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  Forum Updates Happening
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 10-09-2024, 12:06 AM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - Replies (51)

Dear friends, 

If anyone was in the forum from 11:00am to 11:15am EST, we did experience some downtime. This was not an issue with late payments, forum hacks or the like.  It sadly was an issue with a software plug-in. 

The plug-in, a Forum Stats display to replace the one we can no longer use, was designed around the forum software's architecture. However, it appears the plugin had a bad database structure because it used up all the board's memory and processes, resulting in crashing the server.  

A reboot and removal of the plug-in resolved the situation. So the forum is back to nor---*  Thinking 

...back to its usual performance.  Dizzy  Joe Cool   

However, it appears there will be no return of the Forum Stats window in the near future.



MEANWHILE...  The recreation of RPG Maker Central's software section continues. When last I posted three weeks ago, I boasted we had over 300 scripts from the now perished site.  That number has tripled!

The forum now has over 900 main posts re-created within the RPG Maker Central Archives. They are being recreated oldest (or last visited) to newest, so no RPGMaker MV or MZ plug-ins have yet been posted. Oddly, there are a pair of RPGMaker VX scripts within the collective; an odd thing indeed when it previously went by RPGMakerVXAce.Net.

While working, the Internet Archive itself was down for roughly three hours, beginning at 3pm (EST). So 'tis a good thing that we will be carrying what content was able to be saved.

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  Minor Changes and Those to Come
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 09-17-2024, 04:51 AM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - Replies (2)

I'm not going to go into any super flourish in speaking this time.  And heck, the changes I am going to iitially reveal do not even require plug-ins or changes to the forum structure to be engaged.

Of upgrades, we now have a Shadow text bbcode as you can see.   The color of the shadow is a medium-light gray by default, but can be altered to suit your tastes.  I decided to use red here for effect.

Also, we have a Glow text bbcode as another upgrade.  As drab as it sounds, the glow effect is normally a gradiated gray around the text, but green looks so much better.

Of course, you can have fun with these  Effects by mix-n-matching bbcodes.  And don't forget that we do have a list of the bbcodes in the top menu bar.

[Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif]

As towards later...

DOES ANYONE EVEN USE THE STAR RATING??? [Image: 2stars.gif]

A product of the past when people actually did rate topics within forums, the rating system that accompanies forum software is a bit dated.  And thankfully, the software we are using makes it easy to just turn off.   

Well, easy to turn off per forum board anyway.  I'll have to edit every forum we have just to flip a switch. Laughing + Tongue sticking out  But it is do-able and makes sense since no one really puts them to use anymore.  Not much of an upgrade, but more an update.

[Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif]

Will we be returning some features by way of plug-ins?  Of course.  I am currently exploring a catalogue of plug-ins to replace those that were lost, aged and became incompatible, or sadly damaged.

To be honest, some of the features we had employed in the past were generally worthless.  Unfortunately, some of the features we had lost due to age do not have updated or variants by other designers as replacements. It will be a time consuming and long process, but the Save-Point name has been in existence for nearly fifteen years.

[Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif]

The RPG Maker Central archive is still building, now having over 330 scripts uploaded and saved. However, that may only account for 17% of the total number being saved. And then it doesn't even address the resources saved that needs to be restored.

[Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif] [Image: minion.gif]

And the separation of RPGMaker XP, VX, VXAce and MV scripts within the forum's own Scripts Database is still continuing with less than 100 scripts remaining to be divided by the original posters. The number was clearly much larger. But the scripts and plugins have their original poster present and will be done in due time.

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  Server Updates
Posted by: StrangeAutomaton - 09-11-2024, 01:48 AM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - Replies (1)

So, the critical error with the OS update packages has been resolved. Apparently it screws up the bootloader, along with some other critical infrastructure, so had I installed it the server might have ended up in a non-bootable state. In any case, I'm tentatively planning on performing the updates this coming Saturday,
September 14th, 2024 - provided there are no further gotchas in the update bug tracker. I expect about 1 hour of downtime while I do backups and basic maintenance, and then we should be back to business as usual. There are no updates pending for the forum software, so there shouldn't be any bugs for you all to track down as a result of this operation.

