Newbie frustration.

[Elowan]

Originally posted by Atrocities:
You know he is right. We really should post a detailed description and capability -pros-cons of each of the Tech and Facility items.

...

In the mean time, go to the ... Dubious Guide. Download it. Read it, and learn.

1) I'm compiling at document on Techs/Facilities, etc. at the moment out of desperation.

2) viz: Dubious - been there, done that.

[Gryphin]

Elowan ,
I don't know what they cost, that is why I asked.
For the most part you answered my question. Any My understanding is that MM is a one person -company. How many were involved in the development of MOO II or CIV II? I loved the Tech Tree poster provided in CIV II. I had it mounted over my wall till I found SE.

I do have to admit I like the "charm" of discovering things on my own. It is part of the pleasure. then agin, I also enjoy hiking 6 hours up hill to see what is on the otherside.

Full disclosure: I do use the Tech Tree Viewer to aid in recalling what leads to what. I do ask for help. VIA IRC chat Fyron's advice saved my homeworld. I was in the middle of a game and in chat when the Rage showed up. Hm, The advantage of WP over Sats? Those WP's toated a DD and asorbed the 3 CSMs that hit Home.
I do read the forum every day for ideas and informaion. SJ's solution to players that colonize your systems was priceless.

Without these forums I would be very frustrated by the lack of a better manual. Indeed, I would have been up a creek without a manual and Tech Tree in CIV II.

Conclusion:
Yes, I would have been very pleased if the Online Manual had included the informaiton you want. It would have reduced the learning curve dramaticaly.
My question stands: How much would it have cost for Arron Hall to have included what you are asking for?

BTW: I think it is great if you would do up such a manual or if a team here would do so. I do agree it would allow more time focused on the playing the game and less time on How to Play the game.

[Gryphin]

Over all I guess it comes down to different desires. I am very different.

[ July 12, 2002, 22:05: Message edited by: The High Gryphin ]

[Elowan]

It's time - that old bug-a-boo - that's at work. If MM is a 'one-man-band' (like my webpage business) - then it's understandable. On the other hand - if you work for yourself - time spent depends on who's banging on the door -- rent police, etc.

I like doing manuals - because it helps me learn as I teach (by writing the manual).

BTW - and just as an aside - I'm a retired eye surgeon and I used to teach all over the world. [I'm not bragging here - just stating facts] Now I do websites and other fun stuff just for giggles. Of course - I play games too!

[Gryphin]

Elowan,
"I'm a retired eye surgeon "
Then you may understand my post about my vision.
I have Retinitis Pigmentosa.
It is stable at the moment. we shall see.

[The Beastmaster]

Speaking as someone who is awaiting to recieve this game, and watching the tracking as it slowly comes nearer (gotta love UPS package tracking, it's almost a game in itself)...
Judging by all of the recent Posts and following this thread, I would love to see someone post a tech tree if it's not in the manual.

Also, if anyone has any good websites for this game that are not listed in the links page of MM (some of those links are dead) I'm sure I'll be looking at them in the near future if you'd please list them here.

[capnq]

some of the drivel in the modding section could have been editted out

The thing is, no two people agree on which parts of the manual are "drivel" that should have been left out. I don't see anything in the modding chapter that I'd have cut if I'd been editing it. (Except for a spelling error that got past the computer spellchecker.)

Shrapnel went to the trouble of hiring a tech writer to do the Gold manual, which is nearly two and a half times the size of the original, and IMO significantly improved, yet people (including me, I admit) still complain about it.