Binary research (or not?)

[civvver]

The benefit is small, but the cost is even smaller! It takes very little effort -- especially with the BUG mod which gives you the "set to 0/100" buttons -- and it requires very little training to use effectively.

The only problem I have with it is it seems like the auto citizen management reassigns a bunch of my scientists to merchants when I start running a deficit. I play huge maps with extra resources so I run a lot of specialists in a lot of cities and it's a pita to reassign them all to the proper tiles/specialists.

 

[RJM]

I've been using binary research for a few games now. One thing that I find tricky is working out how good or bad my research rate is. Trying to work out some sort of weighted average of the 0% and 100% rates is not easy. Alternatively I can cycle through the rates until I find the point at which I break even - all of which takes time. Is there some technique that I'm missing?

 

[MyOtherName]

I've been using binary research for a few games now. One thing that I find tricky is working out how good or bad my research rate is. Trying to work out some sort of weighted average of the 0% and 100% rates is not easy. Alternatively I can cycle through the rates until I find the point at which I break even - all of which takes time. Is there some technique that I'm missing?

I guess I'm not often concerned with the actual number, but when it is I just do the break-even point as you mentioned. Is it something you really need to check often?

Usually, I deal more with looking at 100% and working out how big my bank account needs to be to do the research I want, then switching back to 0% until I meet that target. (with more frequent checks if there's a change, or I have a significant non-commerce source of research)

 

[RJM]

I guess I'm not often concerned with the actual number, but when it is I just do the break-even point as you mentioned. Is it something you really need to check often?

Usually, I deal more with looking at 100% and working out how big my bank account needs to be to do the research I want, then switching back to 0% until I meet that target. (with more frequent checks if there's a change, or I have a significant non-commerce source of research)

I don't need to check very often. I used to keep an eye on it until I discovered currency because expanding too fast can be problematic. I suspect I have become too cautious. Presumably a 20% break-even is roughly equal to 4 turns at 0% for every turn at 100%. I have tended to panic if I reach a 3 to 1 ratio. Also there are various mile-stones I have become used to - particularly reaching 100bpt, 500bpt and 1,000bpt.