Re: The nature of the beast

From: David desJardins <desj@math.berkeley.edu>

Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Paul Walker <csuan@crocus.csv.warwick.ac.uk> writes:
>> That's because it's so much more convenient to read and process a PBEM
>> turn report online than it is to print it out.
>
> It's massively easier to have hard-copy of the turn and spread the required
> 3 or 4 sheets out where I can look between them instantly than it would
> be to have to do it on the computer, with the limited amount of text (and
> limited resolution) that it has.

I should have said, "generally for me it is much more convenient."
Obviously, what is easier depends on very many factors---the format and
size of the turn reports, the available computing resources, what the
user is comfortable with, and so on.  I'll certainly admit that when I
play games which have turn reports with only a few pages, and perhaps
including graphics, I find it convenient to print those out for
references (as well as viewing them online).  But for the majority of
PBEM games that I play, I don't ever find it useful to print out any
turn reports.  That doesn't mean that I don't think it's useful for some
people.

For what it's worth, I display up to 3 typewritten pages at one time
(and I can view more if I need to by reducing the font).  I can display
more text and more quickly scan from one item to another by viewing the
files online than by spreading them out on the desk.  And when I have to
deal with 50 or 100 pages of turn report (or more if I have information
each turn from my allies, the computer seems virtually the only
alternative for handling that information.

> I'm assuming that you meant "online" as in "on the computer" here; if you
> meant "connected to the internet", then you're off your rocker, I'm
> afraid. :-)

Actually, I do now play most games by logging in remotely over the
Internet (to a machine on the other side of the USA) and viewing my turn
reports and editing my files remotely on that machine.  Occasionally I
will go to the trouble of copying a particular file or files back to a
local machine, but for the most part I do in fact work "over the
Internet".  There are a variety of reasons why I find that most
convenient, but I don't think insanity is one of them.

David desJardins

References

Re: The nature of the beast
David desJardins <desj@math.berkeley.edu>
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: The nature of the beast
htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: The nature of the beast
David desJardins <desj@math.berkeley.edu>
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: The nature of the beast
csuan@crocus.csv.warwick.ac.uk (Paul Walker)
Mon, 22 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
The nature of the beast
htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi)
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Re: The nature of the beast
David desJardins <desj@math.berkeley.edu>
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: The nature of the beast
htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: The nature of the beast
David desJardins <desj@math.berkeley.edu>
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: The nature of the beast
csuan@crocus.csv.warwick.ac.uk (Paul Walker)
Mon, 22 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
The nature of the beast
htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi)
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000