Ziff Davis Media pulls the Plug on FileFront? - Page 3

Dom · 03-25-2009, 03:45 PM

I have all the EF1 files off EFFIles. They are currently residing on the UberGames server.

I am currently getting the whole of JKFiles and KOTOR.

I also have all the news / files descriptions backed up... UberGames will restore these!

Apprentice · 03-25-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmiralHocking

Nice to see you taking every chance you get to throw something at me without actually knowing me.

As it happens, I have been downloading files from EFFiles since yesterday.

Then you should have said it earlier that you were doing that rather then remain silent and giving *facepalms* at someone who is doing a similair thing . . .

sharpkiller · 03-25-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

I have all the EF1 files off EFFIles. They are currently residing on the UberGames server.

I am currently getting the whole of JKFiles and KOTOR.

I also have all the news / files descriptions backed up... UberGames will restore these!

The problem with that is, we do not have permission to rehost all the files...

The Tenth Doctor · 03-25-2009, 04:09 PM

Good work, Dom. Whilst I imagine you do have to ask permission to re-host them, its only a matter of dropping an email to each author. May take some time, but worth it, no?

rhys · 03-25-2009, 04:12 PM

is urber games creating a Download site for this files similar to EFFILES site?

Dom · 03-25-2009, 04:18 PM

If you want to backup for yourself here is a python script I found eariler and modified slightly.

You will need Python lots of bandwidth and basicly a webserver to run it on. Just replace empireatwar with the subdomain of the site you want to rip (there are two occuances)

Code:

#!/usr/bin/env python
# A quick and VERY DIRTY filefront file ripper.
# LJ
import urllib
import os
import random



def getNames(sPage):
	""" Get a list of mod names from the page."""
	pPage = urllib.urlopen(sPage)
	
	# Find the link.
	print "Looking for links"
	lLines = pPage.readlines()
	lLinks = []
	for sLine in lLines:
			if "/file/" in sLine:
				lLinks.append(sLine)
	for sLink in lLinks:
		print sLink
	return lLinks
	
def doDownload(sPage, sFileName ="s"):
	""" Download a mod at a page with a gofetch link."""
	pPage = urllib.urlopen(sPage)
	
	# Find the link.
	print "Searching for Link"
	sDLine = None
	for sLine in pPage.readlines():
		if "gofetch" in sLine:
			sDLine = sLine.split("/file/gofetch/")[1].split("\"")[0]
			break
		elif "<big><b>Click here to Download the File</b></big></a>  </div><br>  <table summary=\"" in sLine:
			sName = sLine.split("<table summary=\"")[1].split("\"")[0]
			print sName
	if sDLine == "":
		return False
	
	# Download the file.
	print "Downloading Mod File."
	sModFile = "http://empireatwar.filefront.com/file/gofetch/" + sDLine
	
	sCommand = "wget --user-agent='Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.5) Gecko/2007071317 Firefox/2.0.0.5' --load-cookies=cookies.txt"
	os.popen((sCommand + " --output-document='"+sName+"_page.html' '" + sPage + "'") )
	os.popen((sCommand + " --output-document='"+sName+"' '" + sModFile + "'") )
	
	print "Done"
	return sModFile


def downloadCatagoryPage(sCatPath):
	""" Download a catagory page.   NOTE: ensure you set the number of things per-page to 100 and do each page by hand """
	lLinks = getNames(sCatPath)
	for sLink in lLinks:
		try:
			doDownload(sLink)
		except:
			"error downloading" + str(sLink)


## HERE WE DOWNLOAD THE PAGES WE WANT

# The rest of fed ships main
downloadCatagoryPage("http://empireatwar.filefront.com/sitemap_raw.txt")

rhys · 03-25-2009, 04:21 PM

how do i use this?

can someone create a one for EFFILES and BC Files

Apprentice · 03-25-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharpkiller

The problem with that is, we do not have permission to rehost all the files...

That's a tiny formality. What's important is that everything has been backed up. At a later time, you can browse through the content and decide what stays and what goes . . .

The Tenth Doctor · 03-25-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apprentice

That's a tiny formality. What's important is that everything has been backed up. At a later time, you can browse through the content and decide what stays and what goes . . .

Yeah, quite right too.

At least you got the content, so there won't be a great big stinking loss.

rhys · 03-25-2009, 04:43 PM

can this be done by using CentOS?

Pille · 03-25-2009, 04:45 PM

If you want to re-build effiles, you need its own site engine.

rhys · 03-25-2009, 04:48 PM

i meant backing up the files because i was thinking of making a forum

sharpkiller · 03-25-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhys

i meant backing up the files because i was thinking of making a forum

...May I inquire as to why?

The Tenth Doctor · 03-25-2009, 04:53 PM

You'd need a HUGE amount of raw memory to host every file on.
Besides, a number of people are already doing this, so you may as well just get involved with one of those projects.

Pille · 03-25-2009, 04:54 PM

Rhys, if you have MSN contact me please.

rhys · 03-25-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pille

Rhys, if you have MSN contact me please.

added you to my msn

Pille · 03-25-2009, 04:59 PM

Are you sure you entered my adress correctly?

