I was off Nairaland for some couple of weeks and all these happened!!!!! What can I say? The project crew has been wonderful. May the Lord repay your labour of love all. Hmmm, there is hope for us, with this milk of kindness that flowed here. I am really humbled. God bless y'all.

Neat car you've got.  Please what's the VIN and can you upload the engine picture?

Please could you be more detailed about this car- mileage, how long has it been used in Nigeria, reason for selling, more pictures of the interior and engine, problems (if any) etc. Thanks.

NextHome:

@analytical, thanks so much.

Brabus/NextHome, all is well that ends well.  I am glad this has ended well, with further projects for that matter!    I was waiting for either you or Ahonohai to update us, but I guess pictures speak louder than words.  I love the interior.  At the end, lessons have been learnt.  Please endeavour to build on the experience and serve your clients to satisfaction.

Ahonohai, thanks for seeing this through to an amicable ending, with additional projects!  It says a lot about your person.  Enjoy the house.

All, thanks too for being there all the while.

Cheers.

@omo_to_dun, you sure know what you are talking about! I'm liking you already

omo_to_dun:

@Tundebabzy

I completely disagree. If it is a game, it absolutely falls under the confines of AI. If you were to create a ludo game, of course, you would also add the expected Human Vs CPU mode; that, my brother involves serious AI. No one on NL can do that. Well, unless of course, they create a dumb AI that always makes an unintelligent move. Given the fact that Ludo is not deterministic, the decision tree would be larger than most deterministic games.

What you and sirlekoso are talking about is not AI, it is simply the game play rules. That is easy and any [i]i[/i]diot can pull that off.

I largely agree with you.  It involves serious AI.  I actually did one way back then!  It was developed using C.  It has the complete works, human vs human, human vs computer and computer vs computer, GUI, animation etc.  It involved a lot of research and mine was an original work since I couldn't get to find any previous work on it.

No one wants to create a dumb game that makes unintelligent moves.  Given that Ludo is a game of strategy, with incomplete information and certain elements of uncertainty, a combination of AI techniques was what I used to create a truly captivating game engine that competes well with humans.

SayoMarvel:

Ludo involves considerable AI (close to that of an average game on chess), and what @poster is talking about is majorly Human vs. CPU. An AI lecturer will really not be interested in Human versus Human. And @poster can do considerable coding. @poster only needs algorithms (those search stuffs) and class diagrams (to show what interacts with what, and how). I believe he can generate the code and build an executable jar. @poster will really appreciate your help.
@poster, I believe it will do you a lot of good if you upload what you have done so far so that guys can help you grease the wearing gears. That's how its done here.
And, y'all should expect a simple game from me too very soon

It's been so many years I did mine.  I can only provide a steer right now.  Let the poster think and research along the following combination of approaches which was what I used:

- probabilistic reasoning: as tokens moves are determined by throw of dice, probabilistic reasoning gives you the likelihood of occurrence of any combination of numbers and how to make intelligent moves based on prediction.

- game theory, decision trees, value theory (min-max): these will enable you to determine the state of every token (both the opponents and yours) on the game board and attach values to each, refine the search and know the desirability of each token.

- Heuristics - the application of common sense reasoning.  This will further refine the choice.  Priorities may be applied to each token in terms of closeness to danger, safety on the board, closeness to home etc.  For example, if you have 2 tokens to play and one is in the home stretch and the other is steps away from 2 tokens of your opponent, which does common sense dictate you play when it's your move?  A set of these can be generated based on your knowledge of how the game is played.

webdezzi:

Ludo is a very simple task and involve some level of AI

Where AI comes into play will be when you include difficulty levels, For ludo, difficulty will take the form of you finding it hard to get a six, and the computer getting double six easily, or getting the exact number thats going send you back in.

While I agree that introduction of difficulty levels will be okay (though may be unnnecessary and unrealistic given what the poster asked for and his time limits), any algorithm that will include the 3 things you mentioned (highlighted) will be fraudulent and the game will not be fair again!

