[Freeciv-Dev] Re: Random suggestion on advance costs

["Haugdahl, Stig" <Stig.Haugdahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

...
> Also, what precisely is "Applied"? ... I assume this is meant 
> to be for
> techs that "help you do stuff" like bridge building or 
> construction ...

Yes. Or even every tech not directly belonging to one of the others.
Automobile is applied, for instance, not military. Computers are
also applied, not academic.

...
> but it seems to me that adding in the flags will enable the 
> implementation
> of a tech selection rule that is more-or-less the same as civ2.
> Should be sufficient? If there is no consensus on the civ2 scheme is 
> there any alternative? Also a game option 
> "tech_select_style=[civ2/free]"
> or some-such would be nice if this path is persued ...

Civ2 can be improved upon, no doubt. But I really, really would
like a true Civ2 ruleset, for its nice play balance.
Whatever.
Tech selection is NOT based on epoch or category!
Each tech has an associated AI value, estimating the 
tech's usefulness. Future tech is valued 1, Gunpowder and 
Mobile warfare are valued most, at 8. Now this value is 
modified by a Civilized modifier, -2 to 2. A "Civilized" civ
(like Romans) will add this factor to the AI value, a militaristic
(Mongols, of course) will subtract it. "Neutral" civs (English)
will ignore the modifier. 

So:
The 7 techs without prerequisites are
Alphabet (5, 1), Bronze Working (6,-1), Ceremonial Burial (5, 0),
Horseback Riding (4,-1), Masonry (4, 1), Pottery (4, 1) and
Warrior Code (4,-1)

It will be ranked 
Alphabet (6)
Bronze Working (5)
Ceremonial Burial (5)
Masonry (5)
Pottery (5)
Horseback Riding (3)
Warrior Code (3)
for the civilized civ,

Bronze Working (6)
Alphabet (5)
Ceremonial Burial (5)
Horseback Riding (4)
Masonry (4)
Pottery (4)
Warrior Code (4)
for the neutral,

Bronze Working (7)
Ceremonial Burial (5)
Horseback Riding (5)
Warrior Code (5)
Alphabet (4)
Masonry (3)
Pottery (3)
for the militaristic.

Other example: Gunpowder (8, -2) is immensly valued by
the militaristic (10), while Literacy (5, 2) is frowned 
upon at measly 3 points.
The civilized civ would take take Literacy before Gunpowder
any day (except that Literacy is needed in the Gunpowder line).