Automagic...

mepbmlist
#1

So let me get this straight.

I either get to pay even more than hundreds of dollars per game, or I get to pay hundreds of dollars to buy Excel. Does MicroSHAFT even sell a version that runs on Win95, or am I also going to have to buy a new computer with the latest, lameist version of the MicroSHAFT operating system?

All because people don't like having to do the job they were hired to do? If $6+ a turn isn't enough to cover the cost of them entering in my orders, then it has to be enough to cover the cost of writing an editor program that will convert my emial into whatever the hell format they want it in. I bet a 1000 line java program could do it, automatically generating an email for any incorrect orders.

I think this is BS, and if they offer me the choice of higher rates or using a spreadsheet that I don't have the software to use, then they are far more likely to get a BIG MIDDLE finger from me.

They should not put the burden of the effort on the customers, especially when the carrot is to pay the same, and the stick is higher rates that those that don't conform.

First Monopoly, then f'n the customer. Now that we can't go anywhere else, they assume they can do whatever they want to us. They are wrong.

···

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#2

--- In mepbmlist@y..., "corsairs game 101" <corsairs101@h...> wrote:

So let me get this straight.

I either get to pay even more than hundreds of dollars per game,
or I get to pay hundreds of dollars to buy Excel. Does MicroSHAFT
even sell a version that runs on Win95, or am I also going to have
to buy a new computer with the latest, lameist version of the
MicroSHAFT operating system?

You *did* catch the bit about the MEOW, Middle Earth Order Writer,
being developed. Which is a standalone program, not needing Excel or
anything, which helps you input orders and such.

MEGames do know not everyone has Excel, or want to shell out for it,
so they are developing a second program which does the same.

Øystein

#3

i just wanted to say, that any effort to minimise error checking and
validating inputs should be encouraged.
kudos to mike for the excel programming. no program starts perfectly and
things will only get better.

but to address the concerns brought up about using excel and even meow,
they would involve microsoft products. (meow is for windows right? have not
seen it so i cannot make fair comments on it)
also these programs involve downloads and for every new revision, a new
download needs to be done.
knowing something about these things professionally, may i suggest that in
the next evolution, you create order entry in web page forms.
i would assume that anyone who can post a mail to this list, would have a
browser, in whatever platform/operating system they use.
so cost to players are minimal.
orders need not be sent in, just keyed in.
changes to orders can be made until the last instance before the cut-off time.
revisions to the input rules,formats, requirements or even new rules would
be as current as the next time you access the website.

cons? you have to be online while you key in the orders.

as an example: anyone play fantasy league football (soccer to yanks) on yahoo?

i do not assume that the resources to build this are readily available by
the company. i merely provide this suggestion for some future consideration.

i just joined this community, but the main reason for it is the interactive
diplomacy and planning. how i enter the orders should be incidental.
the company has allowed choices, and thats fair enough. hmm a bit preachy here.

good gaming,
jay s.

···

At 11:29 AM 3/29/2002, otvedten wrote:

--- In mepbmlist@y..., "corsairs game 101" <corsairs101@h...> wrote:
> So let me get this straight.
>
> I either get to pay even more than hundreds of dollars per game,
> or I get to pay hundreds of dollars to buy Excel. Does MicroSHAFT
> even sell a version that runs on Win95, or am I also going to have
> to buy a new computer with the latest, lameist version of the
> MicroSHAFT operating system?
>

You *did* catch the bit about the MEOW, Middle Earth Order Writer,
being developed. Which is a standalone program, not needing Excel or
anything, which helps you input orders and such.

MEGames do know not everyone has Excel, or want to shell out for it,
so they are developing a second program which does the same.

Øystein

Middle Earth PBM - hit reply to send to everyone
To Unsubscribe: http://www.yahoogroups.com
Website: http://www.MiddleEarthGames.com

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#4

In the absence of anything to the contrary, I'm still assuming this is going
to be Windows-only too :frowning:

Clint, any tech info you can release on this? What's it being written in?
Any chance of allowing interested parties to do a port to non-Windows OSes?

Regards,
Tim.

···

On Friday 29 March 2002 3:29 am, you wrote:

You *did* catch the bit about the MEOW, Middle Earth Order Writer,
being developed. Which is a standalone program, not needing Excel or
anything, which helps you input orders and such.

#5

I think you're flying off the handle here. Did you know that when
GSI had Middle Earth we were paying $7.00 per turn? Did you know
that when GSI had Middle Earth their customer service was, "Sorry,
nothing we can do about that error even though it was our fault." I
think that even if you don't use Automagic you're still getting the
best deal in any game. I also play Alamaze through Pegasus
productions and I pay $8.50 per turn (2nd cycle), and I think that
Middle Earth beats Alamaze hands down, and Clint and his guys
honestly try to keep ALL players happy. I've nothing but
compliments for the customer service I receive playing Middle Earth.

As far as Microsoft, if you would take the time to learn what the
software can and can't do, you wouldn't be calling it Microshaft.
And if you don't like it, you can switch to Linux or Apple (Linux
will run on your old Windows 95 machine quite well), but then,
you'll still have to take the time to learn how to run it.

Scott

--- In mepbmlist@y..., "corsairs game 101" <corsairs101@h...> wrote:

So let me get this straight.

I either get to pay even more than hundreds of dollars per game,

or I get to

pay hundreds of dollars to buy Excel. Does MicroSHAFT even sell a

version

that runs on Win95, or am I also going to have to buy a new

computer with

the latest, lameist version of the MicroSHAFT operating system?

All because people don't like having to do the job they were hired

to do?

