East Timor, Religious Freedom, Programming

[tcpip]

Last Sunday I conducted the service for Dr. David Scott, founder of Community Aid Abroad in Australia and author of "Last Flight out of Dili", at the Unitarian Church. It was appropriate timing of course, with the relevations of the large scale theft of Timorese children as part of the Final Report of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor. Read it if you have the stomach for it - and keep in mind Australia's complicity in the invasion and the militia violence.

This Sunday I'll be speaking at said location on "The Story of Francis David and King Sigusmund and the Establishment of Religious Freedom in Europe", which actually is a fascinating moment in human history, sort on the same scale as the Paris Commune in many ways. Appropriately enough after the service we'll be playtesting more of the Mimesis RPG game set in the mythic version of said environment.

Recently decided I wanted to see where the Pacal programming language was up to, so I installed Kylix (the free version of Delphi for Linux) only to discover that Borland is no longer supporting the implementation. Fortunately there is a significant community and with a bit of searching managed to get the system up and running on both my linux boxes with minimal tweaking. Have also discovered that said community has also developed their own version of a RAD GUI (Lazarus) which is doing extremely well. The Open Source community wins again.

Comments

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Pascal, up to much ??? IMO that language should've died in computer science classes...

Btw, my Diplomacy game is going well. S01 Moves S01 Aftermath
Still waiting for F01 to happen. The deadline was a few hours ago, but England is late...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Pascal is an exceptional language to learn computing. The sytax is easy, like BASIC, but the structure is tight, light C. I've always liked it and I think I'll spend a bit of time with this Delphi variant.

Good moves on the Diplomacy game. Nice to see the French and English are engaging in conflict. Denmark is obviously your next target. Hmmm... Warsaw is looking a little bit on a limb there, isn't it?

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Pascal is an exceptional language to learn computing. The sytax is easy, like BASIC, but the structure is tight, light C.

You are kidding, right? I had to learn Pascal at school, and it felt vastly inferior to Basic. I also taught myself C in my later years (around age 19) and it also made Pascal look vastly inferior.

Basic and C can quite happily co-exist, in life, on my computer, in my head. Pascal tries to be both but ends up being neither...

I said to Austria that she should sneak into Waarsaw, but she doesn't want to piss of the Russia yet...
F01 Moves F01 Aftermath

Ownership:
Austria: Budapest, Greece, Serbia, Trieste, Vienna.
England: Edinburgh, Liverpool, London.
France: Belgium, Brest, Marseilles, Paris, Portugal.
Germany: Berlin, Denmark, Holland, Kiel, Munich.
Italy: Naples, Rome, Tunis, Venice.
Russia: Moscow, Norway, Rumania, Sevastopol, St Petersburg, Sweden, Warsaw.
Turkey: Ankara, Bulgaria, Constantinople, Smyrna.
Unowned: Spain.

Adjustments:
Austria: Supp 5 Unit 3 Build 2
England: Supp 3 Unit 3 Build 0
France: Supp 5 Unit 3 Build 2
Germany: Supp 5 Unit 3 Build 2
Italy: Supp 4 Unit 3 Build 1
Russia: Supp 7 Unit 4 Build 3
Turkey: Supp 4 Unit 3 Build 1

I was hoping that England would try for Norway, instead of Belgium like I "promised" him. Now Russia gets 3 builds :-( Russia has asked me not to build in Berlin in exchange for him not building F StP(sc). But Munich can still get to Warsaw in 2 moves ;-)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ahh well. Mark me down as the Pascal fan then ;-)

Hmmm.. The England situation isn't good. They're trapped and Russia has taken Scandanavia. *sigh*

The Balkans are looking interesting. Lots of possible permutations there. Austria troops to Romania? It will drag the Russians away from Poland and your unit is looking awfully close...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

More Diplomacy game stats! I want more!

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Bloody hell you're impatient...

