Cost of email vs paper play

[Mike Barber]

Clint. I was surprised by your analysis of paper costs
vs emails costs. Not sure why inputing a typed set of
orders is harder than reading writing (esp. my scrawl)
and dont really understand your point 3. Point 4 I
understand that it *could* take much effort to prepare
all emails - but cant you automate this? On the
automation front, I would be happy to fill in an
automated turnsheet that would then just be a file for
you to load in.... anyway was just interested rather
than fishing for price cuts :-)

Btw very much agree with Colin would not want to stump
up £20 deposit for each game I play - I play 5
positions at present and would be fairly unhappy at
the thought of sending off £100 to Wales - and my
world is real !

THe only answer is obviously lynchmobs for those
dropping early / showing unforgivably mediocre play.
I propose Tom Fyfe and Nick Barnes to be the first
official 'enforcers' in Central & south EnglandAnd
perhaps for north of Birmingham John Francos has some
contacts? Clint can do Wales and Kim Anderson can do
Europe.. - how do you feel about it guys?




Message: 9 Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 01:15:10 +0100
From: "Harlequin Games"
<harlequin.games@...>
Subject: Re: Finding replacements etc

1) the orders are harder to input - causing more
errors, and more timeto
get correct.2) we have to print them out - costing
that (minimal but it all adds
up) -it also takes more time to do an email turn print
out and preparationthan
it does for paper - hence more costs.
3) email players invariably are less cautious about
specifics in their
turns - causing us extra time
4) it takes more time to get a turn sent off than it
does for the paper
turns (more labour costs).
5) yes, I agree that it does cost less than to post a
considerablefactor of
the turn cost.

So overall they are about the same for us to run as
paper turns.
I know that a lot of you will be surprised by this.
:-)Clint>

[Harlequin Games]

>From: Mike Barber <mbarber999@...>
>
>Clint. I was surprised by your analysis of paper costs
>vs emails costs. Not sure why inputing a typed set of
>orders is harder than reading writing (esp. my scrawl)

Because the format of the paper turn is good - and players don't quite
follow it when doing email formats - not enough for us not to read it of
course - just enough to cause more errors. I think that you'd just have to
take my word for it. :-)

>and dont really understand your point 3.

See above
Point 4 I
>understand that it *could* take much effort to prepare
>all emails - but cant you automate this?

It is reasonably automated. We are investigating this further as I speak.
>
>THe only answer is obviously lynchmobs for those
>dropping early / showing unforgivably mediocre play.
>I propose Tom Fyfe and Nick Barnes to be the first
>official 'enforcers' in Central & south EnglandAnd
>perhaps for north of Birmingham John Francos has some
>contacts? Clint can do Wales and Kim Anderson can do
>Europe.. - how do you feel about it guys?
>

Now someone talking sense. Yep - this'll do it I am sure... :-)
>
>

[Thomas Crane]

Not overly surprised about the Extra Cost of E-mail turns over Paper
Turns. The only sure fire way to cut costs is to have an Automated Input
system for orders recieved for the game (usually on a specially made
program). Besides it is better if you have the turn in paper so that you can
look at when you want rather than having to go home to your computer.

Thomas Crane


>Message: 9 Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 01:15:10 +0100
> From: "Harlequin Games"
><harlequin.games@...>
>Subject: Re: Finding replacements etc
>
>1) the orders are harder to input - causing more
>errors, and more timeto
>get correct.2) we have to print them out - costing
>that (minimal but it all adds
>up) -it also takes more time to do an email turn print
>out and preparationthan
>it does for paper - hence more costs.
>3) email players invariably are less cautious about
>specifics in their
>turns - causing us extra time
>4) it takes more time to get a turn sent off than it
>does for the paper
>turns (more labour costs).
>5) yes, I agree that it does cost less than to post a
>considerablefactor of
>the turn cost.
>
>So overall they are about the same for us to run as
>paper turns.
>I know that a lot of you will be surprised by this.
>:-)Clint>

[Henning R Larsen]

> From: "Thomas Crane" <grrrr!!!!@...>

Besides it is better if you have the turn in paper so that you
> can look at when you want rather than having to go home to your computer.
>
> Thomas Crane

That particular problem can be solved with a printer. Just make
sure that you recieve the ompressed version of the turn (cutting
down on pages to print).
I live in Denmark and recieve all my games as email turns so i dont
have to wait half a week before the local snail mail gets around.
In a 2 week game, waiting several days longer than your allies for
your turn, is slowing the whole team down if you is playing a
critical possition, and every one has to wait for your specific
information before the master plan can be laid.
Unfortunately your team is not the only one with a master plan and
it may not hold for long but thats one of the fun parts of this game.

Henning