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LibreNS++ 0.1.2 | Secure NationStates++ Alternative

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:35 pm
by South Jarvis
LibreNS++ is an alternative to the browser extension NationStates++, recoded from the ground up to alleviate problems suffered by the original NationStates++, primarily as a result of its centralised architecture:
  • The original creator of NationStates++, Afforess, has violated NationStates/forum rules a number of times, most recently by attempting to blackmail a WA proposal author by threatening to release a regional password cracker.
  • Afforess once (inadvertently) created a botnet using NationStates++ to upvote a dispatch, demonstrating the capability for unknown code to be executed by the NationStates++ extension.
  • Afforess once utilised NationStates++ to send a message to all NationStates++ users encouraging them to vote for a particular WA proposal, a feat which would otherwise have cost many telegram stamps, and which represents Afforess's use of the plugin to advance their own agenda.
  • Most NationStates++ data is stored centrally on the nationstatesplusplus.net website, making NationStates++ greatly reliant on the website for its functionality.

Thus, I will be developing a new open-source cross-browser NationStates userscript which will feature:
  • 0 immorality,
  • 0 conflict of interest, and
  • 0 reliance on third-party websites

Installation
LibreNS++ comes in the form of a Greasemonkey userscript, and thus you will need a browser/extension compatible with Greasemonkey userscripts to install it.
After installing a Userscript extension, navigate to the download URL and follow the prompts to install the script.

Downloads
Remember, this software is still in development. If you encounter any bugs, I'd very much like to know about them.
Stable: 0.1.2 - GitHub
Please read the release notes before installing or updating LibreNS++.

Features in no particular order
  • Mobile (Android and possibly iOS) support
  • Infinite scroll on RMB pages
  • Live RMB display
  • RMB automatic linkification, using jQuery Linkify
  • Puppet management and switching
  • Custom titles for regional founders and delegates (Either using the LibreNS++ way or through NationStates++ compatibility)
  • NS++ compatibility for IRC/regional tities/newspapers (must be enabled in Settings)
  • Notifications for RMB updates (must be enabled in Settings)
  • Automatic update checker (new! in 0.1.0)
  • Planned features:
    • Infinite telegram folders.

Looking for auto-telegramming?
Try my other project, pyNSrecruit.

License
Source code is available on GitHub from: https://github.com/RunasSudo/LibreNSpp

Copyright (C) 2014-2015, 2017 RunasSudo
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

Is this actively maintained/developed?
Maintained? Absolutely. I use LibreNS++ myself, so if a problem crops up, I'll fix it. However, I don't have much time to invest in developing new features for LibreNS++. If you've got programming skills, I'd welcome you contributing to the codebase.

I don't often monitor the forums, so if you have questions or issues, it may be worthwhile telegramming me.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:54 pm
by Ratateague
"From South Jarvis according to his ability, to each according to their need."
Now this I look forward to.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:46 pm
by South Jarvis
Programming battle, begin! (Not that our aims are entirely the same, or that I value speed over quality) May the best NS++ successor… succeed!

First order of business: infinite RMB scroll, because let's face it, that's the number one feature of NS++.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:48 pm
by District XIV
South Jarvis wrote:Programming battle, begin! (Not that our aims are entirely the same, or that I value speed over quality) May the best NS++ successor… succeed!

At least there is competition, unlike before :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:49 pm
by Other Thafoo
something that'd be nice and nice to get implemented from the start would be the puppet login list, considering that's all I really truly use NS++ for

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:58 pm
by Vanhania
I just want a reliable recruitment tool. xD

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:09 pm
by Geanna
As nice as a friendly competition would be; I'd like to see if you'd be willing to work with us on NSlash, everyone loves a good competition but a tool like this shouldn't be rushed or pressed for time. Focus should be about fixing whatever Afforess did and making users happy, a community project will help get a lot of things implemented and we could use your help.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:13 pm
by South Jarvis
Geanna wrote:As nice as a friendly competition would be; I'd like to see if you'd be willing to work with us on NSlash, everyone loves a good competition but a tool like this shouldn't be rushed or pressed for time. Focus should be about fixing whatever Afforess did and making users happy, a community project will help get a lot of things implemented and we could use your help.

I completely understand the advantages of contributing to a project over creating a new one, however I, for one, have serious fundamental reservations about the way that NS++ is designed. LibreNS++ is a complete rewrite of NS++, removing all the nasty bits, particularly reliance on a third-party server.
(Also, it's a userscript. Hooray for cross-browser compatibility!)
I'd be happy to contribute to your project, however.

