Re: Galaxy Cargo, Corners & Diplomacy

From: sutin@helios.UCSC.EDU (Brian Sutin)

Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1993 01:22:27 +0000

In article <1olld6$260@wahoo.ccr-p.ida.org> desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins) writes:
>Brian Sutin <sutin@ra.UCSC.EDU> writes:

>> Perhaps everyone else spends hours doing complex calculations.  I have a
>> program which calculates what I think is optimal growth and then writes
>> the orders for my cargo ships.  I used to tinker with it until I realized
>> that my program was just smarter than I am.  Go figure.
>
>I don't know whether to be awestruck by being in the presence of someone
>who can write computer programs which are smarter than he is, or
>underwhelmed by someone who is dumber than a simple program.

(Why am I expaining this to you?  All you are doing is taking an opportunity
to be insulting.)

Okay, I'll give you a piece of paper and a pencil, and ask you to create
routes for all planes flying across the US, so that none of them run into
each other.  Do you think you could do a better job in a few days work
than a program you could write?  I doubt it.  My program creates orders
for hundreds of groups every turn -- it would take me hours to do the
same thing, and days to get it optimal.

>Does your program design optimal cargo ships taking into account not
>only the current distances to be traveled to developing systems but the
>distances that those ships will have to travel in the future in order to
>develop new systems?

An utter waste of time.  There is an optimal cargo ship design.  It does
not change.

>			Does it compute your optimal mix of expenditures
>on drive and cargo technology, transport ships, and capital?  Does it
>take into account the defensive potential of particular systems and
>their locations with regard to future expansion in deciding which ones
>to develop first?  Does it compute the necessary expenditure on defenses
>for different investment paths taking into account your location
>relative to your neighbors, your diplomatic status with them, and their
>known intentions and capabilities?

I said that my program made up orders for CARGO SHIPS.  It does take into
account the diplomatic state of my neighbors, for that purpose.

>                                        David desJardins

Brian Sutin				sutin@lick.ucsc.edu
Lick Observatory, UCSC			Santa Cruz, CA 95064
    Fred:   "May I rescue you?"
    Ginger: "No, thank you.  I prefer being in distress."

References

Re: Galaxy Cargo, Corners & Diplomacy
sutin@ra.UCSC.EDU (Brian Sutin)
Mon, 22 Mar 1993 23:35:07 +0000
Re: Galaxy Cargo, Corners & Diplomacy
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Tue, 23 Mar 1993 00:25:10 +0000
Re: Galaxy Cargo, Corners & Diplomacy
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Mon, 22 Mar 1993 16:47:27 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Galaxy Cargo, Corners & Diplomacy
sutin@ra.UCSC.EDU (Brian Sutin)
Mon, 22 Mar 1993 23:35:07 +0000
Re: Galaxy Cargo, Corners & Diplomacy
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Tue, 23 Mar 1993 00:25:10 +0000
Re: Galaxy Cargo, Corners & Diplomacy
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Mon, 22 Mar 1993 16:47:27 +0000