Sounds great to me , we're short on coders right now, so I'll definitely take you up on the offer. J++ should work fine. Why don't you get your feet wet with java, and also look around to see what part of Clash you'd like to help to code. From my recollection we don't have anyone signed up yet to code the government, tech, or diplomacy models. But figure what you're Really interested in and we'll take it from there. I can send you the current Clash source whenever you're ready for it, which is mostly my old version with some new military alpha1 stuff thrown in. Just let me know when you want it. Also, please let me know what kinda coding you prefer to do, model guts, interface, grafix... and what particular area you're interested in.

you can get the most recent version of the Java developer's kit (SDK,don't ask me what the S. stands for ) for free from Here. This kit is very functional, but you will need to code in a text editor. The more advanced integrated development environment I'm familiar with is Symantec Visual Cafe. It makes it much easier to code and learn the language IMO, but the cheapest version is something approaching $100. I think you can download an old demo version for free, but am not certain. J++ is also supposed to be good. I think its priced comparably with visual cafe.

Hope that helps. The same comments I made above apply to you too.

-Mark

On Java versions:
I am still using Ver. 1.1.8. Primarily because my IDE doesn't yet completely support 1.2.x. We will soon, as a project, be going to 1.2.x Since you are learning, its probably best for you to start with Ver. 1.2.latest. That way you won't have to un-learn some things.

I think you can just go ahead with the model as outlined. Obviously you'll have to fill in Many details. I'd suggest that when you come up with a basic mechanism for handling something important, you post it in the diplomacy thread and see what people say. For now, just use a lot of constants instead of numbers, so we can change them easily. Eventually, most hard numbers will go in an initialization text file so people can play with them.

I will send you the Clash source code, which has some first steps toward a diplomacy model already in it.

Sold! Thanks for committing to tech, it should be fun Basically, the same stuff I said to jacobo two posts above applies. Hrafnkell / Keli is working on a more final version of it now. Why don't you give what is already up on the forum a fine going over and see if you understand the basics of where we're headed. And, of course, criticize it if you think there's anything that won't work, or needs modification. We'll all join in on making suggestions when Keli posts the new version.

And of course, when you get into coding, give us a heads-up when you run into a coding problem, or unforeseen issue in the model. Those are Sure to come up.

Thanks for doing tech, I'll update the Duke list accordingly.