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Author Topic:   Cool Tech Tree Computer

Jonji posted 02-24-99 02:06 PM ET
There is a very cool Access 97 database called Chiron.zip or the Alpha Centauri Chiron Production Computer that allows you to scroll through all of the technologies in Alpha Centauri and it will automatically (in real-time) display the entire tech tree. It will also display all of the benefits that come from that technology, e.g. if you choose Air Power it will show you the Needlejet, etc. And finally, you can reverse-browse through the benefits and it will show you which technology you need for that benefit, all of it's prerequisites and the other techs that go with that tech, e.g. if you choose Needlejet it will show you Air Power and its prerequisites.
Check it out at the various web sites.

Dan Scheltema posted 02-24-99 07:50 PM ET
Gee, doesn't F2 already do this?
CaptComal posted 02-24-99 08:08 PM ET
F2 does not do this if you are not actually playing SMAC, but just browsing the techs etc.
F2 does not always work (it won't work while you are in negotiations as just one example).
F2 display is NOT complete ... it is not the same display of Techs as you get when you actually discover (or steal) it! Some items gained are not listed on the screen!
F2 is not a customizable database! F2 gives you what THEY want to show you. With a database, you can do your own query ... sort by various things.
F2 does not give you a printout of what you are interested in ... the database lets you print reports based on special queries you setup.
F2 is a wonderful tool ... but it is not the only way to go. The database gives you an alternative ... a choice.
Personally, I like having choices. (maybe that is one thing about SMAC that attacts us ... it gives you so many choices!)
Best Regards,
CaptComal
Jonji posted 02-24-99 10:17 PM ET
F2 is very limited. The Chiron Computer is much, much easier to use and and much more complete in its presentation. F2 only shows you one tech plus one higher level at a time. Chiron shows you the entire tech tree at once plus all of the related techs. Also you can scroll through the techs or benefits so you don't have to remember anything. Say you want to know what the next weapon is and how to get there--Chiron lists the weapons in order and by clicking on the next weapon you see exactly what you need to research.
If I thought F2 was good enough I would have spent my time playing SMAC instead. <g>
Btw, the database will look better if you install the "Alpha Centauri" font first--it's in the SMAC folder after you install the game.
Jonji posted 02-24-99 10:29 PM ET
One other thing, Chiron is not just a database--it has a graphical interface. Check it out, I think you'll find it's pretty cool.
CaptComal posted 02-24-99 11:31 PM ET
Holy Smoke!
Jon Wilson's database display is simply gorgeous (can I use that word to describe a database? Usual words are "precise", "accurate" or "relative").
It took two tries for Jon to get the file over to me (sometimes I think EMail attachments sent to me are jinxed) ... and whoo wee! Definately worth it.
It is available on the SMAC RESOURCES SITE under the Databases section:
http://members.tripod.com/ACHeaven/captcomal.htm
Thanks Jon!
Jonji posted 02-25-99 09:48 PM ET
Hehe, thanks Capt!
And it's useful too. ;-)
Btw, I emailed you a new version. I, uh, assumed that Access defaulted to scroll bars on small screens--wrong! <blush> So small screens couldn't see it. I fixed that and re-sent you a copy.
If anyone else got Chiron from another place, email me where you got it from and I'll make sure they get the fixed version.
If you want to fix it yourself:
1) Open the form
2) Choose Design View
3) Select the Form by clicking in the top left corner of the window where the two rulers meet
4) Open the Properties window (icon on the toolbar)
5) Click on the "Format" tab and change the Scroll Bars property to "Both"
Of course, if you always play on a big screen like I do, you can reverse these steps to get rid of the scroll bars since they're not neccessary on a big screen.
CaptComal posted 02-26-99 01:24 AM ET
I have fixed the file as Jon noted and posted the new version. The file is bigger now (so the ZIP file is also bigger). It is posted on the HEAVEN site already:
http://members.tripod.com/ACHeaven/captcomal.htm
Jon will be sending me a compressed database file that will make a smaller zip file and hopefully that will be up later today.
Best Regards,
CaptComal
PS: I also posted a new revised Keyboard Overlay.