Winter 01
Austria: Build A Vienna, Build A Trieste
France: Build F Marseilles, Build A Paris
Germany: Build F Kiel, Build A Munich
Italy: Build F Naples
Russia: Build F Sevastopol, Build A Moscow, Build A Warsaw
Turkey: Build A Ankara

I was asked not to build Berlin in exchange for Russia not building StP(sc)

Spring 02
Austria:
A Galicia Supports A Vienna - Bohemia
F Greece - Bulgaria(sc) (*Fails*)
A Serbia Supports F Greece - Bulgaria(sc)
A Trieste - Budapest
A Vienna - Bohemia

England:
F London - English Channel
F North Sea Supports F London - English Channel
A Wales - London

France:
A Belgium Supports A Paris - Picardy
F Brest - English Channel (*Fails*)
F Marseilles - Spain(sc)
A Paris - Picardy
A Portugal Hold

Germany:
A Bohemia - Vienna (*Dislodged*) (Retreated to Silesia)
A Denmark Hold
F Holland Supports F Kiel - Helgoland Bight
F Kiel - Helgoland Bight
A Munich - Ruhr

Italy:
F Ionian Sea - Aegean Sea
F Naples - Ionian Sea
A Tunis Hold
A Venice - Tyrolia

Russia:
A Moscow - Sevastopol
A Norway Supports F Sweden
F Rumania Supports F Sevastopol - Black Sea
F Sevastopol - Black Sea
F Sweden Supports A Norway
A Ukraine Supports F Rumania
A Warsaw Supports A Ukraine

Turkey:
A Ankara Hold
A Bulgaria Hold
F Constantinople Supports A Bulgaria
A Smyrna - Armenia

S02 Aftermath
Turkey was getting worried, and was going to give it all to Russia if he didn't see movement against Russia. We didn't disappoint...

Fall 02
Austria:
A Bohemia - Silesia
A Budapest Supports A Bulgaria - Rumania
A Galicia Supports A Bulgaria - Rumania (*Dislodged*)
F Greece Supports A Tunis - Bulgaria
A Serbia Supports A Bulgaria - Rumania

England:
F English Channel Convoys A London - Belgium
A London - Belgium (*Fails*)
F North Sea - Denmark (*Fails*)

France:
A Belgium Hold
F Brest - English Channel (*Fails*)
A Picardy Supports A Belgium
A Portugal - Spain
F Spain(sc) - Mid-Atlantic Ocean

Germany:
A Denmark Hold
F Helgoland Bight Supports A Denmark
F Holland - North Sea (*Fails*)
A Ruhr Supports A Belgium
A Silesia - Prussia

Italy:
F Aegean Sea Convoys A Tunis - Bulgaria
F Ionian Sea Convoys A Tunis - Bulgaria
A Tunis - Bulgaria
A Tyrolia Supports A Bohemia - Munich (*Void*)

Russia:
F Black Sea Supports A Sevastopol - Armenia (*Cut*)
A Norway Supports F Sweden
F Rumania Supports A Tunis - Bulgaria (*Disbanded*)
A Sevastopol - Armenia (*Fails*)
F Sweden Supports F North Sea - Denmark
A Ukraine - Galicia
A Warsaw Supports A Ukraine - Galicia

Turkey:
A Ankara Hold
A Armenia - Sevastopol (*Fails*)
A Bulgaria - Rumania
F Constantinople - Black Sea (*Fails*)

F02 Aftermath
Damn... We could've taken Warsaw... We should have taken it... I'm not sure where Austria will retreat to, but I will know soon...

France wants me to go on the attack next turn, but it feels very dangerous to do so...

Russia just sent me an e-mail trying to persuade me to attack Austria.

Any ideas?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Bloody hell, what a mess...

What's that happening in Galacia? And what smart-arse maneuver does Italy think they're up to? If they do something to either yourself or Austria I'd recommend you combine forces to carve them up. I suspect they may have eyes (oh god, unintentional pun) on Austria - especially given the unit in Bulgaria. Get France involved as well - you could all have a region each (Venice to Germany, Naples to the Austrians, Tunis for the French). Rome could be a sticking point - best option would be to swap it for Belgium.