If $6+ a turn isn't enough to cover the cost of them entering in

my orders,

then it has to be enough to cover the cost of writing an editor

program that

will convert my emial into whatever the hell format they want it

in. I bet

a 1000 line java program could do it, automatically generating an

email for

any incorrect orders.

I think this is BS, and if they offer me the choice of higher

rates or using

a spreadsheet that I don't have the software to use, then they are

far more

likely to get a BIG MIDDLE finger from me.

They should not put the burden of the effort on the customers,

especially

when the carrot is to pay the same, and the stick is higher rates

that those

that don't conform.

First Monopoly, then f'n the customer. Now that we can't go

anywhere else,

they assume they can do whatever they want to us. They are wrong.

_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device:

http://mobile.msn.com

#6

I think you're flying off the handle here. Did you know that when
GSI had Middle Earth we were paying $7.00 per turn? Did you know
that when GSI had Middle Earth their customer service was, "Sorry,
nothing we can do about that error even though it was our fault." I
think that even if you don't use Automagic you're still getting the
best deal in any game. I also play Alamaze through Pegasus
productions and I pay $8.50 per turn (2nd cycle), and I think that
Middle Earth beats Alamaze hands down, and Clint and his guys
honestly try to keep ALL players happy. I've nothing but
compliments for the customer service I receive playing Middle Earth.

As far as Microsoft, if you would take the time to learn what the
software can and can't do, you wouldn't be calling it Microshaft.
And if you don't like it, you can switch to Linux or Apple (Linux
will run on your old Windows 95 machine quite well), but then,
you'll still have to take the time to learn how to run it.

Scott

--- In mepbmlist@y..., "corsairs game 101" <corsairs101@h...> wrote:

So let me get this straight.

I either get to pay even more than hundreds of dollars per game,

or I get to

pay hundreds of dollars to buy Excel. Does MicroSHAFT even sell a

version

that runs on Win95, or am I also going to have to buy a new

computer with

the latest, lameist version of the MicroSHAFT operating system?

All because people don't like having to do the job they were hired

to do?

If $6+ a turn isn't enough to cover the cost of them entering in

my orders,

then it has to be enough to cover the cost of writing an editor

program that

will convert my emial into whatever the hell format they want it

in. I bet

a 1000 line java program could do it, automatically generating an

email for

any incorrect orders.

I think this is BS, and if they offer me the choice of higher

rates or using

a spreadsheet that I don't have the software to use, then they are

far more

likely to get a BIG MIDDLE finger from me.

They should not put the burden of the effort on the customers,

especially

when the carrot is to pay the same, and the stick is higher rates

that those

that don't conform.

First Monopoly, then f'n the customer. Now that we can't go

anywhere else,

they assume they can do whatever they want to us. They are wrong.

_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device:

http://mobile.msn.com

#7

Hi Clint and all.

The idea Jay talks about on the e-mail below is actually quite good. I for
one know that Anel Um PBM, here in Brazil, are working on developing a web
solution for order input. I don't know how far they have gone into it or if
they have already started actual development. Perhaps it could turn into an
interesting partnership. And if a translator is needed, send me an e-mail :slight_smile:

Giuliano.
(if you don't have Castelo's contact, contact me)

···

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay S" <enochasia@yahoo.co.uk>
To: <mepbmlist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 1:41 AM
Subject: Re: [mepbmlist] Re: Automagic...

i just wanted to say, that any effort to minimise error checking and
validating inputs should be encouraged.
kudos to mike for the excel programming. no program starts perfectly and
things will only get better.

but to address the concerns brought up about using excel and even meow,
they would involve microsoft products. (meow is for windows right? have not
seen it so i cannot make fair comments on it)
also these programs involve downloads and for every new revision, a new
download needs to be done.
knowing something about these things professionally, may i suggest that in
the next evolution, you create order entry in web page forms.
i would assume that anyone who can post a mail to this list, would have a
browser, in whatever platform/operating system they use.
so cost to players are minimal.
orders need not be sent in, just keyed in.
changes to orders can be made until the last instance before the cut-off
time.
revisions to the input rules,formats, requirements or even new rules would
be as current as the next time you access the website.

cons? you have to be online while you key in the orders.

as an example: anyone play fantasy league football (soccer to yanks) on
yahoo?

i do not assume that the resources to build this are readily available by
the company. i merely provide this suggestion for some future consideration.

i just joined this community, but the main reason for it is the interactive
diplomacy and planning. how i enter the orders should be incidental.
the company has allowed choices, and thats fair enough. hmm a bit preachy
here.

good gaming,
jay s.

At 11:29 AM 3/29/2002, otvedten wrote:

--- In mepbmlist@y..., "corsairs game 101" <corsairs101@h...> wrote:
> So let me get this straight.
>
> I either get to pay even more than hundreds of dollars per game,
> or I get to pay hundreds of dollars to buy Excel. Does MicroSHAFT
> even sell a version that runs on Win95, or am I also going to have
> to buy a new computer with the latest, lameist version of the
> MicroSHAFT operating system?
>

You *did* catch the bit about the MEOW, Middle Earth Order Writer,
being developed. Which is a standalone program, not needing Excel or
anything, which helps you input orders and such.

MEGames do know not everyone has Excel, or want to shell out for it,
so they are developing a second program which does the same.

�ystein

Middle Earth PBM - hit reply to send to everyone
To Unsubscribe: http://www.yahoogroups.com
Website: http://www.MiddleEarthGames.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Middle Earth PBM - hit reply to send to everyone
To Unsubscribe: http://www.yahoogroups.com
Website: http://www.MiddleEarthGames.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/