Slitherine

I'm wondering why FoG is trying to contact a webserver and send player statistics. (see below file). The data is clearly non-anonymous, xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx being my purchased serial number in the orignial file. A new debug.txt file (can be found in the FoG directory) is generated every time scenario is completed.

I cannot remember that I have given approval to send any statistics whatsover to Slitherine. Probably I wouldn't have had any issues in sending statistics data, I want be asked. Imho this is unprofessional behavior.

Rgds

Lupus

P.S.: The 103 errors are the result of my firewall blocking the request of the FoG client.

>>>>
DEBUG: Debug timer reset 0,51 [Delta 0,00]
DEBUG: GET url=http://www.slitherine.com/games_exchang ... 63&set=ADD 1,77 [Delta 1,26]
WARN : Error: 103 20.966,07 [Delta 20.964,30]
DEBUG: GET url=http://www.slitherine.com/games_exchang ... 83&set=ADD 20.997,95 [Delta 31,88]
WARN : Error: 103 41.986,35 [Delta 20.988,39]
DEBUG: GET url=http://www.slitherine.com/games_exchang ... =1&set=ADD 42.011,17 [Delta 24,83]
WARN : Error: 103 62.969,09 [Delta 20.957,92]
DEBUG: GET url=http://www.slitherine.com/games_exchang ... =1&set=ADD 62.994,79 [Delta 25,71]
WARN : Error: 103 84.039,83 [Delta 21.045,04]
<<<<

see http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4466/debugfog.gif

When you first run the game you see a popup which explains that it will be trying to contact the internet for a variety of reasons. The stats are only used to allow you to track your progress using the rankings.

Cheers

Pip

pipfromslitherine wrote:When you first run the game you see a popup which explains that it will be trying to contact the internet for a variety of reasons. The stats are only used to allow you to track your progress using the rankings.

Hi Pip,

Sorry, I must correct you, I just reinstalled FoG. There's no popup in either the setup program, nor when I first run the game.
Also, I don't think you do bad things with the data. But, as I said, I'd like to be notified, which I cannot say I have been.

Anyway, great game, keep up the great work...

The pop will not appear on a reinstall only on a first install. It tells you by registering you will be sending your data to our servers. It cant not display this pop up

iainmcneil wrote: It tells you by registering you will be sending your data to our servers.

That should be something the player should be able to accept or not. Not forced to you the way its done now.
Hope something is worked out soon for this "privacy invasion" problem...
As it's now, you cannot play multiplayer and stop sending you private single player info to the world

Yes, it's so humiliating for others to see how often one has been beaten by the AI. I can hardly bring myself to walk down the street because hordes of small boys follow me hooting and jeering 'He got beaten by the AI three times!' Some mornings I just curl up under the bedclothes sobbing quietly to myself... 'everybody knows... everybody knows...' My girlfriend tells me to get a grip and that nobody could possibly care about such trivial and pointless details. But we, my friends, know the truth! I'm going to set up a support group BAIBU (Bastard AI Beat Us) so we can all share our shame.

Nice men from Nigeria have started offering me 10% of millions too... doubtless they feel anyone stupid enough to get whipped by the AI in this game is easy prey. Where will it end? And all because of a harmless bit of fun. Shocking. I'll write to my MP.

ha! you are "so" funny!
Yes, it may be trivial info, but its MY PRIVATE trivial info.
I should be asked by the game about the dissemination of it.
Then both will be happy: you clicking on the YES and me on whatever i want to click

You have the option not to play multiplayer so you are not forced to do it, but we will be adding an option to hide your personal info as soon as we can.

iainmcneil wrote: but we will be adding an option to hide your personal info as soon as we can.

Good to hear
But IMHO, better than hiding the info on the forums is giving people a choice of not letting the game collect their single player info (or whatever other info it may collect) and send it out without your consent.
I tend to get nervous when programs "call home" and send my info around (no matter how trivial) without a warning and/or a good reason.
I guess a simple click box on the options menu with "Send/don't send single player info to the Ranking system" will be a good solution.

About the "don't play multiplayer" alternative... i will take it as a joke
I don't see it as a viable solution, unless you improve the AI A LOT
I think everybody will agree FoG main selling point is how cool and convenient is on multiplayer Personally, it's the first game i buy mainly for multiplayer.

Doesn't make much sense telling your costumers to miss the main game attraction if they don't what to share a completely unrelated single player info around

Cheers!