Major Bug Fixes
Major Bug Fixes
We've just posted a huge site update that includes the following bug fixes:
- The member list bug has been fixed. The list will once again show up for your chapter, and long lists won't crash the site.
- We found and fixed the messaging bug that was displaying the "Can't add row" message. It's still a hack, but it's a more stable one.
- The upcoming events and overview pages now show more events, and allow you to view all future events.
- Last bug not least, we overhauled our caching system, fixing a nasty bug and hopefully making the server much more stable.
Messaging System Suckiness
Messaging System Suckiness
That messaging system is displaying an error message again when you try to send. Like I said, that thing is an enormous hack. We have plans for a much, much better system down the road, but for now we'll get this fixed and notch finding a bigger band-aid up in priority.
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Member List Fix Imminent
Member List Fix Imminent
Pfhor asked about this, so I thought I'd tell everyone. We've fixed that nasty bug with the member listing page. We're doing some final testing on the code change, as well as some other changes, and are hoping to have the member page back online tomorrow. Hang in there.
NEW FEATURE: More Databases
NEW FEATURE: More Databases
I've finally added some more default databases, like I promised. There are now defaults for hardware list, venues, and preferred times. The layout and data entry for each of these works better than the column lists I hacked together earlier. Unfortunately there's no way to convert your db's to the new types, so you'll have to destroy your old ones and recreate them. Sorry about that. If Tom had that data importer/exporter working... it's all his fault.
We also have a number of fixes and more new features that we're doing final testing on. These will most likely go online tomorrow morning.
Multiplayer Guide Update: Maps
Multiplayer Guide Update: Maps
Mordia and Candyman have put together a superb addition to the multiplayer strategy guide--coverage of all Halo's multiplayer maps! Be sure to check it out, those overhead views should prove invaluable.
New Concept Art: Human Vehicles
New Concept Art: Human Vehicles
We've added another round of concept art, this time showcasing designs for some of Halo's human vehicles. Check out that Siege Tank!
House Cleaning Imminent
House Cleaning Imminent
A lot of you created 7th Column chapters just to check things out, but have never touched your web page. So, in order to keep things neat and tidy, we're going to start disbanding chapters that have been around for a while, but that have only one member and no news posts. You've been warned.
Upgrade completed
Upgrade completed
The database software upgrade has been completed, and all web sites are functioning normally.
Short downtime at 3pm
Short downtime at 3pm
The bungie.net and support.bungie.com web sites will be going offline at 3pm for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour for a database server software upgrade. The bungie.com site will not be affected.
Doing Everything For Everyone
Doing Everything For Everyone
A few chapters have started their own sister sites to fill in for some of the missing functionality on the 7th Column pages. I certainly don't mind this, as there's no way we can do everything for everyone. The simple fact of the matter is that giving people tools to run their own sites is complicated business.
That said, we have a few cool features that didn't make it into the launch build, but that we're picking up again and hope to have online in time for the holidays. We also have an extensive plan for additional features further down the road, including some that will let you customize your chapter sites to a much greater extent. Of course, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions, and would love to hear what you have to say. Please send suggestions for this site to
[email protected], or simply click on my name and message me.
DNS Hell
DNS Hell
The DNS change has been made. We were going to leave both servers online until we realized that the caching scheme doesn't quite work between shared boxes, so some of your updates won't show up. Consequently we've disabled the old web server and are now serving solely off the new. This means many of you will have to wait for the DNS change to propagate before the site is accessible again. Sorry for the trouble.
Games Played
Games Played
If you mucked around with chapter settings you may have noticed a little Bungie Multiplayer Games Played field that didn't seem to do much. That's because it didn't. Now, however, the games your group plays are displayed in your Overview. (Just one more step towards the creation of a Minotaur community site!)
Possible Friday Site Interrupt
Possible Friday Site Interrupt
We're moving the site over to a new, faster server. Once that's complete this machine is going to become our test server. The new machine is set up and in place, and we've requested a DNS change for Friday afternoon. We don't anticipate any problems, but you've been warned.
Temporary News Fix
Temporary News Fix
A few of you noted that your old news items, though showing in the overview news list, aren't showing on the News page. I've put a temporary fix in place while I ponder a big, heavy hammer to pound in a really small nail.
Modem's Tinkering
Modem's Tinkering
Modem (trickys) took the Myth II gaming server down for about 10 minutes to make a few OS tweaks. It's back online now.
More Database Ideas
More Database Ideas
Our experiences trying to organize a gathering for the Northwest Halo Players gave me two new ideas for databases. First, one where each member can list their preferred and alternate days of the week and times. Second, a list of possible gathering venues. Feel free to use these if you think they'll help, and if any catch on we'll see about doing some cooler default layouts for them.
NEW FEATURE: Links in Posts
NEW FEATURE: Links in Posts
You can now use a
LINK tag in your news posts to make hyperlinks, like so:
http://halo.bungie.org. Links that define the http:// will open in a new window, those that don't, like this:
/perlbin/blam.pl?file=/site/2 will open in the active window.
New job opening at Bungie
New job opening at Bungie
Bungie is looking to hire a 3D animator to work on its next title. Feeling qualified? Feeling lucky? Hop over to bungie.com for details.
Articles at Xbox.com
Articles at Xbox.com
I just came across an article detailing Bungie's history at
http://www.xbox.com/games/default.htm. I knew about this article, as well as the Mjolnir armor article beside it, but it slipped my mind in the confusion of launching this site. Anyway, if you're new to Bungie head on over for a quick read.
Directory and Search Fixes
Directory and Search Fixes
We just uploaded a couple more fixes for the 7th Column, and a new feature. Specifically:
- You can now search for chapters by keyword. This searches titles, descriptions, and mottos.
- The state field is now a select list. This means you can now search for chapters by state and not worry about differentiating between OH and Ohio. (Sorry for the downtime, by the way, we had to take the server offline to update all the abbreviations. Tom's a nut, so double check your state.)
- The directory got some minor UI fixes that should make it easier to browse existing chapters.
There's more where this came from, so stay tuned.
Overview Page Caching Fixes
Overview Page Caching Fixes
I've fixed a few caching problems. Now, when you post news or events, they should show immediately on your chapter's overview page.
Site Fixes
Site Fixes
Shortly after the new content we posted, I also put up a few minor changes to the site's code that fixes some bugs you may have noticed with the site's functionality.
- The annoying event attendance problem is fixed. By changing your status, you no longer will change everyone's status. This should make the Events area of the fanclubs much more useful.
- I have disabled the member listing for groups. This is to prevent a serious bug from manifesting as the group member list grows. I am working on a fix, but for now, the listing is shut off. You can still modify your member queue from that page, however.
There's much more coming, but that's it for today.
New T&R goodness
New T&R goodness
Come get yer weekly dosage of Halo. This week we've added a storyboard originally planned for the end of the third level, but that never made it into the game. Also, for your viewing pleasure, 12 new Halo screenshots (WARNING: spoilers!) including the first peek at the elusive third race in Halo! Lastly, we've added our fourth (and smallest) addition to the multiplayer strategy guide. Never fear though, the next two installments are massive.
Major Fixes In The Works
Major Fixes In The Works
Well, we're finally back from vacation. We've been keeping an eye on the site, but haven't yet touched anything on the server. In our first few weeks live a few problems have crept up, and we've been experiencing some down time recently. We know of several different issues, all of which have nasty results, and we're on the case. We'll keep you informed as things progress.