Alam al-Mithal, turn tracking thread

[Radman]

Hi all:

Turn sent to Darsnan. Boy, before I could even log in to Apolyton he had already sent it. Wow, not bad!!!!

Radman

[Googlie]

Some file management hints I have found useful

Create a desktop folder called "firaxis PBEMs" or something like that

Unzip all your turns to that folder (i actually have my zipper set to unzip to that folder as default) - make sure you activate "overwrite" so that a samename new file can download and unzip.

Insert the line:

WindowsFileBox=1

into your alphacentauri.ini file (it changes the fileboxes from the alpha cebntauri ones to regular windows ones - makes it easier to navigate

loading an MP game then becomes desktop/file/game.sav

When saving, right click on the last saved turn for that player, delete, then change the year and save

e.g. duMa might have the last save as AAM - Darsnan, 2110

He just right clicks on that, hits "delete" (the old file name still stays on the gamesave window) and changes to AAM - Darsnan, 2111, then save,

Zipping is easy, as it's desktop/file/saved game

This way you'll save around ten clicks of the mouse per game, and have all your pbem turns saved apart from the default smac/x save directory

G.

[Googlie]

Originally posted by Shai-Hulud
It's OK to stockpile, as far as you don't place it in queue.

Opinion on this one has shifted since Tau crafted the first set of 'Poly tourney rules.

The problem is:

when in the queue, and when you complete a unit that turn, you get the minerals allocated to the unit's completion, plus the mineral value as energy under the stockpile energy formula. So the practice has grown to rush complete to 1 turn left (eg that base produces 14 minerals, and you need 40 ecs to complete - rush (40 - 28) to leave the 14 minerals to be applied to complete, plus you get the energy value of the same 14 mins that same turn.

However, banning stockpiling energy doesn't remove the problem, as setting a preference to "stop for XXXX unit built" produces exactly the same effect - the computer applies stockpile energy by default (to enable the pause) - it just doesn't show in the queue.

(menu/game/warning preferences/"stop for combat units built"

Also, the AI gets the benefit of both minerals and energy on unit completion.

So most new games allow stockpile energy in the queue as unlike the Emath Guild (or Pactmates) where you can see the queue items, there is no way to police the preferences set by a player (other than by CMN audit periodically).

G.

[smhfan86]

2103 to Shai

[Shai-Hulud]

Turn sent to CEO duMa of the Morganites, 2103 AD

[duMa]

Turn sent to Brother Radman.

#BLURB
There are people who don't like capitalism, and people who don't
like PCs. But there's no-one who likes the PC who doesn't like
Microsoft
^
^
^ -- Bill Gates
^
^

[Radman]

Move on the Darsnan!

Radman

[Darsnan]

on to smhfan86

[smhfan86]

2104 to shai

[Shai-Hulud]

Turn sent to CEO duMa of the Morganites, 2104 AD

Thanks for the tips Googlie. Didn't know about that option in alpha.ini. Though I can do the routine with six clicks

the computer applies stockpile energy by default (to enable the pause) - it just doesn't show in the queue.

Yeah. But the AI "cheats like hell" anyway.

there is no way to police the preferences set by a player (other than by CMN audit periodically).

But if you do cheat and get caught...there goes your reputation. No one is going to want to see any more of you. You have to start a new account and alter you're personality to get back to the gang again ...It's just not worth it anyway. And if you really get some amusement cheating in SMAC PBEM - get a life!

[duMa]

And back to Radman.

[Radman]

Hi all:

Move 2014 received, played and turnaround to Darsnan as move 2105!

Just a quick question to the group, are we now going to say stockpiling is acceptable anytime as would be indicated by Googlie's latest note. Thought I would enquire to make sure we all know what the rules are!

Radman

[Darsnan]

turn to smh

[smhfan86]

2105 to shai

[Shai-Hulud]

Turn sent to CEO duMa of the Morganites, 2105 AD

Just a quick question to the group, are we now going to say stockpiling is acceptable anytime as would be indicated by Googlie's latest note.

I favor not to accept. The rules are set, we've moved into turn tracking. What's the big deal anyway?