OP computers

It would be useful on servers if there were special computers that can only be created, destroyed, and used by OPed players. These computers should have the following properties:

• Can execute server commands.
• No range limit for sending or receiving rednet messages.
• Option to accept public messages or limit communication only to other OP computers.
• As mentioned about, can only be created, destroyed, and used by OP players.

Some features that would be nice, but are not necessary are:

• The ability to query and modifying world block data.
• Being able to query and modify entity information, like player positions, inventory, etc.

This could be extremely useful for anyone who wants to easily create custom scripts for adding interesting behaviors to their server. For example, an adventure server that can track player's activities and trigger events based on various factors. Or maybe it could be used for having a monitor display a dynamic map of player locations. It could also be useful simply for general server management – logging information and having tools to address certain issues. Really, the possible uses are limitless.

Check out the OP panel peripheral. I don't know if it's up to date, though.

The core CC integrates usage of command blocks as peripherals, with the ability to set, reset, and run server commands.

Rednet range limits can be effectively removed in config, if that's really desired (I don't see why it would be, though…if an OP is on the server they can just use server commands directly, the point of the command blocks would be to have automated effects, there is no real need for long range messaging if they are set in the chunk loading range of the players that would be triggering/receiving effects).

A computer can be programmed to discard messages that aren't on a whitelist, and programming it so that it can update the whitelist is pretty simple as well.

Encasing these in bedrock accomplishes the desired access limitation.

As mentioned, there is also an OP panel peripheral with the additional abilities (it's been used to create things like "holodecks" and such).

ChunLing, on 20 February 2013 - 07:55 PM said:

The core CC integrates usage of command blocks as peripherals, with the ability to set, reset, and run server commands.

Does it? I didn't see anything about it on the Wiki and I just tested trying to wrap a command block as a peripheral and it returned nil. Unless, maybe I misunderstood what you were saying.

ChunLing, on 20 February 2013 - 07:55 PM said:

Rednet range limits can be effectively removed in config, if that's really desired (I don't see why it would be, though…if an OP is on the server they can just use server commands directly, the point of the command blocks would be to have automated effects, there is no real need for long range messaging if they are set in the chunk loading range of the players that would be triggering/receiving effects).

For almost all of the computers the normal range may be desired. However, there may be times when having special computers with no range limit would be useful. For example, having a a set of utilities that can be easily accessed by everyone on the server from anywhere – such as software repositories, help pages, and other content being made available. Shouldn't people have the freedom to decide how they want their own servers to be used by the players?

ChunLing, on 20 February 2013 - 07:55 PM said:

Encasing these in bedrock accomplishes the desired access limitation.

The use limitation mentioned was more of a general property this kind of computer should have. Yes, there are ways of limiting access other players can have to the computers already available.

ChunLing, on 20 February 2013 - 07:55 PM said:

As mentioned, there is also an OP panel peripheral with the additional abilities (it's been used to create things like "holodecks" and such).

There are a lot of peripherals that can do a lot of interesting things. In theory they can fill every need you have. In practice, though, people usually only have what's available in the mod-pack the server is based on, which makes me not want to become overly dependent on them.

Ok, to help people see why these computers would be such a great idea, let me present a hypothetical server setup. Let's say someone wanted to set up a unique server based around space exploration. The players on the server will be building their own "ships" with various computers. An OP computer should be able to easily communicate between all of these ships to keep track of their "movement" and "interactions." Of course, they wouldn't really be doing anything, since they are merely rooms set up in ship-like configurations, but the OP computer can keep track of their data and stats and provide a different way to play MineCraft. This OP computer can also "warp" players down to "planet surfaces" within "teleportation" range where resource gathering and adventures can be carried out. Lua scripts can be written to use server commands to generate alien landscapes and generate a database of planet information.

The point is, just because it might not be immediately apparent why such a computer might be useful, it doesn't mean that it wouldn't be useful. It provides an interface for being able to do whole new creative things that's entirely unique to your server. Since this is an item that can only be used by OPs it, of course, does not need to be used if one so chooses. But if it is made available, I'm sure we'd be seeing plenty of amazing things being done with them.

