Why?

Learning and portfolio building.  Since I am its only member, I get to direct the project as well as write the code__ both roles are critical and serve as invaluable experience.  It is, so far, the largest project in my portfolio. 

What is your portfolio?

My portfolio is made available upon request and will be posted shortly on this site.

What version is this?

In terms of interface, the program has gone through 2 revisions.  From an algorithmic perspective, it has gone through 3 revisions.    In all, it has gone through approximately 329 changes based on field study and testing.  At present, its version number is 3.29. More is said in the Programmer's notes page which will be up shortly.

What operating system/hardware platform?

WordLord is being developed on Win2000 and tested on 98 as well as XP.

It is currently running on PIII 500 MHz 512 MB memory (the memory requirements for this application is only 5 MB).

What can WordLord do?

More details are found at the Programmer's notes page, however, here is a brief summary:

• On the fly word prefix/suffix and word combo listing.
• Multithreading: search activities can be stopped on the fly.
• Solution Finder: given a grid, it will find all possible solutions
• Color coded grid and words enable a visual summary of results which aid in decision making.
•  Search algorithm runs fully in memory optimized via indexing and is fully time controlled to ensure a result is provided on time.
• Word Locator: words are placed on the grid via locator function which ensures that words placed by the opponent adhere to in-house rules.
• Builds it's own "enhanced" dictionary which includes the word's "vulnerability/strength quotient".
• Is able to extract a dictionary in any given language provided it is "fed" text in that language (work in progress). WordLord may crop up on German and French sites! (LOL)
• Uses concept of "filters" to sift out the words that are considered strategically sound. These "filters" are the strategy portion of WordLord. They are what take up most of my work on this project. "Filters" are built and enhanced based on gaming experience.

What is WordLord heading to?

• Autonomy.  It will become a fully interactive, autonomous player (requiring no human intervention of any kind to make game plays and respond to chat). 
• Schedule.  It will have the ability to logon and adhere to appointments if a game is "booked". 
• Artificial Intelligence.  A fun part of WordLord will be to program its character  modes which can be selected before the game starts (either during the booking or when the opponent enters the room). Character modes can possibly be: poetic/romantic, friendly, snobbish, rude... etc.  My policy is and will remain: WordLord will not use profanity.
• Word meaning.  At present the word definition is available to WordLord in English (using WordNet database).  Interface to the this database is under way.

How long before this projected is completed?

During the day, I keep a full time I.T. job.  Nightly, I invest 3 to 5 hours in coding and gaming.  At this rate, WordLord may attain completion within a year. Total project time: 3 years.  Devotion or insanity? 

What language is it written in?

MS Visual C++ 5 and 6.

Can it be downloaded?

No. The executable and source code are not made available for download since the project is still in the process of being copyrighted.

My other names:

 GaRfiELdd, Garfield^, WordOverMatter, AnslemWatcher, Ypoons, Snoopy^, CalmAndSense, wxy-and-z

Types of games I play:

- No Pink No S
- 2 Tiles No Pink No S
- Vowels No Pink
- 2 Tiles Vowels No Pink

Miscellaneous

I live in Toronto/Canada.

Yes, I do drink freshly juiced parsley in the morning _ it's an acquired taste.

And of course, what would be an 'about' section without a picture :) ?

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