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Date: Mon, 21 May 2001 09:24:13 -0400
From: John Colagioia <JColagioia@csi.com>
Organization: No Conspiracy Here...
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Subject: Re: [Inform] Getting an object to respond differently to different
 names?
References: <B72C9C19.5DF7%amerenbach@mac.com> <emshort-2005010210370001@user-2inim66.dialup.mindspring.com>
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Emily Short wrote:
[...]

> If you really really really can't stand the thought of reading the whole
> DM, one alternate approach is to put aside your most difficult coding
> challenges for a bit.  Code up the parts of the game that are accessible
> to you; make notes about the rest to remind yourself to come back and do
> them.  Then mentally sort them into types ('aha! this problem looks like
> it has something to do with handling player input!') and teach yourself
> from the relevant chapters bit by bit.  Learning to teach yourself this
> sort of thing is key; we can keep pointing you to sections of the DM, but
> it will be, I fear, with lessening patience -- and be of decreasing use to
> you.

I should also point out something which I've learned from experience:  Coding up
simpler bits in Inform will give you ideas as to how to approach the more
complicated bits.  More, as Ms. Short mentions, than pregenerated excerpts from
either the list or the Designer's Manual.

No, it won't cover everything.  But trust me, that, and a "steady diet" of "pearls
of wisdom" from the Designer's Manual will send you along very quickly.

Of course, this is advice from someone who's never actually finished a game, but
I'm getting there...

[...]


