Does anybody use the encyclopedia?

[Major D]

If you have wanted to know something about a unit in SPWAW and consulted the encyclopedia, you will have noticed the descriptive text that has been included with the game.

In my opinion this text is generally of little or no value, therefore I have been working on making an update to the encyclopedia files. :cheeky:

If you have an interest in improving the encyclopedia, please contact me and I'll let you know what needs to be done. :cool:

[Aries]

An admirable effort, have you mentioned this to anyone at Matrix Games?, you might have some that would like to join you in the effort.

[Major D]

I ask for help in this manner every once in a while but never (or almost never) get any reply.
I live in hope

[Double Deuce]

In my opinion this text is generally of little or no value, therefore I have been working on making an update to the encyclopedia files. :cheeky:
Yes, a good idea. Truthfully I rarely use it as I have a little WWII knowledge already (OK, only enough to be a little dangerous). I think it really benefits the newer guys and as long as it doesn't have to be the same files on both PC's in a PBeM game I am all for it.
Are they just basic .txt files?

[Major D]

They are text files. I use notepad to write them. There is a little trick to entering a carriage return (new line or skipped line) - the same as in the text for a scenario. Look for those that you have already in the enc folder of the game. Most of these were written for SP3. I hope that those that I submitted will be included with the latest v8 release in the Screaming Eagles Mega Campaign. At some point, I'll start writing them again.......

[Aries]

I can speak with a small measure of inside knowledge where V8 is concerned considering I helped make it.

v8 is as we speak "done" ie nothing is likely to be added to it save a fix of a disasterous flaw (if one was found) which would actually mean something.

MC-SE is also "done" technically speaking.

What has not been "done" is it has not yet been offered as on sale just yet. Might be nothing more than it is waiting in a line awaiting it's turn.

But as for further add ons, this one should be considered closed for new material of a non critical nature.

Although, as sure as the sun shines, I doubt anyone expects v8 will be the absolute lastest effort for ever abnd ever eh.

All you would need to do (I assume) is make you effort something that can be easily inserted into a standard install. I am sure people will appareciate your efforts.

[Priest]

Good idea MajorD, I too find the encycolpedia to be of little value. Good luck.

[Major D]

Good idea MajorD, I too find the encycolpedia to be of little value. Good luck.

Gee, guys, thanks for the encouragement.

Looks like I'm on my own, eh?

[Aries]

Some of the best things I have seen done for Steel Panthers were created solo unfortunately dude.

Sometimes ya gots ta travel dat road alone eh.

[Priest]

Gee, guys, thanks for the encouragement.

Looks like I'm on my own, eh?
Don't let that stop you Major D...you may start out by yourself, but, you may not finish up that way. There are a lot of projects that one person started but many finished.

[Double Deuce]

Gee, guys, thanks for the encouragement.

Looks like I'm on my own, eh?
What I meant was "little use as is" at least IMHO. Since adding to it should not impact any security issues when playing PBeM, improving it can't hurt. I would be glad to help out but would not know where to start AND running Red Snow is a priority right now :D

[Priest]

I also have little time, what with work and my involvment with the ASL ladder.

[T. Heikkilä]

I use the encyclopedia, though sometimes it takes time to find info from there, because of the overwhelming numbers of units. (Which is not a bad thing!)

[Double Deuce]

If you have an interest in improving the encyclopedia, please contact me and I'll let you know what needs to be done. :cool:
Have you gotten much feedback yet? Could you post here what kind of things you are looking for so we can get more specific ideas of what is needed? Since so much attention is paid to the US, UK, Germany and Russia I suspect most missing information belongs to the lesser know armies? Maybe we could start a thread and have people post directly here so we are not duplicating each others efforts.

[minefield]

Hello Major D,

First off, an introduction since this is my first post in this forum. I am pretty new to war gaming and my experiences are solely based on SPWAW.

