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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> We need a FAQ or Wiki

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We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/19/2009 3:50:45 PM

fbs

Posts: 1048
Joined: 12/25/2008
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I've been asking a lot of questions, and I'm coming to realize that I'm probably asking things that were discussed before. I try to search for my questions with the Search tool, but that's a time-consuming proposal as it takes time to read through 50 threads returned from search when I enter "supplies".

So we need a FAQ, otherwise these questions will keep coming over and over again. A FAQ would also avoid people from calling things as bugs, just because they don't understand a particular mechanic. And a FAQ could be kept up-to-date, while posts don't change, so tweaks in the game mechanics can be reflected in a FAQ, but not in old threads in the forum.

Keep the FAQ accessible from some link, and keep the link in a sticker in the forum.

What do you guys think?

Cheers

fbs

< Message edited by fbs -- 8/20/2009 5:51:22 PM >

Post #: 1

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 4:03:27 PM

greg_slith

Posts: 490
Joined: 9/14/2004
Status: offline

I agree. It would cut down on the searches.

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 2

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 4:31:07 PM

TheTomDude

Posts: 372
Joined: 3/3/2006
From: Switzerland
Status: offline

/signed. That's a very good idea.

(in reply to greg_slith)

Post #: 3

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 5:22:28 PM

Xargun

Posts: 3690
Joined: 2/14/2004
From: Near Columbus, Ohio
Status: offline

And get it Stickied to the top of the page.

Xargun

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 4

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 6:47:10 PM

jazman

Posts: 369
Joined: 1/20/2007
From: Crush Depth
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: fbs

I've been asking a lot of questions, and I'm coming to realize that I'm probably asking things that were discussed before. I try to search for my questions with the Search tool, but that's a time-consuming proposal as it takes time to read through 50 threads returned from search when I enter "supplies".

So we need a FAQ, otherwise these questions will keep coming over and over again. A FAQ would also avoid people from calling things as bugs, just because they don't understand a particular mechanic. And a FAQ could be kept up-to-date, while posts don't change, so tweaks in the game mechanics can be reflected in a FAQ, but not in old threads in the forum.

Keep the FAQ accessible from some link, and keep the link in a sticker in the forum.

What do you guys think?

Cheers
fbs

Thanks for volunteering!

_____________________________

BS, MS, PhD, WitP:AE, WitE, WitW

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 5

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 8:29:08 PM

fbs

Posts: 1048
Joined: 12/25/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jazman

Thanks for volunteering!

Hahaha... sure, I'm a volunteer, and I'm sure that other folks will gladly volunteer too to record their question/answer experiences :^D

Count me on, cheers

fbs

(in reply to jazman)

Post #: 6

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 9:34:29 PM

jwilkerson

Posts: 10525
Joined: 9/15/2002
From: Kansas
Status: offline

You start making it - if it catches we will sticky it. My concern is that it will grow into a 2000 post thread, for which we will need a new FAQ thread to summarize the FAQ thread!

_____________________________

AE Project Lead
New Game Project Lead

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 7

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 10:15:10 PM

fbs

Posts: 1048
Joined: 12/25/2008
Status: offline

Oh, it has to be a document; threads with more than 30 posts are very hard to follow...

Cheers
fbs

(in reply to jwilkerson)

Post #: 8

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 10:34:37 PM

jazman

Posts: 369
Joined: 1/20/2007
From: Crush Depth
Status: offline

I suggest a FAQ sub-forum, where each question has its own thread. Then you don't have to navigate huge threads that have many topics interleaved.

_____________________________

BS, MS, PhD, WitP:AE, WitE, WitW

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 9

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 10:36:03 PM

jazman

Posts: 369
Joined: 1/20/2007
From: Crush Depth
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: jazman

I suggest a FAQ sub-forum, where each question has its own thread. Then you don't have to navigate huge threads that have many topics interleaved.

Wait, that is this forum! And it doesn't work in the clean way I imagined. Carry on.

_____________________________

BS, MS, PhD, WitP:AE, WitE, WitW

(in reply to jazman)

Post #: 10

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/19/2009 10:44:05 PM

sfbaytf

Posts: 1122
Joined: 4/13/2005
Status: offline

For me the most useful thing would be a listing/flowchart and detailed plan of the first move or 2 for Japan.

