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From: whitten@netcom.com (David Whitten)
Subject: Re: Mysteries in IF
Message-ID: <whittenCo29Mq.2JL@netcom.com>
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Date: Sun, 10 Apr 1994 20:44:50 GMT
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Jamieson Norrish (jamie@kauri.vuw.ac.nz) wrote:
: In article <whittenCnunsB.I5r@netcom.com> whitten@netcom.com (David
: Whitten) writes:

:    I think you have the germ of a good idea there. but rather than
:    deducing the name of the murderer, you deduce the SIGNIFICANCE of
:    the hints.  IE: you found cigar ashes in the murdered person's
:    apartment. So you must 'Deduce A CigarSmoker was at the scene'

: [...]

:    In other words, You can't just 'Deduce Sam is Killer' you must have
:    already told the computer your Deductions that point to Sam as the
:    Killer.

: Unfortunately, a problem arises in that the computer must (I assume)
: make some judgement as to whether the deductions are sound and whether
: they in fact constitute evidence which is sufficient to have the
: murderer (or whatever) arrested. This should have to take into account
: the fact that although some deductions might be incorrect, the final
: answer is, with enough correct deductions based on real evidence to
: convict the criminal. Not something I would want to deal with.

: Jamie

I am of the opinion that if the player tries to convict based upon unsound
deduction, the player doesn't have a case, and thus hasn't won the game.

Yes, I assume the program would need to make deductions, thus would have a
protodeduction system built in. but this is easy. it jsut involves the use
of IF THEN statements and some simple looping operations.  (would this be a
useful addition to hte archives..?)
 
It is part of the designer/writer's job to say waht are valid deductions and
what are not.  If I as writer put cigar ashes in a room, I should be ready
for some one to 'Deduce CigarSmoker was here'.
 
My two pennies...

David (whitten@netcom.com) (214) 437-5255
