GTISW shipbuilder released

[TheDS]

I've decided to go ahead and post the current version of my ship-building spreadsheet, so that it could be used by those of you chomping at the bit to make your own ships. The file was made using Excel and a large quantity of gadgets so that typing things in has been reduced to a minimum; you can build your whole ship without touching the keyboard.

In this thread I have asked a few questions, most of which went unanswered. In addition to still needing these questions answered, I could also use a little help in regards to the "directions for use". To me, the sheet is fairly obvious in how it works, except for a couple things. I put in lots of notes that can be read by hovering over them, but in the intro page, I tried to go over a few of the more obscure things, and even I realize I did a lousy job with those instructions. So, if you want, please let me know how to better do this.

Naturally, if there are any errors or problems, I'd like to know so I can fix them. My email address is in the sheet for particularly long or mundane issues, or if you want to make sweeping changes to the sheet and send me the changed sheet and give me a better idea what you're talking about. (Turn on Track Changes if you do this.)

Here's the link
If the download doesn't start right after you click this link, please read post #3, below. The failures I'm seeing on the server can be cured with the very first tip.

UPDATE: Try this new link, which leads to a public MSN folder. You have the choice of downloading the file zipped or not zipped. I may put other items there later, once I get verification from some of you that this link works as expected. Hopefully no one will have to create an MSN account to access these files. What you should see upon clicking this link is a picture of a folder behind a globe. Click that, and you will be taken into all the public folders. Right now, there's only the two files, but later, I may have more files for you to play with, and they may be in further folders. Please let me know if there's any problems with this.

[Urban]

I am unable to get the file.

[TheDS]

This may be because your browser is set to use Passive FTP, which I believe is the default setting of IE. To change this, follow this quick procedure:

In the TOOLS menu of your browser, choose "Internet Options..."

A window pops up. Choose the "Advanced" tab.

Scroll down about 1 page until you see "Use Passive FTP (for firewall and DSL modem compatibility)". This should be just above the "HTTP 1.1 settings" section.

Clear the check mark beside "Use Passive FTP (for firewall and DSL modem compatibility)".

Click OK at the bottom of the window.

Now the file should come up when you click the link in the first post. It pops up a new window briefly. If you have a pop-up blocker, it may be closing this window before it can download anything. if this is what the fault is, you will need to create an exception in your pop-up blocking software. Since SJ doesn't spam, you can create an exception for all of the sjgames website.

If you are still having problems, you may have some security settings on your browser interfering. IE7 users may suddenly be unable to do a number of other things, like online banking; if this is the case, I would pester my local computer buddy to help me, or pester MS if someone isn't available.

You might also have firewall software that is interfering, and as in the case of the pop-up blocker, you will need to adjust those settings on your own.

[ADDED] Since the transfer is through FTP, which uses Port 21, if you're downloading from an office or an otherwise secure or limited network (some coffee shop networks), Port 21 may be being blocked by the internet provider or network administrator. Unless the block is in your personal router/firewall. there's little you can do about this except try from some other place. [/ADDED]

Unless you have some hacker-buddy putting weird stuff on your computer for you, you should be aware of whether or not a software firewall is installed on your computer, and if it's the problem. If you're not sure, then the answer is probably "no".

If none of the above helps, PM me with a more detailed description of your problem and I'll see what I can figure out. (This goes for anyone, of course.) I am not having any problem with the link myself.

[ADDED] If you're using Windows 95, 98, or ME, you might not be able to get this file to download at all. Please PM me and we'll figure out another way to get the file to you. [/ADDED]

[Urban]

Thanks! Works now.

Most impressive work on that spreadsheet! Been toying with my own for reducing the manual calculations but yours is lightyears ahead of mine :)

[TheDS]

Thank you for the comments, always a pleasure to give someone more than they expect! Once you've gotten the chance to fiddle around with it, lemme know what you think.

I was about to tack on a note (before I saw your post) that I checked my server logs, and found numerous attempts to log in using passive mode, and that they were all failing, and was going to reiterate to those trying to download that they needed to set their browsers off of Passive mode. From what I can tell, the current settings DO allow it, but for whatever reason (any number of possible interferences) it only works in active mode.

[ElHombre]

Thanks for the work you've done. This makes building ships far easier for me. Any plans for adding TL12 options to it?