Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: BlauK on August 05, 2006, 12:19:10 PM
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People often refer to a "steep learning curve". What would be teh axis for that curve? .. learning and time, I suppose.
Time is usually presented on horizontal axis, therefore learning would be the vertical axes. What would a "steep learning curve" then mean? Would it not mean that one can learn a lot very quicly? Somehow I think this is not what "people" mean when they post about AH having a steep learning curve..... Is the time on vertical axis then?
IMHO, with the first concept, the learning curve in AH is initially fairly shallow... one needs some time to get the basics, but then it gradually becomes steeper and more learning would be happening in a quicker pace after the basics are understood.
So.. where does this "learning curve" thinggy come from? :rolleyes: Any links anyone???
[edit]
Ahh.. :D Just followed my own question to
Wikipedia (Learning curve). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_curve) :lol
".....In fact, a "steep" learning curve implies that something gets easier quickly."[/edit]
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Vihainen lohikaarme!
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Say "Tiikeri" for me ;)
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For the common vernacular of "a steep learning curve" to work, people are thinking of the following curve:
effort
^...............x...........................................................................o
|............x.................................................o
|........x..............................o
|.....x.................o
|..x........o
|xo
------------------------------------------------------> what you can accomplish
Then, for a shallow curve, you can do more with less effort. If it's steep, you need a lot of effort and even than can't do all that much yet.
In the above the x's would be for Aces High and the o's for some easier game (driving vehicles in Battlefield 1942, say).
(And, yes, I do for the next couple of hours have too much time on my hands as I wait for frame 2 of Operation Downfall scenario to start.)
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A steep curve means that it's hard. Gentle slopes are easy (less work over more time), but sharp, cliff-like curves are VERY hard to get up, often taking much struggle and effort (and often a lot of time) to get to the top of.
So if one were to graph it, it would be a curve. The "steep" part is an aesthetic description of it. You could say "ugly learning curve" and mean the same thing. It's not a mathematical statement, like "Oh, if it's anything more than 30 degrees it's difficult, anything more than 45 it's steep" etc.
It's a figure of speech.
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Steepness tells the story of how difficult it is to learn as time goes by. In the beginning you learn the obvious stuff quickly but as time goes by it requires much more time to progress further and pick more stuff up.
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Did any of you even check the wikipedia link :)
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Ive found that there are times when the common usage of a word is in contrast with its recorded definition and you found one for sure. Proud of ya.
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Originally posted by BlauK
Did any of you even check the wikipedia link :)
wikipedia is like the history channel spotty at best.
Think of the curve as a hill with your goal at the top. Goal being proficient at the task set before you.
Now what would you like more short gradual slope up ....
or a long "steep" incline.
AH is that long steep incline to your goal.
Bronk
Edit:
steep
adj. steepˇer, steepˇest
Having a sharp inclination; precipitous.
At a rapid or precipitous rate: a steep rise in salaries.
Excessive; stiff: a steep price.
Ambitious; difficult: a steep undertaking.
n.
A precipitous slope.
So Steep learning curve would be contradictory to an easy learning curve.
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In all the training I've done a steep learning curve means to learn a lot in a little bit of time. Flying twice a day for a week for instance is better and gives you a steeper curve than flying twice a week for five weeks. But, WRT AH, I think the curve that best describes AH would be similar to a Bell curve.
You start out slow (a shallow curve)...figuring out all the buttons, stick mapping, views, landing, basic gunnery, etc. Once you have the basics down you rapidly improve (a steep curve) as you learn tactics and and the planes and also learn to fight "smart".
After a while the curve flattens again as you aquire more difficult advanced tactics, take on more challenging rides, are more willing to engage without an advantage, etc.
Then the inevitable occurs...you're on the backside of the curve and you turn to the dark side. This is a very steep downward slope. Work, food and family become just short breaks in your AH life but you realize you'll never get any better than you are right now. You fork over $500 for a new control setup thinking that'll make you better. Failing that you decide that the "/" and keyboard are more important than throttle and stick and spend more time complaining on 200 than actually fighting. You decide that every plane except the one you're flying is "uber" or for Noobs and Dweebs. You decide that any tactic you're not using is "dweebish". Absolutely everyone else in the MA HO's and Picks and are score ho's but you never, ever do that and you absolutely never look at your score. You're convinced that planes like the Spit 16 actually do fly themselves. You constantly challenge people to the DA so you can compare sizes.
Just my opinion of course ;)
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Originally posted by Chalenge
Ive found that there are times when the common usage of a word is in contrast with its recorded definition ...
WTG .. proud of ya. (to coin a phrase)
Another Quantum Leap in understanding recorded.
(so to speak)
-GE -very evil grin-
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Originally posted by Mace2004
Then the inevitable occurs...you're on the backside of the curve and you turn to the dark side. This is a very steep downward slope. Work, food and family become just short breaks in your AH life but you realize you'll never get any better than you are right now. You fork over $500 for a new control setup thinking that'll make you better. Failing that you decide that the "/" and keyboard are more important than throttle and stick and spend more time complaining on 200 than actually fighting. You decide that every plane except the one you're flying is "uber" or for Noobs and Dweebs. You decide that any tactic you're not using is "dweebish". Absolutely everyone else in the MA HO's and Picks and are score ho's but you never, ever do that and you absolutely never look at your score. You're convinced that planes like the Spit 16 actually do fly themselves. You constantly challenge people to the DA so you can compare sizes.
:rofl
Is the community rubbing someone the wrong way? :D
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Originally posted by Grayeagle
WTG .. proud of ya. (to coin a phrase)
Another Quantum Leap in understanding recorded.
(so to speak)
-GE -very evil grin-
Get back to work on that art and quit wasting time! I want F5 yesterday!
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My learning curve is like my EEG (electroencephalogram) : completly flat
Look like I can't learn :D
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Originally posted by Vudak
:rofl
Is the community rubbing someone the wrong way? :D
I think I was describing all of us...lol :lol
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I take it as the time invested in the game is actually quite small for most people. Couple that to the length of time their interest holds before either getting better, or giving up, and the time is compressed so tightly that the curve is steep.
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Originally posted by BlauK
Did any of you even check the wikipedia link :)
Evidently not.:)
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my teabags are steeping in hot water.that dirt mountain sure is steep. the increase in income from crack ho to corporate lawyer sure is steep.it will be a steep endeavour indeed to put down this spliff and cut the grass. the size of dolly parton's breastsesess could be considered steep.
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This same conundrum was pointed out several years ago by someone although I can't remember who.
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A description of my AH learning Curve
1) it always curves downwards
2) it stops Very suddenly
3) At around 400 MPH
4) At 0ft AGL
LOL
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I guess I was rubbing something the wrong way:eek: Switching hands now.:huh Hey Mussie can you do me a favor and find emperor Doobs for me, to help me with this thing. thanks:lol
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Try Sitting on your arm till it falls asleep...
It will feel like someone else then...
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Originally posted by mussie
Try Sitting on your arm till it falls asleep...
It will feel like someone else then...
:rofl :rofl :rofl :aok
Hey it works!:O