MethodScript Help

What is this?

MethodScript is an web-based utility which generates figures and blue line for a method from place notation. It can handle any method or principle on up to 16 bells. It is written in Javascript, so processing is done on the local computer rather than the web server. It should be compatible with Internet Explorer 5+ and Netscape 4+.

Method Maker is a similar server-based utility. There are many other non web-based programs which offer more control over output.

Getting Started

Select the number of bells, and enter place notation. If a lead end is also entered, the method is assumed to be symmetrical, with the place notation being for a half lead; otherwise the place notation is taken to be the whole lead. Cross changes may be written x or X or -, and place notations are separated by space or , or . (no separator is needed adjacent to a cross). For example, plain bob minor can be entered as any of:

Place Notation: x 16 x 16 x 16	Lead end: 12
Place Notation: -1-1-1	Lead end: 2
Place Notation: -1-1-1-1-1-2	Lead end:

Select "one lead" for one lead; or "one course" for enough leads to get rounds.

Finally click "generate" to generate the method (in a separate window). The method window may be printed or closed, or further method windows can be generated. Note that methods are NOT checked for falseness!

Options

Each bell can be displayed in black (default), red, blue or green. Enter a list of bells (for example "ET") in the appropriate box.

Several leads may be displayed in each column, and/or the output may be split into "pages". Leaving the appropriate box blank (or clicking "unlimited") gives an unlimited number of leads or columns.

Click "generate URL" to produce a link to MethodScript with the current parameters, which can then be copied and pasted into web pages, emails etc. By default, such a link automatically generates the method when loaded; to disable this, remove the symbols "&gen" from the end of the URL. To remove all parameters from the current URL, click on "MethodScript" at the top of the page. Here is an example of link:

http://www.math.ubc.ca/~holroyd/methscript/methscript.htm?n=6&pn=-1-1-1&le=2&course&gen

Click "restore defaults" to restore all options to their defaults.

Alexander E. Holroyd 2002