Habitat Emails

These are logs/diary entries which were taken from Chip Morningstars Habitat Archives.

July 1985

July 18th

Taken from worldComments.

From dragon Thu Jul 18 17:13:15 1985
Subject: microworld
(no, not a serious name suggestion)

An idea, though...  In addition to avatars (which might have different modes
of seeing/moving/etc), one might have tools in the other world, such as
binoculars (or a telescope, lacking 3-D capability).  Perhaps the normal view
would be as in Rescue, Eidolon or Koronis Rift, about 90 degrees and not very
far away.  A telescopic view would present about the same amount of detail,
but distribute it differently so that one could see a long distance in a very
narrow cone (say 10 degrees).

Objects and terrain could have several additional non-visual dimensions of
information, such as temperature, reflectivity and metallic content.  Thus,
different modes of "seeing" might give entirely different views from the same
terrain.  Electromagnetic scanners, such as radar, would show a metallic
object as being substantially brighter than a non-metallic one, for instance.
Infrared would show lakes as dark spots, and volcanoes, hot springs or
subterranean nuclear power stations as brighter highlights.

We should also be careful not to rule out non-human modes of vision (and other
sensory apparatus).  Many non-human or semi-human races in D&D have
infravision, for example, and would see in the infrared spectrum as well
underground as a normal human might above ground.

In True Names, one of the characters takes off (from the high mountain
[satellite] meeting place) as an eagle.  This might be represented on a home
computer as a flight simulator with a very narrow field of view, and different
(but not unrealistic) flight dynamics.  The narrow field graphics might
provide a certain amount of disorientation, until one "got used to the form",
so to speak.

Just an idea...
							Charlie

October 1985

October 30th

Taken from definition.

From chip Wed Oct 30 13:38:14 1985
Received: by kessel; 30 OCT 85 13:38:14 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: chip, rlc, sda
Subject: Definition of "system manager's package"
Status: RO

As we discussed, for section 1-"Definitions" paragraph H:

The term "system manager's package" shall refer to the software developed by
Quantum under this Agreement which shall reside in the Q-Link host computer
system to permit Q-Link operations personnel to make such additions, deletions
and modifications to the host database as are needed for day-to-day operation
of the system.

December 1985

December 11th

Taken from maillog.

From chip Wed Dec 11 22:08:40 1985
Received: by kessel; 11 DEC 85 22:08:40 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer
Subject: Minimum object set
Status: R

I have just finished my magnum opus of the week, a very very rough first pass
at a specification document for the minimum object set.  I have copies for
each of you at my desk and I'd like your feedback.  Remind me to give you each
a copy when I come in on Thursday.

December 12th

Taken from maillog.

From chip Thu Dec 12 14:18:59 1985
Received: by kessel; 12 DEC 85 14:18:59 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: sda
Cc: chip
Subject: Just talked to Marc Seriff
Status: RO

Next week is too crazy for them to contemplate doing anything.
We are tentatively planning a meeting after the holidays, with them
flying out the afternoon/evening of Monday, Jan. 6, meeting on Tuesday and
possibly also Wednesday morning, and departing Wednesday afternoon.  This
should be plenty of time to cover the stuff we need to cover.  I plan this
to be strictly a technical working session, so he won't bring Steve Case
with him (unless you want to arrange otherwise -- I'd prefer to keep it
focused on technical issues if possible thought).  He is going to make the
travel arrangements.  He'd like us to make hotel reservations for him
based on our superior knowledge of the local hostelry.  I will get Mary
to work on that.

He's also going to put the C64 communications code on the system tonight
for us to download, with documentation sent by Federal Express tomorrow.
I'll set Randy to snarfing that stuff and starting to work with it.

May 1986

May 14th

Taken from demo.aric.t.

From aric Wed May 14 10:03:13 1986
Subject: CES presentation
	Randy and I talked yesterday about ideas for the CES presentation.
Following are some of the ideas that came out of that discussion...

Purpose of demonstration:

	Show off avatars (variety, capabilities)
	Show off objects (variety, portability, containership...)
	Show off Regions (variety)
	Show off Telecommunications (multiple players, shared host)
	Show off potential for game play

Possible demonstration:

	Begin with avatar at home...

Scene:	Inside of avatar home. Surroundings include; fishtank,
	answering machine, avatar, chair, window.  Answering machine
	is blinking indicating that it has a message.

Action:	Avatar can move things around the house and then later moves to
	answering machine and gets message that FRIENDX is coming over.
	Moments later, doorbell rings and FRIENDX arrives.
	Conversation follows regarding visit to...fountain, park, atm, arcade.
	Avatars decide to travel to arcade.
	Avatars leave house via front door.

Scene:	Front of house.  Surroundings include home, Sun, trees, mailbox.  Flag
	is up on mailbox.

Action:	Avatar opens mailbox and retrieves letter.  Avatar can read contents
	if desired.  Flag lowers on mailbox.
	Avatar realizes that he has no cash, and requests that they stop at
	atm on the way to the arcade.

Scene:	Next region over.  Contains convenient teleport booth, fire hydrant,
	trees.

Action:	Avatars walk to teleport booth and ZAP tm. to side of bank. (we could
	set destination choice with function keys to get us to any region
	desired!)

Scene:	Outside of Bank.  Brick wall in back and ATM attached to wall.

Action	Avatar performs correct mumbo jumbo and Tokens arrive.  Avatars are
	now ready to go to the arcade.

Scene:	Park.  Lots of trees and bushes

Action:	Walk through

Scene:	Arcade.	Contains targets and guns

Action:	Shoot targets together, for points, sound effects.

Scene:	Outside of Cave.  Dark entrance with stonework around edge.

Action:	Decision as to whether to travel inside.

Scene:	Inside of Cave.  Dark background with Rocks on floor and stalagtites
	hanging from roof.  A locked treasure chest lies on the floor here.

Action:	Use target gun to shoot Rocks, Stalagtite, Treasure chest.  When
	the chest is opened (there should also be a key around somewhere)
	a gem will be found inside.  Avatars should decide who gets the gem.

	This is a preliminary layout for a possible demonstration, but many
new objects need to be added in order to give us a larger range of possible
actions.  I think that using a scripting system in important in order to
view all of the possible variations that we can present.

		--aric

July 1986

July 28th

Taken from nameflame.

From farmer Mon Jul 28 08:08:15 1986
Subject: Names
On Habitat namespace:
A Real Problem.... What if I want to play a female Habitat character & My
login is distinctly male (The ID function will tell others this).  Before
Qlink says 'But you can use on of your OTHER Qlink IDs', My wife and two kids
use this disk also (have qlink IDs)... You see? Qlink IDspace is almost all
used up! I think this could have a NEGATIVE IMPACT ON REVENUES! Hey, If I
can't play the character I want on Habitat, why play?  Also, have you ever
played a FRP? Naming is an IMPORTANT thing....  I would NOT want my wisard
named 'BOB76'... 
This is NOT just a philisophical issue with me, it IS gameplay.
Expample: in my adventure, If I choose to dress up like a character/monster...
	I don't want the adventurers to be able to identify me as 'FARMER1'.
	'Hey, MARY56, The dragon's real name is FARMER1.Send him some Mail!'
Example2: MARY44 wants to play a male
	BOB56 enters: 'Hi, who are you?'
	MARY44: 'Ramses II!'
	BOB56 : 'Lets go chase some chics!'
	MARY44: 'sure!' (heh heh, sounds like fun, right??'
	later...
	SUSYQ9: Id's MARY44 (who really cares why?)
	MARY44: "whyed you do that?"
	SUSYq9: 'BOB56, your friend is really a girl!'
	BOB56 feels betrayed
	SUSYq9 has upset MARY44
	MARY44 IS DISCOURAGED
	all involved probably feel that much less like playing Habitat.
	Just because of namespace, the game is HAMPERED...
	YOU CAN'T DO WHAT YOU WANT! is the message!
	Why does QLINK want to hamper our game??
	Why remove a gameplay element?
	Techical concerns? Thats what Steve Case says..we can debunk this.
	Record-Keeping? bunk. EVEN IF this WAS a problem, there IS a solution.
		(As far as I know, they've never even thought this out)
	Politics? Uncomfort? I feel these are the real seasons...
	They have a naming convention that is inferior to ours and they want
	to force it on OUR universe....
	Lo, and here is my mighty knight BOB77! Give me a break.
	We all lose. Game Over.
	Why has QLINK been so opposed to doing things right in the 1st place?
	(I can go down a list of several examples of requests we have made
	 for stuff that have gone NOWHERE....)

Taken from barwood.t.

From sda Mon Jul 28 09:17:40 1986
Subject: hal's comments, a reminder
Hal suggested the following:
1.  "Hide a thing".... have someone find it and re-hide it somewhere in
the Universe.  Have them leave a clue.  Finding it is important, and
records are kept, announcements made, etc.  This is a trans-realm game.
2.  Automatons.  Like Big Game Hunting, only hunting snipes or something.
They try to keep away from avatars.  Catching one is a big deal, as they
are somewhat mysterious.  Loch Ness Monster and Abominable Snowman.  Maybe
they leave tracks or something.
3.  Special gates that only allow certain kinds of people in... eg. ones
with fly heads or something.  Maybe not made absolutely clear what the
criteria are before you get there, to keep the mystery up.
4.  Parts/Puzzle.  Like Legos.  Gather the parts to build a thing (like
an H-Bomb).  Find out if people build the bomb and blow up the world,
or destroy the parts so no one else can.... A little morality play.

August 1986

August 6th

Taken from aricpop.t

From aric Wed Aug  6 17:28:16 1986
Subject: stuff
			Changes and/or additions to Populopolis
Overall
	Roadblocks... Stores need back doors.  Maybe we should expand downtown
	and add a back alley and other stores.
	Overall I am pleased with the street layout
	Addition of missing teleports!
	We need to create the original Daily Rant issue
	We may want to create one magazine...These should be specific to
	one's interests...running, news, software, etc.
Bob's Bank
	Add another ATM for 2 users?
News Stand
	Region shows newspaper and Magazines... We need Text for them!
	There are only 3 mags and 1 paper there... once gone, they're gone
	Do we want the paper dispenser or should the get create a new paper?
	What about which issue of paper do you have?  Should papers disappear
	after 2-3 weeks?
Hall of Records
	No interior for this region and I am not sure what to put in there
	if we had one.
Furniture store
	Should be locked until users can choose interiors!
	Place CLOSED sign in front!
Cloths store
	2 machines should be stocked with pants, shirts, and jackets
Kelly's bar
	Should have a larger interior.  2-3 regions at least!
	May need to protect items inside from users.
General store
	Need to stock 3 machines inside.  We need to decide what
	items should be inside...
	Suggestions are:  Bag, ball, bottle, flashlight, frisbee,
	gun?, cloths, various knick knacks, paper, knives.
Meeting Hall
	Seems fine to me!
	Does Choke machine work?
Pawn Shop
	Nothing to do here at this time...
	Should the door be locked?
	Do we need to protect the items inside?
New You:
	Add sex_change device to New-you
	Stock Heads into machines
	test Vendo's as background objects!
Other
	Maybe add one special head only found at a culdesac?
	Feedback requested...

Taken from dnalsi.t

From farmer Wed Aug  6 18:49:03 1986
Subject: My adventure notes.

A first Habitat Adventure:
By F. Randall Farmer


Quest for the Amulet of Salesh:

Mixed in with other articles in the 'Weekly Rant':

"DON'T JUST READ THE NEWS, BE THE NEWS!"

Note: there sould be an article on good 'manners'
including 'Identifying' other Avatars.

|------------------------------|
| We pay Top Token!            |
| Write an article for the     |
|        WEELKY RANT!          |
|                              |
| all submissions should be 1  |
| page or less.                |
| Mail all articles to:        |
| Editor, Weekly Rant          |
|                              |
| We reserve the right to print|
|whatever we want. All         |
|submissions become property of|
|WRI.                          |
|------------------------------|

|------------------------------|
| Want new customers?          |
|  Want to announce something? |
| Try advertising in the       |
|        WEELKY RANT!          |
| Rates:                       |
| 1t per line per issue        |
| 50t to have or graphics dept |
|    layout an add for you     |
|                              |
| Mail ads to:                 |
| Ads, Weekly Rant             |
| charges will be deducted from|
| your trust fund account.     |
|------------------------------|

|------------------------------|
| for all your questing needs: | 
|                              |
|  Randy's Adventure Emporium  |
|      1234 Glory Way          |
|                              |
|  "We ain't got it,           |
|         you can't use it!"   |
|------------------------------|

|------------------------------|
|A public service announcement:|
|                              |
|Visit the Populopolis Library |
|       5555 City Plaza        |
|                              |
|------------------------------|

|------------------------------|
| Lose your keys?              |
|       Want security?         |
|           Feel overburdened? |
| Come to Lefty's Locksmithery |
|       1919 Shady Lane        |        
|------------------------------|

Article:

AMULET OF SALESH STILL MISSING!

   There has been a major development in
the famous Great Amulet Caper today: the
thieves were found guilty of grand theft
magic, and sentenced to 5 years in The Void.

   As you will remember, the Great Not-So-Wise
man, Daden Salesh, had his Great Amulet of Wonderous
Worth stolen last week.  Salesh, being a powerful
but clumsy wizard tried to activate a homing-return
spell to attempt to retrieve his valuable trinket.
The result was the accidental porting of the thieves
to his home, somewhere in the Back-Forty.

   The Amulet is still missing, and all attempts by 
the law to extract information from the evil doers
were in vain. It seems that the Amulet will
remain forever lost.

-----------------------------------------------------

At the not-so-wise man's house, somewhere in the back-40:

		A Sign: "Not in right now.
			 Buy Notes & Map."
		A vending machine containing:
			A Map (see attached)	price: 10t
			A piece of paper	price: 1t
Optional:
		Daden Salesh himself (whenever I'm logged in)


Text of the note:
I am the POWERFUL WIZARD 'SALESH'!
(really I am!)
I'll start with the good stuff:

My estate will pay the sum of NNNNN tokens
to each member of the first team to find 
my amulet and return it to me.

In my interrigations of the thief-scum
that I ported back here with my WONDEROUS
powers, I extracted several pieces
of information you may find helpful:

1) They had a map of D'nalsi Island with them.
(I have taken the liberty of making copies of
the map for you, availible for a small fee...)

2) As I snatched the map away, the uglier of the
two of them said "You'll never find it!HA HA HA!" and flashed
a sign of some sort: He formed a triangle with the
thumbs and index fingers of each hand, palms forward.

The only thing I can think of to get you on your
way is: there is no form of water transportation in
the world, so they must have ported there.

Equip well & Good Luck
Daden Salesh, Big Bucks Wizard for hire
--------------------------------------------------------
Library:
	Sign: 'QUIET'
	Sign: 'Please do NOT remove books from the library!'
	Sign: 'Penalty: 100t'

Library Books:

History of Avatars
History of History
History of Teleport
History of Organized Crime
History of The Oracle
Head Fever
Avatar Life
Atlas of the World
Avatars I Have Known
Tuff Turf

Text of appropriate books:

History of Teleport:
	Page 1
	    The teleport was invented by the great
	tinkerer avatar Foontrafian Subtrax. It took
	many years to perfect the technique, and many
	a test animal was lost to the void. It is still
	rumored to this day that, when the conditions
	are JUST RIGHT when teleporting, an avatar
	may end up with animal parts in place of his normal
	limbs and/or head. Rest assured that this is
	ONLY a rumor.
	Reguardless of the rumored risks, the teleport
	has become the single most valued addition to
	the universe, opening whole vista's of places
	to explore. Socially the 'Port', as it is called
	by most everyone, was to restructure the world
	forever. THANK YOU Foontrafian!
	
	Page 2
		How a Port address is chosen:

	Most often, all teleport booths are registered
	in the Teleport-Book, published in every major
	city. There are some standards loosly adheared to
	when generating a port address:

	Where			Style
	------------		---------------
	Streets			Cityname Streetname
	Intersection		Cityname Streetname & Streetname
	Downtown		CItyname 'Downtown' or 'Plaza'
	Forests			Nickname
	Islands			Ilename
	Deserts			Noone goes here anyway!

	(If Cityname is ommitted, the local city will be assumed.)

	People have been known to spend large amounts
	of money to buy personal booths and NOT register
	them. These booths useally have customized addresses
	that have personal meaning to the owner (so the
	address is not forgotten)




History of Organized Crime:

	    Organized crime has never really been a
	big problem. There is only one gang, and it
	is now almost extinct. If it has a name, none
	of it's members have ever spoken it publicly.
	The only way they can identify each other is
	by some secret signal.
	
	   The gang (as we'll call them) was formed 
	by a few avatars bent on self-destruction. All
	but a few members have been caught, (easily)
	tried, and sent into the void. The crimes are
	always mis-handled or bungled in some major way.

	   One good example of thier foolhardiness is
	reflected in thier choice of security control:
	They used only 2 styles of locks & keys...
	Styles #xxxxx and #yyyyy. Needless to say
	these are the two most common locks in the
	known world, and you can see why they would have
	financial problems.....

------------------------------------------------------

At Randy's Adventure Emporium:

	Kaki walls
	(should look like either a cave or a battle zone)

	Vendos selling:

		Shovels
		Torches
		Knives ? (maybe these should be elsewhere or
			   not included -means scratching monster-)
		Club ? (safe as knife)
		Bags (Backpack?)
		Books (survival tips booklet ALSO AVAIL AT LIBRARY)
		Bottles
		Escape Devices
		Matchbook
		Kaki Shirt & Pants
		Teddy Bear (good for laughs)
		Towel
		
------------------------------------------------------

At Lefty's Locksmithery:

	'Looks': Grimy Dirty place.


	Vendos (each has a sign):
		"Replacement Keys #1000 & #2000" (two keys)
		"Replacement Keys #32767 & #255" (two keys)
		"Lock Boxes" (whatever box styles we have - NO CHEST)
			Inside each box is it's key.

------------------------------------------------------

On D'nalsi Island:

	The grass regions are oriented so the player
can see the mountains rising in the distance as they
get closer. The beach regions ALL face the water.
There are no mountain regions, the are considered to be
impassible. ALL regions contain rocks of variaing sizes
lying about randomly. One of the cave entrances can be
seen from grassland region 62. If possible this release,
the caves should be dark, requiring a light source.

SPECIAL REGIONS:
	The grassland region 2A contains a teleport,
there should be no rock in the region & no mountains
in the background. (If fact regions 19, 29-C, 39-C should
have no mountains in the backdrop, but face that direction)

	The Beach region 92 contains a paritally completed
Oracle (no cherebum) and a Sign 'ASK, and if I'm not busy..."

	The Beach region 4C is the 'W' region from it's
a mad mad mad mad world. (Besides rocks, there is nothing here.)

	The caves are connected normally but the
orentation changes almost every cave, so that withou a compass
It could be hard to find your way around.

	At cave2_20, there are a few things of note: Besides some
small rocks, there are 3 rocks (two large, one meduim) that form
a triangle, with it's apex against the back wall. If the center of
the trangle is a hole. It conatains a note: "WRONG". The back
wall has an invisible cave (small sheet of glass?) just above
the apex of the triangle. 'Go' here and you will enter the
Secret Chamber!

	At cave2_30 is the secret chamber. No rocks.
Just a hole, containing A chesk with lock #2000. In the
Chest is the Amulet Of Salesh

------------------------------------------------------

September 1986

September 5th

Taken from statusReport.Sept5.

From chip Fri Sep  5 22:30:06 1986
Received: by moth; 05 SEP 86 22:30:06 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: sda
Cc: chip
Subject: Status report
Status: R

We had the interview with the Japanese TV folk.  It went well, I think, though
they were pretty loose in their shooting, so I'm not sure what the result will
look like.  (In general the Japanese media seems to prefer to produce a lot of
material quickly and with less polish, whereas their American counterparts are
more conscious of style and produce a smaller volume of more carefully crafted
stuff -- I've noticed this about the Japanese magazines and the TV people
seemed the same way.  Comparative sociology at work!)

Randy got a call from Janet early this morning, just before she disappeared
off to wherever she's going.  She said that she was finally able to login to
our system (she'd been having problems yesterday) and transfer the stuff over
that we wanted them to have (more regions for Populopolis and the data tables
for the memory capacity handler).  (I asked her to leave me a message on their
system telling me where all the material relating to this component is so that
I can work on it myself if necessary.  She does not appear to have done this.)

Randy mentioned to Janet that we had been thinking about a scheme to allow
more objects to occupy memory at the same time by selectively not loading
their imagery and behavior code under certain circumstances (this is the thing
we mentioned to you Thursday) but that it would cost a week or two to
implement.  In spite of the inherent delay, she was intrigued.  Randy suspects
he knows what he's going to be doing next week.

She called back a short while later, said she had talked to Marc, and that he
was entertaining the notion of delaying beta to put this in, and that you and
I should call him to discuss it!  Unfortunately, you weren't here.

I could have called him on my own, but I felt very strongly that I should
consult with you before undertaking discussion of this with Quantum, since it
seems rather drastic, possibly threatening getting the product out for
Christmas -- frankly I felt that I would be a little over my head to call Marc
on my own and start discussing this, since I am unclear, in particular, on the
specifics of the timing constraints we are under.

In other words, I didn't call Marc back and take it up with him by myself
because you weren't here and I was afraid to make any kind of commitments one
way or the other on my own initiative.  This may have been a mistake, since it
*is* Friday (thus the decision gets delayed over the weekend instead of just
overnight), but I suspect not, since Randy won't really be able to begin work
on the thing in earnest until Monday anyhow.  Nevertheless, you and I need to
talk about this ASAP, then contact Marc.  I will be in the office Saturday
afternoon for sure and either Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon also
(probably both...).

From chip Fri Sep  5 23:04:13 1986
Received: by moth; 05 SEP 86 23:04:13 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: sda
Cc: chip
Subject: Status report addenda
Status: R

One thing I forgot to include in the previous message:

I met this morning with Jamie Williams.  I gave her the latest draft of the
manual to look over, and told her the things that I thought needed adding that
I'd like to have her work on.  I also asked her to proof the thing for
stylistic consistency, since I have rewritten large chunks of it in the time
between when she last worked on it and now.  I want to make sure that the
clear and direct style which she adopted is also reflected in the parts I have
added or substantially changed.

I showed her the promo tape (do we have a name for that thing, by the way?)
and gave her a live demo of the system.

We then talked about the press conference and about the sort of
demonstration/presentation I should be giving and how it should be structured
to cover the items on the agenda that I am supposed to talk about (suitably
modified by our own idea of appropriateness by adding some things to and
removing one or two things from the list that Quantum sent us).  We roughed
out a basic demo structure which she is going to take as a starting point.  I
also gave her copies of the "Funativity" and "Machiavelli" documents to give
her some general idea of the various kinds of activities we are thinking of
having in Habitat, beyond the rather vague notion of "adventuring".

She is going to work on these things and send (by messenger service) the
manual revisions and a first draft demo/presentation on Monday or Tuesday.
I'll give her feedback by phone (she has some job she has to be at those days)
and she'll then work on whatever adjustments to the presentation we deem
necessary.  She will come back in person on Wednesday or Thursday to start
finalizing the presentation.

It all looks good to me.  Jamie's a real pro.

I had gotten the feeling from our earlier conversations that you had some
things that *you* wanted her to work on for the press conference also, but I
had no idea what, if anything, these might be, so we obviously didn't cover
them.  If I am mistaken, great.  If not, you'd best contact her.

By the way, did you notice that the proposed press conference agenda that
Quantum sent us allocates 5 minutes for our 8 minute tape?

Oh, also:  I got a call today from Rob Fulop.  He wants to come up and visit
us Tuesday.  He's interested in various things, including mutual support
developing software for Quantum, development tools for 6502 machines, and of
course various Habitat tie-in things (creative and/or technological).  I think
he will contact you directly to arrange something official.

September 10th

Taken from mailarchive.

From chip Wed Sep 10 15:04:50 1986
Received: by moth; 10 SEP 86 15:04:50 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: sda
Cc: chip
Subject: Re:  status of planning
Status: RO

I spoke with Marc and Anne right after lunch.  Got my questions answered ok
and went over my current setup plan with them.  We agree on most everything.

Marc wants to stress to the demonstrators what they are allowed to do rather
than what they are not allowed to do -- i.e., prescribe rather than proscribe.
I will be changing the tone of the plan document a little bit to reflect this
idea.

Physical setup is as we expected, 8 stations grouped into 4 pairs.  Anne says
they can put the 2 pairs that are out on the dance floor back-to-back but that
this will be problem for the other two stations.  I suggested that we should
have a Stratus terminal or a voice line to Virginia in a back room somewhere.
Anne said this was a problem because we only have 8 phone lines, which had to
be set up special.  Marc, however, saw the value in this suggestion and
recommends that we keep one of demo stations near a curtain where we can pull
it down and use its phone line to call Virginia if we have to.