The Tenth Doctor · 03-25-2009, 05:00 PM

*Sighs*

Anyway, good luck to you people dedicated to restoring everything to a new host.

rhys · 03-25-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pille

Are you sure you entered my adress correctly?

pille@totally-pille.com thats what i added

Pille · 03-25-2009, 05:03 PM

No need for you to go "sigh", I am involved in one of those projects.

EDIT: @Rhys: send me a PM with your adress please.

rhys · 03-25-2009, 05:05 PM

oh right.
well i added you

Dave · 03-25-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

I have all the EF1 files off EFFIles. They are currently residing on the UberGames server.

I am currently getting the whole of JKFiles and KOTOR.

I also have all the news / files descriptions backed up... UberGames will restore these!

Yay! So, where are you going to put them? Will we have access to them?

jabberman · 03-25-2009, 11:33 PM

They shout have given advance warning WELL in advance of the shutdown.

Vincent · 03-26-2009, 03:10 AM

Wow...

Quote:

Greetings all,

Well, as some of you already know and some that think it's still a joke, FileFront will be closing its doors for good on March 30th. All of the paid staff has been laid off (including myself) and all volunteers have been let go. Unfortunately, it seems to have been decided that the forums and network should be the first to go and before I was even able to create some announcement to inform my beloved community and volunteer staff of this event, they were taken offline or 'locked' so no further changes could be made to them. To call this unfortunate or frustrating is quite a bit of an understatement, not only to me, but especially to those I am currently unable to reach to inform them as to what's going on. I cannot imagine the confusion they must have about this and probably think its all some April Fool's joke. If only it were.

We found out yesterday that due to current economic conditions, Ziff Davis has made the call to suspend operations of the site at the end of March 30th. There isn't anyone at FileFront that knew this would happen. It was quite a shock to anyone that worked there. While we expected bad news (in this economy is there any other kind?) we certainly didn't expect that the site would be shut down for good. I certainly didn't expect the forums or network sites to be offline and unmanageable.

To the Network Staff:

I understand everyone's confusion and frustration. Hell, I share in these emotions with you. I do wish to say that it's been an honor working with every one of the volunteers, even you Skyrider. While there were days I just wanted to beat my head into the wall repeatedly from what I had to deal with, I'd do it all over again because I loved what I did. Remember that you guys are the real people that made the Network what it was and how successful it became. Keep that in mind and take pride in what you did.

To the Forum Staff:

Ah, my forum staff. I do not consider you simply volunteers of Ziff Davis that worked on the forums as those that just shut the site down do, no, I consider you guys and gals friends and family. I never had to worry about the forums, ever. I looked out for you and tried to treat you as though you were family as much as I could. I've tried requesting to get the forums database sent to me so I can continue on the community, however it seems that will not be the case. All of those posts will probably never see the light of day again. Just like the Network Staff, it's been my honor to work with each and every one of you on making one of the most popular game forums out there. Take pride that you were a part of it and helped mold it into what it was. At least we'll never have to worry about the white screen of death again though, right?

To the Admins Network/Forums:

You guys devoted more time on your respective areas then I ever did. I never lost sight of that and always had a level of respect that made me feel lucky to have you guys around. I don't think I could have ever accomplished things on my part without the strong devotion you shared in making File Front's community areas the best they could be. You did a damned fine job keeping the places up and running smoothly. I take pride in knowing that I was working with the best and always knew I could rely on you for advice and help whenever I asked for it. There's nothing I can say that really describes the thanks I wish to extend to you for all of your years of time and service, so I'll just say the words and hope you understand; Thank you.

To the Community:

I'm not sure I can write the proper words to show how much I cared for this community and what happened to it. 8 years of my life were devoted towards you all and I would never have had it any other way. You all made me happy to do the job I was doing. While I did have a work shift, when it came to the forums community, I always loved browsing it at all hours of the day. It was my job during the day, but at night, it was all about just being a member participating with everyone else. When I posted on the forums, my red username, title and status meant nothing to me at that point. I simply saw myself as a member of the community who wished to chat with other members of the community.

Last night I was being approached by many. There were some to offer condolences and some to find out what happened and some to offer places to re-ignite the community in a new place. I feel the same way they do, I want to get the community back up and running and, if Danny and Ronnie are reading this, please drop me a line and let's see if we can work something out. I'm sure we all have different goals in mind, but at the same time share in the feeling that we want our community back!

While writing this, I'm sure some of you will think it's a bit 'sappy'. I honestly don't care. I cared and respect the community and volunteers enough to write something from the heart. You all deserve it, not some cold statement written by lawyers who only wish to make it so they can't be sued for what is said. I wanted to show my gratitude for allowing me to be a part of the community and showing me the kind of dedication I've come to expect from those at FileFront.

Whenever/ if ever we are able to do a fresh start with the community, I would love to see each and every person that used it before to return.

To those that will be unable to come back, I'll miss you.

Thanks for everything!

Jeff 'n0e' Mills

jeff.mills@gmail.com

Former Community Manager, FileFront.com

-Vincent

Pille · 03-26-2009, 03:40 AM

Yeah that was obvious before already. However, IKS and Ronnie are doing a great job porting it all over together with other staff members, and there are projects running as well that might keep effiles alive or even start it fresh in addition. Just stay tuned, one way or the other the content of EliteForceFiles will not be lost.