Hi Alex/Alf & whoever else is interested

Back in another topic, Alf wrote:

The compiled help file is good, but I sometimes like a printed manual. Has anyone done a printable help file, tutorial, etc.?

and Alex replied;

Al a.k.a MaDbRiT has made PDF conversions of the help file in the past, though I'm not sure how much has to be done manually. I've toyed briefly with scripts which can convert the entire help file into one LaTeX document which can be converted to PDF. They work to some extent but they need a fair bit of tweaking.

A fair bit of tweaking needed for sure, but then again I like to have a manual I can leave open alongside my workstation, rather than online, so once again I have converted the help file format manual to a printable 'pdf' (Adobe Acrobat) format for my own use. I print a copy out and comb bind it between cardboard covers for longevity.

As long as Alex has no objection, I'm,

a): perfectly happy to put the pdf on my webserver so that anyone who
wants a copy can download it.

b): Alex might like to offer the file as a download on the Quest Website.

As for a tutorial, I have made about six false starts on writing one so far

I seem unable to decide how elementary I should make it, I get so far, decide it's too basic, start over & decide I'm assuming too much knowledge, then revert to original plan again... Pitching a tutorial 'just right' is proving a real headache.

Al

Ttorial's are always a b**** if you're trying to do too much at one time... Just imagine doing everything in one tutorial - impossible.

Try to keep the points simple, like "making an object"... It might be silly BUT you go into detail slowly, explaining what each point can do and what purpose it serves... Making a room, making a simple IF, then going into more complex IF's... subroutines and functions....

I'm interested in the PDF... I always download it - I never seem to print it out though because I always run out of paper and never have enough ink in the printer .

Anyway, good work Al!

Hi, Al

I'm still interested in both the manual and any tutorials/samples that I can get.

As much as I push for electronic documentation for archives, etc., I still like to have a printed manual for some things. It's a real nuisance when trying to figure out something to have to flip between screens.

As for as tutorials, CW makes a good point about simple steps. I have read the online help file (I really, really did), yet some things are still a little hard to get. When/where/how for scripts, for example. The help guide covers all the objects, properties, variables, etc. But you have to know what to use, when and how to use it. That's where the value of tutorials come it.

I downloaded all the sample games, not to play but to learn how to do various things. But then, you have to first figure out what the author was trying to accomplish before you can see how it was done.

My wishlist? A super simple sample (it's Friday) game which has a few locations, a few objects, and a few scripts to show how to interact with the environment. Stuff that's pretty common to almost any adventure (hide, show, drink) And, *when* to use a script, variable, flag, etc. Simple, huh? Ever wish you could e-slap someone?

Thanks for sharing your efforts with us!

Alf

Alf wrote

My wishlist? A super simple sample (it's Friday) game which has a few locations, a few objects, and a few scripts to show how to interact with the environment. Stuff that's pretty common to almost any adventure (hide, show, drink) And, *when* to use a script, variable, flag, etc. Simple, huh? Ever wish you could e-slap someone?

Sounds a lot like my Quest 2.1x tutorial, basically building a little game from the ground up with as much concentration on why and when as how to use the language features.

Unfortunately Quest has moved a long way since 2.1x, so that tutorial is no longer very relevant.

Al (MaDbRiT)

As long as Alex has no objection, I'm,

a): perfectly happy to put the pdf on my webserver so that anyone who
wants a copy can download it.

b): Alex might like to offer the file as a download on the Quest Website.

No objection at all - that sounds great

As Alex doesn't object, I've uploaded the pdf format manual to my webspace (actually to my wife's webspace 'cause mine is full, but whatever);

Click here to download the QUEST 350 Manual in PDF form (as a 'zip' file)

Hope this is useful to those who prefer 'printed' manuals like me. It is set up to print nicely on A4 paper, but allowing Acrobat Reader to 'fit to page' gives a good result only a fraction smaller on U.S. Letter size paper too

Al (MaDbRiT)

Great stuff, thanks!

I've now uploaded a copy on this website, at http://www.axeuk.com/quest/manual.pdf , and there's also a link from the Quest Support Page > Quest Documentation.

Many thanks Al! I have it printing now. - Alf