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When I push the "tab" button, it gives you the division and regiment designations. I get that. If you push "tab" a second time, you get letters like "D" and "F" on the unit counters. I can't find what this means in the manual.

Good question and illustrates some of the short comings of the manual. There are no chit illustrations that explain information like this example. Also little things like no hotkey listings. It's not that the game is complicated, but there is information to be gleened that would be esspecially useful in PBEM matches.

Unless there has been a change to the Matrix version whenever you hit the tab key a second time it displays command/supply status ie...D/F divisional command/ full supply.
The reports pull down shows hot-keys

Ralph's already beat me to it. The tab key actually hot-keys more than one toggle, and when you're looking at the letters, everything is fine when it's Green, but you have a problem when you are looking at Red.

I usually hit the '8' for a quick peek to check command status of units, but tab has its uses. Predominantly I use tab just to make sure my different regiments and divisions are not getting 'tangled-up' with each other. I don't want any nasty surprises when combat-penalty time comes around.

My 2 cents on manuals

Every game that has counters should have a section explaining everything on them. Some of the popular recent releases at Matrix omitted this in their manuals and was quickly pointed out in the first weeks after it hit the streets. It ought to be on a Matrix check list for all new games.

Manuals should be living documents. As missing information comes to light, it should be added to the manual and provided as PDF downloads. Tech writing is not programming. With today's word processors, its easy to update a master file and generate PDFs quickly.

that's my 2 pennies and I'm sticking to it.

+1^

Manuals should be in 3 ring binders, with new information printed out in same format and inserted into manual and unrelevant information removed. No game company does this and I don't understand why. Before you say cost, I would pay for the updates if necessary. I like my games I would pay for a premium service.

ORIGINAL: sabre1
Manuals should be in 3 ring binders......

In a complex wargame, I will read a manual 3 or 4 times. Even 5 and 6 times.

I highlight, underline and scribble on it.

I open the game and check that each detail works as intended.

Some times in the "Attack" section, being 286 words long, they list all the variables in relation to attacking. Exept one attack variable which is mysteriously listed in the "Defend" section. And another attack variable is on P82. Question "Attacking" on a forum and you get "READ THE F#%! MANUAL (RTFM)"

Having read the manual 4 or 5 or 6 times I make a min-manual.

All the "Attacking" variables are listed in one place. And reduced to 47 words.

Then I throw away the hard copy manual.
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Joe, you and I are going to go around and around on this subject. [;)]

I only hope you understand that no manual will ever place all the info on "Attacking" for example in one section.

So the manaul provided is never any good.
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