Manual Addendum?

[Ratqueen]

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

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

[Ratqueen]

Originally posted by Ruatha:
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.

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.

Post here when you have something to share.

Sure will!

[eorg]

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 :-)

[capnq]

I read the entire original printed manual before starting my first non-demo game, but I'm weird that way. (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.

[Gryphin]

“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?

[capnq]

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.

[Gandalph]

Manual??

What Manual???

Thees ain't no Manual!!!

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