Speaking of LibreNS++, tada! Version 0.0a1! What a lovely stable version number! Adds infinite scroll to RMB pages. (My life is complete)

https://github.com/RunasSudo/LibreNSpp/ ... pp.user.js

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:17 pm
by Glen-Rhodes
I'm not sure you've really studied all of what NS++ does, if you're planning on writing a clone that doesn't call back to a third-party server. :\

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:22 pm
by South Jarvis
Glen-Rhodes wrote:I'm not sure you've really studied all of what NS++ does, if you're planning on writing a clone that doesn't call back to a third-party server. :\

There are far too many features for me to comprehensively analyse, but I believe that most of the (what I consider) important features of NS++ should be able to be implemented without using a third-party server. For example, NS++ implemented regional newspapers using third-party servers, while I intend to implement them using NationStates dispatches.

LibreNS++ 0.0a1 | New NationStates++ Alternative

PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:31 pm
by Parhe
Would anyone be able to implement a non-lagging and scroll-able puppet log-in list? Agreeing with OThafoo that was one of the few features I really found worthwhile on NS++ (Before I uninstalled it because of the major lag). I ask since I don't really know codes or anything so was wondering it the lag was limited by the coding or possibly where the information was saved.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:15 am
by Torisakia
Eh, no thanks. I'll stick with the neat, more better NS++.

Good luck though.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:18 am
by South Jarvis
Torisakia wrote:Eh, no thanks. I'll stick with the neat, more better NS++.

Good luck though.

Even in light of recent events surrounding its creator?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:33 am
by Tim-Opolis
I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor. It'll be nice to see Afforess toppled off of his high horse by other independent NS coders. :)

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:44 am
by Torisakia
South Jarvis wrote:
Torisakia wrote:Eh, no thanks. I'll stick with the neat, more better NS++.

Good luck though.

Even in light of recent events surrounding its creator?

Yes. Why? Am I suppose to hate him now and seek out the death penalty against him?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:02 am
by South Jarvis
Torisakia wrote:
South Jarvis wrote:Even in light of recent events surrounding its creator?

Yes. Why? Am I suppose to hate him now and seek out the death penalty against him?

I'm not suggesting anything harsh; I'm merely suggesting that given Afforess' track record, it may be wise to reconsider entrusting them with control over all your NationStates information.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:12 am
by Torisakia
South Jarvis wrote:
Torisakia wrote:Yes. Why? Am I suppose to hate him now and seek out the death penalty against him?

I'm not suggesting anything harsh; I'm merely suggesting that given Afforess' track record, it may be wise to reconsider entrusting them with control over all your NationStates information.

As much as I know SA, I doubt he'd do anything with my NS account. Even if he did, mine's nothing special.

I'll pretty much keep using NS++ until the mods make SA take it off for download.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:12 am
by Applebania
I like this. Are you going to put in the Puppet Changer thingy? Because that was my favourite thing about NS++.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:13 am
by South Jarvis
Applebania wrote:I like this. Are you going to put in the Puppet Changer thingy? Because that was my favourite thing about NS++.

That's next on the agenda!

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:14 am
by The Blaatschapen
I've removed the link with the ad from here.

Links where the user stands to gain money (or something else, like cookies in a game or so) are forbidden.

The Blaatschapen - Nationstates Moderator

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:17 am
by South Jarvis
The Blaatschapen wrote:I've removed the link with the ad from here.

Links where the user stands to gain money (or something else, like cookies in a game or so) are forbidden.

The Blaatschapen - Nationstates Moderator

Alright then. I couldn't find anything about ad links on the Forum rules, but that's perfectly understandable. Would a Patreon or other donation link be acceptable?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 2:27 am
by The Blaatschapen
South Jarvis wrote:
The Blaatschapen wrote:I've removed the link with the ad from here.

Links where the user stands to gain money (or something else, like cookies in a game or so) are forbidden.

The Blaatschapen - Nationstates Moderator

Alright then. I couldn't find anything about ad links on the Forum rules, but that's perfectly understandable. Would a Patreon or other donation link be acceptable?


That's a grey area. Hold off for now on that. I'll put up a sign for another mod to take a look at it.

In the meanwhile, continue as usual :)

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:24 am
by South Jarvis
Tada! Version 0.0a4!

Now with puppet switching! (Don't blame me if your data gets stolen; maybe test with a less important puppet!)
Criticism and advice welcome!

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:49 am
by the Imperial Crown
South Jarvis wrote:Tada! Version 0.0a4!

Now with puppet switching! (Don't blame me if your data gets stolen; maybe test with a less important puppet!)
Criticism and advice welcome!


That is traditionally, not a wise comment to make. People should never install any extension to their browsers if they aren't 100% sure that it does not facilitate data loss.

PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:51 am
by New Mushroom Kingdom
Technically speaking LibreNS++ is not an extension. ;) It is however, a userscript which requires another extension to be installed.