https://wiki.board18.org/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Rich&feedformat=atomBOARD18 Project WIKI - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T15:58:59ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.36.0https://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3154BOARD18 Web Sites2023-07-14T11:18:32Z<p>Rich: /* Site Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
==BOARD18 Production Web Sites==<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<br />
==Site Notes==<br />
<br><br />
The prod2.board18.org site now supports all available BOARD18 game boxes.<br />
<br><br><br />
In April of 2023 I ran an analyses of the usage of the prod2 instance of BOARD18.<br><br />
I did this by counting the new game starts per month for the period from March 2020 to April 2923.<br><br />
This showed an abrupt surge of game starts in April of 2020 [due to COVID?] which gradually tapered off during the next 12 months.<br><br />
After that the game starts per month steadied at about 10 to 20.<br><br><br />
The raw data for this analysis can be found in <br />
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cQWIWM9wmJ-iInIdeTBOcow1gBraZyGdoc6PpPpbkHw/edit?usp=drive_link this spreadsheet].<br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3153BOARD18 Web Sites2023-07-14T11:11:46Z<p>Rich: /* Site Notes */ added usage analysis</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
==BOARD18 Production Web Sites==<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<br />
==Site Notes==<br />
<br><br />
The prod2.board18.org site now supports all available BOARD18 game boxes.<br />
<br><br><br />
In April of 2023 I ran an analyss of the usage of the prod2 instance of BOARD18.<br><br />
I did this by counting the new game starts per month for the period from March 2020 to April 2923.<br><br />
This showed an abrupt surge of game starts in April of 2020 [due to COVID?] which gradually tapered off during the next 12 months.<br><br />
After that the game starts per month steadied at about 10 to 20.<br><br><br />
The raw data for this analysis can be found in <br />
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cQWIWM9wmJ-iInIdeTBOcow1gBraZyGdoc6PpPpbkHw/edit?usp=drive_link this spreadsheet].<br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=How_to_Report_a_Problem&diff=3152How to Report a Problem2023-04-28T15:34:37Z<p>Rich: /* Existing Bug Reports */ removed reference to list.</p>
<hr />
<div>==Introduction==<br />
The [https://bugs.board18.org/ <span style="color: Fuchsia">BOARD18 bugzilla application</span>]<br />
can no longer be used to report problems and make enhancement requests <br />
for the BOARD18 application. </br>The BOARD18 bugzilla application has become incompatible with the currently installed version of MySQL.<br />
I have decided to circumvent this issue because very few bugs are being reported for this mature project.<br />
<br />
==Procedure for Reporting a Bug==<br />
If you wish to report an error or a problem [a bug] with any of the board18.org websites, please do so by sending an email to bugs@board18.org.</br></br><br />
Please supply your name and email address with your bug report. Please describe your bug as explicitly as you can.<br><br />
On the subject line of your email, please enter a bug summary. It should be specific. "BOARD18 is broken" wont hack it.<br><br />
In the body of your email enter a bug description. This should be quite detailed. Include examples and any relevant error messages.<br><br />
And if you have any files that you wish to include in the bug report, attach them to this email.<br />
<br />
== Existing Bug Reports==<br />
Further information about reported bugs can be found in files contained in <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13Lj8RqIxRK9H3yuc3nLGCdyrtJVkqUIZ?usp=sharing <span style="color: Fuchsia">this folder</span>].<br><br />
We will address newly reported bugs as soon as we can.<br />
<br />
[[Category:HowTo]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=How_to_Report_a_Problem&diff=3151How to Report a Problem2023-04-28T15:30:48Z<p>Rich: Removed reference to Bugzilla. This is practically a complete rewrite.</p>
<hr />
<div>==Introduction==<br />
The [https://bugs.board18.org/ <span style="color: Fuchsia">BOARD18 bugzilla application</span>]<br />
can no longer be used to report problems and make enhancement requests <br />
for the BOARD18 application. </br>The BOARD18 bugzilla application has become incompatible with the currently installed version of MySQL.<br />
I have decided to circumvent this issue because very few bugs are being reported for this mature project.<br />
<br />
==Procedure for Reporting a Bug==<br />
If you wish to report an error or a problem [a bug] with any of the board18.org websites, please do so by sending an email to bugs@board18.org.</br></br><br />
Please supply your name and email address with your bug report. Please describe your bug as explicitly as you can.<br><br />
On the subject line of your email, please enter a bug summary. It should be specific. "BOARD18 is broken" wont hack it.<br><br />
In the body of your email enter a bug description. This should be quite detailed. Include examples and any relevant error messages.<br><br />
And if you have any files that you wish to include in the bug report, attach them to this email.<br />
<br />
== Existing Bug Reports==<br />
A list of all currently open BOARD18 bugs can be found <br />
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KnDNEuS_o9tyHbHu0XVi4chvWLBKD2b_gkhIonzc9Co/edit?usp=sharing <span style="color: Fuchsia">here</span>].<br><br />
Further information about these open bugs can be found in files contained in <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13Lj8RqIxRK9H3yuc3nLGCdyrtJVkqUIZ?usp=sharing <span style="color: Fuchsia">this folder</span>].<br><br />
We will address newly reported bugs as soon as we can.<br />
<br />
[[Category:HowTo]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Player%27s_Guide_V2.8&diff=3150Player's Guide V2.82023-03-05T22:08:17Z<p>Rich: Initial version of this page</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
This is the player's guide for BOARD18 Version 2.8.x. This guide should be read by new players. <br />
It should also prove quite helpful as a reference for all players. <br />
<br />
This page of the Player's Guide should be read by everyone who wishes to use BOARD18. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"><br />
At the bottom of this page you will find links to pages that contain supplemental information about BOARD18.</span><br><br />
Once you are a little familiar with BOARD18, you should look over at least some of these supplemental pages.<br />
<br />
Please note, if you are just getting started, then you may want to use [[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">this link</span>]] to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.<br />
<br />
== Cautions about Live Play ==<br />
Lately, people have begun to use BOARD18 for live play. IE: Not using Email.<br />
People playing live instances of 18xx games on BOARD18 can experience some<br />
synchronization problems. Moves that have been made and saved can subsequently <br />
disappear from the BOARD18 display. This is caused by the type of database <br />
locking BOARD18 uses. BOARD18 was not designed to support a large number of <br />
simultaneous updates to the same game record from multiple people. <br />
This is usually not a problem for people <br />
playing a game by email. But when people try to use BOARD18 in a “live play” mode <br />
problems can occur.<br />
<br />
To avoid problems when using BOARD18 for live play, please:<br />
* Use some form of inter-player communication [Discord?] to avoid doing things at the same time.<br />
* <span style="color: Red">Do not use more than one window on your device to access the same BOARD18 game. </span><br />
* Hit the refresh button before making a move.<br />
<br />
== The Log In Page ==<br />
The entry point to BOARD18 is a page with some introductory text and a log in form. Once you have a player ID and a password, you should enter them on this form and press the '''Login''' button to start a BOARD18 session.<br />
<br />
=== Getting a Player ID ===<br />
To get a player ID and a password, press the '''Register''' button on the log in form. This will present you with a registration form that you can use to create a player ID and a password. <br><br />
To get a player ID and a password, you must first enter values in <span style="color: Fuchsia">all six</span> fields on this registration form and then press the '''Register''' button again. <br />
<br />
==== Player ID Field ====<br />
Your player ID cannot be longer than 16 ASCII characters and it cannot contain any special characters other than the period, the dash and the underscore.<br />
<br />
==== Password Field ====<br />
The longer and more complex your password is the harder it is to crack.<br />
You can find many recommendations for "secure" passwords that are based on this fact.<br><br />
And I encourage you to use long passwords with varying cases and punctuation characters.<br />
But BOARD18 does not enforce any of these practices. So, it is all up to you.<br />
<br />
==== Email Address Field ====<br />
The required Email address must use all lower case letters. An Email address is case insensitive, so a lower case version will work even if you usually use upper case. <br>The BOARD18 database is not case insensitive and this restriction helps us to avoid duplicate Email addresses.<br><br><br />
NOTE: The email address will be used to send you some automated Emails for situations such as lost passwords and notification that you have been added to or removed from a game. <br>Also a site administrator will be able to use it to contact you in problem situations. '''<span style="color: Fuchsia">But no other player will have access to your email address.</span>'''<br />
<br />
====Name Fields ====<br />
The first and last name fields are required to help other players to find your player ID and to add you to a game that you have agreed to join. <br><br />
Both name fields are limited to a maximum of 25 characters.<br />
<br />
=== Help ===<br />
Pressing the '''Help''' button on the log in form will transfer you to this WIKI page. Use the back arrow button to return to BOARD18.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Player ID? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Player ID?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that your Player ID be Emailed to you.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Password? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Password?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that a temporary password be Emailed to you. <br><br />
You will be required to replace this temporary password when you next log in.<br />
<br />
=== Remember Me ===<br />
Checking the '''Remember Me''' box on the log in form will cause BOARD18 to track you via a cookie and to log you back in automatically if you get accidentally disconnected or if your session times out. <br><br />
This is an optional convenience that you may ignore. Depending how you have set your security options on your browser this feature may be disabled.<br />
<br />
== The BOARD18 Main Page ==<br />
After successfully logging in to BOARD18 you will enter the Main Page. <br><br />
The Main Page contains a table of the '''Active''' games that you are currently playing. <br><br />
'''Completed''' games will not appear here. But they will appear on the '''View All Games''' page. <br />
<br />
[[File:board18Main.png]]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger; color: Fuchsia"><br />
Clicking on the name of a listed game will start a game session for that game.</span><br><br />
Clicking on the '''Edit''' button for a listed game will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action Page"]] for that game.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Make New Game''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Creating A Game|"Start a New Game Session"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''View All Games''' will link to the<br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|"View All Games in the Database"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Administration''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.6 Player Profile|"Modify Player Profile"]] page.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">This same '''MENU''' button appears on most BOARD18 pages but the menu choices<br />
and menu style will be different from page to page.</span><br />
<br />
== Features Common to most Main Menus ==<br />
* Pressing the '''Help''' button in a main menu on most pages will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on the '''Help''' button in a main menu on the map and market pages will open a sub menu.<br />
* Pressing '''Player's Guide''' on this sub menu will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on '''Useful Links''' on this sub menu will open a sub menu of useful links relevant to this game.<br />
* Pressing the '''About BOARD18''' button in any main menu will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br />
<br />
== Playing A Game ==<br />
The actual game board and stock chart do NOT support drag and drop functionality. But they do support use of both the left and right mouse buttons. <br><span style="color: Fuchsia">Most movements of tiles and tokens are not saved to the database until the move is '''Accepted'''.</span><br>The active tile or token will appear transparent until its move is '''Accepted'''. <br>Accepted moves can be backed out using the '''Undo Move''' menu option.<br />
<br />
=== The Trays ===<br />
====Selecting Trays====<br />
The left sidebar on the Game Board and the Stock Market pages contains the active tray beneath a tray selection drop down menu. Clicking on the name of a tray in this drop down menu makes that tray the active tray. <br />
<br />
====Selecting Tiles or Tokens from the Active Tray====<br />
The tiles or tokens in the active tray are displayed with a count of available items in the upper left corner. (But there is no such count for stock market tokens.) If the count is zero then the tile or token is greyed out and cannot be selected. Clicking on a tile or token in the active tray will select that tile or token and it will be highlighted with a red background.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tiles on the Map====<br />
When a tile on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking on the hex. '''The tile will be automatically centered in the hex.''' The dropped tile has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (rotated) before it is permanently placed with the accept move command or the ENTER key. If there is already a tile on that map hex then that tile will be removed when the dropped tile is is permanently placed.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Map====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking anywhere on the hex. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Market====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a market box by clicking anywhere in the box. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Board or Market ===<br />
If you left click on a hex with a temporary [transparent] tile then the tile will rotate 60°.<br><br />
If you left click on a hex or box with a temporary [transparent] token then the token will move to the position clicked.<br><br />
If you left click anywhere else then you may get a context menu. <br />
Right clicks can also cause context menus to be displayed.<br />
<br />
=== The Context Menus ===<br />
A right click on the game board (or the stock market) can cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
A left click on a hex or market box that is not selected can also cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
Whether this context menu is displayed at all and the selection of items in the context menu are both dependent on the '''context''' of the click event. <br />
<br />
The context menu that is displayed may support accept move, cancel move, rotate, flip,<br />
re-position, delete, multi-item and other tile and/or token commands. <br><br />
Try right or left clicking on hexes (or price boxes) which have various items on them to familiarize yourself with these menus.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Main Menu ===<br />
The primary [but perhaps not the best] way to navigate and take actions in BOARD18 is the Main Menu. This menu can be accessed by clicking on the "Menu" button that appears toward the upper left of most BOARD18 pages. <br />
<br />
On the "Game Board" and "Stock Market" pages 3 buttons appear toward the upper left of the page. Thhe first is the menue button.<br />
The menus on the "Game Board" and "Stock Market" pages are over-viewed in this section. <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] for many menu items are shown (in parenthesis) in these menus.<br />
<br />
The second button on these pages can be used to toggle between them.<br><br />
The third buttonon these pages can be used to cause an active tile or token to be added to the database.<br />
<br />
==== The Game Board Main Menu ====<br />
[[File:MenuMap80.png|frame]]<br />
[[File:MenuMap81.png|frame]]<br />
The two images to the right show the main menus for the game board. The upper image shows the menu that will be <br />
displayed when there is no active tile or token. The lower image shows the menu that will be displayed when <br />
an active tile or token exists. <br><br />
As you can see, only the first two menu items are different in the second menu.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active tile or token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active tile or token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Hide/Show''' hides the tokens and tiles on the map or re-shows them if they are hidden.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Stock Market Main Menu ====<br />
The main menus for the stock market are similar to the main menu for the game board.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed. See below.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player's_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Help Sub-Menu ====<br />
[[File:MapHelp5.png|frame]]<br />
On the game board and stock chart pages, the '''Help''' menu choice works differently than it does<br />
on other pages. On these two pages hovering over it opens a sub-menu like the one shown to the right.<br />
<br />
Clicking on '''Player's Guide''' will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br><br />
In adition there may be more menu choices below the <span style="color: Green">-- Useful Links --</span> line.<br />
<br />
There are two potential sources for these useful links. <br />
Some can be provided as part of the game box. Others may be created for this specific game via the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action"]] facility.<br />
<br />
== Additional Pages of this Guide ==<br />
The following is a list of the Player's Guide pages that are linked to from this page.<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.6 Creating A Game|Creating A Game]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.0 Keyboard Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]<br />
* [[Player's_Guide_V2.6_Game Session Edit Page|Editing A Game Session]] <br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.7 Player Profile|Player Profile]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|Viewing All Games]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Cookies|Board18 and Cookies]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=File:MenuMap80.png&diff=3149File:MenuMap80.png2023-03-05T22:06:55Z<p>Rich: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=File:MenuMap81.png&diff=3148File:MenuMap81.png2023-03-05T22:00:21Z<p>Rich: </p>
<hr />
<div></div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Player%27s_Guide&diff=3146Player's Guide2023-03-05T21:44:44Z<p>Rich: add 2.8</p>
<hr />
<div>'''This page lists the Player's Guides for various releases of BOARD18.'''<br />
<br />
