Buddy/Ignore List
05-16-2013, 01:35 PM
Cipher is working hard in getting our turns done on time but his job would be much easier if turn processing was fully automated. So please automate this game 
I mentioned in another post that you can save file attachments into a directory automatically via the mail server. For example, if Rails was being used, it's just a setting like:
ActionMailer::Base.file_settings = { :location => Rails.root.join('/alamaze/games/') }
So depending upon what mail server/daemon is being used, you may only have to set a configuration value without any programming and you're all set. Heck, we can even use FTP to upload our orders to a directory of your choosing if the mailer you're using is too difficult to change. Automating the collection of turns from players would allow us to submit unlimited number of corrections in the game without bothering the game administrator.
In addition, I recommend automating the game processing of turns at each due date. In other words, create a Windows service (or Unix daemon, DOS TSR, ...etc.) that triggers every Monday at 2pm and Thursday at 10pm automatically. This program which runs in the background can process the game's orders each turn and send out the results to the players via email. So players will get their turns in less than 15 minutes after the due date satisfying customer requests for a quicker response. Again, without bothering Cipher to do all of this.
Besides, you have to automate this game anyway when more players join otherwise it'll be too hectic for Cipher to manually process dozens or even hundreds of games. Also, games won't be delayed if the game administrator goes on vacation or gets sick.
Automating this game isn't difficult to do and should take less than 2-3 days worth of development. Then Cipher's time would be better spent on answering questions, handling errors that may occur, creating an order validation program (to help new players with orders), or enhancing the game (e.g., random map, less than 15 players required in game, ...etc.).
So please automate this game
I mentioned in another post that you can save file attachments into a directory automatically via the mail server. For example, if Rails was being used, it's just a setting like:
ActionMailer::Base.file_settings = { :location => Rails.root.join('/alamaze/games/') }
So depending upon what mail server/daemon is being used, you may only have to set a configuration value without any programming and you're all set. Heck, we can even use FTP to upload our orders to a directory of your choosing if the mailer you're using is too difficult to change. Automating the collection of turns from players would allow us to submit unlimited number of corrections in the game without bothering the game administrator.
In addition, I recommend automating the game processing of turns at each due date. In other words, create a Windows service (or Unix daemon, DOS TSR, ...etc.) that triggers every Monday at 2pm and Thursday at 10pm automatically. This program which runs in the background can process the game's orders each turn and send out the results to the players via email. So players will get their turns in less than 15 minutes after the due date satisfying customer requests for a quicker response. Again, without bothering Cipher to do all of this.
Besides, you have to automate this game anyway when more players join otherwise it'll be too hectic for Cipher to manually process dozens or even hundreds of games. Also, games won't be delayed if the game administrator goes on vacation or gets sick.
Automating this game isn't difficult to do and should take less than 2-3 days worth of development. Then Cipher's time would be better spent on answering questions, handling errors that may occur, creating an order validation program (to help new players with orders), or enhancing the game (e.g., random map, less than 15 players required in game, ...etc.).
So please automate this game