Anyway, it's all speculation if Italy does the dirty.

England is dithering. They should be really looking towards Norway. Still, whilst they and France keep on fighting over control of the channel, that's one front you don't have to worry too much about.

Absolutely imperative that you don't start a war with Austria.

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Well... The moves on Russia were master-minded by the 3 of us (GAI), so I don't see Italy as a threat. The mini-attack in S02 that pushed me to Silesia was all part of the master plan, as was the curl around Warsaw and Italy "helping" Austria into Munich.

I'm not sure I can attack England next season, even if I wated to. Ruhr has to pull hack to support Denmark, but until it gets there, I have to HEL S Den once more.

We're still undecided who wil get Warsaw, but I can see a strong reason for me needing it now.

I'm really worried about the up-coming moves...

Oh, and Italy can have his eyes on Austria all he wants, because she's not my girlfriend any more ;-)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I was wondering what was going on with that "invasion" of Austria.

You and Austria have had a falling out?

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

No. We split up 3 months ago, but she's still a very good friend...

Austria retreated to Bohemia. France wil likely build F Mar. Italy is undecided. The map will be updated with the retreat soon.

Btw, what did you mean by that pun?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I was uncertain whether that was a game metaphor or a real life reference. Sorry to hear it.

"Eyes" is an abbreviation for "Italians". Being of Franco-Italian background, I feel OK about making such comments... (such as Italian tanks having four gears; one to go forward and three for reverse speeds)

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

I'll start a new thread for this so it stays readable...

Winter02 Austria retreated to Bohemia. France built A Paris and Italy built A Venice.

Spring03
Austria:
A Bohemia - Galicia
A Budapest Supports A Serbia - Rumania
F Greece - Bulgaria(sc)
A Serbia - Rumania
A Silesia - Warsaw

England:
F English Channel Convoys A London - Belgium
A London - Belgium (*Fails*)
F North Sea - Denmark (*Fails*)

France:
A Belgium Hold
F Brest - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - Irish Sea
A Paris - Brest
A Picardy Supports A Belgium
A Spain - Gascony

Germany:
A Denmark Hold
F Helgoland Bight Supports A Denmark
F Holland - North Sea (*Fails*)
A Prussia Supports A Silesia - Warsaw
A Ruhr - Kiel

Italy:
F Aegean Sea Supports A Bulgaria - Constantinople
A Bulgaria - Constantinople
F Ionian Sea - Eastern Mediterranean
A Tyrolia - Vienna
A Venice - Tyrolia

Russia:
F Black Sea - Rumania (*Fails*)
A Galicia - Silesia
A Norway Hold
A Sevastopol Hold
F Sweden - Baltic Sea
A Warsaw Supports A Galicia - Silesia (*Dislodged*)

Turkey:
A Ankara - Constantinople (*Fails*)
A Armenia - Sevastopol (*Fails*)
F Constantinople - Bulgaria(sc) (*Dislodged*)
A Rumania Supports F Constantinople - Bulgaria(sc) (*Dislodged*)

S03 Aftermath
Fuck! I didn't expect him to do that... We can cover it, just about, but at the risk of losing Warsaw again.
We're still waiting on 3 retreats...

I'm also re-thinking my alliance with France, because he's getting strong too quickly...

Can I get out of this safely ?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Let France be. If you attack France you'll end up in a war like WWI and stuck in the trenches for the rest of the game. They are already making nasty moves towards England, so hopefully they'll be forced into a defensive position.

England alternates between dithering and being a damn nuissance, aren't they?

The biggest problem and biggest opportunity remains Russia. Get Austria to adopt a holding in the Balkans. Concentrate on taking Warsaw and march onwards. Let Austria have Warsaw (ultimately it will be a pain to hold) and Moscow. Scandanavia (and St Petersberg) should be your medium-term targets.

The Italians are being very strange indeed. Their maneuvers are almost suicidal, in a manner that is destructive to anyone around them.

