Merge pull request #276 from aclist/chore/update-readme

chore: update readme

.gitignore

@@ -1 +1,4 @@
 tags
+__pycache__
+pre-commit
+tests/

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,20 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [6.0.2] 2026-01-26
+## Fixed
+- Explicitly use Python 3.13 when calling subprocesses
+- Raise error correctly from module
+- Do not spawn dialogs from inside of thread when fetching prereqs
+## Changed
+- Optimize time complexity of startup checks
+- Optimize coordinate calculation by using local records first
+- Rename some internal functions
+- Wrap entire startup process in dialog
+
+## [6.0.1] 2026-01-16
+## Fixed
+- Explicitly use Python 3.13 when calling subprocesses
+
 ## [6.0.0] 2026-01-14
 ## Added
 - Support DayZ Experimental
@@ -373,7 +388,7 @@ As part of this change, version 4.0.0 introduces the ability to connect to or ad
 
 If you encounter any problems with this new release or with the migration of configs, please do not hesitate to submit a bug report.
 
-Attention Fedora 38 users: problems with upstream GNOME packages causing crashes have been reported to GNOME development and a fix has been issued. You have the choice of compiling the zenity package 
+Attention Fedora 38 users: problems with upstream GNOME packages causing crashes have been reported to GNOME development and a fix has been issued. You have the choice of compiling the zenity package
 from source or waiting until the latest version is merged into Fedora's package manager.
 
 ### Added
@@ -398,7 +413,7 @@ from source or waiting until the latest version is merged into Fedora's package
 - Store complete IP:Port instead of server IDs
 - Make Battlemetrics API key optional: this is only used for the 'Connect by ID' and 'Add server by ID' methods and is not required. If you prefer, you can simply connect/add by IP.
 - Prevent the application from launching in Game Mode on Steam Deck: Steam Deck's kiosk mode has problems sending keyboard input to third party applications. To prevent unintended usage, DZGUI now warns the user to launch the app in Desktop Mode if they attempt to use it from Game Mode. Adding DZGUI as a Non-Steam Game does work on desktop PCs, but is not recommended due to the way Steam handles subshells. For best results, launch DZGUI directly via the script/applications menu (PC) or via the desktop icon (Steam Deck).
-- Omit null servers from list: servers that time out or send an empty response are now omitted entirely from the My Servers list, as they will not return meaningful metadata unless they are online.  
+- Omit null servers from list: servers that time out or send an empty response are now omitted entirely from the My Servers list, as they will not return meaningful metadata unless they are online.
   The My Servers list thus shows online and accessible servers
 
 ## [3.3.0] 2023-05-16
@@ -417,7 +432,7 @@ from source or waiting until the latest version is merged into Fedora's package
 - First-time setup: sudo escalation when checking system map count for the first time
 
 ### Fixed
-- Steam Deck: non-ASCII delimiter causing setup menu to despawn on some devices 
+- Steam Deck: non-ASCII delimiter causing setup menu to despawn on some devices
 - Don't add items in My Servers multiple times to array when the list of favorites is paginated
 - Trigger progress dialogs sooner and in sequence to reduce appearance of visual lag
 - First-time setup: break out of dialogs correctly when user backs out

README.md

@@ -11,6 +11,15 @@ This overcomes certain limitations in the Linux client and helps prepare the gam
 - Concatenate launch options to pass to Steam
 - Connect to mod-enabled LAN servers
 
+## Design philosophy
+
+DZGUI follows a specific set of guidelines, enumerated below:
+
+- Provide a free and open-source tool under GPL
+- Do not use undocumented, third-party servers to aggregate data; no central "DZGUI" server
+- All connections go to Steam and DayZ servers directly; the tool should function in perpetuity without intermediary endpoints
+- Target Linux desktop and Steam deck specifically; not a cross-platform tool
+
 ## Setup and usage
 
 Refer to the documentation for installation and setup instructions:
@@ -18,7 +27,6 @@ Refer to the documentation for installation and setup instructions:
 - [GitHub](https://aclist.github.io/dzgui/index.html)
 - [Mirror (Codeberg)](https://aclist.codeberg.page)
 
-
 ![A screenshot of DZGUI](/images/example.png)
 
