Virtual dating game with ArianeB

[oldgamer]

Re: datingariane:

I registered on the Forum a couple of days ago and posted a NEW query but can't find it or any responses (maybe there aren't any yet). What's worse, (for me) the use of the Forum is not intuitively obvious. So, I am replying to a posting related to datingariane, but not really related to my problem.

I have successfully downloaded datingariane (I have all the folders containing the html files and pics), but I get an incorrect path message when clicking on either the index or default files. I am using XP sp2 and Firefox. I have also tried IE7.

Thanks for your help.

RB

[Arnulf]

Excues me, oldgamer, but I do not know, what your problem could be.
Let's talk a little bit about the technical features of the game.
The game consists of three objects. The main folder is the dateariane folder. In this folder there are a lot of *.htm files, in which the steps for running the game are written in Javascrïpt. The *.htm files can be opened with editor or wordpad. But for playing the game you need not to open these files. In the dateariane folder there is the images folder with all the pictures, which are shown during playing the game. The third object is the index.htm file. By doubleclicking on the index file the game starts. A picture-frame is shown and on the bottom is a white stripe with something written in it. When you move the cursor arrow over the picture, there are appearing litte windows with written proposals, what to do. By clicking on these windows the picture changes and the next situation is shown. You can carry out the date and depending, what you choose, the date goes on wih more or less success.

The base of the game is the version 5.0, which can be downloaded from the website. This last version was released in spring this year. Some people and I have tried to extend the possibilities of the datinggame by adding and/or modifying data files (*.htm files an picture files). These are the add-ons or updates. To install the same, you need only to copy (or transfer) the new or updated files in the dateariane folder (for data files) or in the images folder (for picture files). When you add a new file, somtimes the computer ask you if you want to exchange the already existing file. Make always the exchange, if asked.

The game usually runs with XP (SP2) and Vista (SP1) and with Firefox (IE7 sometimes makes problems).

The Updates, you can download from rapidshare are rar files, to be extracted with winrar (or another extracting programme, which is suitable for extacting rar files). At the moment UP 13 is actually ready for download. The Update contains a ReadMe textfile (to be opene with editor or wordpad), which is a guide that tells you how to proceed. Principally you only need the 5.0 ase version and UP 13. Then you have a complete game of the actual state.

[oldgamer]

Thanks for the reply Arnulf. Yes, I understand how the game works. I have been using the web based version, but decided to download the PC based version (5.0). I do have the required folders and files (dateariane, index file, and readme file). The dateariane folder contains the html files and the images folder which contains the pictures.

When I double click on the index.htm file, it displays an empty picture frame (a little red x in the upper left hand corner of the empty frame) and the message about going on a date. If I click on the link to Begin, it fails with a path error. If I skip the Index step and instead click on the default.htm file, I get the same path error. I know a little bit about htm and Java scrïpt files, but not enough to figure out why the game does not start up successfully when I doubleclick on either index or default.

Thanks for your help.

RB

[Arnulf]

Today I have seen, that the online version to be played on the webside soes not work. That has nothing to do with the game, the webside has a srarting picture, that works OK, but when trying to go to the game, the long stripe on the upper site, showing normally Ari's face has also only a blank screen. It is not a problem with your computer, the webside has the problem. You should play the downloaded game. With the add-ons it is more entertaining!

[Arnulf]

I have seen by a newly look on your post, that you have also your problems to start the downloaded game. Then I have no idea, except that your downloaded file is corrupted somehow. Try another download! When the 5.0 game is running well, then you can go to install the update (13).

[oldgamer]

I don't know if it will change anything, but I am going to try downloading datingariane again but unzipping using Winrar this time. It may not make a difference but it's worth a try.

[oldgamer]

Arnulf,

I downloaded and unzipped with Winrar and got the same result. When I click on either Index or Default, I still get this message:

File Not Found

Firefox can't find the file at /C:/DOCUME~1/Brad/LOCALS~1/Temp/Temporary Directory 3 for datingsimulator.zip/dateariane/pic1.htm.

I don't understand why it is looking for pic1.htm in a temporary directory.

Any thoughts?