Edit:
A little searching around has led me to find that Command Blocks can be enabled in ComputerCraft's config file.

TL;DR: Most already possible, peripherals exist for a reason, not our fault you don't want to use them.

ArmchairArmada, on 20 February 2013 - 08:50 PM said:

For almost all of the computers the normal range may be desired. However, there may be times when having special computers with no range limit would be useful. For example, having a a set of utilities that can be easily accessed by everyone on the server from anywhere – such as software repositories, help pages, and other content being made available. Shouldn't people have the freedom to decide how they want their own servers to be used by the players?

You can already do that without infinite rednet range - just put things in the ROM. Sure, it is inconvenient - but you have server access.

ArmchairArmada, on 20 February 2013 - 08:50 PM said:

ChunLing, on 20 February 2013 - 07:55 PM said:

As mentioned, there is also an OP panel peripheral with the additional abilities (it's been used to create things like "holodecks" and such).

There are a lot of peripherals that can do a lot of interesting things. In theory they can fill every need you have. In practice, though, people usually only have what's available in the mod-pack the server is based on, which makes me not want to become overly dependent on them.

If people like your server, they will get your own custom modpack. You not wanting to stray away from an established pack isn't really our problem. The entire reason that the peripheral interface exists is that if we do not want a feature, you can implement it yourself. CC's job is not to cover every single persons use case - that would be impossible. In general we just provide you with the tools.

ArmchairArmada, on 20 February 2013 - 08:50 PM said:

Ok, to help people see why these computers would be such a great idea, let me present a hypothetical server setup. Let's say someone wanted to set up a unique server based around space exploration. The players on the server will be building their own "ships" with various computers. An OP computer should be able to easily communicate between all of these ships to keep track of their "movement" and "interactions." Of course, they wouldn't really be doing anything, since they are merely rooms set up in ship-like configurations, but the OP computer can keep track of their data and stats and provide a different way to play MineCraft. This OP computer can also "warp" players down to "planet surfaces" within "teleportation" range where resource gathering and adventures can be carried out. Lua scripts can be written to use server commands to generate alien landscapes and generate a database of planet information.

The point is, just because it might not be immediately apparent why such a computer might be useful, it doesn't mean that it wouldn't be useful. It provides an interface for being able to do whole new creative things that's entirely unique to your server. Since this is an item that can only be used by OPs it, of course, does not need to be used if one so chooses. But if it is made available, I'm sure we'd be seeing plenty of amazing things being done with them.

I think use cases like described are way out of ComputerCraft's territory, and not what we are about at all. As I said before, I think you should get a peripheral for that kind of interaction, really. World altering is not something I'd feel comfortable activating, even as an op only function. If your server WAS that unique, people shouldn't care about downloading your server mod pack anyway.

Also in the situation you provided, increasing the rednet range would make sense by default, especially since you're technically in space (although having your modem at world height would cover a LOT of ground, by default).

As for the "teleporting user" use case, that is already possible with Command blocks. People do insane things with Command blocks on their own - imagine what you can do with a computer interfaced Command block with the ability to activate multiple commands on one tick, and without having to have a complicated rednet system set up?

No! Bad idea!

Microsoft, on 03 March 2013 - 04:39 AM said:

No! Bad idea!

What good does this do?

However, how many times has this been suggested? :/

Please lock this bad idea.

101gill, on 06 April 2013 - 03:38 AM said:

Please lock this bad idea.

While I agree it is a bad idea, you don't need to be a dick about it. Every suggestion has a chance if Dan or Cloudy likes it, and whether you like it or not will have no effect on the final decision.

101gill, on 06 April 2013 - 03:38 AM said:

Please lock this bad idea.

Oh, you know what? I'll get right on that. Anything else I should be doing, Mr. Moderator?
I do so love being told what to do by someone who just signed up for the forums less than 24 hours ago.

Don't backseat moderate. People have been suspended for it before, and it will happen again if you continue.