Don't forget!  8:30pm, Central Time, phoenyx.net port 7777 ...

	Last week's meeting was on Gamer Tools, or, as 
	it was subtitled, 
	"Why Karen Writes Her Own Software Instead of Just Using Majordomo."

	Discussion (logs coming soon!) ensued about some of the
	following details:

	1) Game Tools: Wants
	One of the responsibilities of everyone in the Phoenyx 
	community is to keep the staff informed about what they
	would like to see... in the way of features, dream programs,
	and whatnot.  
	
	** PLUG:
	Being part of the meetings is almost like being a part of
	policy.  It means that you're there, in real time, saying
	"Yes" or "No" to what you need to make your experiences with
	the Phoenyx network better.  If you can't be at the meetings,
	(please, out of USA folks, let us know what alternate 
	times will work for you!) please pass it on... either for
	discussion or privately, either will work.  ***

	2) Game Tools: Priorities
	A lot of the problem with these side projects is the time
	they take.  Programming time is at a premium on something
	that's done as a volunteer.    
	
	What you can do to help?  

	Check out the page at:
	
	There are a number of positions open that would free up
	necessary administration time. These include (but are
	not limited to):

	Game Application Reviewers
	Gamemaster Coaches
	News Submitters
	MOO Wizards and Hosts
	Banner Exchange Manager
	and Perl Coders...

	3) CYBERBOARD
	

	The commentary is that there have been a number of games
	where there is at least an occasional use for maps.
	It is free, but a "lite version" has been in the bin of
	"inspiration" for Phoenyx tools.
	
	Overall impression: Not a high priority, wouldn't really
	be used by the people at the chat.

	*** Don't forget to register your opinion. ***

	4) V_MAP
	

	Pretty much for the same purpose, mapping scenes and 
	scenarios.  

	5) PBEM TOOLS
	

	PBeM Tools differs from the ordinary mailing list functions
	(primarily) by using a formatting language that allows you 
	the ease of doing in one message what you may have previously
	needed multiple messages for, as well as some archiving
	(compiling stories from individual character viewpoints is
	neat) as well as a few other neat functions.
	
	The Phoenyx has a page for it at:
	

	The prime disadvantage of this for users is that one way
	or another SOMEONE will have to format the player turns
	so the program can interpret them. 

	It was suggested that there could be a "magic" e-mail address
	that would marks the message as an official "move."  It would
	still really ask players to diligently mark "non-move posts"
	or comments as that.
	
	It will not handle "free verse."  

	Overall Commentary: IF the Phoenyx were to impose (or
	even imply) posting standards, the Turn Language idea
	may be not so inconvenient.  That's a big IF, though,
	and more conversation about PBeMTools may be needed.

	6) Dice Roller for d666.

	Just a reminder.

	7) CHAT and MOO Tools.

	Do remember that you can use the existing rooms on the
	MOO for real-time chat.  We didn't really talk about additional
	tools, just more protocol on who should use the MOO, what
	kind of support it needs, and remodelling it for better
	documentation and more gamemaster control.

	8) Splitting LISTOWNERS or otherwise adjucating it.

The quote:
Silver says, "Good question.  I figured I'd make the current
Listowners a subtopic of the community/volunteer list."


	***
	NEXT MEETING:
	No agenda was discussed previous to the close of last
	meeting, but we have a number of things on the table,
	and you are, of course, welcome to join and make your
	opinions known!
	***


// Mb //
In no way are my opinions affiliated with the Phoenyx, nor am I an
employee or anything but a volunteer flunky to remind people of the
meetings so I have more people to play with...erm.  Should any opinion of
mine match someone else's with any relation to the domain it is sheer and
uncertain coincidence.  End of disclaimer.



-- --------------------------------------------------------------
Game(s): The Glitter and the Glamour
Listowner tools are found at http://www.phoenyx.net/listowners/