Manual Addendum?
 

I used to play Space Empires III a lot (it's still on my HD) and received my copy of SE4 Gold a couple days ago. I love the game (although I miss some of the features/options of SE3) but, as it's been said a million times before, the manual is really weak... I find myself searching for details in the printed manual quite often and, not finding anything in there, searching in the HTML manual... which doesn't provide much more information (or at least not what I'm looking for.)

So my question is: has anyone ever made a detailed manual addendum for SE4 that would explain everything that is missing from the manuals on the CD? If so, where can I find it?

If this hasn't been done, I intend to make my own SE4 manual addendum by gathering information from the Shrapnel forums, and whatever I can find out on my own as I play along.

If you have tips or information about obscure features, please post them here so I can add them too.

I'm a software tech writer so I have all the tools to make a Windows help file -- would this be the preferred format for Users? Or would a more printable (but less searchable) format be better?

Also, if anyone has written any documentation (in whichever format, even HTML) that they would like converted to WinHelp format, please let me know. I could make a compilation of existing information from web sites, etc, and have it all available in a single Windows Help file, complete with Table of Contents and detailed Index (I'll add credits and URLs of the contributing sites of course.)

Is this even a good idea or not worth it?

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

I haven't heard of any but I always love the comments about how the manual is "weak" when it is 120 pages itself and then on the CD we have several hundrend more pages of detail.

SE4 is just to deep, that's the problem http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif .

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Ratqueen. I don't think I have read either manual. There are things about the game I really have no clue about and I have been playing it for more than a year...like ministers for instance. Don't know a damned thing about em.

Suggestion. First search the forum, and if that fails, ask. Answering questions gives all of us bored to death at work, something to do. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Get back to work you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif .

Heh I can't say anything I am doing the same thing...

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the fact that there is at least a printed and HTML manual... It's just that I never seem to find the information I want in either of them...

Example: I tried to find information on how to upgrade ships. I looked in the manual's index but there was nothing under "Upgrade." I finally found the info I needed in the HTML manual under "Scrap Window"... Well, not too obvious that you upgrade ships by going to the Scrap window...

Same with repairing a ship. I had no idea how to do it and couldn't find any info on that. I happened to leave one of my "ready-to-be-upgraded" ships at a Space Yard and realized it was being "repaired" and, thus, upgraded...

I really think a Windows Help file, with a detailed Index and cross-references, would be so helpful. HTML is not the right format for a manual, IMO. And if nobody has done it so far, I intend to gather as much info as I can and put something together in WinHelp format.

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Ratqueen My site has has a a bit of information that you are welcome to use, Also check out the dubious strategy guide.

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Great Idea.
I was thinking in the same direction, now I don't have to go through that work.
My idea was to take the original HTML Manual and add to it keeping the layout, but I think that an Windows Help file would be better, if you include pictures.
What I'd want was detailed info and pics on all tech improvments, facilities, units etc.

Post here when you have something to share.

Don't give up, please do it.... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I'll check it out! Thanks for letting me add it to the Help file! I'll give credit to anyone who contributes in any way http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I wasn't planning on adding the large images of the game's windows because it would make the help file quite voluminous... Good idea about the tech improvements, facilities and units pictures though -- I'll try to keep that in mind.

Quote:

Post here when you have something to share.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Sure will!

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

dubious strategy guide - here in archive or in seiv.pbw.cc archive when it does up (i'm waiting :)) or i'll mail it to you if you can't find it :-)

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

I read the entire original printed manual before starting my first non-demo game, but I'm weird that way. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif (I actually dislike manuals that say, "Don't read this yet! Play the tutorial first!")

I've also read the entire Gold printed manual, which is a huge improvement over the original.

I do have two criticisms of Gold:

1) I don't think some of the changes to the Tutorial were a good idea, particularly the "missing" facilities on the homeworld.

2) I think the tone of the Gold Manual is overly "chatty" in spots.

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

“Who is going to bell the cat?”
A more complete manual?
My questions:
What would you include?
How long will it take?
How much will it cost?
How much should be added to the cost of the game to cover the expense?
How much would you be willing to pay?
For example: “detailed info and pics on all tech improvements, facilities, units etc”
How long would it take to write the information that would adequately cover this subject?
Take a look at this Forum. Let’s assume that 10 percent, (to pull a wild number out of thin air), of this forum is non-redundant information that should be in the manual.
How much time would it take to put it into suitable Help or HTML format? Again, how much would you be willing to pay for that?
When I first found the Forums I created an Access database to keep track of all the cool ideas. I had tables for Strategies, Ship Design, How To, etc, etc…..
After the 3rd day I realized there was no way it could be done by one person. It would take a team of people dedicated to the game to do it up properly. When they were done, people would still find areas that were left out.
In my opinion, these forums are the Manual. There is no other practical way to do it.

On a personal note: I play the game because I enjoy challenges. This includes seeing something mentioned in a thread and figuring out how to do it. I saw a reference to Retrofitting Ships. Cool idea, I wonder I do that?

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

You know, it occurs to me that the problem isn't the manual, it's the manual's index. It was pretty obviously compiled by a computer program rather than a human editor.

An improved index might be a small enough project to be tackled by a few volunteers.

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Manual??

What Manual???

Thees ain't no Manual!!!

I don't need no steeenkin Manual!!!!!

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Manual Addendum will include:

1. The entire Shrapnel HTML Manual, WITH an extensive keyword Index, corrections and additions.

2. Added newbie and advanced "how to" information and tips (i.e. Retroffiting, Repairing, Building Ringworlds/Sphereworlds, Moving Population, Using Ministers, Rescuing a Stranded Ship, Changing a Planet's Atmosphere, etc...) with complete reference to the required technologies and costs involved to perform those actions.

3. Malfador Machination's FAQ (searchable.)

4. Added strategies and tactics.

5. Full tech tree.

And the whole thing will be all in one place on your hard disk (a single file,) FULLY INDEXED and SEARCHABLE!

The Manual Addendum will cost nothing. I'm making it because I want it, and I'll make it available to SE4 players.

I don't know how long it's going to take me to finish it, but I'd say I'm about half way through at the moment. I can upload a "preview" so you guys can tell me what you think about it so far and whether I'm on the right track?

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You know, you are right! I've started working on the Manual Addendum and imported the entire HTML Manual -- pictures included -- into the project (it will be in MS HTML Help format -- aka Win98 Help.) First thing I did was adding keywords to the Index (with many subkeywords, and all synonyms and words combinations that come to mind.) With only that done, the original HTML Manual is already MUCH more usable and I can actually FIND the information I'm looking for! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

I'm also adding some newbie information in separate topics(all the things I was wondering about when I played my first games but couldn't find in the manual) and will be adding more advanced info by gathering stuff on the web and in this forum.

The help file will also support full searches of all topics (with advanced search options) AND will have a "Favorites" tab to save shortcuts to your favorite topics.

Anyway, it's really a lot of work though, but I've set my mind to finish it up.

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Carole, I admire your dedication and express you all my support ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Hope you'll finish it ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Manual Addendum?
 

Carol / Ratqueen,
I wish I could help. I'm great at coming up with ideas. I'm terrible at carryng through.
"Who is going to bell the cat" translates / means "That is a great idea, who is going to do it?" You have answered it. I admire that.