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  The Scripts Template
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 09-02-2024, 07:59 PM - Forum: Scripts Database - No Replies

Displayed below is a recommended layout for your posted work. It need not be exactly as such, but this decades-old design by ccoa (Save-Point, RMXP.Org (2007-2009), RMXP.Net (2004-2007)) has been widely used.


[align=center][size=large][b]˂script name goes here˃[/b][/size]
[size=medium]Version: ˂version number˃[/size][/align]


[size=medium][b]Introduction[/b][/size]

˂Post a short description of your script here, what it does and possibly how.˃


[size=medium][b]Features[/b][/size]
˂Post a bulleted list of features here. This section is optional.˃
[list]
[*]˂feature one˃
[*]˂feature two˃
[*]˂feature three˃
[/list]


[size=medium][b]Screenshots[/b][/size]

˂Post screenshots of the script in action here. If the purpose of the script is not obvious from a single screenshot, try storyboarding the function of the script with screenshots. If screenshots cannot be taken of the system in action, please say so to prevent people from asking.˃


[size=medium][b]Demo[/b][/size]

˂Post a link to a demo of the script, if one is available. This section is optional if you have the actual script posted, but highly recomended for moderately to highly complex scripts.˃


[size=medium][b]Script[/b][/size]

˂Paste the actual code here, using the CODE tag. This section is optional if you have a demo, but highly recommended for simple to moderately complex scripts.˃

[spoiler="script"]
[code]˂script˃[/code]
[/spoiler]


[size=medium][b]Instructions[/b][/size]

˂Place detailed instructions for using, setting up, and/or installing the script here. Any database changes, naming conventions, or event command script code should go here. Also include any resources, such as graphics, the script may need. Screenshots are helpful, but not necessary.˃


[size=medium][b]FAQ[/b][/size]

˂This section can be added later, to answer frequently asked questions in the thread and hopefully keep them from being asked again.˃


[size=medium][b]Compatibility[/b][/size]

˂Post any known compatibility issues, such as if this script is SDK compliant, what scripts you know it is compatible or incompatible with, and possibly what methods it alters. This section is optional.˃


[size=medium][b]Credits and Thanks[/b][/size]

˂If you're using graphics made or scripts written by others, or have someone to thank, do it here. This section is optional if you have no one to mention.˃


[size=medium][b]Author's Notes[/b][/size]

˂Anything in general you want to add about the script, the design process, upcoming releases, differences since the last version, etc. should go here. This section is optional.˃


[size=medium][b]Terms and Conditions[/b][/size]

˂Place any required limitations, permissions and/or requirements for the use of the script here. Any conventions such as 'Free for Commercial Use', 'Not intended for Commercial Use', must include scripter's name and/or url, or the script being an exclusive to a forum/forums should go here.˃
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  RECOVERED! The Early PK8 Self-Scripts Found!
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 06-15-2024, 07:32 PM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - Replies (1)

RECOVERED!
The Early PK8 Self-Scripts Found!

It was in 2012 that PK8 released the Self Data Suite, a collection of scripts that allowed game developers to add new switches and variables to most any object, be it actors, weapons or even maps. However, disaster fell all of the dl.dropbox links became extinct. Only recently, the suite for the RPGMaker VXAce engine was found floating about the internet between community members in a .rar file format.

But what of other engines?

Before the Self Data Suite, PK8 worked on creating individual scripts that added variable and switch content to different RPG objects for RPGMaker XP, and VX in some cases. Once the Self Data Suite was crafted and released, PK8 archived his earlier works, and removed them to promote the single package.

Sadly, this meant that the loss of the Self Data suite meant that all RPGMaker XP/VX self scripts had vanished.  That is, until now.

The Self-Data scripts by PK8 have now been re-discovered. Nearly a dozen of these, Self Parameters v1.1, AutoSelfSwitcher, Common Event Self Variables XP, and more, are now back within the Scripts Database board.  Their original Topic IDs remain untouched, and their 2009 timestamps self evident and left alone. 

These scripts are currently not within the 'Forum Script Listings', the index thread of all scripts in the board, nor do most have thread prefixes attached.  In some time, they will.  But currently, not all as yet.  This would assist those wishing to identify most of the PK8 scripts that were recovered.