They are planning on having 4 people online from Virginia, not the 8 that I
had guessed, though Marc said they could add more if we wanted them to.  It's
no big deal to me (my choice of 8 was arbitrary) so we are going to plan on
the basis of 4.  One of the 4 will be Ken Huntsman, who will be standing by in
Virginia as the experienced hand in case of problems.

Anne stressed that their years of experience giving demos has taught them to
expect glitches and crashes due to telephone problems, so we should just be
cool and not worry too much if something dies -- we should just be prepared to
drop back and restart.

They agreed that they are responsible for technical logistics but that we are
responsible for the content of the demo.

September 11th

Taken from burmashave.

From nf Thu Sep 11 20:47:55 1986
Received: from shem by moth; 11 SEP 86 20:47:55 PDT
From: nf (Noah Falstein -  Boat specialist, Arks to Patrol Hydrofoils)
To: chip
Cc: farmer
Received: by shem; 11 SEP 86 20:47:55 PDT
Subject: Burma Shave
Status: RO


	This is what I sent to Aric:
Henry the Avatar / Six wives he weds / Divorcing them all / But keeping
their heads /   Habitat

Heads in a suitcase / Heads on a chair / Still he persists / "I've got
nothing to wear!"  /   Habitat

She rests in the sun / She plays in the surf / But all things considered /
There's no place like Turf  /   Habitat

This way / That way / all around town / these teleport fees / are getting me
down!  /  Habitat

Repaint your torso  /  Take off your head /  If this were Kansas /  Then
you would be dead!  /  Habitat

He's got a vampire's head  / He's got King Tut's  / If this isn't Habitat /
I must be nuts! /  Habitat

Head of a dragon /  Head of a duck /  If this isn't Habitat / I'm out of
luck /   Habitat

There once was an avatar / Named Ferderous Snodd / His dog is named Fido /
Now isn't that odd? /  Habitat

You talk in balloons /  You use ESP  /  Isn't it great  / Just how strange
this can be! /  Habitat

Some guns are muderous / Some are quite tame / It helps to remember /
It's only a game /  Habitat

Identification / Can be indiscreet / If the guy you identify / Stomps
on your feet!  /  Habitat

Although personal movements / Have quite a wide range / Have you ever
noticed / You walk kind of strange? /  Habitat

Thousands of Avatars / Inhabit the realms / All talking at once? / The
thought overwhelms! /  Habitat

Crowding a public place / Can be rather rude / If it happened to you /
Then you'd really be / In trouble /  Habitat

September 29th

Taken from mailarchive.

From chip Mon Sep 29 17:17:42 1986
Received: from moth by kessel; 29 SEP 86 17:17:42 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: sda
Cc: aric, farmer
Received: by moth; 29 SEP 86 17:17:45 PDT
Subject: OK, here's the plan

The Habitat gang all got together today and spent a few hours discussing
world development and so on.  Here's what we worked out:

We are going on the expectation that I am going to continue to be preoccupied
with design and concept work for the next phases of the project, if there are
to be any, and that I will also be responsible for overseeing the Beta-test
(the assumption being that the Beta test will result in sudden, massive
feedback that will require some action on our part).  This means that the work
of world generation is going to fall primarily to Randy and Aric, though I
will supervise.  On the basis of these assumptions, came up with the following
division of task responsibilities for the next couple of weeks:

Randy --
Install materials for D'nalsi Island treasure hunt (books, clues, wizard's
house furnishings, etc.).
Implement "Quest for the Jewelled Horn of the Green Bleem" (an ongoing
treasure hunt based on Hal Barwood's revolving-owner artifact idea).
Set up a stock-market game.
Set up a capture-the-flag game.
Set up a road-rally game.

Aric --
Develop King Game into a complete entity (possibly based on "Chicago Kingpin",
at his option).
Add new regions to Populopolis and polish what's already there.  In
particular, add back alley, library (library is needed for D'nalsi
Island adventure, among other things), and theater.
Finish the Road Through The Woods realm.
Install Burma Shave signs.
Set up an Assassin game.
Create one new adventure/game of his own devising.

Chip --
Provide host software support for above projects, as needed.
Work on concept development and planning for extensions/follow-on projects/
support tools.
Update and finish manual.
Develop operations plans.
Oversee Beta-test.

October 1986

October 6th

Taken from farmerAdvs.t.

From farmer Mon Oct  6 15:46:33 1986
Received: by moth; 06 OCT 86 15:46:33 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: chip
Subject: Tablets & Rigion Rally
Status: RO

'The quest for the Great Horn of the Green Bleem' is now called:
'The quest for the Tome of Wealth and Fame'

The tome is the graphic style #7 of book.
100% of the special case code is on the host.
The Oracle will arbitrate prize awards.

It works like this:
If you are holding the tome and 'do' it, you will recieve
several pages of text (congratulations, instructions & a list of names.)
The beahviour code will check to see if your name is on the list,
if it IS NOT, it will add you name TO the list. One of the instructions
is to inform the Oracle that you found the tablet. The Oracle/super-user
must then make certain that the rules have been adhered to, then will
award the cash bonus (and mail WEEKLYRANT with username?).



>>>>> The Tome of Wealth and Fame <<<<<

IMPORTANT: Please read ALL of the
stones in this tablet.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the
first step in the Quest for:
>>>>> The Tome of Wealth and Fame <<<<<

Upon successful completion of the
quest, you will receive $5000. Also, 
for NO EXTRA CHARGE, you will have your
name engraved in these tablets for all
ETERNITY so treasure seekers will know
that YOU have joined the ranks of:
Master Adventurers.
To collect your prize you must:
1) READ ALL of this tablet
2) HIDE them in a place that will make
    them hard to find.
3) SHOW them to NO ONE.
4) HIDE them NOT in a turf.
5) When they are hidden, seek an Oracle
    and say "Willy Willy Nilly Billy".

  The Oracle will decide how well you
obeyed the rules & how well you hid the
tome. To collect your prize you MUST
hide it well enough that no one ELSE
finds it before the Oracle can respond.


$$$ The list of MASTER ADVENTURERS: $$$
Need on host:
behaviour for class 97, magic type ?, WIN ROAD RALLY
also class 97, immobile magic item
also add 32bits of flags to avatar record.
Need on C64:
class 97.

Ideas for the Habitat Road Rally:

'night' sign
footprints
library book
sign
rocks forming arrow
arrow prompt on floor
'X' marks he spot
Riddle leading to burma shave sign
burma shave clue
special tport address
'I did it button'

------------------------------------
Part 1:
Oracle speaketh:
Attention!

Attention!

Ahem-----

Welcome to:
The First Habitat Region Rally!

First find the tracks of a silly YikYak.
It lives in the 40,
that we call 'The Back'.

It wears pointy shoes, 
and walks very strange.
Not forward or sideways,
when it roams on it's range.

To find The Back-40,
(If you are new),
find Randy Rd cross.
Walk into the blue.

The first part of the clue
to the answer, you'll find,
If you read off the digits
and divide it by nine.

Good Luck
------------------------------------
part 2:

False clue At 36 Wrong Way (how appropriate):

A vending machine: for 1 token a piece
of paper (class_book)

Welcome to my humble home,
Want some clues? I'll give you some:

The street you are now give you a clue,
Where to go next,and what you should do.

You you feel glad?
Should you rejoice?
Does it help you to know?
That others made this choice?

*************************
Real clue At 47 Foon Ave:

A vedning machine:
	Paper (book), for 1 token

How about a picnic at 'The Beach'?
It'll put those riches in your reach.

'The Beach' can be found This Way...
Look for the place where stars shine.
and go to a star, just yours, not mine.

Find the Hut of the Yabba-Dabba-Flit
Once for each rock in it's pit,
Count to the Left as you flee.
Write this down, its confusing you see.

Down then, and Right for each blade
Count them, don't rest in their shade.
Number the trees, both dead & alive.
The Sign in the sky is really no jive.

------------------------------------
PART 3:

At the desert heart: (RQCD)

A vendo:
	1 token ; warning book
		; clue book

Warning book:
Welcome to the Really Quite Confusing Desert.

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.

No known maps exist.

Avatars that have weak hearts or get
disoriented easily should not enter
without proper equipment.


STARE WARS: act IV page 99

LUNK: "In the name of all thats RIGHT,
the rebellion will win"

DIRTH: "I will put DOWN your puny
'rebellion' with the wave of my hand!"
(DIRTH gestures, and LUNK starts grasping
his throat with his RIGHT hand then falls
DOWN to the ground writhing in pain.)

LUNK, gestures with his LEFT hand and
sends a sofa flying into DIRTH, thus
releasing LUNK.

LUNK:"UP with the rebellion!" and
LUNK escapes by using his laser-
chainsaw to cut the power.

note to the scriptwriter: is this
the RIGHT way to get out of this
scene? Fondly: the producers.
---------------------------------------
Part 4:

at region 5020:

a large sign:

	D i g i t s   A r e
	 a  T e l e p o r t
	     N u m b e r

A lamp (switched on, if switched off:
anothe sign superimposed on the other:

	.T.W.O...M.O.R.E.:.
	.........2.3
	TOTAL.#...9.....digits
------------------------------------------
part 5:

False Endgame region : Port # 4765499

Teleport:
Sign (Shingle):

"Abandon Hope.
 ^
<?>
 v"

this region points to itself in *ALL*
directions.

***************************************

Real Endgame region : Port # 476549923

Teleport,
Button,
Sign on wall:
"Push button!
     v
     v
     v
     v"

Button sends message to host, text
balloon comes back:
"Congratulations, you have won
$xxxxx tokens!"
"Contest limited to one member per disk."

I think the token amount should be
$1000 and be decreased by $100
tokens/finder (minimum $100).

if you 'do' it again:
"Sorry, you can only win once."

November 1986

November 3rd

Taken from downtown.t.

From farmer Mon Nov  3 16:37:49 1986
Received: by moth; 03 NOV 86 16:37:49 PST
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: chip
Status: R

Word-map of new dowtown:

       a  b  c     e  f  g
       |  |  |     |  |  |
h - MAIN--------T--------MAIN - i
   4      R           A      S
j -2   k -O           D- l   K- m
   N      D           M      I
n -D   o -E           I- p   D- q
   S      O           N      R
r -T   s -D           A- t   O- u
          R           V      W
v - BROADWAY----T----BROADWAY - w
       |  |  |     |  |  |
       x  y  z     aa bb cc


a For Rent	h Port+add	o Knick Knacks	v Stock Mkt/Newstand
b Fine Furnit	i Newstand	p Hall of Recs	w port+add
c Bobs UBank	j Randys Empor	q Kellys Bar	x Quizshows Inc.
 		k New You	r "Costellos"	y "Hamlets Place"
e General Store	l Meeting Hall	s Oil Brbs Pnts z Theatre/Auditorim
f For Rent	m Pawn Shop	t City Hall	aa The Arcade
g MachutasMagic n Tivollis bar	u Leftys Locks	bb Broadway Bank
						cc Library

November 5th

Taken from qmeeting.t.

From sda Wed Nov  5 08:23:16 1986
Received: from kessel by moth; 05 NOV 86 08:23:16 PST
From: sda (Steve Arnold - Games Division)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy
Received: by kessel; 05 NOV 86 08:23:11 PST
Subject: Habitat meetings at Quantum, 11/3
Status: R


Here is a summary of our conversations:

1.  In addition to the elevator, we need to specify other objects that will
be part of the field update test.  What else will be installed and/or deleted?

2.  Quantum does not want to buy a C compiler.  Marc does not think it is
necessary.  He sees our trying to require such a thing as engineering
interference.

3.  We need to define the Basic Turf Set to facilitate the clearing of
inactive users.  What is in the default Turf Environment?

4.  We agreed to turn all logged out users to ghosts for the time being,
rather than leave them turned to stone.  We need to revise the manual
accordingly.  This is subject to change (easily) during beta test.

5.  Several issues about the Oracle and/or Mail:

	a.  How do answers get to users?  In the Mail system?  Do you have
to go home to your Turf to get your response?

	b.  Can you use ESP from the Oracle?

	c.  Can we make a special login-in disk that allows a player to
login as a particular incarnation of the Oracle, for real-time Oracle
communications?

	d.  Can we make a mailbox in someone's pocket?  (Quantum believes
that Turfs are not going to be used much at all.... that since there is
virtually nothing you can do there, once people leave they will rarely come
back, except maybe to store things.  Therefore, it is cumbersome and counter
to the design intent to make them go back just to get the mail....).  Can we
make a "book of letters" in someone's pocket, where mail gets delivered to?

6.  The Avatar Directory, if it exists, should probably not be an object you
carry, but rather something in a particular location.  Perhaps they exist at
TelePort booths?  In any case, this is a low priority at this point, and we
should not worry about it overmuch.  We will defer a decision until later.
Maybe a "Who's Who" of Avatars in the Hall of Records?

7.  Tom Canaday is going to the Habitat SysOp.

8.  QL has finished the Oracle software, but is unsure about the powers of
the Oracle.  There is currently no way for an Oracle to affect an avatar
(like give him/her a Goathead....  They need specification on this.

9.  Janet says she has said to us that GHU is clearly not acceptable as it
currently is proposed, because the powers are too pervasive.  We need to
define and specify!  What can the Oracle do?  (The fact that she had said
that was news to me.  Does anyone know about this?)

10.  Regarding Avatar death:  What happens when people die?  Since we don't
have exit interviews at the moment, do they just go back to PC?  Are they
sent to their Turf?  This is an important design decision.  Also, apparently
due to the existence of ghosting, it is likely no one will ever die?  You
can always "go ghost" when you are in a threatening situation?  QL reports
that there are virtually no guns in the world now anyway.  Is this being
fixed?  We need to specify death and exit interviews.

11.  There seems to be a problem with the revised downtown.  First,
apparently they did not know we were undertaking such a massive revision.
Did we tell them?  Also, Janet reports some difficulty in uploading part of
a region, or a region revision where you are supposed to keep some stuff,
and replace some other stuff.

12.  The question was raised as to whether we had over-designed the existing
Turfs.  (Apparently there are some that don't work right because there is
too much stuff, or foregrounds and backgrounds are set up right.... Do we
know about this?)  Do we need to replace all the existing Turfs with a
simpler model?

13.  The RANT:  Marc wonders if we and they have a completely different idea
of what it is.  Marc says it can't be a long, linear, text thing in Habitat.
You can have such a thing in the Just For Fun listing of the Rant, but due
to text transmission problems and heirarchical menu problems, the Rant in
the world will be nothing more than a page of one-liners.  Does this match
what we are thinking?  (Apparently not....)  Can we make the Rant a
container, and use the contents as objects?  Or can we change the user
interface on the book object to allow for menu-level inquiry, so that people
can select from a table of contents?  If the Rant is expected to be dynamic,
then it should be delivered to pockets as an object.  If it is dynamic, they
people only buy it once.  If it is not, then we have a huge garbage
collection problem for all the old Rants....

14.  We have discussed a "world status" screen that greets everyone each
time they log in.... telling them what's new in the world, and other
essential information.  I thought we had agreed to do this.  Janet had
apparently not heard of such a thing.  We need to clear this up.

15.  There are too few ATM's, too few pieces of paper, and too few
mailboxes, according to QL reports.  Mail seems to be a big problem for
them.  The don't think it is useful.  (This is partly a design issue--they
see the essential design elements of Habitat to be communication between
people.  They think we are designing unneccessary limits on communication
into the world, and that may cause us big problems.  Use of mail and paper
are examples.  They think that finding and sending mail are sufficiently
cumbersome as to be almost useless in game play.)

16.  The Head shop is still blocked up.  No one knows how bad it will be
when we actually get it running.  Do we know why it is not working now?

17.  Regarding Coming Attractions:  They need to know what is required for
each of the items on the Coming Attractions document.  Every time we say
"special programming required," they need to know who is going to do it, and
by when....  They question whether some of that stuff is needed for beta,
because some of it is so new to them....

18.  Regarding Adventure Master powers.  We need some special doors that
only Adventure Masters can enter, to allow us to limit access to certain
areas.

19.  There is need to clarify how objects are cloned or copied, both for
vendos and for adventures that are object-based.  For example, if someone
finds a clue to an adventure, does it get replaced for someone else, or is
it only one person's game?

20.  Home decoration, jukeboxes, and keys were elements that there seemed to
be confusion about.  We should make sure the organizations have the same
understanding.

21.  The intelligent counter in the Pawnshop apparently does not work.  When
will it?

22.  Theatres vs. Auditorium.  They seemed surprised by all of our
theatre-based additions.  Marc pointed out that we can't have any
interactions with the audience using the current ghost system, so we can do
auditorium functions.  I told them I thought that what you were thinking was
more theatre-like.  People could watch, but were not expected to actively
participate.  Queueing people to appear in person on a game show or talk
show needs to be addressed however.

23.  Where does the Arcade fit?  This was another "surprise" to them.  When
will it work?  What will it do?  What about the Stock Exchange?  When will
it work?  What kinds of books are in the Library?  Who is doing the book
management program (or whatever)?

24.  They need specifics on the functioning of City Hall.  Who is doing it,
by when?  Is it a beta function?  Who runs scheduling to rent a storefront?

25.  Marc reports apparently major crashes of the C-64, with screen garbage,
during the last weekend test.  This he says indicates problem with C-64, not
with host.  (This is probably old news, but I am reporting because we
discussed it.)  Janet says we don't have enough (any?) error messages, that
they have complained about this before, and we have said we can't do it.
Therefore, the user does not know what is going on when it crashes.  Marc
said he had to re-boot four times in thirty minutes.

26.  Marc says we should have a rental dataline monitor to see if we are
sending garbage out.  I have never heard of such a thing.  Do we need it?

27.  Janet says she thinks the easiest way to get capacity handling fixed is
for Chip to write it, rather than for Chip to try to explain it to her.  She
is at this point suspicious of how much time it will take to explain and
re-explain and de-bug it if she does it.  Has this been discussed?


Summary:  They think the project is sufficiently far from release-state that
February is the earliest we could be done, and that is if everything goes
right (which it never has to this point).  They are concerned that there are
big areas of unknowns, that we won't discover until we get the thing
working, and that some big re-design may be possible.  For instance, they
think that if we can't get the region transition thing speeded up, we will
have a significant game play problem.  

The communication channel from now on is going to be with Cathy Anderson on
their side, and Nancy on our side.  That of course does not substitute for
direct technical discussions between any of us and Janet, Marc, or whomever
regarding development and debugging.  But the design discussions need to be
focused on Cathy.  Communication is essential.  There are too many
ambiguities to ensure that we are using our time efficiently at this point.

Please review this and then let's discuss anything that is not clear and/or
resolved.

November 7th

Taken from nancymemo.

Date:  November 7, 1986
To:  Cathy Anderson
>From:  Nancy Mohler
Subject:  HABITAT STATUS

Here is today's updated Habitat Task List, including time to complete tasks,
target completions, categorization of beta prerequisites, and the requested
change to the Effects column.  Implementation time for remaining tasks will
be determined with Janet's input.  Beta software submission is expected 11/24.
The public release schedule will be determined next week.

Recapping the status conference call today:
  1. Resolved to limit the Rant to a condensed version in a Habitat book and
     put bulk of text in tree-structure outside.
  2. Protocol bug estimated to be 95% fixed, with update made available this
     afternoon.
  3. Delivery date for the user version (beta testers) map TBD by LFL ASAP.
  4. Open issue for discussion is how the home vendo will be used.
  5. Tabled until Monday how to make mail more accessible.  LFL to prepare
     alternative proposal.
  6. Agreed on 100 as the number of tokens in pocket of Avatars being hatched,
     pending completion of economic plan.
The 11/10 Habitat status conference call will be at 4:00 QL-time, 1:00 Marin.
Suggested agenda:  protocol bug status, mail resolution, Task List.

cc:  Steve Arnold
     Steve Case
     Randy Farmer
     Janet Hunter
     Chip Morningstar
     Marc Seriff
     Aric Wilmunder

November 11th

Taken from janetEst.

From quantum Tue Nov 11 09:16:37 1986
Received: from shem by moth; 11 NOV 86 09:16:37 PST
From: quantum (Janet Hunter, Quantum Computer Services)
To: chip
Received: by shem; 11 NOV 86 09:16:36 PST
Subject: Time estimates
Status: RO

Chip, 
   Here are my time estimates for the
Beta Test Prequisite Tasks:

  6 Capacity Monitor - 2 days
                       target 11/14
  7 Rebuild Regionproc - done 11/11
 15 Oracle response - 1 day
                      target 11/17
 16 Bank acct utility - 1 day
                        target 11/16
 18 Text input utility - 1 day
                         target 11/19
 67 Avatar to ghost - done
 68 Online-only ghosts - done
 69 Exclude non-beta testers - done
 40 Msg of the day - 1 day
                     target 11/20 (?)
 72 create avatar w/ token - .5 day
                          target 11/14

 OOPS: Target date for #16 should be
       11/18, not 11/16.

 Note: Question mark on target date for
       #40 is because it is assigned to
       both you and me.

Taken from palindromes.t.

From nf Tue Nov 11 15:11:29 1986
Subject: Burma Shave Palindromes Shave Burma
	Here's a couple.  It seemed impossible until I realized what was
needed was something that was commutative like 2 + 2 = 4 or 4 = 2 + 2.

	Leaving your turf in your natural colors
	Is almost as embarrassing as
	Wandering around without your head

	Habitat
	A refuge for those who can't handle
	Reality

	This sign is a lie
	The last sign you saw is true
	The next sign you will see is a lie
	The last sign you saw is a lie
	This sign is true

	(sort of a reality defined by your direction of travel)

February 1987

February 19th

Taken from disk.t.

From farmer Thu Feb 19 14:21:08 1987
Received: by moth; 19 FEB 87 14:21:08 PST
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: chip
Status: R

Habitat Generic Object Disk Map:

		(TRACK)
              1         2         3
    12345678901234567890123456789012345
  0 cccaaasssiiiiiiii*iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
S 1 cccaaasssiiiiiiii*iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
E 2 cccaaasssiiiiiiii*iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
C 3 cccaaasssiiiiiiii*iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
T 4 cccaaasssiiiiiiii*iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
O 5 cccaaasssiiiiiiii*iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
R 6 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
  7 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
  8 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
  9 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
 10 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
 11 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
 12 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
 13 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
 14 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
 15 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhhhhhhh
 16 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiiihhhhhh
 17 cccaaasssiiiiiiii?iiiiii
 18 cccaaasssiiiiiiii
 19 cccaaasssiiiiiiii

			max size	current size
c=class file		15360		   3252 (21%)
a=action file		15360		  11876 (77%)
s=sound file		15360		   3302 (21%)
i=images file		68608		  42234 (61%)
h=head file		46592		  36132 (77%)
*=required directory files
?=free? (current dos will not read)

April 1987

April 19th

Taken from newprocedure.t.

From nancy Sun Apr 19 19:02:01 1987
Subject: Friday meeting outcome
file notes
4/17/87 Habitat team meeting w/sda

In order to achieve release into beta test and to revise project completion
plan with better time estimates--

1. confirmed commitment to daily playtesting w/QL at 5:30 (our time)--Aric,
Chip & Randy will let me know of any conflict not allowing them to be on.

2. revised playtest debriefing procedure:  a hard copy bug reporting form
will be created by Chip for distribution to all playtesters.  completed
forms will be turned in to Randy asap (next morning fax from Janet) for him
to maintain tracking system; Chip will review with him Randy's assignment of
disposition daily.  so, rather than the on-line PC debriefings immediately
following a playtest & conference calls after receipt of the tapes to review
the list, Randy will maintain a bug tracking system to, 1) improve efficient
use of everyone's time, 2) improve response to reported bugs, and 3) improve
communication & confidence between us & QL.  I'll discuss this procedure
revision w/Janet & Rob during the scheduled 10:00 conference call Monday
morning.  Assuming their agreement, Cathy & I will review the bug tracking
reports via near-daily conference calls & flag ones needing discussion among
the team.

3. established daily status reports:  Aric & Randy will mail to Chip
(copying each other & sda & me) at the end of each day a brief list of their
accomplishments for the day, notes explaining significant delays in any
tasks, and a list of tasks expected to be undertaken the next day, including
time estimated to complete.  Chip, including his own tasks, will issue a
Habitat daily status summary of accomplishments relative to start of alpha,
start of beta, & estimated time to release.

4. reduced frequency of entire team QL conference calls:  to be scheduled by
Cathy & me as needed, usually at 1:00 our time.  We'll discuss this process
with her on Thursday when she's here.

5. established weekly Habitat team meetings on Friday afternoons, to review
accomplishments of the week & goals for the next.

April 20th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Mon Apr 20 14:54:08 1987
Subject: Testing
I will be available for testing per the following schedule:

Monday & Tuesday : till 7pm either night
Wednesday: till 7ish (here at lfl)
Thrusday & Friday : till 7pm either night
Saturday: Anytime
Sunday: N/A
Total : 4 out of 7 days
Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday are as required.

