Evaporate? Reconstitute?

[rhinobones]

This forum has become a bit too quiet, so it’s time to stir the pot.

What was Norm thinking when he used the terms “Evaporate” and “Reconstitute”?

When I was learning English “Evaporate” was defined as a chemical process at the molecular level in which liquids gained energy and vented into the atmosphere. “Reconstitute” was defined as a process of reviving dried products (such as powered milk) by the addition of water.

What do these terms (Evaporation and Reconstitution) have to do with the real military vernacular, nothing. What do these terms have to do with the definition of destruction and commissioning of military units, nothing.

Maybe, since Norm was in the Air Force (a pseudo military service); these are terms that describe his Air Force experiences. After all, it’s possible that an air plane suddenly went poof and evaporated . . . it is also possible that an airman poured some water on a dried mushroom and suddenly the mushroom went poof and an aircraft appeared. It’s all possible, and I wish I had some of those mushrooms, but I don’t think it should be possible in TOAW and I don’t think that the TOAW community should be subjected to artificial language. Instead I propose the following terms/words to replace the current lexicon:

Instead of “Evaporate” - Suggested replacements:
Eliminated
Destroyed

Instead of “Reconstituted” – Suggested replacements:
Commissioned
Re-commissioned
Deployed

Well, you get the idea. My beef is that “Evaporate” and “Reconstitute” do not describe the actual happening. In fact, I find these words rather stupid as compared to other words that would describe the destruction of units and the ability of a Force to field replacements. Hopefully Ralph will be able to insert replacement text and this tread can be included in the Wish List.

Look forward to your reply. Please make it as critical as you can possibly . . .

Also, need your suggestion for words “Evaporate” and “Reconstituted”. Words in other than English would be preferred.

Regards, RhinoBones

[desert]

Evaporate also means to dissapear. Reconstitute also means to reconstruct or form anew.

Just thought I might point that out.

[larryfulkerson]

I agree in principle with with above post.  However, other words would be muchly desire-able.

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: rhinobones

Instead of “Evaporate” - Suggested replacements:
Eliminated
Destroyed

I agree, evaporate ... they're not going up in thin air aye... various stuff goes to the inventory... eliminated is already being used in the formation report

In WiR the term "shatters/shattered" is being used

For reconstituted I'd think of "reinstated" , although in war literature I've also seen "resurrected"

[JAMiAM]

A slow night down south, RB? Or, is it the mushrooms...[:D]

As far as evaporated goes, I'm guessing that it is a verb descriptive of how he saw the unit losing all organizational cohesion and going from a "solid" unit to one that is no longer an obstacle in game terms. The men and some of the equipment may very well be "floating about" on the battlefield, but in a nebulous, scattered, dispersed state...like a gas.

Reconstituted fits pretty well within that mental paradigm, as once this evaporated unit has had a chance to make it back to safety, or be reformed in the rear, its constituent parts coalesce, and reconstitute into a viable unit.

In my opinion, making the terms changeable by the user is a silly request. Not only in terms of wasted coding time, but in terms of defining and describing the action within the manual and documents. The terms may seem a bit 'off' in military parlance, but they are familiar with the users, fairly descriptive, and not in any particular need of 'fixin'. But hey, it's a slow night, and you see, there was this thickening layer forming at the top of the pot...[;)]

[DeadInThrench]

Gee wiz.... when it comes to stiring up the pot.... one thing I have always been good at... though I should say.... sometimes ticks people off <g>.

Anyways....... yeah, evaparated seemed strange to me at first but.... eliminated... is not really appropriate because some elements of the unit are still floating around.. and this same argument holds for 'destroyed'.

In agreement with what was posted, I prefer the WiR term.... shattered... which means that, although there are still elements of the unit floating around, it has completely lost all fighting ability.

In the case where a unit has been... evaparated... with no means of retreat... then the term 'annilated' would seem most appropriate.

Oh.... you can always edit the words yourself.... just bring up the exe file in a hex editior and change the words to whatever you like.