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Author	Topic: Cool Tech Tree Computer
Jonji	posted 02-24-99 02:06 PM ET There is a very cool Access 97 database called Chiron.zip or the Alpha Centauri Chiron Production Computer that allows you to scroll through all of the technologies in Alpha Centauri and it will automatically (in real-time) display the entire tech tree. It will also display all of the benefits that come from that technology, e.g. if you choose Air Power it will show you the Needlejet, etc. And finally, you can reverse-browse through the benefits and it will show you which technology you need for that benefit, all of it's prerequisites and the other techs that go with that tech, e.g. if you choose Needlejet it will show you Air Power and its prerequisites. Check it out at the various web sites.
Dan Scheltema	posted 02-24-99 07:50 PM ET Gee, doesn't F2 already do this?
CaptComal	posted 02-24-99 08:08 PM ET F2 does not do this if you are not actually playing SMAC, but just browsing the techs etc. F2 does not always work (it won't work while you are in negotiations as just one example). F2 display is NOT complete ... it is not the same display of Techs as you get when you actually discover (or steal) it! Some items gained are not listed on the screen! F2 is not a customizable database! F2 gives you what THEY want to show you. With a database, you can do your own query ... sort by various things. F2 does not give you a printout of what you are interested in ... the database lets you print reports based on special queries you setup. F2 is a wonderful tool ... but it is not the only way to go. The database gives you an alternative ... a choice. Personally, I like having choices. (maybe that is one thing about SMAC that attacts us ... it gives you so many choices!) Best Regards, CaptComal
Jonji	posted 02-24-99 10:17 PM ET F2 is very limited. The Chiron Computer is much, much easier to use and and much more complete in its presentation. F2 only shows you one tech plus one higher level at a time. Chiron shows you the entire tech tree at once plus all of the related techs. Also you can scroll through the techs or benefits so you don't have to remember anything. Say you want to know what the next weapon is and how to get there--Chiron lists the weapons in order and by clicking on the next weapon you see exactly what you need to research. If I thought F2 was good enough I would have spent my time playing SMAC instead. <g> Btw, the database will look better if you install the "Alpha Centauri" font first--it's in the SMAC folder after you install the game.
Jonji	posted 02-24-99 10:29 PM ET One other thing, Chiron is not just a database--it has a graphical interface. Check it out, I think you'll find it's pretty cool.
CaptComal	posted 02-24-99 11:31 PM ET Holy Smoke! Jon Wilson's database display is simply gorgeous (can I use that word to describe a database? Usual words are "precise", "accurate" or "relative"). It took two tries for Jon to get the file over to me (sometimes I think EMail attachments sent to me are jinxed) ... and whoo wee! Definately worth it. It is available on the SMAC RESOURCES SITE under the Databases section: http://members.tripod.com/ACHeaven/captcomal.htm Thanks Jon!
Jonji	posted 02-25-99 09:48 PM ET Hehe, thanks Capt! And it's useful too. ;-) Btw, I emailed you a new version. I, uh, assumed that Access defaulted to scroll bars on small screens--wrong! <blush> So small screens couldn't see it. I fixed that and re-sent you a copy. If anyone else got Chiron from another place, email me where you got it from and I'll make sure they get the fixed version. If you want to fix it yourself: 1) Open the form 2) Choose Design View 3) Select the Form by clicking in the top left corner of the window where the two rulers meet 4) Open the Properties window (icon on the toolbar) 5) Click on the "Format" tab and change the Scroll Bars property to "Both" Of course, if you always play on a big screen like I do, you can reverse these steps to get rid of the scroll bars since they're not neccessary on a big screen.
CaptComal	posted 02-26-99 01:24 AM ET I have fixed the file as Jon noted and posted the new version. The file is bigger now (so the ZIP file is also bigger). It is posted on the HEAVEN site already: http://members.tripod.com/ACHeaven/captcomal.htm Jon will be sending me a compressed database file that will make a smaller zip file and hopefully that will be up later today. Best Regards, CaptComal PS: I also posted a new revised Keyboard Overlay.