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StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Tue, 20 December 2016 12:52 Go to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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Introducing StarsBox - a standalone DOSBox + Win 3.11 + Stars! zip file.

It has the following features:

* Standalone! No installation necessary; runs in any folder. Just double-click the file 'stars.bat'
* Tested in Windows 7 and 10, 64-bit
* Includes Stars! 2.6jRC4 + Stars Notebook and help file (all shown on the desktop)

Download: https://github.com/stars-4x/starsbox/releases

I can host the file for a short while, but it would be nice to put it somewhere more permanent (like on the wiki) if it ends up being useful

Thanks to all of those who have pioneered Stars! + DOSBox in the past (especially gible and Mark Hewitt)

Screenshots:
http://imgur.com/a/cjd4b

Note that the mouse is sometimes funny in DOSBox. You can modify the stars_dosbox.conf file found inside and/or make use of this page:
https://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Special_Keys

Edit:
I've updated the package so it uses the 'autolock' feature by default. You'll have to press CTRL+F10 to toggle the mouse. This should fix the mouse issues.

Edit:
Updated download URL per raptor's request.


(Edit on Nov. 1, 2019 by Ron: Added this (mouse issues fixed) to https://wiki.starsautohost.org/wiki/Stars_vs_OS)


[Updated on: Fri, 01 November 2019 09:45] by Moderator


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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Tue, 27 December 2016 15:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
nmid

 
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Thank you raptor.
I'll message Ron and gible about this later today to get this added to the wiki Smile



I know my minefields.. but I'm a chaff sweeper.
I used to curse when I got stuck in traffic... till I realised I AM traffic.

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Wed, 28 December 2016 01:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ron is currently offline Ron

 
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I tried this, and saw the same weird mouse problem someone reported on the other thread: the mouse only moves in one half of the screen.


Ron Miller
Stars! AutoHost

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Wed, 28 December 2016 08:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Entropicurity is currently offline Entropicurity

 
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I've found using <ctrl>+F10 will keep the mouse, and at full screen, within the DOSBox. I'm sure there are some other settings I can modify in the config file, but I haven't taken enough time to delve more into it.

My problem is that I tend to <alt>+<tab> a lot, and I have to remember to use the <ctrl>+F10 to reset the mouse within the DOSBox each time I do. In some cases the mouse within the DOSBox also sticks though this is in rare cases.

I just want to say thank you a ton Raptor, this standalone has really helped me get back into this game on my Windows 10 setup!



--
"A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials." - Chinese Proverb

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Wed, 28 December 2016 20:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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Hi,

I've updated the package so it uses the 'autolock' feature by default. You'll have to press CTRL+F10 to toggle the mouse. This should fix the mouse issues.

https://www.et.byu.edu/~buckd/starsbox2.zip

Edit: Is there a way I can change the original post?


[Updated on: Wed, 28 December 2016 20:49]

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Thu, 29 December 2016 18:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ron is currently offline Ron

 
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raptor wrote on Wed, 28 December 2016 20:48
Hi,

I've updated the package so it uses the 'autolock' feature by default. You'll have to press CTRL+F10 to toggle the mouse. This should fix the mouse issues.

https://www.et.byu.edu/~buckd/starsbox2.zip

Edit: Is there a way I can change the original post?

Done.



Ron Miller
Stars! AutoHost

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Sat, 31 December 2016 19:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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Thanks!

I just noticed that I had left my serial in the settings and I have removed it. Same link works, but now it'll prompt you for your serial on start-up.

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Mon, 09 January 2017 19:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
talkingbologna is currently offline talkingbologna

 
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Thank you for putting this together. It looks awesome!

Why does your download run Stars! with its proper colors, and the JRC4 patch I downloaded from KN-2050 look a little off. I installed Win 3.1 from a download in 2015 (pirate's bay?), and run it all through DOSBox.

Also, is your version with the awesomely altered user interface legal for use on Autohost?

Edit: Added questions


[Updated on: Mon, 09 January 2017 19:47]

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Tue, 10 January 2017 17:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Entropicurity is currently offline Entropicurity

 
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Also another thing: are there any other means of obtaining files from within the DOSBox for internet games? I am unsure of where to look for a "thin" browser to try to upload/download files or even access basic HTML email accounts. Thoughts?

Reason I ask, Alt-Tabbing is a pain but part of the nature of working with the box itself.



