Tutorial map text needs to be updated to reflect that Notes "tab" has been removed from 2.6

[tvleavitt]

Discussed in https://github.com/triplea-game/triplea/discussions/12115

^{Originally posted by **tvleavitt** November 23, 2023} I just downloaded the latest 2.6 build onto a new iMac, and loaded up the Tutorial map. Two things: a) The tutorial documentation (first page of description in Maps selection) should explicitly tell people how to start a game (with screen shots), and to select "Default" when presented with "Set All To" before the game is actually loaded (why isn't "Default" pre-selected in the UI to begin with)? b) More importantly... there's no "Notes" tab in the main window UI (any longer?); it appears to have been moved to a menu item under "Help"; 99% of first-time users are going to be utterly baffled by this, thus rendering the Tutorial (aimed at newbies) basically useless as a tool for introducing people to the game.

[beelee1]

Yea I'm not a fan of Notes no longer being there either. Anyway, probably just need to add a Notification at Game start saying where it is. I don't remember who made it. I think maybe it was @ZjelcoP

[DanVanAtta]

This issue needs clarification. Is there something in the tutorial map that is outright incorrect, eg: something like "click the game notes tab underneath the minimap?" Or, are we just assuming that players must find the game notes tab in order for the tutorial to make sense, and that the only way to find the game notes is via a tab underneath the minimap?

[tvleavitt]

The tutorial specifically says, "Notes tab" (doesn't reference the position of such in the UI). There is no way to progress in the tutorial without referencing the notes, as it explicitly states, "see the notes" (paraphrase) for the goals in Round 3.

[tvleavitt]

See associated discussion for screencap demonstrating issue.

[tvleavitt]

I see the "Charles de Gaulle 1939" map also makes reference to viewing Notes, without describing where to find them. This is probably a systemic issue, as the location of these when visible as a tab is self-evident. It's not unreasonable to have "Game Notes" as a menu option, but demoting it this way puts critical game information in an obscure location. Is it self-evident that "Notes" would be under "Help"? Maybe include a "UI walk through" as part of the "Tutorial", or create and embed a simple walk-through of the UI highlighting the various items on the web site / readme.md and/or in the Tutorial... "watchme.1st"? Perhaps make a new version of the Tutorial specific to 2.6?

[DanVanAtta]

Thank you for the clarification.

I like @beelee1's first suggestion:

add a Notification at Game start saying where it is.

Essentially, one of the first tutorial map pop-ups could have some text like "game notes has a lot of information about the map you are playing, find it in the 'help > game notes' menu"

This is probably a systemic issue

To some extent yes, but to another, maybe not. There are perhaps other examples that could reference the unit help, or battle calculator without references where to open/find those things.

Maybe include a "UI walk through" as part of the "Tutorial", or create and embed a simple walk-through of the UI highlighting the various items on the web site / readme.md and/or in the Tutorial... "watchme.1st"? Perhaps make a new version of the Tutorial specific to 2.6?

I really like these ideas. In part, I don't think we can assume that the 'notes' was actually that easy to find as a tab. The above solutions all resolve the issue.

[ZjelcoP]

I hate to see the Notes-tab go as it provided all the game info within the game-screen with an obvious prominent button. Playing many different maps i used it a lot. To have the game notes only available in a separate screen which is not even visible in the taskbar is a loss to me. TripleA I usually play on a laptop so I have to keep everything within 1 screen. So far my 2 cents.

@tvleavitt thank you for pointing out these issues and the minimap-thing with the Tutorial under 2.6

By the time 2.6 gets released I'll update the Tutorial with necessary changes. I'll keep a to do list here, please feel free to add points: https://github.com/triplea-maps/tutorial/issues/29

Cheers Zjelco

[Cernelius]

As long as the window is functional and has no issues to be hidden or blocked by or block other windows, I think it made sense to remove the notes from the right bar. I think it is preferable having only 1 place where to see the notes and focusing on improving that one, and the notes are not something referencing the game as played, so I think that they are out of place in the gaming interface.

However, in the past there were some serious issues about TripleA windows which made safer to have the notes on the right side bar. Hopefully, that is not any longer the case.

[Cernelius]

I see the "Charles de Gaulle 1939" map also makes reference to viewing Notes, without describing where to find them.

And that is a good thing. Since nothing is set in stone for the program, maps should better not tell where to find stuff because every such description would otherwise become obsolete as soon as any one of such things changes. I guess the Tutorial might be the only exception to it if we would assume that anyone should be sure to update the Tutorial in earnest (not having to ask consent to any particular map-maker in order to do so).