From farmer Mon Apr 20 15:12:43 1987
Subject: 1st status report
Did today:
Tried to release 4.8..a poor descision
fixed problems with 4.8.
spent 1/2 hr trying to get the keyboard routine to echo on interrupt (failed)
Made disks to test 4.8
Merged some changes with aric.
Found out why gosts could not pass thru doors (Chip needs to fix)

On the slate tomarrow:
Start new bug traking system.
REALLY release 4.8.
one more hour tring to get the keys to echo right-away. (not mandatory)
Internal test
fix bugs found last night (tonight)

Taken from aric.t

From aric Mon Apr 20 17:14:28 1987
Subject: status report
Today:
	Worked with randy to find problem with 4.8
	Merged changes in graphics code with Randy
	Testing 4.8 before tonights playtest
	Worked on Magic Woods
	Changes to 2 images (mountains/bureaucrat in box)
	Prepared for RC car test (postponed)
	I spoke to Janet (at her home) about backing up the host database
before adding the hiway (Genesis had been changed since the last time it
was used.)  I was given the directories to move files between but the Stratus
denied me permission to the 2nd one.  I phoned Janet and she will move those
files first thing tomorrow
	Printed out 70-80 pages of imagery for Chip's document for Quantum
(15-20 pages left to go)
	Went over Ballblazer code with Dave Fox preparing for conversion.

Tomorrow:
	Attach Hiway
	Attach Beach/desert/Back40
	Continue adding magic to Woods
	Weapons free zone in city limit (with Janet)
	Finish printing Imagery and prepare for Chip

Taken from chip.t

From chip Mon Apr 20 17:31:43 1987
Subject: status report
Today:
	finished bug report form, with accompanying writeup for Quantum
	created updated master maps for Populopolis, printed them out
	coded fix for ghost-walk-through-door bug
	installed a better error message for teleport failure
	organized status report & task summary files for project tracking

Tomorrow:
	finish maps for rest of world
	fix mailbox help message
	figure out why auto-teleport isn't quite right yet
	finish master obj manual (assuming Aric gets me the image printouts)
	investigate head checkpointing stuff

Taken from summary.04.20

From chip Mon Apr 20 17:50:41 1987
Received: by moth; 20 APR 87 17:50:41 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: summary report
Status: R

OK gang, here's the first summary report.  The format is a little rough, but
it's quick.  At some point we should figure out how to resolve the official
task list with our long list of minor items and the cumulative bug list.

Format: Number in left-hand column is priority.  Next column to the right is
status: 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea
right now.  Next comes the initials of the people responsible for the item,
then the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2   j c make book help give title (#77)
2   j create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3 W c implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
1 T c flipped doors put you in wrong spot on region entry (off by 8 to right)
1 W a Hook up Beach, Back-40, and Really Quite Confusing Desert
2   c a host is not checkpointing heads?
2   a change 'patterns' on the two wands in th magic shop. add ring/moonwalk
2   a teleport for tavern at end of road (or magic teleporting bush)
2   c Mailbox and Dropbox help are not appropriate
2   j checkpoint avatar/contents on turn to ghost
2   j max occupants for region
2   r multi-object FIDDLE
2   ? Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
2 T c Supply Pawn Machine Values
2 T c Vendo help not yet working
2 T c generalize ground HELP to flat, trap, super trap
2 T r Generate online map of populopolis and put at Ymporium
2 T r Lefty's needs key numbers, and for containers to be in correct states
2 T r Merge tokens even if you have a full pocket (requires C64 work)
2 T r fix library (remove reading rooms)
2 T r make paper pink
2 W a weapons free zone in the city limits
3   c describe graphics chars in manual
3   r Check prices in all vendos
3   r add more fortunes to fortune machine
3   r c ghost/avatar only door restrictions
3   r make clone recurse
3   r spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
3 T c add chores for vendo SELECT, magic
3 T c check customizer text
3 T r spray cans work on heads
4   ? camera object
4   a customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4   j change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are maintained
4   r Give objects the power to PROMPT the user ('What is the secret word?')
4   r a magic GO
4   r c g book binder machine
4   r c g xerox machine
4   r make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
4 T c put game pieces into background on put or throw
?   ? Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?   ? Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
? I ? Turn to fly on teleport
? I ? teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost.  good for meetings
? I ? traps that spring monsters
? I ? wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1   r Touch typing not keeping up
1 T r garbage chars in typed text
1 T j *you have mail* going to everyone in region
1 T r Janet got hung (Awaiting tape & log)
1 T r j c Cathy could not get in the first time (investigate)
1 T r word balloon in wrong place.
2 T a Club has width (collisions), floats in hand
2 T a Cratinabox is messed up
2 T a Yellow room bookcases not restricted.
2 T a You can Exit a region thru a closed door (wall was sky)
2 T a sign in front of arcade is a sky!
2 T c Countertop help should be more explicit
2 T r Club does not work as a weapon
2 T r del should erase AND backspace in text mode.
3   r Ugly key in lefty's
3 T a Change counters into tables
?   r Check mailer with full sheet (Awaiting Tape)

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
1 T r Janet never got past Habitat logo
2   c Ghosts can't pass through arcade doors
2   r a Game pieces in arcade DO on ground leaves afterimage
3   r Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4   ? You can enter a region thru a closed door
4   c j Doors should know which region you came from
4   r Game pieces make noise when set down
?   ? Quantum would like changes in keyboard routine
?   ? Screen Flash (what is this ?)

playtest 4.7 problems 4/19:
2   c r couldn't put down wand after auto-teleport
3   a c check widths on plants and trees
3   a dnalsi island teleport booth address field is wrong

April 21st

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Tue Apr 21 15:13:24 1987
Subject: Status Report

Done today:
Started new Bug tracking system
Made 4.8 available for upload (Janet was unable to complete beacuse
				she got hung-up several times)
Merged Charlies new kb routine, it works VERY nicely.
Coded multi-object fiddle on C64
Coded region_play_sfx on C64 so host can issue sfx on C64
Testing tonight (Not sure how many qlinkers will be on since 4.8 is not out)

did NOT happen:
keys echo right away (spent the time putting Charlies routines in instead)

Tomarrow:
Test Multi Object Fiddle & region_play_sfx with host.
What if an avatar dies while waiting for reply?
Book interface fix.
Review new video tape and generate bug reports.

Taken from aric.t

From aric Tue Apr 21 17:07:33 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 21 APR 87 17:07:33 PST
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 21 APR 87 17:07:27 PST
Subject: status 4/21
Status: R



	Complete

	Archive of entire Habitat object imagery to Chip
	Adjustments to object widths
	Changes to plaque page #'s
	Change to Dnalsi teleport address
	Teleporting Coke Machines in Woods
	Wands in vendo have different patterns
	Put objects back into pawn shop

	RC demo
	Studying Ballblazer code for 65xe conversion

	Delayed

	Changes were made to Genesis and it currently fails when run.  I
	phoned janet and she made a change.  I ran it a second time and it
	failed again.  Janet had left for home and was unreachable

	Tomorrow morning Janet will place a filter in our filter directory
	that will set the weapons free bit for all of the regions in the 
	world.

	Tomorrow

	Run weapons free filter
	Run Genesis
	Add Beach etc.




	Report on Testing

	W	Club has Width
	W	Crat in Box
	W	Yellow room bookcase
	W	Sign at arcade was sky
	W	Bar counters are now tables
	W	game pieces no longer leave afterimage

Taken from chip.t

From chip Tue Apr 21 17:30:24 1987
Received: by moth; 21 APR 87 17:30:24 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: status report
Status: R

Today:
	revised bug report form on basis of last night's playtest
	attended project leader meeting
	finished world maps
	fixed (I hope) auto-teleportation (on test system now)
	continued object manual (almost there!)
	looked into head checkpointing
Didn't:
	fix mailbox help message (forgot to look up quote)
	finish object manual
Tomorrow:
	fix mailbox help message
	finish object manual
	code stuff for book-title HELP
	figure out why Aric couldn't put down his wand after teleport
	code door restrictions

Taken from summary.04.21

From chip Tue Apr 21 17:35:15 1987
Received: by moth; 21 APR 87 17:35:15 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Today's summary
Status: R

Task summary for Tuesday, April 21

Format: Number in left-hand column is priority.  Next column to the right is
status: 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea
right now.  Next comes the initials of the people responsible for the item,
then the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2   j c make book help give title (#77)
2   j create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3 W c implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
1 T c flipped doors put you in wrong spot on region entry (off by 8 to right)
1 W a Hook up Beach, Back-40, and Really Quite Confusing Desert
2 T a change 'patterns' on the two wands in the magic shop. add ring/moonwalk
2 T a teleport for tavern at end of road (or magic teleporting bush)
2   c Mailbox and Dropbox help are not appropriate
2   j checkpoint avatar/contents on turn to ghost (head & hand)
2   j max occupants for region
2 T r multi-object FIDDLE
2   ? Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
2 T c Supply Pawn Machine Values
2 T c Vendo help not yet working
2 T c generalize ground HELP to flat, trap, super trap
2 T r Generate online map of populopolis and put at Ymporium
2 T r Lefty's needs key numbers, and for containers to be in correct states
2 T r Merge tokens even if you have a full pocket (requires C64 work)
2 T r fix library (remove reading rooms)
2 T r make paper pink
2 W a weapons free zone in the city limits
3   c describe graphics chars in manual
3   r Check prices in all vendos
3   r add more fortunes to fortune machine
3   r c ghost/avatar only door restrictions
3   r make clone recurse
3   r spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
3 T c add chores for vendo SELECT, magic
3 T c check customizer text
3 T r spray cans work on heads
4   ? camera object
4   a customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4   j change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are maintained
4   r Give objects the power to PROMPT the user ('What is the secret word?')
4   r a magic GO
4   r c g book binder machine
4   r c g xerox machine
4   r make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
4 T c put game pieces into background on put or throw
?   ? Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?   ? Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
? I ? Turn to fly on teleport
? I ? teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost.  good for meetings
? I ? traps that spring monsters
? I ? wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1 T r Touch typing not keeping up
1 T r garbage chars in typed text
1 T j *you have mail* going to everyone in region
1 T r Janet got hung (Awaiting tape & log)
1 T r j c Cathy could not get in the first time (investigate)
1 T r word balloon in wrong place.
2 T a Club has width (collisions), floats in hand
2 T a Cratinabox is messed up
2 T a Yellow room bookcases not restricted.
2 T a You can Exit a region thru a closed door (wall was sky)
2 T a sign in front of arcade is a sky!
2 T c Countertop help should be more explicit
2 T r Club does not work as a weapon
2 T r del should erase AND backspace in text mode.
3 T r Ugly key in lefty's
3 T a Change counters into tables
?   j r Check mailer with full sheet (Awaiting Tape)

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
1 T r Janet never got past Habitat logo
2 T c Ghosts can't pass through arcade doors
2 T r a Game pieces in arcade DO on ground leaves afterimage
3   r Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4   ? You can enter a region thru a closed door
4   c j Doors should know which region you came from
4 T r Game pieces make noise when set down
?   ? Quantum would like changes in keyboard routine
?   ? Screen Flash (what is this ?)

playtest 4.7 problems 4/19:
2   c r couldn't put down wand after auto-teleport
3 T a c check widths on plants and trees
3 T a dnalsi island teleport booth address field is wrong

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
1 T c Fix form
2   r what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2   r Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3   r paper state did not change when erased (was originally blank)
3   a in turfs, user can walk over chest legs
3   r Teleport Put chore CBB
3   r Book interface: put cursor at bottom. Better cursor graphic
3   a Add 'exit->' signs to arcade door-rooms
4   r Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4   r Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

April 22nd

Taken from chip.t

From chip Wed Apr 22 21:50:33 1987
Received: by moth; 22 APR 87 21:50:33 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: status report
Status: R

Today:
	finished object manual (hooray!)
	organized and prioritized task summary list
	went to staff meeting
Didn't:
	fix mailbox help message (forgot to look up quote AGAIN)
	code book title stuff, door restriction stuff
	fix wand-put-after-teleport bug
Tomorrow:
	book title HELP
	fix mailbox help message (please)
	make sure book title, key number, magic, etc., work with vendo HELP
	code door restrictions
	try to fix wand-put-after-teleport bug

Taken from summary.04.22

From chip Wed Apr 22 21:54:18 1987
Received: by moth; 22 APR 87 21:54:18 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: summary, 4/22
Status: R

Task summary for Wednesday, April 22

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' =
pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials of the people
responsible for the item, then the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2A   j c make book help give title (#77)
2B   j create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
1A T c flipped doors put you in wrong spot on region entry (off by 8 to right)
2B   c Mailbox and Dropbox help are not appropriate
2A   j checkpoint avatar/contents on turn to ghost (head & hand)
2B   j max occupants for region
2B T r multi-object FIDDLE
2B   ? Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
2A T c Supply Pawn Machine Values
2B   c make book, key, etc. work with vendo HELP
2B T r Generate online map of populopolis and put at Ymporium
2B T a weapons free zone in the city limits
3R   c describe graphics chars in manual
3R   r Check prices in all vendos
3- T r add more fortunes to fortune machine
3R   r c ghost/avatar only door restrictions
3B   r make clone recurse
3R   r spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
3R T c add chores for vendo SELECT, magic
3B T c check customizer text
4+   ? camera object
4R   a customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are maintained
4+   r Give objects the power to PROMPT the user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a magic GO
4R   r c g book binder machine
4R   r c g xerox machine
4+   r make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost.  good for meetings
?+ I ? traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1A T r Janet got hung
1A   r j c People having problems with login
?B   j r Check mailer with full sheet

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
3R   r Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   ? You can enter a region thru a closed door
4+   c j Doors should know which region you came from
4R T r Game pieces make noise when set down
??   ? Screen Flash (what is this ?)

playtest 4.7 problems 4/19:
2B   c r couldn't put down wand after auto-teleport
3B T a c check widths on plants and trees

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3B T r paper state did not change when erased (was originally blank)
3-   a in turfs, user can walk over chest legs
3-   r Teleport Put chore CBB
3R W r Book interface: put cursor at bottom. Better cursor graphic
4+   r Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/21:
2B W a bad address fields in some teleports
3A T a flashing newsstand legs in front of Ymporium

April 23rd

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Thu Apr 23 00:52:13 1987
Received: by moth; 23 APR 87 00:52:13 PST
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Habistatus
Status: R

Done Wed:
	new keyboard routine, settling in adjustments.
	Book interface fix (goes to T)
	Fortune machine now has 89 messages (goes to T)
	Staff meeting
	Helped Chip clean up buglist
	Tested for 2+ hours.
NOT done:
	Test Multi Object Fiddle & region_play_sfx with host.
	What if an avatar dies while waiting for reply?
	Review new video tape and generate bug reports. (tape came late)

For Thursday:
	Test Multi Object Fiddle & region_play_sfx with host.
	What if an avatar dies while waiting for reply?
	Review new video tape and generate bug reports. (tape came late)
	Try to get keys to echo right away.

Taken from aric.t

From aric Thu Apr 23 10:10:25 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 23 APR 87 10:10:25 PST
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 23 APR 87 10:10:22 PST
Subject: work summary 4/22
Status: R



	Done:

	Fixed legs of newsstand
	Added exit signs to Arcade
	removed paper from Ymporium vendo
	ran Hiway through Genesis
	fixed page #'s in plaques
	tested 300 baud version of Habitat
	attached Beach/Back40/Desert
	added signs pointing to beach/back40/desert
	Coordinated setting of weapons free flag for entire world
	Created directory assistance region
	

	Not Done:


	Tomorrow (Today):


	Fix dressers in homes
	Meet with Cathy
	Have customizer send different regions
	Fix the customizer region that we have

April 24th

Taken from chip.t

From chip Fri Apr 24 17:34:51 1987
Received: by moth; 24 APR 87 17:34:51 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: status report 4/23 & 4/24
Status: R

Today and yesterday:
	fixed mailbox help messages
	did book title help stuff (Janet's routines don't work right yet)
	updated vendo HELP stuff
	spent a lot of time meeting with the guys from TI
Didn't:
	code door restriction stuff
	work on teleport/wand problem
Monday:
	bug Janet about book title routines
	door restrictions
	wand/teleport bug
	multi-door entry positioning bug (#12 and #x41)
	work with Randy making generic_switch objects send response
	update maps some more (since Aric's rearranged things a bit)

Taken from summary.04.24

From chip Fri Apr 24 17:45:10 1987
Received: by moth; 24 APR 87 17:45:10 PST
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Today's summary report
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Friday, April 24.

I have incorporated Randy's summary of the ARF's for the past few days'
testing.  For the sake of having an unambiguous reference scheme, I have gone
and numbered all the outstanding past items with 'x' numbers (#x1 through
#x55).  Following Randy's convention, the items from the 4/14-4/15 fax memo
are numbered #1 through #30, while ARF items will now be numbered
consecutively from #100 (top item is currently #116).

This will be a little confusing for a while until we get the summary report
format straight between us.  Randy: let's discuss this.

Also, to some of the items (notably #12, #113 and #114) I have added
parenthetical comments in square brackets [like this].  Y'all should take
notice of these, because we need to make some decisions.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working
on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials
of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number, and finally
the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2A W j c #x1 make book help give title (#77)
2B   j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
1A T c #x4 flipped doors put you in wrong spot on region entry (off by 8)
2B T c #x5 Mailbox and Dropbox help are not appropriate
2A   j #x6 checkpoint avatar/contents on turn to ghost (head & hand)
2B   j #x7 max occupants for region
2B T r #x8 multi-object FIDDLE
2B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
2A T c #x10 Supply Pawn Machine Values
2B T c #x11 make book, key, etc. work with vendo HELP
2B T r #x12 Generate online map of populopolis and put at Ymporium
2B T a #x13 weapons free zone in the city limits
3R   c #x14 describe graphics chars in manual
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3- T r #x16 add more fortunes to fortune machine
3R   r c #x17 ghost/avatar only door restrictions
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
3R T c #x20 add chores for vendo SELECT, magic
3B T c #x21 check customizer text
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1A T r #x36 Janet got hung
1A   r j c #x37 People having problems with login
?B   j r #x38 Check mailer with full sheet

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
3R   r #x39 Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   ? #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4+   c j #x41 Doors should know which region you came from
4R T r #x42 Game pieces make noise when set down
??   ? #x43 Screen Flash (what is this ?)

playtest 4.7 problems 4/19:
2B   c r #x44 couldn't put down wand after auto-teleport
3B T a c #x45 check widths on plants and trees

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3B T r #x48 paper state did not change when erased (was originally blank)
3-   a #x49 in turfs, user can walk over chest legs
3-   r #x50 Teleport Put chore CBB
3R W r #x51 Book interface: put cursor at bottom. Better cursor graphic
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/21:
2B W a #x54 bad address fields in some teleports
3A T a #x55 flashing newsstand legs in front of Ymporium

playtest 4/14 & 4/15 problems (from Quantum):
2B   a #1 Make sure all multi-page books/plaques are correct (Arcade/Hall-Rec)
	(populop map should NOT be on plaque)
2B   c #12 Multi-door entry does not place you in front of correct door
	[this repeats item #x41 -- we need to decide correct priority]
1B   c r j #19 PUT put a game piece in wrong place (review tape: suspect host)
2B   r #23 Bahia put head on 'BAR'/backgammon, did not go where specified.
2B   a #28 Make reset use Multi-object fiddle.				

Evidence of memory dammage (source unknown):
1B D r #14 Dammaged road graphic. [fixed by item #112 fix]
1B D r #29 Was able to pickup bag while open [fixed by item #112 fix]

ARF bugs to 4/23
1B   j #100 Balloons limited to one packet, break up longer (HOST)
4R   r #101 Better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
2B   g a #102 Need orientation independant compass image
3B   r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
3B   r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
3R   r #106 bottom of screen interrupt tears after text mode.
2A   r #107 Still able to steal paper from an avatar (HOST)
1R   j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode (HOST) (turn off the
	'inactivity timer')
2B   r #110 Shift-Restore not working reliably, implement alternate
1B T r #112 Bad request sent to host, class sensor?
2B   r #113 C64 protocol not as streamlined as possible [what is this?]
2B   a #114 Is RESET games sending unneeded messages? [this repeats item #28]
3B   c j #116 Should ESP send fail message?

Evidence of memory dammage (source unknown):
1B D r #111 Pocket graphics degenerated...eventualy hung [fixed by #112 fix]

Taken from aric.t

From aric Fri Apr 24 18:17:39 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 24 APR 87 18:17:39 PST
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 24 APR 87 18:17:40 PST
Subject: status 4/24
Status: R



	Done

	5 new bug eyed monster heads habitized and merged
	Door at Machutas fixed
	All bags in vendos in Habitat fixed
	Tested Teleport address fields and coordinated fix w/ Janet
	Directory Assistance (Teleport address 'Help') region added and
	    hooked to world
	Tested Flipped doors
	Tested new widths on plants & trees.  I need to spend some more
	    time in the Woods before marking it as done.
	Fixed 2 head images that were causing problems.
	Testing of Weapons free bit.  Looks like it is working fine.


	Not Done

	Dressers still have legs below region horizon

	Monday

	Fix the Dressers
	move Populopolis map from arcade
	use multi-object fiddle in arcade magic
	work on magic in general
	write directory assistance plaques
	add new holes images and insert them as door types
	Coordinate with Janet adding more initialization (customizer) screens

April 27th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Mon Apr 27 08:28:30 1987
Received: by moth; 27 APR 87 08:28:30 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, nancy, sda
Subject: status
Status: R

I am VERY sorry that I did not send status on Thursday And Friday.
I will try to make this a regular habit-at.

Done
	region_play_sfx working (#x42 done & installed)
	Book interface final adjustments
	Attended Habitat team meeting
	Generated first pass at Populopolis Downtown map.
	Discovered that generic_switch was TOTALLY screwed,trashing memory
	Reviewed new video tape and generated bug reports.
	Started the procedure for processing ARFs.

Next:
	Analyze 4.9 results (ARFs) and report disposition of version 4.9
1A   r j c #x37 People having problems with login
2A   r #107 Still able to steal paper from an avatar (HOST)
	Make switches wait for reply.
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
?B   j r #x38 Check mailer with full sheet
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #23 Bahia put head on 'BAR'/backgammon, did not go where specified.
2B   r #110 Shift-Restore not working reliably, implement alternate

Re Item #113:
Janet sent me a log where we THINK tha the C64 sould have recovered from
a bad packet xmission a bit FASTER than it actualy did. This is not a 
fatal error, but a desireable performance improvement.

Re Item #112:
I am only certain that the fix to #112 will mark #29 off of the list..
it MAY be that it takes care of #14 and/or #111. Still uncertain there.

Taken from aric.t

From aric Mon Apr 27 17:20:19 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 27 APR 87 17:20:19 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 27 APR 87 17:20:12 PDT
Subject: summary 4/27
Status: R



	Done:

	Added 2 new styles of door.  A hole, and a sewer grating
	Fixed 2 old styles of door.
	Updated text for 3 game regions.  Each now as a plaque
	    specific to the type of game you are playing.
	Worked with Janet trying to find out how I crashed the host.
	Talked to Janet about having customizer send choice of customize
	    regions.
	I am in the process of updating the majority of homes so that
	    people do not walk through the legs of the dressers.

	Not Done:

	Multi-object fiddle message
	Directory assistance plaques

	Tomorrow/Tonight:

	Try to finish off homes with dressers
	Finish directory assistance plaque
	Work with Randy on multi-object fiddle

Taken from chip.t

From chip Mon Apr 27 19:24:26 1987
Received: by moth; 27 APR 87 19:24:26 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: status report
Status: R

Today:
	bugged Janet about fixing book title stuff (should be in tomorrow)
	coded door restrictions (ready to test)
	found auto-teleport bug (not fixed yet, but I know what's wrong)
	coded stuff for multi-door positioning (needs some work by Janet)
	updated maps; printed them out
	made compass DO give message with west direction (needs test)
	made escape device HELP show charge remaining (needs test)
	reduced fortune price from $10 to $2
	went to habiteam meeting
Didn't:
	finish fixing autoteleport
	work on generic_switch objects (Randy did it all!)
Tomorrow:
	test out stuff added today
	talk to Janet about adding ESP failure error message
	investigate PUT putting things in the wrong place
	finish fixing autoteleport
	bug Janet about book title, region transition change for doors

Taken from summary.04.27

From chip Mon Apr 27 19:26:56 1987
Received: by moth; 27 APR 87 19:26:56 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Summary report for Monday, April 27
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Monday, April 27.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working
on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials
of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number, and finally
the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2A W j c #x1 make book help give title (#77)
2B   j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
2A   j #x6 checkpoint avatar/contents on turn to ghost (head & hand)
2B   j #x7 max occupants for region
2B T r #x8 multi-object FIDDLE
2B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
2B T a #x13 weapons free zone in the city limits
3R   c #x14 describe graphics chars in manual
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3- T r #x16 add more fortunes to fortune machine
3R T r c #x17 ghost/avatar only door restrictions
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
3R T c #x20 add chores for vendo SELECT, magic
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1A T r #x36 Janet got hung
1A   r j c #x37 People having problems with login
?B   j r #x38 Check mailer with full sheet

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
3R   r #x39 Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   ? #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4+ W c j #x41 Doors should know which region you came from
??   ? #x43 Screen Flash (what is this ?)

playtest 4.7 problems 4/19:
2B W c r #x44 couldn't put down wand after auto-teleport
3B T a c #x45 check widths on plants and trees

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3- W a #x49 in turfs, user can walk over chest legs
3-   r #x50 Teleport Put chore CBB
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

playtest 4/14 & 4/15 problems (from Quantum):
2B T a #1 Make sure all multi-page books/plaques are correct (Arcade/Hall-Rec)
	(populop map should NOT be on plaque)
2B W c #12 Multi-door entry does not place you in front of correct door
	[this repeats item #x41 -- we need to decide correct priority]
1B   c r j #19 PUT put a game piece in wrong place (review tape: suspect host)
2B   r #23 Bahia put head on 'BAR'/backgammon, did not go where specified.
2B   a #28 Make reset use Multi-object fiddle.				

