Re: [Rails-devel] IfOption in Map.xml

[Erik V. <eri...@xs...>]

There is one problem with such info if we put the full text in the XML: 
it will be in one language only. For internationalisation we should
find a way to put the real text in the resource bundle, as we did 
with all other text normally displayed in the UI (except the game
notes and credits included in Games.xml).

I think all we can do, if we want to remain multi-lingual, is to
define messages keys for each kind of feature we would like to be
descibed via the Info menu, and put the one-liners into the resource
bundle (LocalizedText.properties). Versions of this file in other
languages would be named like LocalizedText_fr.properties 
(for French). These versions are picked up automatically once 
a language is set in my.properties.

For private special properties it's easy to do, as each one has
a specialized class. Many of these already generate localized menu
item text under the Special menu.

For trains/phases we have a fairly limited set of features that 
are worth describing this way - shouls also be easy to do. 

To avoid proliferation of similar texts in the resource bundle, 
texts should be as generic as possible, using placeholders
for variable text. 

For instance, for an extra tile lay we could have something like:
"Allows laying a tile on {0}, {1}, {2}, {3}closing the private" 
where 
{0} will take the name of the hex where a tile can be laid,
{1} is "extra" or "not extra"
{2} is "free" or "not free"
{3} is "" or "not "
You can already see a slightly different form of such text in
the help text above the map if such special tile and token lays
can be done.

So far, these info texts can be made available automatically
under the Info menu. That may also apply to other specialties,
because most are already configured in the XML is some way,
if only by a game-specific class werhe it can be hardcoded.

I have more comments on trains and phases (which I think should
be considered separately), but that's for another time.

I'll try to make a start. In the meantime, any suggestions
for features to be mentioned and texts to be displayed are 
welcome.

Erik.

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Davies [mailto:de...@gm...] 
Sent: Saturday 16 January 2010 02:10
To: Development list for Rails: an 18xx game
Subject: Re: [Rails-devel] IfOption in Map.xml

I'm happy to write up info text, Can do this for 18EU or 1870 which I
both own which is a good start, after that I'd be reliant on other
sources for solid data for input.

I'd agree with the approach of not being too overt with the rules.
There are certain things that might be a nice assistance such as when
trains rust but I wouldn't want to put in too much data in this
regard, just clean, simple reminders of certain key points

2010/1/15 Erik Vos <eri...@xs...>:
> I don't know what kind of stories you would put there; I find the current
> private info is pretty complete.
> And so far the assumption pretty much was that users were up to date on
the
> rules.
> Including the game rules certainly isn't in the scope of this project.
>
> But sure it can be done. For instance an (optional) extra <Info> tag per
> company and train type.
> Such train and private info could nicely be made visible as extra items
> under the Info menu in the Map/OR window.
>
> I can write the code, but I need a volunteer to write the texts. Anyone?
>
> Erik.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Black [mailto:jim...@ya...]
> Sent: Friday 15 January 2010 21:50
> To: Development list for Rails: an 18xx game
> Subject: Re: [Rails-devel] IfOption in Map.xml
>
>
> I wanted to interject a couple of comments related to the xml-
>
> a) in the privates auction- it's nice to see the privates info under the
> info (i) button, but it sure is cryptic.  could a textual description be
> added to the xml record, so that annotation/text displays instead? (if
> present)
>
> b) afaik, I can't get back to that help info later- that's problematic
(the
> info is often critical, when you're trying to use the private)
>
> c) similar comment applies to trains- it's nice that the roster is listed
in
> 1.1.1, albeit tersely- the rusting info is a key omission, in practice
>
> so, someday- throughout the game- maybe when you hover-over a private, a
> train-inventory, a particular major, etc- the help text could show in a
> popup.
>
> in general, rails' users might could use a little more care-and-feeding,
in
> this area.   %-}
>
> this seems related to the thread issues here, but, my apologies if it's
too
> tangential- just wanted to slip these comments in.
>
> -  jim
>
>
>
>
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