Windower

[Akashimo]

Re: Windower

I'm guessing that this might be a reason behind why SE decided not to purposely foil Windower in the last update--I'd say it's something of a passive acceptance unless they've put a detector in <.< >.>

Yea <.< >.>; it did seem odd stuff didn't crash like last time (i.e. Sanction) like the previous update. Or maybe... they did slip in something waiting for a "kill" command to enter after the higher ups make a call.

Anyways, who knows? Could be they "turn the other cheek" in normal use, or just waiting for the right moment to do a sting on us all for hacks and normal use.

[Feenicks]

Re: Windower

If SE implemented a web browser which pops up in a transparent window and the Japanese IME into FFXI then I think 90% of the people who use Windower would stop using it.

[Rostum]

Re: Windower

I still can't live without my IM programs though, so they need to include those.

[Snowball]

Re: Windower

I also have the problem where sometimes I'm ingame, and I need to look up something I don't know, like what is such and such an item listed under, at the AH? Though personally, I've never really liked the idea of playing FFXl in a windowed mode, because I feel that you wouldn't get the full benefit of the game, what with it being shrunk to half its size. (I presume this is what a windower would do)

However, I think I'm aware that a few people here might have laptops, and if I had one, I could use it seperately from the game, just for looking up things when I'm playing. (well that and to browse the internet on other things too. I wouldn't buy a laptop just for one small purpose only) That's one possibility you could do.

Though just recently, I have bought myself a handheld pocket pc (PDA), and I am able to use that for checking out things on the internet I need to know when I'm ingame. I know these things can be a bit expensive, but I figure it's my only option since a windower isn't very feasible.

So those who want a windower, what's wrong with saving up your money, and buying something like a laptop, or PDA like I did instead?

[Rostum]

Re: Windower

Windower just allows you to ATL+TAB, you can make it whatever size you want, including fullscreen. Just like the actual thing.

And buying a laptop just for that is the lamest thing I've ever heard. A windower is very much not that big of a problem -- it's safe enough to use, and it allows for a better exerience.

[Snowball]

Re: Windower

Lol, how can you not. Writing it down takes less time then to take a piss, unless your writing skills are really that bad.

With two hours of play time, I avoid taking a piss, eating, thinking, and sometimes I avoid breathing if it slows me down. With that in mind, I like to try to avoid spending half of that 2hours logging out - finding/writing info - logging in - forgetting something important - repeating process.

And with that said..... what if you were onto doing a long quest or mission?

I've seen some of the missions written out on alla, and they are really quite long!


Take this as an example: Lightbringer for Sandy. Now THERE'S a rather long mission if ever I saw one! You could be using up your FFXl time, in the time it takes to write all THAT lot out! I CERTAINLY wouldn't use pen/pencil and paper on that! I think it's a bit of a waste, especially if you have to throw it away once you have completed the mission!

[Rostum]

Re: Windower

It's called a printer.

[Snowball]

Re: Windower

Windower just allows you to ATL+TAB, you can make it whatever size you want, including fullscreen. Just like the actual thing.

So a windower would allow you to minimize the game, like you would with a webpage then? I think I would worry that trying to open a webpage or webpages while the game is running, might effectively slow things down, and you might get lag, or a crash or something, though I suppose it depends on what type of machine you have.

If you know your machine can handle it, then that's up to you. I have a good engine running on my pc, though I'm not sure how it would handle a windower in this way. I have never tried it, and I'm not really sure that I'd want to either.

And buying a laptop just for that is the lamest thing I've ever heard. A windower is very much not that big of a problem -- it's safe enough to use, and it allows for a better exerience.

You can use a laptop for up to a various number of things!
Not just for browsing through FFXl sites only! I'm sure that technology has made them very useful for a number of reasons.

But in my case, it's a minature version of a laptop, and it wouldn't get too much in the way, being small either.
I find it rather neat and handy in this way.

[Rostum]

Re: Windower

No, it doesn't slow the game down at all.

And you were saying to buy an expensive piece of equipment just so you can look up stuff while playing FFXI. If I wanted to do a bajillion things I already have a computer.

[Likibiki]

Re: Windower

I use Windower and only Windower.

No Blood Pace (anyone who needs this needs to drop SMN now), no TParty (same), nothing.

Why?

I don't need it. I DO need access to my desktop/IME/Firefox though.

[Antivomit]

Re: Windower

And on those little boring sections of the game, like waiting on the boat to get to mharu (sp?), is the perfect time o look up something.

[Nukapai]

Re: Windower

Hmmmmmm.

I just printed 10 pages of BLM AF, Renkei/MB and other info because I want to brush up on what I'm going to be doing next time I play properly. I don't think that would change even if there was a windowed mode on the game.

The only times I've cursed that there is no Alt+Tab:

1. When I am waiting for someone to email me; posting on forums and such, but wouldn't mind using the waiting time to do something like crafting on FFXI... I'd love to multi-task with FFXI a lot more

2. When I'm waiting for a party invite... and not in the mood for doing anything in-game whilst I wait... it's very annoying that my whole computer is disabled for the waiting time. REALLY annoying.

3. When a long-time-no-see in-game buddy suddenly offers to help me get a coffer key and they go "which coffer and which mobs do we kill?"... and of course I don't know off the top of my head and have to log out & check, all the time hoping that this helpful lovely friend will stay put...

... and so on and so forth.

Yeah. It'd be nice to have a windowed mode. I don't give a hoot about the "extras" that people do.

I wish there would be a way to have the Alt+Tab function without crossing that line into 3rd party tools.

[Ameroth]

Re: Windower

I, basically like the majority of people posting on this topic, would enjoy a way to window FF, but for the main purpose to find FFXI-related info on websites. I've never been one to cheat in an RPG until I've completely beaten it already... and seeing as how you cannot really beat FFXI, I guess that kinda puts a stop to that right there. ;]

However, seeing as how I have another computer 10 feet away from my computer, I guess I can just make a quick sacrafice and get up for a whole 30 seconds.

[Nukapai]

Re: Windower

Lucky you, Ameroth.

I would like to add, btw, that I consider Windower to be a "hack" and as tempting as it sounds, it's still 3rd party software and thus not worth the risk and hassle.

It'd be awesome to be able to Alt+Tab out of the game, but that ability would have to be programmed in by SE themselves. *sigh*

[samarium]

Re: Windower

You may be right and then again, you may be wrong. You have not been privileged to know the inside and out of the programming of the client. AFAIK, with reverse engineering and a lot of technical knowledge, a few handful of people out there (Azaril's group for one) were able to determine that, unfortunately, SE's own client does not allow for such things due to it being, first and foremost, a PS2 game and thus, from top to bottom, it was designed to take advantage of the PS2 hardware and specs. There was little need for any engineer to resolve issues with "outside interference." However, they did make the mistake of giving public access to each and individual files which make up the bulk of the client and this is where the problem stems. Poor programming, IMHO, gave way to easy hacking.

Don't get aggressive with me. I'm only pointing out that such a thing is technically possible.

And I've mentioned that as well. It would be foolish simply for SE to isolate individuals that use 3rd party programs that allow windowed mode of the game client. And, unlike Macht's guess of less than 50% of the PC users, it's actually a lot more, if you aren't forgetting the fact that more than 50% of their total accountholders are actually on PS2 & Xbox 360, not the PC platform.

I'm not sure how it matters which group of systems has more players. "A sizable fraction of their PC crowd" is just that, and it's still a ton of money. You're right about it being foolish, though.

-sam