Does object recall work?

[d_m]

As far as I can tell, the object recall subwindow doesn't do anything.

In the past, I remember that it would display stuff. At this point, I can't get it to ever do anything (inspecting items, casting spells, browsing spell books, target items on the ground, etc). I also can't find any code in HEAD that actually draws it (although this is probably just my own ignorance).

Can someone enlighten me? I saw a bug in Trac which wanted to make this subwindow more useful and figured I'd work on it. Once I realized I had no idea if it did anything, I decided to check here first.

EDIT: I just realized I should have chosen a better subject. Sigh.

[takkaria]

Originally Posted by d_m

As far as I can tell, the object recall subwindow doesn't do anything.

In the past, I remember that it would display stuff. At this point, I can't get it to ever do anything (inspecting items, casting spells, browsing spell books, target items on the ground, etc). I also can't find any code in HEAD that actually draws it (although this is probably just my own ignorance).

Can someone enlighten me? I saw a bug in Trac which wanted to make this subwindow more useful and figured I'd work on it. Once I realized I had no idea if it did anything, I decided to check here first.

EDIT: I just realized I should have chosen a better subject. Sigh.

I'm not sure it ever did much more than it does now, really, but yeah, it's known to be "a bit" broken.

[Atarlost]

At one point it displayed the contents of the last spellbook you cast from or browsed.

[d_m]

So what would a good behavior be? I propose this:

When one (I)nspects an item in the inventory or on the floor, that description is drawn to the subwindow.

When one (b)rowses a book, or casts a spell, the spell list of that book is drawn to the subwindow.

Optionally:

When one picks up an item, the description is drawn to the subwindow.

Also, I think that item descriptions should include their weight (at least for the purposes of the subwindow, if not in general).

Does this seem useful? Would it be better to get rid of this subwindow entirely?

[Magnate]

Originally Posted by d_m

Does this seem useful? Would it be better to get rid of this subwindow entirely?

I don't dislike any of your suggestions - but who uses this window? There are seven subwindows available, max, and I want all of:

inventory
equipment
char info (stats, skills etc.)
char extra (resists etc.)
overhead view of whole level
recent messages
monster recall
visible monster list

... so I'm already one short. What do you go without if you use a window for object recall??

[PaulBlay]

Personally I only use three.

inventory
recent messages
monster recall

My monitor isn't big enough for more than that. Object recall certainly wouldn't replace one of those.

[Atarlost]

The inventory/equip windows swap mode with a keystroke. I never use the map window. Monster recall is available in targeting or look and it isn't allways going to display the monster you're interested in so you'll have to use look anyways.

[d_m]

The subwindows I currently use most are:

Messages
Monster List
Item List

That said, I only gave this subwindow thought because I saw a Trac ticket about improving it. If the consensus is that no one uses it or that it isn't useful, then I guess we should remove it.

If object recall isn't useful, it raises the next question: is there a more useful kind of subwindow that could be added in place of it?

[Magnate]

Originally Posted by Atarlost

The inventory/equip windows swap mode with a keystroke.

Which keystroke? I will try this out, but I often find myself wanting to see both at once.

I never use the map window.

Wow, it's one of the most important for me. Lets me keep abreast of the level as a whole, remember where I teleported away from something dangerous etc. I couldn't play without it.

Monster recall is available in targeting or look and it isn't allways going to display the monster you're interested in so you'll have to use look anyways.

I share monster recall with the visible monster list, and I find that works well.

[PaulBlay]

Originally Posted by d_m

If object recall isn't useful, it raises the next question: is there a more useful kind of subwindow that could be added in place of it?

I need a subwindow to tell me when I'm too tired to play and I'm going to get my stupid-ass self killed.