Live Cyberboard Module

[ATD]

Live CNA CB.zip.001 (900 KB)Live CNA CB.zip.002 (215.86 KB)

I have created what I hope will be the launch version of our Cyberboard module. Please note the following points: -

1. The archive is split in two (to avoid the forum single file size restriction).
2. The game file is prefixed with "CW".  Unless, or until we devise an alternative protocol this naming structure serves as an indicator of "ownership". Only the side, or perhaps later player, who owns the file may make any modification to it. This is extremely important, otherwise we risk overwriting things, which as you will appreciate would be a short route to disaster.
3. The file is based on the changes I made to the game box -  principally amendment of the TEC, Egypt / Libya border and town symbols. Additionally, the hex grid was faded a little to make the actual map and terrain more prominent. I have started to adda few hex numbers and will continue to propagate them as we proceed.
4. The file has been created as a referee version which will surely allow anything to be changed, so we need to be careful.

The purpose of the game file (.gam)  is to generate moves as (.gmv) files as we play. it may all appear confusing at first but it seems to become better with wear.

 I noticed that there are several Axis supply dump markers at Badia, for example. Why would there be more than one there? I don't think it is explicitly stated in the rules but I imagine that each hex should only contain a single dump.

[Michael Miller]

Looks really good, Tony. Re the supply markers etc. those, and a fair number of independent units, mainly artillery, need to be placed somewhere on the map by the Axis. These are shown in the sea near Bardia and Benghazi. Enjoying a little swim vacation in the Med I guess.

[ATD]

Thanks Mike. I thought that might be the case (CW forces too) - I just imagined having seen everything deployed at some stage. Imagined indeed.

[Michael Miller]

I have placed the rest of the Italian forces in the attached .gam file. Also moved 30 GaF to Bardia again. The lack of hex numbers is going to cause us grief, I think. I'd also put in a request for slightly more contrast on the numbers as my eyes are not quite what they used to be.

Attachments:

CW Turn 1 OpS 1-MM-20140606.gam (65.66 KB)

[ATD]

You seem to have overlooked point 2 in my original post Mike. The file should not have been modified! This is an extremely important point because chaos will rain if we start overwriting each other's moves.

[Michael Miller]

I'm confused now, Tony. The only change in the file was to assign start positions for the at-large Italian units and supply dumps, and fix the erroneous 30 GaF placement. Perhaps I am misunderstanding how those tasks should be accomplished?

[ATD]

As you have Mike BUT... you can only make any change whatsoever when you "own" the file. Ownership is defined and its purpose explained in point 2 above.

Suppose, while you were making changes to the file, I was busy doing the same thing at this end. What then? In programming terms we need what is called called "file locking". It avoids the problem of over-writing each others work by allowing only one party at a time write access. Here, we are doing it manually for the time being.

As the file has now been changed at your end but, in the event not yet at mine, the most expedient thing now would be to simply send me the file. If you wish to make additional changes, rename it with the prefix "Axis" (removing "CW"). This keeps ownership with you, preventing me from updating until you release the file.

I suspect that the effect will be better achieved in future by using CB correctly and creating moves (.gmv) but I don't have enough experience with the (CB) system yet to feel comfortable relying upon it just yet.

One other important point. Obviously the the described protocol assumes and relies upon only one party on the Axis side making any modifications. If more than one person may have charge of it then we need to start using unique file name prefixes for everyone.

Sorry if I have not explained the protocol well enough on these points previously but hopefully the mists have cleared now.

[Michael Miller]

Italian deployments completed in attached .gam file.

Attachments:

Axis Turn 1 OpS 1-Referee.gam (65.56 KB)

[ATD]

That's great Mike. just to confirm, the axis name prefix indicates possession is still with you and precludes me from updating the file (which is fine). At some point it will need to be released to the Commonwealth, so that the variable disposition units can be positioned.

[Michael Miller]

Sure. I should consult with Tim before we consider this Axis setup final, but I anticipate it will be.

[ATD]

You've placed everything? Truck convoys and supply dumps? : )

[Michael Miller]

Truck convoys remain to place. I think Tim had them set, but don't know exactly where.

[ATD]

Which is why the supply workbook had no entries? Tim???

[Michael Miller]

I was able to extract the CB files. Of course I then realized that I had made quite a few changes in the interim, but I was able to merge those in again. I'm also still not sure how we represent units being attached and detached from parent formations in CB.

[ATD]

Didn't you see my message about not changing it? What about changes made here in the meantime - you see what I mean? If we don't maintain a strict discipline, it will be a recipe for disaster.