 ## Attribution

dzgui.sh

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 set -o pipefail
 
-src_path=$(realpath "$0")
-
-version=6.0.0
+src_path="$(readlink -e "$0")"
+version=6.0.2
 
 #CONSTANTS
 aid=221100
@@ -41,6 +40,7 @@ cols_file="$state_path/$prefix.cols.json"
 
 #CACHE FILES
 coords_file="$cache_path/$prefix.coords"
+src_path_file="$cache_path/$prefix.src"
 
 #legacy paths
 hist_file="$config_path/history"
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ setup_state_files(){
         done
         logger INFO "Wiped cache files"
     fi
+    echo "$src_path" > "$src_path_file"
 }
 print_config_vals(){
     local keys=(
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ test_gobject(){
     python3.13 -c "import gi"
     if [[ ! $? -eq 0 ]]; then
         logger CRITICAL "Missing PyGObject"
-        quit_with_pdialog "Requires PyGObject (python-gobject)"
+        quit_with_help_dialog "Requires PyGObject (python-gobject)"
         exit 1
     fi
     logger INFO "Found PyGObject in Python env"
@@ -246,7 +247,7 @@ open_url(){
         xdg-open "$url"
     fi
 }
-quit_with_pdialog(){
+quit_with_help_dialog(){
     local sel
     msg="$1"
     help_button="Open help page"
@@ -259,7 +260,7 @@ quit_with_pdialog(){
 check_pyver(){
     if [[ ! $(python3.13 --version) ]]; then
         local msg="Requires Python 3.13"
-        quit_with_pdialog "$msg"
+        quit_with_help_dialog "$msg"
     fi
 }
 watcher_deps(){
@@ -334,6 +335,7 @@ check_unmerged(){
     fi
 }
 check_version(){
+    echo "# Checking version"
     [[ -n $reference_branch ]] && return
     local version_url=$(format_version_url)
     local upstream=$(curl -Ls "$version_url" | awk -F= '/^version=/ {print $2}')
@@ -384,7 +386,7 @@ prompt_dl(){
 	Your branch: $branch
 	Your version: $version
 	Upstream version: $upstream
-	
+
 	Version updates introduce important bug fixes and are encouraged. Attempt to download the latest version?
 	EOF
     }
@@ -413,6 +415,7 @@ test_display_mode(){
     fi
 }
 check_architecture(){
+    echo "# Checking system architecture"
     local cpu=$(< /proc/cpuinfo awk -F": " '/AMD Custom APU [0-9]{4}$/ {print $2; exit}')
     read -a APU_MODEL <<< "$cpu"
     if [[ ${APU_MODEL[3]} != "0932" ]] && [[ ${APU_MODEL[3]} != "0405" ]]; then
@@ -429,6 +432,7 @@ check_architecture(){
     logger INFO "Setting architecture to 'Steam Deck'"
 }
 check_map_count(){
+    echo "# Checking map count"
     [[ $is_steam_deck -gt 0 ]] && return 0
     local map_count_file="/proc/sys/vm/max_map_count"
     local min_count=1048576
@@ -478,6 +482,7 @@ tdialog(){
     $steamsafe_zenity --info --text="$1" "${zenity_flags[@]}"
 }
 steam_deps(){
+    echo "# Checking Steam"
     local flatpak
     local steam
     [[ $(command -v flatpak) ]] && flatpak=$(flatpak list | grep valvesoftware.Steam)
@@ -488,16 +493,8 @@ steam_deps(){
         exit 1
     fi
 }
-migrate_files(){
-    if [[ ! -f $config_path/dztuirc.oldapi ]]; then
-        cp $config_file $config_path/dztuirc.oldapi
-        logger INFO "Migrated old API file"
-    fi
-    [[ ! -f $hist_file ]] && return
-    rm $hist_file
-    logger INFO "Wiped old history file"
-}
 stale_symlinks(){
+    echo "# Cleaning stale symlinks"
     local game_dir="$steam_path/steamapps/common/DayZ"
     readarray -t links < <(find "$game_dir" -xtype l)
     for link in "${links[@]}"; do
@@ -511,7 +508,7 @@ check_availability() {
         return 1
     fi
     local url=$1
-    local timeout_sec="3"
+    local timeout_sec="2"
     if [[ $2 ]]; then
         timeout_sec=$2
     fi
@@ -522,6 +519,7 @@ check_availability() {
 }
 