Evidence of memory dammage (source unknown):
1B ? r #14 Dammaged road graphic. [possibly fixed by item #112 fix]

ARF bugs to 4/23
1B T j #100 Balloons limited to one packet, break up longer (HOST)
4R   r #101 Better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
2B T c #102 Need orientation independant compass image
3B   r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
3B   r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
3R   r #106 bottom of screen interrupt tears after text mode.
2A T r #107 Still able to steal paper from an avatar (HOST)
1R   j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode (HOST) (turn off the
	'inactivity timer')
2B T r #110 Shift-Restore not working reliably, implement alternate
1B T r #112 Bad request sent to host, class sensor?
2B   r #113 C64 protocol not as streamlined as possible [what is this?]
2B   a #114 Is RESET games sending unneeded messages? [this repeats item #28]
3B   j c #115 Should ESP send fail message?

Evidence of memory dammage (source unknown):
1B ? r #111 Pocket graphics degenerated,eventualy hung [maybe fix by #112 fix]

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
3B T a #116 Improve Plaque text in Arcade
3B   a #117 Region:9171 Have arrow/sign point the way out
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate?
1A T r #119 Switches and Lights do not wait for replies.
2A T r #120 Book interface not working right on Populop map
3B T r c #121 Escape devices: 1) should start with 10 chgs 2)help give chgs
2B   r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival
3B T c a #123 reduce price of fortune (current price $10)
?B   r #124 Janet had a strange head graphic in her pocket
1A T j #125 Fix for overly long text packets
2B   a #126 When Janet entered backgammon, all the dice were 'spinning'
2B   r #127 host Recieved CRC errors during init, but recovered. [Dup #x37]

April 28th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Tue Apr 28 06:20:06 1987
Received: by moth; 28 APR 87 06:20:06 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: stat
Status: R

Done:
	Analyze 4.9 results (ARFs) and report disposition of version 4.9
	Make switches wait for reply.
	found & fixed grandson of grandfather of all bugs.
2A   r #107 Still able to steal paper from an avatar (HOST) 
?B   j r #x38 Check mailer with full sheet (OK)
2B   r #110 Shift-Restore not working reliably, implement alternate
	alternate Shift-Runstop (BOTH are operational)

Did NOT happen:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
2B   r #23 Bahia put head on 'BAR'/backgammon, did not go where specified.
           (Can not duplicate will review tape again)

Next:
	I will spend all of today trying to:
	1) Figure out WHAT happend at last nights playtest
	2) Fix it, and have 5.0 ready for Tomarrow.

From farmer Tue Apr 28 09:10:07 1987
Received: by moth; 28 APR 87 09:10:07 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: midday status
Status: R

Mid-Day status (well, MY midday!)

ARFS update:
--   #128 Nancy got confused after reading mail, *you have mail* didnt go away
3- I r #129 book interface:BACK beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?
1A T j #130 Cathy melted down when someone entered backgammon (me) [j fixed 1]
3B   r c #131 Using Choke and Fortune machines: async chore.
1A T r #133 Users able to put items in closed containers! [fixed]
2A T j #134 Janet will presently truncate excessive text messages [1]
2B   c #135 Vendo help not working right (check out machutas, left vendo)
2B   r c #136 Spray Cans on heads: Janet used stripes, and for translucent!
1A T r #137 Aric put a box down, and the x coord was way wrong [Fixed 2]
2A   c r #138 De-ghosting, ghosting is not handling flashlights correctly


[1]:	There were MANY meltdowns and mem-faults, all caused by a problem
	introduced by Janet, in her attempts to deal with message balloons
	that spanned more than one packet. For the short run, she says
	she will just truncate the messages, and return the system to it's
	originall state (working).

[2]:	Found this bug, it moves items #19, #23, #137 to Test status.

From farmer Tue Apr 28 11:44:01 1987
Received: by moth; 28 APR 87 11:44:01 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: ARFS
Status: R

Quantums ARFS arrvived:
ARFS update QLINK arfs arrived:
dd d #140 Dup #130
dd d #141 Dup #136
dd d #144 Dup #135
dd d #145 Dup #133
dd d #146 Dup #127 (In test)
dd d #148 Dup #139
dd d #149 Dup #130 Cathy stuck in text interface during mem-fault
dd d #150 Dup #138
dd d #151 Dup #130

Nothing that was not already on the list, or on the list as of this
morning!

From farmer Tue Apr 28 14:10:48 1987
Received: by moth; 28 APR 87 14:10:48 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: More Status
Status: R

More stuff I did:
	Fixed minor problems with book & plaque on host.
	Took another swing at init problems (#x37)
3B T r c #121 Escape devices: 1) should start with 10 chgs
	PLUS the other stuff I sent out as my midday status.

Tomarrow:
	Release version 5.0!
	Document 5.0
	Internal test 5.0
	Have 5.0 disposition meeting.
	Staff meeting.
	Process last bathch of 4.9 ARFS

Taken from chip.t

From chip Tue Apr 28 16:56:59 1987
Received: by moth; 28 APR 87 16:56:59 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: my status report, 4/28
Status: R

Today:
	tested book title stuff (something's still broken in Janet's code)
	fixed spray cans messing up head pattern
	coded fix for flashlight/ghost problem (Janet needs to incorporate)
	fixed auto-teleport (for sure this time)
	got compass working independent of orientation (sends text message)
	made escape device help give charge
	added asynch choreography to coke machine, fortune machine
	fixed problem in vendo help tables
	bugged Janet about her stuff
Didn't:
	investigate PUT bug (Randy fixed it before I got here!)
Tomorrow:
	bug Janet about book title problems, door entry stuff, ESP failure,
		ghosts & flashlights
	finish anything waiting on the above tasks, if she finishes her part
	look for more stuff to do (possibly: work on Ghu, code Xerox machine
		object, code binder object, bug Gary about additional artwork)

Taken from summary.04.28

From chip Tue Apr 28 16:58:23 1987
Received: by moth; 28 APR 87 16:58:23 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Summary report, 4/28
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Tuesday, April 28.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working
on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials
of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number, and finally
the item itself.

Finished today:
2B D a #x13 weapons free zone in the city limits
3R D c #x20 add chores for vendo SELECT, magic
2B D c r #x44 couldn't put down wand after auto-teleport
3B D a c #x45 check widths on plants and trees
3- D a #x49 in turfs, user can walk over chest legs
2B D c #102 Need orientation independant compass image
2A D r #107 Still able to steal paper from an avatar (HOST)
3B D a #116 Improve Plaque text in Arcade
3B D r c #121 Escape devices: 1) should start with 10 chgs 2)help give chgs
3B D c a #123 reduce price of fortune (current price $10)
-- D #128 Nancy got confused after reading mail, *you have mail* didnt go away
1A D j #130 Cathy melted down when someone entered backgammon [j fixed #134]
3B D r c #131 Using Choke and Fortune machines: async chore.
1A D r #133 Users able to put items in closed containers!
2B D c #135 Vendo help not working right (check out machutas, left vendo)
1A D r #137 Aric put a box down, and the x coord was way wrong

Currently active official task list items:
2A W j c #x1 make book help give title (#77)
2B   j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
2A   j #x6 checkpoint avatar/contents on turn to ghost (head & hand)
2B   j #x7 max occupants for region
2B T r #x8 multi-object FIDDLE
2B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3R   c #x14 describe graphics chars in manual
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3- T r #x16 add more fortunes to fortune machine
3R T r c #x17 ghost/avatar only door restrictions
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1A T r #x36 Janet got hung
1A T r j c #x37 People having problems with login
?B T j r #x38 Check mailer with full sheet

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
3R   r #x39 Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   ? #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4+ W c j #x41 Doors should know which region you came from
??   ? #x43 Screen Flash (what is this ?)

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3-   r #x50 Teleport Put chore CBB
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

playtest 4/14 & 4/15 problems (from Quantum):
2B T a #1 Make sure all multi-page books/plaques are correct (Arcade/Hall-Rec)
	(populop map should NOT be on plaque)
2B W c #12 Multi-door entry does not place you in front of correct door
1B T c r j #19 PUT put a game piece in wrong place (review tape: suspect host)
2B T r #23 Bahia put head on 'BAR'/backgammon, did not go where specified.
2B W a #28 Make reset use Multi-object fiddle.				

Evidence of memory damage (source unknown):
1B ? r #14 Dammaged road graphic. [possibly fixed by item #112 fix]

ARF bugs to 4/23
1B T j #100 Balloons limited to one packet, break up longer (HOST)
4R   r #101 Better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
3B   r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
3B   r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
3R   r #106 bottom of screen interrupt tears after text mode.
1R   j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode (HOST) (turn off the
	'inactivity timer')
2B T r #110 Shift-Restore not working reliably, implement alternate
1B T r #112 Bad request sent to host, class sensor?
2B   r #113 C64 protocol not as streamlined as possible
2B W a #114 Is RESET games sending unneeded messages? [this repeats item #28]
3B   j c #115 Should ESP send fail message?

Evidence of memory damage (source unknown):
1B ? r #111 Pocket graphics degenerated,eventualy hung [maybe fix by #112 fix]

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
3B   a #117 Region:9171 Have arrow/sign point the way out
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate?
1A T r #119 Switches and Lights do not wait for replies.
2A T r #120 Book interface not working right on Populop map
2B   r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival
?B   r #124 Janet had a strange head graphic in her pocket
1A T j #125 Fix for overly long text packets
2B   a #126 When Janet entered backgammon, all the dice were 'spinning'
2B T r #127 host Recieved CRC errors during init, but recovered. [Dup #x37]

ARF bugs 4/28:
3- I r #129 book interface:BACK beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?
2A T j #134 Janet will presently truncate excessive text messages
2B T r c #136 Spray Cans on heads: Janet used stripes, and for translucent!
2A W c j #138 De-ghosting, ghosting is not handling flashlights correctly

Taken from aric.t

From aric Tue Apr 28 17:05:41 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 28 APR 87 17:05:41 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 28 APR 87 17:05:39 PDT
Subject: Summary 4/28
Status: R




	Done:

	#45	Widths on plants & trees looks OK
	#x49	Horizons in turfs w/ dressers have all been changed
	#1	plaque moved from Arcade.  Plaques in Hall/rec were fine.
	#28/114	wrote host end of multi-object fiddle.  I need to coordinate
		    with Randy & find out why it locks up C64
		Tested auto teleport with chip
		worked on magic in general.  Improved send avatar/change style

From aric Tue Apr 28 17:07:48 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 28 APR 87 17:07:48 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 28 APR 87 17:07:45 PDT
Subject: summary 4/28  (part 2)
Status: R


	Not done:

	Finish directory assistance plaque (will do during playtest tonite)


	Tomorrow:

	Find out why multi-object fiddle messages are not working
	add exit signs to game regions

April 29th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Wed Apr 29 11:10:08 1987
Received: by moth; 29 APR 87 11:10:08 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Habitat status
Status: R

new ARFS (all reportsed with version 4.9):

dd d #152 Dup #138
?? ? #153 insufficient information, Janet will get back to me
3B   c #154 newstand sign help message wrong "How did you do that?"
2B   r #155 took cathy 30 secs to appear in a region with 3 avatars.
dd d #156 Dup #138
dd d #157 Cathy had a failed init, Dup #37
     #158 Cathy had lockup after 'f7' news sign. [awaiting tape]
     #159 Repeat delete not working (user error?) [awaiting tape]
     #160 Janet took a long time to appear Dup #155...Tune Throttle back up!
     #161 It took a long time to load region [bandwidth reduction will reduce]
2A D a #162 Closed a door, part of it was flashing FIXED 5.0
2B   r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
     #164 Translucent hair flashes after mail read (NOT a bug,TRANSLUCENT hair
		is bug #136, and THAT is Fixed in 5.0)
1A   r j #165 Flashing go trying to enter Bobs Bank (aric & janet)
dd d #166 Dup #162
2A   r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.
4R   r #168 ']' and '[' are mapped to '(' and ')'.
2B   r #169 Book interface not handling next page correctly [Fixed 5.0]
3B   r a #170 Flowerbox outside tivolli's flickers.

Based on this data, I have high
confidence that the remaining Alpha tasks (except INIT failure)
are HOST problems. More data on this as it becomes available.

April 30th

Taken from chip.t

From chip Thu Apr 30 17:29:13 1987
Received: by moth; 30 APR 87 17:29:13 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: my status report, 4/30
Status: R

Today & Yesterday:
	got book title HELP working
	got multi-door region entry working
	spent hours in meetings
	fixed vendo HELP so it works right with both front and back halves
	coded modification to Scumm compiler to output checksums (for Maniac)
Tomorrow:
	debugging Scumm modification, if needed
	shepherd Eric Drexler around
	anything that comes up in tonight's test that needs attending to

Taken from summary.04.30

From chip Thu Apr 30 17:30:41 1987
Received: by moth; 30 APR 87 17:30:41 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: summary report, 4/30
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Thursday, April 30.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working
on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials
of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number, and finally
the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2A T j c #x1 make book help give title (#77)
2B   j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
2B   j #x7 max occupants for region
2B T r #x8 multi-object FIDDLE
2B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3B   c #x14 describe graphics chars in manual
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3- T r #x16 add more fortunes to fortune machine
3R T r c #x17 ghost/avatar only door restrictions
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1A T r #x36 Janet got hung
1A T r j c #x37 People having problems with login

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
3R   r #x39 Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4+ T c j #x41 Doors should know which region you came from
4B   r #x43 Screen Flash

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3-   r #x50 Teleport Put chore CBB
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

playtest 4/14 & 4/15 problems (from Quantum):
	(populop map should NOT be on plaque)
2B T c #12 Multi-door entry does not place you in front of correct door
2B T a #28 Make reset use Multi-object fiddle.				

Evidence of memory damage (source unknown):
1B   r #14 Damaged road graphic.

ARF bugs to 4/23
1B T j #100 Balloons limited to one packet, break up longer (HOST)
4+   r #101 Better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
3B   r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
3B   r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
3B   r #106 bottom of screen interrupt tears after text mode.
1R   j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode (HOST) (turn off the
	'inactivity timer')
1B   r #113 C64 protocol dropping packets on rare occasion
2B T a #114 Is RESET games sending unneeded messages? [this repeats item #28]
3B   j c #115 Should ESP send fail message?

Evidence of memory damage (source unknown):
1B   r #111 Pocket graphics degenerated,eventualy hung

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
3B   a #117 Region:9171 Have arrow/sign point the way out
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
2A T r #120 Book interface not working right on Populop map
2B   r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival
1B   r #124 Janet had a strange head graphic in her pocket
1A T j #125 Fix for overly long text packets
2B T a #126 When Janet entered backgammon, all the dice were 'spinning'
2B T r #127 host Recieved CRC errors during init, but recovered. [Dup #x37]

ARF bugs 4/28:
3- I r #129 book interface:BACK beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?
2A W c j #138 De-ghosting, ghosting is not handling flashlights correctly

ARF bugs 4/29:
?? ? #153 insufficient information, Janet will get back to me
3B T c #154 newstand sign help message wrong "How did you do that?"
2B   r #155 took cathy 30 secs to appear in a region with 3 avatars.
     #158 Cathy had lockup after 'f7' news sign. [awaiting tape]
     #159 Repeat delete not working (user error?) [awaiting tape]
     #160 Janet took a long time to appear Dup #155...Tune Throttle back up!
     #161 It took a long time to load region [bandwidth reduction will reduce]
2B   r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
1A   r j #165 Flashing go trying to enter Bobs Bank (aric & janet)
2A   r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.
4R   r #168 ']' and '[' are mapped to '(' and ')'.
3B   r a #170 Flowerbox outside tivolli's flickers.
1A T r #171 opening large box kills others in region
2B   r #172 paper REPLY: put cursor on 2nd line

May 1987

May 1st

Taken from aric.t

From aric Fri May  1 16:03:21 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 01 MAY 87 16:03:21 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 01 MAY 87 16:03:17 PDT
Subject: summary 5/1
Status: R




	DONE:

	Vendo Image changed so shovel would clip correctly
	all vendos on host upgraded to new standards
	Doors in Kellys bar redirected
	Game regions rotated so exit is always to bottom
	#170 flicker in front of tivollis was removed
	#28 can be marked done
	#114 done
	#126 Janet saw spinning dice is OK can be removed (inited that way)
	Prepared to add other chess/checker/gammon regions


	Monday:

	genesis new game regions
	test bulletin board images (also in DONE, but not tested on disk)
	Magic staff image hold position changed (DONE, but not tested on disk)
	anything that shows up in weekend playtesting

May 7th

Taken from chip.t

From chip Thu May  7 17:19:24 1987
Received: by moth; 07 MAY 87 17:19:24 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: status report, 5/7
Status: R

Today, yesterday, etc:
	numerous arguments, meetings and teleconferences
	printed complete source listing for C64 Habitat
	fixed several minor host bugs
	mondo playtests
	brainstormed with the team about diagnosing mystery bugs
Tomorrow:
	work with Randy on mystery bugs
	probably more arguments, meetings and teleconferences

Taken from summary.05.07

From chip Thu May  7 17:19:58 1987
Received: by moth; 07 MAY 87 17:19:58 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: summary report 5/7
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Thursday, May 7.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working
on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials
of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number, and finally
the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2A D j c #x1 make book help give title (#77)
2B   j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
2B W j #x7 max occupants for region
2B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3B T c #x14 describe graphics chars in online document
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

Playtest 4.7 problems 4/15:
1A T r j c #x37 People having problems with login

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
3B   r #x39 Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4+ D c j #x41 Doors should know which region you came from
4B   r #x43 Screen Flash

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3-   r #x50 Teleport Put chore CBB
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

playtest 4/14 & 4/15 problems (from Quantum):
2B D c #12 Multi-door entry does not place you in front of correct door

Evidence of memory damage (source unknown):
1B   r #14 Damaged road graphic.

ARF bugs to 4/23
4+   r #101 Better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
3B   r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
3B   r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
3B   r #106 bottom of screen interrupt tears after text mode.
1R   j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode (HOST) (turn off the
	'inactivity timer')
1B   r #113 C64 protocol dropping packets on rare occasion
3B W j c #115 Should ESP send fail message?

Evidence of memory damage (source unknown):
1B   r #111 Pocket graphics degenerated,eventualy hung

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
2B   r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival
1B   r #124 Janet had a strange head graphic in her pocket

ARF bugs 4/28:
3- I r #129 book interface:BACK beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?
2A T c j #138 De-ghosting, ghosting is not handling flashlights correctly

ARF bugs 4/29:
?? ? #153 insufficient information, Janet will get back to me
     #160 Janet took a long time to appear Dup #155...Tune Throttle back up!
     #161 It took a long time to load region [bandwidth reduction will reduce]
2B   r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
1A W r j #165 Flashing go trying to enter Bobs Bank (aric & janet)
2A   r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.
4R D r #168 ']' and '[' are mapped to '(' and ')'.
2B   r #172 paper REPLY: put cursor on 2nd line

ARF bugs 5/4:
2A W r #173 Janet got meltdown just after sending ESP [investigating]
1B   r #176 Keyboard output tied to frame rate
2B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
2A   r #178 Cathy got 'keyboard jammed'?? Need to see this on tape
3B D a #180 Aric, please disconnect the 'top-down' map regions
2A W a #184 There are only 3 boardgame regions of each type.
2B   a #185 Need better walkto for Crat-n-a-box (Not obscuring Crat)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.
3B   a #188 Can not get help on hand held object, if style=spider.
1B T c #189 People are still 'colliding' with heads.

May 18th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Mon May 18 16:17:53 1987
Received: by moth; 18 MAY 87 16:17:53 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Stats
Status: R



Today:
	Attended efficient Habistatus Meeting ;)
	Installed Error/Warning handler (Warnings seem to work)
	replaced Disk/Rs232 gateway with better system. (works great)
	Merged Rons disk routines with ours (now can handle disk errors!)
	Removed RESTORE key processing.
	Moved code that was causeing interrupt tear (potential crash)

Tomarrow:
	LRCs for Images, Actions, Sounds, and Classes
	Merge Latest Graphic stuff (both are diagnostics stuff)
	Maybe: install Sector LRC checking.

May 19th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Tue May 19 08:43:06 1987
Received: by moth; 19 MAY 87 08:43:06 PDT
From: farmer (Define the Universe. Give three examples.)
To: aric, chip, nancy, quantum, sda
Subject: trip notes
Status: RO

To Do List generated by My visit to Q May 11-13:

Bugs:
RESTORE key did not re-enable NMIS. RESTORE KEY PROCESSING REMOVED
Minor problem in rs232.m (moveb #1,dd0d should be move #x10,dd0e).DONE.
In cursor.m, the selfmod code could cause crash/interrupts tears.DONE.
got_HB should clear NAKSNT. DONE.
Make sure indirect jumps can not cross page boundries.
generic_on/off on the host are not replying properly.
ASYNC message for security device seems to cause problems

Design:
Improve disk error detection. DONE
Implement Error Handler (see ERRORS). DONE
Need to limit number of heads on host. (settled on 32, any style)
Add LRC checking, and do it often!
Keep a command history incl noid,class,function (I am not sure this is needed)

ERRORs: (Things we need to trap)
Mem Fault - heap full
Mem Fault - corrupt header
LRC failure
indirect addr error
graphic state of image is out of range
user requested dump.
Disk error warning

May 20th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Wed May 20 09:28:23 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 20 MAY 87 09:28:23 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip, farmer
Received: by kessel; 20 MAY 87 09:28:19 PDT
Subject: VA visit #2
Status: RO

just talked to Cathy.  told her, as Chip had said yesterday afternoon, that
we're shooting for getting a rev w/diagnostics available to them in the morning
to allow testing before the 3-day weekend.  for sure will have it there before
the weekend.

tentatively planning for you two to go there during the 1st week of June--maybe
the 1st & 2nd to work w/Janet & Mike, & debrief the 3rd?  do you think that's
a reasonable schedule to be able to review info from the diagnostic tools?

things to schedule around:
--their move to the building next door = pack Thursday the 4th, start moving
furniture on Friday, & move the machines between 1:00am Sunday & 6pm Monday.
to be back up at 6:00 Monday night the 8th.
--our all-employee meeting 6/8 at 4:00.
--our Mad Scientist Lecture 6/12.
--access to the stratus for Chip is easiest the week of 6/1.

why don't the two of you stop by about 10 & let me know what you think.  thanks.

From farmer Wed May 20 20:05:33 1987
Received: by moth; 20 MAY 87 20:05:33 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip, nancy, sda
Subject: version status
Status: RO

5.2t (test) got tested tonight.
It needs a little more work (hey! alot of new stuffs in dair!:)
Release will be slated for Friday.
,

May 21st

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Thu May 21 08:35:04 1987
Received: by moth; 21 MAY 87 08:35:04 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: VA Trip II
Status: RO

Just got off the phone with Janet re: 'VA#2'

1) Agreed with me that June 1st is way too soon for ME to
	meet with them.
   (Said that the only reason she gave OK to June 1 trip is because
	Cathy said it was what WE wanted, also date was picked
	by Nancy.(realizing that Chip can only get Stratus access
	thru June 3)

2) Agreed that 'to review diagnostic information' is NOT a good agenda.
   (This info will be reviewed as it is reported, not saved up for later.)

Here is the scoop as Janet and I now understand it:
We agree, that if 
1) a number of UNKNOWN (mystery) problems appear
	(i.e. still getting unexplained meltdowns) and/or
2) Mikey needs to consult with us re:hardware problems,
	that we will get together SOMEWHERE.

This trip would take place AFTER these steps are taken:
1)
 a: Randy looks at ARFS/TAPES/DISKS, and cant figure out what is going on.
	(includes a discussion with Janet)
 b: Aric & Chip look at same problem, and do the same.
 c: There is a phone call (perhaps conference) to discuss the problem(s)
2)
 a: Mike and I can't work it out on the phone.

