TradeMaximizerOz

Australian version of TradeMaximizer, which integrates with boardgamegeek.com

Program instructions

See instructions.html for instructions for the original TradeMaximizer, however this version works slightly differently.

• The application takes a parameter with the name of the wantlist input file, rather than taking it from standard input.
• Similarly, the output files are hardcoded to result.txt and result.html, rather than standard out.
• The wantlist file must contain the following options:
  • GEEKLIST: ID of the GeekList on boardgamegeek.com that contains the items
  • CODE-DIGITS: Number of digits in item codes (the digits match the list item index)
  • CODE-LETTERS: Number of letters in item codes, for a mnemonic code

Development setup

• Install JDK (Java Development Kit), e.g. version 8 for 32-bit
• Install IntelliJ IDEA, e.g. version 2016.3.5
• Run IntelliJ IDEA
• Open trademaximiser.ipr file
• May need to 'Setup SDK' by selecting the JDK directory, e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.8.0_121
• Use Build > Build Project to compile
• Then Build > Build Artifacts to create the tm.jar file (the output may end up somewhere like out\artifacts\tm_jar, so modify tm.bat accordingly)

Examples of running program

These are in the Examples folder.

Example 1

The examples directory contains two example files, and a batch file.

After compiling the project (with IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition) and building the tm.jar artifact, the batch file can be used to run the examples, e.g. .\tm.bat .\input-example-1.txt

This will create the following output files: geeklist_140281_page{1}.xml - downloaded copy of the boardgamegeek.com Geek List result.txt - results of the trade, in the original text format result.html - results in nicely formatted HTML errors.txt - any errors that occurred

In the case of input-example-1.txt, the Geek List referenced does not match the simple input file, so there will be lots of errors for missing data.

In fact, input-example-1.txt is the same input as the first trade in the original instructions, README-Original.txt, and has the same results (in result.txt)

In result.html, you will see the enhanced HTML results, which include all the users from the referenced Geek List as well.

Example 2

For an example from an actual past trade, run: .\tm.bat .\input-amiguero6.txt

This will download a different Geek List, and has more complicated results.

[2016-01-26] Currently codes are not working because the returned XML does not include comments, even though specified in the URL, e.g.: http://boardgamegeek.com/xmlapi/geeklist/172859?comments=1

Running a maths trade

Starting instructions

1. Test the TradeMaximizerOz software, to make sure you know how to use it.

2. Write up instructions for the trade, including rules and important dates (see previous trades for examples)

   • Initially the description can include a link to the forum where you will post the discussion topic (i.e. State/City forum). This can be updated after creating the discussion topic.

3. Create a Geek List to hold the items.

   • Make the title clear, e.g. "City (Australia) Month Year maths trade"

   • Description should include your instructions

   • Domains = BoardGameGeek

   • (Default) Private = No, Public Additions = Yes, Comments = Yes

   • Trade/Auction List = Yes

   • (Default) Sort = Normal

   e.g. https://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/200667/australia-wide-cancon-2016-ship-shape-maths-trade

4. Create a discussion topic in the relevant forum (for the State/City). Point the discussion to the Geek List.

5. Update the description to point to the actual forum topic.

6. Add the trade list to the Australian Trade meta-list. Make sure to remove it after the trade is complete:

   https://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/61076/australian-trade-and-sale-meta-list

7. Post an announcement message in the Australian Trade subscription thread:

   https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/483458/australian-ultimate-trade-subscription-thread-and

Guides

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/Aussie_Maths_Trade

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/154123/math-trade-moderators-guide-last-update-july-27-20

Example of trade lists (CanCon 2016)

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/200667/australia-wide-cancon-2016-ship-shape-maths-trade

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1484829/australia-wide-cancon-2016-ship-shape-maths-trade