I have finally gotten to the point where I can call the core function of building a roster "complete."** You give Roster Builder a roster size, a variance percent, a year of the battle, rules level, what types of units you want to use and which of your organizations you want to draw from. It will then present a "pool" of up to 120 units to select, and a maximum roster size of 12 units in the final roster.

I am designing this to help with pick-up games. If you're doing something bigger than a company in a fight, you need more than this tool.

** I struck thru "complete" above because as I was trying to generate a screenshot I could show you, I found a rather glaring bug (this is why it's still in "Alpha" and not "Beta") in the code I just finished. Despite that, I did want to keep a running update of my "punch list" of things to complete before I can move on to the "Beta testing" where I turn copies over to volunteers to try and break, then document and return what broke and what they did to break it.

Punch list:

• Fix Rules level bug
• Fix BV error
• Create new profile
• Open to existing profile
• Delete profile
• Create/Edit/Delete organizations
• Add/Delete units to organizations
• Print roster to printer
• Write documentation and help files

And for later versions:

• Add (multiple) C3 networks
• Add 5 man/6 man selections for Battle Armor
• Retrieve, edit and save previous rosters
• And a few other things I'll think of on the way to here
  

I'd love to get this done by next week, however the entire programming, project management and administration staff is... just me. I could get it done a lot faster if someone would pay my bills for me so I don't have to do the whole "day job" thing for a month or two. Or three.

Just to keep all y'all in the loop, I am working on the Roster Builder App in my copious free time. I suffer from the Programmer's Curse, which is I write a section of code, then while writing the second part, I find a better way to do the first part so I go back and rewrite half of the code I've already written. Of course, part of this is because the variables and their parameters change, but such is life and learning a new programming language.

As part of your profile, you can choose a default roster size, variance and year to make choosing your lists easier. Each unit is also color coded so when you have a list you can choose from and you want to use only one organization, you can see what unit belogs to each organization. Other filters are the rules level, types of units and what organizations you want to draw from.

From this point when you mouseiver a unit, you get the popup as you see for the Archer. If you click on a unit (the code I am working on now) it will add it to the final roster. The current limit is a dozen units, the equivalent of an IS company. I might go a bit higher to accomodate Clan units.

This is the hardest code to write, which is why I'm doing it first. The code to add, edit and delete your pool of units will be a lot easier, as half the code I am writing now will be usful later and the base functions are lot easier.

Yes, it's been ages since I've done anything other than maintenance here. When you're working 50+ hour weeks, house maintenance, high priority projects and stuff like that, gaming in general (and this blog) tend to take the back-back seat.

But I digress because you don't want to hear about my stuff.

You do want to hear that I have started working on the code for a stand-alone Roster Builder app. I'm getting away from Excel and creating it in Python. It will probably be a complied application so you don't have to download the Python interpeter (like you have to do with Java) to run it.

I have written about 10% of the code so far, so here's what I'm asking from you:

1. Use the Contact Me page if you want to help build and verify the data files I am using. Let's just say I have about 4,500 records to go.

2. You can also contact me if you want to be a beta tester when I get the code finished. You will need to work every function and try to break it, then tell me exactly what you did to break it and what it said/did when you broke it.

Those who help out will get shout-outs in the documentation and a full version of the application. This will be a shareware application, limited until you buy the full application. The price has not been set yet, but it will be $10 or less.

I have managed to update/rewrite some articles and brought two of my units to the page. A 3rd one will follow shortly (I'm editing the pictures now), the 4th will be a while as I'm still assembling and painting them.

I have a possible upheaval in my life soon, which will affect the next project: the Battletech Roster Builder app. I haven't forgotten about it, just had more important things to do.

I'm making this short, I'm way past my bed time...

Since I have been regularly posting links to various articles here on Social Media, I have decided to make some changes around here. I have rewritten and updated some articles, fixed a few grammar and spelling errors here and there and split one article into two because it had two different subjects and I thought each deserved their own article.

I will also be changing the banner between the main graphics and these blog entries in the morning. I hope you enjoy the changes.

Now that the first book is out of the way, I am going to take a short breather and do some other things around here.

Here's my current gaming 'To-Do' list:

• Reconstituting my original unit from 1990, the 101st Irregulars. This will be my 4th active unit.
• Writing backstory (a kitten is killed every time you say “fluff”) on all four of my units, as well as some photos of each Lance.
• My second book, the current working title is “DIY Projects for Gamers.” This started out as a chapter in the See Mark Paint book, but after the 5th major project qualified to be in it, I decided they need their own book.
• Roster Builder 7.0 development is also proceding. This version will "phone home" when you start the spreadsheet, and download if necessary a "Master Unit List." Major particulars for each unit will be added as comments in certain cells, thus freeing up screen space.
• I have already expanded the link roll to the right with multiple BattleTech Facebook groups I visit or frequent.

