This query is with reference to "[url="http://www.eisonline.com/twforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12119"]Stuck in a sector[/url]" in the [url="http://www.eisonline.com/twforum/main.asp?FORUM_ID=1"]TWGS, TW2002, and TW Gold Support[/url].

I’ve seen this ‘TWMail file over 1M’ problem crop up in other threads before and was just wondering what it’s all about. Is it a known bug that’s being dealt with?

What sort of problems does it cause that a Sysop/Gameop should look out for? And surely, this deleting of the twmail.dat file as a solution also wipes all the current mail messages that exist in its respective game.

Yes it is a bug it should be worked on. Usually what happens with games that have aliens the mail file gets so big cause userd dont delete the files. It gets too big and starts causing in game problems. What you have to do is delete the mail file and it will fix itself.

From what I understand the old messages are not deleted and have to be deleted by the player. If they don't log in often enough they build up. If the player or player's corp grids a lot, there will be more fig hits in their messages.

One way to fix this is to archive the messages when the mail file goes over 1M and tell the player to choose the archive option to view older messages. It will require some coding and a new computer command or whatever to activate the archive reader.

Of course it is easier for the GameOp to just delete the mail file, but the player loses important game info. Might have their planets invaded and not know it, etc.

At some point the mail file gets too large and becomes corrupt. When this happens, if a player does something that would access the mail file (like try to read their mail, or hit an enemy fig which would leave mail), their game session will crash. At this point, the only fix for it is to delete the mail file. JP has been trying to get this fixed since .40 or so. I think he plans to try to have a fix for it in the next revision, but I'm not sure.

quote:Originally posted by Harley Nuss (teamEIS)

At some point the mail file gets too large and becomes corrupt. When this happens, if a player does something that would access the mail file (like try to read their mail, or hit an enemy fig which would leave mail), their game session will crash. At this point, the only fix for it is to delete the mail file. JP has been trying to get this fixed since .40 or so. I think he plans to try to have a fix for it in the next revision, but I'm not sure.


a new mail system has been completed and should be coming in the next release, which will correct this issue.

quote:Originally posted by Orion_Blastar

...

One way to fix this is to archive the messages when the mail file goes over 1M and tell the player to choose the archive option to view older messages. It will require some coding and a new computer command or whatever to activate the archive reader.

...


Is this just a suggestion/idea of yours, or is there actually someway Sysops/Gameops can initiate this archive system?

quote:Originally posted by wardyboy

Is this just a suggestion/idea of yours, or is there actually someway Sysops/Gameops can initiate this archive system?

Just a suggestion of his. No such system currently exists.

Just a suggestion, I came up with the idea of an archived message option in that post. It would be good to have in the game as messages can be very long.

Can the TWMAIL.DAT be deleted while the server is running ? Or to
be on the safe side, would it be better to stop the server, then
delete the file ?

TJoe.

I'm not sure if it even can be deleted with the server running, but definately shut it down first just to be on the safe side.

Server has to be stopped, it will tell you the file is in use and you cant delete it if you dont.

quote:Originally posted by Harley Nuss (teamEIS)

At some point the mail file gets too large and becomes corrupt. When this happens, if a player does something that would access the mail file (like try to read their mail, or hit an enemy fig which would leave mail), their game session will crash. At this point, the only fix for it is to delete the mail file. JP has been trying to get this fixed since .40 or so. I think he plans to try to have a fix for it in the next revision, but I'm not sure.


I sure hope so. Lately I been banging my server and letting it run without input from me. A couple weeks later, a player will ICQ me and mention the mail file needs to be deleted. I'll look, and sure enough, that little bugger is about 6MB. So as it stands, sysops have to watch that file (or not run gold aliens) like a hawk. JP, please fix this

quote:Originally posted by TraderJoe

Can the TWMAIL.DAT be deleted while the server is running ? Or to
be on the safe side, would it be better to stop the server, then
delete the file ?

TJoe.




Yes and no. I have been able to quickly snarf it with a couple users online if they were sitting doing nothing. Easier still was to kill it while everyone was offline. For certain, you can delete it with the server down.

quote:Originally posted by Boss

Server has to be stopped, it will tell you the file is in use and you cant delete it if you dont.


Incorrect Boss. I *have* deleted the file while the server is running and once with someone online. It takes many tries (you are much better off just stopping the server). It may make a difference that my server is a networked computer and I am deleting the file from my main computer.