Please select the Player's Guide for the release in which you are interested.<br />
<br />
# [[Player's_Guide_V2.8|The Player's Guide for release 2.8.x]]<br />
# [[Player's_Guide_V2.7|The Player's Guide for release 2.7.x]]<br />
# [[Player's_Guide_V2.6|The Player's Guide for release 2.6.x]] <br />
# [[Player's_Guide_V2.5|The Player's Guide for release 2.5.x]]<br />
# [[Player's_Guide_V2.4|The Player's Guide for release 2.4.x]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Related_Side_Projects&diff=3145BOARD18 Related Side Projects2023-03-05T20:35:55Z<p>Rich: eliminated draft1846</p>
<hr />
<div>There are some BOARD18 related '''applications''' that are not actually part of BOARD18.<br />
<br />
I have decided to group the links and documentation pages for these '''applications''' here.<br />
<br />
These links each point to a main page for one of these items:<br />
# [[Local Docker Compose support for Board18]]<br />
# [[Optional Public Registration support for Board18]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Related_Side_Projects&diff=3144BOARD18 Related Side Projects2023-01-24T18:59:34Z<p>Rich: Removed link to Bid18xx</p>
<hr />
<div>There are some BOARD18 related '''applications''' that are not actually part of BOARD18.<br />
<br />
I have decided to group the links and documentation pages for these '''applications''' here.<br />
<br />
These links each point to a main page for one of these items:<br />
# [[DRAFT1846]]<br />
# [[Local Docker Compose support for Board18]]<br />
# [[Optional Public Registration support for Board18]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3143Dream Spreadsheets2023-01-09T15:21:47Z<p>Rich: /* Updated Introduction */ Added note about NewTab bug.</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
It has been over two years since this Updated Introduction was created and very little of this documentation has been updated. Sorry.<br><br />
But a problem with all dream sheets has been plaguing me for most of that time and I have not been able to fix it. It is either a Chrome<br />
problem or a Google Sheets problem. The problem never occurs under Windows, so most players never experience it. But it often occurs under <br />
Linux or Mac OS [?]. Symptoms may occur when the "New Tab" function [button] is used to create a new spreadsheet tab. Starting cash and other <br />
fields are not carried forward to the new spreadsheet. And some fields are not initialized as they should be. But an easy circumvention exists.<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">Simply delete the new sheet and press the "New Tab" button again and the function will work on the second try! </span><br />
Strange, isn't it? <br>Some day I may try again to solve this problem. Until then I hope that this explanation helps.<br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a partial list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"> Note: This list is out of date and is no longer being maintained!</span><br><br />
Note also that almost all dream spreadsheets can be recognized by having a suffix of '''ver2''' or '''ver''' with a different numeric character.<br />
<br />
The process of creating dream spreadsheets [and other instrumented sheets] has evolved as I and many others have <br />
continued to create them. <br>One of the most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process has evolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. <br><br />
My current thoughts in this matter are mentioned below.<br />
Also, Paul Zieske has created [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M this 2 page document containing his thoughts on dream spreadsheets].<br />
<br />
=== Cell Background Colors ===<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
=== Other Thaughts on Dream Spreadsheet Design ===<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.<br />
<br />
== Other Instrumented Spreadsheets ==<br />
The sheets that I have referred to as Dream Spreadsheets are not the only sheets that can meet the Jonathan Coveney definition.<br><br />
So how do you recognize a '''true''' Dream Spreadsheet? If the sheet contains a "New Tab" button then it is probably a Dream Spreadsheet.<br />
<br />
Other sheets that use other mechanisms to create the next tab have been created by other authors.<br><br />
For example [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WBAb7YyfYVE7Lmi-qeldEgPbe8FtmqD86Q4lokpIqlQ/edit#gid=606954680 the 18NY spreadsheet] by Brian Chojnowski <br />
uses a completly different script (which I hope he will document some day).<br />
<br />
And there are other highly instrumented sheets which do not meet the Jonathan Coveney definition of a dream spreadsheet. <br><br />
They are also included in the [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory] but they are not documented here.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3142BOARD18 Web Sites2022-11-11T13:34:42Z<p>Rich: /* Site Notes */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
==BOARD18 Production Web Sites==<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<br />
==Site Notes==<br />
<br><br />
The prod2.board18.org site now supports all available BOARD18 game boxes.<br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3141BOARD18 Web Sites2022-11-11T13:33:53Z<p>Rich: /* BOARD18 Production Web Sites */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
==BOARD18 Production Web Sites==<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<br />
==Site Notes==<br />
The '''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]''' site, which has been in service for over a year, has become a bit overloaded.<br><br />
In an attempt to alleviate this situation the '''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]''' site was created in April of 2021. <br><br><br />
The prod2.board18.org site now supports all available BOARD18 game boxes.<br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Download_Game_Boxes&diff=3140Download Game Boxes2021-09-17T19:26:18Z<p>Rich: fix link</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
{{Game Box Index}} <br />
There are a large number of BOARD18 game boxes available to be down loaded and <br />
installed in any current instance of a BOARD18 web site.<br><br />
A current instance is any instance with a BOARD18 release number greater than or equal to 2.5.5.<br />
<br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lETqfd0JRmIgAc9nuV1jyqDdbniwzGsw?usp=sharing <span style="color: Red;">This link points to a folder containing all of the available BOARD18 game boxes</span>].<br />
<br />
This folder is a Google Docs folder. The game boxes are stored in this folder as zip files.<br><br />
Use this procedure to download the zip file for a game box to your local computer:<br />
<ref>This procedure assumes that you do not have update access to this Google Docs folder. <br>If you do <br />
have update access then use the [[Download Game Boxes With Update Access]] procedure instead.</ref><br />
# Make sure that you are using the "List View" of the folder (not the "Grid View").<ref>The list view has one row for each file. The grid view has a grid of icons, one icon per file.<br><br />
There is a button near the upper right of the page to select between these two views.</ref><br />
# Find the zip file in the folder.<br />
# Hover your cursor over the row for this zip file.<br />
# A '''Download''' button will appear on the right of this row.<br />
# Click this download button.<br />
# This will cause a copy of the zip file to be sent to your browser's download folder.<br />
<br />
Installation instructions for these game boxes are available at the<br />
[[How To Load A New Board18 Game Box|<br />
<span style="color: Red;">How To Load A New Board18 Game Box</span>]] WIKI page.<br />
<br />
Some 18xx games have multiple game boxes on BOARD18. <br>The [[Multiple_game_boxes_for_the_same_game|<br />
<span style="color: Red;">game box disambiguation table</span>]]<br />
describes the differences between these game boxes.<br />
<br />
See [[How_To_Create_a_BOARD18_WEB_Site|<span style="color: Red;">these instructions</span>]] if you <br />
wish to know how to create a BOARD18 web site.<br />
<br />
'''NOTES:'''</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18&diff=3139How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD182021-09-17T19:22:55Z<p>Rich: /* Creating the spreadsheet */ Fixing more links</p>
<hr />
<div>So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? This page contains step by step instructions for setting up this game. These instructions assume that you will be using Google services to support your game. This is definitely '''not''' the only way to set up a PBEM game.<br />
==Things that you need to do before hand==<br />
Before you get started setting up the game:<br />
# Make sure that a game box for the game that you want to play exists on the BOARD18 web server that you intend to use.<br />
# Make sure that each player has created a player ID on the BOARD18 web server that you intend to use.<br />
# Make sure that each player has an account on Google and that you know their account email addresses.<br />
# Find a spread sheet template to use.<br />
# I recommend that you read the most recent [[Player%27s_Guide|Board18 Player's Guide]]<br />
<br />
===About spreadsheet templates===<br />
You need a spreadsheet to keep tabs of the trains, money, share certificates and etc. in your game. Spread sheet templates can be found for most 18xx games and there are a lot of places to find these templates. The template must be specific to the game that you wish to play and should contain only the SR1 tab. Be careful when selecting a template, some are better than others. Here are some possible sources:<br />
# [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M?resourcekey=0-gcItR5T3RNzaAk9nO74Jvg&usp=sharing The BOARD18 folder of spreadsheet templates] <br />
# A spreadsheet tab from a past game that you have finished playing.<br />
# [http://boardgamegeek.com/ Board Game Geek] Be careful, some of these may have errors.<br />
The BOARD18 folder of spreadsheet templates contains many templates from many sources. I recommend using a "dream spreadsheet" if one is available.The 00-DreamSheets file in <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M?resourcekey=0-gcItR5T3RNzaAk9nO74Jvg&usp=sharing this] folder explains the concept behind dream spreadsheets and contains a list of the ones that exist in the folder.<br />
<br />
==Determining player order==<br />
Not being face to face, The normal methods for determining player order are hard to apply.<br />
Fortunately, there exists a great site that can easy solve this problem.<br />
<br />
Go to [https://www.random.org/lists/ www.random.org/lists] and you will see a list randomizer.<br />
Then enter the player's names in the box (one per line) and press the randomize button.<br />
<br />
You will be presented with a randomized list that will look something like this.<pre><br />
List Randomizer<br />
<br />
There were 4 items in your list. Here they are in random order:<br />
<br />
Bob<br />
Charley<br />
Abraham<br />
Dan<br />
Timestamp: 2015-10-13 01:21:33 UTC, IP: 108.239.60.106<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
Some 18xx games require other randomization as part of their setup. <br />
The [https://www.random.org/ www.random.org] web site can also be of help with these things.<br />
<br />
==Creating the BOARD18 game session==<br />
Selecting "Make New Game" from the board18Main page will bring up the board18New page. <br><br />
This page contains a form that can be used to create a new BOARD18 game session. <br><br />
The [[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Creating_A_Game|instructions shown here]] <br />
explain in detail how to use this form to create a game.<br />
<br />
==Creating the spreadsheet==<br />
Note 1: These procedures assume that you have a Google account.<br />
If you don't then please create one. It is a useful thing to have.<br />
<br />
Note 2: The [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M?resourcekey=0-gcItR5T3RNzaAk9nO74Jvg&usp=sharing Spreadsheet Templates folder on Google] contains a number of Google Docs files.<br />
The names of these files all begin with a "0" so that they will all sort to the start of the folder. There is a general file called 00-Dreamsheets which contains<br />
more information on Dream Spreadsheets. Other files exist that are associated with specific spreadsheet templates.<br />
<br />
===Using a dream spreadsheet template ===<br />
Follow these steps to create a dream spreadsheet on Google Drive:<br />
# Locate the Dream Spreadsheet template in [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M?resourcekey=0-gcItR5T3RNzaAk9nO74Jvg&usp=sharing the Spreadsheet Templates folder on Google]. <br />
# Right click on the line for this file and select '''Make A Copy'''. <br />
# The template will be copied to your Google Drive account. <br />
# Rename the the sheet to be consistent with the name of the BOARD18 game session for your game.<br />
# Enter the names of the players in column A of the spreadsheet.<br />
# Give all players update access to the sheet. Use their Email addresses for this. <br />
# Make note of the URL for this spread sheet. You will use it in the custom footer text of the mail group and in the Useful Links menu on BOARD18.<br />
# Read [[18xx_Dream_Spreadsheet_Authorization_Issue|this note about Authorization]] before using this spreadsheet.<br />
# Check if a Doc file exists for this spreadsheet template and if it does then please read it.<br />
<br />
===Using any other spreadsheet template ===<br />
Follow these steps to create a non-dream spreadsheet on Google Drive:<br />
# Locate the spreadsheet template in [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M?resourcekey=0-gcItR5T3RNzaAk9nO74Jvg&usp=sharing the Spreadsheet Templates folder on Google]. <br />
# Right click on the line for this file and select '''Make A Copy'''. <br />
# The template will be copied to your Google Drive account. <br />
# Rename the the sheet to be consistent with the name of the BOARD18 game session for your game.<br />
# Enter the names of the players in column A of the spreadsheet and do any other required initialization.<br />
# If necessary, clean the tab up by removing from it all field content except the formulas and labels.<br />
# Give all players update access to the sheet. Use their Email addresses for this. <br />
# Make note of the URL for this spread sheet. You will use it in the custom footer text of the mail group and in the Useful Links menu on BOARD18.<br />
<br />
===More about spreadsheets===<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">If you are already familiar with spreadsheets then you can skip this section.</span><br />
<br />
A spreadsheet is an application that deals with data in a tabular format. The spreadsheet displays data as cells organized in rows and columns. Each cell of the spreadsheet may contain either a number, some text or the results of a formula that automatically calculates and displays a value based on the contents of other cells.<br />
<br />
Spreadsheet users may adjust any stored value and observe the effects on calculated values. To use a spreadsheet for a game:<br />
# Use a separate spreadsheet tab for each stock or operating round.<br />
# For Dream Spreadsheets, press the newTab button to create a new tab at the end of each round. No other action should be required.<br />
# For other Spreadsheets, use the duplicate and rename commands to create a new tab at the end of each round and copy the ending values from the previous tab to the starting values for the new tab.<br />
# Never type a value directly over a built in formula. If you change the right cell(s) the formula will produce the correct result.<br />
# If you think that there is something wrong with the spreadsheet then consult an experienced player. Most are willing to help a newbie.<br />
<br />
==Creating the game log==<br />
Follow these steps to create a game log on Google Drive:<br />
# Create an empty Google Docs document in your account. This document will become the game log. <br />
# Make sure the name of the log is consistent with the name of the BOARD18 game session. <br />
# Give all players update access to the log. (Use their Email addresses for this.) <br />
# Make note of the URL for this log to use in the custom footer text of the group and in the Useful Links menu on BOARD18.<br />
# If you want you can put some initial text in this log. See the example below.<br />
# It is convenient to create the log text for each new round on a new page at the '''start''' of the log document.<br />
<pre> <br />
== List Randomizer ==<br />
There were 4 items in your list. Here they are in random order:<br />
<br />
Bob<br />
Charley<br />
Abraham<br />
Dan<br />
Timestamp: 2015-10-13 01:21:33 UTC, IP: 108.239.60.106<br />
<br />
== A list of privates to be bid on ==<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
<br />
== Private auction results ==<br />
Bob has ...<br />
Charley has ...<br />
Abraham has ...<br />
Dan has ...<br />
<br />
== Private auction ==<br />
Bob<br />
Charley<br />
Abraham<br />
Dan<br />
<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
==Creating the mail list==<br />
This is the most "easy to screw up" part of this procedure. If you wish to use some other way of communicating between players then you can skip this step.<br />
<br />
=== New Google Group ===<br />
Using the steps below, you can create a new Google group in your account to handle this game. <br><br />
You can also use an existing group that you previously used for game that is over now. <br><br />
See instructions for that below.<br />
<br />
# Go to [https://groups.google.com/my-groups your Google Groups page].<br />
# Select '''Create group'''.<br />
# On popup page one:<br />
## Enter '''Group name'''.<br />
## Enter '''Group description'''.<br />
## Click on '''Next'''.<br />
# On popup page two:<br />
## The defaults presented are all OK to use.<br />
## Click on '''Next'''.<br />
# On popup page three:<br />
## Enter each player's email address in the '''Group Members''' box.<br />
## Enter a welcome message mentioning the game.<br />
## In the '''Subscription''' box, select "All Email".<br />
## Select '''Directly add members'''.<br />
## Click on '''Create group'''.<br />
# Handle Capacha.<br />
# Click on '''Create group'''.<br />
# Click on '''Go to group'''.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Group settings'''. <br />
# Select '''Advanced''' in the upper right corner.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Posting policies'''.<br />
## Insure that both boxes under '''Allow Email Posting''' are checked.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Email options'''.<br />
## Enter a '''Subject prefix''' surrounded by []. <br />
## Select '''Include a custom footer'''.<br />
## Add custom footer text that looks like the example below.<br />
## Set '''Post replies to''' to '''All group members'''.<br />
# Click on '''Save changes'''.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Existing Google Group ===<br />
This section assumed that the group that you are using was previously created according to the procedure above.<br />
<br />
# Go to [https://groups.google.com/my-groups your Google Groups page].<br />
# Click on the gear wheel on the line for the group that you are going to reuse.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Members'''.<br />
# If necessary, delete old players.<br />
# Then, click on '''Add members'''.<br />
## Enter each new player's email address in the '''Group Members''' box.<br />
## Enter a welcome message mentioning the game.<br />
## In the '''Subscription''' box, select "All Email".<br />
## Select '''Directly add members'''.<br />
## Click on '''Add members'''.<br />
<br />
=== Custom footer text example ===<br />
<pre>Game log is at https://docs.google.com/document/d/((Insert document address for log))/edit<br />
<br />
Spread sheet is at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/((Insert document address for spread sheet))/edit<br />
<br />
Game board is at http://prod1.board18.org/ </pre> <br />
[[Category:HowTo]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18&diff=3138How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD182021-09-17T11:57:02Z<p>Rich: /* About spreadsheet templates */ fixed links</p>
