Measuring things...

I fear I'm opening a can of worms again... take this as my opinion only.

Örjan writes:
>>* "Measuring the distance between ships will be allowed after a ship
>>has
>>declared its intention to to fire, but not before." 
>This is a rule I
>personally find rather... strange (to use a non-offensive word) if you
>assume modern tracking equipment; but it might be necessary to keep the
>game time down <shrug>

Well, you have to draw the line somewhere. And, IMHO, the simplest
possible line is often the best.

If you do allow pre-measurement, exactly what can I pre-measure? 
When can I measure? 
Can I pre-measure distances to all ships?
Can I measure angles?
How about to arbitrary spots on the table?
Can I measure prior to movement? 
If not, how would you stop me from pre-pre-measuring movement during 
previous fire phase?
Can I place measurement markers on the table?
Can I write down the measurements I take?
Can I use graph paper?
How about a computer?
Can I bring my own record sheets?
Can I bring my own dice?

If I am out there to WIN the tournament, would it not give me at least
*some* edge to know all the measurements (at least mental assurance if
nothing of real substance)? Thus, why would I NOT measure everything I'm
allowed to? To give my opponents a break? ha ha ha...

Why do you think ping pong players have rules about what color shirt
they
can wear? Because someone WILL try to take any and every advantage they
can.

As nearly always, it's a question of drawing the line somewhere. I
personally would prefer to err on the side of playability.

(Another good way is to use a chess clock or timed turns -- but this
penalizes beginning/clumsy players more, and quite frankly, FT can't
afford to alienate new players)

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