From: hill@norman.VI.RI.CMU.EDU (Robert Hill)
Newsgroups: rec.games.netrek
Subject: ZZnew Guy's objections
Date: 15 Oct 92 20:24:46 GMT
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon

ZZnew Guy writes

> 	So the info-borg I complained about is the new NBR client, eh?  
> Isn't the NBR client supposed to be part of the NBR package, along with 
> an NBR server?  It seems perfectly clear that the new features are 
> designed at client-side additions, not server-client interations.  Why 
> would someone write a the new client in this way if they intended to 
> write an improved server to go along with it?  It is clear that the NBR 
> is, as I have rather expected all along, an excuse to replace the old 
> client with a new "better" client (Read: info-borg).  And you've bought 
> it.

Er, no.  The client you are complaining about is not the NBR client.  It  
has only added some features that will be in the NBR.  I guess people  
wanted some features now (myself included) and didn't want to wait on the  
NBR release.  I'm glad to see some people who wanted to see the game  
improve were willing to help us out.  They *CERTAINLY* didn't deserve the  
shit you gave them in your post.

The client NBR is not the same as the server NBR.  I'm sure some  
integration will take place when everything is ready, but there is no  
reason why we can't have a client release and not a server release.  The  
NBR server is also being made by the author of the client in question.

Of course the NBR is an attempt to replace the old client with a better  
one.  That's what program releases are for..to release a program/product  
better than the past ones.  Why object to making the client interface  
better?  I for one was REALLY (REALLY) sick of the message window.  The  
newer clients allow you to "warp" to the message window or even type  
directly on the screen...thank god for this advancement.

>       People who use it assure me that it makes no difference 
> what-so-ever.  Do I need to say that this is bullshit?  If it made no 
> difference, then why would someone have gone to the trouble of writing 
> it?  Isn't this the same arguement that the person who blessed the Beef 
> client used (As least he had the sense not to put it up for FTP.)?  
> Everyone was quite upset about that.

Of course it makes a difference.  I think most people who have told you  
that mean that it really doesn't change the balance of the game in favor  
of those who use these clients.  It really doesn't, but it does help the  
user in many ways.  The more people use these clients, the less of an  
impact they will have.

Speaking out against the  blessing of the beef borg was one thing.   
Perhaps none of us should've bitched as much as we did.  The idea of a  
blessed info-borg isn't so bad if everyone had access to it.  Also, the  
beef borg has some features which were not included in the NBR release,  
and therefore, I would have a hard time justifying the blessing of the  
client.

> 	As for Rob, I don't want you to appologize for me.  I say what 
> mean.

Sorry..just figured you misunderstood.  Now that I see that you are just  
_plain_ wrong...I can't say anything to excuse your behavior.  There are  
much better ways to get your point accross than to flame the whole net.   
No wonder CMU has the rep. that it does.

> ZZnew guy

Rob
aka Spaceace!