support

This page documents the current plan for future versions of ARES.

See also:

ARES Controller Info for information on retrofits

Device Compatibility

Previous versions of this page

ARES updates

Limbo

These are to-do items that need to be done but, for various reasons, are annoying and keep getting put off. Exactly when they'll actually get done is anyone's guess.

Vox bugs: dot commands blocked, duplicated chat

finish core personas

consent request bundling; updatable alerts [security, variatype]

defensive low-power-masking

forget deleted scripts [kernel]

standard external menu HUD (AMenu)

ARES-to-ARES menu access [variatype + menu]

db backup, db load support for character streams (web sources) [db]

policies pt 2: curfew [policy]; distress beacon [power], IM policies [policy], owner radio policies and exceptions, TP yank

New Roadmap

The planned list of versions was rewritten on June 26, 2024 to be more concrete, and to re-prioritize planned tasks based on urgency and impact.

Beta 3

0.5.0

(Previously 0.4.4)

New filesystem implementation ✔

New help system implementation ✔

Morgan's control freak tranche:

* Remember chat capture status on login ✔

* Policy to forbid chat release

* Current persona display on HUD

* Current persona display in persona menu

Sexuality preview 2

0.5.1

Finish implementing policies and distress beacon

Diagnostics bed compatibility

Solve Tekklaa's Bug

WARRIOR release 1

0.5.2

Cron in scheduler

Proximity in scheduler

rent application

Boot and shutdown scripts

0.5.3

domain hierarchy/XNMS client

New settings backup disks based on phase/LSD

Beta 4

0.6.0

Investigate env corruption

Unreliable reassertion of RLV restrictions (mainly after login)

DIAG release 1

0.6.1

Long-suffering vox bugs

Hover height control improvements; settings for hover height in media animations

Guaranteed forced sit and unsit (problems putting the unit on furniture while it's powered down)

Sexuality preview 3

Beta 5

0.7.0

Finish AV-CAPS support

New ax refactor for handling monstrous package lists (axsc)

Get Bismuth deployable via AV-CAPS

UPLINK release 1

0.7.1

Security shakedown

0.7.2

Revisit personas

Beta 6

0.8.0

Unit-to-unit menus

Device compatibility

Kernel revisit

0.8.1

Device compatibility

Documentation

0.8.2

Bug roundup

Documentation

Release 9

9.0.0

Militarizer

Release 9.1

9.1.0

Shipping soft differentiation

Apps: Hookup, transponder, cal, etc.

9.2.0

implement stream-oriented API, adapt command-line pipes

DIVE

9.3.0

Shipping hard differentiation

CX-SCADA, scour, Scout booster, etc.

Targets

Spring Utilities replacements with new rental, proximity, and cron (scheduler) facilities

Hierarchy/XNMS compatibility [domain]—no server code changes anticipated

not implementing database overlays: this is a cut feature, as the db utility is already brimming

update remaining devices (those that previously depended upon the Companion "internal" message)

fast loading of local notecards

short-circuit trivial filesystem refreshes

Cleanup:

shakedown of interference and security rules

shakedown of documentation completeness

shakedown of guest access

shakedown of announcer rules; second set of announcers

recheck all code in @help; root out problems

Extensions

Sexuality

Sexuality is the ARES equivalent of Companion's TESI add-on. It provides arousal, cryolubricant management, tactile sensors, and more. Sexuality is part of the same purchase package as TESI Complete.

Outstanding Sexuality implementation tasks:

Example furniture and devices

Voices (software works, but need data)

Orgasm nozzles

Fluid production

Reproductive Matrix

Friction

Installer

Wizard

Models

RLV outfit switching

Menu controls

Anim detect (head)

Prevent touch duration accumulation

Anim playback (pelvis)

WARRIOR

WARRIOR is an enhanced combat add-on for ARES that adds features originally slated for ATOS/CX.

Outstanding WARRIOR implementation tasks:

Targeted damage

Power malfunctions

Update VectorLogix, Arachne X8, ARC, and ExARC to detect and fix ARES power malfunctions

DIAG

DIAG (short for diagnostics) is a software add-on experience for ARES that simulates malware and logic malfunctions. Its main purpose is to encourage roleplay around repair and maintenance, including a special tech support crew staffed by NS volunteers who help rescue stranded units in the field.

Outstanding DIAG implementation tasks:

Implement main program

Update VectorLogix, Arachne X8, ARC, and ExARC to detect and fix DIAG problems

Update training course website

Organize tech crew

HCS: The new CSU

The CSU is a particularly design-intensive product that requires a complete overhaul. Many of its settings are no longer meaningful, as ARES soft-codes all of the power subsystems, so these can be changed without the CSU.

We would ideally like to replace the CSU with a "cyberware inventory" experience called the <b>Hardware Components System</b>, where you must go to your local ripperdoc (Arachne X8) to change load-outs.

HUDware

This is a generic server/client architecture for implementing multiple HUDs with a single attachment, a little like X Windows. For sanity and sanitation reasons we intend to implement HUDware first, then implement the HCS interface using HUDware.

Dive

In 2019 we demonstrated a somewhat-janky-and-laggy-but-viable pair of gadgets for remotely controlling other avatars' movements and camera using direct control input. Dive will package this as a telepresence add-on for use between NS units in the same region.

Uplink

myNanite Uplink has been a long-standing dream project at NS, intended to provide a web-based interface for accessing and managing units remotely via a subscription service. Implementing it will require a new payments system, and (hopefully) allow integration via our Patreon.