 local_latlon(){
+    echo "# Checking coordinates"
     if [[ -z $(command -v dig) ]]; then
         local url_ipecho="https://ipecho.net/plain"
         if ! check_availability "ipecho.net"; then
@@ -533,6 +531,9 @@ local_latlon(){
         # TODO : implement checking remote
         local local_ip=$(dig -4 +short myip.opendns.com @resolver1.opendns.com)
     fi
+    if calc_local_coords "$local_ip"; then
+        return 0
+    fi
     local url_ip_api="http://ip-api.com/json/$local_ip"
     if ! check_availability "ip-api.com"; then
         logger WARN "Failed to get local coordinates, ip-api.com service may be down."
@@ -547,6 +548,7 @@ local_latlon(){
 }
 
 lock(){
+    echo "# Setting up lock file"
     [[ ! -f $lock_file ]] && touch $lock_file
     local pid=$(cat $lock_file)
     ps -p $pid -o pid= >/dev/null 2>&1
@@ -624,12 +626,12 @@ fetch_helpers_by_sum(){
     [[ -f "$config_file" ]] && source "$config_file"
     declare -A sums
     sums=(
-        ["funcs"]="8e281479d7b7e6bab9e81fcdf0205ce9"
+        ["funcs"]="5523d933e9f0668fc14b3faf0d4aafd8"
         ["query_v2.py"]="55d339ba02512ac69de288eb3be41067"
         ["servers.py"]="ed442c3aecf33f777d59dcf53650d263"
-        ["ui.py"]="3d67e5e8e85a23dde1fd0e85a9be62a9"
+        ["ui.py"]="d09b9d8bed3854efd51377289786c5ac"
         ["vdf2json.py"]="2f49f6f5d3af919bebaab2e9c220f397"
-        ["pefile.py"]="21531f2c0d9dfa5f110cf6779f9d22c0"
+        ["pefile.py"]="b452974a84bff1d821872fcebf59e380"
     )
     local author="aclist"
     local repo="dztui"
@@ -689,11 +691,12 @@ fetch_km_helper(){
 }
 get_response_code(){
     local url="$1"
-    curl -Ls -I -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" "$url"
+    curl --connect-timeout 3 -Ls -I -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" "$url"
 }
+
 fetch_ip_db(){
     parse_dl_url(){
-        curl -Ls "$url" \
+        curl --connect-timeout 3 -Ls "$url" \
         | grep "csv.gz" \
         | awk -F"['']" '{print $2}'
     }
@@ -709,6 +712,9 @@ fetch_ip_db(){
     fetch(){
         logger INFO "Triggering fetch routine"
         local url="$1"
+        local ip_file="${state_path}/ips.csv"
+        local base_file="${state_path}/${this_month}.csv.gz"
+        local extracted_file="${state_path}/${this_month}.csv"
 
         curl -Ls "$url" > "$base_file"
         if [[ $? -ne 0 ]]; then
@@ -728,7 +734,7 @@ fetch_ip_db(){
             logger WARN "Abnormal exit while parsing IPs"
             return
         fi
-        rm "${state_path}/${month}.csv"
+        rm "${state_path}/${this_month}.csv"
 
         readarray -t records < <(cat $ip_file | awk -F, 'NR==1 {print $1} END {print $1}')
         if [[ ${records[0]} != "0.0.0.0" ]] && [[ ${records[1]} != "224.0.0.0" ]]; then
@@ -743,55 +749,57 @@ fetch_ip_db(){
             rm "$ip_file"
         fi
 
-        echo "$month" > "$month_file"
-        logger INFO "Wrote '$month' to stub '$month_file'"
+        echo "$this_month" > "$month_file"
+        logger INFO "Wrote '$this_month' to stub '$month_file'"
         logger INFO "Updated '$ip_file'"
     }
 