<hr />
<div>So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? This page contains step by step instructions for setting up this game. These instructions assume that you will be using Google services to support your game. This is definitely '''not''' the only way to set up a PBEM game.<br />
==Things that you need to do before hand==<br />
Before you get started setting up the game:<br />
# Make sure that a game box for the game that you want to play exists on the BOARD18 web server that you intend to use.<br />
# Make sure that each player has created a player ID on the BOARD18 web server that you intend to use.<br />
# Make sure that each player has an account on Google and that you know their account email addresses.<br />
# Find a spread sheet template to use.<br />
# I recommend that you read the most recent [[Player%27s_Guide|Board18 Player's Guide]]<br />
<br />
===About spreadsheet templates===<br />
You need a spreadsheet to keep tabs of the trains, money, share certificates and etc. in your game. Spread sheet templates can be found for most 18xx games and there are a lot of places to find these templates. The template must be specific to the game that you wish to play and should contain only the SR1 tab. Be careful when selecting a template, some are better than others. Here are some possible sources:<br />
# [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M?resourcekey=0-gcItR5T3RNzaAk9nO74Jvg&usp=sharing The BOARD18 folder of spreadsheet templates] <br />
# A spreadsheet tab from a past game that you have finished playing.<br />
# [http://boardgamegeek.com/ Board Game Geek] Be careful, some of these may have errors.<br />
The BOARD18 folder of spreadsheet templates contains many templates from many sources. I recommend using a "dream spreadsheet" if one is available.The 00-DreamSheets file in <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M?resourcekey=0-gcItR5T3RNzaAk9nO74Jvg&usp=sharing this] folder explains the concept behind dream spreadsheets and contains a list of the ones that exist in the folder.<br />
<br />
==Determining player order==<br />
Not being face to face, The normal methods for determining player order are hard to apply.<br />
Fortunately, there exists a great site that can easy solve this problem.<br />
<br />
Go to [https://www.random.org/lists/ www.random.org/lists] and you will see a list randomizer.<br />
Then enter the player's names in the box (one per line) and press the randomize button.<br />
<br />
You will be presented with a randomized list that will look something like this.<pre><br />
List Randomizer<br />
<br />
There were 4 items in your list. Here they are in random order:<br />
<br />
Bob<br />
Charley<br />
Abraham<br />
Dan<br />
Timestamp: 2015-10-13 01:21:33 UTC, IP: 108.239.60.106<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
Some 18xx games require other randomization as part of their setup. <br />
The [https://www.random.org/ www.random.org] web site can also be of help with these things.<br />
<br />
==Creating the BOARD18 game session==<br />
Selecting "Make New Game" from the board18Main page will bring up the board18New page. <br><br />
This page contains a form that can be used to create a new BOARD18 game session. <br><br />
The [[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Creating_A_Game|instructions shown here]] <br />
explain in detail how to use this form to create a game.<br />
<br />
==Creating the spreadsheet==<br />
Note 1: These procedures assume that you have a Google account.<br />
If you don't then please create one. It is a useful thing to have.<br />
<br />
Note 2: The [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates folder on Google] contains a number of Google Docs files.<br />
The names of these files all begin with a "0" so that they will all sort to the start of the folder. There is a general file called 00-Dreamsheets which contains<br />
more information on Dream Spreadsheets. Other files exist that are associated with specific spreadsheet templates.<br />
<br />
===Using a dream spreadsheet template ===<br />
Follow these steps to create a dream spreadsheet on Google Drive:<br />
# Locate the Dream Spreadsheet template in [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M the Spreadsheet Templates folder on Google]. <br />
# Right click on the line for this file and select '''Make A Copy'''. <br />
# The template will be copied to your Google Drive account. <br />
# Rename the the sheet to be consistent with the name of the BOARD18 game session for your game.<br />
# Enter the names of the players in column A of the spreadsheet.<br />
# Give all players update access to the sheet. Use their Email addresses for this. <br />
# Make note of the URL for this spread sheet. You will use it in the custom footer text of the mail group and in the Useful Links menu on BOARD18.<br />
# Read [[18xx_Dream_Spreadsheet_Authorization_Issue|this note about Authorization]] before using this spreadsheet.<br />
# Check if a Doc file exists for this spreadsheet template and if it does then please read it.<br />
<br />
===Using any other spreadsheet template ===<br />
Follow these steps to create a non-dream spreadsheet on Google Drive:<br />
# Locate the spreadsheet template in [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M the Spreadsheet Templates folder on Google]. <br />
# Right click on the line for this file and select '''Make A Copy'''. <br />
# The template will be copied to your Google Drive account. <br />
# Rename the the sheet to be consistent with the name of the BOARD18 game session for your game.<br />
# Enter the names of the players in column A of the spreadsheet and do any other required initialization.<br />
# If necessary, clean the tab up by removing from it all field content except the formulas and labels.<br />
# Give all players update access to the sheet. Use their Email addresses for this. <br />
# Make note of the URL for this spread sheet. You will use it in the custom footer text of the mail group and in the Useful Links menu on BOARD18.<br />
<br />
===More about spreadsheets===<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">If you are already familiar with spreadsheets then you can skip this section.</span><br />
<br />
A spreadsheet is an application that deals with data in a tabular format. The spreadsheet displays data as cells organized in rows and columns. Each cell of the spreadsheet may contain either a number, some text or the results of a formula that automatically calculates and displays a value based on the contents of other cells.<br />
<br />
Spreadsheet users may adjust any stored value and observe the effects on calculated values. To use a spreadsheet for a game:<br />
# Use a separate spreadsheet tab for each stock or operating round.<br />
# For Dream Spreadsheets, press the newTab button to create a new tab at the end of each round. No other action should be required.<br />
# For other Spreadsheets, use the duplicate and rename commands to create a new tab at the end of each round and copy the ending values from the previous tab to the starting values for the new tab.<br />
# Never type a value directly over a built in formula. If you change the right cell(s) the formula will produce the correct result.<br />
# If you think that there is something wrong with the spreadsheet then consult an experienced player. Most are willing to help a newbie.<br />
<br />
==Creating the game log==<br />
Follow these steps to create a game log on Google Drive:<br />
# Create an empty Google Docs document in your account. This document will become the game log. <br />
# Make sure the name of the log is consistent with the name of the BOARD18 game session. <br />
# Give all players update access to the log. (Use their Email addresses for this.) <br />
# Make note of the URL for this log to use in the custom footer text of the group and in the Useful Links menu on BOARD18.<br />
# If you want you can put some initial text in this log. See the example below.<br />
# It is convenient to create the log text for each new round on a new page at the '''start''' of the log document.<br />
<pre> <br />
== List Randomizer ==<br />
There were 4 items in your list. Here they are in random order:<br />
<br />
Bob<br />
Charley<br />
Abraham<br />
Dan<br />
Timestamp: 2015-10-13 01:21:33 UTC, IP: 108.239.60.106<br />
<br />
== A list of privates to be bid on ==<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
<br />
== Private auction results ==<br />
Bob has ...<br />
Charley has ...<br />
Abraham has ...<br />
Dan has ...<br />
<br />
== Private auction ==<br />
Bob<br />
Charley<br />
Abraham<br />
Dan<br />
<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
==Creating the mail list==<br />
This is the most "easy to screw up" part of this procedure. If you wish to use some other way of communicating between players then you can skip this step.<br />
<br />
=== New Google Group ===<br />
Using the steps below, you can create a new Google group in your account to handle this game. <br><br />
You can also use an existing group that you previously used for game that is over now. <br><br />
See instructions for that below.<br />
<br />
# Go to [https://groups.google.com/my-groups your Google Groups page].<br />
# Select '''Create group'''.<br />
# On popup page one:<br />
## Enter '''Group name'''.<br />
## Enter '''Group description'''.<br />
## Click on '''Next'''.<br />
# On popup page two:<br />
## The defaults presented are all OK to use.<br />
## Click on '''Next'''.<br />
# On popup page three:<br />
## Enter each player's email address in the '''Group Members''' box.<br />
## Enter a welcome message mentioning the game.<br />
## In the '''Subscription''' box, select "All Email".<br />
## Select '''Directly add members'''.<br />
## Click on '''Create group'''.<br />
# Handle Capacha.<br />
# Click on '''Create group'''.<br />
# Click on '''Go to group'''.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Group settings'''. <br />
# Select '''Advanced''' in the upper right corner.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Posting policies'''.<br />
## Insure that both boxes under '''Allow Email Posting''' are checked.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Email options'''.<br />
## Enter a '''Subject prefix''' surrounded by []. <br />
## Select '''Include a custom footer'''.<br />
## Add custom footer text that looks like the example below.<br />
## Set '''Post replies to''' to '''All group members'''.<br />
# Click on '''Save changes'''.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Existing Google Group ===<br />
This section assumed that the group that you are using was previously created according to the procedure above.<br />
<br />
# Go to [https://groups.google.com/my-groups your Google Groups page].<br />
# Click on the gear wheel on the line for the group that you are going to reuse.<br />
# In the left margin select '''Members'''.<br />
# If necessary, delete old players.<br />
# Then, click on '''Add members'''.<br />
## Enter each new player's email address in the '''Group Members''' box.<br />
## Enter a welcome message mentioning the game.<br />
## In the '''Subscription''' box, select "All Email".<br />
## Select '''Directly add members'''.<br />
## Click on '''Add members'''.<br />
<br />
=== Custom footer text example ===<br />
<pre>Game log is at https://docs.google.com/document/d/((Insert document address for log))/edit<br />
<br />
Spread sheet is at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/((Insert document address for spread sheet))/edit<br />
<br />
Game board is at http://prod1.board18.org/ </pre> <br />
[[Category:HowTo]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Project:Timeline&diff=3136Project:Timeline2021-08-15T12:22:05Z<p>Rich: /* The Current Situation */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
<span style="color: Green">NOTE: The [[BOARD18 Development History]] has been moved to a separate set of pages.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: Green">With the release of version 2.4.3 on December 5, 2016, BOARD18 became a mature product.</span><br><br />
At that point the BOARD18 project shifted to a maintenance mode, though some minor enhancements were done over the next years.<br><br />
And, starting in 2020, some long overdue enhancements started to be implemented in the 2.6.x and 2.7.x releases.<br><br />
Also, the design document has been extensively updated and a substantial number of [[Dream Spreadsheets]] have been written.<br />
<br />
==Support Plans for BOARD18 Instances==<br />
Anyone with access to a web server can create an instance of BOARD18. But here I will only discuss my plans for the BOARD18 instances that I maintain at board18.org. <br />
<br />
===The Current Situation===<br />
Currently, in August of 2021, I am supporting one production instance of BOARD18. This instance is called prod2.board18.org.<br />
<br />
===Analysis of Existing Game Boxes===<br />
As of JUNE of 2020 there were 85 active game boxes on prod2.board18.org. Some of these game boxes are used quite a lot and a few are seldom used at all. No subsequent analysis has been performed.<br />
<br />
===Future Plans===<br />
The prod2.board18.org instance is the current production site. There are no current plans for any additional production sites.<br />
<br />
===Timeline===<br />
No plans.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Project:Timeline&diff=3135Project:Timeline2021-08-15T12:21:28Z<p>Rich: /* Future Plans */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
<span style="color: Green">NOTE: The [[BOARD18 Development History]] has been moved to a separate set of pages.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: Green">With the release of version 2.4.3 on December 5, 2016, BOARD18 became a mature product.</span><br><br />
At that point the BOARD18 project shifted to a maintenance mode, though some minor enhancements were done over the next years.<br><br />
And, starting in 2020, some long overdue enhancements started to be implemented in the 2.6.x and 2.7.x releases.<br><br />
Also, the design document has been extensively updated and a substantial number of [[Dream Spreadsheets]] have been written.<br />
<br />
==Support Plans for BOARD18 Instances==<br />
Anyone with access to a web server can create an instance of BOARD18. But here I will only discuss my plans for the BOARD18 instances that I maintain at board18.org. <br />
<br />
===The Current Situation===<br />
Currently, in January of 2021, I am supporting one production instance of BOARD18. This instance is called prod2.board18.org.<br />
<br />
===Analysis of Existing Game Boxes===<br />
As of JUNE of 2020 there were 85 active game boxes on prod2.board18.org. Some of these game boxes are used quite a lot and a few are seldom used at all. No subsequent analysis has been performed.<br />
<br />
===Future Plans===<br />
The prod2.board18.org instance is the current production site. There are no current plans for any additional production sites.<br />
<br />
===Timeline===<br />
No plans.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Project:Timeline&diff=3134Project:Timeline2021-08-15T12:20:51Z<p>Rich: /* Analysis of Existing Game Boxes */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
<span style="color: Green">NOTE: The [[BOARD18 Development History]] has been moved to a separate set of pages.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: Green">With the release of version 2.4.3 on December 5, 2016, BOARD18 became a mature product.</span><br><br />
At that point the BOARD18 project shifted to a maintenance mode, though some minor enhancements were done over the next years.<br><br />
And, starting in 2020, some long overdue enhancements started to be implemented in the 2.6.x and 2.7.x releases.<br><br />
Also, the design document has been extensively updated and a substantial number of [[Dream Spreadsheets]] have been written.<br />
<br />
==Support Plans for BOARD18 Instances==<br />
Anyone with access to a web server can create an instance of BOARD18. But here I will only discuss my plans for the BOARD18 instances that I maintain at board18.org. <br />
<br />
===The Current Situation===<br />
Currently, in January of 2021, I am supporting one production instance of BOARD18. This instance is called prod2.board18.org.<br />
<br />
===Analysis of Existing Game Boxes===<br />
As of JUNE of 2020 there were 85 active game boxes on prod2.board18.org. Some of these game boxes are used quite a lot and a few are seldom used at all. No subsequent analysis has been performed.<br />
<br />
===Future Plans===<br />
The prod1.board18.org instance is the current production site. There are no current plans for any additional production sites.<br />
<br />
===Timeline===<br />
No plans.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Project:Timeline&diff=3133Project:Timeline2021-08-15T12:20:23Z<p>Rich: /* The Current Situation */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
<span style="color: Green">NOTE: The [[BOARD18 Development History]] has been moved to a separate set of pages.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: Green">With the release of version 2.4.3 on December 5, 2016, BOARD18 became a mature product.</span><br><br />
At that point the BOARD18 project shifted to a maintenance mode, though some minor enhancements were done over the next years.<br><br />
And, starting in 2020, some long overdue enhancements started to be implemented in the 2.6.x and 2.7.x releases.<br><br />
Also, the design document has been extensively updated and a substantial number of [[Dream Spreadsheets]] have been written.<br />
<br />
==Support Plans for BOARD18 Instances==<br />
Anyone with access to a web server can create an instance of BOARD18. But here I will only discuss my plans for the BOARD18 instances that I maintain at board18.org. <br />
<br />
===The Current Situation===<br />
Currently, in January of 2021, I am supporting one production instance of BOARD18. This instance is called prod2.board18.org.<br />
<br />
===Analysis of Existing Game Boxes===<br />
As of JUNE of 2020 there were 85 active game boxes on prod1.board18.org. Some of these game boxes are used quite a lot and a few are seldom used at all. No subsequent analysis has been performed.<br />
<br />
===Future Plans===<br />
The prod1.board18.org instance is the current production site. There are no current plans for any additional production sites.<br />
<br />
===Timeline===<br />
No plans.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Help_Support_The_BOARD18_Project&diff=3132Help Support The BOARD18 Project2021-08-13T17:25:12Z<p>Rich: </p>
<hr />
<div>In April of 2021, the BOARD18 domain, all of its websites and the<br />
supporting infrastructure of the BOARD18 project was moved to a new <br />
DreamHost web hosting account.<br><br />
'''At that time I became responsible for all of the expenses incurred by this new BOARD18 account.''' <br />
<br />
I am setting up a PayPal account for BOARD18 in hopes that some of you<br />
will help to defray some of this expense. If you wish to do so, please make<br />
a donation to this PayPal account.<br />
<br />
For now, please limit your donations to $5 or less. If enough people donate<br />
'''on a regular basis''' then this should be sufficient.<br />
<br />
<p style="font-size:larger; font-weight:bolder;"><br />
[https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MHEV7BSUMU3QE Please use this donations page to make your donation].<br />
</p></div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Help_Support_The_BOARD18_Project&diff=3131Help Support The BOARD18 Project2021-08-13T12:07:25Z<p>Rich: Initial page contents</p>
<hr />
<div>In April of 2021, the BOARD18 domain, all of its websites and the<br />
supporting infrastructure of the BOARD18 project was moved to a new <br />
DreamHost web hosting account.<br><br />
At that time I became responsible for all of the expenses incurred by this new BOARD18 account. <br />
<br />
I am setting up a PayPal account for BOARD18 in hopes that some of you<br />
will help to defray some of this expense. If you wish to do so, please make<br />
a donation to this PayPal account.<br />
<br />
