Manual Addendum?

[Ratqueen]

Originally posted by Gryphin:
[QB]“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?
QB]

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?

[Ratqueen]

Originally posted by 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.

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!

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.

[Gryphin]

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.

[PDF]

Carole, I admire your dedication and express you all my support !
Hope you'll finish it !