Happy Gaming!
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  The Year of the Spammers
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 01-25-2024, 01:08 AM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - Replies (2)

Dear friends,

Do not be alarmed that a good number of accounts have been banned since the middle of the month.  For none of these accounts belong to members who stayed for anything longer than twelve seconds.  In fact, one account was created in so brief a period of time, the time spend online actually displays None Registered. A very interesting occurrence if one indeed wished to be a member of the community.

But no.  None of these accounts belong to anyone wishing to join the community, and more than half either heralding from or associated with a single nation. And all of these, likely computer generated spambots.  Oh, I doubt they will return any time soon. But if a human operator accesses these accounts now banned, I hope they will appreciate their new custom membership avatar:

[Image: avatar_8163.png?dateline=1732763476]

As to the timing of why more bots would wish to access any site, I believe that their rise coincides with the start of the U.S. Election Year. Upon checking the IP addresses of the spam-bots that have entered and those who are constantly viewing the "No Permission Page" having been shut out for spam activity, I have no illusions why spam content would be set to explode. 

However, the use of anti-spam software is online, and I strengthened the Security Questions system, removing the two weakest queries and replacing them with questions that comically may actually confuse AI-driven systems. Since added just yesterday, 75 registration attempts with these 'actually simple' questions were made, halting bot access and activity.

So please be at ease.  In no way will bot spam be allowed within the forum. And if any case of spam activity within forum posts or PMs (Private Messages) have occurred, feel free to send a report for it to be handled.
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  Requirements for Generated A.I. Content
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 11-19-2023, 07:40 PM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - No Replies

Dear friends,

It appears that Save-Point must draw a line which other sites have already, the separation between what is generated by machines and that of an individual. I understand that some may try to blur the line between using a simple faceset or characterset generator such as CharasProject, or Dall-E. Or that they spent some time to use an online tool such as Stable Diffusion to create something. However, a line does need to separate these instances.

There has been much talk within the art and music industry whereby many feel their actual identity stolen by A.I. Generators, and there have been incidents where A.I. had done so with actual criminal intent. Actual criminal intent is not forcing a ban upon A.I., for technology itself is neutral. It is the user that may use it for good or ill purposes. However, with the proliferation of A.I. for content development, rules needed to be created.

Do realize that most artwork created by A.I. is derived from some manner of source material, and there have been actual lawsuits over issues of copyright and plagiarism.  Save-Point is not placing banishment against A.I. creations. However, guidelines needed to be identify works that are A.I. generated, protect those who may wish their use without realizing any legal status of the works, and consider the artists both within the forum and without.

As of today, 19th of November 2023, all A.I Generated content, whether it be in audible, visual, prose or any other format, must be identified by the content poster as an A.I. generated product. It must be the responsibility of the poster as the A.I. generators would not actively contact us.
●      ●      ●

Within the forum's Creativity Section board, the sub-forums now contain tags to identify threads that are for solely A.I. Generated content, and topics that contain a mixture of contemporary and A.I content. Within those threads that may contain both contemporary and A.I. content, the content itself must be immediately identified as such.

All other primary boards within the forum already contain their own prefix icons, and thus cannot be so-marked.  As such, all other posts within the forum must unfortunately now contain notifications of A.I. content made as of today's date.

●      ●      ●

Please realize that A.I. Generated content is neither covered nor protected under Copyright Law, it having been ruled that copyright only covers creations of actual human content. The comically famous 'monkey selfie' case of 2015 being the basis.

While accidental incidents of non-compliance may occur, there had to be established penalties if one was negligent. However, repeated intentional offenses by any individual will be treated as if that individual plagiarized content and summarily banned. Please do not consider this heavy-handedness. Content generated by A.I. tools are derived from other sources and could be construed as plagiarized, and willful disregard thus would warrant such discipline.
[i]●      ●      ●[/i]

Changes have been made to the forum's User Submissions & Member Rights of Ownership clause. It now includes the following: "Do note that content generated by A.I.(Artificial Intelligence) technologies may not be subject to copyright laws, and are not guaranteed." Likewise, the Save-Point's Rights and Limitations clause now states "You are required to indicate any A.I. generated content posted as being such.".
For a more exacting read, please refer to the FORUM RULES which are also available within the top of the forum display.
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  SPAM! Incoming from M247 Ltd
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 02-08-2022, 04:57 AM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - No Replies

Incoming from M247 Ltd!