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Retreats were Russia going to Moscow, and Turkey's 2 going to thr only available places.

Fall 03: http://www.dangpow.com/~rat/dip/ec/ecfall1903movement.gif
Austria:
A Budapest Supports A Rumania
F Bulgaria(sc) Supports A Constantinople
A Galicia Supports A Rumania
A Rumania Supports F Bulgaria(sc) (*Cut*)
A Warsaw Supports A Galicia (*Cut*)

England: NMR!
F English Channel Hold
A London Hold
F North Sea Hold

France:
A Belgium Hold
A Brest Hold
A Gascony - Liverpool
F Irish Sea Convoys A Gascony - Liverpool
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Convoys A Gascony - Liverpool
A Picardy Supports A Belgium

Germany:
A Denmark - Sweden (*Bounce*)
F Helgoland Bight - Denmark (*Fails*)
F Holland Supports A Belgium
A Kiel Supports A Prussia - Berlin
A Prussia - Berlin

Italy:
F Aegean Sea Supports A Constantinople
A Constantinople Supports F Eastern Mediterranean - Smyrna (*Cut*)
F Eastern Mediterranean - Smyrna (*Fails*)
A Tyrolia - Munich (*Bounce*)
A Vienna - Bohemia

Russia:
F Baltic Sea - Berlin (*Fails*)
F Black Sea Supports A Ukraine - Rumania
A Moscow - Warsaw (*Fails*)
A Norway - Sweden (*Bounce*)
A Sevastopol Supports A Ukraine - Rumania
A Silesia - Munich (*Bounce*)

Turkey:
A Ankara - Constantinople (*Fails*)
A Armenia - Syria
F Smyrna Supports A Ankara - Constantinople (*Cut*)
A Ukraine - Rumania (*Fails*)

http://www.dangpow.com/~rat/dip/ec/ecfall1903.gif
Ownership:
Austria: Budapest, Bulgaria, Greece, Rumania, Serbia, Trieste,
Vienna, Warsaw.
England: Edinburgh, London.
France: Belgium, Brest, Liverpool, Marseilles, Paris,
Portugal, Spain.
Germany: Berlin, Denmark, Holland, Kiel, Munich.
Italy: Constantinople, Naples, Rome, Tunis, Venice.
Russia: Moscow, Norway, Sevastopol, St Petersburg, Sweden.
Turkey: Ankara, Smyrna.

Adjustments:
Austria: Supp 8 Unit 5 Build 2
England: Supp 2 Unit 3 Remove 1
France: Supp 7 Unit 6 Build 1
Germany: Supp 5 Unit 5 Build 0
Italy: Supp 5 Unit 5 Build 0
Russia: Supp 5 Unit 6 Remove 1
Turkey: Supp 2 Unit 4 Remove 2

Bloody hell, that was close... The Italy moves in my area were arranged.

This turn was delayed for a few days, first because our GM had to buy a new monitor, and then the forums that we all use (including to post the results) were being upgraded and were only back online today. So how the hell England managed to NMR, I've NFI...

If england NMRs the kill order, then the English Channel unit will go, according to our GM's house rules.

Ok, reality check here. I think I've kinda fucked up somewhere over the last few turns. Is the situation still salvageable?

LA

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Hmm.. Turkey will be getting desparate at this stage. There is a possibility that they will combine with Russia and dislodge Austria from Poland. Hmmm... They only have two supply centres!

The English are ditherers and are about to fall. There is no way they can hold the Channel for example. Offer to support the French in their invasion in exchange for Belgium. You can make a good argument for it as it established a neutral buffer zone between France and Germany, whilst at the moment there's troops bordering each other. It frees up France to convoy an extra unit (which they will need) into England. You may also wish to try to extract a promise for support for when you invade Scandanavia (which must happen)

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

England's NMR was because of e-mail problems.

That bastard unit in Silesia is still there... and there's not much I can do about it...

