Hello @
sec_goat, welcome to ServUO. =D
To answer some of your questions. ServUO was originally based on an older RunUO svn revision. Since then, we've taken measures to merge in updates that RunUO has done to their repo. However, we're currently behind many revisions. Mostly due to me moving across the US and being MIA for so long. How ever, I have recently begun updating ServUO along side of the RunUO repo again.
I haven't really had much spare time over the past couple of weeks to finish up the updates though. Due to being rather busy with things in real life. I'm currently merging in the new ML quest system from RunUO. Once I get it in, I will be stripping out the old ML quest system (the one from OrbU made by Malgain(sp?)) Once I get the old ML quest system out and the new ML quest system in from RunUO, I will push the changes to the public repo before continuing on with the other updates from the RunUO svn.
So...short version of the question. Yes, we try to keep ServUO up to par with changes from the RunUO svn. Meaning you get the best of both worlds.
As for your other question. I've been a long time fan of UO for...way too long, heh. Even with the occasional time away, I always end up coming back to UO. With that said, I have no interest in leaving UO like I have before in the past for spans of a couple of months. I started this server to give back to the community, while also hoping to set more of a standard when it comes to developing for a UO server...among many other reasons.
With that said, I've seen plenty of forks of RunUO and various other emulators come and go over the years. So one of my first priorities when creating the project, was to do it in a way that would prevent it from ever vanishing or dying out completely. Which is the main reason for me deciding not to host the project on my own server (especially with all the issues I constantly ran into due to RunUO
trying to host their own svn.) Which is exactly why the ServUO repo is maintained over at Assembla. Anyone can fork the repo, check it out, even offer pull requests (offer bug fixes from your own repo to the public server repo.)
The only thing that could possibly vanish...would be this servuo.com website. As it's the only thing that requires a bill to be paid to keep it alive. However, the bills for the site is paid till next February. Although I have plans to setup some sort of way for fans to donate to the cause, as I'd love to keep the site around for years to come...and I don't have money to spend on the site and services like the guys over at RunUO do. Especially since I have other plans for the ServUO site (which you can see via the recent announcements I've made recently.
Last but not least, the answer to your final question. The ServUO server/emulator...while it may be an idea from me, it really is a project that belongs to the community. This means that I'm completely open to allowing anyone to lend a hand with a project. So if you have the spare time to donate to the project (or spare cash =P) then all you have to do is ask. Even if you have ZERO development skill, don't be scared to ask to help. As there are tons of things to do for the project, some things that require little or no C# knowledge at all.
The team of developers that have helped develop ServUO aren't professional developers (with the exception of @
Dougan Ironfist.) I myself enjoy helping people learn the skill. So even if your C# knowledge isn't amazing, don't be deterred from asking to help. Even if all you can do to help, is offer suggestions or report bugs/issues.
One last time, welcome to ServUO! Glad you found us here, and feel free to tell your friends about us. Just please don't do so by advertising on RunUO or anything. I've managed to build the site and project here with no advertising at all, as I don't wish to step on anyone's toes or piss anyone off.