Twas not long ago that an announcement was made regarding ColoCrossing and an influx of spammers who arrived using their IP service.  The anti-spam service we used had not recognized ColoCrossing when the announcement was made, and checking incoming registrants was done manually. However, the anti-spam service we are using has now added ColoCrossing to the list of IP services to be blocked.

But now, it appears spammers are arriving with a new IP service to be wary about; M247 Ltd.

According to scamalytics.com, ColoCrossing appears to be burdened the source of such mischief, claiming "We consider M247 Ltd to be a potentially high fraud risk ISP, by which we mean that web traffic from this ISP potentially poses a high risk of being fraudulent."

Since the start of the M247 intrusion, we had posts that contained offsite links intending to give mass telephone lists intended for relatively annoying telecommunication advertisements, those of which immediately removed.

Be it known that M247 IP addresses will be watched, and any accounts noted to having spam activity will be summarily given the axe.

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  SPAM! ColoCrossing and ServerMania
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 01-11-2022, 03:09 AM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - No Replies

ColoCrossing
and ServerMania Spammers

As of mid-December 2021, a number of accounts have appeared within our forum.  They come in, create their account, and summarily leave.  They last no more than a mere few seconds.  They use a pre-generated username with matching syntaxes. They utilize disposable eMails for registration. And they all use the same internet providing servers.

The two ISPs are called ColoCrossing and ServerMania.


It was mere months ago that the forum was hacked, and was barraged by a flood of spammers, all utilizing disposable eMails and all having internet-traceable activity of spam activity. It comes as no surprise that another barrage was likely to come. And now, it has arrived.


Not as prolific as the previous flood, less than thirty have shown.  But of those, roughly a dozen recently created accounts have been banned when their IP addresses were found to be linked to spam activity, or that they created multiple accounts, clearly by intent.

As to why this announcement calls out the two service providers, the reason is simple.


According to ColoCrossing's own website, they suggest that "Although spam does seem to be this unstoppable force that will continue to flood inboxes until the end of time, communication and the right steps taken, it can be contained. ColoCrossing takes spamming very serious and will take proper action if you experience it."


But according to scamalytics.com, ColoCrossing appears to be burdened the source of such mischief, claiming "We consider ColoCrossing to be a potentially medium fraud risk ISP, by which we mean that web traffic from this ISP potentially poses a medium risk of being fraudulent."


As to ServerMania, one can find reviews at webhostingtalk.com such as this, "Servermania seems to have a serious SPAM problem, they have many 'commercial bulk email marketer' clients, aka spammers, who cross post email addresses across client lists in violation of current SPAM laws. Further, Servermania seems to intentionally disregard abuse reports sent to abuse@servermania, postmaster@servermania, noc@servermania, support@b2netsolutions."


As such, any accounts from either ServerMania and/or ColoCrossing will be considered much more than suspect.  ColoCrossing's IP addresses will be instantly blocked.
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Exclamation PSA: Game Theft by EnmxDev!
Posted by: DerVVulfman - 09-23-2019, 03:39 AM - Forum: Announcements and Updates - Replies (1)

Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!
A VITAL PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!
Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!
NOTIFICATION FOR ALL GAME DEVELOPERS!
Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!

ORIGINAL THREAD HERE: EnmxDev is stealing some games - Check if your game is one of them!




Revealed by TheoAllen over at RPGMakerWeb.com, EnmxDev has been stealing some games and posting them where they will.  Such sites include:



Such was found by Ksi of RPGMakerWeb in an RM portal discord.  And as TWings of RPGMakerWeb pointed out "Once Upon the Woods" was made by StarMage for a One-Map challenge contest.



If you read the original post, an RPGMakerWeb member named Unity noted that reviews for the illegally uploaded game apps didn't function properly, making him feel that these stolen works were laced with malware.





* TheoAllen and StarMage are members of both Save-Point and RPGMakerWeb.

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