EconPort - Server Setup

Once all settings on the Game Board and Session Parameters tabs have been entered, the experimenter may either save the configuration set to a file or launch the experiment server. To save the setup information, simply select Save as from the File dropdown menu. Opening a previously-saved configuration file will bring you to this point as well.

To launch the experiment server, click the Run Experiment button at the bottom of the configuration window. This action will open the Server Parameters window that allows you to specify where the output file will go and how subject connections are handled.

Session name: A label to identify the session within the data file.

Port Number: For moderator to enter a server port other than the default. In general, you do not have to do anything, but software allows you to specify particular port. No action is required and the default is blank. If you experience any problems, talk to your network administrator.

Sesson Mode

The session can be started in manual, immediate or the automatic mode. The modes give the moderator different control over how the matches are played.

Manual mode: the moderator has precise control over when the matches actually start. Using the Server Control Window (described later) the moderator can monitor which users are connected and start the game when everyone has been visually accounted for. In manual gaming mode all 3 pairing options are available.
Immediate mode: matches can begin as soon as the Start Server button is clicked. Players are paired in the order they arrive. Matches of the various pairs are played completely independent of each other. In immediate mode since player pairing progresses asynchronously, only constant pairing is available.
Automatic mode: the server waits for the maximum number of players allowed or for the specified number of minutes before starting the session. Alternatively, if the moderator is present then he can manually start the session in the same way as is done in manual mode. However, the point of automatic mode is to be able to run an entire session without the moderator being present. After all participants have completed their matches then the server will shutdown. In automatic gaming mode all 3 pairing options are available.

Require personal account upon login: This option is not available in the current version of software. Checked if the moderator requires that users login with personal accounts. Default is unchecked.

Session Log: Shows the path where the XML session log will be stored. If left blank the log file is saved to the desktop using the session name.

Append session log: When checked this option will append the session log to an existing log file. This allows multiple sessions to reside in the same file. If this is unchecked and the log filename already exists then it will be overwritten.

To start the server click the Start Server button at the bottom of the Session Parameters window.