At least the north is still open...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.. Weren't those Italian moves originally something you allowed? There's the smell of a potential traitorous action. Of course, it would be very entertaining if Austria was to turn on Italy.

The time has come for you to advance into Scandanavia. You should be able to take both Norway and Sweden and both will be very defensible.

Also, arrange the deal I recommended with France. Both of you are wasting opportunities with those units in a stand-off position, when a buffer zone would do you just as well.

Prussia or Livonia ?

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Austria:
A Budapest Supports A Rumania
F Bulgaria(sc) - Constantinople
A Galicia - Ukraine
A Rumania Supports A Galicia - Ukraine (*Cut*)
A Trieste - Tyrolia
A Vienna - Galicia
A Warsaw Supports A Galicia - Ukraine (*Dislodged*)

England:
F English Channel Hold
A London - Yorkshire

France:
A Belgium Hold
A Brest Hold
F Irish Sea - Mid-Atlantic Ocean
A Liverpool - Edinburgh
F Marseilles - Gulf of Lyon
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - Western Mediterranean
A Picardy - Burgundy

Germany:
A Berlin Supports A Bohemia - Silesia
A Denmark - Sweden (*Bounce*)
F Helgoland Bight - Denmark (*Fails*)
F Holland - North Sea
A Kiel Supports A Berlin

Italy:
F Aegean Sea Supports F Bulgaria(sc) - Constantinople
A Bohemia - Silesia
A Constantinople - Smyrna
F Eastern Mediterranean Supports A Constantinople - Smyrna
A Tyrolia - Munich

Russia:
F Baltic Sea - Sweden (*Bounce*)
F Black Sea Supports A Sevastopol - Rumania
A Moscow Supports A Ukraine - Warsaw
A Sevastopol - Rumania (*Fails*)
A Silesia Supports A Ukraine - Warsaw (*Dislodged*)

Turkey:
A Ankara - Constantinople (*Fails*)
A Ukraine - Warsaw

http://www.dangpow.com/~rat/dip/ec/ecspring1904movement.gif
http://www.dangpow.com/~rat/dip/ec/ecspring1904.gif

Italy and Austria came up with an elaborate plan which would, among other things, to deal with that unit in Silesia. Part of that plan involved letting Italy move into Munich, so that it couldn't "retreat" towards me. The plan also involved them attacking France, which is a lose-lose situation for me, because If they take France, then I'm strangled, and if I make France mad at me, then it will eventually be me keeping him tied up while they chew me to bits...

So I e-mailed France. Told him about the plan, including the exact moves that they would be making. Also mentioned that Italy didn't think he knew what he was doing. I didn't ask for Belgium.

He replied telling me that he was considering a similar agreement, offering me London. He also told me to expect the move into Burgundy, which might turn out to be useful...

After talking to Austria, she expected to lose Warsaw, but she never expected Turkey to take it. She can retreat to Prussia or Livonia. A small part of me is saying Livonia because that gets into his fleshy side, but the more sensible part of me is wanting her to block the retreat. I just sent her a text message telling her to retreat to Prussia. Naughty I know, but she is my ex...

This is my plan for F04, assuming the retreating units kill each other...
A Berlin Supports A Kiel - Munich
A Denmark Supports F Helgoland Bight - Kiel
F Helgoland Bight - Kiel
A Kiel - Munich
F North Sea - Norway

Hopefully, I can convince Italy to let me do the "Blue Water Lepanto" trick, dislodging him into whatever hole France leaves open. I then ask France to do Bel-Ruh (Bur S), telling him to say that it's a move against me if he gets asked, adn leaving Italy with no hole. Just a shame for him that the Swiss remained neutral. ;-) It's the only way I can make a gain this turn, although I won't be able to build. But that's not a problem, because I will have a fleet in Kiel (which would've been my build if I ever got the chance to), letting me do Nwy-Swe (Den S) then Kie-BAL (Swe S).

Any holes in my plan?