For now, please limit your donations to $5 or less. If enough people donate<br />
'''on a regular basis''' then this should be sufficient.<br />
<br />
<p style="font-size:larger; font-weight:bolder;"><br />
[https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MHEV7BSUMU3QE Please use this donations page to make your donation].<br />
</p></div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Main_Page.Welcome&diff=3130Main Page.Welcome2021-08-13T11:34:08Z<p>Rich: added link to donations page</p>
<hr />
<div><span style="font-size:larger; font-weight:bolder;">BOARD18 is a tool for playing “18xx style” games via Email.</span><br />
<br />
The BOARD18 game session associated with a PBEM game is used to display the game board and the stock market for the game. <br />
It will run as a web service accessed via the player's web browser.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">The [[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|How To page linked to here]] <br />
contains step by step instructions for setting up a PBEM 18xx game.</span><br />
<p style="font-size:larger; font-weight:bolder;">BOARD18 is '''open source software''' available under the [http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT MIT License]</p><br />
<p style="font-size:larger; font-weight:bolder;"> [[Help Support The BOARD18 Project|Please click here to help support the BOARD18 Project]]. </p><br />
<br />
NOTE: For more information on 18xx style games, see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18XX this wikipedia article].</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Design_Document_Esthetics&diff=3129Design Document Esthetics2021-07-07T22:19:45Z<p>Rich: /* Tile Color Standards */ Map Color Recommendations</p>
<hr />
<div>{{ReleaseNotice|2.5}}{{Design Document Index}}<br />
Like any other application, BOARD18 needs a distinctive look.<br />
<br />
== Logo and Favicon==<br />
<br />
[[File:Logo.png|frame]]The logo displayed to the right will be present in the upper left hand corner of every BOARD18 page. It will be part of the standard header for each such page. In addition, a 32 pixel square icon with a reduced version of the same graphic will be used as the favicon file for this application.<br />
<br />
== Web Page Color Standards==<br />
<br />
[[File:Body.png]][[File:Header.png]]<br>The background of the header and main areas of all pages will be the color shown on the near left (#FFEEDD). The background of the left sidebar of all pages and any drop-down menus or forms will be the color shown on the far left (#DDFFDD). <br />
<br />
Other areas may have modified background colors to enable them to stand out from their surroundings.<br />
<br />
== Tile Color Standards==<br />
<br />
The standard shade for each of the four tile colors is given in the following table:<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" <br />
|+ Standard tile colors<br />
!COLOR!!Red||Green||Blue||Hex RGB<br />
|- style="background-color: #ffff00;" <br />
|Yellow<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |255<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |255<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |0<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |ffff00<br />
|- style="background-color: #54d82b;"<br />
|Green<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |84<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |216<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |43<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |54d82b<br />
|- style="background-color: #aa722a;" <br />
|Brown<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |170<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |114<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |42<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |aa722a<br />
|- style="background-color: #b3b3b3;" <br />
|Grey<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |179<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |179<br />
| style="text-align:right;" |179<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |b3b3b3<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Map Color Recommendations ==<br />
<br />
Printed maps use many different styles and many different color schemes.<br><br />
A game box will normally use the same design as the printed map.<br><br />
But if this is not the case then a color scheme for the map could be needed.<br><br />
The the following tables show two suggested map color schemes:<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" <br />
|+ Soft Color Scheme<br />
!Usage!!Hex RGB<br />
|- style="background-color: #ef160f;" <br />
|off-board areas<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |ef160f<br />
|- style="background-color: #42b3ea;"<br />
|water<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |42b3ea<br />
|- style="background-color: #c8f2c1;" <br />
|land<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |c8f2c1<br />
|- style="background-color: #389426;" <br />
|mountains<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |389426<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" <br />
|+ Hard Color Scheme<br />
!Usage!!Hex RGB<br />
|- style="background-color: #ff0000;" <br />
|off-board areas<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |ff0000<br />
|- style="background-color: #33aaff;"<br />
|water<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |33aaff<br />
|- style="background-color: #ccffdd;" <br />
|land<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |ccffdd<br />
|- style="background-color: #119922;" <br />
|mountains<br />
| style="font-family: 'monospace';" |119922<br />
|}<br />
<br />
== Page Layout==<br />
<br />
[[File:Window.png|frame]]Each BOARD18 page will follow this overall layout. The page will be divided into 3 fixed divisions. The top of page division, the left of page division and the right of page division. These divisions, which are shown in the diagram to the right, are formatted via the style sheets described below. <br />
<br />
== “Top of Page” Division==<br />
<br />
This division forms the logo, heading, message and menu areas of the page. It consists of the top 90 pix of the page and it's width fills the width of the enclosing window.<br />
<br />
== “Left of Page” Division==<br />
<br />
This division forms the sidebar area of the page. It consists of the left 135 pix of the page and it's hight fills the hight of the enclosing window. The sidebar division scrolls within this division.<br />
<br />
== “Right of Page” Division==<br />
<br />
This division forms the main content area of the page. It consists of the remainder of the page and it's hight and width fills the remainder of the enclosing window. The content division scrolls within this division.<br />
<br />
== Style Sheets==<br />
<br />
BOARD18 will use cascading style sheets to control all formatting of its pages. There will be an application wide style sheet for all common formatting and another style sheet specific to each BOARD18 page. The application wide style sheet will be named board18com.css. The specific style sheets will have names based on the page with which they are associated (for example board18main.css).<br />
<br />
=== The board18com.css style sheet ===<br />
<br />
This style sheet lays out the overall structure of all BOARD18 pages. This consists of the top of page division, the left of page division and the right of page division. These divisions are described above. This style sheet also formats the header area of all BOARD18 pages. The top level block elements in this style sheet will all use fixed positioning.<br />
<br />
=== All other BOARD18 style sheets===<br />
<br />
Every BOARD18 page will have a style sheet to format the body of the page. Some of the containing block elements in these style sheets may use absolute positioning.<br />
<br />
[[Category:Design]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=3128Main Page2021-06-05T18:58:21Z<p>Rich: /* Some pages on this WIKI that you may find of interest */ added # Dream Spreadsheets</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
{| class=infobox width=260px<br />
!align=center|BOARD18<br />
|-<br />
|[http://board18.org BOARD18 home page]<br />
|-<br />
|[[BOARD18 Web Sites|BOARD18 Sites]]<br />
|-<br />
|[[Download BOARD18]]<br />
|-<br />
|[[Download Game Boxes]]<br />
|-<br />
|[[BOARD18_Repositories]]<br />
|-<br />
|[http://bugs.board18.org/describecomponents.cgi BOARD18 Project Issue Tracker]<br />
|-<br />
|[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ow-XqLwCYiuy4NdM7bwligrfUPNN9epf BOARD18 Project Tile/Token Library]<br />
|}<br />
==Welcome To The BOARD18 Project==<br />
<br />
{{:Main Page.Welcome}}<br />
<br />
==Status==<br />
The current BOARD18 Version can be found at the download site (see box on right). <br><br />
'''[[Project:Timeline|<span style="color: Green">A Project Time-line is available at this link.</span>]]''' <br><br />
<br />
==Some pages on this WIKI that you may find of interest==<br />
<br />
# '''[[Player's Guide|BOARD18 Player's Guide]]'''<br />
# [[Documentation|Finding BOARD18 Documentation]]<br />
# [[How to Report a Problem]]<br />
# [[Game Boxes]]<br />
# [[Dream Spreadsheets]]<br />
# [[BOARD18 Related Side Projects]]<br />
# [[Features and Requirements]]<br />
# [[Design_Document_Introduction|Design Document]]<br />
# [[Coding_Standards_Introduction|Coding Standards]]<br />
# [[:Category:HowTo|Index of How To pages]]<br />
# [[Miscellaneous Notes]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Related_Side_Projects&diff=3127BOARD18 Related Side Projects2021-06-05T18:57:12Z<p>Rich: removed # Dream Spreadsheets</p>
<hr />
<div>There are some BOARD18 related '''applications''' that are not actually part of BOARD18.<br />
<br />
I have decided to group the links and documentation pages for these '''applications''' here.<br />
<br />
These links each point to a main page for one of these items:<br />
# [[BID18xx]]<br />
# [[DRAFT1846]]<br />
# [[Local Docker Compose support for Board18]]<br />
# [[Optional Public Registration support for Board18]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3126Dream Spreadsheets2021-06-05T18:53:33Z<p>Rich: /* Other Instrumented Spreadsheets */ rest of text for this section</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a partial list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"> Note: This list is out of date and is no longer being maintained!</span><br><br />
Note also that almost all dream spreadsheets can be recognized by having a suffix of '''ver2''' or '''ver''' with a different numeric character.<br />
<br />
The process of creating dream spreadsheets [and other instrumented sheets] has evolved as I and many others have <br />
continued to create them. <br>One of the most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process has evolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. <br><br />
My current thoughts in this matter are mentioned below.<br />
Also, Paul Zieske has created [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M this 2 page document containing his thoughts on dream spreadsheets].<br />
<br />
=== Cell Background Colors ===<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
=== Other Thaughts on Dream Spreadsheet Design ===<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.<br />
<br />
== Other Instrumented Spreadsheets ==<br />
The sheets that I have referred to as Dream Spreadsheets are not the only sheets that can meet the Jonathan Coveney definition.<br><br />
So how do you recognize a '''true''' Dream Spreadsheet? If the sheet contains a "New Tab" button then it is probably a Dream Spreadsheet.<br />
<br />
Other sheets that use other mechanisms to create the next tab have been created by other authors.<br><br />
For example [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WBAb7YyfYVE7Lmi-qeldEgPbe8FtmqD86Q4lokpIqlQ/edit#gid=606954680 the 18NY spreadsheet] by Brian Chojnowski <br />
uses a completly different script (which I hope he will document some day).<br />
<br />
And there are other highly instrumented sheets which do not meet the Jonathan Coveney definition of a dream spreadsheet. <br><br />
They are also included in the [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory] but they are not documented here.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3125Dream Spreadsheets2021-06-05T18:35:20Z<p>Rich: /* Other Instrumented Spreadsheets */ initial contents</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a partial list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"> Note: This list is out of date and is no longer being maintained!</span><br><br />
Note also that almost all dream spreadsheets can be recognized by having a suffix of '''ver2''' or '''ver''' with a different numeric character.<br />
<br />
The process of creating dream spreadsheets [and other instrumented sheets] has evolved as I and many others have <br />
continued to create them. <br>One of the most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process has evolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. <br><br />
My current thoughts in this matter are mentioned below.<br />
Also, Paul Zieske has created [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M this 2 page document containing his thoughts on dream spreadsheets].<br />
<br />
=== Cell Background Colors ===<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
=== Other Thaughts on Dream Spreadsheet Design ===<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.<br />
<br />
== Other Instrumented Spreadsheets ==<br />
The sheets that I have referred to as Dream Spreadsheets are not the only sheets that meet the <br><br />
So how do you recognize a true Dream Spreadsheet? If the sheet contains a "New Tab" button then it is probably a Dream Spreadsheet.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3124Dream Spreadsheets2021-06-05T18:30:27Z<p>Rich: Revised Existing Dream Spreadsheets and added Other Instrumented Spreadsheets</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a partial list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"> Note: This list is out of date and is no longer being maintained!</span><br><br />
Note also that almost all dream spreadsheets can be recognized by having a suffix of '''ver2''' or '''ver''' with a different numeric character.<br />
<br />
The process of creating dream spreadsheets [and other instrumented sheets] has evolved as I and many others have <br />
continued to create them. <br>One of the most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process has evolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. <br><br />
My current thoughts in this matter are mentioned below.<br />
Also, Paul Zieske has created [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M this 2 page document containing his thoughts on dream spreadsheets].<br />
<br />
=== Cell Background Colors ===<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
=== Other Thaughts on Dream Spreadsheet Design ===<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.<br />
<br />
== Other Instrumented Spreadsheets ==</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3123Dream Spreadsheets2021-06-05T13:04:30Z<p>Rich: /* Other Things */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a partial list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"> Note: This list is out of date and is no longer being maintained!</span><br><br />
Note also that almost all dream spreadsheets can be recognized by having a suffix of '''ver2''' or '''ver''' with a different numeric character.<br />
<br />
The process of creating dream spreadsheets [and other instrumented sheets] has evolved as I and many others have <br />
continued to create them. <br>One of the most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process has evolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. <br><br />
My current thoughts in this matter are mentioned below.<br />
Also, Paul Zieske has created [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M this 2 page document containing his thoughts on dream spreadsheets].<br />
<br />
== Cell Background Colors ==<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
== Other Things ==<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3122Dream Spreadsheets2021-06-05T13:01:12Z<p>Rich: /* Existing Dream Spreadsheets */</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a partial list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"> Note: This list is out of date and is no longer being maintained!</span><br><br />
Note also that almost all dream spreadsheets can be recognized by having a suffix of '''ver2''' or '''ver''' with a different numeric character.<br />
<br />
The process of creating dream spreadsheets [and other instrumented sheets] has evolved as I and many others have <br />
continued to create them. <br>One of the most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process has evolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. <br><br />
My current thoughts in this matter are mentioned below.<br />
Also, Paul Zieske has created [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M this 2 page document containing his thoughts on dream spreadsheets].<br />
<br />
== Cell Background Colors ==<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
== Other Things ==<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.<br />
<br />
Independently of this document, Paul Zieske wrote a document explaining his take on creating Dream Spreadsheets.<br><br />
I have included here a link to Paul's document which is stored in the '''Spreadsheet Templates''' folder.<br><br />
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h5onaMOWEAstcvhln3oGkz2Z5qdhABbqM8mZb-PAYrs/edit?usp=sharing 02-Dream Spreadsheets]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3121Dream Spreadsheets2021-06-05T12:58:41Z<p>Rich: /* Existing Dream Spreadsheets */ re write</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a partial list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"> Note: This list is out of date and is no longer being maintained!</span><br><br />
Note also that almost all dream spreadsheets can be recognized by having a suffix of '''ver2''' or '''ver''' with a different numeric character.<br />
<br />
The process of creating dream spreadsheets has evolved as I and many others have <br />
continued to create them. <br>One of the most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process has evolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. <br><br />
My current thoughts in this matter are mentioned below.<br />
Also, Paul Zieske has created [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M this 2 page document containing his thoughts on the matter].<br />
<br />
== Cell Background Colors ==<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
== Other Things ==<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.<br />
<br />
Independently of this document, Paul Zieske wrote a document explaining his take on creating Dream Spreadsheets.<br><br />
I have included here a link to Paul's document which is stored in the '''Spreadsheet Templates''' folder.<br><br />
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h5onaMOWEAstcvhln3oGkz2Z5qdhABbqM8mZb-PAYrs/edit?usp=sharing 02-Dream Spreadsheets]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Dream_Spreadsheets&diff=3120Dream Spreadsheets2021-06-05T12:35:48Z<p>Rich: /* Introduction */ added Updated Introduction</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
=== Original Introduction ===<br />
To paraphrase Jonathan Coveney:<br />
The dream spreadsheet for 18xx PBEM would:<br />
* Cause changes in the past spreadsheet tabs to flow forward to the future tabs.<br />
* Create a new tab with one click.<br />
<br />
I have created a large number of spreadsheets that meet this criteria. I have decided to call these spreadsheets “Dream Spreadsheets”. <br />
<br />
This page is intended to document how to create and how to use dream spreadsheets. It also contains links to three other pages that talk about <br />
specific issues in creating dream spreadsheets. These pages are:<br />
* [[Spreadsheet Formulas for 18xx]]<br />
* [[Google Apps Scripts for 18xx]]<br />
* [[18xx Dream Spreadsheet Authorization Issue]]<br />
<br />