Enjoy, I am going to be performing other tweaks and upgrades soon as well.

After a lot of hard work experimenting, writing, photographing and editing, I have reached a point where I am comfortable releasing my first e-book, See Mark Paint. It is meant for someone who is just starting out in miniature wargaming.

The project became big enough that I split it into two books. The second one will be "DIY Projects for Gamers" to enhance your gaming workspace. That one is still a couple months out.

You are free to distribute this e-book to all who need it. If you want to reference it on your website, please link to this page so I can see who's asking and to make sure if I edit/update the book, they get the latest version.

Hey everyone, I have managed to discover some small snippets of time where my task list was not overflowing with emergency priority tasks. In accordance with that, I managed to update a couple of things here.

First, for the Roster Builder I have added a "Battle Report" form so you can see your list and write down your oppoenents list, then easily figure who was the victor. You can also take notes specific to turns so if you take pictures (like I do for my Batreps below) you know what happened when.

Second, I updated the Memphis Code of Common Play. I hadn't noticed we didn't include some of our most basic house rules.

I have been busy with a ton of personal projects and other goings on that I have sadly neglected my favorite website (that you can see). I have been updating the pinned articles and adding more but I haven't posted them yet. When I get to a place where I am mostly satisfied you'll see them.

I have done a couple things today, namely you can now "contact me" over there to the right and you can also leave comments at the bottom of posts.

I have also posted two new battle reports, Taken down by gnats and Payback in Cash.

I came to the realization a few days ago that I have been cranking out pretty significant Roster Builder updates fairly quickly. When an idea jumps on me, it's like Hobbs pounces on Calvin when he isn't looking. That means I have to stop everything else and incorporate it. This really is a labor of love.

The latest two newly added features are error alerts and automated importing.

Error Alerts will show along the top of the List Builder header when you have a C3 network mis-configured. If you have an invalid number or type of units in a declared C3 network (mixing C3 M/S and C3i, too many units, just one unit and so on) you will now see a "C3 Network Error!" in the header. If the network is properly set up, it will say "Network Active!" Also, if you generate a printed roster and you are over points or have a C3 network in error, this information will now appear on your DTF output.

The second is the ability to import. I realize that it takes a few minutes to copy or recreate your units in an updated spreadsheet. Since I've been cranking updates out faster than I cange my socks (metaphorically), I understand if you don't partake of every update. So now, if Roster Builder realizes it's "blank" (just the demo unit by itself), Roster Builder will ask if you want to import your data from another Roster Builder 6.x file. Due to formatting changes, any attempt to import data from a Roster Builder v5 or lower, well let's just say it won't be pretty. If you point it toward a 6.x file, it will copy all of your Battalion information and units in the List Builder tab.

Enjoy!

I have wonderful news for you!

First, I messed up. How is this wonderful? I have corrected it. Please IMMEDIATELY DELETE Roster Builder 6.0.3 if you have it, as it will give you the wrong BV value for all pilots other than 4/5.

Second, I finally figured out how to perform verification for the C3 networks. It will not let you know up top if you have an acceptable or unacceptable C3/C3i/Boosted C3 networks. Due to certain constraints, I had to cut the available Boosted C3 networks from 3 to 2, but I'm sure 99% of you won't notice.

Battletech Roster Builder Version 6.1

If you are using my Battletech Roster Builder 6.0.2 or earlier, DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY! It is using an old BV Skills Multiplier Table, so if you are using anything other than a 4/5 pilot, your points are WRONG! I sincerely apologize for this. Please download 6.0.3 now!

Okay Ladies, Gentlemen and Gamers!

After several months of hard work and the help of some friends and acquaintences, I have FINALLY decided to put BattleTech Roster Builder 6.0 on line and ready for general consumption. Here it is. This is a ZIP file that has the sheet and a new feature, DOCUMENTATION!

I have also added a bunch new features, like how the spreadsheet automatically renames the Battalion tabs, I sped up the process by cleaning up the back end and lots more.

Questions, comments and cash may be directed to my name at this domain.

Okay, I managed to finally complete the two battle reports that have been in my queue for a while. See them below, The Long Way and Get The Centurion!