From nancy Thu May 21 10:29:40 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 21 MAY 87 10:29:40 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Received: by kessel; 21 MAY 87 10:29:33 PDT
Subject: alpha
Status: RO

Cathy is checking w/Janet for current task summary to review our understanding
of bug fixes required for starting alpha.  The last list I have is 5/7--please
send the most current so we're all looking at the same thing.

The time frame Cathy has in mind is:
week of 5/25  team testing of version 5.2 (w/diagnostics)--back to 6 people
              (3 from there & 3 from here) on Tuesday & Wednesday nights.
week of 6/1  analyze diagnostic results & debugging
week of 6/8  team testing of new rev, possibly w/larger group 
week of 6/15  start alpha if that rev did not fail consistently


Need the daily status report, please!

From nancy Thu May 21 10:31:34 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 21 MAY 87 10:31:34 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Received: by kessel; 21 MAY 87 10:31:27 PDT
Subject: 5/7 summary report
Status: RO

a couple of notes--#105 is 1B, and #113 is 1A, I think.

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Thu May 21 16:06:26 1987
Received: by moth; 21 MAY 87 16:06:26 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Version 5.2
Status: R

Version 5.2 will be released in the morning for small-scale testing.
The Un-Dump tool is operational, ready for disks to come
(This is my status report)

Tomarrow:
	fix lights
	fix generic on/off object
	investigate heads problem (when limit of 31 is reached)

Taken from chip.t

From chip Thu May 21 18:28:49 1987
Received: by moth; 21 MAY 87 18:28:49 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Status report
Status: R

Past few days:
	lots of progress on Ghu (now has macros, IF, FOR-loops; most of the
		object, avatar and region database stuff is working; dynamic
		class definition is working as of today)
	staying out of Randy's and Aric's way as they install diagnostics
	numerous meetings
	some progress on stochastic region generation stuff
Tomorrow:
	Ghu acquires the 'set' command (after which point folks can begin
		using it on an experimental basis)

May 22nd

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Fri May 22 08:26:52 1987
Received: by moth; 22 MAY 87 08:26:52 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer
Cc: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, quantum
Subject: 5.2
Status: RO

Habitat Version 5.2

This is an internal release copy of Habitat.
With the addition of diagnostics, there have been significant changes
and they require a new round of 'internal' testing (aw,rf,cm,jh,rm,ca)

Changes include:
We lost 256 byts of heap, please adjust on host.
Fixed interrupt tear stuff
HBs always NAKed
Indirect JMP Never on page boundry
RESTORE key processing removed (shift-restore now disabled)
The graphic system has been made more robust (non-crashing)

NOTE!!!: There is a new file on the Imagery Disk:
on_disk_charset.dat lives at Track 0x12 Sector 0x8
(This is so that Imagery disks can have different character sets)

Diagnostics:
When an error occurrs (or the user presses CTRL-C=) a word balloon will
appear with an error/warning message. If the error is Fatal, the user
will be requested to insert a blank formatted disk. This 'DUMP TO DISK'
may be aborted with shift-runstop.

Fatal errors
user_requested_dump	=	0	; no TRAPPED error occurred
memory_full		=	1
memory_fault		=	2
memory_corrupt		=	3	; lrc got corrupted
indirect_address_error	=	4
bad_image_state		=	5
no_room_for_head	=	6
indirect_address_jmp	=	7
indirect_address_rts	=	8
Warnings
simple_disk_error	=	128	; returned by rom
disk_write_error	=	129	; write protect(?)
sector_lrc_error	=	130	; transmission problem

From nancy Fri May 22 13:37:22 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 22 MAY 87 13:37:22 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: aric, chip, farmer
Cc: sda
Received: by kessel; 22 MAY 87 13:37:17 PDT
Subject: alpha requirements
Status: RO

from conference call Chip & I had w/Cathy & Janet this morning, these are
pre-alpha bugs:
#x39
#113
#115 + note concentrate on testing, since it has turned out to be a little
     trickier than we thought
#165
#167
#173
#176
#184
#tbd flashlight problem
#tbd ESP not sending when point @ teleport booth

we agree that 1 week of testing will be done on the beta lock down version
before starting beta.  max one disk release per week during alpha.

mystery bugs #14, 111, and 124 are being addressed by diagnostics over the next
week or so.

chip will copy quantum on arf list updates frequently.  the 5/7 report is
being updated today.

questions?  thanks.

Taken from chip.t

From chip Fri May 22 17:24:11 1987
Received: by moth; 22 MAY 87 17:24:11 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Status report
Status: R

Today:
	fire fighting (shem crash, QL conf. call, false panic over bad disk)
	some work on ghu (didn't finish SET stuff as planned, due to above)
Tuesday:
	finish SET stuff for Ghu
	fix ESP/teleport bug

Taken from summary.05.22

From chip Fri May 22 17:27:17 1987
Received: by moth; 22 MAY 87 17:27:17 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, quantum, sda
Subject: Today's summary report
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Friday, May 22.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working
on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials
of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number, and finally
the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2B   j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
2B T j #x7 max occupants for region
2B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3B T c #x14 describe graphics chars in online document
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
2A   r #x39 Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4B   r #x43 Screen Flash

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3-   r #x50 Teleport Put chore CBB
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

ARF bugs to 4/23
4+   r #101 Better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
3B   r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
1B T r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
3B T r #106 bottom of screen interrupt tears after text mode.
1R   j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode (HOST) (turn off the
	'inactivity timer')
1A T r #113 C64 protocol dropping packets on rare occasion
2A W j c #115 make ESP send fail message, echo talk in response

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
2B   r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival

ARF bugs 4/28:
3- I r #129 book interface:BACK beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?

ARF bugs 4/29:
2B ? r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
1A T r j #165 Flashing go trying to enter Bobs Bank (aric & janet)
2A ? r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.
2B   r #172 paper REPLY: put cursor on 2nd line

ARF bugs 5/4:
2A W r #173 Janet got meltdown just after sending ESP [investigating]
1A   r #176 Keyboard output tied to frame rate
2B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
2A W a #184 There are only 3 boardgame regions of each type.
2B   a #185 Need better walkto for Crat-n-a-box (Not obscuring Crat)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.
3B   a #188 Can not get help on hand held object, if style=spider.

2A   c #?? ESP fails when pointing at teleport booth
2A W r a #?? flashlights are acting weird
1A W all #?? probe memory/telecomm problems with diagnostic tools

Taken from aric.t

From aric Fri May 22 17:35:55 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 22 MAY 87 17:35:55 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Received: by shem; 22 MAY 87 17:35:51 PDT
Subject: status 5_22
Status: RO



	Today:

	Trying to cause bugs detectable with new diagnostic software
	Caused bug
	Tried to cause the bug to occur again
	worked on freeing up some memory
	Shem directories moved to Moth after shem crash

	Work on Blackhawk intro graphics

May 27th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Wed May 27 19:18:09 1987
Received: by moth; 27 MAY 87 19:18:09 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: status.
Status: RO


Ok there were a few fatal errors last night:
#1 (memory full)   HOST problem, will work with Janet on this tomarrow
#3 (LRC error) Nancy had pilot error. A patch has been inserted to prevent this.
#4 (missing image) Still working on this.
I inserted lrc checking at the sector level, and discovered that we are
getting errors! Worked to determine cause for 5+hrs.
effect: If a sector lrc error ocurrs (differing freq with different machines),
	we will retry to load that sector.

May 28th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Thu May 28 08:39:47 1987
Received: by moth; 28 MAY 87 08:39:47 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, quantum
Subject: latest ARFS
Status: RO

ARFs thru 5/28: (version 5.2/5.2a tested)

2B   cr #190 ESP does not work when pointing to oracle (same for BBox)
1A   jcr #191 FE#1 (mem full) avatars being allowed to dghost in full regions
-- D   #192 Nancy have FE#3 (LRC). User error. Dumped to Object Disk.
		(routines patched to prevent recurrence)
-- D   #193 Super trap patterns corrupted. FIXED 5.2b.
       #194 dup #191
2A   r #195 Camera, Lights, Stereo, Sec Dev cause problems async.
1A T j #196 Could not return to PC after FE#1. FIXED
       #197 dup #191
       #198 Long time to initialize (Habitat logo screen)
2A T r #199 Bahia was unable to return to PC. (disk routines improved)
       #200 dup #191
       #201 dup #196
       #202 dup #195
       #203 dup #195
??   r #204 Janet had strange meltdown (awaiting tape)
       #205 dup #196
       #206 dup #191
       #207 dup #193
       #208 dup #193

May 29th

Taken from chip.t

From chip Fri May 29 18:44:55 1987
Received: by moth; 29 MAY 87 18:44:55 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: status report 5/29
Status: R

Today, yesterday etc.:
	got dynamic fields working in ghu
	got the SET command working in ghu
	fixed the ESP/teleport problem (I think)
	met with the gang to brainstorm global project planning
Tomorrow (Monday actually):
	get UPDATE working in ghu
	start adding parameterization to Plex
	start writing database-->riddle utility

Taken from summary.05.29

From chip Fri May 29 18:45:30 1987
Received: by moth; 29 MAY 87 18:45:30 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, quantum, sda
Subject: Summary report, 5/29
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Friday, May 29.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '-' = usable as done, '+' = strictly wishlist item).
Next column to the right is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working
on it, ' ' = pending, 'I' = just an idea right now.  Next comes the initials
of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number, and finally
the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2B   j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
2B T j #x7 max occupants for region
2B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3B T c #x14 describe graphics chars in online document
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
2A T r #x39 Get pointed info BEFORE throttle wait
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4B   r #x43 Screen Flash

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
2B   r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
2B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
3-   r #x50 Teleport Put chore CBB
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+   r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

ARF bugs to 4/23
4+   r #101 Better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
3B   r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
1B T r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
3B T r #106 bottom of screen interrupt tears after text mode.
1R   j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode (HOST) (turn off the
	'inactivity timer')
1A T r #113 C64 protocol dropping packets on rare occasion
2A W j c #115 make ESP send fail message, echo talk in response

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
2B   r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival

ARF bugs 4/28:
3- I r #129 book interface:BACK beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?

ARF bugs 4/29:
2B ? r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
1A D r j #165 Flashing go trying to enter Bobs Bank (aric & janet)
2A ? r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.
2B   r #172 paper REPLY: put cursor on 2nd line

ARF bugs 5/4:
2A W r #173 Janet got meltdown just after sending ESP [investigating]
1A T r #176 Keyboard output tied to frame rate
2B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
2A W a #184 There are only 3 boardgame regions of each type.
2B   a #185 Need better walkto for Crat-n-a-box (Not obscuring Crat)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.
3B   a #188 Can not get help on hand held object, if style=spider.

2A T c #?? ESP fails when pointing at teleport booth
2A W r a #?? flashlights are acting weird
1A W all #?? probe memory/telecomm problems with diagnostic tools

ARFs thru 5/28: (version 5.2/5.2a tested)
2B   c r #190 ESP does not work when pointing to oracle (same for BBox)
1A D j c r #191 FE#1 (mem full) avatars being allowed to dghost in full region
-- D   #192 Nancy have FE#3 (LRC). User error. Dumped to Object Disk.
-- D   #193 Super trap patterns corrupted. FIXED 5.2b.
2A   r #195 Camera, Lights, Stereo, Sec Dev cause problems async.
1A T j #196 Could not return to PC after FE#1. FIXED
       #198 Long time to initialize (Habitat logo screen)
2A T r #199 Bahia was unable to return to PC. (disk routines improved)
1A T r #204 Janet had strange meltdown (awaiting tape)

June 1987

June 1st

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Mon Jun  1 15:48:10 1987
Received: by moth; 01 JUN 87 15:48:10 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Status
Status: RO

Today:
	Finished and tested Habitat 5.3.
	This Version has ALL pre-Alpha tasks complete on it, subject
	to testing.
Tomarrow:
	Organize Phase 1 Playtest.
	Do 5.3 release notes
	Look at Beta Tasks and Prioritize.

June 2nd

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Tue Jun  2 08:17:42 1987
Received: by moth; 02 JUN 87 08:17:42 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, quantum, wendy
Subject: Habitat 5.3
Status: RO

Habitat version 5.3:

SMALL SCALE TEST TONIGHT.

The good news:
	According to our list 5.3 has all Alpha items complete (some in test)

Exaustive list of changes:
Keyboard echos under interrupt (need through testing:messages/mail)
Problems with generic_broadcast fixed (accounts for #173 Janets meldown)
Stereo, Camera, Flashlights should all be working properly now
The C64 will no longer issue 'unexpected' commands because of throttle delays.
Disk routines now internally check LRC, and retry if bad.
'to:user' works when pointing to teleport if not adj or not active
Corrupted wall/pillar patterns fixed.

Host:
actions_switch fixed.
AskOracle changed to cope with 'to:'

June 4th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Thu Jun  4 10:16:16 1987
Received: by moth; 04 JUN 87 10:16:16 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Habistat
Status: R


Thru Today:
	#104 in test
	#122 in test
	Fixed problems with new KB stuff & text interface (test tonight)
	#172 in test
	#46 designing solution.
	Distribute 5.3a for test tonight.
	Talk to Mikey/Commedore re:hardware problems (we are on it's trail!)
	see nifty 3d demo

Tomarrow:
	meet with Telenet re:X.25
	Fix #46. (Note: Last duplicateable pre-Beta Bug)
	review test Arfs (if any).
	Fix important broken stuff on ARFs.
	report of Hardware progress.

Taken from chip.t

From chip Thu Jun  4 17:54:17 1987
Received: by moth; 04 JUN 87 17:54:17 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Status report 6/4
Status: R

Today and preceding:
	added SET, UPDATE, misc other fancy features to Ghu
	met with the gang and plotted world creation strategy
	started adding parameterization feature to Plex
	started to define database->.rdl translator
	helped David Fox with Macross problems plaguing Atari XE conversion
Tomorrow:
	finish parameterizing Plex

Taken from summary.06.04

From chip Thu Jun  4 17:54:46 1987
Received: by moth; 04 JUN 87 17:54:46 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, quantum, sda
Subject: Summary report, 6/4
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Thursday, June 4.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '+' = strictly wishlist item).  Next column to the right
is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' = pending, 'I'
= just an idea right now, 'N' = we decided not to do it at all.  Next comes
the initials of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number,
and finally the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2B W j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
3B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3B T c #x14 describe graphics chars in online document
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
2A T r #x39 Get pointed info before throttle wait
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4B W r #x43 Screen Flash

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
1B W r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
3B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
4+ N r #x53 Map shift-0 into ')' for touch typists

ARF bugs to 4/23
4+ N r #101 better SFX timing (lowest prio, not likely to happen)
1B T r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
1B T r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
1R N j #108 Charlie almost 'timed-out' while in text mode
1A T r #113 C64 protocol dropping packets on rare occasion
2A W j c #115 make ESP send fail message, echo talk in response

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
2B T r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival

ARF bugs 4/28:
3+ I r #129 book interface:'back' beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?

ARF bugs 4/29:
2B ? r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
2A ? r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.
2B T r #172 paper REPLY: put cursor on 2nd line

ARF bugs 5/4:
2A T r #173 Janet got meltdown just after sending ESP [investigating]
1A T r #176 Keyboard output tied to frame rate
3B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
2A D a #184 There are only 3 boardgame regions of each type.
2B   a #185 Need better walkto for Crat-n-a-box (Not obscuring Crat)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.
2B   a #188 Can not get help on hand held object, if style=spider.
2A T r a #?? flashlights are acting weird
1A T all #?? probe memory/telecomm problems with diagnostic tools

ARFs thru 5/28: (version 5.2/5.2a tested)
2B T c r #190 ESP does not work when pointing to oracle (same for bbox)
2A T r #195 Camera, Lights, Stereo, Sec Dev cause problems async.
?-     #198 Long time to initialize (Habitat logo screen)
2A T r #199 bahia was unable to return to PC. (disk routines improved)
1A T r #204 Janet had strange meltdown (awaiting tape)

June 5th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Fri Jun  5 14:17:51 1987
Received: by moth; 05 JUN 87 14:17:51 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Re:  Habistat
Status: RO

Today:
	met with telenet people
	fixed (first pass..in test) #46.
	posted test results & fixed only reported C64 bug.

Not Done:
	hardware report: I still havn't heard from the guy at Commedore.
		(2 calls in...)

Monday:
	fix whatever bugs found over the weekend.
	try Commedore again.
	Review tasklist and find whatever there is to do.

Taken from notes.t

From chip Fri Jun  5 14:54:36 1987
Received: by moth; 05 JUN 87 14:54:36 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: The scoop on Telenet
Status: R

As y'all know, we were visited this morning by Carol Brown and Tom Cramer from
Telenet.  They gave Randy and I the detailed scoop on their service and they
left me with a bunch of literature.  The bottom line is that it's pretty
expensive, but there are a lot of options to explore.  The price comes in
several pieces:

I. Accounting charge
	$140/month independent of the number of connections or volume of use.

II. "DAF" (Dedicated Access Facility).
	This is the physical connection to their system.  Included in this is
a dedicated leased line to their San Francisco node, all the wiring into our
plant, modems on both ends of the line, and dedicated access to a port on
their node.  The price varies somewhat with the bandwidth of the connection.
For our purposes the best price/performance tradeoff seems to be at around
9600 baud.  Cost for this is a one-time installation charge of $1200 plus
$1524/month.

III. Traffic charges
	These are billed in units that they call "segments".  A segment is
a chunk of up to 64 bytes of transmitted data.  These cost $1.40 per thousand
(i.e., $1.40 for each 64K bytes of data sent).  There is a 50% discount for
use during non-prime-time hours (ie., after 6pm).  This cost is
distance-independent -- i.e., it doesn't matter how far you are sending the
data.

IV. Dial-in charges
	If we choose to allow dial-in to our system through Telenet, there is
a per-minute charge that varies according to the type of node that you are
connected to.  They classify their nodes 'A', 'B' or 'C' depending on the
level of traffic.  'A' nodes are found in big cities like San Francisco or
Washington, D.C..  'B' nodes are places like Palo Alto or Buffalo.  'C' nodes
are places like San Rafael or Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Charge varies from around
$5.25/hour for an 'A' node to around $12.50/hour for a 'C' node.  As with
traffic charges, there is a 50% rakeoff for off-hours use.

In addition, we would need to have an X.25 interface on one of our Suns or
Vaxes here.  I'm not sure about the cost, but my guess is that it would be in
the $1000 to $3000 range.  Also, we would still need to obtain some sort of
file transfer protocol software to communicate data with Quanum, since our
computers and theirs have incompatible operating systems.  A call to Sun is
probably in order if we want to pursue this further.

These prices appear to be prohibitive if we were to install such a connection
exclusively for the benefit of Habitat (at least until Habitat becomes a MUCH
bigger deal).  However, there may be additional ways to justify the cost.  For
example, it appears that the company could save about 80% on Telex costs by
hooking to CCI through Telenet rather than by phone.  This is certainly not
enough by itself to recover the cost of the Telenet connection, but it's an
example of the sort of thing we can look for.  The Telenet sales people were
real gung-ho on other uses of their services, such as connecting directly to
OAG to save money on travel arrangements or providing E-mail services to
communicate with productions in remote locations (since Telenet is
international).  I dunno about these, but it probably couldn't hurt to nose
around the company and see what folks could use.  My feeling is that Habitat
really, REALLY wants this, but can't justify it on the basis of current cost.

Taken from summary.06.05

From chip Fri Jun  5 14:59:47 1987
Received: by moth; 05 JUN 87 14:59:47 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, quantum, sda
Subject: Summary report, 6/5
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Friday, June 5.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '+' = strictly wishlist item).  Next column to the right
is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' = pending, 'I'
= just an idea right now, 'N' = we decided not to do it at all.  Next comes
the initials of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number,
and finally the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2B W j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
3B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3B D c #x14 describe graphics chars in online document
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+   r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

playtest 4.7 problems 4/16:
2A D r #x39 Get pointed info before throttle wait
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4B W r #x43 Screen Flash

playtest 4.7/4.8 problems 4/20:
1B W r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
3B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.

ARF bugs to 4/23
1B D r #104 If you swap disks early on return to PC, recover.
1B D r #105 Better error recovery for disk routines.
1A D r #113 C64 protocol dropping packets on rare occasion
2A W j c #115 make ESP send fail message, echo talk in response

ARF bugs to 4/27: (version 4.9)
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
2B D r #122 for 'DO's that include GO (door/vendo/hole) face_cursor on arrival

ARF bugs 4/28:
3+ I r #129 book interface:'back' beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?

ARF bugs 4/29:
2B ? r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
2A ? r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.
2B D r #172 paper REPLY: put cursor on 2nd line

ARF bugs 5/4:
2A D r #173 Janet got meltdown just after sending ESP [investigating]
1A D r #176 Keyboard output tied to frame rate
3B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
2B   a #185 Need better walkto for Crat-n-a-box (Not obscuring Crat)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.
2B   a #188 Can not get help on hand held object, if style=spider.
2A D r a #?? flashlights are acting weird
1A T all #?? probe memory/telecomm problems with diagnostic tools

ARFs thru 5/28: (version 5.2/5.2a tested)
2B T c r #190 ESP does not work when pointing to oracle (same for bbox)
2A D r #195 Camera, Lights, Stereo, Sec Dev cause problems async.
?-     #198 Long time to initialize (Habitat logo screen)
2A D r #199 bahia was unable to return to PC. (disk routines improved)
1A D r #204 Janet had strange meltdown (awaiting tape)

June 8th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Mon Jun  8 08:34:28 1987
Received: by moth; 08 JUN 87 08:34:28 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Today.
Status: RO


Since the Stratus is down today, while it is being moved to a new building:
I have implemented (C64 side only) the Habitat Kernal Commands
CHANGE_CONTAINERS and PROMPT_USER. These should greatly expand the future power
of Habitat, and online utilities.
Detailed specs mailed seperately.

I will be leaving at 3:00 today.

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Mon Jun  8 08:46:01 1987
Received: by moth; 08 JUN 87 08:46:01 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip
Cc: farmer
Subject: New Habitat Commands
Status: RO


Change Containers is an asynchronous command (19) addressed at the region

Parameters: Noid, New Container Noid, New X Position, New Y Position.
	(Note a CHANGE containers call WILL re-render the screen)
	(Note this should NEVER be used to remove a living avatars
		contents from his head/hands/pocket as that avatar
		may be trying to manipulate that object himself.)

Prompt User is an asynchronous command (20) addressed at the region

Parameters: Prompt string (will appear on command line).

	This function will cause the C64 to send the user response
	to the region, using a PROMPT_REPLY message (7). This should
	do exacly what we want in regaurds to sending arbitrary text
	commands to the host. The commands will be sent by whatever (magic?)
	class, and the results will be interpreted in class_region. I
	suggest that EACH Prompt User call use completely unique text to keep
	intepretation as simple as possible (the text should conatin a
	std delimiter ':' would be nice).

Taken from aric.t

From aric Mon Jun  8 15:56:07 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 08 JUN 87 15:56:07 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: chip, farmer
Received: by shem; 08 JUN 87 15:56:08 PDT
Subject: 2 tasks
Status: RO



	Bureaucrat walk position.... Randy and I both agree that it is fine.

	Spider now holds wand in front of self... I think it was better before,
but it gets the problem off of the list.

	In response to Randy's question, yes, the last  backgammon region 
is now set for the correct reset position.

From aric Mon Jun  8 16:00:45 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 08 JUN 87 16:00:45 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(No Bucks, No Buck Rogers)
To: chip
Received: by shem; 08 JUN 87 16:00:47 PDT
Subject: today
Status: RO



	I am still feeling under the weather and won't be here long today,
but if there is any urgent habitat work, just let me know.  I met with
Randy before he left and went over his priorities.  Those were mainly getting
those 2 tasks off of the list.
	If there are no tasks, I will be working on Blackhawk this afternoon.

Taken from summary.06.08

From chip Mon Jun  8 17:54:37 1987
Received: by moth; 08 JUN 87 17:54:37 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Cc: quantum
Subject: Summary report 6/8
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Monday, June 8.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '+' = strictly wishlist item).  Next column to the right
is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' = pending, 'I'
= just an idea right now, 'N' = we decided not to do it at all.  Next comes
the initials of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number,
and finally the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2B W j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
3B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+ T r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

test items prior to 5/1:
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4B W r #x43 Screen Flash
1B T r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
3B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
2A W j c #115 make ESP send fail message, echo talk in response
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
3+ I r #129 book interface:'back' beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?
2B ? r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
2A ? r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.

test items prior to 6/1:
3B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
2B D a #185 Need better walkto for Crat-n-a-box (Not obscuring Crat)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.
2B T a #188 Can not get help on hand held object, if style=spider.
1A T all #?? probe memory/telecomm problems with diagnostic tools
2B T c r #190 ESP does not work when pointing to oracle (same for bbox)
?-     #198 Long time to initialize (Habitat logo screen)

Taken from chip.t

From chip Mon Jun  8 17:58:50 1987
Received: by moth; 08 JUN 87 17:58:50 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Status report 6/8
Status: R

Today and Friday:
	taught Randy how to use Plex, brainstormed on new features required
	got parameterization working in Plex
	met w/ sda for annual review
Tomorrow:
	more bells and whistles for Plex

June 9th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Tue Jun  9 07:30:42 1987
Received: by moth; 09 JUN 87 07:30:42 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
Cc: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Status
Status: RO


Monday:
	learned plex & statred definition for QuantumGrad (6000turf city)
	worked on Telecom space game concept document.
	implemented 2 new habitat kernal commands
	was unable to test program because Stratus was down durin move.
	(Also, attempted to test at night, but Stratus was SICKLY slow.)

