Tactical Command
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/

would you use the EA rules like this?
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=26688		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Dave [ Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:  would you use the EA rules like this?
So I found a tool that converts CSS styled HTML into a nice PDF. I'm going to move to this format for the 2015 Tournament Pack. It give me fine grained control of all the text in the PDF and, more excitingly for me, allows me to completely eliminate the duplication. In other words, when the Warhound crit changes I only have to change it in one place rather than 20... It will also allow me to construct reference sheets on the fly for each of the list, so no more copy and pasting Space Marine Tacticals to every variant list.

Anyway, my question to you guys is: would you be likely to use a web page that has the Epic Rules as text on it? If so, talk me through how you think it should work: one page where you can open the sections you want with dropdowns, multi-page where there's one page for each section, etc.

What about mobile, would you use something like this on your phone? Same question as above?

With the content in HTML it would be only a few more hours of work to style something that would be useful on the web. Would you guys use something like this?
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
Nice!
Author:  mordoten [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
A really good idea!
Author:  GlynG [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
Sound good for your end.

I don't see any advantage or reason to use it online, I have a hard copy plus often refer to the pdf on my laptop and mobile.
Author:  SpeakerToMachines [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
A version with the whole thing (without images) as a single page would make it easy to search for specific keywords or references.
Author:  Apocolocyntosis [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
I would definitely use it, sounds like a great resource.
Author:  Matt-Shadowlord [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
I'd certainly use it if it could be called up on an iPhone or similar device and searched by keyword. The search functionality would be the killer-app of an online version of the rules.
Thanks!
Author:  Kyrt [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
May I help you with this? I confess I have an ulterior motive...

I've mentioned in a couple of threads recently that I would like to build a system of integrated parts that would do something very similar - that is, track and aid army list development and make the production of the army compendium and tournament pack trivial.

It sounds like you have found a tool that would make it easy to do the last part of that, i.e. generate PDF from HTML. That was the part that I have least mapped out already, so it definitely is something that I personally think is useful.

What ties all the things together in my "grand architecture" is a database of the various pieces, i.e. a structured form, with a very detailed data model that captures the full complexity of the game, units, lists etc. The task of inputting all of the data (unit stats in particular) into any one form is, as I think you can attest to, enormous. It is the biggest stumbling block - all the rest I can build incrementally.

So, given it seems you are thinking of taking all that data in the compendium and translating it to an HTML document, I think it would be a great step forward if that document is structured well enough to be easily turned into a database. The downside is that I probably want more detail and structure than you would otherwise use, but there are a number of ways we could do that without drastically altering how you would do it (we can discuss), and it could even make the data translation part easier. Of course, I am offering to help with all this :) What do you think?
Author:  Parintachin [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
It might be possible to use these files to pull out datafiles for ArmyForge too; I'd love it (o:
Author:  Dave [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
I'm looking to keep it light. I'm planning to have the stats and reference sheets be JSON, with jQuery building the HTML as it's executed within the page. I can definitely share the JSON with you guys.
Author:  MephistonAG [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
If it's fully searchable then on-line wins for me.
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
If this facilitates creation of PDFs then great. If it happens to to also be online as a side effect then groovy. I absolutely do not want online only however. Also this overlaps with mini-wars which already has lists and rules and unit stats online and mobile friendly. I'd caution against re-inventing the wheel.
Author:  Irisado [ Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
I much prefer hard copies of rules (be it a book or a printed PDF document) than an online version. I have to do enough work with screens without using them when I get the chance to play games. Having a game of Epic or 40K is one of the few occasions whereby I can get away from a computer, and I'd like to keep it that way :).
Author:  m_folais [ Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: would you use the EA rules like this?
Whatever floats your boat.

I print it all out. This way I can write all over it. Highlight the rules I porked or forget in the last game.
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/