Teaman:

@webdezzi,
Agree with your post,
AI will also be needed for the CPU to know whether to chase, catch and send back home a guy in front, or just run, when being chased, or bring out a new guy with a six, bla bla bla.
Thinking about it now, considerable amount of AI can be involved in the Ludo game,

I employed quite a combination of AI techniques as mentioned above.  Other areas that could also be looked into includes the ability to pause or save the game during play to be resumed later while the computer 'remembers' the exact state of the game etc

tundebabzy:

I don't think a ludo game falls into the confines of AI because ludo is a very straight forward game.

sirlekoso:

Tundebabzy, i agree with you: ludo game is not an AI.

I beg to disagree!  Game playing is an area of focus in AI, just as Expert Systems, Robotics, Machine Learning, Reasoning, Heuristics, Neural networks, Speech Recognition etc.  In summary, AI aims to build systems that mimic human intelligence and behaviour.  The fact that it is a straight forward (?) game doesn't exclude it from being approached from an AI angle; be it using the game engine as a referee (understanding the rules and interpreting it) between human players, or as a player between human vs machine or even as players in machine vs machine!

I didn't know I will post here again!

@Ahonohai, your last post says it all.  I knew something must have happened.  Watching the video shows a clear lack of proper supervision.  For someone that likes finesse, I cannot take such.  I commend your grace and patience.  I must also say what you wrote is fair enough.

@Brabus, please and please stop this going back and forth and don't make any further rejoinders to his post.  You don't need such now.  Your client just showed and gave you what he wanted.  Look into his last post and get to work.  Let him meet you at site today.  Please use the opportunity to resolve this and don't let him get to take alternative action.

See what he wrote:

ahonohai:

5. He refuses to be accountable and take responsibility for his mistakes. I have made several concessions and am still willing to make more but he must be prepared to act aright and turn around the situation as we have limited time under this current dispensation of grace.

Take that cue and act wisely.

Ahonohai, you make me feel you didn't read my posts. I expect you to leave the trivial and focus on the main issue which is how to get your project delivered. This is why some of us have been trying to mediate. I don't know either of you. It's not nice you just totally ignore the attempts at resolving the issues. I asked questions that you didn't answer; gave options and alternatives that you didn't respond to. How then do we get the problem solved and get you satisfied? Exchanging words is certainly not the way to go.

Ahonohai,  thanks for taking time to respond.  It seems there are three things outstanding: 1) Bathroom partitioning and 2) The window unit A/C. 3) Oscillator

Brabus should get the bathroom partitioning done since you have agreed on the new approach.  Some posts ago, I gave some options when Brabus complained he has run out of money.  His lack of funds may be responsible for that.  

On the window unit A/C, I don't know how easy it will be for him to return what he has bought already.  The supplier may not just want to accept it back since it was installed already.  Since what he supplied was not what was agreed (at least verbally), he may have to add money for them to accept it back in exchange for a different brand (shouldn't be more than N5k-N10k difference though).  I must say the the A/C installation doesn't look too great (not the A/C itself but the padding on the wall).

He already agreed he will refund you 132k (I think for the laminate floor?).  I think you should forget about that oscillator since he couldn't get it anyway and instead get a split unit A/C if you dont want to start breaking the wall all over again.  Add the money for the oscillator to what he is to refund and get the split unit you want yourself.

So, what is your decision, having in mind he said he has run out of funds?

@Topic, I really don't like to take sides on issues, especially when I don't have all the facts from both sides. I followed the thread since when it started, even though silently then. Everyone will agree the renovation job was not even the reason for this thread! It came on when Brabus was already handling the block of flats. It was more like a job that could be handled quickly (2 weeks to be precise, though I had my reservation about the duration).

When he got the job, he was reluctant to even put the details online until he confirmed from his client if he would want to do that and he obliged. I must say someone who sets out primarily to defraud wouldn't do that. If he wanted to defraud, he could have done that without having to expose himself to ridicle in this manner and rubbish what he has been doing. There was transparency at the beginning and we all followed until issues started coming up. This is why I decided to weigh in and see an amicable solution to the issues involved. We shouldn't be quick to label Brabus a fraud or an embezzler of funds, even though things should have been handled differently.