+    check_remote(){
+        local url="$1"
+        local res=$(get_response_code "$url")
+        if [[ $res -ne 200 ]]; then
+            logger WARN "Failed to retrieve remote resource: '$url' ($res)"
+            return
+        fi
+        logger INFO "Resolved remote URL: '$url'"
+
+        # test dl url
+        local dl_url="$(parse_dl_url)"
+        local res=$(get_response_code "$dl_url")
+        if [[ $res -ne 200 ]]; then
+            logger WARN "Remote resource unavailable: '$dl_url' ($res)"
+            return
+        fi
+        logger INFO "Resolved download URL: '$dl_url'"
+        fetch "$dl_url"
+    }
+
     local url="https://db-ip.com/db/download/ip-to-city-lite"
-    local month_file="${state_path}/.month"
-    local ip_file="${state_path}/ips.csv"
-
-    # test main url
-    local res=$(get_response_code "$url")
-    if [[ $res -ne 200 ]]; then
-        logger WARN "Failed to retrieve remote resource: '$url' ($res)"
-        return
-    fi
-    logger INFO "Resolved remote URL: '$url'"
-
-    # test dl url
-    local dl_url="$(parse_dl_url)"
-    local res=$(get_response_code "$dl_url")
-    if [[ $res -ne 200 ]]; then
-        logger WARN "Remote resource unavailable: '$dl_url' ($res)"
-        return
-    fi
-    logger INFO "Resolved download URL: '$dl_url'"
-
-    local month=$(parse_dl_url_date "$dl_url")
-    local base_file="${state_path}/${month}.csv.gz"
-    local extracted_file="${state_path}/${month}.csv"
+    month_file="${state_path}/.month"
+    this_month=$(date +%Y-%m)
 
     # no stub file
     if [[ ! -f $month_file ]]; then
         logger WARN "No stub file '$month_file' present"
-        fetch "$dl_url"
-        return
-    fi
-
-    # local needs update
-    local last_month=$(< "$month_file")
-    if [[ $last_month != "$month" ]]; then
-        logger WARN "Local stub '$last_month' does not match remote stub '$month'"
-        fetch "$dl_url"
+        check_remote "$url"
         return
     fi
 
     # if stub is same date, abort
-    logger INFO "Local stub '$last_month' is identical to remote, skipping"
+    local last_month=$(< "$month_file")
+    if [[ $last_month == "$this_month" ]]; then
+        logger INFO "Local stub '$last_month' is identical to remote, skipping"
+        return
+    fi
+
+    # local needs update
+    logger WARN "Local stub '$last_month' does not match '$this_month'"
+    check_remote "$url"
+    return
+
 }
 fetch_helpers(){
+    echo "# Checking helper files"
     fetch_a2s
     fetch_dzq
     fetch_km_helper
@@ -890,7 +898,7 @@ file_picker(){
 }
 find_library_folder(){
     local search_path="$1"
-    readarray -t paths < <(python3 "$helpers_path/vdf2json.py" -i "$1/steamapps/libraryfolders.vdf" \
+    readarray -t paths < <(python3.13 "$helpers_path/vdf2json.py" -i "$1/steamapps/libraryfolders.vdf" \
         | jq -r '.libraryfolders[]|select(.apps|has("221100")).path')
     if [[ ! $? -eq 0 ]]; then
         logger WARN "Failed to parse Steam path using '$search_path'"
@@ -979,6 +987,7 @@ create_config(){
     done
 }
 varcheck(){
+    echo "# Checking config file"
     local msg="Config file '$config_file' missing. Start first-time setup now?"
     local msg2="The Steam paths set in your config file appear to be invalid (DayZ was moved or uninstalled). Restart first-time setup now?"
     if [[ ! -f $config_file ]]; then
@@ -1005,12 +1014,14 @@ varcheck(){
     fi
 }
 is_dzg_downloading(){
+    echo "# Checking DayZ"
     if [[ -d $steam_path ]] && [[ -d $steam_path/downloading/$aid ]]; then
         logger WARN "DayZ may be scheduling updates"
         return 0
     fi
 }
 is_steam_running(){
+    echo "# Checking Steam"
     local res=$(ps aux | grep "steamwebhelper" | grep -v grep)
     if [[ -z $res ]]; then
         logger WARN "Steam may not be running"
@@ -1023,6 +1034,7 @@ get_response_code(){
     curl -Ls -I -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" "$url"
 }
 test_connection(){
+    echo "# Testing connection"
     declare -A hr
     local res1
     local res2
@@ -1056,6 +1068,7 @@ legacy_cols(){
     mv $cols_file.new $cols_file
 }
 stale_mod_signatures(){
+    echo "# Checking stale mods"
     [[ ! -f "$versions_file" ]] && return
     local workshop_dir="$steam_path/steamapps/workshop/content/$aid"
     if [[ -d $workshop_dir ]]; then
@@ -1069,18 +1082,48 @@ stale_mod_signatures(){
 
