Newsgroups: rec.arts.int-fiction
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From: "Sam Hulick" <shulick@cherry.ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: Inform: Implementing a semi-realistic car
Message-ID: <1995Aug19.140804.25333@news.cs.indiana.edu>
Organization: Vallen Software
References: <19950818.161800.57@arnod.arnod.demon.co.uk> <19950819.004938.25@arnod.arnod.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 1995 14:07:55 -0500
Lines: 47


You still might be trying to hard to get this working.  An object does
not need to be enterable to enter it.  Remember the 'before' routine?
Check out my taxi cab:

Object the_taxi "yellow taxi"
 with  name "taxi" "cab" "yellow" "car",
       description "It's a shiny yellow taxicab, with the typical black
                    checkers on the sides.  A glowing light atop the cab
                    says ~YELLOW CAB~ with a phone number under it.",
       before [;
        Enter, Go: PlayerTo(lone_taxi);
                   rtrue;
       ],
 has   static;

Object lone_taxi "Taxi Backseat"
 with  description  ....
 etc.

So typing "enter taxi" or "go in taxi" will move the player inside of
it.  (actually to the room 'lone_taxi').  And, furthermore...

Object lone_taxi "Taxi Backseat"
 with  out_to [;
          if (the_taxi has general && motivated(tdriver) == 1)
             "~Hey!  Not until you pay,~ declares the taxi driver.";
          StartTimer(lone_taxi, 5);
          return parent(the_taxi);
       ],
   ...etc.

I give the_taxi general after it has driven and the driver needs
payment.  Ignore the motivated() routine.  It just returns 0 if his mind
is being controlled by the player, else 1.  After the player exits the
taxi, the timer starts.  In 5 turns, the taxi drives off.

Anyway, before I go too far off the tangent.. that is basically it.
Make an "Enter, Go:" in your before routine, and you can enter the car
with no problem.  As far as turning it on and driving it, I leave that
to you. :)

-- 
--- Sam Hulick ------------- shulick@indiana.edu ---------------------
Systems Consultant        | Homepage:
Indiana College Placement |    http://copper.ucs.indiana.edu/~shulick/
  and Assessment Center   | PGP public key available on request
