Confusion between slings and slingshots

[Eyeball]

An item described as a "slingshot" in its sdesc can be found available for purchase fairly easily in the game.

However, its desc describes it as what would properly be called a "sling". Namely, it implies that the entire item consists of cloth and a pocket to nestle the shot in.

A major component of a slingshot is a piece of wood (or possibly bone), with a handle and two branches between which is an elastic strand of some sort.

A slingshot:


A sling:

[Kaineus]

Thanks for pointing this out, it's always been a peeve of mine too. Furthermore that item has the keyword sling already, so why not change the sdesc?

Brings up an interesting question as to whether there are any materials elastic enough in Zalanthas to make a slingshot as you've defined it possible.

[Barzalene]

A quick google search yields:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/09/12/ever-wonder-how-slingshots-were-made-before-rubber-bands-this-guy-shows-you/

[Riya OniSenshi]

Pretty sure both types of those items in the OP exist in-game. One needs to looks at the item's mdesc and not just the sdesc or embarrassing mistakes may occur.

[RogueGunslinger]

Pretty sure both types of those items in the OP exist in-game. One needs to looks at the item's mdesc and not just the sdesc or embarrassing mistakes may occur.

Slingshots shouldn't exist though. Without rubber how could they? A rubberless slingshot is a sling.

[Lizzie]

Pretty sure both types of those items in the OP exist in-game. One needs to looks at the item's mdesc and not just the sdesc or embarrassing mistakes may occur.

Slingshots shouldn't exist though. Without rubber how could they? A rubberless slingshot is a sling.

The video in Barzalene's link indicates that slings could have existed before rubber was invented (which was only fairly recently in world history - back in the mid 1800's)

[RogueGunslinger]

Pretty sure both types of those items in the OP exist in-game. One needs to looks at the item's mdesc and not just the sdesc or embarrassing mistakes may occur.

Slingshots shouldn't exist though. Without rubber how could they? A rubberless slingshot is a sling.

The video in Barzalene's link indicates that slings could have existed before rubber was invented (which was only fairly recently in world history - back in the mid 1800's)

Yes. Slings. Not slingshots. The defining factor of a slingshot is rubber.

[Riya OniSenshi]

Pretty sure both types of those items in the OP exist in-game. One needs to looks at the item's mdesc and not just the sdesc or embarrassing mistakes may occur.

Slingshots shouldn't exist though. Without rubber how could they? A rubberless slingshot is a sling.

Then idea it in-game, typo/idea/bug the items in-game, or send a request.

The thread was about saying that slingshots are misnamed due to the false assumption that only one slingshot item is in-game, when in fact there's more than one and they're all readily purchased in many common places. (Or were the last time I bothered to look for them.)

[valeria]

Pretty sure both types of those items in the OP exist in-game. One needs to looks at the item's mdesc and not just the sdesc or embarrassing mistakes may occur.

Slingshots shouldn't exist though. Without rubber how could they? A rubberless slingshot is a sling.

The video in Barzalene's link indicates that slings could have existed before rubber was invented (which was only fairly recently in world history - back in the mid 1800's)

Yes. Slings. Not slingshots. The defining factor of a slingshot is rubber.

Nah.  You can make a rubberless slingshot by using a material with some spring (like sinew) and twisting the ropes.  It ends up looking kind of like a bow rather than like a Y-shaped "slingshot" and you probably couldn't kill anything larger than a squirrel, but it does work.

[Eyeball]

The thread was about saying that slingshots are misnamed due to the false assumption that only one slingshot item is in-game, when in fact there's more than one and they're all readily purchased in many common places. (Or were the last time I bothered to look for them.)

My current character is in possession of a "slingshot". Its desc describes it as a sling. A slingshot is not a sling, and vice versa. This post is to help people understand there is a difference. No "false assumption" about what is in the object database and what isn't is being made.

EDIT: Why don't I just typo it, is the inevitable reply? Because sometimes the problem isn't a typing error, it's a misconception fixed in someone's mind.