=== Updated Introduction ===<br />
An amazing amount has happened in the year since I proposed the concept of <br />
dream sheets. The number of dream sheets now exceeds the number of other <br />
sheets in my [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder. <br>And other non dream sheet, but <br />
still highly instrumented, sheets have been written. Their existence and methodology should be documented. <br />
<br />
So it is past time to upgrade the documentation for dream sheets and other highly instrumented sheets. <br />
This will involve changing or adding some pages here. <br>It will also involve changing some of the documentation text files in the <br />
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M “spreadsheet templates”] folder.<br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">These necessary changes are currently a work in progress. "Please pardon our dust."</span><br />
<br />
== Existing Dream Spreadsheets ==<br />
There is a [https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cWbwfFDm4MXDc23Hh5CypnDBMF9Y70UppuQFQKxlTfw text file]<br />
in my [https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M Google Docs Spreadsheet Templates directory]<br />
that contains a list of the existing Dream Spreadsheets and their status. The process of creating dream spreadsheets has evolved as I have <br />
continued to create them. I'm trying to come up with some standards that I can follow in creating new spreadsheets. The most noticeable change <br />
in dream spreadsheets as the creation project process envolved is in the use of colors for the spreadsheet cells. My current <br />
thoughts in this matter are mentioned below. <br />
<br />
== Cell Background Colors ==<br />
The data entry portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light grey and dark grey color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(230,230,230) and RGB(179,179,179).<br />
<br />
The formula portion of a dream spreadsheet uses the same light orange and dark orange color pattern [used on alternate rows] that many <br />
pre-existing spreadsheets seem to use. The exact definitions of these colors are RGB(255,204,153) and RGB(255,153,102).<br />
<br />
The remaining cells on a dream spreadsheet use standard Google Sheets colors found on the second row of the Fill Color drop-down box <br />
on any Google sheet. Cyan is used for Headings and Yellow is used for Constants. These two colors do not use a light/dark color pattern.<br />
<br />
NOTE: Players should only type in data entry cells.<br />
<br />
== Other Things ==<br />
I have started to always place the word "Players" in Cell A1 instead of the formula for the number of players. I moved this formula to Cell A2. This is because the default location for the cursor on opening a sheet is Cell A1 and the formula in the <big>"<i>fx</i>"</big> row can be confusing.<br />
<br />
Independently of this document, Paul Zieske wrote a document explaining his take on creating Dream Spreadsheets.<br><br />
I have included here a link to Paul's document which is stored in the '''Spreadsheet Templates''' folder.<br><br />
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h5onaMOWEAstcvhln3oGkz2Z5qdhABbqM8mZb-PAYrs/edit?usp=sharing 02-Dream Spreadsheets]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Player%27s_Guide_V2.7&diff=3119Player's Guide V2.72021-06-04T19:15:35Z<p>Rich: /* The Map/Market Button */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
This is the player's guide for BOARD18 Version 2.7.x. This guide should be read by new players. <br />
It should also prove quite helpful as a reference for all players. <br />
<br />
This page of the Player's Guide should be read by everyone who wishes to use BOARD18. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"><br />
At the bottom of this page you will find links to pages that contain supplemental information about BOARD18.</span><br><br />
Once you are a little familiar with BOARD18, you should look over at least some of these supplemental pages.<br />
<br />
Please note, if you are just getting started, then you may want to use [[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">this link</span>]] to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.<br />
<br />
== Cautions about Live Play ==<br />
Lately, people have begun to use BOARD18 for live play. IE: Not using Email.<br />
People playing live instances of 18xx games on BOARD18 can experience some<br />
synchronization problems. Moves that have been made and saved can subsequently <br />
disappear from the BOARD18 display. This is caused by the type of database <br />
locking BOARD18 uses. BOARD18 was not designed to support a large number of <br />
simultaneous updates to the same game record from multiple people. <br />
This is usually not a problem for people <br />
playing a game by email. But when people try to use BOARD18 in a “live play” mode <br />
problems can occur.<br />
<br />
To avoid problems when using BOARD18 for live play, please:<br />
* Use some form of inter-player communication [Discord?] to avoid doing things at the same time.<br />
* <span style="color: Red">Do not use more than one window on your device to access the same BOARD18 game. </span><br />
* Hit the refresh button before making a move.<br />
<br />
== The Log In Page ==<br />
The entry point to BOARD18 is a page with some introductory text and a log in form. Once you have a player ID and a password, you should enter them on this form and press the '''Login''' button to start a BOARD18 session.<br />
<br />
=== Getting a Player ID ===<br />
To get a player ID and a password, press the '''Register''' button on the log in form. This will present you with a registration form that you can use to create a player ID and a password. <br><br />
To get a player ID and a password, you must first enter values in <span style="color: Fuchsia">all six</span> fields on this registration form and then press the '''Register''' button again. <br />
<br />
==== Player ID Field ====<br />
Your player ID cannot be longer than 16 ASCII characters and it cannot contain any special characters other than the period, the dash and the underscore.<br />
<br />
==== Password Field ====<br />
The longer and more complex your password is the harder it is to crack.<br />
You can find many recommendations for "secure" passwords that are based on this fact.<br><br />
And I encourage you to use long passwords with varying cases and punctuation characters.<br />
But BOARD18 does not enforce any of these practices. So, it is all up to you.<br />
<br />
==== Email Address Field ====<br />
The required Email address must use all lower case letters. An Email address is case insensitive, so a lower case version will work even if you usually use upper case. <br>The BOARD18 database is not case insensitive and this restriction helps us to avoid duplicate Email addresses.<br><br><br />
NOTE: The email address will be used to send you some automated Emails for situations such as lost passwords and notification that you have been added to or removed from a game. <br>Also a site administrator will be able to use it to contact you in problem situations. '''<span style="color: Fuchsia">But no other player will have access to your email address.</span>'''<br />
<br />
====Name Fields ====<br />
The first and last name fields are required to help other players to find your player ID and to add you to a game that you have agreed to join. <br><br />
Both name fields are limited to a maximum of 25 characters.<br />
<br />
=== Help ===<br />
Pressing the '''Help''' button on the log in form will transfer you to this WIKI page. Use the back arrow button to return to BOARD18.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Player ID? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Player ID?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that your Player ID be Emailed to you.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Password? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Password?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that a temporary password be Emailed to you. <br><br />
You will be required to replace this temporary password when you next log in.<br />
<br />
=== Remember Me ===<br />
Checking the '''Remember Me''' box on the log in form will cause BOARD18 to track you via a cookie and to log you back in automatically if you get accidentally disconnected or if your session times out. <br><br />
This is an optional convenience that you may ignore. Depending how you have set your security options on your browser this feature may be disabled.<br />
<br />
== The BOARD18 Main Page ==<br />
After successfully logging in to BOARD18 you will enter the Main Page. <br><br />
The Main Page contains a table of the '''Active''' games that you are currently playing. <br><br />
'''Completed''' games will not appear here. But they will appear on the '''View All Games''' page. <br />
<br />
[[File:board18Main.png]]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger; color: Fuchsia"><br />
Clicking on the name of a listed game will start a game session for that game.</span><br><br />
Clicking on the '''Edit''' button for a listed game will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action Page"]] for that game.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Make New Game''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Creating A Game|"Start a New Game Session"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''View All Games''' will link to the<br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|"View All Games in the Database"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Administration''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.6 Player Profile|"Modify Player Profile"]] page.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">This same '''MENU''' button appears on most BOARD18 pages but the menu choices<br />
and menu style will be different from page to page.</span><br />
<br />
== Features Common to most Main Menus ==<br />
* Pressing the '''Help''' button in a main menu on most pages will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on the '''Help''' button in a main menu on the map and market pages will open a sub menu.<br />
* Pressing '''Player's Guide''' on this sub menu will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on '''Useful Links''' on this sub menu will open a sub menu of useful links relevant to this game.<br />
* Pressing the '''About BOARD18''' button in any main menu will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br />
<br />
== Playing A Game ==<br />
The actual game board and stock chart do NOT support drag and drop functionality. But they do support use of both the left and right mouse buttons. <br><span style="color: Fuchsia">Most movements of tiles and tokens are not saved to the database until the move is '''Accepted'''.</span><br>The active tile or token will appear transparent until its move is '''Accepted'''. <br>Accepted moves can be backed out using the '''Undo Move''' menu option.<br />
<br />
=== The Trays ===<br />
====Selecting Trays====<br />
The left sidebar on the Game Board and the Stock Market pages contains the active tray beneath a tray selection drop down menu. Clicking on the name of a tray in this drop down menu makes that tray the active tray. <br />
<br />
====Selecting Tiles or Tokens from the Active Tray====<br />
The tiles or tokens in the active tray are displayed with a count of available items in the upper left corner. (But there is no such count for stock market tokens.) If the count is zero then the tile or token is greyed out and cannot be selected. Clicking on a tile or token in the active tray will select that tile or token and it will be highlighted with a red background.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tiles on the Map====<br />
When a tile on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking on the hex. '''The tile will be automatically centered in the hex.''' The dropped tile has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (rotated) before it is permanently placed with the accept move command or the ENTER key. If there is already a tile on that map hex then that tile will be removed when the dropped tile is is permanently placed.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Map====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking anywhere on the hex. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Market====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a market box by clicking anywhere in the box. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Board or Market ===<br />
If you left click on a hex with a temporary [transparent] tile then the tile will rotate 60°.<br><br />
If you left click on a hex or box with a temporary [transparent] token then the token will move to the position clicked.<br><br />
If you left click anywhere else then you may get a context menu. <br />
Right clicks can also cause context menus to be displayed.<br />
<br />
=== The Context Menus ===<br />
A right click on the game board (or the stock market) can cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
A left click on a hex or market box that is not selected can also cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
Whether this context menu is displayed at all and the selection of items in the context menu are both dependent on the '''context''' of the click event. <br />
<br />
The context menu that is displayed may support accept move, cancel move, rotate, flip,<br />
re-position, delete, multi-item and other tile and/or token commands. <br><br />
Try right or left clicking on hexes (or price boxes) which have various items on them to familiarize yourself with these menus.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Main Menu ===<br />
The primary [but perhaps not the best] way to navigate and take actions in BOARD18 is the Main Menu. This menu can be accessed by clicking on the "Menu" button that appears toward the upper left of most BOARD18 pages. The menus on the "Game Board" and "Stock Market" pages are over-viewed in this section. <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] <br />
for many menu items are shown (in parenthesis) in these menus.<br />
<br />
==== The Game Board Main Menu ====<br />
[[File:MenuMap51.png|frame]]<br />
[[File:MenuMap50.png|frame]]<br />
The images to the right show the main menus for the game board. The upper image shows the menu that will be <br />
displayed when there is no active tile or token. The lower image shows the menu that will be displayed when <br />
an active tile or token exists. <br><br />
As you can see, only the first two menu items are different in the second menu.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active tile or token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active tile or token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Hide/Show''' hides the tokens and tiles on the map or re-shows them if they are hidden.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Stock Market Main Menu ====<br />
The main menus for the stock market are similar to the main menu for the game board.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed. See below.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player's_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Help Sub-Menu ====<br />
[[File:MapHelp5.png|frame]]<br />
On the game board and stock chart pages, the '''Help''' menu choice works differently than it does<br />
on other pages. On these two pages hovering over it opens a sub-menu like the one shown to the right.<br />
<br />
Clicking on '''Player's Guide''' will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br><br />
In adition there may be more menu choices below the <span style="color: Green">-- Useful Links --</span> line.<br />
<br />
There are two potential sources for these useful links. <br />
Some can be provided as part of the game box. Others may be created for this specific game via the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action"]] facility.<br />
<br />
=== Short Cut Buttons ===<br />
To assist people who are using portable devices without keyboards, two short cut buttons have been placed<br />
next to the Menu button. This was done in Release 2.7.8.<br />
<br />
==== The Map/Market Button ====<br />
The Map and Market Buttons perform the same function as the Menu/Map and the Menu/Market items in the main menu.<br />
<br />
==== The AM Button ====<br />
The AM Button executes the same accept move function that the "Menu/Accept Move" item in the main menu does.<br />
<br />
== Additional Pages of this Guide ==<br />
The following is a list of the Player's Guide pages that are linked to from this page.<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.6 Creating A Game|Creating A Game]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.0 Keyboard Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]<br />
* [[Player's_Guide_V2.6_Game Session Edit Page|Editing A Game Session]] <br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.7 Player Profile|Player Profile]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|Viewing All Games]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Cookies|Board18 and Cookies]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Player%27s_Guide_V2.7&diff=3118Player's Guide V2.72021-06-04T15:15:46Z<p>Rich: /* The AM Button */ initial contents</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
This is the player's guide for BOARD18 Version 2.7.x. This guide should be read by new players. <br />
It should also prove quite helpful as a reference for all players. <br />
<br />
This page of the Player's Guide should be read by everyone who wishes to use BOARD18. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"><br />
At the bottom of this page you will find links to pages that contain supplemental information about BOARD18.</span><br><br />
Once you are a little familiar with BOARD18, you should look over at least some of these supplemental pages.<br />
<br />
Please note, if you are just getting started, then you may want to use [[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">this link</span>]] to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.<br />
<br />
== Cautions about Live Play ==<br />
Lately, people have begun to use BOARD18 for live play. IE: Not using Email.<br />
People playing live instances of 18xx games on BOARD18 can experience some<br />
synchronization problems. Moves that have been made and saved can subsequently <br />
disappear from the BOARD18 display. This is caused by the type of database <br />
locking BOARD18 uses. BOARD18 was not designed to support a large number of <br />
simultaneous updates to the same game record from multiple people. <br />
This is usually not a problem for people <br />
playing a game by email. But when people try to use BOARD18 in a “live play” mode <br />
problems can occur.<br />
<br />
To avoid problems when using BOARD18 for live play, please:<br />
* Use some form of inter-player communication [Discord?] to avoid doing things at the same time.<br />
* <span style="color: Red">Do not use more than one window on your device to access the same BOARD18 game. </span><br />
* Hit the refresh button before making a move.<br />
<br />
== The Log In Page ==<br />
The entry point to BOARD18 is a page with some introductory text and a log in form. Once you have a player ID and a password, you should enter them on this form and press the '''Login''' button to start a BOARD18 session.<br />
<br />
=== Getting a Player ID ===<br />
To get a player ID and a password, press the '''Register''' button on the log in form. This will present you with a registration form that you can use to create a player ID and a password. <br><br />
To get a player ID and a password, you must first enter values in <span style="color: Fuchsia">all six</span> fields on this registration form and then press the '''Register''' button again. <br />
<br />
==== Player ID Field ====<br />
Your player ID cannot be longer than 16 ASCII characters and it cannot contain any special characters other than the period, the dash and the underscore.<br />
<br />
==== Password Field ====<br />
The longer and more complex your password is the harder it is to crack.<br />