DiT

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM

A slow night down south, RB? Or, is it the mushrooms...[:D]

... "floating about" on the battlefield, but in a nebulous, scattered, dispersed state

I can see the connection with the mushrooms

[rhinobones]

ORIGINAL: desert

Evaporate also means to dissapear. Reconstitute also means to reconstruct or form anew.

Agree, but do military units actually "disappear" or "reconstruct"? Instead of disappear or reconstruct, can you give me a verb or noun that really describes the reality?

Regards, RhinoBones

[desert]

Disintegrate and coalesce/consolidate?
&nbsp;
This is all just semantics.

[rhinobones]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM

A slow night down south, RB? Or, is it the mushrooms...[:D]

I do like mushrooms, however, in Sonoma I did go to Gloria Ferrer and bought a case of 2003 Pinot Noir from the Jose S. Ferrer selection. This wine is not for casual internet correspondence . . . but will be savored with the primo mushroom at the appropriate time.

In my opinion, making the terms changeable by the user is a silly request. [:D]

This sounds like “Management” speak. Anyone who has read 1984 knows exactly where you are coming from. Too much work needed to correct a defect.

Not only in terms of wasted coding time . . .

This is another Management type response, a sort of head in the sand approach. Much easier to deflect than to correct.

Regards, RhinoBones

PS – I don’t do the little face things . . . so please keep this as a light hearted jab at the TOAW establishment.

[sPzAbt653]

I vote for 'evaporate' and 'reconstitute'. They may mean other things in other applications, but seem suitable to me for units that loose cohesion and disolve, take such casualties as to no longer be able to function as a unit, etc., or units that are rallied or reformed and committed to battle again.

But if I had to give alternatives I would vote for 'spewed' and 'regurgitated'. Maybe DiT can modify the .exe and post a screenshot of what a spewed and regurgitated unit would look like.

Maybe the next patch can include some mushrooms. That way we can all see what we like, including Hq's with XXXX's stretching across the universe.

Cheers!

[JAMiAM]

ORIGINAL: rhinobones

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
In my opinion, making the terms changeable by the user is a silly request. [:D]

This sounds like “Management” speak. Anyone who has read 1984 knows exactly where you are coming from. Too much work needed to correct a defect.

A few days in Room 101, Winston, and you'll come to understand that 2+2=5, but only when The Party says it does.

ORIGINAL: rhinobones

PS – I don’t do the little face things . . . so please keep this as a light hearted jab at the TOAW establishment.

No worries. Just keep in mind that you don't get to have all the fun. I can be prickly and poke back...

[rhinobones]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
No worries. Just keep in mind that you don't get to have all the fun. I can be prickly and poke back...

All good answers and replys.

Do you want to play 1937 Revisionist War?

Regards, RhinoBonrs

[JAMiAM]

ORIGINAL: rhinobones

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
No worries. Just keep in mind that you don't get to have all the fun. I can be prickly and poke back...

All good answers and replys.

Do you want to play 1937 Revisionist War?

Regards, RhinoBonrs

I've got more on my plate these days than I'm able to effectively handle, but thanks for the offer! Perhaps, when things aren't so busy in my life, we can try one of your smaller scenarios, instead?

[rhinobones]

Roger that.

Regards, RhinoBones

[Curtis Lemay]

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653
But if I had to give alternatives I would vote for 'spewed' and 'regurgitated'.

That works for me!

[rhinobones]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
I've got more on my plate these days than I'm able to effectively handle, but thanks for the offer! Perhaps, when things aren't so busy in my life, we can try one of your smaller scenarios, instead?

I recommend "Cheese Wars". 10 Turns. Simple concept but a puzzle to play.

Regards, RhinoBones

[orabera]

No real opinion regarding evaporate.

US Army FM 100-9 Reconstitution covers all activities from reorganization to regeneration of combat/combat support units.

I've always liked Regeneration as a term for the military actions it covers in TAOW.