Rules Quote Syntax?
TappedOut forum
Posted on Nov. 13, 2015, 1:03 p.m. by Triforce-Finder
Okay, here's the thing. Lots of answers in Q+A are not quoting the comprehensive rules. This could be mitigated by adding a rules quote syntax similar to the ones for cards, decks and symbols.
Typing [ [ rule:602.3 ] ] would create something similar to this:
An ability triggers only once each time its trigger event occurs. However, it can trigger repeatedly if one event contains multiple occurrences. See also rule 509.4.
Example: A permanent has an ability whose trigger condition reads, Whenever a land is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, . . . . If someone casts a spell that destroys all lands, the ability will trigger once for each land put into the graveyard during the spells resolution.
There could be modifiers like "f", "f2", "f3" or "full" that display the next 1, 2, or 3 rules or all rules in that span in an additional panel. Another option would be to create several panels from something like [ [ rule:603.2b; 501.1; 405.2] ] .
To help find the rules, there could be a browsing/preview box in comment forms that allows the user to navigate through each level of sorting.
Thoughts?
I think it's inefficient. It's a good idea, but generally, as epoch said, if you have the time to find it in the rules, you have the time to copy/paste it :)
November 13, 2015 1:18 p.m.
Triforce-Finder says... #5
Reading my post, Epochalyptik, you would see that I have already suggested the implementation of a "browsing/preview box in comment forms that allows the user to navigate" the CR in order to find the rule one wants to quote. Your point has been addressed already.
The most recent CR are supplied by wizard on this page that hasn't changed its URL in years. My bookmark is quite old.
The TXT version itself is structured in a way that can easily be parsed into a simple table. Pretty much anyone who has practical programming experience can create such a parser quite easily.
If MtGFamiliar can do it, I bet TappedOut can do it too.
November 13, 2015 1:29 p.m.
Triforce-Finder says... #6
Femme_Fatale, as funny as your gif is, nobody has asked you to manage another database. With correct implementation, there is no need for that either. We need you to work on the cards and tokens, after all. ;P
November 13, 2015 1:32 p.m.
Woah bro. Calm down. Femme was just making a joke. And I think the admin's already have their hands full with everything else.
November 13, 2015 1:34 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #8
I think his little smiley face clearly dictates that he isn't being malicious rorofat >.>
November 13, 2015 1:37 p.m.
Triforce-Finder says... #9
I am calm, rorofat. I was joking, too. So, maybe you should calm down.
Still, I would prefer it if you would not call me bro unless we are related, and instead stay on topic.
Edit: Good to see you got it right, Femme_Fatale.
November 13, 2015 1:38 p.m. Edited.
Femme_Fatale says... #10
Bro. Maybe you should like, go view the Slowbro Bros, bro.
November 13, 2015 1:57 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #11
So you want to add an embedded view in the comment preview. My question would be "How does that help?"
Either the CR would need to be available from the question itself or you don't add functionality (you'd want the rules available as you read the question so you can verify your answer before writing it). And even at that point, it's not more helpful than opening the rules in a new tab. All you have is a complicated system that helps people avoid copying and pasting by instead writing shortcode. All other aspects, from the finding of the rule to the verification of your answer, are not more practical or, in some cases, more impractical. They introduce clutter with embedding a local version of the CR.
Ultimately, I guess I'm asking why we need to embed something and create work for ourselves if the end result is functionally not an improvement over a simple copy and paste operation.
November 13, 2015 2:06 p.m.
Triforce-Finder says... #13
On the comment form, Epochalyptik, not in the comment preview. Well, there too, since it also has the comment form included. The comment form is below the question, so yes, you'd have the complete rules right there before you write the answer.
Have you tried to copy-paste from the original CR sources lately? Noticed what happens to certain characters, like apostrophes? But that's not the main reason I suggest this. The reason is in plain text right at the start of the thread: To make it easier to back up an answer with relevant rules so that more people do it.
Another upside would be that the system can recognize when someone does back their answers up with rules quotes and reward that. You know, to make points meaningful by rewarding useful contributions?
It does create a certain amount of initial work to implement the system, yes. But so did every other function that could have been dismissed because it's possible to copy-paste from Gatherer, TCGPlayer.com or other external sources. But yet we have the options to search and link cards, to have their prices, printings, legality and oracle text displayed without needing to leave tappedout.
Don't worry, rorofat. I know you meant well. My humor is often misunderstood, too, so I'm used to it. I just tend to react to people bro-ing me.
Epochalyptik says... #2
The main issue is that we would need to be able to rip the CR from somewhere and have it be divided such that this system doesn't require any further action on our part. Manually curating each release of the CR is not a sustainable project.
This system would also require you to know the rule number for the issue at hand, which typically means finding it in the CR, which typically means that you can copy and paste it more easily than you could link it using shortcode.
November 13, 2015 1:16 p.m.