Communication - Revision history

V453000 at 10:26, 14 April 2013

2013-04-14T10:26:57Z

^Spike^: Category

2010-08-31T18:13:43Z

KenjiE20: Remove Train Grouping, not really communication and deserves it's own article

2009-10-24T15:28:03Z

Remove Train Grouping, not really communication and deserves it's own article

Thraxian: Replaced underscore with bullets, minor reformatting, added links

2008-09-18T17:11:14Z

Replaced underscore with bullets, minor reformatting, added links

Rob: added examples, adjusted explanations

2008-09-18T16:06:15Z

added examples, adjusted explanations

Rob: apparently the bullets do work

2008-09-18T16:00:09Z

apparently the bullets do work

Rob: converted to Sign template

2008-09-18T15:59:11Z

converted to Sign template

Tneo: /* Sign List */

2008-09-18T06:00:26Z

‎Sign List

Thraxian: Attempting to add formatting to resemble in-game signs

2008-09-18T01:48:32Z

Attempting to add formatting to resemble in-game signs

Thraxian: Initial release

2008-09-17T19:18:02Z

Initial release

New page

This article is a reference to the different types of communication expected to be used in coop server games.

Communication is not restricted to only the IRC and in-game chat, but through the proper use of signs, station names, and other in-game tools, players can convey information to each other. Using the formats displayed below will ensure that players can easily find information they need and that we are all consistent in our communication.

== Sign List ==

The sign list displays an alphabetical list of all the signs in the game. To ensure that important signs are placed at the top of the list, it is common to add spaces at the front of the sign. These spaces cause the sign to float to the top of the list (spaces are alphabetically before "A").

The following conventions should be used when placing signs in coop games:

''Notes:
*'' to improve readability on the wiki, underscore characters ("_") are used in place of spaces. Be sure to use spaces when making the actual sign.
*'' trailing spaces are optional, but help make the sign symmetrical

'''Game-Specific Signs''' use 2 spaces, 2 exclamation marks, 1 space, text, 1 space, 2 exclamation marks, 2 spaces
* __!!_MESSAGE BOARD_!!__
* __!!_NETWORK PLAN_!!__

'''Hubs''' use 2 spaces, hubname (BBH or SLH with two-digit number), 1 space, author (slash followed by name)
* __BBHxx_/author
* __SLHxx_/author

'''Other signs''':
* '''Todo Signs''' should use .... (need notation for this. Possibly prefix with "_+")
* '''Problem Detection Signs''' should use ... (need notation for this. Possibly prefix with "_!")

== Station Names ==

All major stations should be named using a specific format. Major stations include the stations marked on the plan as drop/pickup stations, as well as major transfer stations (like pax ICE terminals). Other stations (like primary industries) can optionally use a prefix to assist in sorting.

'''Major Stations''' use 1 space, industry type in all caps, 1 space, optional identifer and 1 space, PICKUP or DROP
* _FACTORY_PICKUP
* _OIL_NORTH_DROP
* _GOODS_MYTOWN_DROP

'''ICE Terminals''' use 1 space, then a 3-character city identifier, and an optional directional indicator
* _DNW
* _CRF NORTH

'''Minor Stations''' can optionally use a prefix to group them together (no leading spaces), or a suffix to indicate cargo type, and are typically mixed-case
* Author:StationName
* SL##:StationName
* Fruntleigh_North_Livestock

== Train Groups ==

Trains may be grouped according to cargo type, route (especially with ICE), or other criteria. The group names should be self-explanatory. When cloning a train, the new train will belong to the same group as the one it was cloned from.

''(need additional info here)

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
-'''Hubs''' use 2 spaces, hubname (BBH or SLH, 1 space, two-digit number), 1 space, author (slash followed by name), 2 spaces
+'''Hubs''' use 1 space, hubname (BBH or SLH, 1 space, two-digit number), 1 space, author (slash followed by name)
 : Hubs include [[BBH]]s, [[SLH]]s, and any other significant merge or join in the track.  It is currently not necessary to sign connections from a [[Sideline]] to a minor station.
-:: {{Sign| &bull;&bull;BBH&bull;xx&bull;/author&bull;&bull;}}
+:: {{Sign| &bull;BBH&bull;xx&bull;/author}}
-:: {{Sign| &bull;&bull;SLH&bull;xx&bull;/author&bull;&bull;}}
+:: {{Sign| &bull;SLH&bull;xx&bull;/author}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:13, 31 August 2010
Line 60:		Line 60:
	:: {{Sign\|SL##:StationName}}		:: {{Sign\|SL##:StationName}}
	:: {{Sign\|Fruntleigh•North•Livestock}}		:: {{Sign\|Fruntleigh•North•Livestock}}
		+
		+	[[Category:Guides]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 24 October 2009
Line 60:		Line 60:
	:: {{Sign\|SL##:StationName}}		:: {{Sign\|SL##:StationName}}
	:: {{Sign\|Fruntleigh•North•Livestock}}		:: {{Sign\|Fruntleigh•North•Livestock}}
−
−
−	~~== Train Groups ==~~
−
−	Trains may be grouped according to cargo type, route (especially with ICE), or other criteria. The group names should be self-explanatory. When cloning a train, the new train will belong to the same group as the one it was cloned from.
−
−	~~''(need additional info here)~~

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ''Notes:
-*'' To improve readability on the wiki, underscore characters ("_") are used in place of spaces. Be sure to use spaces when making the actual sign.
+*'' To improve readability on the wiki, bullet characters ("&bull;") are used in place of spaces. Be sure to use spaces when making the actual sign.
-*'' trailing spaces are optional, but help make the sign symmetrical
+*'' Trailing spaces are optional, but help make the sign symmetrical.
 '''Game-Specific Signs''' use 2 spaces, 2 exclamation marks, 1 space, text, 1 space, 2 exclamation marks, 2 spaces
-* {{Sign|__!!_MESSAGE BOARD_!!__}}
+: Game signs are pre-defined signs that exist in all games, such as Message Board, Network Plan, and Voting Board.
-* {{Sign| __!!_NETWORK PLAN_!!__}}
+:: {{Sign|&bull;&bull;!!&bull;MESSAGE BOARD&bull;!!&bull;&bull;}}
-* {{Sign| __!!_VOTING BOARD_!!__}}
+:: {{Sign| &bull;&bull;!!&bull;NETWORK PLAN&bull;!!&bull;&bull;}}
-'''Other signs''':
+'''Todo Signs''' should use 1 space, plus sign, short description of need.  Additional details of what needs to be done should be located on nearby signs.  The "+" indicates that something needs to be added.
-* '''Todo Signs''' should use .... (need notation for this.  Possibly prefix with "_+")
+: Todos are items that have not been completed in areas where trains do not run.  For example, an unserviced SL can have a Add Priorities Todo item.  Once trains start using the SL, the Todo should be rewritten as a Problem (see above).
-* '''Problem Detection Signs''' should use 1 space, exclamation mark, description of error. Sometimes the error might just point out something bad, like _!BAD or _!needs balancer. Something is considered to be bad if it is not following building guidelines as posted throughout the Wiki. Other signs might have a simple description followed by several other signs explaining what is wrong or how it can be fixed.
+:: {{Sign|&bull;+Add Priorities}}
 == Station Names ==
-All major stations should be named using a specific format.  Major stations include the stations marked on the plan as drop/pickup stations, as well as major transfer stations (like pax ICE terminals).  Other stations (like primary industries) can optionally use a prefix to assist in sorting.
+All major stations should be named using a specific format.  Major stations include the stations marked on the plan as drop/pickup stations, as well as major transfer stations (like pax [[Gametype:ICE SBahn|ICE]] terminals).  Other stations (like primary industries) can optionally use a prefix to assist in sorting.
 '''Major Stations''' use 1 space, industry type in all caps, 1 space, optional identifier and 1 space, PICKUP or DROP
-* {{Sign|_FACTORY_PICKUP}}
+:: {{Sign|&bull;FACTORY&bull;PICKUP}}
-* {{Sign|_OIL_NORTH_DROP}}
+:: {{Sign|&bull;OIL&bull;NORTH&bull;DROP}}
-* {{Sign|_GOODS_MYTOWN_DROP}}
+:: {{Sign|&bull;GOODS&bull;MYTOWN&bull;DROP}}
 '''ICE Terminals''' use 1 space, then a 3-character city identifier, and an optional directional indicator
-* {{Sign|_DNW}}
+:: {{Sign|&bull;DNW}}
-* {{Sign|_CRF NORTH}}
+:: {{Sign|&bull;CRF NORTH}}
 '''Minor Stations''' can optionally use a prefix to group them together (no leading spaces), or a suffix to indicate cargo type, and are typically mixed-case
-* {{Sign|Author:StationName}}
+:: {{Sign|Author:StationName}}
-* {{Sign|SL##:StationName}}
+:: {{Sign|SL##:StationName}}
-* {{Sign|Fruntleigh_North_Livestock}}
+:: {{Sign|Fruntleigh&bull;North&bull;Livestock}}

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 == Sign List ==
 The sign list displays an alphabetical list of all the signs in the game.  To ensure that important signs are placed at the top of the list, it is common to add spaces at the front of the sign.  These spaces cause the sign to float to the top of the list (spaces are alphabetically before "A").
@@ Line 10: / Line 9: @@
 ''Notes:
-*'' to improve readability on the wiki, underscore characters ("_") are used in place of spaces. Be sure to use spaces when making the actual sign.
+*'' To improve readability on the wiki, underscore characters ("_") are used in place of spaces. Be sure to use spaces when making the actual sign.
 *'' trailing spaces are optional, but help make the sign symmetrical
 '''Game-Specific Signs''' use 2 spaces, 2 exclamation marks, 1 space, text, 1 space, 2 exclamation marks, 2 spaces
 * {{Sign|__!!_MESSAGE BOARD_!!__}}
 * {{Sign| __!!_NETWORK PLAN_!!__}}
 '''Hubs''' use 2 spaces, hubname (BBH or SLH with two-digit number), 1 space, author (slash followed by name)
 * {{Sign| __BBHxx_/author}}
 * {{Sign| __SLHxx_/author}}
 '''Other signs''':
 * '''Todo Signs''' should use .... (need notation for this.  Possibly prefix with "_+")
-* '''Problem Detection Signs''' should use 1 space, exclamation mark, description of error. Sometimes the error might just point out something bad, lik _!BAD or _!needs balancer. Something is considered to be bad, if it is not following building guidelines as posted throughout the Wiki. Other signs might have a simple description followed by several other signs explaining what is wrong or how it can be fixed.
+* '''Problem Detection Signs''' should use 1 space, exclamation mark, description of error. Sometimes the error might just point out something bad, like _!BAD or _!needs balancer. Something is considered to be bad if it is not following building guidelines as posted throughout the Wiki. Other signs might have a simple description followed by several other signs explaining what is wrong or how it can be fixed.
 == Station Names ==
@@ Line 31: / Line 33: @@
 All major stations should be named using a specific format.  Major stations include the stations marked on the plan as drop/pickup stations, as well as major transfer stations (like pax ICE terminals).  Other stations (like primary industries) can optionally use a prefix to assist in sorting.
-'''Major Stations''' use 1 space, industry type in all caps, 1 space, optional identifer and 1 space, PICKUP or DROP
+'''Major Stations''' use 1 space, industry type in all caps, 1 space, optional identifier and 1 space, PICKUP or DROP
 * {{Sign|_FACTORY_PICKUP}}
 * {{Sign|_OIL_NORTH_DROP}}

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 '''Game-Specific Signs''' use 2 spaces, 2 exclamation marks, 1 space, text, 1 space, 2 exclamation marks, 2 spaces
-* __!!_MESSAGE BOARD_!!__
+* {{Sign|__!!_MESSAGE BOARD_!!__}}
-* __!!_NETWORK PLAN_!!__
+* {{Sign| __!!_NETWORK PLAN_!!__}}
-* <table><tr><td style="background-color:orange; color: white; font-face: Tahoma; font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;!!&nbsp;MESSAGE&nbsp;BOARD&nbsp;!!&nbsp;&nbsp;</td></tr></table>
-* <table><tr><td> <div style="background-color:orange; color: white; font-face: Tahoma; font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;&nbsp;!!&nbsp;MESSAGE&nbsp;BOARD&nbsp;!!&nbsp;&nbsp;</div></td></tr></table>
-* {{{Sign|&nbsp;&nbsp;!!&nbsp;MESSAGE&nbsp;BOARD&nbsp;!!&nbsp;&nbsp;}}}
-''Note: As evident in some of the above examples, I am attempting to make these signs look like OpenTTD signs.  I am trying to create a template to easily allow signs to be added.  Once the bugs are worked out, all the bulleted items will be converted to look like in-game signs.''
+''(The wiki bullets look really odd when combined with the template. Maybe the padding is the culprit? Without the padding, though, you the orange doesn't extand far enoug past the text, and it looks odd.)''
 '''Hubs''' use 2 spaces, hubname (BBH or SLH with two-digit number), 1 space, author (slash followed by name)
-* __BBHxx_/author
+{{Sign| __BBHxx_/author}}
-* __SLHxx_/author
+{{Sign| __SLHxx_/author}}
@@ Line 37: / Line 34: @@
 '''Major Stations''' use 1 space, industry type in all caps, 1 space, optional identifer and 1 space, PICKUP or DROP
-* _FACTORY_PICKUP
+{{Sign|_FACTORY_PICKUP}}
-* _OIL_NORTH_DROP
+{{Sign|_OIL_NORTH_DROP}}
-* _GOODS_MYTOWN_DROP
+{{Sign|_GOODS_MYTOWN_DROP}}
 '''ICE Terminals''' use 1 space, then a 3-character city identifier, and an optional directional indicator
-* _DNW
+{{Sign|_DNW}}
-* _CRF NORTH
+{{Sign|_CRF NORTH}}
 '''Minor Stations''' can optionally use a prefix to group them together (no leading spaces), or a suffix to indicate cargo type, and are typically mixed-case
-* Author:StationName
+{{Sign|Author:StationName}}
-* SL##:StationName
+{{Sign|SL##:StationName}}
-* Fruntleigh_North_Livestock
+{{Sign|Fruntleigh_North_Livestock}}