Cactus 5.7.0 (Linux) and Cactus 4.0.1 (Windows) are now available!

fearedbliss

fearedbliss

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Hello all,

I'm happy to announce the dual releases of Cactus 5.7.0 (Linux) and Cactus 4.0.1 (Windows). These are both maintenance updates to tweak and polish a few things.

On the Linux side, I've decided to switch back to the traditional and minimalistic theme/style that the Windows one had. Providing less visual stimulation and helping to declutter the mind. Thus, most of the icons have been removed. In addition to reverting the theme to having text based buttons rather than image based buttons, I've adjusted the "Donation" image to be a "Heart" image. For all shards that are not active, there will no longer be an icon displayed, so this should keep the UI cleaner. The "Orb" icon that was previously used for the Summon button is now used for the "Active" summoned process.

On the Windows side, I've added an end of life notice to the OOTB experience screen that is displayed in red and italic letters at the bottom of the page. This clearly lets all Cactus for Windows users know the current state of things and the recommended migration path for future updates. Additionally, I've fixed any broken links that have occurred since the migration to Linux, most importantly the Cactus Ports Collection is now Project Sunrise. So I've updated the About page to align with the Cactus for Linux links. Lastly, I've also added the donation button (Heart) to the Windows version as well.

You can continue to download Cactus from the usual location.

Take care all and stay safe,

Jonathan

Screenshots and Patch Notes Below!

Cactus 4.0.1 (Windows) Patch Notes
General
---------

- Updated links in the About section.

- Added a donation button (Heart).

- Added an End of Life message to the OOTB.
Click to expand...

Cactus 5.7.0 (Linux) Patch Notes
General
---------

- The theme has been reverted to the traditional, minimalistic
look of Cactus 4. Keeping a simpler, less visually stimulating,
but still elegant look.

- The donation button image has been changed to a heart to match
the same style that is used in the Cactus 4.0.1 update.

- The icon used for an "Active" process has been changed to
the orb icon that was previously used for the "Summon"
button.

- Inactive processes will no longer show a "Shard" icon.
This should help with the minimalistic Cactus look,
helping to declutter the mind.

- Slight adjustments to the window size (a bit smaller).
Click to expand...

Cactus 4.0.1 Screenshots

1.PNG2.PNG3.PNG

Cactus 5.7.0 Screenshots

Main.pngAbout.pngDesktop.png
 
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Thanks, @fearedbliss - I managed to get all of the Cactus goodies fully working on Windows 11.

I understand why you guys shifted to Linux, but I just don't have the time or bandwidth to entertain that much fun.

This mini project of getting 4.0.1 to work on Windows 11 will keep my love for D2 going, so many thanks again!
 
Glad to have helped @Joe. Although consider coming over to Linux in the future, pick one of the easy ones like Linux Mint, that’s usually what I recommend to everyone. You don’t need to do it now but consider it a long term escape plan from Windows :). Also consider registering!
 
I installed a new Linux distro, so I'm back to setting up Wine|cactus for Diablo II again. (Kind of a pain with wine32, wine64, wow64.)

I checked out the new Cactus bundle, and I get a blank menu with no explanation of what 'Worldstones' or 'Shards' are. I can infer Worldstones maybe mean the patches ('Platform'), but it's a mystery as to what Shards are.

I can't copy and paste the old Entries.json as it seems. Also I caught that 1.13c is no longer supported: I really don't care about purism arguments - I just want to play my old saves.

So it would be nice if there can be an explanation for migrating from an older Cactus version to the new one.
 
There’s a fully rewritten explanation of everything in the Cactus main page and there is also a brand new video that explains everything. Cactus 5 and Cactus 4 are not backwards compatible with each other since it’s a new architecture for Linux rather than Windows. The old Windows version is still available but not supported. If you were using the Windows version on Linux via Wine, you can continue to use that. It’s easily available in the same download section as the Cactus for Linux section. That uses the same architecture and files that you mentioned. The old Windows installation video is also available but you need to figure out the differences since the new bundle is only for Linux.

Please look at the following links below.

As for the purism argument, it’s fine to have your own opinion and it’s your own computer but as the person writing and maintaining all of this work I have no obligation nor desire to do work to support versions of the game I don’t believe in. So you are on your own for anything after 1.10. Good luck.

fearedbliss

Thread 'Cactus 5.0.0 is now available. We are now on Linux!'

Hello all,

After 23 years of playing Diablo II, and 13 years since I originally started Bliss Version Switcher on Windows, we are finally now on Linux! This is a big day. We are free from corporate spying, forced updates, forced telemetry, forced AI down your throat, forced having to "sign in to a Microsoft Account" to even use your own computer in the first place. No more. We can now continue to enjoy our favorite game, Diablo II, completely on Linux. Cactus 5.0.0 is a fundamental re-imagining on top of the idea that I've been working on for all of these years. It is too much to write...
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codeberg.org

Cactus

A Modern Diablo II Worldstone Manager Designed Exclusively For Blizzard North's Diablo II (1.00 - 1.10)
codeberg.org codeberg.org

 
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Thank you so much for this update!

Things like this are what's making it so easy to fully immerse myself in linux after so many years dabbling with dual booting/test runs. The only thing of mine left on my old windows gaming pc (my wife uses it now) are my cactus install/time traveling saves and my plugy install, untouched since i brought the characters to D2R. Once I get cactus up and running on my personal linux box (I just built it earlier this year and it has never had windows installed on it), I'll wipe the drive and give her a fresh install of whatever OS she chooses, and then I will no longer have any devices that run windows, and don't plan to ever buy another.
 
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