 }
 create_new_links(){
+    echo "# Setting up symlinks"
     "$func_helper" "update_symlinks"
 }
+calc_local_coords(){
+    local ip="$1"
+    [[ ! -f "$geo_helper" ]] && return 1
+
+    IFS="." read -ra split <<< "$ip"
+    [[ ${#split[@]} -ne 4 ]] && return 1
+
+    prefix="^${split[0]}.${split[1]}."
+    readarray -t res < <(grep "$prefix" "$geo_helper")
+
+    for address in "${res[@]}"; do
+        IFS="," read -ra fields <<< "$address"
+        upper="${fields[1]}"
+        IFS="." read -ra upper_digits <<< "$upper"
+        if [[ ${split[2]} -gt ${upper_digits[2]} ]]; then
+            continue
+        fi
+        if [[ ${split[2]} -eq ${upper_digits[2]} ]]; then
+            if [[ ${split[3]} -gt ${upper_digits[3]} ]]; then
+                continue
+            fi
+            if [[ ${split[3]} -eq ${upper_digits[3]} ]]; then
+                echo "${fields[-2]}" >> "$coords_file"
+                echo "${fields[-1]}" >> "$coords_file"
+                return 0
+            fi
+        fi
+        if [[ ${split[2]} -lt ${upper_digits[2]} ]]; then
+            echo "${fields[-2]}" >> "$coords_file"
+            echo "${fields[-1]}" >> "$coords_file"
+            return 0
+        fi
+    done
+    return 1
+}
 initial_setup(){
-    setup_dirs
-    setup_state_files
-    depcheck
-    check_pyver
-    test_gobject
-    watcher_deps
     check_architecture
     test_connection
-    fetch_helpers > >(pdialog "Checking helper files")
+    fetch_helpers
     varcheck
     source "$config_file"
     lock
@@ -1089,14 +1132,12 @@ initial_setup(){
     check_version
     check_map_count
     steam_deps
-    migrate_files
     stale_symlinks
     stale_mod_signatures
     create_new_links
     local_latlon
     is_steam_running
     is_dzg_downloading
-    print_config_vals
 }
 uninstall(){
     _full(){
@@ -1198,8 +1239,15 @@ main(){
 
     set_im_module
 
-    printf "Initializing setup...\n"
-    initial_setup
+    printf "Checking dependencies...\n"
+    setup_dirs
+    setup_state_files
+    depcheck
+    check_pyver
+    test_gobject
+    watcher_deps
+
+    initial_setup > >(pdialog "Initializing setup")
 
     printf "All OK. Kicking off UI...\n"
     python3.13 "$ui_helper" "--init-ui" "$version" "$is_steam_deck"

helpers/funcs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 set -o pipefail
-version="6.0.0"
+version="6.0.2"
 
 #CONSTANTS
 aid=221100
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ _cache_binary="$cache_dir/$prefix.binary"
 _cache_coords="$cache_path/$prefix.coords"
 _cache_cooldown="$cache_path/$prefix.cooldown"
 _cache_lan="$cache_path/$prefix.lan"
+_cache_src_path="$cache_path/$prefix.src"
 