You can find many recommendations for "secure" passwords that are based on this fact.<br><br />
And I encourage you to use long passwords with varying cases and punctuation characters.<br />
But BOARD18 does not enforce any of these practices. So, it is all up to you.<br />
<br />
==== Email Address Field ====<br />
The required Email address must use all lower case letters. An Email address is case insensitive, so a lower case version will work even if you usually use upper case. <br>The BOARD18 database is not case insensitive and this restriction helps us to avoid duplicate Email addresses.<br><br><br />
NOTE: The email address will be used to send you some automated Emails for situations such as lost passwords and notification that you have been added to or removed from a game. <br>Also a site administrator will be able to use it to contact you in problem situations. '''<span style="color: Fuchsia">But no other player will have access to your email address.</span>'''<br />
<br />
====Name Fields ====<br />
The first and last name fields are required to help other players to find your player ID and to add you to a game that you have agreed to join. <br><br />
Both name fields are limited to a maximum of 25 characters.<br />
<br />
=== Help ===<br />
Pressing the '''Help''' button on the log in form will transfer you to this WIKI page. Use the back arrow button to return to BOARD18.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Player ID? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Player ID?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that your Player ID be Emailed to you.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Password? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Password?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that a temporary password be Emailed to you. <br><br />
You will be required to replace this temporary password when you next log in.<br />
<br />
=== Remember Me ===<br />
Checking the '''Remember Me''' box on the log in form will cause BOARD18 to track you via a cookie and to log you back in automatically if you get accidentally disconnected or if your session times out. <br><br />
This is an optional convenience that you may ignore. Depending how you have set your security options on your browser this feature may be disabled.<br />
<br />
== The BOARD18 Main Page ==<br />
After successfully logging in to BOARD18 you will enter the Main Page. <br><br />
The Main Page contains a table of the '''Active''' games that you are currently playing. <br><br />
'''Completed''' games will not appear here. But they will appear on the '''View All Games''' page. <br />
<br />
[[File:board18Main.png]]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger; color: Fuchsia"><br />
Clicking on the name of a listed game will start a game session for that game.</span><br><br />
Clicking on the '''Edit''' button for a listed game will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action Page"]] for that game.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Make New Game''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Creating A Game|"Start a New Game Session"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''View All Games''' will link to the<br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|"View All Games in the Database"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Administration''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.6 Player Profile|"Modify Player Profile"]] page.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">This same '''MENU''' button appears on most BOARD18 pages but the menu choices<br />
and menu style will be different from page to page.</span><br />
<br />
== Features Common to most Main Menus ==<br />
* Pressing the '''Help''' button in a main menu on most pages will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on the '''Help''' button in a main menu on the map and market pages will open a sub menu.<br />
* Pressing '''Player's Guide''' on this sub menu will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on '''Useful Links''' on this sub menu will open a sub menu of useful links relevant to this game.<br />
* Pressing the '''About BOARD18''' button in any main menu will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br />
<br />
== Playing A Game ==<br />
The actual game board and stock chart do NOT support drag and drop functionality. But they do support use of both the left and right mouse buttons. <br><span style="color: Fuchsia">Most movements of tiles and tokens are not saved to the database until the move is '''Accepted'''.</span><br>The active tile or token will appear transparent until its move is '''Accepted'''. <br>Accepted moves can be backed out using the '''Undo Move''' menu option.<br />
<br />
=== The Trays ===<br />
====Selecting Trays====<br />
The left sidebar on the Game Board and the Stock Market pages contains the active tray beneath a tray selection drop down menu. Clicking on the name of a tray in this drop down menu makes that tray the active tray. <br />
<br />
====Selecting Tiles or Tokens from the Active Tray====<br />
The tiles or tokens in the active tray are displayed with a count of available items in the upper left corner. (But there is no such count for stock market tokens.) If the count is zero then the tile or token is greyed out and cannot be selected. Clicking on a tile or token in the active tray will select that tile or token and it will be highlighted with a red background.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tiles on the Map====<br />
When a tile on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking on the hex. '''The tile will be automatically centered in the hex.''' The dropped tile has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (rotated) before it is permanently placed with the accept move command or the ENTER key. If there is already a tile on that map hex then that tile will be removed when the dropped tile is is permanently placed.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Map====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking anywhere on the hex. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Market====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a market box by clicking anywhere in the box. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Board or Market ===<br />
If you left click on a hex with a temporary [transparent] tile then the tile will rotate 60°.<br><br />
If you left click on a hex or box with a temporary [transparent] token then the token will move to the position clicked.<br><br />
If you left click anywhere else then you may get a context menu. <br />
Right clicks can also cause context menus to be displayed.<br />
<br />
=== The Context Menus ===<br />
A right click on the game board (or the stock market) can cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
A left click on a hex or market box that is not selected can also cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
Whether this context menu is displayed at all and the selection of items in the context menu are both dependent on the '''context''' of the click event. <br />
<br />
The context menu that is displayed may support accept move, cancel move, rotate, flip,<br />
re-position, delete, multi-item and other tile and/or token commands. <br><br />
Try right or left clicking on hexes (or price boxes) which have various items on them to familiarize yourself with these menus.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Main Menu ===<br />
The primary [but perhaps not the best] way to navigate and take actions in BOARD18 is the Main Menu. This menu can be accessed by clicking on the "Menu" button that appears toward the upper left of most BOARD18 pages. The menus on the "Game Board" and "Stock Market" pages are over-viewed in this section. <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] <br />
for many menu items are shown (in parenthesis) in these menus.<br />
<br />
==== The Game Board Main Menu ====<br />
[[File:MenuMap51.png|frame]]<br />
[[File:MenuMap50.png|frame]]<br />
The images to the right show the main menus for the game board. The upper image shows the menu that will be <br />
displayed when there is no active tile or token. The lower image shows the menu that will be displayed when <br />
an active tile or token exists. <br><br />
As you can see, only the first two menu items are different in the second menu.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active tile or token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active tile or token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Hide/Show''' hides the tokens and tiles on the map or re-shows them if they are hidden.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Stock Market Main Menu ====<br />
The main menus for the stock market are similar to the main menu for the game board.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed. See below.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player's_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Help Sub-Menu ====<br />
[[File:MapHelp5.png|frame]]<br />
On the game board and stock chart pages, the '''Help''' menu choice works differently than it does<br />
on other pages. On these two pages hovering over it opens a sub-menu like the one shown to the right.<br />
<br />
Clicking on '''Player's Guide''' will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br><br />
In adition there may be more menu choices below the <span style="color: Green">-- Useful Links --</span> line.<br />
<br />
There are two potential sources for these useful links. <br />
Some can be provided as part of the game box. Others may be created for this specific game via the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action"]] facility.<br />
<br />
=== Short Cut Buttons ===<br />
To assist people who are using portable devices without keyboards, two short cut buttons have been placed<br />
next to the Menu button. This was done in Release 2.7.8.<br />
<br />
==== The Map/Market Button ====<br />
The Map and Market Buttons performs the same function as the Menu/Map and the Menu/Market items in the main menu.<br />
<br />
==== The AM Button ====<br />
The AM Button executes the same accept move function that the "Menu/Accept Move" item in the main menu does.<br />
<br />
== Additional Pages of this Guide ==<br />
The following is a list of the Player's Guide pages that are linked to from this page.<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.6 Creating A Game|Creating A Game]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.0 Keyboard Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]<br />
* [[Player's_Guide_V2.6_Game Session Edit Page|Editing A Game Session]] <br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.7 Player Profile|Player Profile]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|Viewing All Games]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Cookies|Board18 and Cookies]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Player%27s_Guide_V2.7&diff=3117Player's Guide V2.72021-06-04T15:08:33Z<p>Rich: /* The Map/Market Button */ initial contents</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
This is the player's guide for BOARD18 Version 2.7.x. This guide should be read by new players. <br />
It should also prove quite helpful as a reference for all players. <br />
<br />
This page of the Player's Guide should be read by everyone who wishes to use BOARD18. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"><br />
At the bottom of this page you will find links to pages that contain supplemental information about BOARD18.</span><br><br />
Once you are a little familiar with BOARD18, you should look over at least some of these supplemental pages.<br />
<br />
Please note, if you are just getting started, then you may want to use [[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">this link</span>]] to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.<br />
<br />
== Cautions about Live Play ==<br />
Lately, people have begun to use BOARD18 for live play. IE: Not using Email.<br />
People playing live instances of 18xx games on BOARD18 can experience some<br />
synchronization problems. Moves that have been made and saved can subsequently <br />
disappear from the BOARD18 display. This is caused by the type of database <br />
locking BOARD18 uses. BOARD18 was not designed to support a large number of <br />
simultaneous updates to the same game record from multiple people. <br />
This is usually not a problem for people <br />
playing a game by email. But when people try to use BOARD18 in a “live play” mode <br />
problems can occur.<br />
<br />
To avoid problems when using BOARD18 for live play, please:<br />
* Use some form of inter-player communication [Discord?] to avoid doing things at the same time.<br />
* <span style="color: Red">Do not use more than one window on your device to access the same BOARD18 game. </span><br />
* Hit the refresh button before making a move.<br />
<br />
== The Log In Page ==<br />
The entry point to BOARD18 is a page with some introductory text and a log in form. Once you have a player ID and a password, you should enter them on this form and press the '''Login''' button to start a BOARD18 session.<br />
<br />
=== Getting a Player ID ===<br />
To get a player ID and a password, press the '''Register''' button on the log in form. This will present you with a registration form that you can use to create a player ID and a password. <br><br />
To get a player ID and a password, you must first enter values in <span style="color: Fuchsia">all six</span> fields on this registration form and then press the '''Register''' button again. <br />
<br />
==== Player ID Field ====<br />
Your player ID cannot be longer than 16 ASCII characters and it cannot contain any special characters other than the period, the dash and the underscore.<br />
<br />
==== Password Field ====<br />
The longer and more complex your password is the harder it is to crack.<br />
You can find many recommendations for "secure" passwords that are based on this fact.<br><br />
And I encourage you to use long passwords with varying cases and punctuation characters.<br />
But BOARD18 does not enforce any of these practices. So, it is all up to you.<br />
<br />
==== Email Address Field ====<br />
The required Email address must use all lower case letters. An Email address is case insensitive, so a lower case version will work even if you usually use upper case. <br>The BOARD18 database is not case insensitive and this restriction helps us to avoid duplicate Email addresses.<br><br><br />
NOTE: The email address will be used to send you some automated Emails for situations such as lost passwords and notification that you have been added to or removed from a game. <br>Also a site administrator will be able to use it to contact you in problem situations. '''<span style="color: Fuchsia">But no other player will have access to your email address.</span>'''<br />
<br />
====Name Fields ====<br />
The first and last name fields are required to help other players to find your player ID and to add you to a game that you have agreed to join. <br><br />
Both name fields are limited to a maximum of 25 characters.<br />
<br />
=== Help ===<br />
Pressing the '''Help''' button on the log in form will transfer you to this WIKI page. Use the back arrow button to return to BOARD18.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Player ID? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Player ID?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that your Player ID be Emailed to you.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Password? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Password?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that a temporary password be Emailed to you. <br><br />
You will be required to replace this temporary password when you next log in.<br />
<br />
=== Remember Me ===<br />
Checking the '''Remember Me''' box on the log in form will cause BOARD18 to track you via a cookie and to log you back in automatically if you get accidentally disconnected or if your session times out. <br><br />
This is an optional convenience that you may ignore. Depending how you have set your security options on your browser this feature may be disabled.<br />
<br />
== The BOARD18 Main Page ==<br />
After successfully logging in to BOARD18 you will enter the Main Page. <br><br />
The Main Page contains a table of the '''Active''' games that you are currently playing. <br><br />
'''Completed''' games will not appear here. But they will appear on the '''View All Games''' page. <br />
<br />
[[File:board18Main.png]]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger; color: Fuchsia"><br />
Clicking on the name of a listed game will start a game session for that game.</span><br><br />
Clicking on the '''Edit''' button for a listed game will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action Page"]] for that game.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Make New Game''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Creating A Game|"Start a New Game Session"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''View All Games''' will link to the<br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|"View All Games in the Database"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Administration''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.6 Player Profile|"Modify Player Profile"]] page.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">This same '''MENU''' button appears on most BOARD18 pages but the menu choices<br />
and menu style will be different from page to page.</span><br />
<br />
== Features Common to most Main Menus ==<br />
* Pressing the '''Help''' button in a main menu on most pages will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on the '''Help''' button in a main menu on the map and market pages will open a sub menu.<br />
* Pressing '''Player's Guide''' on this sub menu will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on '''Useful Links''' on this sub menu will open a sub menu of useful links relevant to this game.<br />
* Pressing the '''About BOARD18''' button in any main menu will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br />
<br />
== Playing A Game ==<br />
The actual game board and stock chart do NOT support drag and drop functionality. But they do support use of both the left and right mouse buttons. <br><span style="color: Fuchsia">Most movements of tiles and tokens are not saved to the database until the move is '''Accepted'''.</span><br>The active tile or token will appear transparent until its move is '''Accepted'''. <br>Accepted moves can be backed out using the '''Undo Move''' menu option.<br />
<br />
=== The Trays ===<br />
====Selecting Trays====<br />
The left sidebar on the Game Board and the Stock Market pages contains the active tray beneath a tray selection drop down menu. Clicking on the name of a tray in this drop down menu makes that tray the active tray. <br />
<br />
====Selecting Tiles or Tokens from the Active Tray====<br />
The tiles or tokens in the active tray are displayed with a count of available items in the upper left corner. (But there is no such count for stock market tokens.) If the count is zero then the tile or token is greyed out and cannot be selected. Clicking on a tile or token in the active tray will select that tile or token and it will be highlighted with a red background.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tiles on the Map====<br />
When a tile on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking on the hex. '''The tile will be automatically centered in the hex.''' The dropped tile has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (rotated) before it is permanently placed with the accept move command or the ENTER key. If there is already a tile on that map hex then that tile will be removed when the dropped tile is is permanently placed.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Map====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking anywhere on the hex. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Market====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a market box by clicking anywhere in the box. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Board or Market ===<br />
