Lich:Software/Mac Installation

Background

Mac OS X systems for all versions from Mavericks (10.9) to Mojave (10.14) have some of the elements you need to run Lich already installed. Some elements are missing, and will require you to install components on your system. While most software distributed for Mac OS X comes in the form of an automated install file, Lich is different. Lich will require that you install some components via a Terminal window command prompt. You will also start Lich from the Terminal window.

Note for versions prior to Mavericks (10.9)

Installation instructions for Mac OS X versions prior to 10.9 is more complicated. The best option is to update your OS X version to current.

Steps to Install

To run this script, download the installer and then:

1)  Open up your Terminal window (you can use Spotlight to search for Terminal, then open the application)
2)  In your terminal window enter the following commands:
         cd
         chmod 744 ./Downloads/osxlich.sh
         ./Downloads/osxlich.sh
3)  The output in Terminal will tell you when you're done.

There are six steps to getting Lich up and running on your new Mac. The installer will take care of the first five.

1)  Installing the Avalon client.
2)  Installing the xQuartz windowing system.
3)  Installing the software compiling tools from Apple.
4)  Installing the core software Ruby will use to support gems required for Lich.
5)  Installing the Ruby gems used by Lich.
6)  Testing the game and finalizing the installation.

Depending on the capabilities of your Mac and your network, you should anticipate that this installation process will take between 15 minutes and 45 minutes for most Macbook Pros and MacPros.

Running Lich for the First Time

For most first time lich users, starting up is easy. In terminal, run the following command:

ruby lich/lich.rbw

Log in with your account and password, and then select the character you want to play, and select Avalon as your FE.

In order to start the game with Lich (for Frostbite and other FE users), from Terminal we'll have to run the following command:

sudo ruby lich/lich.rbw --gemstone --<name of the FE you are using>

Quick pro tip: The next time you want to play, just open up Terminal and hit your 'up arrow' one time. You should see the ruby line above in your Terminal window. You can just press enter, fire up Lich and enjoy again!

Enjoy!

A Few (More) Quick Pro Tips

If you've read this far, you're going to benefit!

caffeinate -di [command]

Sometimes your Mac will want to go to sleep, and will disrupt your processes - even sometimes causing the dread 'SEGFAULT' that reboots your Mac with cryptic information that no one really can use (despite claims to the contrary). If you use the 'caffeinate' command in Terminal, your Mac will not sleep ( [d]isplay or computer [i]dle ) until the command completes. Suggested usage might be 'caffeinate -di ./osxinstall.sh' as one (very pertinent) example.

Install Wine

Took the plunge from a Windows PC to Mac OS X, but not quite ready to give up on your Stormfront or Wizard (my personal fav) yet? Great news! You don't have to. While Avalon is a tried and tested Mac front end, let's face it - the PC crowd presently has the better collection of front ends. So, how do you make this magic all happen? Just follow these instructions (wine installs are as long or longer than the core OS X Lich installs, so make sure you have time!) And now might just be a good time to test 'caffeinate' on that first command - it takes a while and might abort if the machine tries to sleep.

Command	Explanation
Open Terminal	Yes, we love this application to do heavy work!
cd	Always a good idea anytime you're not sure exactly where you are (which folder) on your Mac
caffeinate -di HOMEBREW_NO_AUTO_UPDATE=1 brew install wine winetricks	This will take a bit of time to complete, so we'll pour in some caffeine.
curl -OL http://www.play.net/software/lnchInst.exe	Don't just click the link, copy (or type) the entire command.
wine lnchInst.exe	You might see a few errors / warnings, but it'll work as of 8/2016
ruby ./lich/lich.rbw	Log in as normal and select the windows FE of your choice -- remember, I recommend Wizard.

Troubleshooting - you may get this strange error message: "concat': no implicit conversion of Errno::EACCES into String (TypeError)" . If you've used Avalon and Lich previously (in particular, using 'sudo ruby' as the instructions say), then we have one step we need to take to remove this error. Don't worry, it is an expected outcome of using sudo with lich, and can be fixed with one line.

