Free Hosting For Beta Q4 Maps (From PQ4.net)

Post by **[PQ4]RogeR** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:54 am

One thing I've noticed lately is a fairly large influx of beta Quake4 maps being posted on various message boards around the internet including this one. So I sat down four days ago and started to write some code which will allow level designers to easily get free hosting for their beta maps and have them indexed on a site.

The site which is located at http://www.planetquake4.net/beta/ is integrated with the PQ4 user database meaning that if you already have an account on the site, you can login with that info and vise versa. The site provides a simple registration process, after which, you are allowed to fill out a form to instantly have your map submitted to the site and be available for download to the public. Once logged in, members are allowed to edit or delete their map entry. The map and five map screenshots are submitted via web forms on the Map Submission page.

I originally wanted to have it so users didn't have to register, but that would have been sort of risky since I'm allowing files to be uploaded and automatically made available for download. I hope this service will interest all the mappers out there... Please post your thoughts, ideas, and comments.

The site might have some issues, which I hope will be reported to me.
AIM is: planetquake4net
E-mail: roger@planetquake4.net
IRC: irc.enterthegame.com #planetquake3

Post by **Jenny** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:45 am

Thx. (site is really slow for me, maybe just isp)

Post by **jayP.lq** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 1:19 pm

man thats sweet :icon14:

I'm not a mappper, but I do enjoy playing custom maps and I can see this as a very useful place. I'd post in the level editing forum as well, since most of the mappers are posting there betas over there.

PS: sites not slow for me

Post by **Hex** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:40 pm

Nice. Can you make it so we can change our own passwords?

Post by **Scourge** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:29 pm

Damn, beat me to it.

I'm still thinking about putting up a little ftp and some space for map hosting as well. Never hurts to have more I say.

Nice job :icon14:

Post by **[PQ4]RogeR** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:20 pm

Glad to see two maps posted already

.. There was a little error in the code, uploading the maps to the wrong dir, but that's fixed now.. So the two maps currently added are available for download.

Post by **Oeloe** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:55 pm

PQ3.net has always offered the fastest (i'm talking blazing fast) mirrors for things like Q3 movies and big mods for me. The Blueyonder mirror in particular. It's a shame own-age doesn't have pq3 mirrors so often. Anyway, i like it that you're offering the hosting on behalf of pq3.

Post by **[PQ4]RogeR** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:07 am

own-age and I had some "differences" in the past.. So even know, when he doesn't even always use FileFront as a mirror all the time, they are not allowed to link to PQ3 for Q3 movies... PQ3's policy has always been we don't think to other sites for downloads for the reason that we want to maintain the quality of our download service. Relying on others to keep the file hosted on their server is not something we want to worry about. own-age ran into a huge problem.. the massive amounts of videos being submitted.. Since the site covers any game, unlike PQ3 which is just Q3, he appeals to many more people. I tried the same thing years ago with another site, but found my heart wasn't into the project. My love of Quake keeps me working on the sites and if I don't have a passion for it, I just can't seem to do the work.

I'm going to be making it so when users edit their map on the site, they are able to delete the file which they originally uploaded, re-upload a newer version of the map and change the version and edit the description if needed...

I almost would just rather have a anon FTP people could upload to and just download directly from, but then it's open to a lot more problems. This way, people will be able to manage the files they upload. I'm sort of bummed to the slow start Quake4 has gotten off to, so I'm trying to do anything I can to help build the community.

**Update**

You are now able to upload a new version of your map on the edit page. Once the new file is uploaded, the old file is deleted from the server, and the database is updated with the new filename and filesize.

Post by **PieceMaker** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 6:43 am

Nice work RogeR!

:icon14: