[MUD-Dev] Re: Prepositions and parsing

[Chris Gray]

[Chris L:]

:True.	Its is comparitively easy to map from a graphical entry to an
:unambiguous textual command.  However I don't want to drop the texzt
:interface, and given that, _and_ the graphical presentation, I am going to
:have users trying to enter:
:
:  shoot the paper which is under the book which is on the table
:
:in broken half-understood pidgen english.
:
:>That leaves what to do with ambiguous forms, and maybe just
:>not allowing them is enough?
:
:Which is why I can't do this.

OK, your requirements demand you allow that kind of complex input, and
accept attempts at it from less-than-perfect English typers (most of us!)
In previous notes we have discussed ways in which the computer can attempt
to figure out what it was the player wanted it to do. This will likely
often not be what the player intended the computer try to do. So, are
you planning on supporting any general "undo" command? I do realise this
is virtually impossible in a multi-player environment. The reason I ask
is that I, as a player, would much rather have the computer refuse to
do something potentially ambiguous, instead of going ahead without my
confirmation and doing something that I had not intended it do. I would
of course be happy with a system setting that told it my preference.

--
Chris Gray   cg at ami-cg.GraySage.Edmonton.AB.CA