If you left click on a hex with a temporary [transparent] tile then the tile will rotate 60°.<br><br />
If you left click on a hex or box with a temporary [transparent] token then the token will move to the position clicked.<br><br />
If you left click anywhere else then you may get a context menu. <br />
Right clicks can also cause context menus to be displayed.<br />
<br />
=== The Context Menus ===<br />
A right click on the game board (or the stock market) can cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
A left click on a hex or market box that is not selected can also cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
Whether this context menu is displayed at all and the selection of items in the context menu are both dependent on the '''context''' of the click event. <br />
<br />
The context menu that is displayed may support accept move, cancel move, rotate, flip,<br />
re-position, delete, multi-item and other tile and/or token commands. <br><br />
Try right or left clicking on hexes (or price boxes) which have various items on them to familiarize yourself with these menus.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Main Menu ===<br />
The primary [but perhaps not the best] way to navigate and take actions in BOARD18 is the Main Menu. This menu can be accessed by clicking on the "Menu" button that appears toward the upper left of most BOARD18 pages. The menus on the "Game Board" and "Stock Market" pages are over-viewed in this section. <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] <br />
for many menu items are shown (in parenthesis) in these menus.<br />
<br />
==== The Game Board Main Menu ====<br />
[[File:MenuMap51.png|frame]]<br />
[[File:MenuMap50.png|frame]]<br />
The images to the right show the main menus for the game board. The upper image shows the menu that will be <br />
displayed when there is no active tile or token. The lower image shows the menu that will be displayed when <br />
an active tile or token exists. <br><br />
As you can see, only the first two menu items are different in the second menu.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active tile or token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active tile or token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Hide/Show''' hides the tokens and tiles on the map or re-shows them if they are hidden.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Stock Market Main Menu ====<br />
The main menus for the stock market are similar to the main menu for the game board.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed. See below.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player's_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Help Sub-Menu ====<br />
[[File:MapHelp5.png|frame]]<br />
On the game board and stock chart pages, the '''Help''' menu choice works differently than it does<br />
on other pages. On these two pages hovering over it opens a sub-menu like the one shown to the right.<br />
<br />
Clicking on '''Player's Guide''' will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br><br />
In adition there may be more menu choices below the <span style="color: Green">-- Useful Links --</span> line.<br />
<br />
There are two potential sources for these useful links. <br />
Some can be provided as part of the game box. Others may be created for this specific game via the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action"]] facility.<br />
<br />
=== Short Cut Buttons ===<br />
To assist people who are using portable devices without keyboards, two short cut buttons have been placed<br />
next to the Menu button. This was done in Release 2.7.8.<br />
<br />
==== The Map/Market Button ====<br />
The Map and Market Buttons performs the same function as the Menu/Map and the Menu/Market items in the main menu.<br />
<br />
==== The Map/Market Button ====<br />
<br />
== Additional Pages of this Guide ==<br />
The following is a list of the Player's Guide pages that are linked to from this page.<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.6 Creating A Game|Creating A Game]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.0 Keyboard Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]<br />
* [[Player's_Guide_V2.6_Game Session Edit Page|Editing A Game Session]] <br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.7 Player Profile|Player Profile]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|Viewing All Games]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Cookies|Board18 and Cookies]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Player%27s_Guide_V2.7&diff=3116Player's Guide V2.72021-06-04T15:00:47Z<p>Rich: /* Clicking The Main Menu */ Added Short Cut Buttons</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
This is the player's guide for BOARD18 Version 2.7.x. This guide should be read by new players. <br />
It should also prove quite helpful as a reference for all players. <br />
<br />
This page of the Player's Guide should be read by everyone who wishes to use BOARD18. <br><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia"><br />
At the bottom of this page you will find links to pages that contain supplemental information about BOARD18.</span><br><br />
Once you are a little familiar with BOARD18, you should look over at least some of these supplemental pages.<br />
<br />
Please note, if you are just getting started, then you may want to use [[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">this link</span>]] to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.<br />
<br />
== Cautions about Live Play ==<br />
Lately, people have begun to use BOARD18 for live play. IE: Not using Email.<br />
People playing live instances of 18xx games on BOARD18 can experience some<br />
synchronization problems. Moves that have been made and saved can subsequently <br />
disappear from the BOARD18 display. This is caused by the type of database <br />
locking BOARD18 uses. BOARD18 was not designed to support a large number of <br />
simultaneous updates to the same game record from multiple people. <br />
This is usually not a problem for people <br />
playing a game by email. But when people try to use BOARD18 in a “live play” mode <br />
problems can occur.<br />
<br />
To avoid problems when using BOARD18 for live play, please:<br />
* Use some form of inter-player communication [Discord?] to avoid doing things at the same time.<br />
* <span style="color: Red">Do not use more than one window on your device to access the same BOARD18 game. </span><br />
* Hit the refresh button before making a move.<br />
<br />
== The Log In Page ==<br />
The entry point to BOARD18 is a page with some introductory text and a log in form. Once you have a player ID and a password, you should enter them on this form and press the '''Login''' button to start a BOARD18 session.<br />
<br />
=== Getting a Player ID ===<br />
To get a player ID and a password, press the '''Register''' button on the log in form. This will present you with a registration form that you can use to create a player ID and a password. <br><br />
To get a player ID and a password, you must first enter values in <span style="color: Fuchsia">all six</span> fields on this registration form and then press the '''Register''' button again. <br />
<br />
==== Player ID Field ====<br />
Your player ID cannot be longer than 16 ASCII characters and it cannot contain any special characters other than the period, the dash and the underscore.<br />
<br />
==== Password Field ====<br />
The longer and more complex your password is the harder it is to crack.<br />
You can find many recommendations for "secure" passwords that are based on this fact.<br><br />
And I encourage you to use long passwords with varying cases and punctuation characters.<br />
But BOARD18 does not enforce any of these practices. So, it is all up to you.<br />
<br />
==== Email Address Field ====<br />
The required Email address must use all lower case letters. An Email address is case insensitive, so a lower case version will work even if you usually use upper case. <br>The BOARD18 database is not case insensitive and this restriction helps us to avoid duplicate Email addresses.<br><br><br />
NOTE: The email address will be used to send you some automated Emails for situations such as lost passwords and notification that you have been added to or removed from a game. <br>Also a site administrator will be able to use it to contact you in problem situations. '''<span style="color: Fuchsia">But no other player will have access to your email address.</span>'''<br />
<br />
====Name Fields ====<br />
The first and last name fields are required to help other players to find your player ID and to add you to a game that you have agreed to join. <br><br />
Both name fields are limited to a maximum of 25 characters.<br />
<br />
=== Help ===<br />
Pressing the '''Help''' button on the log in form will transfer you to this WIKI page. Use the back arrow button to return to BOARD18.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Player ID? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Player ID?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that your Player ID be Emailed to you.<br />
<br />
=== Forgot your Password? ===<br />
Pressing the '''Forgot your Password?''' button on the log in form will present you with a form for requesting that a temporary password be Emailed to you. <br><br />
You will be required to replace this temporary password when you next log in.<br />
<br />
=== Remember Me ===<br />
Checking the '''Remember Me''' box on the log in form will cause BOARD18 to track you via a cookie and to log you back in automatically if you get accidentally disconnected or if your session times out. <br><br />
This is an optional convenience that you may ignore. Depending how you have set your security options on your browser this feature may be disabled.<br />
<br />
== The BOARD18 Main Page ==<br />
After successfully logging in to BOARD18 you will enter the Main Page. <br><br />
The Main Page contains a table of the '''Active''' games that you are currently playing. <br><br />
'''Completed''' games will not appear here. But they will appear on the '''View All Games''' page. <br />
<br />
[[File:board18Main.png]]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger; color: Fuchsia"><br />
Clicking on the name of a listed game will start a game session for that game.</span><br><br />
Clicking on the '''Edit''' button for a listed game will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action Page"]] for that game.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Make New Game''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Creating A Game|"Start a New Game Session"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''View All Games''' will link to the<br />
[[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|"View All Games in the Database"]] page.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Administration''' will link to the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.6 Player Profile|"Modify Player Profile"]] page.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">This same '''MENU''' button appears on most BOARD18 pages but the menu choices<br />
and menu style will be different from page to page.</span><br />
<br />
== Features Common to most Main Menus ==<br />
* Pressing the '''Help''' button in a main menu on most pages will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on the '''Help''' button in a main menu on the map and market pages will open a sub menu.<br />
* Pressing '''Player's Guide''' on this sub menu will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br />
* Hovering on '''Useful Links''' on this sub menu will open a sub menu of useful links relevant to this game.<br />
* Pressing the '''About BOARD18''' button in any main menu will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br />
<br />
== Playing A Game ==<br />
The actual game board and stock chart do NOT support drag and drop functionality. But they do support use of both the left and right mouse buttons. <br><span style="color: Fuchsia">Most movements of tiles and tokens are not saved to the database until the move is '''Accepted'''.</span><br>The active tile or token will appear transparent until its move is '''Accepted'''. <br>Accepted moves can be backed out using the '''Undo Move''' menu option.<br />
<br />
=== The Trays ===<br />
====Selecting Trays====<br />
The left sidebar on the Game Board and the Stock Market pages contains the active tray beneath a tray selection drop down menu. Clicking on the name of a tray in this drop down menu makes that tray the active tray. <br />
<br />
====Selecting Tiles or Tokens from the Active Tray====<br />
The tiles or tokens in the active tray are displayed with a count of available items in the upper left corner. (But there is no such count for stock market tokens.) If the count is zero then the tile or token is greyed out and cannot be selected. Clicking on a tile or token in the active tray will select that tile or token and it will be highlighted with a red background.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tiles on the Map====<br />
When a tile on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking on the hex. '''The tile will be automatically centered in the hex.''' The dropped tile has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (rotated) before it is permanently placed with the accept move command or the ENTER key. If there is already a tile on that map hex then that tile will be removed when the dropped tile is is permanently placed.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Map====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a map hex by clicking anywhere on the hex. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
====Dropping Tokens on the Market====<br />
When a token on the active tray is highlighted with a red background (selected), it can be dropped on a market box by clicking anywhere in the box. The token will be placed at the point that is clicked. The dropped token has NOT yet been permanently placed and can be further adjusted (flipped or moved) before it is permanently placed with either the accept move command or the ENTER key.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Board or Market ===<br />
If you left click on a hex with a temporary [transparent] tile then the tile will rotate 60°.<br><br />
If you left click on a hex or box with a temporary [transparent] token then the token will move to the position clicked.<br><br />
If you left click anywhere else then you may get a context menu. <br />
Right clicks can also cause context menus to be displayed.<br />
<br />
=== The Context Menus ===<br />
A right click on the game board (or the stock market) can cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
A left click on a hex or market box that is not selected can also cause a context menu to be displayed. <br><br />
Whether this context menu is displayed at all and the selection of items in the context menu are both dependent on the '''context''' of the click event. <br />
<br />
The context menu that is displayed may support accept move, cancel move, rotate, flip,<br />
re-position, delete, multi-item and other tile and/or token commands. <br><br />
Try right or left clicking on hexes (or price boxes) which have various items on them to familiarize yourself with these menus.<br />
<br />
=== Clicking The Main Menu ===<br />
The primary [but perhaps not the best] way to navigate and take actions in BOARD18 is the Main Menu. This menu can be accessed by clicking on the "Menu" button that appears toward the upper left of most BOARD18 pages. The menus on the "Game Board" and "Stock Market" pages are over-viewed in this section. <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] <br />
for many menu items are shown (in parenthesis) in these menus.<br />
<br />
==== The Game Board Main Menu ====<br />
[[File:MenuMap51.png|frame]]<br />
[[File:MenuMap50.png|frame]]<br />
The images to the right show the main menus for the game board. The upper image shows the menu that will be <br />
displayed when there is no active tile or token. The lower image shows the menu that will be displayed when <br />
an active tile or token exists. <br><br />
As you can see, only the first two menu items are different in the second menu.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active tile or token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active tile or token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Hide/Show''' hides the tokens and tiles on the map or re-shows them if they are hidden.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player%27s_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Stock Market Main Menu ====<br />
The main menus for the stock market are similar to the main menu for the game board.<br><br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Undo Move''' causes the last change to the database to be backed out.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Redo Move''' causes the last backed out change to be redone in the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Accept Move''' causes the active token to be added to the database.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Cancel Move''' causes the active token to be discarded.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Go To''' causes a Go To sub-menu to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Snapshots''' causes a [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]] to be displayed.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''Help''' causes a Help sub-menu to be displayed. See below.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''About BOARD18''' will open the "About BOARD18" pop-up window.<br><br />
Clicking on '''MENU''' and '''BOARD18 Project''' will open the "BOARD18 Web Site" in a separate tab or window.<br />
<br />
You can avoid using this menu for common functions by using the <br />
[[Player's_Guide_V2.0_Keyboard_Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]] instead.<br />
<br />
==== The Help Sub-Menu ====<br />
[[File:MapHelp5.png|frame]]<br />
On the game board and stock chart pages, the '''Help''' menu choice works differently than it does<br />
on other pages. On these two pages hovering over it opens a sub-menu like the one shown to the right.<br />
<br />
Clicking on '''Player's Guide''' will open this "Player's Guide" in another browser tab.<br><br />
In adition there may be more menu choices below the <span style="color: Green">-- Useful Links --</span> line.<br />
<br />
There are two potential sources for these useful links. <br />
Some can be provided as part of the game box. Others may be created for this specific game via the <br />
[[Player's Guide V2.4 Miscellaneous Action Page|"Miscellaneous Action"]] facility.<br />
<br />
=== Short Cut Buttons ===<br />
To assist people who are using portable devices without keyboards, two short cut buttons have been placed<br />
next to the Menu button. This was done in Release 2.7.8.<br />
<br />
==== The Map/Market Button ====<br />
<br />
==== The Map/Market Button ====<br />
<br />
== Additional Pages of this Guide ==<br />
The following is a list of the Player's Guide pages that are linked to from this page.<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.6 Creating A Game|Creating A Game]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.0 Keyboard Shortcuts|Keyboard Shortcuts]]<br />
* [[Player's_Guide_V2.6_Game Session Edit Page|Editing A Game Session]] <br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.7 Player Profile|Player Profile]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Snapshots|Snapshots sub-menu]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Viewing All Games|Viewing All Games]]<br />
* [[Player's Guide V2.5 Cookies|Board18 and Cookies]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Board18Players2&diff=3115Board18Players22021-06-02T12:32:08Z<p>Rich: Issue 228 - Remove "Send Broadcast" function</p>
<hr />
<div>{{ReleaseNoticeX|2.7|Design_Document_board18Players_Page}}<br />
The board18Players2 script contains the Email functions <br />
