Linkorama

Thanks to a post from Donald Lazov in the CSW ASLSK folder a couple of weeks ago I've been checking out more web links for ASL learners. (The original post is here.)

1. Jeff's ASL Site - Not updated since 2004 but has a tactical tips section and more stuff here: http://www.vims.edu/~jeff/asl/ . For example, here are his "Finer Points of ASL": http://www.vims.edu/~jeff/asl/finepts.htm

2. Hans Mielants Page - Primarily known for running some very involved "multiplayer" Solitaire ASL at: http://www.mielants.com/Simulation/ASL.html

3. Dispatches from the Bunker - A well known ASL newsletter from the New England area of the States. The Dispatches have a nice newbie tips page at the end but the majority of the issues are devoted to full ASL scenarios and articles. Go here: http://www.aslbunker.com/Downloads/tabid/54/Default.aspx

4. First Fire - I'm certainly not the first ASL blogger but First Fire may be able to lay claim to that here: http://firstfire.blogspot.com/2004_01_01_archive.html

5. ASL Wiki - ASL + Wiki = good resource here: http://davidramsey.no-ip.info/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

6. Blind Hex - Another ASL Blog here: http://www.blindhex.blogspot.com/

7. Dice Tower "Perry Sez" - Perry Cocke is the acknowledged last word on ASL rulings and such rulings are now called "Perry Sez"'s. A collection is here: http://dicetower.com/ASL/PerrySez/

8. Laurent M.'s ASLSK Scenarios - Run out of ASLSK scenarios and played TPBF1 a hundred times already? Laurent has a bunch of new ones here: http://lm.polar.free.fr/aslsk.htm

9. WebGrognard's ASL FAQ - Seems not to have been updated any time recently but included here for completeness: http://grognard.com/faqs/FAQ0.htm

Some of these links are to sites for more experienced players or people immersed in full ASL rather than the SKs. Regardless, there's a LOT of stuff out there for ASL on the Intarwebs.

Dice Tower - Glamour Shots Edition

Ok, due to popular demand, here are some other shots of my handiwork.

This is the dice tray portion of the tower. I just put down felt because I thought it was cool. Nothing more special than measuring it out and using a thin layer of white glue.

Ya chuck the dice in from the top. I've taken to throwing the dice at the inch or so of back wall and gravity takes over from there. Note the uneveness of the ramps. I say it adds that nice random touch.

No front panel required so it became the bottom. Note the overlap of the front of the tower; this lets the tower perch on the tray felt.

This is a view from the bottom. For those of you who like those things...

This is the transformed version. Essentially the tower is two pieces for easy travel! I should have taken a pic with a ruler so you can see the size. The other pics with dice are good reference. The dice are the standard BIG ones that came with Axis and Allies, not the small ones from the SKs. Also, check out the keyboard in the background. It's not small, but it's not big.

Nothing says geek cred better than a self-made dice tower. Next? Pimpin' it out. (I'll take suggestions.)

Voila!

I've been going on about a dice tower (dice cups - BOOOOORING!!!) and I've been sorely tempted by some of the stuff on eBay and VixenTor. Mrs. scrub even gave me the OK but I said, heck... $60 is a bit much.

I've been hacking up a DIY birdhouse of all things from the local hardware store since September. Last night, in a fit of creativity and craftiness, I put it all together to make my own.

Total cost? $12. (Felt donated from MIL.)

So, out with ye olde dice tray (ASLSK1 box cover):

And in with the new homemade dice tower:


I'd wax on eloquently about satisfaction with creating something with my own hands but really, I'm just cheap. Seriously though, it is fun to make this stuff and the sound of the dice off the wood is cool!

Doing my part...

So I'm still doing my part to jumpstart the economy thanks to my ASL/wargame-habit. Went out and bought a 2x3' clear acrylic board for gaming with. It was only $24.

Who knew that wargaming would lead to me becoming a knowledgeable purveyor of plexiglass? Who knew that I would swoon at the very desirable 2x2.5' and 2x4' Lexan sheets also available at the local hardware store? ($25 and $70 respectively).

Next up? Making or acquiring a dice tower...