Command : DISTRIBUTE
NAME
distribute - Establish distribution destination sector
Level: Basic
SYNTAX
[##:##] Command : distribute
The distribute command is used to specify the way that goods will travel dur-
ing an update. Each sector is allowed to have one and only one "distribution
sector" (a warehouse or road, typically). Subsequent distribute commands will
replace the existing distribution sector.
For example,
[##:##] Command : distribute 2,0 8,4
highway at 2,0 delivers to 8,4.
Distribution sector? 7,-1
highway 2,0 new path distributes to 7,-1 (cost 0.200)
Current best path is 'gguh'
This command changed the distribution path for sector 2,0 from a warehouse at
8,4 to a warehouse at 7,-1. The cost is the mobility cost to move 1 normal-
weight unit from the sector to the warehouse.
DISTSECT is a normal empire sector specification. During the update, empire
will determine the cheapest existing path to the distribution sector, and use
that. (Note that the mobility cost for the path used during the update could
be different than the cost reported to you when you use the distribute com-
mand, if you have re-designated sectors, or sectors were captured, etc) Again,
it will use the cheapest path available AT THE TIME OF THE UPDATE.
You may also use '.' or 'h' to specify no distribution sector.
[##:##] Command : dist 2,0 .
Distribution to and from 2,0 halted.
The command will warn you if there is no existing path completely owned by
you, and also if the path does not end at a warehouse. It is not required
that the distribution path end at a warehouse, but it is required that you own
all the sectors that the goods will travel along.
Distribution & the Update
One of the last things that takes place during the update, after all growth,
production, delivery, etc, distribution takes place. (The only thing that
really happens after that is mobility increases) Each sector may have product
thresholds and a distribution sector. A threshold is a target level for a par-
ticular commodity, like food. So, if the food threshold for a sector is 100,
it will try to maintain 100 food there. If it has more than 100 food, it will
export it to its distribution point. If it has less than 100, it will try to
import food from the distribution point to reach 100.
During the distribution phase of the update, all sectors (going left to right,
top to bottom) first export excess commodities, and then (again left to right,
top to bottom) import needed commodities.
In order to either send things to or get things from a distribution sector,
you must own the distribution sector, and there must be a path of owned sec-
tors to it. In order to export something from a sector, you must have military
control of the sector. In order to import something from a distribution sec-
tor, you must have military control of the distribution sector. (Military con-
trol is defined as having mil in the sector equal to at least 1/10th the num-
ber of unconverted civilians there. Units count as if they were straight mil,
i.e. a 100% unit that contained 50 mil would count as 50 mil for the purposes
of control)
Mobility is used from the sector when sending "to" the distribution sector.
When getting something "from" the distribution sector, mobility is paid by the
distribution sector. See "info Mobility" for an explanation of mobility
costs.
Amount
The amount is determined by the threshold, as explained above. Use the
"threshold" command to specify what goods will flow to and from the warehouse.
Finding sectors with not dist point set
If you want to find sectors with no distribution point set, use the xdist and
ydist selectors:
[##:##] Command : level # ?xdist=xloc&ydist=yloc
This finds all sectors that have themselves as a distribution point.
Distributing civilians
When distributing civilians, no distribution point will ship out its last
civilian, regardless of thresholds set in sectors using it as a distribution
point.
SEE ALSO
deliver, threshold, level, Distribution