Re: Prussia or Livonia ?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

France's offer of London is a bad one. It is not contingent to your strategy at this stage, as they would have at least two units in Britian whereas you would only have one. Eventually they would take it over.

Livonia is naughty but makes sense.

I think that your plan is a very good one. Norway and Sweden here we come (at last)!

There's a certain charm in the fact that Norway is connected to St Petersburg as well...

Re: Prussia or Livonia ?

[lardarsegreg.livejournal.com]

Livonia is naughty but makes sense.

I'm not sure how... running into the retreating russians lets me relax. It also gives me the main chance at the rest of Russia, which has to be the plan now.

Fall 04: http://www.dangpow.com/~rat/dip/ec/ecfall1904movement.gif
Austria:
A Budapest Supports A Rumania
F Constantinople - Ankara (*Fails*)
A Galicia Supports A Silesia - Warsaw
A Rumania Hold
A Tyrolia - Piedmont
A Ukraine - Moscow (*Disbanded*)

England:
F English Channel - Wales
A Yorkshire - Edinburgh (*Fails*)

France:
A Belgium Hold
A Brest Hold
A Burgundy Supports A Kiel - Munich
A Edinburgh Hold
F Gulf of Lyon - Tyrrhenian Sea
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean - Irish Sea
F Western Mediterranean - Tunis

Germany:
A Berlin Supports A Kiel - Munich
A Denmark - Kiel (*bounce*)
F Helgoland Bight - Kiel (*bounce*)
A Kiel - Munich
F North Sea - Norway

Italy:
F Aegean Sea - Greece
F Eastern Mediterranean - Ionian Sea
A Munich Supports F Baltic Sea - Berlin (*Dislodged*)
A Silesia - Warsaw
A Smyrna Supports F Constantinople - Ankara

Russia:
F Baltic Sea - Sweden
F Black Sea Supports A Ankara - Constantinople
A Moscow Supports A Warsaw - Ukraine
A Sevastopol Supports A Warsaw - Ukraine

Turkey:
A Ankara - Constantinople (*Fails*)
A Warsaw - Ukraine

Italy didn't need much convincing. His weird Munich order is because he thinks that just holding is boring. Pissed off Austria, though. The support from France wasn't asked for, but very welcomed. Gave me a clear conscience as well. The bounce in Kiel was Italy's idea (one of his better ones), unlike killing Munich, to get 2 builds...

Winter 04 http://www.dangpow.com/~rat/dip/ec/ecwinter1904adjustments.gif
Austria:
Build A Vienna
Build A Trieste

England:
Remove F Wales

France:
Build F Marseilles
Build A Paris

Germany:
Build F Kiel

Italy:
Build F Rome
Build F Naples

Turkey:
Remove A Ukraine

The building went pretty much as expected. My plan for this move is to start moving north-east. I don't intend to take Sweden this turn, because me may well squeeze through my hole in Skagerrak. That gets plugged in my F05 move, just in time to stop him retreating there.

England is guaranteed to fall in 2 years. Turkey might fall sooner. Russia is next to go after those. I think that to have a chance, I will need at least St Petersburg, and maybe even Moscow as well. So far Austria has dodged all questions about how to split what's left.

After those 3 are gone, I'll start moving south. Warsaw will be my first target, hopefully. But 3 fleets, is a lot to have wasted. I will need to start building armies. All I need to be careful about is timing...

Re: Prussia or Livonia ?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It also gives me the main chance at the rest of Russia, which has to be the plan now.

Yes, that is quite true. They will be expecting an attack on Sweden so a surprise move towards St. Petersburg might end up with you getting both St. P and Sweden fairly quickly.

You are right the England is about to fall and Turkey is undoubatbly next. Russia will collapse soon afterwards.

After that the remaining Empires will be deciding who to take out. Unfortunatley this will be where Austria might form an alliance with France to squish Italy and Germany. Keep an eye out for that one.

France is your long term enemy. After the fall of Russia promote war south of Switzerland and concentrate your forces on an preparing for an invasion of the British Isles.