Tuesday:
	Test an release 5.4 (if possible)
	Test new features.
	Polish off concept document with Noah, and submit to some others.
	Work more on QuantumGrad
	Bug Commendore AGAIN re: hardware.

Taken from summary.06.09

From chip Tue Jun  9 19:04:12 1987
Received: by moth; 09 JUN 87 19:04:12 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Cc: quantum
Subject: summary report 6/9
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Tuesday, June 9.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '+' = strictly wishlist item).  Next column to the right
is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' = pending, 'I'
= just an idea right now, 'N' = we decided not to do it at all.  Next comes
the initials of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number,
and finally the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
2B W j #x2 create program to generate book of records (#21a)
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
3B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+ T r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
?R   ? #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
?B   ? #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities
?+ I ? #x32 Turn to fly on teleport
?+ I ? #x33 teleport to Auditorium, and you arrive as a ghost (for meetings)
?+ I ? #x34 traps that spring monsters
?+ I ? #x35 wands that identify everyone in the room

test items prior to 5/1:
4+   c #x40 You can enter a region thru a closed door
4B W r #x43 Screen Flash
1B D r #x46 what if an avatar dies while waiting for a reply?
3B   r #x47 Capture The Flag Entry: Frame-Rate sucks & needs T intersect
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
2A W j c #115 make ESP send fail message, echo talk in response
?+ I a c r #118 Immobile magic that would require key to operate
3+ I r #129 book interface:'back' beep on page 0, Limit cursor to bottom line?
2B ? r #163 Cathy and bahia had problems opening a box in Machutas[await tape]
2A ? r j #167 Janet had problems picking up martini glass after purchasing.

test items prior to 6/1:
3B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.
2B T a #188 Can not get help on hand held object, if style=spider.
1A T all #?? probe memory/telecomm problems with diagnostic tools
2B T c r #190 ESP does not work when pointing to oracle (same for bbox)
?-     #198 Long time to initialize (Habitat logo screen)

Taken from chip.t

From chip Tue Jun  9 19:05:44 1987
Received: by moth; 09 JUN 87 19:05:44 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Status report 6/9
Status: R

Today:
	added INCLUDE, production-value set elements and symbolic name
		definition to Plex
	debugged storage leaks in Plex
	shmoozed with the Login magazine folks
Tomorrow:
	more work on Plex
	possibly some more work on Ghu

June 10th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Wed Jun 10 10:16:15 1987
Received: by moth; 10 JUN 87 10:16:15 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, quantum
Subject: Habitat 5.4
Status: RO

Habitat version 5.4 6-10-87:


The good news:
	According to our list,5.4 has all Beta C64 items complete or in test

Exaustive list of changes:
C64 can now cope with the 'death-while-awaiting-reply' condition.
Two new REGION kernal commands have been added (in test):
	CHANGE_CONTAINERS 	19, an arbitrary change of containership
	PROMPT_USER		20, command promts user on text line

Host:
No Changes. (but some of the grabthese files were not grabbed last release)

Taken from chip.t

From chip Wed Jun 10 18:38:14 1987
Received: by moth; 10 JUN 87 18:38:14 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Status report 6/10
Status: R

Today:
	got data types working in ghu
	added error recovery features to plex
	added memory-performance enhancments to plex
	updated slur to handle new format (LRC) class.dat files
	coded default-value feature for class defintion in ghu
	misc. other features added to plex
	wrote riddle parameter filter program
Tomorrow:
	more of the same

June 11th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Thu Jun 11 09:22:08 1987
Received: by moth; 11 JUN 87 09:22:08 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, quantum
Subject: Habitat Hardware
Status: R

Here is the latest status (as of Tuesday) re: C64 hardware problems.

I (thru Janet) have been in contact with Jim Gracely at commedore about
the problems Habitat is having on some C64s. He listed 3 problems he
'knew' about (i.e. people had reported.). Jim was/is affiliated with
a C64 magazine, and is NOT a C64 tech proper.

	1) There were 2 versions of the VIC-II chip, there is a inconsistency
		on how the MSB of the raster Interrupt is handled.
		(Habitat accounts for this. No Problem for us.)

	2) It is possible to overload the on-chip interrupt stack. This
		has actually happend to other applications. Symtom: The
		screen interrupts would die (meltdown).
		(I told jim what interrupt sources we have, he is
		investigating with C64 techs whether SOME machines might
		have a problem with all our interrupt sources.)

	3) 'Ram under BASIC might could get corrupted.' To his knowledge,
		this has only happened to 'Jumpman'. IF this can happen
		AND we can't program around it, it would be a problem.
		(We need that 8k Under Basic! read:a 64k machine with only
		56k working is DEFECTIVE.)
		(I have Jumpman's designer's name and phone#. Will
		call him ASAP.)

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Thu Jun 11 09:27:23 1987
Received: by moth; 11 JUN 87 09:27:23 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: status
Status: R


Yesterday:
	released 5.4
	Worked on quantumgrad
	designed and uploaded a New Capture The Flag entry region (DONE!)
	kbitzed about plex with chip

today:
	more quantumgrad
	more plex kbitzing
	prepare for tonights playtest
	look into #x29 with aric

June 15th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Mon Jun 15 14:34:32 1987
Received: by moth; 15 JUN 87 14:34:32 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: 5.4 tes
Status: RO

There will be a playtest of version 5.5 tomarrow.
What will make version 5.5 different?
1) People will be able to dump to disk EVEN if comminucations is hung.
		(to help debug this problem that showed with 5.4)
2) In our ommunications with C64, an ex-techie thinks he knows why
	Habitat ,ay be creashing..it has to to with mixed modes & sprites.
	Anyway, I will install a patch per his instructions.
3) A minor problem with the head hack (causing FE#4s) has been fixed
4) Some new images will be availible.

Nothing, just getting the data we need to decide if we are ready for Alpha.

From nancy Mon Jun 15 20:16:48 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 15 JUN 87 20:16:48 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: aric, chip, farmer
Cc: nancy, sda
Received: by kessel; 15 JUN 87 20:16:45 PDT
Subject: HabiTeam 6/12
Status: RO

6/12 Habitat team meeting notes--

5.4 was playtested Thursday night, still evaluating results.
--animation glitch tape coming (Janet saw flashing s, have to do w/tokens?)
--communications problem tape coming (Rob survived when the other 5 went
into a communications loop)
--lights being fixed (Jo's flishlight in sewer, probably
host-based--checkpoint region for light level changes?)
--2 minor arf's from Chip
  1) improve paper help
  2) don't remember, bringing in notes from home
--sound glitch noted but likely to be left as is (lose one voice of the
three during one in 256 region transitions)

Only known remaining pre-alpha bug is the communications problem.  Will
determine Monday from the tape how serious it is.


Organization of playtests to be clarified (Cathy & Nancy noted apparent lack
of leadership).  Randy & Janet will pre-plan.


Plan for next week:
Chip--Plex (pretty much done, adding features as Randy uses it) plus more
Ghu.  Integrate Plex, Riddle & host database.  Work with Gary on new artwork.

Randy--evaluate tapes from 5.4 playtest & debug communications problem.
Continue generating Quantumgrad.  Continue seeking info on hardware
compatibility.

Aric--evaluate tape & debug animation glitch.  Mostly on Blackhawk.


Remaining pre-release world generation:
(Chip will distribute updated old-format task list, reviewing those during
beta & pre-release tasks.)
--need 7 cities to handle 20,000 accounts.  Pop. done.  Quantumgrad expected
to take 2 more weeks (6/26).  Given tools developed during generation of
Quantumgrad, then expect need about 2 days per city or 2 more weeks (7/10).
--also expect to complete the stock market, Capture-The-Flag, and arcades.
--"below the line" world generation that will likely be completed prior to
release is a magic castle and more board games.


Next steps:
1. Randy evaluate communications problem--may require another "technical
test".
2. Given comm bug fix, Randy & Janet will organize 16 person pre-alpha test.


Next team meeting will be 9:30 Friday morning, 6/19.

June 17th

Taken from chip.t

From chip Wed Jun 17 17:13:48 1987
Received: by moth; 17 JUN 87 17:13:48 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Status report 6/17
Status: R

Today and recently:
	numerous improvements to Plex
	added database to Riddle format conversion command to Ghu
	added default initial value to Ghu class table
	fixed bugs from last night's playtest (1 crash bug, 2 cosmetic ones)
Tomorrow:
	test cosmetic improvements made today
	more work on Ghu
	anything that comes up in tonight's test that needs attention

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Wed Jun 17 17:44:54 1987
Received: by moth; 17 JUN 87 17:44:54 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Status
Status: R


Thru Today:
	Worked on Habitat 5.6:
	Re balanced interrupts to attempt to cope with BAD VIC chips.
	Finish work (testing tonight) that gets us 1024byte more heap!
	Attended Robots Meeting

Tomarrow:
	Summarize test results (BOTH tests)
	Provide 'large-scale-test-confidence-factor' agrreed with Janet.
	Release 5.6
	Use Ghu's new region=> rdl facility to get fixed regions
		back on moth.
	Design apt building generic hallways

June 19th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Fri Jun 19 11:50:53 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 19 JUN 87 11:50:53 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: aric, chip, farmer
Cc: nancy, sda
Received: by kessel; 19 JUN 87 11:50:48 PDT
Subject: HabiTeam meeting notes
Status: RO

6/19 Habitat team meeting notes--
(Chip & Randy)


*Hardware problem exploration top priority the past week for Janet & us.
Kimsey meeting with Commodore next week, and QL position on the issue being
put together.  
--The problem may be isolated to VIC chip, rev. 1--that's what Janet's seen
on a machine there, and Randy is checking the one that he's been able to
reproduce problems on, and Chip will bring in and check the SX64 portable.  
--Randy & Janet will talk today, and set up conference call to include Mike
Ficco & the ex-Commodore tech guy (he thinks it has to do with mixed
graphics modes & sprites).  
--We need to: 1) demonstrate that there is a hardware problem and try to
isolate it, 2) understand exactly what's happening to see if software work
around is possible, 3) determine, via beta test, if it would be worth major
software change.

*Communications problem still needs testing.  May get data on it from 5.5
playtest tape where Bahia hung (he could not dump).

*Avatar in 2 regions at once problem, Janet looking into a change she had
made on the host that may have introduced it.  Randy's diagnostics made it
understandable.

Accomplishments of past week:
Chip--Plex needs only to have output form decided on for it to be finished.
Continued work on integrating the tools (Ghu now outputs in Riddle form).
Made some cosmetic changes to guns, etc., and improved paper help.

Randy--explored hardware problem & debugged.  Quantumgrad waiting for tools
and region design.  Found 1K heap space w/Aric.

Aric--helped Randy w/hardware diagnostics.  Integrated some new art?

Plan for next week:
Chip--Continue work on database tools--expects 2 more days needed to finish
integration, and needs to decide output form for Plex.  Test the cosmetic
changes (guns) and paper help.

Randy--Quantumgrad region design.  Release 5.6.

Aric--tbd


Next steps:
1. Playtest 5.6 Monday night, then likely ramp up to 16 testers on Tuesday
night, to learn about the communications problem & hopefully isolate
hardware.


Next team meeting will be 1:00 Friday afternoon, 6/26 (changed from usual
9:30 due to 10:00 Intel meeting).

June 25th

Taken from notes.t

From chip Thu Jun 25 17:03:25 1987
Received: by moth; 25 JUN 87 17:03:25 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, farmer
Cc: chip
Subject: Griddle
Status: R

Griddle is now working.  It can read "griddle", "raw" or contents vector files
as input and produce any or all of these as output.  It reads 'define'
statements in exactly the same format as that read by Ghu, so class
definitions at least have a common representation across systems.

One problem did become apparent, however, as I got the code to read contents
vectors working: translations between "griddle" format and "raw" format can be
made in either direction with no loss of information.  The important
difference between the two forms is in the use to which they are put.
Conversion into contents vector form also causes few problems, though we did
discover the funny with capacity count today.  Conversion FROM contents vector
form, however, presents us with a significant difficulty: information is
simply LOST, since the C64 does not keep all the state information that the
host keeps.  Furthermore, once the divergence between the host-form and the
C64-form has happened, there is no way, given the present system, to get back
the lost information and merge it with any changes that might have been made
using Reno (we can and do set the lost field values to their defaults, but
this is often incorrect).

What we need is something analagous to the the Sun frontend for FACE -- a
program that would keep track of what you are editing and hold the host-only
information until you are done.  This program would represent everything on
the Sun end in griddle or raw format.  The contents vector format would become
exclusively a data transmission format.  Whaddya think?

Meanwhile, I am now modifying Ghu to be able to output "raw" files and to both
read and write "raw" and "griddle" files.

Also, the Ghu 'riddle' command will turn into the 'griddle' command, of course
:-)

June 30th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Tue Jun 30 14:02:28 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 30 JUN 87 14:02:28 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: sda
Cc: aric, chip, farmer
Received: by kessel; 30 JUN 87 14:02:24 PDT
Subject: Habitat update
Status: RO

as you requested as the project leader meeting this morning.

Randy just said that playtesting is ramping up, starting tomorrow evening. 
He'll mail info.

Jack Daggett said that a guy they talked to at Epyx thought that split screen
was our problem, and that with all of their development efforts they'd
found no solution (except to bit-map screen).  Jack has not looked at Maniac,
and will confirm with Janet that, even though it uses split screen, it doesn't
crash on her bad machines.  Quantum continues to talk to Commodore to try to
find solution to the problem of VIC chip going off & trashing its own
memory.  Their (Quantum's) feeling, per Jack, is that it's in millions of
machines.

From nancy Tue Jun 30 14:07:15 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 30 JUN 87 14:07:15 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Received: by kessel; 30 JUN 87 14:07:12 PDT
Subject: the H word
Status: RO

as in Hardware.  Are you expecting Quantum to find out something more specific
than, "VIC chip going off & trashing its own memory?"  Is there anything els
--else that we should be hearing from them to help find work around?  (other
than MORE testing)
thanks.

From nancy Tue Jun 30 15:16:27 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 30 JUN 87 15:16:27 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Received: by kessel; 30 JUN 87 15:16:22 PDT
Subject: Re:  the H word
Status: RO

for grins, let's assume that there are so many "bad" Commodores out there that
we can't ship Habitat as currently designed.  If there's not technical
solution to work around the bad vic chips, is there a design solution?

thanks.

From nancy Tue Jun 30 15:50:02 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 30 JUN 87 15:50:02 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Received: by kessel; 30 JUN 87 15:49:56 PDT
Subject: Re:  the H word
Status: RO

hum.  your previous message said there didn't seem to be a technical work 
around, and this message makes the design work around seem to be ruled out as
well.

In order to understand the problem well enough, what do we need (other than to
know how many bad Commodores there are)?  do we know?  or is the plan to 
patiently hang in there while Jack, et. al., looks for a technical work around
to the vic chip, unlikely as it may be?  what am I missing?

thanks.

From nancy Tue Jun 30 20:59:03 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 30 JUN 87 20:59:03 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Received: by kessel; 30 JUN 87 20:58:59 PDT
Subject: friendly reminder
Status: RO

to see if Rob Fulop can give us any insight into the hardware issue.  if you
think it makes sense for the two of us to discuss on a conference call wi/him,
let me know.  thanks.

July 1987

July 1st

Taken from notes.t

From sda Wed Jul  1 08:45:45 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 01 JUL 87 08:45:45 PDT
From: sda (Steve Arnold - Games Division)
To: chip
Cc: nancy
Received: by kessel; 01 JUL 87 08:45:42 PDT
Subject: more info on gs and amiga
Status: RO


what would we need to do to get more detailed information on the
difficulties and risks of converting habitat to the GS and Amiga?
is this something you and randy can explore with others in the group?
or do we need to get outside information?  i'd like to get enough
information to be able to estimate manmonths of work to get a version
working on each of the machines.  please rsvp.

From nancy Wed Jul  1 10:13:39 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 01 JUL 87 10:13:39 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Received: by kessel; 01 JUL 87 10:13:36 PDT
Subject: Re:  friendly reminder
Status: RO

try (415)323-1916 for Fulop.  I'm not sure if it's current--let me know please
if it doesn't work.

From nancy Wed Jul  1 13:32:34 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 01 JUL 87 13:32:34 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: sda
Cc: chip, nancy, ron
Received: by kessel; 01 JUL 87 13:32:28 PDT
Subject: Maniac & QL
Status: RO

Ron, Chip & I talked to Janet (Jack tied up in a meeting).  Maniac is not an
example of the suspect split screen w/sprites problem.  There's no bit map in
it at all--entire screen is character set.

So...Janet's still looking for info on the split screen w/sprites crossing
interrupt boundaries--still suspect that Habitat's problem is related to
switching the modes and sprites crossing character boundaries.  Since we can't
think of examples of any programs doing that, Janet plans to program test cases
tomorrow (using Ron's Programmer's Basic toolkit that we're fedXing to her).

Chip & Ron, please add to this if there's more info that you think would help.
Thanks.

July 2nd

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Thu Jul  2 08:42:59 1987
Received: by moth; 02 JUL 87 08:42:59 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Last nights playtest
Status: RO


Here's the results:

1) The host was confused about Vendo, Paper, Atms, etc...
	This was Janets fault and has been fixed
2) dv Had a get/put wars hang (host)
3) auto-teleport to a region you are already in can kill any async avatars
		(host)
4) Janet had problems picking something up from the left side.
5) 1 person had problems returning to People connection.

The effects:

Another playtest tonight! Janet is in full agreement that we should
continue larger-scale testing. Alpha next week look REAL good. (the
remaining C64 problems, we agree, will NOT hold up alpha. Just the
BIG host ones.)

Who's gonna play tonight? ;)

From farmer Thu Jul  2 08:46:00 1987
Received: by moth; 02 JUL 87 08:46:00 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: 2 week summary
Status: RO

OK the list of new problems discovered in the last 2 weeks:

*=host			(total 13)
+=C64 Behaviour		(total 1)
-=C64 code		(total 1+3?)	<---- note the host/c64 ratio!

*+	Guns don't work on avatars heads
*	Guns don't work on avatars if they ghost/leave region
*	If a region transition fails, the light level is wrong
				and the avatar 'on-hold' bit wrong
*	Regionproc crash (null pointer)
*	Avatar in two regions at the same time
*?-?	Communications hang. Seems to be related to boxes/bags
*	Vendos/Atms/Token merge/PaperPad all broken (Fixed)
*	dv hung when he PUT down a head when someone else had grabbed it.
*	Auto-teleport (escape device) causes crash in asynch case.
*	two people open a box at the same time (Fixed)
*	book/plaque changed so that it gets last-page-number from text db.

-?	Bahia got an 'impossible' heap overrun. A diagnositic has been
		inserted (Fatal Error 9)
*	Gr state of heads in containers is not properly set.
		(check head-get code on host)

*?-?	Grab from left hand side sometimes doesn't work.
-	Return to people connection failed?

Taken from summary.07.02

From chip Thu Jul  2 10:08:37 1987
Received: by moth; 02 JUL 87 10:08:37 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, quantum, sda
Subject: Summary report 7/2
Status: R

Here is the task summary for Thursday, July 2.

Format: Left-hand column is priority/release requirement ('A' = alpha, 'B' =
beta, 'R' = release, '+' = strictly wishlist item).  Next column to the right
is status: 'D' = done, 'T' = testing, 'W' = working on it, ' ' = pending, 'I'
= just an idea right now, 'N' = we decided not to do it at all.  Next comes
the initials of the people responsible for the item, then the item tag number,
and finally the item itself.

Currently active official task list items:
3R W c #x3 implement Ghu (#54)

General items on internal list:
3B   ? #x9 Publish first Rant, and populate newstands
3R   r #x15 Check prices in all vendos
3B   r #x18 make clone recurse
3R   r #x19 spray cans run out (host destroys) after n uses
4+   ? #x22 camera object
4R   a #x23 customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector to send
4+   j #x24 change host flag for ghost (Y hi-bit) so avatars' XY pos are kept
4+ T r #x25 Give objects the power to PROMPT user ('What is the secret word?')
4+   r a #x26 magic GO
4R   r c g #x27 book binder machine
4R   r c g #x28 xerox machine
4+   r #x29 make host send avatars word balloon color in customizer byte
3R   j #x30 Batch process: Close all unlocked doors
3B   j #x31 Batch process: Remove curses, immunities

test items prior to 5/1:
4B W r #x43 Screen Flash
4+   r #x52 Make clicking cursor also face front & back.
2B W j c #115 make ESP send fail message, echo talk in response

test items prior to 6/1:
3B   r a #177 Install remaining Capture-The-Flag fields (if the game works)
3R   a c #186 Wand of teleport does not work on heads
3R   a c #187 Wand of style change does not work on others.

1A W r c j #205 diagnose flakey C64 problems

test items as of 7/2:
2B W c r #206 Guns don't work on avatars heads
2B D c #207 Guns don't work on avatars if they ghost/leave region
2B   c j #208 If region transition fails, light level and 'on-hold' bit wrong
1B   j #209 Regionproc crash (null pointer)
2B   j #210 Avatar in two regions at the same time
1B   r c j #211 Communications hang. Seems to be related to boxes/bags
1A D j #212 Vendos/Atms/Token merge/PaperPad all broken
2B   c r #213 dv hung when PUT down a head when someone else had grabbed it.
1B W c a #214 Auto-teleport (escape device) causes crash in asynch case.
1A D j #215 two people open a box at the same time
2A D j #216 book/plaque changed so that it gets last-page-number from text db.
1B W r #217 Bahia got an 'impossible' heap overrun. (new diagnositic: FE#9)
2B   c r #218 Head Grstate in containers not set right (check host head-get)
2B   r #219 Grab from left hand side sometimes doesn't work.
2B   r j #220 Return to people connection failed?
2B   r #221 lock cursor movement when button pressed
2R   c #222 light help should tell light switch state

July 3rd

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Fri Jul  3 07:44:30 1987
Received: by moth; 03 JUL 87 07:44:30 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: gdiv, quantum
Subject: Thusrday Habitat Test
Status: RO


The results of the Thursday Habitat Test: (Drum roll please!)

NO PROBLEMS.

About a dozen people were on in several small groups.


What this means (agreed with Janet at Quantum):
We (and Janet) will fix the remaining problems reported in the last
4 playtests (95% on host, and minor). 

Then, on Tuesday will be a Habitat Pizza Playtest Orgy.
If Habitat passes that test, THAT version (5.7) will be the
ALPHA test version of HABITAT! (Yea!)

(Alpha test consists of 50 avatars, most of whom have never been in Habitat
Before)

From farmer Fri Jul  3 07:59:08 1987
Received: by moth; 03 JUL 87 07:59:08 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip, ron
Cc: nancy, sda
Subject: Good (?) News
Status: RO


Janet recived Graphics Basic, and had no problems creating a 
textmode/bitmap screen and running sprites all over the screen.
This WORKED on the 'bad' machines. On Monday, she will work with Doug
to add NMI timers to the program, and see if that has any affect (I bet it
does!)

I told her about the vblank-less version, and will release it as version 5.7
fpr upload Monday.

July 7th

Taken from notes.t

From chip Tue Jul  7 20:22:43 1987
Received: by moth; 07 JUL 87 20:22:43 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: nancy, sda
Cc: aric, chip, farmer
Subject: Playtest report
Status: R

Quick summary: Major though not ultimate success.

In more detail:

We had a large enough group of people on that I couldn't keep track of how
many there were.  My guess is that it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 10
or 12.  The major result is that we convinced ourselves of what we always
suspected: playing habitat with three or four people has a funativity
coefficient of 3.7, while playing with a large number of people has a
funativity coefficient of 11.2.  People played for a good solid couple of
hours and were still going at it when I signed off.

There were a few problems, though their significance is unclear.  Rasputin had
a fatal error #3.  Noah had a fatal error #4.  Janet saw some messed up color
RAM.  We got dump disks on all of these.

It looks like we are in pretty good shape, though we don't have an unqualified
green light for Alpha just yet.  Janet indicated that she would like to set up
a systematic test of all the object classes.  The logistics of this will have
to be worked out, but we can probably do it during the daytime with three
people, rather than requiring a formal evening playtest.  I will work on a
plan for this.

