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Alfred -> RE: AE PDF Manual Revision Part Two (12/28/2015 1:22:00 PM)
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Short update.
Chapters 1-4 have been sent to an experienced forumite to check on readability and how well the objectives are being met.
There are three objectives for this project.
1. Produce an accurate manual. Entails correcting errors, incorporating patch enhancements, standardise concept naming, filling in lacuna but still not breaching the no algorithm disclosure rule, ultimately improving the index.
2. Producing a readable manual. Not just a reference document which players look up when they come across a problem but one which logically flows and reduces the learning cliff.
3. Reduce the number of new players asking questions on the forum and then receiving incorrect answers. A good manual should always be the first resource accessed by a new player. If a new player can't be bothered to check a good manual and work out for themselves the answer, they are incapable of understanding properly forum answers which are often incorrect anyway.
Actually, there is a fourth objective. Get it finished and approved by the devs.[:)]
The process of polishing the first 4 chapters is not yet complete. When done they, together with chapter 5, will be sent to the devs to check on certain under the hood functions. hopefully, this will be early in early January 2016.
Compared to the printed manual, the drafts of the first 4 chapters have gained "weight". Much of it is due to the great increase in screenshots incorporated.
To give an idea of the changes, these are the working sections titles of chapter 4 only. They should hint at the new screenshots added. To get an idea of the work involved compare the draft layout with the printed manual layout.
4.0 The Main Map Display
4.1 The Menu Bar
4.2 The Tactical Map
4.2.1 Terrain
4.2.1.1 Hex Terrain Types
4.2.1.2 Land Transportation Links
4.2.1.3 Hexside Barrier Terrain
4.2.1.4 Maritime transportation Links
4.2.1.4.1 Tactical Map Straits
4.2.1.4.2 Tactical Map Navigable Rivers
4.2.1.4.3 Off Map Maritime Transportation Links
4.2.2 Allowable Movement Through Hexsides
4.2.3 Tactical Map Icons
4.2.3.1 Land Unit Icons
4.2.3.2 Base Icons
4.2.3.3 Operational Airfield Icon
4.2.3.4 Anchored Ships Icon
4.2.3.5 Task Force Icons
4.2.3.6 Minefields Icon
4.2.3.7 Flagged Events icons
4.2.4 Off Map Areas
4.2.4.1 Transit Zones
4.2.4.2 Holding Boxes
4.3 Hex Command Display
4.4 Jump Map
4.5 Mouse Pop Over
4.5.1 Base Icon Mouse Over Display
4.5.2 Land combat Unit Icon Mouse Over Display
4.5.3 Operational Airfield Icon Mouse Over Display
4.5.4 Anchored Ships Icon Mouse Over Display
4.5.5 Task Force Icon Mouse Over Display
4.6 Strategic Map
4.6.1 Strategic Map Top Edge Filters
4.6.2 Strategic map Left Edge Filters
The next update from me will probably be no earlier than mid January.
Alfred
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