That would include not only the military moves, but production settings.

Japan for Dummies so to speak.

(in reply to jazman)

Post #: 11

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/20/2009 5:50:36 PM

fbs

Posts: 1048
Joined: 12/25/2008
Status: offline

I've been thinking the last 2 days on the best way to set up a cooperative FAQ thing, and I'm coming to the conclusion that a Wiki may be the easiest way of doing that. The advantages of a Wiki is that it is naturally cooperative and multi-user, different pages can be set up for the different areas (naval, etc...), and it has a built-in search capabilities, so everything seems very practical.

Anyone has had experience on setting up a Wiki that would like to comment if it is feasible for us to set up a WITP-AE Wiki page somewhere?

Thanks!
fbs

(in reply to sfbaytf)

Post #: 12

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/20/2009 6:00:02 PM

invernomuto

Posts: 986
Joined: 10/8/2004
From: Turin, Italy
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sfbaytf
That would include not only the military moves, but production settings.

Japan for Dummies so to speak.

On Spooky site there were an invaluable doc for beginners called WITP TIPS. It was for WITP, hope to see a similar thing for AE. A doc for beginner that cover a bit of production and the first 2 turns for both sides.

Bye

_____________________________

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Post #: 13

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/20/2009 6:38:58 PM

Mistmatz

Posts: 1399
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Status: offline

A list of 'must read threads' as in the stock forum would be sufficient. But right now there aren't so many must read threads...

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 14

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/20/2009 7:25:47 PM

fbs

Posts: 1048
Joined: 12/25/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mistmatz

A list of 'must read threads' as in the stock forum would be sufficient. But right now there aren't so many must read threads...

That thread is actually a FAQ: it has a list of common doubts and questions, and points to where to find the answer.
The problem with that format is that only person can maintain it; search is also a bit of a problem.

It can be done that way... but if a Wiki provides the exact same thing (a page with links) and can be maintained by multiple people, why not use it?

fbs

(in reply to Mistmatz)

Post #: 15

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/21/2009 8:14:51 AM

Reg

Posts: 2787
Joined: 5/26/2000
From: NSW, Australia
Status: offline

There is the War in the Pacific WIKI by Robert Widell though we probably need a completely seperate one set up for AE due to the differences.

I wonder if Robert could set aside a bit more server space.

_____________________________

Cheers,
Reg.

(One day I will learn to spell - or check before posting....)
Uh oh, Firefox has a spell checker!! What excuse can I use now!!!

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 16

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/21/2009 12:54:43 PM

P.Hausser

Posts: 416
Joined: 8/16/2009
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nah, we need a MUST READ post with links for all relevant threads!

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Post #: 17

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/21/2009 3:35:05 PM

mike.kreuzer

Posts: 10
Joined: 6/20/2006
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In case anyone wants to help fill in some of the blanks, I've set up a wiki:

www.mikekreuzer.com/witpae

I plan to add stuff there as & when I feel motivated, but please feel free to join in too. There's nothing there yet, so by all means make your mark. I'm happy to have my contribution be making the thing available.

Regards, Mike

(in reply to P.Hausser)

Post #: 18

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/22/2009 5:15:02 AM

jb123

Posts: 276
Joined: 8/6/2009
Status: offline

Let's see if this catches on. Here is the idea.

I created a website.

When you hear a question that's been asked a thousand times before post the question and the answer on the website instead of answering it on the forum.

Then post the link in the forum.

http://wiptae.pbworks.com/

I did a few pbwiki projects and it always seems to works itself out.

You have to register to use it.

(in reply to mike.kreuzer)

Post #: 19

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/22/2009 5:37:20 AM

jb123

Posts: 276
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I'm trying my hand at it:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2215237

(in reply to jb123)

Post #: 20

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/22/2009 9:57:18 AM

Valgua

Posts: 218
Joined: 11/10/2006
From: Uppsala, Sweden
Status: offline

Good work, Mike! I think that the Wiki is the simplest and most efficient tool. It has also the greatest visibility.