Looking at the issues objectively, one would say he hasn't done well, which he already admitted. Things were not clearly spelt out, funds were not immediately utilised, certain prices were obviously below market prices, workers were disappointing, etc. I am not making excuses for him. I have categorically stated he disappointed us all. He allowed things to get out of hand. The client paid in full in advance including his fee (I wouldn't do that!!) and so has no reason to start hearing stories. He relied on professional expertise which he should get.

However, we must also all admit the unexpected does happen and things may not go according to plan sometimes. I don't see anything wrong in contractor supplying items. Is that not part of what the client hired him to do? The lapse is in not taking specs into consideration and I think that is a learning point for all, including Ahonohai, hence, my call for compromise!
I am about resolution of the issue.

I think Ahonohai's input will be needed now. Please what else remains to be done or what was not done properly, Ahonohai? Let's see how things can be sorted out since the issues have come to an open forum. There has to be compromises especially in those grey areas where things were not clearly specified from the onset. I think we are almost there. Waiting . . .

Are we still on this? I thought you two met on Saturday at the site and things were ironed out? Pray, what is that item that is still stalling the delivery of this project? I think we have come this far to start calling for court settlement!

I think there are 3 options:

- Ahonohai to give you more time to get money so as to get the remaining things done (how long I don't know, since you were pleading for more time) or
- he loans you the 50k so that you have a total of 132k+50K=182k to refund him at an agreed time or
- he decides to give you the additional 50k as variation while you agree on the time for the 132k refund.

If you ask me Ahonohai, I will take the 3rd option.  My reasoning is this:  If I had spent well over N2m to get this far, certainly 50k is a little price to pay to get my project delivered and forget about the saga.  I know Ahonohai is more than the 50k and wants to stick to the contract to prove a point.  Please let's resolve this I appeal.

Posted mine before your last reply.

Although that is gone, but you should have used N20 to call him from a business centre when that happened, not waiting till Monday for him to call you first.  I know there can be uncertainties.  That is why you learn to maintain communication at all times.

Does that mean the N50k will mean those things cannot be fixed by tomorrow?  Then, it doesn't make sense to hand over the keys when those things will still be outstanding.  I am not sure Ahonohai wants to take possession when those things are yet to be fixed.  Please clarify and make it plain.  I am sure he is reading all these.

The refund mentioned is what you can discuss with him tomorrow after his anger must have been pacified when he collects the keys.  I am sure there can be amicable solution to that once you meet up because, right now, trust is at stake. You can actually go a bit further by bringing part of the refund money tomorrow as well, with a promise to give him the balance at an agreed date. Please don't forget to have a bottle of wine (non alcoholic preferably!) ready as you hand over the keys! Little things can go a long way to appease an aggrieved client you know!

Then, take my advice and look for the N50k to finish the job and hand over the keys tomorrow as you promised. If he has rejected the doors, replace them (you can still use it in another project or take it back to the seller at a reduced price). I am sure you agree N50K is too small an amount to rubbish what you have done on this project and built over time. Even if it means the money has to come from your own fee!

Dirordaves, you have spoken well.

Brabus, you have to listen to your client's grouse. Check this:

ahonohai:


As per private meeting, he was supposed to meet with me on Saturday morning but he was no where to be found. I ended up calling him on Monday and he gave me excuses upon excuses. He could have simply called me up on Saturday afternoon and said he wouldn't be able to meet up. Where is the integrity?

ahonohai:

Anyway, I called him this evening and he told be that the work will have been completed by Saturday morning. We have a meeting scheduled for 10am. I hope to be pleasantly surprised when I get there.

Now you have siad this:

NextHome:

Good morning, I didn't know all this was happening. I'll handover my clients key to him tomorrow.

Please let your client and all of us be pleasantly surprised.

You have to understand things from the point of view of your clients. You don't promise what you cannot deliver. And if you know there are changes to arrangements, then you have to communicate before. Not meeting appointments and allowing him to call you days after is not good for business.

Looking at the issue from your client's point of view, we must commend him for his patience and understanding so far. You really owe him a lot of apologies, the first step being handing the keys to him tomorrow as you promised. Imagine if this was a rented apartment and 2 months is gone already out of 1 year's rent without having to enjoy the house you rented!

