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From: msphil@aardvark.cc.wm.edu (Michael S. Phillips)
Subject: Testers wanted for Adaptive Hints system for Inform
Message-ID: <1995Nov4.211530.5013@lamont.ldgo.columbia.edu>
Followup-To: poster
Keywords: adaptive hints, inform
Sender: msphil@skaro.lawlib.wm.edu (Michael S. Phillips)
Organization: Marshall-Wythe Law Library
X-Newsreader: xrn 7.03
Date: Sat, 4 Nov 1995 21:15:30 GMT
Lines: 58


Hi there.  I have been spending some time working on an adaptive hints module
for Inform, a drop-in library which would allow one to construct a nice 
set of library-managed hints such that at the end of each turn, the status
of pieces of the game will be checked to see if a hint is available or if
a puzzle has been solved.

Anyways, the basic 'hint' object is defined something like this:
[From balances]

Object  Box_Puzzle "Box Puzzle" Hints
 class  HintClass
 with   hint_width 7,
        the_hints "Hmmm, I wonder if there isn't a useful ability to unlock \
                   things."
                  "Of course, you might try looking at your spellbook."
                  "(The next hint is explicit)"
                  "Maybe the REZROV spell would be useful.",
        hint_check [;
            if (h_box has moved) give self general;
            if (h_box hasnt locked) give self solved;
        ];


The hints module is fairly adaptable, depending on constants defined before
inclusion, such that hints can be given only once, or that they can (or 
cannot) be reviewed, whether or not solved puzzles get included in the 
review if no hints were asked for, that sort of thing.

In play, the above would look like this:

>HINT

Hints for: Box Puzzle
(Press Q to quit receiving hints, or any other key to continue)


(1/4) Hmmm, I wonder if there isn't a useful ability to unlock things.

(2/4) Of course, you might try looking at your spellbook.

(3/4) (The next hint is explicit)

> 

(where Q was pressed before seeing the explicit hint)

Anyways, I am looking for a few intrepid programmers who want an adaptive 
hints system and want to give some feedback on the library so it can be 
more thoroughly tested (ease of use, ease of programming/customization, 
ease of interface) before it is released generally.

e-mail only, either to  msphil@aardvark.cc.wm.edu  or 
                          mike@lawlib.wm.edu  (preferred)

Thank you,

    Mike Phillips, msphil@aardvark.cc.wm.edu
