idea !
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Go ahead!
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I personally dont have a problem with that one little bit of info, but that does not mean I would want it to be sent. The sales of the 2 versions should be enough.
I take the stand of why should we send any personal data that is not necessary. It gets hard to distinguish as more and more info starts to get sent. So then the question would become where do you draw the line as too much unneeded personal data?
That is why it is just easier to just draw the line at the beginning. No personal data.
If it is decided to do this, please make it totally appearant to the user that this extra data will be sent, and make it optionally disabled. I would be ok with that.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I don’t have a problem with my system info being sent to Loki as long as they are up front about it.
Sending stuff without notifying the users is where it becomes a problem.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
… as long as the information gathered can be verified. E.g. neither Dynamix nor Loki should be the only one having access to the ‘unpolished’ statistics.[br][br]- Daniel
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
It’s pretty funny to see some people going paranoid over stuff like this… My browser has always done this, and i don’t mind. And hey, I think it’s cool to show Loki i’m using their product, so why not? ;)
I’d say go for it!
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Gary (-;
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
On top of that it’s not a bad idea. =)
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I have nothing to hide and besides if done in more programs it may prove to people that Linux is growing.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I think that this is a great way to prove to world how much Linux is used, Sales aren’t good figures as any sales done on the internet is rarly used to my knowledge, thats why Linux Q3A looked disappointing to id software. If a program tells the world that im running Linux then thats fine by me.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Do it and put a little icon of Tux beside my name far as I care. Then I can talk off that I use Linux in my info…
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Do it! For the good of all linux gamers everywhere! Since linux games don’t always sell so hot (witness Sin, however many years later), marketing departments and big business people need to know that we [u]do[/u] exist, [u]do[/u] matter, and [u]will[/u] buy linux versions of their games. Penguin and proud of it!
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I think this is a good idea.
If the data proves well, it will make it easier for Loki to convince other companies to license their games for porting.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
If there is a option to disable it, then the results are no longer valid. If this is going to be done, there is only one way to do it. The first time the user does a net game after the patch, tribes2 will contact the master server, report it’s a linux version, and give a id number (probably the key). After it’s been done once, it shouldn’t have to do it again. However, shouldn’t you guys be keeping track of how many games you sell? I’d think you guys have records of how many linux tribes2 games you’ve sold.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I don’t see why people would want to turn it off, since frankly, it’s one damn packet that has a very good purpose: to show you’re one who supports the Linux gaming community. If it only sends this information once, and doesn’t include any other info about you or your system, etc. I don’t see what the big deal would be.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
And please put a little Tux icon by my name. That way I can show everyone how 1337 I am. ;) Seriously though, it would be neat so that I know which people are more likely to have the same voice codec.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
We get to have a kewl penguin by our name :)
I can’t wait ehehe
Rimmer
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Please do! Great idea. :)
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Please do! Great idea. :)
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Can we get a little penguin by our names just like the servers? I want to do something like that to support the Linux gaming community…
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Yeah. Do it. I too want a little tux icon.
Yippee38
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
count me in.
Mike Lewis mlewis@burly.com
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Sounds like a great idea! Go for it. :)
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I have not bought Tribes2 Linux yet, but I will in the near
future. You have my permission to do this.
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
I see no privacy problem with it, as it is communicating information about itself, not about us. I’d figure it would already do this in order to autoupdate (I guess they don’t have an autoupdater).
Now if TuxGames would only get my Tribes 2 to me.. Grr..
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
since when was their a linux version on the shelves? i never saw a copy! not even at swapmeets! (this is in australia, where crazney comes from, hes the crazy linux fool at ‘shafted’ lans, he rox)
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Would be a sure fire way to get info on the # Linux systems running T2 at any given time… Lets do it!! :)
November 30th, -0001 at 12:00 am
Hell YES!