Randy will no doubt be on the phone with Janet tomorrow morning with the
verbose feedback from Virginia.

July 15th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Wed Jul 15 09:37:14 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 15 JUL 87 09:37:14 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: aric, chip, farmer, sda
Received: by kessel; 15 JUL 87 09:37:10 PDT
Subject: Cathy
Status: RO

called w/congrats!  Janet ran the new Habitat rev. for 20 minutes on the
bad machine (only 20 because the system was brought down).  she said Randy &
Janet were planning playtest of it tonight, & Cathy will call Friday about
alpha test organization.  and, we'll schedule meeting w/her here next week when
Cathy is back out this way.

whew!  good work.

From farmer Wed Jul 15 10:30:54 1987
Received: by moth; 15 JUL 87 10:30:54 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Status: RO

>From MAILER-DAEMON Tue Jul 14 18:20:33 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 14 JUL 87 18:20:33 PDT
>From: MAILER-DAEMON 
Status: R

7 1987
To: farmer
Subject: error in mail

send-mail: user gang unknown
Mail on shem not delivered to:
gang

--------------returned mail-----------
Received: by shem; 14 JUL 87 18:20:34 PDT
>From: farmer 
To: gang, quantum
Subject: Version 5.8

Habitat 5.8 has been released and is ready for upload (Qlink mail sent)

Two differences:
1) So that Habitat will run on machines with bad VIC chips, the text line
    has been moved to the TOP of the screen
2) We lose a page of memory (Actualy we GAIN about 5-6 pages, I have just
 not have had time to do the memory shuffle)

We should have a small scale test (with no changes to the host).
There will be a 5.9, with increased heap & whatever the test reveals
are bugs with the new text-line positioning

Yeah!

From farmer Wed Jul 15 14:38:01 1987
Received: by moth; 15 JUL 87 14:38:01 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Heap
Status: RO


Old		New		Gain
14848		16704		1856 bytes!

;)

From farmer Wed Jul 15 14:44:41 1987
Received: by moth; 15 JUL 87 14:44:41 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip
Subject: Rev II
Status: RO

Habitat Memory Map As Of July 14, 1987

0000-00ff	Zero Page (shared with behaviors)
0100-01ff	Stack
0200-0816	Variables (shared with behaviors)
0816-4000	Program Code
4000-43ff	Sprite Images	<-start VIC Bank
4400-47ff	Text/Color Map & Sprite Pointers
4800-49ff	Variables
4a00-4b3f	Bounce Buffer
4b40-5f3f	Bitmap Page 1
5f40-5fff	Program Code
6000-63ff	Character Set (128 characters)
6400-67ff	Tables
6800-69ff	Variables
6a00-6b3f	Bounce Buffer			6a00-77ff  Init/Loader
6b40-7f3f	Bitmap Page 2			7800-
7f40-7fff	Variables	<-end VIC Bank	    -7fff  Customizer
8000-809e	Jump Vectors  (shared with behaviors)
809f-		Program Code
		Variables
aa00-eb3f	Heap				e340-eb3f  Relocated Customize
eb40-ff3f	Background Buffer
ff40-fff9	Program Code
fffa-ffff	Interrupt Vectors

July 16th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Thu Jul 16 18:34:44 1987
Received: by moth; 16 JUL 87 18:34:44 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, quantum
Status: RO


Released:
Habitat 5.9 includes:
1) Cursor clipping adjustment
2) Cleanup of 'exit-paper'
3) A fix to the animation engine
4) Bigger Heap (New size on host 16500 bytes!)

Lets Do It!

July 17th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Fri Jul 17 14:33:20 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 17 JUL 87 14:33:20 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: aric, chip, farmer
Received: by kessel; 17 JUL 87 14:33:16 PDT
Subject: Cathy
Status: RO

will be here Friday morning, about 9:30, to discuss test plan & release
requirements.

she & Rob have talked about putting together logistics for beta test.  He plans
to have message boards up by Friday.  Their new QC person will be getting
involved starting Monday.

for release requirements, Rob's putting together a list of things like
publications needed & tools to support the world.  we'll review that on Friday.

told Cathy that Chip was posting today an update to the bug & task list status,
as we discussed this morning (group bugs by ones that may have been fixed by
the hardware fix so need to be replicated, ones that are on the host for us to
fix, on the host for Chip & Janet to follow up on, etc.).  Cathy confirmed that
Janet plans to keep the packet trace on the host.

the time frame they have in mind for testing:
week of 7/20--heavy test w/regulars + a few (16-20 people total, with about 12
  on each night, including 4 from here--we'll both recruit as many people as we
  can)
week of 7/27--slow down for vacation time.  Randy's scheduled to be out that 
  week, & Cathy anticipates many of their testers to take time off (post Apple
  push slump, to recover before Apple & Habitat beta test).
week of 8/3--"limited alpha", w/20-30 in-house Quantum people testing
  for a solid week
week of 8/10--add "friendlies" for another week
week of 8/17--official beta start

all for discussion on Friday.

Chip, please remember to send the updated list and to mail gdiv about 
Wednesday afternoon Habitat presentation.

July 20th

Taken from chip.t

From chip Mon Jul 20 20:38:40 1987
Received: by moth; 20 JUL 87 20:38:40 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: My status report
Status: R

Today:
	Made magic work on heads
	Added capmon calls to style changing magic
	Added failure handling for region transition (handles light, etc.)
	Fixed autoteleport, I think
	Improved flashlight/lamp help to tell on/off state
	Brought curses.pl1 in line with current data-structure rules
	Got "indirect" feature working in Griddle and Plex (Plex output used
		as control input to Griddle w/ parameter passing)
Tomorrow:
	Help Randy set up exhaustive class test area
	Whatever miscellany crops up from tonight's playtest
	Make heads have value in pawn machines

July 21st

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Tue Jul 21 07:26:44 1987
Received: by moth; 21 JUL 87 07:26:44 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Status
Status: RO


Thru Monday:
	Helped ron with Maniac (1/2 day)
	Geared up for a 14+ player playtest!
	Fixed two problems with 5.9: Sounds & Paper-pointer-offscreen
	Started Apartment Generation

Today:
	Make sure Maniac (Apple) works
	Lay our more Quantumgrad regions (Kebitz with Chip)

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Tue Jul 21 07:30:18 1987
Received: by moth; 21 JUL 87 07:30:18 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Playtest
Status: RO


Last night we had a 14+ user playtest...Results:

Only 2 'cosmetic' problems reported:
The text area sometimes 'flashes'  <--- non-fatal, possibly unfixable
With the new pointer system, it can be VERY hard to point at animating
juggling balls.

Janet agreed that niether of these are high priority, and even if we
CAN'T fix them, it is no big deal.

The test was a MAJOR success. Alpha Here We Come!

From crock Tue Jul 21 07:52:02 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 21 JUL 87 07:52:02 PDT
From: crock (Douglas Crockford - The happiest man in the vast wasteland)
To: aric, chip, farmer
Cc: nancy, sda
Received: by kessel; 21 JUL 87 07:51:37 PDT
Subject: Habitat
Status: RO

Last night I took my first step into a smaller world.

These are some of my reactions to that first experience:

JOYSTICK.  There are four iconic commands which are overloaded onto the
joystick.  Three of the four have a strong directional component:  pick UP,
put DOWN, go RIGHT there.  Currently, the joystick assignments are
pick LEFT, put RIGHT, and go UP there.  It's not a big deal, you quickly learn
how to generate the correct command, but I think you could have a really nice
mnemonic aid built right in.

MAPS.  In my two hours in Habitat, I was unable to get oriented.  I bought
a map and found it to be incomprehensible.  I think the big WEST convention
is at best confusing.  Even worse, on the map I bought, SOUTH is at the top.
Map reading skills are generally poor in our society.  If you are deliberately
violating one of the few well understood cartographic conventions, I hope you
have a really good reason.

GUIDES.  The thing I did that I found the most rewarding was following people
around, like following the blue tenticle into the hottub, or following a 
couple of guys through the sewer.  The thing Habitat most needs is people.  I
think that if you get it finished, then they'll be there.

MUSIC.  It is really important to have scene transition music.  You need much
more variety.  The little 8 note ditty you have now gets tiresome real fast.
If we could get rights to the Final Jeopardy tune, it would be best.

PIECES OF PAPER.  I hate the convention of dropping paper on the ground in
order to get rid of it.  I find that morally and environmentally irresponsible.
I would rather that I could make my mail disappear Like Magic than to
symbolically litter.

TYPING.  On a number of occasions, when typing my second line of dialog, the
first few characters of the second line got lost.

BIG FINISH.  I think you guys are onto something really neat.  I think it is
worth taking to completion.  Wrap it up.  Ship it.

From farmer Tue Jul 21 08:09:36 1987
Received: by moth; 21 JUL 87 08:09:36 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip
Subject: Sex Changer
Status: RO


It seems the sex changer is broken....
Writes memory in BAD ways  (LRC error, In one case 'warped' an
avatar to another place on the screen)

From farmer Tue Jul 21 08:45:50 1987
Received: by moth; 21 JUL 87 08:45:50 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip
Subject: Iamges
Status: RO


Is someone keeping a list of images we want?
I have another one:
Domestic Pottery (for Plants)
	1 large pot
	1 small pot
	1 'window' planter

From nancy Tue Jul 21 09:13:59 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 21 JUL 87 09:13:59 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: sda
Cc: aric, chip, farmer
Received: by kessel; 21 JUL 87 09:13:53 PDT
Subject: Re:  test plan
Status: RO

that "test plan" was the time frame that Quantum has in mind, per Cathy.
Chip, Randy, Aric & I will be discussing it this week, and meet w/Cathy this
Friday to agree upon a complete test plan--including release requirements &
target date.

From aric Tue Jul 21 11:07:07 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 21 JUL 87 11:07:07 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(esruoc fo ,esrouc fo ,esroh a si esroh a)
To: chip, farmer
Received: by shem; 21 JUL 87 11:07:05 PDT
Subject: a couple o' tings
Status: RO

	On exhaustive testing.... it would be nice to add sound effects to
sync and async die roll

	Two things on the host.... first, avatars really should deghost on 
login.  If they don't, we should have a good explanation in the manual for
novice users.  Second, having the host send a text message to the user if
the region he is trying to enter is too full would be nice and easy to do.

	I am going to look at the new pointer system with the special cases
of juggling balls constantly moving and the amulet with the clear area in
the middle.

From aric Tue Jul 21 11:21:19 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 21 JUL 87 11:21:19 PDT
From: aric (Aric Wilmunder)(esruoc fo ,esrouc fo ,esroh a si esroh a)
To: chip, farmer
Received: by shem; 21 JUL 87 11:21:17 PDT
Status: RO

>From fanny Tue Jul 21 09:35:18 1987
Received: from hoth by shem; 21 JUL 87 09:35:18 PDT
>From: fanny 
To: aric
Received: by hoth; 21 JUL 87 09:35:12 PDT
Subject: playtest
Status: RO


well it was interesting. I found it very difficult to type, move, read and
make sure no one gave me or took anything away from me. I had a problem
with the money I took out of your account though, I would get some, put
it in my pocket and then when I went to spend some it wouldn't be there.
One time I think someone took it from me and another time it just dissapeared.
If it did because I didn't have room in my pocket I think the game/oracle should
tell you that. Anyways I was glad to help out. How was your game?

From farmer Tue Jul 21 13:47:46 1987
Received: by moth; 21 JUL 87 13:47:46 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: dv, farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Cc: charlie
Subject: Habitat
Status: RO

For Your Convenience:
Habitat will be down tonight for Bandwidth Reduction tests.
Only persons with Bandwidth Reduction ON will be able to enter the system.
(This is a limited scope test. Things will return to normal tomarrow)

See you on the other side (tomarrow ;) )
Randy
.

July 23rd

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Thu Jul 23 15:03:46 1987
Received: by moth; 23 JUL 87 15:03:46 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric, chip
Subject: Prioritized:
Status: R

The 1st Habitat All Class Test Results:

S = Stratus  64= Commedore
C = Causes crash (hang)  I = Important  + = Not so important   - = CBB


SC	Boomerang DO Hangs the C64
SC	Matchbook crashes the host (DO)
SI	Pawn machine dispenses a BAD token, value 1, restriction bit set.
SI	Knick_knack (and others) need style based help.
SI	When PUTing paper to dropbox, restriction bit gets set (!?)
SI	Drugs: effects? Help gives effect, remaining #. Bottle not getting
						deleted on host.
S+	ATM needs ASYNC chore for Deposit/Withdrawal
S+	game_piece HELP need 'kingme' instructions
S+	bag/box help needs to give KEY number
S+	Door help CBB
S+	Elevator 'Bad address' msg not appropriate.
S+	Grenade doesn't work.
S+	TALK to hand of god is illegal (!?)
S-	If you put a blank sheet of paper on a countertop, you can take items
S-	Cant we fold the frisbee into another class?
S-	Hole help should match ground help
S-	Fortune Machine async chore CBB

S64C	Ticket DO hangs the 64.
64C	async Sex_change hangs 64.
64I	Keys DON'T WORK.
64+	Bottle DO ground beeps.
64-	Add sfx to Die object
64-	The ring image looks like a pill.
64-	Club Image is all black, should it be all blue?

We should delete these classes:
instant object pill
hat
security device
jukebox
river
roof
stereo (tape play image become either knick-knack or two-state-object)
tape

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Thu Jul 23 15:26:58 1987
Received: by moth; 23 JUL 87 15:26:58 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Status
Status: R


Today:
	Did all Class test
Tomarrow:
	Fix all the C64 bugs.
	Release rev 6.0

July 24th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Fri Jul 24 14:34:42 1987
Received: by moth; 24 JUL 87 14:34:42 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Habistatus
Status: R


OK, there is a new version of the Habitat Program, 6.0
but, since Janet is also going on vacation, it will not be released until
8-3.
In the program itself, there was only one change: shft-home will clear
the text line.
(Oh yeah, aric also fixed a problem with pointing to juggling balls)

The following items have been fixed as a result of the All Class Test:
Club image is now blue
DIE do makes noise (sync AND async)
Keys work
Async sex changer fixed

The folloing have been coded, but not tested:
Pawn_machine dispensing bad tokens.
Drug bottle doesn't disappear.
ATM needs async chores
Foretune Machine (same)
Ticket DO doesn't work.

The following classes have been deleted fromthe host & test system
& the C64 databases:
hat, security_device, jukebox, river, roof, stereo, tape

The following things are NOT problems with the class, and should be
removed from the task list:
fold frisbee into another class
Bottle DO ground beeps
blank sheet of paper re:countertop
TALK to hand of god is ILLEGAL.



Need to be done (while I'm Gone):
Test system needs to move over to BANDWIDTH reduction.
Chip needs to test/fix the remaining items on the Class Test Results list.
The Alpha Test-Plan should be in place.

6.0 is gonna be it, so lets be sure ;)!

In case you are wondering, I will be available tonight and tomarrow
if you MUST call me for an emergency (707-585-9803)
I will be incommunicado Sunday thru Friday. You can reach me
NEXT Saturday (all day) or Sunday (1pm-5pm or 8pm-).

Hold down the fort folks!
(I am REALLY nervous about leaving the baby all this time, you take
REAL GOOD Care of her, OK Guys?)

I will read my mail when I arrive Saturday.

August 1987

August 3rd

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Mon Aug  3 10:34:29 1987
Received: by moth; 03 AUG 87 10:34:29 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, quantum
Cc: wendy
Subject: Release 6.0
Status: RO

Habitat version 6.0 8-3-87:

Alpha Test, Phase II version.
Starting this release, there will be a C64 program release NOT MORE THAN
once per week.

C64 main-program changes:
SHIFT-HOME (clr) now clears the/one text line.
The pointer system can now cope with Juggling balls, bottles, and the like.

C64/Host Changes (classes):
The following classes have bee deleted from the Test, Production and C64
Databases:
11 boomerang
39 hat
40 instant object
63 security device
70 stereo
71 tape
145 jukebox
148 river
149 roof
Note: The C64 will CRASH if the host provides one of these in a contents
vector.

There were several items turned up during the all class test, these are in
various states of test, 90% of them are host only. (See summary.t for details)

From chip Mon Aug  3 15:46:30 1987
Received: by moth; 03 AUG 87 15:46:30 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: nancy, sda
Cc: aric, chip, farmer
Subject: Status summary for the week
Status: R

We are, more or less, in Alpha test.  We are proceding according to the plan
proposed by Cathy Anderson in her memo of July 21.  The major implications of
this right now are that we will have more people on in the evenings and we
won't be releasing new revs of the C64 software as frequently.

Randy did the exhaustive all-class test during the week before his vacation.
He and I have fixed almost all the things that turned up as a result of that
(most of them were on the host).  The latest rev of the C64 code is version
6.0.  Janet is uploading it tonight and will be distributing it to everyone on
the East coast tomorrow (she would be doing this today but technical
difficulties on their end messed her up).  The name of the game from here on
out is testing, bug fixing and world generation, rather than new features!

I spent most of the past week working on tools (after taking care of the stuff
from the all-class test).  Ghu is now a very flexible and powerful tool, and
Randy and I have both been using it extensively.  We can now do with at 3 line
command what used to require a PL/1 program and half a day's effort.  There
are still a few more features we want to have in Ghu (notably: commands for
manipulating the book/text database) but it is now usable in a major way.

Randy and I will likely start in on finishing Quantumgrad this week.  However,
among other things, we decided in our meeting here with Cathy a week ago
Friday that we will put an apartment building into Populopolis first.  This
will enable us to 1) work through the process of apartment generation (and
make sure all the tools are working the way we want), 2) test the apartment
building concept itself for players and 3) provide a larger supportable
population base for Beta, thus killing three birds with one stone.

August 17th

Taken from charlie.t

From charlie Mon Aug 17 13:11:29 1987
Received: from weyr by moth; 17 AUG 87 13:11:29 PDT
From: charlie (Charlie "2 years to Dream Park" Kellner)
To: chip,farmer,aric,nancy,sda
Cc: charlie
Received: by weyr; 17 AUG 87 13:11:18 PDT
Subject: wish list
Status: RO

Here's a baker's dozen of ideas that Jo and I think would be improvements
to Habitat, for your consideration:


1.  The penalty for dying is too severe.  I don't mind having my avatar get
killed, as long as it's only an inconvenience -- but when I get penalized
for getting killed, it's a drag.  We'd like to see it be like in cartoons,
where the character who just got killed walks back from his turf and punches
out the guy who killed him... and nothing else has changed.

2.  There should be a wider range of facial expressions.  We think a dozen
expressions would just about cover the standard range that people would be
most likely to wish for.  The storage cost should be negligible.

3.  In the same vein, each special (i.e. non-standard) head should have
one special gesture or animation that it can do, that no other head can do.
The propellor beanie is a good example.  All non-standard heads should have
this capability.  If a particular head isn't different enough to merit a
unique animation, you should consider dropping it from the database.

4.  We'd really like to be able to teleport anywhere -- even places where
there isn't any teleport.  If the region is too full to accept you, it should
simply tell you so and not allow you to teleport (this problem may occur even
in standard teleport regions, so I don't see why it should be any different).

5.  An even more powerful option:  a magic device that teleports you to
wherever another avatar is, by name.  "Take Me To SPBlives!"  ::bamf::

6.  A matched pair of portable holes.  You can pick them up and carry them
around, but whenever they're BOTH laying on the ground, you can walk through
from one to the other, both ways.  Could be a great plot device.

7.  How about a little suitcase that you buy for an exorbitant price (say,
50,000 tokens), carry to a suitable region, set down and DO -- and a house
appears.  It's your turf, you paid for it, and you can just walk in and
set up housekeeping.  When you get finished laughing, think about how much
it would simplify the process of creating new cities.

8.  A pocket-sized door that you can buy in a vending machine, place against
a wall in your house, and DO -- and add an adjoining room.  It should only
work in your own turf, of course.

9.  A magic wand that turns an avatar into a tree.  He remains in that form
as long as the avatar who changed him stays in the same region with him.
DOing it again reverses the transformation.  The transformed avatar can't
walk around, so he can't pick things up unless he already happens to be
positioned correctly, but he can talk, write letters, take things out of his
pocket, and DO them.  Making the magic user remain in the same region ensures
that he will get out of it reasonably soon, or if not, that at least he'll
have someone to talk to, because the other guy won't be going anywhere either.
In the worst case, it should be automatically cancelled when the system goes
down at the end of the day.  This is necessary in the event anyone is foolish
(or clumsy) enough to use the wand on himself, and someone else just happens
to steal it before he can change himself back.

10.  A universal "Dispel Magic" amulet that reverses or cancels any spell,
including the one above.  Given the existence of such a device, it might be
possible to make certain wands or devices like the above even more powerful,
because there would always be an easy (albeit expensive) way to undo them.
Possessors of such amulets would always be in great demand.

11.  A secret decoder ring that scrambles your speech -- and unscrambles
others' speech.  Two (or more) people standing in the same region holding
identical rings would be able to talk to each other, but no one else would
be able to understand them.  Great for secret Habitat guild meetings.

12.  A way to know that someone is in the region next to where you are.
It would make the world seem a lot bigger, and a whole lot more connected.

13.  A way to know who else is in Habitat, or at least in the city or area
that you're in.  Specific locations aren't necessary, but it would be really
nice just to know that you're not alone.

								- charlie

August 18th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Tue Aug 18 10:06:55 1987
Received: by moth; 18 AUG 87 10:06:55 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: more arfs
Status: RO

AFS recived 08-17, for playtesting 8/12 and 8/13

Beren:
D T	0812-1 Auto teleport 1/2s tokens (fixed)
2B c r	0812-2 If you hand an object to a sitting avatar, it stands.
1B W r	0812-3 On/off lights does not work right in paper interface.

Cathleen:
C	0812-4 Had a long (over 1 min) initial region load.
1B r	0812-5 immobile magic DO should do implied GO.
1A r	0812-6 still able to leave Backgammon #2 with game piece.
?	0812-7 PE? says whe lost a token during teleport (?)
?	0812-8 PE. A user 'winked' (left and came back fast)
?	0812-9 PE? Cathy couldn't GO to the pond. (collision with tree?)
?	0812-10 PE. Had problem putting token in pocket (cathy)
?	0812-11 PE. Tried to walk to the 'ground' above horizon"No way to go"
C	0812-12 Text window flashes.
C	0812-13 All multy page texts should signify (in text) "The End"

Chris:
1A j r	0812-14 FE #7 (there were 3 of these,2 dumped,and both caused by host)

Ariana1:
2B r a 	0813-1 Some turfs have flowers on top of dresser (move/remove them)
2B r a	0813-2 The New You needs a "MORE ->" sign
1A j	0813-3 Regionproc Crash.

Bahia:
1A T c	0813-4 It is possible to 'get' an open box! (fixed)
	0813-5 dup 0813-3
C	0813-6 Colorblind people have problems with word balloons.
C	0813-7 Had problems putting token in pocket

Janet:
1B j r	0813-8/9 Had problems grabbing objects (had something in hand,I bet)
1A j	0813-10 FE#7 (Host send talk message from non-exist noid!)
	0813-11 dup 0813-3

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Tue Aug 18 10:18:57 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 18 AUG 87 10:18:57 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: aric, chip, farmer
Cc: sda
Received: by kessel; 18 AUG 87 10:18:50 PDT
Subject: HabiSchedule
Status: RO

just left message w/Rob for him to confirm or advise on this proposed
schedule update, as soon as he can cover w/Janet & Cathy (Cathy's out
here this week):

8/20 start alpha III w/version 6.2
8/31 pre-beta analysis week
9/7 start beta
10/5 final code
10/12 ship to QL subscribers

He was aware of region proc crash last night, but didn't know if it was
caused by something that would delay alpha III. 

Randy, please let me know as soon as you hear anything from Janet.

thanks.

August 19th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Wed Aug 19 10:01:17 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 19 AUG 87 10:01:17 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: farmer
Cc: aric, chip, sda
Received: by kessel; 19 AUG 87 10:01:12 PDT
Subject: HabiStatus
Status: RO

per Rob, start of alpha III is on hold pending Janet diagnosing Pointers bug.
that's probably what's caused region proc crashes &/or meltdowns.  She's
putting in diagnostics to confirm that region proc crashes/meltdowns are
being caused by host, & figure out how to fix.  They don't know if there are
any problems w/the 6.2 disk, but it is not being duplicated for alpha III
until Janet has fixed the host-based pointers bug, & they're confident that
region proc crashes are stopped.

Rob promised to rattle cages & get more people on testing tonight.  He knew
of 2 meltdowns & no region proc crashes last night.

what's you're understanding of the pointers bug delaying alpha III?  thanks.