I have been working behind the scenes to rearrange and upgrade things. I have added new articles, rewrote other articles and added lots of pictures. I am also not done yet. More articles, pictures and rewrites are coming down the road, as I do them in my copius free time. If you notice, there are now four sections under the banner. I have decided to separate scenarios and campaigns we develop into their own section.

Enjoy!

Dear Harmony Gold,

So you have reared your ugly, spiteful, malicious head yet again, to "protect" Intellectual Property that quite frankly, should be on the verge of becoming public domain. Because you waited until Harebrained Schemes got their Battletech game into beta testing before asserting your IP lawsuit, it is apparent that you waited for a timing that would cause the most damage to the project. Your demands at this stage puts HBS into into the difficult choice of either paying your extortion, or conducting a major rewrite of the software so as not to infringe on your IP. Either of these choices could force the abandonment of the entire project, thus leaving in the lurch thousands of Battletech fans, deepening their already bottomless hatred of your company.

I have decided to proudly display my collection of Unseen Mechs, most of which I have had since the 1980's. I have also decided to suggest that you take that lawsuit, carefully fold it until it is nothing but sharp corners, then forcefully shove it through and past your rectum and don't stop until it reaches about about halfway through your large intestine. I have a broom handle I am willing to send you as a tool to help you reach that goal.

Sincerely, go screw yourselves.

Friends,

I had a long-time friend pass away unexpectedly several days ago. I drove the 600+ miles up there to comfort his family and give my final farewells to him.

His family gave me a couple of boxes of his games, because he was (and I am) a big strategy game fan. I have not checked these for completeness yet, once you see the list you'll see why. I have links for all games to BoardGameGeek so you can see exactly what the game is and all that. Let me know if you are interested to buy a game. One marked as such is for sale, the others negotiable. All proceeds will go to his widow. If anyone else would be interested in playing them, please let me know.

Here they are, by publisher:

3M

Stocks & Bonds
Venture

Avalon Hill

Panzer Armee Afrika
Up Front
G.I. Anvil of Victory (SL gamette)
Luftwaffe
Wooden Ships and Iron Men (for sale, I have a copy already)
Submarine

Ideal

The Generals (electronic Stratego) Unknown if it works.

Parker Brothers

Masterpiece
Dogfight
Pit

Whitman

Dark Shadows

Yaquinto Publications

Battles & Leaders (ACW)

My roster builder spreadsheet is a complex creature, developed over several years, occasionally finding mistakes and frequently adding functionality. Sometimes the "adding functionality" actually "adds mistakes."

In developing a force the other day that had C3 and non-C3 units, I discovered that the C3 bonus was being added to units not partaking of the C3 network. That formula has now been fixed and thus version 5.0.1 now awaits your downloading pleasure.

Mark's Roster Builder

I have become weary of the 2D6 method to determine if a weapon hit the target. In my copious free time, I am going to attempt to correct this.

THIS WILL BE A FAN-DEVELOPED SYSTEM ONLY.

I HAVE NO SUPPORT OR PERMISSION FROM FANPRO/FASA/WIZKIDS/CATALYST OR ANYBODY ELSE TO DO THIS.

If you look at the 2D6 distribution below, you can see the radically disproportionate drop in the percentage to hit in the 5-6-7-8-9 region. In a linear distribution, the 4-5-6-7 (the middle of the 1D10 curve) the percentage of drop across these four numbers is 30%. Whereas, the 5-6-7-8-9 spread (this is five numbers due to the odd number of possible rolls), the drop in percentage to hit is 55.5%.

Okay, so I got to messing around with the Battletech Roster Builder spreadsheet and decided to add some more features. The bad news is, I had to start using Macros. As long as this is the only place you get my spreadsheet, you can be reasonably sure the macros contain no malicious code.

So the new features are:

• You can now field five Units per line item. This means you can use one line item to field up to an entire star of units.
  
• Event Macros on the four Battalion tabs that will automatically rename the tab to the Battalion name. So if you put "Erandi Light Horse" into the Battalion name on one of the Battalion tabs, the tab will rename itself "Erandi Light Horse TO&E."
• Button Macros on the List builder tab. You can sort your list by tonnage then Name, Tonnage and Battalion, Tonnage and Type of Unit (infantry, Vehicle, Battlemech, etc.), by the Type of unit only, and most importantly, Clear All Pilots. This will wipe all of the Pilot Gunnery/Piloting, If C3 is active and any external ordinance (in case of Aerospace) for all Unit groups. My contact email is in the spreadsheet if you want to suggest other sorting methods.
  
• On the Print Roster, if you had multiple units from one line item, they would appear in different parts of the list. So with a lot of restructuring of cells, I got everyone together and in order.

Here is the link to the article.