I got more private mail today telling me how much easier Robochef is to use than Make It!


Understand that I have nothing against Robochef, and hope that YewWanSum gets a chance to update it someday.


But...In the meantime...


I haven't understood how a program that doesn't even work is 'easier to use' than Make It...


So, in this spirit, I am hereby announcing Make It Version 10. This version is TWICE as easy to use as Robochef.


I will have the download available later today. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with current versions of Decal, or with AC for that matter, but since 'working' is obviously not a criteria used in judging quality, I am happy to know that once again I am the best there is.


You can now all start writing to YewWanSum now and start telling him how much easier Make It! Vsn 10 is to use than Robochef. Hopefully this cuts down on the email I get


Thank you

Gouru

This is going to be the best version yet!


Yay!


PS. Why does there have to be haters?

Hah, my plugin, RoboMake, combines the best of both plugins!

 

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Gouru,


You are so second rate. I already solved the Make It problem. I created a macro to use Make It! so I don't have to. I call it "Robo Make It!". I thought of calling it MISS (Make It Simple Stupid) but I didn't want to confuse people.


Just so everyone knows I am currently working on a program that will combine all the useful programs that have ever been used in AC. It will combine salvaging, buffing, looting, cooking, trade skills, ust, status bars, locations, shortcuts, ammo loading, macro's and a load of other useful features.


I will revolutionize the game of AC. I am thinking of calling it OB1 (One Button) like Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. It does not use decal and is also a lot faster than decal running all these features together.


WHAT! I thought we were playing "let's pretend".


~Duri

Hehe

 

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I feel it's easier to have someone make everything for me.


"Mom, is dinner ready yet?"

Its mostly just UI design and data, Gouru.


1) Robochef had clearly laid out groupings of items that were intuitive and complete. If you remember, much of my early efforts were focused not around making the plugin better(because FF was developing it at the time), but providing a really useful XML file that was clearly laid out. This is the biggest factor. (Yes, I've downloaded the 'complete' XML list. Its...cumbersome and incomplete. Sure, you can add anything you want, but IMO that ability clutters the interface needlessly and shirks the responsibility of providing a comprehensive clearly organized offering.


2) It was immediately obvious how to set up multiple tasks and just hit GO and go to bed. I do not know how to do this in MakeIt, and yes I have tried MakeIt and find it very functional.


3) Robochef didnt try to do too much. It crafts. It doesnt buff, shop, or level you(despite the requests to have it do so). This is yet more clutter and distracts from core functionality.


4) Robochef told you up front what you needed to make the high level object because it recursed the recipe tree, searching for multiple ways to make the same thing. I *wished* it generated a shopping list, but I had not added that functionality. The way the core of theplugin was designed, it wasnt possible to accumulate that information across high-level objects. The new core allows this, but requires a new paradigm to handling multiple actions and tree recursion.


For *me*, these are the largest factors that affect usability. Others undoubtedly have 'pet features' or other things they like and I'll let them speak for themselves.


p.s. Yes, I have updated RoboChef for use with Decal 3(it actually loads and does stuff, but it is not ready for release. I intend on "Adapterizing" it and correcting the mistakes I made wading around in C# land. (Yes, I did exactly what the Decal devs tell you not to do and used plugin development to learn C# =P) Since then I actually got trained in C# so now I know all kind of things that made me look like an idiot at my first attempt.(still have much to learn though)


As soon as the next Decal hits and Mob Tracker is released(its done already but needs the fixes in 2.9.5.3), I'll be back to work on RoboChef.NET.

 

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Nothing to say bad about Gouru but,


I have authored serveral Plug-ins, Been using both Playing AC(BETA) and using Decal(BETA) as long as anyone could and I couldn't make this plug-in do anything but look at me.


After about (4) 15 minute attempts, I just shooke my head, un-installed it and moved on to Tings which worked without any problems.

 

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Like I said, I know what people like about Robochef. Yes, it is easier for people to use.


When I designed Make It! I had a few design goals. One, I did NOT want to provide a complete menu of makeable items, I wanted crafters to explore and learn how to make them themselves. I did NOT want a program that you could set up to run overnight making lots of different types of items, and limited the number you could make of a single item. I did want a program that would make things as quickly, efficiently and reliably as possible, and spent probably the majority of my time working on that area of the program, removing artificial timers that were used by other programs. It was also my first Decal plugin after moving from an earlier script I had used with ACScript.


And, at the end of the day, it works for me. And that has always been the primary design goal of anything I've written. I'm not trying to write software for others, trying to get them to buy my stuff. I do it for myself, not for others. I make it available to those that would like it, but I am in no competition to be the 'best'. If they want to donate a tangible thank you, I appreciate it, but it does not purchase customer support. I use the software myself, and that is why ALL my plugins were converted to ToD as soon as it became available.


Robochef is a great product. Many people like it. I appreciate that. If Robochef had consistent support I would probably be using it. But when I started work on Make It!, Robochef was not working and IIRC was not going to be updated. Sometime after Make It! was working, Robochef came back to life. Since then, Robochef support went away again and now will be coming back in the future. In the meantime, Make It! keeps chugging away, giving me my arrows and beers. And it is doing so for a lot of other users as well.


What I get tired of however is being told that Robochef IS better, or easier to use, or whatever. Until it works it is NOT any of those things. The people that complain to me about how much better Robochef is, should really be complaining to YewWanSum that Robochef doesn't work. Because IMHO, all those people that prefer Robochef should be using it.

Gouru,


I can understand your frustration. It is not fair for people to be comparing Make It! to another non-existant program. You are right if they prefer Robochef they should use Robochef but *snap* Robochef doesn't work so they should zip it.


I am currently working on a program called JEDI (Just Everyone Do It!) which will combine all the features of all your programs. I wonder if by putting the It! at the end if I am breaking any copyright laws. You don't mind do you?


I'm just kidding of course but if I did I would just release it to my friends and to the allegiance. Hmmmm....


~Duri