In answer to Ed's suggestion that we should develop a program to parse plain
text directly into orders...
We would like to develop such a program, but it is in fact an extremely
complex bit of programming. Humans are great at interpreting fuzzy concepts,
but computers are terrible.
If you need an example, try playing with a program that auto translates. I
think www.babelfish.com tries to do this, with amusing results. And this
program has been written by a team with far better resources than we have.
Also as you know, we wanted AM and MEOW to help players avoid the all too
common double skill order errors and other silly typos.
Clint
Middle Earth PBM Games wrote:
In answer to Ed's suggestion that we should develop a program to parse plain
text directly into orders...
[snip]
If you need an example, try playing with a program that auto translates. I
think www.babelfish.com tries to do this, with amusing results. And this
program has been written by a team with far better resources than we have.
I don't think a comparison to the Ur-Poisson is really fair. We're not talking about translation in the same sense. It should be simple enough to devise a format for text files which can be directly transfered without the need for retyping. This is not merely a theoretical possibility, it has already been done.
As mentioned elsewhere, Rolling Thunder had (perhaps still has) their own program for converting plain text input into a text file which their computer can read directly. The whole 'translation' thing is nothing more than putting data into a particular order which the computer 'expects' it to be in. The RTG program does have various autocorrect features, but does not require an outside platform to run on. Given that the order input protocol for MEPBM is an order of magnitude simpler than that for RTG, this shouldn't be that hard to work out.
Also as you know, we wanted AM and MEOW to help players avoid the all too
common double skill order errors and other silly typos.
Agreed. I just think there might be a simpler way to achieve the same end. Having worked with the Legends Turn Editor and some of its peculiarities, I have some concerns that these programs may end up adding to the complexity of participation, rather than making things easier. As Mr. Scott once said, "The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain." And let's face it, avoiding double skill orders is the player's responsibility.
-ED \1/
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An Easter Thought:
Modern science has determined that Marshmallow Peeps will not actually peep no matter how hard you squeeze them.
Edward A. Dimmick wrote:
As mentioned elsewhere, Rolling Thunder had (perhaps still has)
their own program for converting plain text input into a text file which
their computer can read directly. The whole 'translation' thing is
nothing more than putting data into a particular order which the
computer 'expects' it to be in. The RTG program does have various
autocorrect features, but does not require an outside platform to run
on. Given that the order input protocol for MEPBM is an order of
magnitude simpler than that for RTG, this shouldn't be that hard to work
out.
<SNIP>... I just think there might be a simpler way to achieve the same
end. Having worked with the Legends Turn Editor and some of its
peculiarities, I have some concerns that these programs may end up
adding to the complexity of participation, rather than making things
easier. As Mr. Scott once said, "The more they overthink the plumbing,
the easier it is to stop up the drain." And let's face it, avoiding
double skill orders is the player's responsibility.
I don't think many people have seen MEOW (I know I haven't), so it's entirely possible
that MEOW will be exactly what you're looking for. I'm sure Clint welcomes
suggestions, but until we know what MEOW actually does it's pretty hard to say that
it's too complicated and/or not what we're looking for in order input software.
As for order errors, I think the vast majority of MePBM players will welcome something
that helps them avoid order errors. (I obviously don't KNOW that, but from the input
I've been getting, it seems a reasonable assumption.) MeGames is usually nice enough
(if there's time) to contact someone about an order error before running the turn
anyway, so this will simply minimize the number of times they have to do that. Let's
face it, having a turn ruined because of a screwed up order, (even if it is the
player's fault), isn't going to make people enjoy the game any more. And that's what
this is all about... Enjoyment.
Mike
Urzahil wrote:
I don't think many people have seen MEOW (I know I haven't), so it's entirely possible
that MEOW will be exactly what you're looking for.
>
Good point. Will wait and see.
Heck, worst thing that can happen is I'll have to keep typing them up and pay, oh, about what I paid GSI some 5 years ago. I can live with that. 
-ED \1/
···
--
An Easter Thought:
Modern science has determined that Marshmallow Peeps will not actually peep no matter how hard you squeeze them.