 #XDG
 freedesktop_path="$HOME/.local/share/applications"
@@ -285,7 +286,7 @@ a2s(){
     local mode="$3"
     logger INFO "Querying '$ip:$qport' with mode '$mode'"
     local res
-    res=$(python3 "$query_helper" "$ip" "$qport" "$mode")
+    res=$(python3.13 "$query_helper" "$ip" "$qport" "$mode")
     if [[ $? -eq 1 ]]; then
         res=$(try_fallback "$ip" "$qport" "$mode")
         if [[ $? -eq 1 ]]; then
@@ -308,7 +309,7 @@ is_in_favs(){
 find_id(){
     local file="$default_steam_path/config/loginusers.vdf"
     [[ ! -f $file ]] && return 1
-    local res=$(python3 "$helpers_path/vdf2json.py" \
+    local res=$(python3.13 "$helpers_path/vdf2json.py" \
     -i "$file" \
     | jq -r '.users
         |to_entries[]
@@ -337,7 +338,7 @@ list_mods(){
             name=$(awk -F\" '/name/ {print $2}' "${dir}/meta.cpp")
             base_dir=$(basename $(readlink -f $game_dir/$symlink))
             size=$(du -s "$(readlink -f "$game_dir/$symlink")" | awk '{print $1}')
-            size=$(python3 -c "n=($size/1024) +.005; print(round(n,4))")
+            size=$(python3.13 -c "n=($size/1024) +.005; print(round(n,4))")
             LC_NUMERIC=C printf "%s$sep%s$sep%s$sep%3.3f\n" "$name" "$symlink" "$base_dir" "$size"
         done | sort -k1)
         # user may have manually pruned mods out-of-band
@@ -396,6 +397,7 @@ get_dist(){
         logger INFO "Distance: $dist km"
     fi
 }
+
 query_config(){
     [[ -n $2 ]] && local key=$2
     keys=(
@@ -421,6 +423,7 @@ query_config(){
         echo "${!i}"
     done
 }
+
 align_versions_file(){
     shift
     local mod="$1"
@@ -586,9 +589,6 @@ default_steam_path="$default_steam_path"
 
 #Preferred Steam launch command (for Flatpak support)
 preferred_client="$preferred_client"
-
-#DZGUI source path
-src_path="$src_path"
 END
 }
 format_version_url(){
@@ -642,6 +642,7 @@ download_new_version(){
         return 1
     fi
     local version_url="$(format_version_url)"
+    local src_path="$(< "$_cache_src_path")"
     mv "$src_path" "$src_path.old"
     curl -Ls "$version_url" > "$src_path"
     rc=$?

helpers/pefile.py

@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ def get_dayz_version(file: Path) -> DayZVersion | Exception:
     try:
         version = get_version(file)
     except Exception as e:
-        return e
+        raise e
     patch = str(version.build) + str(version.revision)
     dz_vers = DayZVersion(version.major, version.minor, int(patch))
     return dz_vers

helpers/ui.py

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from collections.abc import Callable
 from concurrent.futures import wait
 from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Literal, Self, Any
+from typing import Literal, Self, Any, TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import servers as Servers  # noqa E402
 import pefile as PeFile  # noqa E402
@@ -32,10 +32,12 @@ from pefile import (
 )
 from pefile import VersionMatch
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from servers import Prereqs
+
 locale.setlocale(locale.LC_ALL, "")
 
 import gi  # noqa E402
-
 gi.require_version("Gtk", "3.0")
 from gi.repository import Gtk, GLib, Gdk, GObject, Pango  # noqa E402
 
@@ -1027,13 +1029,7 @@ def process_tree_option(choice: RowType) -> None:
             return
 
         record = str_to_record(record)
-        thread_new_with_dialog(
-            App.treeview.prepare_connection,
-            parse_shell_output,
-            "Querying server",
-            command,
-            [record],
-        )
+        prepare_connection(command, record)
         return
 
     match command.dict["type"]:
@@ -1061,48 +1057,54 @@ def parse_shell_output(proc: subprocess.CompletedProcess, row: RowType):
     process_shell_return_code(msg, proc.returncode, row)
 
