Oolite Bulletins

mandoman wrote:

ReadMe? Who reads ReadMe?

Smivs wrote:

On a serious note, the readme is included in an OXP because it contains VITAL information about the OXP, such as what it does and how it plays with other OXPs. These should always be read carefully.
A large number of issues and problems we resolve on this board could have been answered or even avoided if the readme had been read.

It's a sad truth that both statements are true.

Ganelon wrote:

I don't write code. I only write fiction sometimes. That's different, it's nowhere near as serious as like, actually writing code. Those people who write code, yeah, they're seriously addicted. But I could stop anytime. I know my limits. Yeah.

What he said. I don't take it seriously at all. I mean, where's the evidence?

Cheers,

Drew.

HEHE!

Commander McLane wrote:

mandoman wrote:

ReadMe? Who reads ReadMe?

Smivs wrote:

On a serious note, the readme is included in an OXP because it contains VITAL information about the OXP, such as what it does and how it plays with other OXPs. These should always be read carefully.
A large number of issues and problems we resolve on this board could have been answered or even avoided if the readme had been read.

It's a sad truth that both statements are true.

Maybe this sage advice should go up as a sticky post?

Ad_Astra wrote:

Maybe this sage advice should go up as a sticky post?

Probably better not, or we'll find out people don't read stickies, either.

Ganelon wrote:

Ad_Astra wrote:

Maybe this sage advice should go up as a sticky post?

Probably better not, or we'll find out people don't read stickies, either.

Indeed, and we've found that out already long ago. Just think about all the newbies coming in and presenting us with their idea/suggestion/request for multiplayer Oolite in their first post, completely ignorant of the "Oolite Multiplayer - please read this first"-sticky.

But seriously, it's a well-known fact that people indeed don't read readMes, or any kind of documentation for that matter, and we can't force them to.

As it stands a player has already to go through multiple layers of information until he can install an OXP. First there's the short description in the [wiki]OXP_List[/wiki], which should be the entry point for OXP search. Then there's each OXP's single Wiki page which contains vital information. And finally there's the readMe which becomes available after downloading. So, if a player chooses to ignore or disregard any written information which screams into their face up to that point, what good would another layer of written information do, except cluttering these boards with superfluous stickies which nobody reads?

Ganelon wrote:

Ad_Astra wrote:

Maybe this sage advice should go up as a sticky post?

Probably better not, or we'll find out people don't read stickies, either.

For each sticky we add, the chance of people reading any of them drops.

I'd vote but "Played Elite on the Nintendo 20 years ago religiously, then stopped for 20 years, found Oolite and played it for a few hours, and then got trapped in the fun of making OXP's and almost never actually playing" doesn't appear on the list

ADCK wrote:

I'd vote but "Played Elite on the Nintendo 20 years ago religiously, then stopped for 20 years, found Oolite and played it for a few hours, and then got trapped in the fun of making OXP's and almost never actually playing" doesn't appear on the list

A familiar story...

Substitute C64 for Nintendo and ditto

Ahruman wrote:

... ...For each sticky we add, the chance of people reading any of them drops.

ahhh... this sounds like a new one to add to those lists of laws familiar to engineers and such... you know the sort of thing: "the chances of something going wrong are directly proportional to the difficulty in fixing it", etc

My very first DOS PC had Elite plus on it, which blew me away! It quickly turned into the only game I played (that and the old Prince of Persia).
After gruelling hours of combat and trading I finally turned Elite.....

After Elite I every once in a while found another space game (the various X'es, Privateer), but the ultimate freedom and anarchy of Oolite is still the best for me...

It is just Elite but better!
I do have ideas for OXP's, but I can't stop playing, there is always the next mission!

Greetz,
Onno.

First time I've put a poll up. If/Next time I'll be more carefull of what I'm looking to see and do the same for the Q's.

The poll was really about players, I threw in the code writers as a last thought as I know quite a few do, or there wouldn't be so many fantastic oxpers about. Sort of took it for granted that writers were long time players.