New Manual??
 

Greetings,

Note - at work right now, not at home computer with game... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon9.gif

With all the patches and changes, has there been any thought given to putting out a new manual in a downloadable format that has been updated with the new changes?

Just curious.

Taliseian

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The World of Lyrlusa
A Dungeons and Dragons Campaign World
http://www.crosswinds.net/~lyrlusa
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Re: New Manual??
 

Or for that matter, are any of the players contemplating re-writing the manual entirely, and slapping a name such as "Unofficial Space Empires IV Manual, by The Fans" on it?

Will anyone volunteer to head such a project (with help, of course)?

Am I automatically volunteered for the project by merely mentioning it?

Does anyone think Aaron and Co. would mind?

And does everyone believe that the fans have way more time on their hands than Aaron and Co. (who have day jobs), and could write the manual a lot better, both because of free time willing to be relinquished and first-hand knowledge of the player side of the game (as opposed to the programmer's viewpoint)?

Does anyone really care?

Re: New Manual??
 

I found both manuals to be vague, incomplete and utterly useless, most of the game wasn't included in either manual, most spots were (of course) mentioned in the paper manual, with an arrow pointing you to the Online one, but the Online one didn't bother to fill in the gaps any!

Re: New Manual??
 

I would voulenteer to do this except Last time I voulenteered to make an FAQ/Guide I was left to my own devices, witch sucked! and then hell and my life met and had a romatic love affair, I witch 2 members of my family died and my personal life whent to Sh*t, so unless someone is going to give me a damn good reason to do this I ain't doing it, however I'll help.

So we need a few more people and an editor and we might actually get this show in the road! A person who knows HTML would help too so we could post it on the net for everyone to see http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New Manual??
 

Heck, wrangle up about three or four other people willing to help out, and I'll do something I'll probably regret later: I'll head the project (I'm just not going to put any more than 8 hours a week into it, I want to have SOME time for other things). The HTML wouldn't be a problem, I am fairly good at it any anyone can learn the basics in about half an hour.

So, anyone else? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New Manual??
 

I don't think the manual would have to be completely rewritten. Most of the game is explained in the Online manual. Most.
What it needs is a more detailed explanation of each subject explaining what each item does, how it works and why you would use it.
Maybe a little better organization would help as would the ability to print it out, without all the pictures. I miss being able to refer to the manual while I play.
Also some explanation of how to customize it, an explanation of the modable file, would be nice but I think that has been requested.
I doubt if anyone would mind provided it was given away.

Re: New Manual??
 

Whitehojo's excellent Excel spreadsheet work could be used as a basis for this. I'm assuming all that needs to be done is update the entries as per the latest patch and add links to more descriptive entries for each item, the backbone of the work is already done by whitehojo (credit where due) so it's not as if anyone has to start from scratch. Any thoughts on this?

tic

[This message has been edited by tictoc (edited 10 March 2001).]

Re: New Manual??
 

HEY! Id love to do this! SIgn me up! My HTML is good, my grammar and spelling is good too.

Re: New Manual??
 

Uh oh I think I started something http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New Manual??
 

Sign me up as well. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New Manual??
 

Well, gee, we got four... I already have Instar's ICQ and e-mail, I just added raynor. Sirkit, you can contact me via ICQ (if you have it) at 26055805, or e-mail at cerban_imperium@yahoo.com.

We should discuss the setup of the manual a bit (currently both Instar and I think we should basically start over again, but I can be persuaded otherwise, don't know about Instar since he's a stubborn #@*&^! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

After that, divvy up sections, start getting some of the text done (and I would venture to say that I'm the most advanced HTML-wise, and I was foolish enough to head this, so I'll do that part).

If anyone else is feeling guilty or left out about now, feel free to join in http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: New Manual??
 

I don't have the time to WRITE the manual or I'd be doing it at this moment... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif But I'd very much like to proof read it and offer suggestions. Will it be open to public browsing while it's being worked on?

Re: New Manual??
 

Sure, there are some things that we might miss http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Right now we're just working on a basic FAQ (note the "Manual Help" thread, we be gathering FAQs http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif and better tutorial(s). Once those are somewhere close to being finished I'll probably put them somewhere to be viewed by anyone who wants to.

After that there's going to be a few article type deals on the functions of the game, which will basically be like the current MM manual (non-print one) only vastly expanded http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif And near the end we'll get into how to modify the game to the player's tastes.

You, Baron, were actually mentioned as someone I should try to recruit... how about not writing the manual, but doing a few descriptions? Can use all the help we can get, especially since one of the volunteers had to drop out due to tremendous workload at his day job (still have four though).

Re: New Manual??
 

Descriptions? What sort of "descriptions" do you mean? I'm a heavy MUSHer, and "description" means a paragraph that defines a room to me. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif All I can think of that will need describing is the functions of the game. Is this just another way to say "write some segments of the manual" perhaps? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif If I get to interrogate some of these dedicated Modders and learn some more arcane details of the game, I guess it would be worthwhile. Being a hardcore MUShcoder, I've been obsessed with the "mod" part of the game. Oddly, that's why my personal stuff has not been released yet, while so many others have released mods. I'm too busy experimenting to polish anything for release!

BTW, think we could ask for a seperate forum here to discuss Mod development and FAQ/Manual writing? This forum scrolls AWFULLY fast anymore. It'll get really confusing if we start discussing mods and debating how to write descriptions/explanations of partsof the game. We need a seperate forum, either here or somewhere else. EGroups maybe?

Re: New Manual??
 

Ill love to do this because my job is very ez http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif surf the web and get paid is what i call it but one problem dont have game yet
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon9.gif. Well maybe once i get into the game i can help out.

Re: New Manual??
 

Hey, if you're willing to do the mod section, that's great. Since you're already polishing your own modding details and preparing to put all the other modders through your own personal Inquisition, it's that much better http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

I could probably go throw up a forum somewhere real quick (this forum is quite crowded)... perhaps this weekend, schoolwork is stacking up this week, to try to get everything deemed "important" done before spring sports get in full swing... Should also probably upload parts of my site so prohosting doesn't think I just signed up on a whim... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Tacoe: You'd be a very valuable member of the team. Since you don't have the game yet, you would be the resident newbie, looking at things from a perspective that the rest of us no longer have. As I said before, ICQ is 26055805, email (for now http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif is cerban_imperium@yahoo.com, drop me a line.

Re: New Manual??
 

Well if you start it new the game came in today http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif so far i like it but now got to head to class http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: New Manual??
 

Well Will, I don't see how MM could really protest it (because it would be called the "Unofficial" manual)
But if Aaron was to voice any problems with it, I wouldn't work on it. (Yup, you guessed it, I idolize and worship MM)

Re: New Manual??
 

Well I remember they said they didn't want the official CD manual out on the web in a long ago thread but I think there is much more information in this forum than there is in the official manuals. It just needs to be organized and added to as new patches and information become availiable. No Manual written for the original CD Version, for instance, could come close to explaining the game in its current Version.