From farmer Wed Aug 19 10:23:24 1987
Received: by moth; 19 AUG 87 10:23:24 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: nancy
Cc: aric, chip, sda
Subject: Re:  HabiStatus
Status: RO

My understanding:
The problem is pretty serious, and Janet is hard at work on it.
In a nutshell, the host gets confused about what object is where in
the Stratus' memory, and feeds the Commedore bad message packets.
This accounts for the last three FE#7s, and is supposed to account
for the meltdowns (not confirmed, but likely).

Note: Rob seems to be good at getting accurate descriptions to you, I
	am glad that communications are getting clearer.

;)

From nancy Wed Aug 19 17:55:40 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 19 AUG 87 17:55:40 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: farmer
Cc: aric, chip, sda
Received: by kessel; 19 AUG 87 17:55:34 PDT
Subject: Cathy
Status: RO

said she'd talk to Janet in the morning about getting 6.2 dup'd to send out
Friday.  from her point of view, more testers are needed to replicate 2 non-
host related meltdowns that may be caused by hardware--one suspected new
vic chip and one suspected disk drive.

certainly hope Janet is able to trap the host pointer bug tonight.

August 20th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Thu Aug 20 14:50:08 1987
Received: by moth; 20 AUG 87 14:50:08 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Announcing
Status: RO


The Amulet Of Wonderous Worth (Dnalsi Island)
The Tome of Wealth and Fame (the game begins TODAY!)
The 1st Habitat Region Rally
are all functional and ready to install (10 seconds installation each.)

Comming tomarrow:
The Plaque of Cooties!

Comming in the following weeks:
The Habitat Stock Exchange
Capture the Flag

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Thu Aug 20 17:09:16 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 20 AUG 87 17:09:16 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: farmer
Cc: aric, chip, sda
Received: by kessel; 20 AUG 87 17:09:12 PDT
Subject: Alpha III
Status: RO

per Cathy, 6.2 will be sent next day delivery on Monday to alpha phase III
testers, assuming that the FE#2 you're researching doesn't require a disk
change.  you & I need to talk to Rob & Janet in the morning, as soon as you
know if the FE#2 should delay us.

Janet is sorting through the info who has on the pointer bug--it does not
delay start of alpha III.

whew!  good luck tracking down the FE#2.

August 21st

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Fri Aug 21 08:21:44 1987
Received: by moth; 21 AUG 87 08:21:44 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: nancy
Cc: aric, chip, sda
Subject: Re:  Alpha III
Status: RO

The fatal error will NOT delay us.
Error finding is what Alpha is for!
We ship Monday. (Period)

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Fri Aug 21 10:47:31 1987
Received: by moth; 21 AUG 87 10:47:31 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Now operational
Status: RO


The Cooties Plague is now available for testing in Habitat,
(I replaced the Capture the Flag region with "DON'T PRESS THIS BUTTON!")
heh heh

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Fri Aug 21 15:39:39 1987
Received: by moth; 21 AUG 87 15:39:39 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: And they said
Status: RO


that it would never happen:
Alpha test III, Ships from Quantum Monday, overnight mail to 60 users!

(The dump they were holding WILL NOT hold us up!)

---- and there was much rejoicing ----

August 24th

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Mon Aug 24 07:51:49 1987
Received: by moth; 24 AUG 87 07:51:49 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: aric
Cc: chip
Subject: Need
Status: RO

Need help...
(Today, top prio.)
Do you know the region # ranges of the turfs you added to habitat?
It seems the Turf file was never updated, and there are only 6 turves left!
Lets talk
Thanks.

August 25th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Tue Aug 25 14:13:00 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 25 AUG 87 14:13:00 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip, farmer
Cc: sda
Received: by kessel; 25 AUG 87 14:12:56 PDT
Subject: alpha III
Status: RO

cathy said 35 went out today, & 35 going tomorrow.  2-day delivery guaranteed,
so should see many new testers on Thursday night.

re: cooties game, she thought exciting, but concerned that it'd lose appeal
fast if remains in so obvious a place or isn't limited somehow (like "Don't
press this button during a full moon").  your thoughts?

best case beta start they're thinking is 3 weeks away:  major alpha testing
week of 8/31 (next week), time for evaluation & disk rev week of 9/7, send
out beta disk week of 9/14.

Cathy will be out here week of 9/14 for AppleFest that Friday, Sat & Sun.

August 26th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Wed Aug 26 20:13:19 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 26 AUG 87 20:13:19 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: chip
Cc: aric, wendy
Received: by kessel; 26 AUG 87 20:13:16 PDT
Subject: Habitat boot screen
Status: RO

this goes back a few weeks--not sure if Aric was ever answered about
approval of copyright notice.

(c) 1987 LFL.  All rights reserved.

at the top of the screen if fine.  if there's room, write out
Lucasfilm, Ltd.

thanks.

August 27th

Taken from notes.t

From nancy Thu Aug 27 09:57:14 1987
Received: from kessel by moth; 27 AUG 87 09:57:14 PDT
From: nancy (Nancy Mohler)
To: farmer
Cc: aric, chip, sda
Received: by kessel; 27 AUG 87 09:57:08 PDT
Subject: Cathy
Status: RO

will talk w/you next Friday to review how the week of alpha3 testing went, &
then decide whether to buy tickets for Janet, Rob & her to come out here the
following week.

if all goes well next week, they'll plan to meet here Thursday & Friday,
9/10 & 11, to prepare for beta start the following week.

they're sounding real positive.  Cathy was thrilled to see books in the
library, & to buy a copy of the rant.

she reminded us to please keep in mind
how we take advantage of our new testers' experiences in Habitat--follow,
watch, learn how they learn, rather that lead them around.

thanks.

August 28th

Taken from randy.t

From farmer Fri Aug 28 13:06:55 1987
Received: by moth; 28 AUG 87 13:06:55 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda, wendy
Subject: Day Off
Status: RO

I will be taking Friday the 4th of September off.
I am going to LA for the Holiday Weekend.

August 31st

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Mon Aug 31 09:04:55 1987
Received: by moth; 31 AUG 87 09:04:55 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Habitat
Status: RO


Habitat is having some pretty heavy problems on the host side:
It is 1) using up all available buffers &
2) using more CPU than they think is correct.

The users have seen these problems as 5-10 minute region transition times
(Often reporting them as hangs).

Janet is on top of it. She will call as soon as she knows what is going on.
(Habitat was shut down for the latter half of Sunday, beacuse problem #1
above was slowing down (considerably) other parts of Qlink.)

I guess it was about time for THEM to drop a shoe, eh?
;) <- Keeping a stiff upper lip, printing out 45 pages of arfs & comments

More data as quick as I get it...

From farmer Mon Aug 31 10:52:34 1987
Received: by moth; 31 AUG 87 10:52:34 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: OK
Status: RO


I printed 45 pages(!) of arfs and comments...the distillation:
(in order of number of times reported)

This is a summary only, and not comprehensive.

#1 The Host delays are really awful
#2 The system crashed (at least once)
#3 Habitat is VERY finicky about extra hardware being connected.
#4 SOME SX64 users have been unable to get in.
#5 There were some FEs (most notable, a matching set of corrupt heaps)
#6 Thieving is a point of some consternation..Perhaps we should
	a) have Steal Free Zones (to protect newcommers)
	b) prevent teft from stoned avatars.
#7 Tokens_PUT should do Tokens_DO. Tokens need a way to split
#8 And minor spelling and other small things.

The signal to noise ratio on these reports is not very high, but
the feedback is beginning to show some clear trends:
The Host is sick, and needs a continued shakedown (when Janet
has atleast the buffers under control)
The C64(?) is still getting fatal errors, but they seem to come
in clusters (several people, in the same place get an error) which
suggests a problem with data (bad object/class descriptor or something).

From chip Mon Aug 31 14:07:45 1987
Received: by moth; 31 AUG 87 14:07:45 PDT
From: chip (Chip Morningstar -- "Software Without Moving Parts")
To: aric, chip, farmer, nancy, sda
Subject: Good news/Bad news
Status: R

Just got a call from Janet.
The GOOD news is that the load problems people were experiencing were a result
of a minor system configuration difficulty which is easily corrected.
The BAD news is that since the fix involves the running system it needs to be
thoroughly tested before they put it on line, so they don't have enough time to
fix it today before production comes up (which is about an hour from now), so
Habitat is down tonight and we will resume testing tomorrow.

September 1987

September 1st

Taken from notes.t

From farmer Tue Sep  1 08:28:49 1987
Received: from shem by moth; 01 SEP 87 08:28:49 PDT
From: farmer 
To: chip
Received: by shem; 01 SEP 87 08:28:47 PDT
Subject: Lets talk about
Status: RO


Steal free zones & removing WFZ from 'out-of-town' areas.
Can't we just change the ghu class defines file?

From farmer Tue Sep  1 08:30:24 1987
Received: by moth; 01 SEP 87 08:30:24 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: chip
Subject: keepin gyou busy..
Status: RO


I would be REAL nice if at least the 'd' function would work from
ghu's oracle function.

From farmer Tue Sep  1 08:53:48 1987
Received: by moth; 01 SEP 87 08:53:48 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: farmer,chip,aric,nancy,sda
Subject: Habitat
Status: RO

Is still not quite back up yet.
I have some info that I think we should be aware of:
The hostheap has been taken care of, but quantum is concerned about
the early Habitat statistics on CPU useage.
The reason Habitat was messed up a little (when I was on) is that
Janet had to recompile everything with profiling in. This introduced some
small complications. The message I got was this:
'The CPU usage was so high, that 'extrapolated' out Habitat (in it current
state) could not be run at currnt Plus Time rates.'

This was Mark's opinion from a 2.5 days of testing Fri-Sun.
It is by no means conclusive, and The Profiler will probably tell
use of some silly overhead that can be streamlined out of the system.

Not time to panic yet, but we all have STRONG interest in the actual figures.
(actualy, to us here a LFL, this isn't really a suprise (for once :))

From farmer Tue Sep  1 09:55:50 1987
Received: by moth; 01 SEP 87 09:55:50 PDT
From: farmer (Randall Farmer) (What do you mean ARTIFICIAL intelligence?)
To: chip
Subject: Since
Status: RO


Since we are moneying with things...
I would like to add a type field to the burearcrats.
(So each crat can have customized responces)

September 18th

Taken from gregp.

From chip Fri Sep 18 13:12:58 1987
Subject: Greg P
Did you see my Stratus mail message from last night?

It is clear that Greg is seriously disturbed here.  Someone online last night
(I think it may have been Becky) said that he had some upset in his personal
life that had him really down.  Frankly, I'm concerned.

Somehow we need to communicate the following points, not just to Greg,
although he seems to be the one who needs it most.  In order from least
important to most important:

1) The major areas of social contact in the world, namely the cities, consist
of regions that are both weapons-free and theft-free.  The most gross abuses
of civilized behavior are therefor eminently avoidable for those who wish to
avoid them.

2) This is not reality.  This is fantasy.  This is a game.  Don't lose sight
of the idea that the perpose of this place is entertainment.  What happens
here has little if any bearing on the real world.  If one Avatar steals from
another, the real-world impact is nil.  (It is legitimate to raise the
question of what lesson we are teaching, but that is another issue which I
believe is covered by the remaining points).

3) I believe in the old idea (common in a lot of Christian thinking) that
there is no life without at least the potential for death.  In order for
existence to be meaningful there needs to be a state of non-existence to
contrast it to.  Note that "death" in Habitat is a transitory thing and does
not really reflect ultimate obliteration in the way that death in the real
world does.  It does, however, give one cause to value one's person and
property.  Similarly, a piece of property only has value by virtue of the
degree to which it is distinguishable from other pieces of property.  Once you
have any concept of value, there exists the potential for unethical usurpation
of the basis of that value.  While we can prevent certain specific infractions
(i.e., taking something out of someone else's hands), ultimately there is no
way to guard against this.  On the other hand, if there was no concept of
value, the world would be homogeneous and therefor uninteresting.

4) The very notions of morality and ethics are human concepts.  Consider, for
a moment, what sort of world we would live in if there was a god that enforced
moral standards as natural law.  The very idea of right and wrong would not
exist in such a universe.  Why, then, should people appeal to such a god in
Habitat?  Because (a) they think it is possible, and (b) they have brought
their notions of good and evil with them from the external world.  However,
the Oracle fundamentally cannot enforce moral codes, even if we could all
agree on what code should be the standard, which we cannot.  The moral
standards must therefor be chosen and enforced by the community itself.
Instead of appealing to the Oracle to be the magical omnipotent lawgiver,
policeman and judge, people should join together to form a society which is
able to establish its own standards of conduct.  Since Avatars can effect each
another in numerous ways, of which "killing" is but one among many,
communities of Avatars can enforce their standards with various sanctions,
just as people do in the real world.  We encourage everyone to do this, and
are interested in suggestions for ways the system can support this process
(e.g., the "gate" object).  I would also advocate that there should always be
some "lawless" territories, both to provide contrast and so that there is a
place for the inevitable misfits to go.

By the way, isn't Greg P the one who wanted to start the church?  Perhaps we
can encourage him to be the nucleus around which a community can form.  He
doesn't have to be the leader, but by promoting a doctrine of tolerance and
gentleness he can certainly help push things in the right direction.

December 1987

December 11th

Taken from robreqs.t.

To: Steve Arnold
From: Chip Morningstar
Date: December 11, 1987
Re: Rob & Janet's item/question memo of 12/7

As you requested, here is an item-by-item status report in response to Rob &
Janet's memo of 12/7/87: (I've quoted the memo literally on the lines
beginning with ">".)

>Here is a list of all outstanding items we have on record, not including
>three of the four "meta-problems" (heartbeat/protocol disconnect, PC
>loader, memory hits) or manifestations of them as near as we can judge.
>The fourth meta-problem, "messages to non-existing noids," we believe to
>be a problem with auto-teleport, which we'll continue to test

The "messages to non-existing noids" problem was indeed in the auto-teleport
routine and is fixed as of 10/30 (version 6.4).  Of the other three, the
"memory hits" problem turned out to be a bug in the bottle object and was also
fixed as of 10/30 in version 6.4.

>SYSTEM

>Needs testing
>-------------
>Auto-teleport -- dying, some Choke machines, wands
	As mentioned above, this is fixed in version 6.4 as of 10/30 (ver 6.4
	release notes, 11/10)
>GO/F3 collision (next rev)
	Fixed in version Beta 1.0 as of 12/9
>Error recovery for disk routines (next rev)
	Installed in version Beta 1.0 as of 12/9
>FE3 (JoeyT1)
	Since we do not have a dump disk for this problem, we cannot give a
	100% assured diagnosis.  However, reasoning from the circumstances
	surrounding it, our hypothesis is that it is the same problem as the
	GO/F3 collision bug mentioned above and the FE#13 that RJScott had.
>FE13 (RJScott)
	This turned out to be a result of the very same problem as the GO/F3
	collision bug, and so is fixed.

>Requires disk change (status uncertain)
>---------------------------------------
	Almost all of these are host problems or changes, not disk based.

>PUTing to a sitting Avatar makes it stand (9/10; #62)
	This is a host only bug, fixed as of 11/11
>New entries to regions don't show the state of an avatar
	There was a problem with this once upon a time (prior to our keeping
	the current bug database).  We believe it is fixed (was host bug).
	There have been	no reports of this happening for as far back as our
	database goes.
>Lamps are awfully wide (9/10; #94 sorta)
	We aren't sure what this means.  If Quantum wants us to change the
	collision detection parameters for the streetlamp we can do so easily.
	If so, it would be a host only change.
>Ticket DO hangs 64 (9/10; #85)
	Our records show this as being fixed as of 9/2
>Grenade doesn't work (9/10; #81)
	Working as of 11/11 (host only change).
>Ring looks like a pill (9/10; #86)
	We decided that the ring is sufficiently different that we don't need
	to mess with changing the image.
>Cursor turned into PUT icon in text interface (11/4; #500)
	We wrote this one off as a mystery on 10/12.  Lord Bolan (to whom this
	happened) had a number of odd things happen to only him, leading us to
	suspect his machine.  We have kept our eyes open for recurrences;
	there haven't been any.
>Command lockout turing GO while able to receive ESP, etc. (11/4; #374)
	Another weird Lord Bolan thing.
>Blank paper with written graphic state (9/10; #128)
	Fixed (on host) as of 10/12
>Random sign appearances (12/2; #696)
	Operator boo-boo while using Ghu; accidently moved wrong item.
>Shrunk to smallest size on 'porting home (12/2; #691)
	Currently on our working bug list.
>Grab from left-hand side doesn't always work (9/10; #26)
	Confusion resulting from collision detection; not a bug.

>Disk questions
>--------------
>On DOs that include GO, should avatars face cursor on arrival? (9/10; #64)
	GO is set up so that avatar is always facing in proper direction on
	arrival.  Sometimes this is facing cursor, sometimes not.
>Should all DOs include GOs? (9/10; #95)
	No.  In many cases the semantics of the DO operation makes this
	impossible.  Where it is possible, we do so.
>Do chairs work easily (i.e., GO from chair with one push?)
	Yes.
>Does Help work while seated? (9/10; #31)
	No.  The only thing you can do while seated is talk or GO.  It would
	be nice if you could do HELP while seated, but this would require some
	fairly hairy changes to the command interface routines, so we decided
	not to, in the interest of moving things forward.
>Follow command? (12/2; #190)
	This has been an on-again/off-again feature.  We need to make a final
	decision as to whether or not to implement this.  Our feeling here is
	that it is probably not needed, and we have the impression that the
	consensus at Quantum is similar; however, we need to decide.  If we do
	decide to implement this, the changes will be entirely host based.
>Does adding the ability to make objects prompt users require disk changes?
>(9/10; #9)
	Yes, but the changes have already been made.  They were installed in
	version 6.4 and have been tested.

>Host problems
>-------------
>Lights (both floor and flash/torch) do not consistently work (12/2,
>		comments -- 9/2, #96, #109 -- 11/4, #305)
	They should work now.  There were a couple of weird interacting host
	software problems, the last of which was fixed 11/19, as well as a
	systematic error in the database which was corrected on 12/4
>Cloning & prices on vendos -- are we sure they're right?
	We did a thorough check on all vendo prices and they are all correct.
>Title page/index for books (12/2; #104)
	It was the Book of Records in particular that required the index
	(which needed to be generated by the program that generates that
	particular document).  Janet implemented this as of 12/8.
>Finish 'port, town and region help names for regions (10/12; #9)
	(Actually item #194).  Port and town help arrows are in as of 11/19;
	we currently have the testers hunting for the inevitable mistakes.
	Names are installed in the residential areas and are being added to
	the other areas incrementally.
>Fix 'port directory
	We have an all-new teleport directory as of 11/14
>Drugs need to have help effect, pill count (9/10; #79)
	Done as of 11/11
>Heads have no resale value (9/10; #30)
	Fixed
>Some turfs have flowers on dressers which can be GETed but not PUT (9/10;
>		#72)
	Our records show this being fixed as of 9/3.
>Should Costello's be hooked to sewers? (9/10; #56)
	No it shouldn't.  Our records show it was disconnected as of 9/2.
>Move sewer so de-ghosts don't stand on it (9/10; #101)
	Our records show this being fixed as of 9/3.
>Should we de-ghost on login? (12/2; #29)
	We think we should, but a decision needs to be made.  If we do it,
	Janet is the one who will have to implement it.
>Add a type field to 'crats to allow customized responses (9/10; #202)
	Upon reflection we concluded that this was unnecessary.
>Put apartment tape online and test (10/12; #11)
	Final rev. of apartement installed on 12/9.  Requires Beta 1.0
	software to work properly (there was a bug in the elevator).
>Change all countertops to...something else (10/12; #82)
	As of 11/11 all countertops work just like tables.
>Two mail in pocket messages for one piece of mail (10/12; #222)
	Fixed as of 10/30 (host change by Janet).

>Manual changes
>--------------
>Revise to be current with Beta Release
	Version of manual sent 12/7 accurately describes Beta 1.0 system.
>Include graphic symbols/CTRL keys
>Index
	These can be added.  We'll need to redesign the page layout however,
	since these will add a few pages.
>Is there a current map of downtown?
	Yes, but not in a distributable form.
>Should we explain how tables, bookcases and dressers are containers?
	I don't know.  Should we?
>Should Jan gather as much as we know about configuration requirements?
	This would probably be wise.
>A little clearer about 'port booths, mebbe
	We will take a look at it.  What in particular needs clarification?

>Ghu
>---
>QL Rep (Rob) proficient enought to implement basic programming (10/12)
	Rob is the judge of this.
>Are there any docs on the macro language?
	Yes.  The document we sent to Quantum describes the macro features
	fully.
>Make Oracle fully functional & accessible
>Can GHU handle Oracle requests?
	Oracle handling is now implemented in Ghu.  We will send a revised
	edition of the manual that describes the relevent commands.
>Can GHU hand Rant publishing?
	Yes.  Text handling features are now implemented.  These will also be
	described in the new edition of the manual.
>Is it, in short, fully functional?
	Yes.  However, we would like to consult with Quantum about what
	protection features are required, if any, to prevent unauthorized
	mangling of the database or invasions of privacy accomplished via Ghu.
>Can (does?) GHU show memory usage in a region?
	No.
>Loops
	The version of Ghu originally released to Quantum had a looping
	feature.  We have since made this feature somewhat more general and
	this improvement is described in the latest edition of the manual.
>Can I search for items of a specific class?
	Yes, but it is very inefficient, since it requires iterating through
	the entire database.  If we were to make the class field a database
	key then we could do this more efficiently.  Janet?

>Things to do (Definition of Public Release Habitat System Document)
>-------------
>D'nalsi Island
	Ready to go on 30 seconds notice.
>Capture the Flag
	We are awaiting a chance to test this on a limited scale before
	pursuing a larger development effort.  Testing it, however, requires
	more users than we have typically had on.
>Cooties
	Working.
>Machiavelli
	Could use further design work.  Does not require any software
	developement, however.
>Stock Market
	We have a design, but need to set priorities since it will require
	some host software work.
>Talk Shows
>Game Shows
>Bijou Theatre
>Costello's Comedy Corner
	These are ready to go.  We have designed some magic items that will
	make the operation of theatrical activities a little easier, but they
	are luxuries.

>Items
>-----
>copy machine (12/2; #11 -- 4/29; #27)
>book binder (12/2; #11 -- 4/29; #28)
	These require host software that does not yet exist.  The C64 end is
	in as of version Beta 1.0
>Customizer: 4-5 selections of heads -- host chooses vector (4/29; #23)
	Done in hatchery long, long ago.
>Determine powers and privileges of Adventure Masters (3/2; #28)
>Write Guidebook to the Oracle (3/2; #48)
>Design batch transactions (3/2; #71)
	We need to work out operations plans in order to determine the
	relevence of these items.
>Make region entry smarter (doors, etc.) (3/2; #110)
>Add textual error messages (3/2; #117)
>Write help messages for magic items (3/2; #118)
	Ancient history; done.
>Implement Apartment Generator (3/2; #55)
	Done.
>Implement Adventure Master support software (3/2; #63)
	See above comment on Adventure Masters.
>Position on compatibility with 1581 (10/12; #2)
	We need a 1581 and detailed documentation on it.

November 1989

November 28th

Taken from habitat.

From oster%SOE.Berkeley.EDU@jade.berkeley.edu Tue Nov 28 01:13:16 1989
Return-Path: <oster%SOE.Berkeley.EDU@jade.berkeley.edu>
Received: from xanadu by grand-central (4.0/SMI-4.0)
	id AA27303; Tue, 28 Nov 89 01:13:15 PST
Received: from uunet.UUCP by xanadu (4.0/SMI-4.0.2) id AA23910; Tue, 28 Nov 89 01:12:44 PST
Received: from jade.Berkeley.EDU by uunet.uu.net (5.61/1.14) with SMTP 
	id AA17240; Tue, 28 Nov 89 01:47:30 -0500
Received: from dewey.SoE.Berkeley.EDU
	by jade.berkeley.edu (5.61.1/1.16.23)
	id AA18221; Mon, 27 Nov 89 22:45:52 PST
Received: by dewey.soe.berkeley.edu (5.51/SMI-3.0DEV3.8)
	id AA04939; Mon, 27 Nov 89 22:48:07 PST
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 89 22:48:07 PST
From: oster%SOE.Berkeley.EDU@jade.berkeley.edu (David Phillip Oster)
Message-Id: <8911280648.AA04939@dewey.soe.berkeley.edu>
To: randy@xanadu.com
Subject: Re: habitat
Status: R

I am an expert Macintosh programmer. You met me at the Hacker's 5. (I was
standing next to Vernor Vinge.) I'd like to get in on cyberspace, if
you are looking for talent.

> The mac is a detour in the inevitable march of mediocre computers.
> drs@bnlux0.bnl.gov (David R. Stampf)
--- David Phillip Oster          -master of the ad hoc odd hack. 
Arpa: oster@dewey.soe.berkeley.edu 
Uucp: {uwvax,decvax}!ucbvax!oster%dewey.soe.berkeley.edu