Re: Aisleriot ideas

["Timothy S. Nelson" <wayland wayland id au>]

On Wed, 8 Dec 2010, Christian Persch wrote:

> Hi;
>
> Am Wed, 8 Dec 2010 11:34:18 +1100 (EST)
> schrieb "Timothy S. Nelson" <wayland wayland id au>:
> > On Wed, 8 Dec 2010, Christian Persch wrote:
> > > Am Mon, 6 Dec 2010 13:40:10 +1100 (EST)
> > > schrieb "Timothy S. Nelson" <wayland wayland id au>:
> > > > B.	Have an XML file for data associated with each game
> > > I'm not sure I'd choose xml for that description; a simple .ini
> > > style keyfile format would probably be enough.
>
> If we also want to include this data in the help files (e.g. as a
> paragraph describing the games), then it would probably need to be xml.
> Anyway, that need to be worked out by whoever will implement this :)

	Fine by me :).

> >  	Fine by me.  I just figured there are probably already lots
> > of XML processing libraries out there already.
>
> The data itself should probably be compiled into a binary gvariant blob
> at build time for use in the programme, instead of cluttering the file
> system with yet more files.

	Hmm.  I wanted this specifically so that I would be able to alter 
things at runtime :).

> > > >  	It would also be useful if there were a Scheme function
> > > > that could be called, so that the developers of games could access
> > > > the XML data associated with their game.
> > >
> > > The game itself doesn't need access to that data, as far as I can
> > > see? It would be only for use in the UI.
> >
> >  	I was thinking of the redeals.
>
> They're not configurable (well, some games have variants with unlimited
> redeals), but still I think that data would be descriptive, and
> separate from the actual code. Both need to be kept in sync, obviously.

	The keeping in sync was exactly what I was trying to avoid :).  Also, 
I want the redeals to be configurable :).

> > > >  	Might it be useful to have the "Aisleriot Solitaire" item
> > > > on the Gnome menus be a submenu instead, and then list all the
> > > > Solitaire games (categorised, of course) directly on the Gnome
> > > > menus?
> > >
> > > Not opposed to that, but not really convinced either. I think you
> > > should put that idea to the gnome-shell design team, since these
> > > menus are their area. (It'll be easy to implement for us, in the
> > > event that they like the idea.)
> >
> >  	I'm not particularly convinced either way either -- just
> > thought I'd mention it :).
>
> Still, proposing that to the shell team wouldn't hurt; all they can say
> is 'no' :)

	Ok, I'll do it :).

> >  	I'm probably not the best UI designer.  But as a not-very-UI
> > designer, I'd tend to approach it from an incremental point of view
> > -- put out something, and improve as we go.
>
> Well, since you're not a C coder, helping with the data, and the design
> in conjunction with the design / UI team seems the best ways to
> contribute :) Without a design, just starting to code would probably
> just lead to bad UI.

	I should add that I did some C, but it was years ago.  I've even 
contributed bugfixes to various projects, usually the sort that are two lines, 
and obvious, but not important enough that anyone except me cares about them.

	Not sure if I've mentioned it yet, but I was wondering if adding an 
"Options" or "Preferences" dialogue box might not be useful at this point. 
Possibly a tabbed one, with one tab for generic Aisleriot stuff, and one tab 
for the current game.  I'm not convinced either way, but was wondering.

	:)


---------------------------------------------------------------------
| Name: Tim Nelson                 | Because the Creator is,        |
| E-mail: wayland wayland id au    | I am                           |
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