--
"A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials." - Chinese Proverb

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Tue, 10 January 2017 17:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
talkingbologna is currently offline talkingbologna

 
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Heh heh, I fubar'd. I remember when I first installed my little Win3.1 world in my Win7 world, and placed the Stars! files where they can be accessed, I never did learn how to change the screen resolution. I was running at whatever it starts at. The map and target panes were super tiny, and it took me forever to get used to only being able to see a couple hundred light years across.

That is probably why your one-click StarsBox looks so much better, raptor.


Edit for being a dummy Very Happy


[Updated on: Tue, 10 January 2017 17:14]

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Wed, 11 January 2017 01:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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Quote:
...are there any other means of obtaining files from within the DOSBox for internet games?


The only way I know of is to use the shared folder that is set up: the 'd_drive' sub-folder in Windows 10, or 'D:' inside of DOSBox.

I am working on emulating StarsBox in a web browser, which would alleviate a lot of annoyances, but it is held up for the moment by a critical bug. (If you're curious, it's this one: https://github.com/jvilk/BrowserFS/issues/170)


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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Wed, 21 February 2018 16:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ron is currently offline Ron

 
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Raptor, looks like they fixed the .. and . directory entries you were having trouble with. How is the project?


Ron Miller
Stars! AutoHost

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Wed, 21 February 2018 20:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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No real change on the DOSBox port; it still work just fine, if a bit slow and finicky with the mouse.

I'm looking into replacing DOSBox with this project as it has a lot of potential and fixes the mouse issues:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/boxedwine/

BoxedWine has some minor graphical glitches when running Stars!, though, but I hope to have it replace StarsBox soon.

(If the browser version gets better, then that could replace everything!)

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Wed, 21 February 2018 20:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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Oh, and yes, those directory issues in the stars-browser version were fixed so further development can continue on it.

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Sat, 24 March 2018 01:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Machalot is currently offline Machalot

 
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This is amazing! I have struggled to get my friends interested in Stars because they don't want to bother with the hassle of setting up a VM. How's the migration to boxwine coming along?


Peace Through Superior Firepower and Immediate Retaliation

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Sat, 24 March 2018 01:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Machalot is currently offline Machalot

 
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I'm actually unable to create a new game. No matter what I type in for the filename (game.xy, abcd.xy, etc) it rejects the name telling me it's invalid. Any hints about this?

Update: Nevermind, it was because the folder was write protected.


[Updated on: Sat, 24 March 2018 01:20]




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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Sun, 25 March 2018 23:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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I created a github project for releases of StarsBox. Could someone please change the download link in the opening post to point to:

https://github.com/stars-4x/starsbox/releases

Thanks!

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Mon, 26 March 2018 16:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ron is currently offline Ron

 
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raptor wrote on Sun, 25 March 2018 23:34
I created a github project for releases of StarsBox. Could someone please change the download link in the opening post to point to:

https://github.com/stars-4x/starsbox/releases

Thanks!

Done



Ron Miller
Stars! AutoHost

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Thu, 20 September 2018 23:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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Added a new release, 3.0. Changes:

  • Add S3 graphics driver for higher resolutions
  • Default to slightly larger resolution (1152x864)

Get it here:

https://github.com/stars-4x/starsbox/releases

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Tue, 16 October 2018 17:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
talkingbologna is currently offline talkingbologna

 
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Thanks Raptor, the increased map size is great.

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Tue, 28 January 2020 08:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
XAPBob is currently offline XAPBob

 
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If the s3 drivers are already included then you can make a substantially larger resolution (1600*1200):

I used the details from here:
https://www.howtogeek.com/230359/how-to-install-windows-3.1- in-dosbox-set-up-drivers-and-play-16-bit-games/

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Tue, 28 January 2020 10:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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If you use the StarsWine package instead, it is seamless with your desktop resolution:

https://github.com/stars-4x/starswine/releases

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Sun, 02 February 2020 06:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
XAPBob is currently offline XAPBob

 
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raptor wrote on Tue, 28 January 2020 15:19
If you use the StarsWine package instead, it is seamless with your desktop resolution:

https://github.com/stars-4x/starswine/releases


I'm using DOSBox on a Mac, and putting it into a docker container - along with an easy 'remote' interface.

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Sun, 02 February 2020 23:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
raptor is currently offline raptor

 
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Wow, on OSX!

Has anyone tried latest WINE on OSX?

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Re: StarsBox - standalone Stars! + DOSBox Mon, 10 February 2020 10:32 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
XAPBob is currently offline XAPBob

 
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To be honest I can't be bothered - the DOSBox implementation works so well...

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