Is DOT Newbie Friendly?

Hello everyone!

I just want to say thank in advance for any tips and advice you can give me, as I'm new to DOT, but not new to MUD admin.

At the moment, I'm running CoffeeMud, but honestly, there isn't a whole lot of support for it just yet, as it's not a widely used code (Java based). I've decided that if I want to run and design/build my own, I need to go with a code that is more supported by experience users of it.

With that being said, I have a few questions.

Is the offline area editor that was made for SMAUG useable with DOT? I have the registered version that I got right here at Mr. Gammon's :) Along with his wonderful game client. (Yes, I'm a suck-up, I can't help it).

I don't plan on implementing any code snippets, or new code at all, but building areas, mobs, etc. I'll worry about code changes later ;)

Also, if anyone could point me in the right direction for some detailed OLC/commands for Dawn of Time, that would be great, as well :)

Thanks again!

Sabrina

Quite honestly I have no idea if the area editor is compatable with DoT but the OLC is friendly enough I've never had reason not to use it. As for newbie friendly, extremely so and it has a reasonably complete help file system and extreme MXP tagging for "point and click" operation within the mud. The commands are largely similar to rom and the code is nicely compartmentalized though that does play havoc with inserting snipets if you should come across one that isn't already available in some form (vehicles and unique items being the only standouts I can think of as useful inclusions - both in limbo at stormbringer no less)

The Area Editor won't edit DoT areas, they are somewhat different to SMAUG, partly because DoT is more powerful.

However I think it imports SMAUG or ROM areas, so you could conceivably make on in the first place with the editor and then import it, but then you can't change it afterwoods in the Area Editor.

As it appears DoT is a strong influence on this site, is there a plan for a AE version that supports DoT? The file format of DoT seems easy enough to make it a quick process. While I love AE for offline building, one small suggestion, in that the object stats for each object type be configurable. Lets see if I can make that clearer. Objects of type weapon have the following values coded (doesn't appear to be a way to change it) of Value1 = Condition, Value2 = Num Dice, Value3 = Size Dize, Value 4 = Type. This is very handy but also limited. Say I wanted a sword that would after a period crumble to dust on a character, yes I could write an object program, or I could just add Value 5 = Timer (and extract object when timer = 0) It would be nice to be able to add the Label to Value 5 of Timer, or for that matter rename some of the current values should I choose. Would affect the file structure a bit as well as I now need to read 5 values for type weapon, easy enough with 1 additional minor changes, on user settable revision number for area files (so it knows if I have old type or new type of area (Could be an option to write this data in preferences so maintain compatability). Also if I change object types around moving the labels would be of a great benifit as well. Just some suggestions.

Yes nice idea. Perhaps in a future version. :)