Build 5.8.3

CoffeeMud Version 5.8.3

Release on Oct 27, 2014

1. Database Schema Updated for CMCHAR.CMDESC and CMCHAR.CMCHID. See the Installation Guide about running DBUpgrade.
2. (FakeDB): DBUpgrade is now application independent, and can handle big tables better. See installation guide for new recommended usage.
3. Generic Character Classes now support starting money values. (Standard support requires code).
4. Socials action cost can now be controlled and tweeked from ini file/control panel.
5. MiniWebServer renamed to CoffeeWebServer -- so many path/name changes! Also upgraded to 2.2.
6. Clan Position-based effects/abilities implemented. Standard Powers also still apply.
7. Random Generator now supports post-processing tags in XML, MERGE parameters and NODETYPE_[dir] tags. See example.xml re-organization.
8. Portals can now be entered using the CLIMB skill, and their put, mount, and dismount strings are modifiable.
9. New Property: Prop_Climbable - use for making rooms, exits, or portals require climbing (and benefit from ropes and ladders).
10. New Guide in guides/randomareas.html. Also, random races are easier to build now.
11. New Assassin skill: Scratch, for doing very very little damage without entering combat.
12. Emoter behavior's "inroom" parameter changed to comma delimited -- it just wasn't working the other way.
13. Scriptable GET_PROG is now functional on container items, as it will match the item being retreived, not the container.
14. Default XP chart (lists.ini) modified to make low levels faster, and level off around 5k per level.
15. WanderHomeLater property expanded into more usefulness -- about 8 new parameters added.
16. FireBuilding now gained by all classes at level 1.
17. QUESTS command, used by an admin, can target other players to get info about them. See AHELP QUESTS for more info on this.
18. New property Prop_Uncampable -- prevents a mob or room from respawning if non-admin players are present.
19. VIEW will now notify users if the armor they are interested in is too large or too small for them to wear.
20. Player description 256 char limit is now gone. New limit is 128k, expandable in code.
21. QUALIFY command now has CRAFTING and NON-CRAFTING optional parameters.
22. RESET command can now be used to reset player/account passwords using RESET PASSWORD <name> syntax, assuming both cmdplayers and reset security.
23. STAT [player name] and MODIFY PLAYER [name] will now show common account information. It was so annoying not having this.
24. Account Manager in MUDGrinder now has a page to create massive numbers of accounts. Done for a teacher who emailed me once.
25. Races now include an isRideable flag to help inform mob class choice during character creation. Make rideable players!
26. To go along with the above: Centaur is now a playable race.
27. New Ranger chant: Resuscitate Companion
28. New GENERATEable themes in /resources/randreas/example.xml: forest, jungle, desert, swamp, mountains, snow, plains
29. New Behavior: TaxiBehavior. Also, Concierge has more optional arguments.
30. Geeky MOBPROG change: can now Read variables in the global scope from script in a local scope when variable is not defined locally. No writing!
31. Item container types now have their "defaultsClosed" property modifiable, instead of implied.
32. Lock command will now close the thing first, if it's not closed.
33. Expanded GMCP support to include char.items package, support for mal-formed core.hello, room.wrongdir, and a few others.
34. New Armor-Item type: StdThinArmor and GenThinArmor -- see Archon's Guide for more information.
35. Jewelmaking can now make jewelry that Requires piercings from BodyPierce. Works off new class GenEarring.
36. ScrimShaw got some serious love, becoming only common skill that can make doppleganger items at high levels.
37. Prop_Doppleganger now supports ASMATERIAL argument to alter the way stats are calculated.
38. New expertise: Shadow -- for lower cost sneaking and hiding
39. Wimpy hit point score goes up and down with level hit point gains, maintaining roughly same percentage between levels.
40. New Misc effect: Loyalty, for making mobs return to and follow players. Prayer "Feed the Dead" and others will use it to protect companions.
41. New Beastmaster chant: Give Life -- similar to feed the dead, leading perhaps to an animal follower role for that class.
42. New Archon command: EVERY, similar to AT, but allows applying a command to multiple rooms, and multiple targets in each room.
43. (Internal) Adjusted caps on spell effects based on level is now about 20 min, and about an hour after max adjustments. (Mostly affects Archons)