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Post #: 21

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/22/2009 10:00:02 AM

Mus

Posts: 1759
Joined: 11/13/2005
Status: offline

A wiki would be great.

I just got the game a couple days ago and would be a lot easier to attack this learning curve with a ton of information in a browse friendly format all cross referenced in wiki fashion.

_____________________________

Mindset, Tactics, Skill, Equipment
Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas

(in reply to jb123)

Post #: 22

RE: We need a FAQ or Wiki - 8/22/2009 1:08:46 PM

wpurdom

Posts: 476
Joined: 10/27/2000
From: Decatur, GA, USA
Status: offline

Paradox and AGEoD both do a good job of this in their forums. They have both "must read" cross-references and wikis. The combination works well - those with the most comprehensive knowledge of the important advice out there can point to it, and those with time or inclination can edit it to a more readable format.

(in reply to Mus)

Post #: 23

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/22/2009 4:35:26 PM

Roger Neilson II

Posts: 1517
Joined: 7/16/2006
From: Newcastle upon Tyne. England
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: fbs

I've been thinking the last 2 days on the best way to set up a cooperative FAQ thing, and I'm coming to the conclusion that a Wiki may be the easiest way of doing that. The advantages of a Wiki is that it is naturally cooperative and multi-user, different pages can be set up for the different areas (naval, etc...), and it has a built-in search capabilities, so everything seems very practical.

Anyone has had experience on setting up a Wiki that would like to comment if it is feasible for us to set up a WITP-AE Wiki page somewhere?

Thanks!
fbs

Its incredibly easy......

Roger

_____________________________

(in reply to fbs)

Post #: 24

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/22/2009 4:36:45 PM

Roger Neilson II

Posts: 1517
Joined: 7/16/2006
From: Newcastle upon Tyne. England
Status: offline

Oh no, already we have two wikis......

Gotta agree just one guys.

Roger

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Post #: 25

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/23/2009 10:38:20 AM

Roger Neilson II

Posts: 1517
Joined: 7/16/2006
From: Newcastle upon Tyne. England
Status: offline

Have had a look at both,

mike's is open source and seems to be less user friendly, but is more tech based to edit by the look of things

jb123 is more user friendly but needs a free sign in to edit (has some merit in that not just anything can be stuck on there)

Purely a matter of deciding what one to use - we don't want to use two and have confusion.

Any views?

Roger

_____________________________

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Post #: 26

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/23/2009 1:03:14 PM

Hanzberger

Posts: 921
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: SE Pennsylvania
Status: offline

Make it a list of questions with the answer following each. Compile it and put it up on a web site. I think Rogue or Spooky would put it up. But it needs to be right/approved by someone who knows the game inside and out.

(in reply to Roger Neilson II)

Post #: 27

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/24/2009 11:13:36 PM

Smeulders

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline

I won't say I'm very knowledgeable about AE, but am willing to help out in condensing a lot of the tips here into readable format. My personnel preference is for Mike's. It's an interface most people will know already and it could still allow for a couple of FAQ pages while also giving the chance to dig deeper into some topics with longer articles.

(in reply to Hanzberger)

Post #: 28

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/25/2009 10:57:39 AM

Smeulders

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
Status: offline

What is the position of the AE team in regards to using materials from the manual on a wiki ? For example, seeing how many people initially have problems understanding some ship designations, putting up appendix A in alphabetical order would be quite useful, but this of course won't be done if we don't get permission. Of course, any work from the manual will be properly attributed.

(in reply to Smeulders)

Post #: 29

RE: We need a FAQ file - 8/25/2009 2:59:37 PM

jb123

Posts: 276
Joined: 8/6/2009
Status: offline

I'm probably going to add information to the pbwiki I started. While many are familiar with regular wiki I (still) have a hard time with it. If anything I'm going to use it as a reference for myself, if anyone wants to join, feel free.

I think I'm going to start a question page, anyone with time on their hands could look at the questions, if they know the answer they could post it on the proper page.

This game hurts my had, I still have yet to click end turn. I don't have endless hours to put into it, but I wish I did (how will I explain flunking grad school ,losing my fiance and the like?)

(in reply to Smeulders)

Post #: 30