Given this, I think I present a valued and underrepresented opinion to such boards. Most of the members of this forum have been playing war games or at least well versed in military history. I don’t mean to state this as fact, as anyone can see it serves as a generalization at best. Anyway, these guys know their stuff so why should they care about the encyclopedia. They know what an SdKfz 251/9 is; I don’t. Well my point is that I have used the encyclopedia a lot and I believe many others do as well. I would venture to say that the 80/20 rule applies in that 80% of the people that download SPWAW give it a try and quit, only dabble a little bit, or only play solitaire and therefore are unlikely to ever appear in this forum or another. Then you have the 20% of people who catch the bug and enjoy the game to the point that they want to expand the experience by discussing it with others and even connecting with strangers to share the game experience itself. But back to the encyclopedia, I think it does get used, and I have even caught myself going through nationalities and clicking on units at random to find out what they are. I know little about the tactical level of WWII.

I hope that encouraged you some. I have even voiced similar wishes to improve the encyclopedia on the matrix forum, but stopped short of saying that I would do work on it. For one, I don’t know anything about the development and control of SPWAW. It would seem to me though that these .txt files are the best-bang-for-your-buck contribution one could make to SPWAW. The files are able to be modified by any computer literate user, they have no effect on game play and balance issues, and furthermore the people most opposed to changes (to OOB for example) have already admitted in this thread that they don’t care squat what the encyclopedia says. It would seem to me that these text files could be uploaded very quickly and painlessly through true update at any time after 8.2 comes out.

Saying that, I will voice my opinion of the current use of the descriptions. The ones that are included (maybe one out of 20 entries actually has one) are helpful by describing the unit, maybe how it was used, and a little bit about its history. I think these descriptions could be expanded in detail and included for every unit. In addition to giving its role, its place in history (number produced, fronts used, how it was employed i.e. the M15 SPAA entry mentions its use against infantry), the description could be used to give vital details about the unit’s use that are not apparent to a new user but are taken for granted as common knowledge to long time users. I think it best to give a couple of examples.

HQ: The headquarters (HQ) unit is a leadership unit intended to fill the higher levels of command on your battlefield. HQ’s were numerously scattered throughout WWII battlefields in some shape or form.
The HQ or HQ emplacement are most often used in SPWAW as placeholders for the company commander (‘A0’ unit) while the infantry HQ often fills the platoon level commander slots (B0, C0, etc.) It is possible to have other units in these spots but it is beneficial to have specialized leaders leading your units. The game will function the same if another unit is in the spot, but it will suffer from the weaker leadership. This is represented in SPWAW by the leadership ratings (see note).
Note: With command and control on, orders are given bottom up. If a platoon (B0 for example) is out of orders, ordering a unit (B1) will require going up to the A0 unit to get an order. More orders are one advantage of having proper HQ units. HQ units also help in rallying. Rallying occurs bottom up, with the unit trying to rally itself, its platoon leader (B0) trying next, and then finally the A0 unit. Units must be in contact with each other to attempt rallying. Radio contact is random, but is impossible without a radio.

Ok that was getting long. Cut off the note part and you might have a valid sized txt file (what are the limitations of the text file?). One example that is more mundane but equally important.

Barge Carrier: This truck carries a barge (basic water transport craft) for use in river crossings. To use it, move the barge carrier (BC) onto a river hex and press L for load while the barge carrier is selected. Select a unit adjacent to the BC to load …

Actually I’m not sure about its details but you get the point. Similar instructions for transports, etc. would be infinitely valuable. This is getting long but let me say where I stand as far as contributing. I know little to nothing about these units or war gaming for that matter. I am a quick learner and adept with computers. If not for some personal going on’s that are preventing me from functioning at a normal level, I would be all gung ho about doing the .txt descriptions. I am still going to venture to say that I would be willing help such a project if I knew that it would be distributed. Of course I would need reference materials, willing experts in the community to be in contact with, and the details of naming, placing, formatting, and size restrictions of the .txt file.

Sorry for the length. I get carried away over this game : )

[danstudentvcc]

What I like best about the Encyclopaedia.

The music. It also continues to play after I visit it. very cool.

I am up for it, giving assistance.
I recall the Encyclopaedia was worked on alot at Matrix Games and previously.
One of the major improvements attempted along the way was having the Encyclopaedic availability of a vehicle actually match within limits the game availability. There were problems.
Still the efforts are ongoing I take it..now with Major D?..certainly,
I am often in the libraries doing math homework anyway; putting my hyper-allergenic (or is it hypo) nose between dusty covers while in the bowels of the University or College -- count me in.


L O G I C ;)

[Kaz]

Hey Major D,

I'm interested in helping, too.

Pop me a line.

Kaz