A good example of this would be on Whira's Way. At the entrance to the plaza, the plaza is described as "rubble-filled". I didn't notice any sign of any rubble in any of the four rooms of the plaza.

rub·ble noun \ˈrə-bəl\ (Merriam-Webster)

: broken pieces of stone, brick, etc., from walls or buildings that have fallen

I suspect the person who wrote it meant "rabble":

rab·ble noun \ˈra-bəl\ (Merriam-Webster)
: a disorganized or disorderly crowd of people

I've typoed this at least five times to no avail. In fact, I even think it changed to rabble once, then back to rubble again (not sure though).

[Lizzie]

Pretty sure both types of those items in the OP exist in-game. One needs to looks at the item's mdesc and not just the sdesc or embarrassing mistakes may occur.

Slingshots shouldn't exist though. Without rubber how could they? A rubberless slingshot is a sling.

The video in Barzalene's link indicates that slings could have existed before rubber was invented (which was only fairly recently in world history - back in the mid 1800's)

Yes. Slings. Not slingshots. The defining factor of a slingshot is rubber.

Sorry, I meant slingshots, I mistyped. Again, that video demonstrated a sling-shot device that didn't use rubber. It worked as a sort of ballista with twisted hemp, and hand-held similarly to a crossbow. You hold the stem, pull the ball/rock back, and when you let go the hemp untwists and the device hurls the projectile forward.

[RogueGunslinger]

I suppose it's semantics, but I would never call that thing a slingshot.

[Symphony]

I suppose it's semantics, but I would never call that thing a slingshot.

Don't be a shrewd. 


Eyeball is right though...

[path]

Eyeball there's a reason that room you're describing has rubble in it.

[Eyeball]

Eyeball there's a reason that room you're describing has rubble in it.

It's not a room, it's a four room plaza, and none of their descriptions make any mention of stone or fragments of building lying around!

[Riya OniSenshi]

The thread was about saying that slingshots are misnamed due to the false assumption that only one slingshot item is in-game, when in fact there's more than one and they're all readily purchased in many common places. (Or were the last time I bothered to look for them.)

My current character is in possession of a "slingshot". Its desc describes it as a sling. A slingshot is not a sling, and vice versa. This post is to help people understand there is a difference. No "false assumption" about what is in the object database and what isn't is being made.

EDIT: Why don't I just typo it, is the inevitable reply? Because sometimes the problem isn't a typing error, it's a misconception fixed in someone's mind.

A good example of this would be on Whira's Way. At the entrance to the plaza, the plaza is described as "rubble-filled". I didn't notice any sign of any rubble in any of the four rooms of the plaza.

rub·ble noun \ˈrə-bəl\ (Merriam-Webster)

: broken pieces of stone, brick, etc., from walls or buildings that have fallen

I suspect the person who wrote it meant "rabble":

rab·ble noun \ˈra-bəl\ (Merriam-Webster)
: a disorganized or disorderly crowd of people

I've typoed this at least five times to no avail. In fact, I even think it changed to rabble once, then back to rubble again (not sure though).

As path says, there is rubble in those rooms for a reason, and there doesn't need to be coded rubble items for it to be present.
Also, it seems you're using a very narrow dictionary.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/slingshot?s=t&path=/
Try to remember that not all staff (and players) is/was(/are) from the USA and may not necessarily be using US English all the time. Likely, whoever built that particular "slingshot" wasn't.

[Eyeball]

There doesn't need to be coded rubble but there should at least be mention of some rubble. Far from being "rubble filled", there is none! Why mention invisible rubble at the entrance to the square? Good grief, I can't believe I even have to say this.

EDIT: Blah, you all go think what you like. I should know better by now. I could post 1+1=2 and get grief for it on this board. 

[RogueGunslinger]

Yeah, if the entrance to a place say it's filled with rubble, then when you go into that place none of the description describe rubble, that's pretty weird.

[whitt]

I could post 1+1=2 and get grief for it on this board. 

Now you're just being pedantic and whiny.

1+1 = 10 and every programmer knows it.