 
-def thread_new_with_dialog(
-    func: Callable,
-    callback: Callable | None,
-    msg: str,
-    row: RowType | None,
-    args: list,
+def prepare_connection(rowtype: RowType, record: Record) -> None:
+    def background(rowtype: RowType, record: Record) -> None:
+        def cleanup() -> None:
+            App.treeview.wait_dialog.destroy()
+            # NOTE: When using RowType.CONN_BY_IP, the gameport needs to be interpolated
+            record.gameport = prereqs.gameport
+            addr = record_to_str(record)
+
+            if proceed is False:
+                spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.NOTIFY)
+                return
+            if msg != "":
+                res = spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.CONFIRM)
+                if res is False:
+                    try_connect(addr, str(prereqs.appid), str(pefile_path), rowtype)
+            else:
+                try_connect(addr, str(prereqs.appid), str(pefile_path), rowtype)
+
+        proceed, msg, pefile_path, prereqs = App.treeview.get_prereqs(record)
+        GLib.idle_add(cleanup)
+
+    msg = "Checking prerequisites"
+    App.treeview.dialog_show(msg)
+    thread = threading.Thread(target=background, args=(rowtype, record))
+    thread.start()
+
+def try_connect(
+    addr: str,
+    appid: str,
+    path: str,
+    row: RowType
 ) -> None:
-    """
-    Pop a GenericDialog transient to App.treeview and
-    call a function on a thread, with optional callback.
-    Chiefly used for connection-related subprocesses.
-
-    After completion, the dialog is destroyed in the main event loop
-    and additional exception handling occurs.
-
-    This is intended as a bridge between legacy shell methods and the UI.
-    A more abstracted version of call_on_thread() for when extra threaded
-    processing occurs before calls to shell subprocesses.
-    """
-
-    def background(*args):
+    def background(addr, appid, path):
         def cleanup():
             App.treeview.dialog_hide()
-            if exception is not None:
-                spawn_dialog(str(exception), Popup.NOTIFY)
-                process_user_input(row)
-                return
-            if callback is not None and proc is not None:
-                callback(proc, row)
+            parse_shell_output(proc, row)
 
-        exception = None
-        proc = None
         try:
-            proc = func(*args)
+            proc = call_out("try_connect", addr, appid, path)
         except Exception as e:
-            exception = e
+            logger.critical(e)
             GLib.idle_add(cleanup)
             return
         GLib.idle_add(cleanup)
 
+    msg = "Querying server"
     App.treeview.dialog_show(msg)
-    thread = threading.Thread(target=background, args=(args))
+    thread = threading.Thread(target=background, args=(addr, appid, path))
     thread.start()
 
 
@@ -1142,27 +1144,31 @@ def record_to_str(record: Record) -> str:
 
 
 def connect_by_ip(enum: RowType, response: str) -> None:
-    def _prep(response: str) -> None:
+    try:
         record = Servers.validate_ip(response)
-        proc = App.treeview.prepare_connection(record)
-        return proc
-
-    thread_new_with_dialog(
-        _prep, parse_shell_output, "Querying IP", enum, [response]
-    )
-    return
-
+    except Exception as e:
+        spawn_dialog(str(e), Popup.NOTIFY)
+        return
+    prepare_connection(enum, record)
 
 def connect_by_id(enum: RowType, response: str, key: str) -> None:
     def _prep(key: str, response: str) -> None:
-        record = Servers.query_bm_api(key, response)
-        proc = App.treeview.prepare_connection(record)
-        return proc
+        def cleanup() -> None:
+            App.treeview.dialog_hide()
+            prepare_connection(enum, record)
 
-    thread_new_with_dialog(
-        _prep, parse_shell_output, "Querying API", enum, [key, response]
-    )
-    return
+        try:
+            record = Servers.query_bm_api(key, response)
+        except Exception as e:
+            spawn_dialog(str(e), Popup.NOTIFY)
+            App.treeview.dialog_hide()
+            return
+        GLib.idle_add(cleanup)
+
+    msg = "Validating ID"
+    App.treeview.dialog_show(msg)
+    thread = threading.Thread(target=_prep, args=(key, response))
+    thread.start()
 
 
 def process_user_input(enum: RowType) -> None:
@@ -2493,6 +2499,8 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
     def _dump_servers(self, ips: list) -> list | None:
         if len(ips) == 0:
             return []
+        # NOTE: block malformed records
+        ips = [ip for ip in ips if len(ip.split(":")) == 3 and ip.split(":")[2] != "" ]
         with ThreadPoolExecutor() as executor:
             futures = [
                 executor.submit(
@@ -2943,9 +2951,9 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
     def get_view(self):
         return self.view
 