RB

[Arnulf]

oldgamer, I cannot follow your story: First step: When you download the zip-file, you get the same in one of your folders.
You can check the zip-file with explorer, you get the answer zip-archive (or so) and the MB size of the file. You unzip the file in your folder. Normally you have then the zip folder and the unzipped folder. The unzipped folder is a normal data folder, which you can open and have a look on all folders within. You f.i. can open the images folder and open each one of the *.jpg files and look at the pictures. Also you can open the dateariane folder and check the content. It should give you an answer, as you have some knowledge of JavaSsript. Also, normally you can open some of the the simple built answerfoles respXY.htm files directly with doubleclick and see the short text. I cannot imagine, in what step the contents or the whole files go lost?!

[oldgamer]

Anrulf,

Yes, step 1, I downloaded the zipped file from rapidshare to one of my folders. It is, as I recall, about 58mb.

Step 2, I created the unzipped datingsimulator folder which contains three files, the index.html file, the small readme file, and the dateariane folder. The dateariane folder contains all the html files and the images folder. I have looked at some of the *.jpg files in the images folder. I have also looked at some of the html files, especially the Index file. The index file is looking for startup picture, "pic1" as follows. img src="dateariane/images/pic1.jpg. It doesn't find it.

If I click on the index file, it brings up the start page (but without the startup picture, pic1). The start page contains text which says "Go on a virtual date with me, Ariane". It also contains 2 links. The first says "click here to begin". It fails with a path error. The 2nd is a link to the Internet site ArianB.com. This Internet link works properly.

I have tried downloading and unzipping this file three or four times, alternating between using IE7 and Firefox 3.0. I suspect there is a simple path fix, but I don't know what it is. For some reason, the index file is pointing toward a temp/tempory directory, rather than at the directory I downloaded to.

Sorry this note is so long, but I am trying to be specific. I sure would like to get this running so I can quit using the interactive version.

Thanks for your help.

RB

[cowboyblob]

Try going into the data directory and opening Default.htm in your browser.

[oldgamer]

Cowboyblob,

If you are suggesting that I double-click on Default.htm in my dateariane directory, I've tried that, too. The result is a path error just like when I "Click here to begin" from the Index file.

I can open the first four files in the dateariane directory (black, blank, dating2 and dating2lite). And the file after Default.htm (download). But, not Default.htm. The difference appears to be whether it's a scrïpt file or not.

I must be missing something very basic here, since no one else has had this problem (so far as I know).

[Arnulf]

oldgamer, I'm not a computer specialist, only a engaged user with some experience, so I think, that the error message, when seeking for the index-file, which says something about the temporary file system gives a hint to the temporary folder(s) of your computer. As far as I know, the download goes first to a temporary folder and when it is finished, the file is to be transferred to the target forder of your choice. I think, this step is the faulty one, which damages the file(s). Maybe your XP has a bug, that would require a re-assembling of your system. Do you have access to an other computer ( of a friend or within your job) nearby of you? If yes, you could effect the download and unzipping there and transfer the finished file with an external HD or a USB-stick. There is another possibility (exceptionally): I could send you the file as rar-file, divided in suitable portions by e-mail. You can PM me your e-mail link. So the downloading step would be avoided.

[oldgamer]

Arnulf,

What you say makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I do not have access to another computer. So, I will try the download from rapidshare one more time, save the zip file to a directory (I assume it does not matter which directory I select), unzip with Winrar one more time, and see if that works. But, I've done that several times before, so I am not very hopeful.

If I fail again, I would like to take you up on your offer to email the files.

Thanks for you help.

[Galun]

Just to make sure: You open the file as a regular file in a regular folder, not inside of a zip/rar file?
Windows explorer can open compressed archives like folders but it's not the same than extracting all files to a folder and open the extracted ones.

[Arnulf]

There are some moves of the online game going on[img]smile/eek.gif[/img]. First I (and others) discovered new pictures and extensions of scenes[img]smile/thumb.gif[/img]. Then I have seen, that the pictures does't work any more since yesterday with Firefox . Finally I discovered a shortcut on the first picture. Clicking in the upper left corner avoids the intro sequence and brings you directly to the map, where you can go wherever you want[img]smile/suri_2002.gif[/img](please avoid the bedroom and the bathroom).