Re: DragonQuest Numbering/Index

["artgrtr8u" <artgrtr8u@yahoo.com>]

Have you given any thought to what format the rules will be
written/published in?  Will we use MSWord for editing and maybe
publish to pdf and/or html?  Or will we edit in plain text?

Microsoft Word has some built in tools for indexing which still
require some manual work but do make it easier to generate the index
initially.  This system uses page numbers instead of section/rule
numbers and ultimately an index based on rule numbers would be much
more useful, and consistent across all formats (page numbers would
change as rules were updated and formats were changed).

There is also the potential that we could find or write a PERL script
that would do some automated indexing for us.

I think it might be worthwhile to determine this up front so that as
we go forward and add rules people can do what they need to make sure
the index will be generated and kept up to date correctly.

-Stephen Johnson (the other one)

--- In dq-rules@yahoogroups.com, "rthorm" <rthorm@c...> wrote:
> An index is definitely part of what I hope to have in the new version.
>  It seems to me a little bit 'cart before the horse' to do the index
> now, however.  But it is helpful to keep indexing in mind from the
> outset.  And to that end, I have been thinking about a new numbering
> system.
> 
> Some time ago there was some discussion about a new numbering system
> for the DQ rules.  I tried to find the discussion, so I could see what
> had been suggested.  If someone could help dredge that up, I'd like to
> take another look at the suggestions that were discussed.
> 
> I've come up with my own version, which (I think) draws on some of
> what was previously suggested, but, again, I don't recall exactly. 
> What I am trying to set up with this is something like the Dewey
> system for cataloging a library.  This would allow new rules to be
> added and appear in sequence, so that the rules would hold together
> and make sense, no matter which rules were added or subtracted.  (The
> Poor Brendan's numbering problem.)
> 
> This draft uses the same main categories as the SPI version.  But
> rather than having sequentially numbered rules, I am instead using a
> three digit rule number.  Paragraphs of a rule would be lettered,
> rather than having a point number, allowing for up to 26 rule
> paragraphs to a rule, rather than 9.
> 
> So the main categories would be:
> 
> 0    - License
> 1    - How to Play the Game
> 2    - Game Terms
> 3    - Character Generation
> 4    - Combat
> 5    - Magic
> 6    - Skills
> 7    - Monsters
> 8    - Adventure
> 
> Rule numbering would follow the form:
> 8-255-a
> for example to refer to the currency conversion rule [2nd Ed 81.1]
> 
> Alternatively, keep roman numerals for the categories, then a three
> digit number for the rule, and then a letter for the paragraph:
> VIII-255-a  or even VIII255a
> 
> Though on looking at it, I think using numbers for the categories is
> cleaner.
> 
> Translation between editions could also be facilitated by keeping
> reference to the old rule number in place of the letter.  For example,
> 8-255-[81].  We shouldn't use this for individual cases (where the
> lettered paragraphs are used), but just in the Table of Contents or
> other cross-referencing materials.  
> 
> --Rodger
> 
> Quoting "J. Corey" <john@d...>:
> 
> > I would be happy to try and take this on.  Since we are doing
> > re-writing, now seems like the time
> >
> > John C.
> > On May 24, 2004, at 3:32 AM, dbarrass_2000 wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >  I have a dragonquest index, I spent ages doing it and came to 3
> > >  conclusions
> > >  1) life is too short to index a book, do it at the time of writing
> > >  2) I indexed by page numbers, indexing by section numbers would
have
> > >  been better
> > >  3) I'm no good at indexing :--(
> > >
> > >  This is why I have never finished it, I have all the index
cards, but
> > >  only got half way through "D" before deciding it was futile
> > >
> > >  David
> > >
> > >  --- In dq-rules@yahoogroups.com, "J. Corey" <john@d...> wrote:
> > >  >
> > >  > Also, the one thing DQ has never had that makes me CRAZY is a
> decent
> > >  > index.  This is a great opportunity make a good one
> > >  >
> > >  > John C