Round 94  "Building a Better Mousetrap"

Another disappointing round, participation-wise anyway. :(
The mouse escaped after only four rules.

Nick is Judge, after his first only FRC rule. :/
Jeremy and Jason are "The Wizard".  I hope those robes fit. :)

~ Judge Sharkey


Player          Style  Eligible until (troll.no time)
--------------  -----  ------------------------------
Nick             +0.5  15 Jul 1998 00:43:11 +0200
David            -0.5   8 Jul 1998 20:03:56 +0200
Jeremy           +1.5   8 Jul 1998 16:51:00 +0200
Jason            +1.5   8 Jul 1998 16:51:00 +0200


Rule   Player     Judgement     Style  Time of posting (troll.no)
-----  ---------  ------------  -----  --------------------------
94:1   Jeremy     VALID          +1.5   1 Jul 1998 16:51:00 +0200
94:2   Jason      UNSUCCESSFUL   +1.5   1 Jul 1998 18:58:49 +0200
94:3   David      VALID          -0.5   1 Jul 1998 20:03:56 +0200
94:4   Nick       VALID          +0.5   8 Jul 1998 00:43:11 +0200


Rule 94:1  (Jeremy)  VALID  Style: +1.5
>>>>>
In the mousetrap is a piece of cheese, 
It's gouda, I believe.
You'd think that would be fine,
Merely laced with strychnine;
Alas, the mouse we must catch
is really up to scratch,
He is humored by our ploy,
Finds it simple as a toy,
He's got taster rats in his employ!

We must try much harder
to get this fiend out of our larder.
Sorely will he tax our brains,
and mock our required refrains.
He is equipped with cybernetic implants,
and preternatural intelligence,
He thinks he's very cool,
Dares us write our rules,
Hopes to make us look like fools!
>>>>>>

CyberMouse mocks:
"Mousetrap and a poisoned cheese
 This could never hamper meese
 So simple and so trite.
 And now you're going to run away
 You shall not fight another day
 So I tell you good night."

 
Nothing self-contradictory here.
 
Style:
  +1    nice first rule.
  +0.5  originality (verse)  
  +0    not restrictive, but it's only the first rule.
 ------
  +1.5


Rule 94:2  (Jason)  UNSUCCESSFUL  Style: +1.5
---
We shall start with a plain mousetrap of the type with five simple
parts: a platform, a spring, a hammer, a bar, and a catch.

You can see an illustration of this type of mousetrap at:
http://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mousetrap1.gif

For those of you unfamiliar with this design, a brief description
follows.  The spring lies horizontally in the center of the platform.
The hammer (actually a hard wire loop) is attached to it.  To set the
trap, pull back the hammer and set the bar across it.  The tip of the
bar sits under the catch on the opposite end of the platform, and the
bait is set on or near the catch.  When the mouse disturbs the catch,
the bar swings away, and the trap springs.

Each valid rule in this round will describe a way to improve upon the
design.  The mousetrap will, thus, iteratively become more effective.

The first improvement is to attach a long string to the mousetrap,
allowing it to be removed from dark corners without moving furniture
and so on.
---

CyberMouse mocks:  
"Not even the worst Vogon poet would be able to find a "refrain" in such a
technical document.  You call a string an improvement?  I'd snip that
thing with one nibble from my shiny teeth."


It was received at troll.no two hours after 49:1, so given the posted
numbering, I believe Jason did not see the first rule posted, hence it is
ruled UNSUCCESSFUL.
 
Style:
  +1    Another nice first rule.
  +0.5  Originality (illustration).
 ------
  +1.5
 

Rule 94:3  (David)  VALID  Style: -0.5
>>>>>
A black anvil, hov'ring there,
black, heavy, held by a hair.
A piece of cheese, Wensleydale,
Baits the trap, a mouse to nail.
Cyber says, "by my notes I see,
I foiled this trap in '83!"
Indeed he did, and without a wait,
uses tongs to remove the bait!

Eye of newt, brains of mice,
never use the same trick twice.
>>>>>

CyberMouse mocks:
"Tail of toad, Serpent's knee,
 that trick was used in eighty-three,
 and again in this rule by thee.
 Is that an inconsistencee?"


The Judge can see a valid interpretation of the rules, despite the Mouse's
mocking doubts.  The rule doesn't actually state that the same trick
was used to foil the trap in '83, and it might also be interpreted to mean
that the trick should not be used twice _in the rules_.  
 
I believe it is FRC tradition to rule VALID if a reasonable valid
interpretation can be found, so I hope I'm not being too generous here. 
I may not be so generous after the first week.
 
Style:
  +0.5   Nice refrain.  The muse forgives you.
  -1     Possible self-inconsistency.
 ------
  -0.5


Rule 94:4  (Nick)  VALID   Style: +0.5

> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> 
> Colby, Muenster, Cheddar, Swiss;
> the smell of which no mouse could miss
> issues forth from cheese dispensers
> perched atop four biosensors.
> And mounted on this cheesy trap,
> taking now a nappy-nap
> is a robot cat of steel
> waiting for a mousy meal,
> fitted out with a eye-beam lasers
> and four claws of sharpened razors.
> Cyber says, "Hmm, this one^s new!
> ('though, I foiled a cat in '82)"
> 
> Unplugging first the power cord,
> he goes forth for his reward.
> 
> "I've had my fill, and if it pleases,
> tempt  me not with boring cheeses."
> 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>

CyberMouse mocks:
"All your cheese I've eaten.
 all your traps I've beaten.
 Only hours now remain.
 Feeble humans have no brain."
 

Style:
  +1.0  Nice trap and nice rhymes.
  -0.5  Not very restrictive.
 ------
  +0.5