[Starmap2-devteam] Fw: [rpg-tools] Makeover for an old tool

[Trace K. <Tra...@ne...>]

----- Original Message -----=20
From: David=20
To: rpg...@ya...=20
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2001 10:44 PM
Subject: Re: [rpg-tools] Makeover for an old tool


--- Chris Tutty <Chr...@or...> wrote:
> I'd still suggest that any questions about what it should do should
> be raised here or world-create to canvas a wide group of potential
> users.

So let's think of some good questions to ask:

What do we expect out of a good starmapping program? =20

I would expect at least all the good things about Starmap, which we
will need to decide upon.  I was especially drawn to the openness to
tweaking-- if the program couldn't manage something, you're welcome
to try it by hand.

What would we like to see? =20

On the mundane level, I'd be excited to see it use the new Hipparcos
star data, which is more accurate and more complete than Gliese 3.0,
and hopefully wouldn't require the statistical fudging that Jim did.=20
Give the hard sf nuts what they want. :)
On a more structural note, I'd like to see some serious generation
tools, from stellar objects on down to planetary composition,
environment, and terrain.  I especially want something that can
handle civilizations, both planetary and interstellar.

Most of all, I want tools that help me manage, sort, and make sense
of it all.  Starmap couldn't even tell me how far it is from Sol to
Chi Orionis, much less how many starsystems fell under the dominion
of the Empire.  Data without the means to organize it into meaningful
order is useless.  This is the key to the perfect starmapping
program, imo.  Everything else is just flash.

Well, anyone else have ideas?

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
"Indeed you are yourself the only riddle. What you call=20
riddles are truths, and seem riddles because you are not=20
true... They will go on asking themselves until you=20
understand yourself. The universe is a riddle trying to get=20
out, and you are holding your door hard against it."
     - from "Lilith," by George MacDonald.

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