for the board18Players page.<br />
<br />
==Function emailPlayerResult(response)==<br />
Function emailPlayerResult is the call back function for the<br />
ajax calls to emailPlayer.php and emailPlayerAll.php. It may<br />
have to process returns from multiple emails for the same call.<br />
It only needs to check for errors and it only needs to report <br />
the first error. <br />
<br />
Output from emailPlayer.php and emailPlayerAll.php<br />
is an echo return status:<br />
"success" - Email sent.<br />
"fail" - Uexpected error - This email not sent.<br />
<br />
<br />
==Function doEmail()==<br />
Function doEmail is called by the on-click method<br />
of the send email button in the oneemail form. <br />
It checks the input for missing fields and then<br />
does an ajax call to emailPlayer.php.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Design_Document_board18Players_Page&diff=3114Design Document board18Players Page2021-06-02T12:30:26Z<p>Rich: Issue 228 - Remove "Send Broadcast" function</p>
<hr />
<div>{{ReleaseNotice|2.7}}{{Design Document Index}}{{WIKI Links for BOARD18 WEB Pages}}<br />
Selecting "Manage Players" from the list of Administrator Utilities in the <br />
board18Admin.php page causes the board18Players.php page to be displayed. <br />
<br />
The board18Players.php page displays a paginated list of all <br />
players in the "players" table. This page is available only<br />
to "admin" players. This page facilitates the administration <br />
of players. Including item such as:<br />
* Showing the status and activity of all players.<br />
* Deleting a player.<br />
* Sending a email to a specific player.<br />
* Granting "admin" or "author" level to a player. <br />
<br />
'''Most of the JavaScript code for board18Players is in the <br />
[[Board18Players1|scripts/board18Players1.js]] file but all of the email <br />
related JavaScript code is in the <br />
[[Board18Players2|scripts/board18Players2.js]] file.'''<br />
<br />
The board18Players.php page also uses the [[Board18com|scripts/board18com.js]] <br />
file and some other open source JavaScript files.<br><br />
Style is supplied by the style/board18Players.css and the style/board18com.css files.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Administrator&diff=3113Administrator2021-05-31T23:54:57Z<p>Rich: /* The Manage Players Page */ removed broadcast</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
This page discusses some features of BOARD18 that are only<br />
available to "admin" [or "author"] level players. When a new<br />
instance of BOARD18 is created, the first player that is<br />
regestered via the signon page becomes an "admin" level player.<br />
Over time, other players may be changed to "admin" or "author" level. <br />
But this can only be done by an "admin" level player.<br />
<br />
An "admin" level player can be refered to as an Administrator.<br><br />
An "author" level player can, of course, be refered to as an Author.<br />
<br />
==The Administration Page==<br />
[[File:AdminUtil.png|frame]]<br />
Selecting '''Administration''' on the '''Menu''' of <br />
the '''Main''' page will bring up the Administration page. This page will always <br />
contain the '''Player Profile''' form which is described in the<br />
BOARD18 Players Guide. But for Administrators and Authors it will <br />
also contain some links in the left hand portion of the page. These links <br />
can be used to access the pages described below. <br />
<br />
Each of these pages provides <br />
administrative access to BOARD18 data stored in the database. Thus an Administrator <br />
has the ability to directly maintain these database tables.<br />
<br />
Administrators will see four such links as shown on the illustration to the near right. <br />
Authors will see only one such link as shown on the illustration to the far right.<br />
<br />
==The Manage Players Page==<br />
This page facilitates the administration of players. <br />
It contains an ordered table of all players. For each player it shows <br />
the player's name, Email address, level and activity.<br />
The table is paginated with an index in the left section of the page.<br />
<br />
Clicking on a Player ID will cause a window to open. This window contains<br />
a form which can be used to change any of the fields in the record for<br />
that player. The form also contains a button for sending a email to that<br />
specific player.<br />
<br />
The left section of the screen contains a list of all of the games associated <br />
with this player. Active games appear in green. Inactive games appear in red.<br />
Clicking on a game transfers to the form for that game.<br />
<br />
==The Manage Games Page==<br />
This page facilitates the administration of games. <br />
It contains an ordered table of all games. For each game it shows <br />
the game name, the game box name, The start and activity dates,<br />
the game status and the number of players in the game.<br />
The table is paginated with an index in the left section of the page.<br />
<br />
Clicking on a Game ID will cause a window to open. This window contains<br />
a form which can be used to change certain of the fields in the record for<br />
that game. The form also contains a button that can be used to access the <br />
form for the game box that the game is using.<br />
<br />
Below this form is a list of all of the players associated <br />
with this game. <br />
Clicking on a player Login transfers to the form for that player.<br />
<br />
==The Manage Boxes Page==<br />
This page facilitates the administration of game boxes. <br />
It contains an ordered table of all game boxes. For each game box it shows <br />
the box name, the box version, the creation and activity dates,<br />
the game box status and the number of games using the game box.<br />
The table is paginated with an index in the left section of the page.<br />
<br />
Clicking on a Box ID will cause a window to open. This window contains<br />
a form which can be used to change certain of the fields in the record for<br />
that game box.<br />
<br />
Below this form is a list of all of the games that are using <br />
this game box. <br />
Clicking on a Game ID transfers to the form for that game.<br />
<br />
==The Load Game Box Page==<br />
This page facilitates the uploading of game boxes to BOARD18. <br />
It can be used either to upload a new game box or to update an existing game box.<br />
This page can be accessed by both "admin" and "author" level players.<br />
<br />
This page is fully documented on this WIKI at [[BOARD18 Author's Guide]].<br />
<br />
==Batch Utilities==<br />
In addition to the BOARD18 pages described above, there also<br />
exists a number of batch utilities that can be of use to <br />
BOARD18 administrators. Many of these utilities are documented<br />
in this WIKI. The '''utilities''' directory, which is part of<br />
the BOARD18 download, contains these utilities and also some<br />
supporting files for them.<br />
<br />
===Creating a BOARD18 Web Site===<br />
The '''board18db.txt''' file is used when creating the database <br />
for a new BOARD18 web site. This process is documented on the<br />
[[How To Create a BOARD18 WEB Site]] page. This How To document<br />
also explains how to initialize the three BOARD18 configuration files. <br />
<br />
===Updating a BOARD18 Web Site===<br />
The '''BOARD18update''' and the '''control.sh''' files are used <br />
when updating an existing BOARD18 web site. This process is <br />
documented on the [[How To Update a BOARD18 WEB Site]] page. <br />
<br />
===Mass Loading Game Boxes to a BOARD18 Web Site===<br />
The Load Game Box page, described above, can be used to load game<br />
boxes, one by one, into the BOARD18 database. But this can become<br />
tedious when many game boxes have to be loaded at once. In this<br />
case, the '''massLoadBoxes.php''' utility may be more convenient.<br />
This utility is documented in the second part of the <br />
[[How To Load Board18 Game Boxes]] page. <br />
<br />
===Other Files in the Utility Directory ===<br />
There are quite a few other files in the '''utility''' directory.<br />
You can find out more about them in other parts of this WIKI. They<br />
are of more interest to developers and testers of the BOARD18 code<br />
base. A list of them can be found in the '''README.txt''' file in<br />
the '''utility''' directory.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Note_for_upgrade_to_Release_2.7.6&diff=3112Note for upgrade to Release 2.7.62021-05-27T17:05:20Z<p>Rich: total rewrite</p>
<hr />
<div>Release 2.7.6 has been deprecated and should not be used. Changes related to it have been backed out of subsequent releases.<br />
<br />
All subsequent releases can now be upgraded to from a release prior to release 2.7.6 without performing any extra steps.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3111BOARD18 Web Sites2021-05-03T15:17:25Z<p>Rich: /* Site Notes */ prod2 limitations removed</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
==BOARD18 Production Web Sites==<br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">This site is deprecated. Please do not use it for new games.</span><br><br><br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<br />
==Site Notes==<br />
The '''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]''' site, which has been in service for over a year, has become a bit overloaded.<br><br />
In an attempt to alleviate this situation the '''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]''' site was created in April of 2021. <br><br><br />
The prod2.board18.org site now supports all available BOARD18 game boxes.<br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3110BOARD18 Web Sites2021-05-03T15:14:43Z<p>Rich: /* BOARD18 Production Web Sites */ added deprecated note</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
==BOARD18 Production Web Sites==<br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">This site is deprecated. Please do not use it for new games.</span><br><br><br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<br />
==Site Notes==<br />
The '''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]''' site, which has been in service for over a year, has become a bit overloaded.<br><br />
In an attempt to alleviate this situation the '''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]''' site was created in April of 2021. <br><br />
Unlike the prod1.board18.org site, the prod2.board18.org site does not yet support all avaiable BOARD18 game boxes.<br><br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZN1xJc8IDlDmazMhSSVrCPQ2BZq44bA26ERzW9MmRuU/ This link] points to a list of the game boxes supported by the prod2.board18.org site.'''</span><br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BID18xx_Player%27s_Guide&diff=3109BID18xx Player's Guide2021-05-03T11:14:19Z<p>Rich: /* Introduction */ added note</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
BID18xx is a utility for certain play by email 18xx games.<br> <br />
This utility moderates the hidden bids that are used to <br />
determine player order in games such as 18FL and version 1 of 18West.<br><br />
It was written to be used with BOARD18 but it should be <br />
usable with any Play By Email game system that supports 18xx games.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">The BOARD18 project does not currently support a BID18xx web site.</span><br />
<br />
== The Bid ID ==<br />
[[File:BID18xxStartPage.png|frame]]<br />
[[File:BID18xxSubmitPage.png|frame]]<br />
Each bid session is assigned a '''Bid ID''' when it is started on the '''Start New Player Order Bid Session''' page.<br><br />
This '''Bid ID''' will be displayed on every email and every page produced by BID18xx.<br />
<br />
== The Game Name ==<br />
At the start of each bid session you will be asked to enter a '''Game Name''' on the '''Start New Player Order Bid Session''' page.<br><br />
This '''Game Name''' is only used by BID18xx and is separate from the BOARD18 game name. But you are encouraged to use the same name in both places.<br />
<br />
== How To Start A Bid Session ==<br />
There are two ways to kickoff a bid session:<br />
# If you are using BOARD18 to play 18FL then you can go to the map or market page and use MENU/Help/BID18xx.<br />
# If not then, on your browser address bar, type https://bid18xx.board18.org<br />
This will display the '''Welcome To BID18xx''' page. <br><br />
Please read all of the instructions on that page.<br><br />
Then select the number of players and press the '''Start the bid setup''' button.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">Please be careful to have only one player start the bid session. <br><br />
Having more than one bid session active for the same game could be very confusing!</span><br />
<br />
== How To Setup A Bid Session ==<br />
You should now see the '''Start New 18xx Player Order Bid Session''' page.<br><br />
A scaled down example of this page, for a 3 player game, is shown to the right.<br />
<br />
Enter the player names and the player email addresses on the page.<br><br />
The order in which the players are entered here will be used to break ties in the bidding.<br><br />
You can use the [https://www.random.org/lists/ list randomizer] at random.org to determine this order.<br />
<br />
And finally, press the '''Process Form''' button.<br />
<br />
The BID18xx will now send a Bid Request email to each player.<br><br />
Each player should click on the link in this email to be directed to the Bid Request page.<br><br />
A scaled down example of this page, for a 3 player game, is shown to the right.<br><br />
When all players have submitted their bids the results will be published via a second email.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BID18xx&diff=3108BID18xx2021-05-03T11:13:09Z<p>Rich: added note</p>
<hr />
<div>BID18xx is a utility for certain play by email 18xx games.<br> <br />
This utility moderates the hidden bids that are used to <br />
determine player order in games such as 18FL and 18West.<br><br />
It was written to be used with BOARD18 but it should be <br />
usable with any Play By Email game system that supports 18xx games.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: Fuchsia">The BOARD18 project does not currently support a BID18xx web site.</span><br />
<br />
==Some BID18xx related pages that you may find of interest==<br />
<br />
# '''[[BID18xx Player's Guide]]'''<br />
# [[How to Report a Problem]]<br />
# [[Design_Document_For_BID18xx|BID18xx Design Document]]<br />
# [[BID18xx Implementation Guide]]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3107BOARD18 Web Sites2021-04-24T01:02:39Z<p>Rich: Modified yesterday's edit</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
==BOARD18 Production Web Sites==<br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]'''</span><br><br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]'''</span><br />
<br />
==Site Notes==<br />
The '''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]''' site, which has been in service for over a year, has become a bit overloaded.<br><br />
In an attempt to alleviate this situation the '''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]''' site was created in April of 2021. <br><br />
Unlike the prod1.board18.org site, the prod2.board18.org site does not yet support all avaiable BOARD18 game boxes.<br><br />
<span style="font-size: larger">'''[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZN1xJc8IDlDmazMhSSVrCPQ2BZq44bA26ERzW9MmRuU/ This link] points to a list of the game boxes supported by the prod2.board18.org site.'''</span><br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=BOARD18_Web_Sites&diff=3106BOARD18 Web Sites2021-04-22T14:26:21Z<p>Rich: Rewrite of part 1</p>
<hr />
<div>__NOTOC__<br />
The BOARD18 project currently supports two production BOARD18 web sites for<br />
general use. <br>In addition we provide the means for others<br />
to create board18 web sites of their own.<br>We would be happy <br />
to maintain a list of such other production sites, but we currently know of none.<br />
<br />
The '''[http://prod1.board18.org/ prod1.board18.org]''' site, which has been in service for over a year, has become a bit overloaded.<br><br />
In an attempt to alleviate this situation the '''[http://prod2.board18.org/ prod2.board18.org]''' site was created in April of 2021. <br><br />
Unlike the prod1.board18.org site, the prod2.board18.org site does not yet support all avaiable BOARD18 game boxes.<br><br />
<span style="color: Green">'''[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZN1xJc8IDlDmazMhSSVrCPQ2BZq44bA26ERzW9MmRuU/ This link] points to a list of the game boxes supported by the prod2.board18.org site.'''</span><br />
<br />
==How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18==<br />
So you and your friends have decided to play an 18xx game via email. And you have also decided to use BOARD18 for this game. So how to begin? <br><br />
[[How_to_set_up_an_18xx_game_using_BOARD18|<br />
<span style="color: Green">Use this link to access the document '''How to set up an 18xx game using BOARD18'''.</span>]]<br />
<br>This document contains step by step instructions for setting up a game.<br />
<br />
==See Also==<br />
Here are some links to 18xx related sites.<br />
===General===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAZHpJODJ4OGc5SVk 18xx Rules]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/18xx 18xx Mail Group]<br />
* [http://www.18xx.net/forum.htm Blackwater Station]<br />
* [http://www.fwtwr.com/18xx/index.htm Keith Thomasson on the Web]<br />
<br />
===PBEM Related===<br />
* [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-wwptMMyHTAN0IzYlpMVS1CT3M PBEM Spreadsheet Templates]<br />
* [https://groups.io/g/BOARD18 BOARD18 Mail Group This group is used for BOARD18 announcements and to organize PBEM games]</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Note_for_upgrade_to_Release_2.7.6&diff=3105Note for upgrade to Release 2.7.62021-03-17T15:57:39Z<p>Rich: </p>
<hr />
<div>Before upgrading to release 2.7.6 or any subsequent release from a release prior to release 2.7.6 please perform the following procedure.<br />
<br />
# Start a terminal session on the instance to be upgraded.<br />
# Go to the utility directory. '''cd utility'''<br />
# Edit config.php. '''pico config.php'''<br />
# Add the following lines to the end of the file.<br />
<pre><br />
// The SET_MET value is used to set the session wide<br />
// MAX_EXECUTION_TIME value in milliseconds. Default is 0.<br />
// A value of 0 indicates no timeouts will occur. <br />
define('SET_MET', 0);<br />
</pre><br />
Then save the edit session.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Note_for_upgrade_to_Release_2.7.6&diff=3104Note for upgrade to Release 2.7.62021-03-17T15:47:35Z<p>Rich: </p>
<hr />
<div>Before upgrading to release 2.7.6 or any subsequent release from a release prior to release 2.7.6 please perform the following procedure.<br />
<br />
# Start a terminal session on the instance to be upgraded.<br />
# Go to the utility directory. '''cd utility'''<br />
# Edit config.php. '''pico config.php'''<br />
# Add the following lines to the end of the file.<br />
<pre><br />
// The SET_MET value is used to set the session wide<br />
// MAX_EXECUTION_TIME value in milliseconds. Default is 0.<br />
// A value of 0 indicates no timeouts will occur. <br />
define('SET_MET', 0);<br />
</pre><br />
Then save the edit session.</div>Richhttps://wiki.board18.org/index.php?title=Note_for_upgrade_to_Release_2.7.6&diff=3103Note for upgrade to Release 2.7.62021-03-16T20:29:40Z<p>Rich: Initial page contents</p>
<hr />
<div>Before upgrading to release 2.7.6 or any subsequent release from a release prior to release 2.7.6 please perform the following procedure.<br />
<br />
# Start a terminal session on the instance to be upgraded.<br />
# Go to the utility directory. '''cd utility'''<br />
# Edit config.php. '''pico config.php'''<br />
# Add the following lines to the end of the file.<br />
<pre><br />
// The SET_MET value is used to set the session wide<br />
// MAX_EXECUTION_TIME value. Default is 0.<br />
// A value of 0 indicates no timeouts will occur. <br />
define('SET_MET', 0);<br />
</pre><br />
Then save the edit session.</div>Rich