Command	Explanation
cd	Absolutely ensure we're in the right directory
sudo chown -R $(whoami):staff ./lich	change ownership of all content in the lich directory to your username
ruby ./lich/lich.rbw	continue on with the login

At this point, you'll see the Lich login window - just type in your account information, select your character, and then look at the two radio buttons. One of them is Wizard, and the other Stormfront. Select your preference, and click PLAY. Your front end will be downloaded and you'll be guided to install (please just select the default locations - wine knows what it's doing).

Caution - sometimes wine takes a bit of time 'searching' for a previous installation of a file, especially the Wizard. No panic, let the process complete. Then you may not connect, especially the Wizard, the first time. No worries - wait it out and close up Terminal, then start Terminal again, and re-enter the command. You'll get in the second time.

Note: Stormfront is a very nice looking front end, but it has a memory leak in it. This situation is really exacerbated on a Mac / wine installation. You'll notice the front end start to get sluggish. When it does - simply move someplace safe, log out, and log back in. Voilà!

Use those config files!

If you've been playing for a while, you'll have a couple of challenges to overcome - migrating any non-lich scripts you may have, and migrating your existing highlights, macros and other settings. The process is slightly different for each front end, but in general:

Wine installs all Windows programs under the user directory at the following path:

~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files

So our Simutronics front ends are stored at

~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/SIMU/STORM

~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/SIMU/WIZARD

To move your existing Stormfront configuration, take these steps:

1) Check to see if your scripts and such are saved on the server.  If they are - confirm they're available to you
2) If they're not, on your old system with Stormfront - click on the Options button, then select SETTINGS and EXPORT
3) This will create an XML file.  Copy this file over to your Mac (desktop is fine if you wish)
4) Start the game on your Mac with Lich and Stormfront, and then on that system, click Options > SETTINGS and IMPORT
5) Confirm your settings / highlights / scripts are available to you.

To move over your existing Wizard configuration (it's a bit harder), take these steps:

1) On your old system, copy the directory under Wizard called Gemstone
2) On your new Mac you'll need to use Terminal to put them in the right place
3) On your new Mac, you need to have the Wizard front end (via wine) already installed
4) Put the Gemstone folder on your desktop
5) In Terminal, type in
      cd
      cp -R ./Desktop/Gemstone ./.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/SIMU/WIZARD/
6) Log into the game and see if your files made the transfer

Don't forget, Terminal remembers your command history

Just like in the game front ends, if you want to repeat a command that you've already typed in, you can simply hit the UP ARROW on your keyboard, and scroll backwards to find the command. If you go too far, DOWN ARROW will scroll you forwards. Admittedly, this is most advantageous when you're getting ready to play, and you hit UP ARROW to get your 'ruby ./lich/lich.rbw' command back.

From time to time, contributors may make changes / modifications to these tips (and the article in general), so bookmark this page, and check it periodically to see what's new and exciting!

If you're lazy, like a good Unix admin, use AUTOCOMPLETE in your Terminal window

Your Terminal window in Mac OS X will allow you to zip through long filenames and directory paths, if you use the TAB key (autocomplete). For example, in the Wizard instructions above, you can simply type in the following (and hit the TAB key where the field has [T]ab

 5)  cp -R ./Desk[T]ab/Gem[T]ab ./.wine/driv[T]ab/Prog[T]ab/SIMU/WIZ[T]ab

Autocomplete makes things much easier, and much less error prone! This will work if the file or directory already exists. If you hit TAB and it doesn't autocomplete, the capitalization is off - Unix is case sensitive!

Resources

• OS X Lich Diagnostics 3rd party, not supported by Simutronics
• OS X Lich Installation Script 3rd party, not supported by Simutronics
• Lich scripting reference
• Tillmen's Lich Update (v4.6.33): https://lichproject.org/
• Playershops by Lich: https://ps.lichproject.org/
• Unofficial Support for Lich: http://forum.gsplayers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=104
• Popular Lich script thread: http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthread.php?81229-What-Lich-Scripts-Do-You-Regularly-Use