-    def prepare_connection(
+    def get_prereqs(
         self, record: Record
-    ) -> subprocess.CompletedProcess | None:
+    ) -> tuple[bool, str, str|None, "Prereqs"]:
         """
         Always called on a thread with a dialog on the transient parent window
         """
@@ -2953,8 +2961,7 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
         if prereqs.appid is None:
             logger.warning(f"Query to '{record.ip}:{record.qport}' timed out")
             msg = "Timed out when querying server, check IP or try again later"
-            spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.NOTIFY)
-            return None
+            return (False, msg, None, prereqs)
 
         build = "DayZ" if prereqs.appid == APPID_DAYZ else "DayZ Experimental"
         steam_path = query_config("default_steam_path")[0]
@@ -2964,8 +2971,7 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
                 "Config file has no value set for 'default_steam_path'"
             )
             msg = "Local Steam installation is not set, possibly malformed config file."
-            spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.NOTIFY)
-            return None
+            return (False, msg, None, prereqs)
 
         try:
             pefile_path = PeFile.get_pefile_path(steam_path, prereqs.appid)
@@ -2979,8 +2985,7 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
                 f"If you recently installed {build} or moved it to a different drive, "
                 "restart Steam to allow these changes to synchronize, then try again."
             )
-            spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.NOTIFY)
-            return None
+            return (False, msg, None, prereqs)
         except AppMovedError:
             logger.critical(
                 f"Library folder synch error for '{prereqs.appid}'"
@@ -2990,13 +2995,11 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
                 f"If you recently installed {build} or moved it to a different drive, "
                 "restart Steam to allow these changes to synchronize, then try again."
             )
-            spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.NOTIFY)
-            return None
+            return (False, msg, None, prereqs)
         except (VDFLoadError, PeFileError, Exception) as e:
             logger.critical(e)
             msg = "Steam settings or DayZ installation may be corrupted. Try restarting Steam."
-            spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.NOTIFY)
-            return None
+            return (False, msg, None, prereqs)
 
         try:
             local_vers = PeFile.get_dayz_version(pefile_path)
@@ -3008,7 +3011,7 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
             local_vers = None
 
         try:
-            remote_vers = PeFile.dayz_version_from_str(prereqs.version)
+            remote_vers = PeFile.dayz_version_from_str(prereqs)
         except Exception:
             remote_vers = None
 
@@ -3021,18 +3024,15 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
                         f"This server is running a newer build ({prereqs.version}) of {build} than "
                         f"your local version. You may be unable to connect. Proceed anyway?"
                     )
-                    res = spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.CONFIRM)
-                    if res is True:
-                        return None
+                    return (True, msg, pefile_path, prereqs)
                 case VersionMatch.LOCAL_NEWER:
                     msg = (
                         f"This server is running an out-of-date build ({prereqs.version}) of {build}. "
                         "You may be unable to connect. Proceed anyway?"
                     )
-                    res = spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.CONFIRM)
-                    if res is True:
-                        return None
+                    return (True, msg, pefile_path, prereqs)
                 case VersionMatch.SAME_VERSION:
+                    return (True, "", pefile_path, prereqs)
                     pass
 
         if prereqs.password is True:
@@ -3040,19 +3040,10 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
                 "This server is password-protected and you will be "
                 "prompted when connecting. Do you want to proceed?"
             )
-            res = spawn_dialog(msg, Popup.CONFIRM)
-            if res is True:
-                return None
+            return (True, msg, pefile_path, prereqs)
+
+        return (True, "", pefile_path, prereqs)
 
-        """
-        When using RowType.CONN_BY_IP, the gameport needs to be interpolated
-        """
-        record.gameport = prereqs.gameport
-        addr = record_to_str(record)
-        proc = call_out(
-            "try_connect", addr, str(prereqs.appid), str(pefile_path)
-        )
-        return proc
 
     @signal_emission
     @update_window_labels
@@ -3122,13 +3113,7 @@ class TreeView(Gtk.TreeView):
                 record = self.get_record()
                 if record is None:
                     return
-                thread_new_with_dialog(
-                    self.prepare_connection,
-                    parse_shell_output,
-                    "Querying server",
-                    None,
-                    [record],
-                )
+                prepare_connection(None, record)
             case _:  # any other non-server option from the main menu
                 process_tree_option(output)