I don't think you owe any of us the breakdown really.  It's your client that needs it.  Let me ask, how much is needed to finish this project, including items your client pointed out?

The reason I said so is that this project was to be for 2 weeks.  The cost was fully paid (more than N2m if I remember).  Variation was applied and delivery date shifted severally.  Several weeks after (getting to months now), there is still a deadlock and the project undelivered.  Client has said he won't go to the site again until delivered and Brabus said he has run out of money.  What then is the way forward?  Some of us were silently looking forward to the completion of the project.

Going by what was listed by Brabus, 4 bulbs, 3 switches, painting of gate, shouldn't be the reason for the delay.  The wardrobe/kitchen cabinet was started, just to complete it.  The only thing I see on the list that should cost some money are the kitchen/ toilet doors (if they are yet to be bought).  I guess that should be 3 of them.  Now, having in mind the client already committed so much to the project and seeing things are like this already, Brabus should communicate with his client and look for a way to complete the job, then plead for his client to help offset some of the loss- after completion, not before!

Ahonohai, can you list and cost what else remains for this house to be delivered?  According to Brabus, the list is:

NextHome:

LSPDC Reno:

Pending work
- Installation of 4 bulbs.
- Installation of 3 water heater switch
- Complete installation of the wardrobe/kitchen cabinet.
- Installation of the kitchen/toilet doors.
- Painting of the entrance gate (black)

If the cost is not too much (looks like what less than N100k will handle according to his list) maybe you should count your loss, fix those things using someone else and take possession of your house.  The case is dragging too long and it's obvious there may not be any amicable solution to it.  Taking it up legally will further incur expenses on your part and further waste your time as well.  You once said you have items awaiting delivery that may still increase the longer you wait.  We win some and lose some.

And to Brabus, you inspired so many people when you started your thread and I am not so sure right now.  This is bad reputation for your business coming from a client.  If I were you, I would have looked for money elsewhere to deliver this project even at a loss, if only for the sake of reputation and integrity.  Imagine how many prospective clients you would have gained as a result.

Debosky, I think so.  I actually would have suggested it when she first posted her story.  I think it should be on its own, but since the advice given were marriage related, I left it.

Jenny, I know you!  I won't dare.  But I am sure you know what I mean.

Love you all.

David, you have stayed long enough in Romance section, is it not time you bring that damsel home?

So much to say. I think she got the message. I wasn't blaming David, just surprised where he came out from out of the blues to deliver some deadly blows to someone already down! She admitted her faults. It is time to learn her lessons and get back.

In treating wounds, after the initial pain and all, I don't think you deliberately still use force to dress it?

Jenny, and sometimes?

Oh I see she had even replied Davidylan and actually took his punches coolly. Can you see what I mean by someone sincere?

@souldiva, God bless you my sister souldiva. I am sure you will get out of it and ready to fire for the Lord again. Take your time and get back on your feet. The Lord is ever willing to take us back like the prodigal son. His father took him back, so our Father is willing too

Jenny I quite agree.  But let me ask you, how do you treat an injury on a person?  Is it by scrubbing with salt or gently nursing it back?

Davidylan!!!!!  Haba!!!!!!

That was very harsh of you.  This soul is wounded, you don't add to the injury and misery.  If you read her posts very well, you will see a sincere heart.  She wasn't blaming the guy alone, she actually shared it.  Moreso she loves the guy.

I asked for more explanation, that was when she delved more onto the relationship.  I can understand what she meant by referring to him as younder than her in the faith.  You can imagine someone that became a christian because of you.  They are not just engaged, he gave his life to Christ as a result of her friendship and testimony.  Now, if you ask me, she really let him down!

I understand your point.  I hope she takes the lesson and forgives you of insensitivity!

Where have you been BTW?

Debosky, I posted that before I saw yours.

Not when you take time to prepare her emotionally and otherwise! It works. You are not going to be asking 'excuse me madam, please can we have . . .'!! Like I said, so she is tired, no problem. She will come to the bed, is it not?

Get a bowl of warm water and a towel. No permission is needed. Start massaging the tired legs. No don't even suggest what you are about. Do a good job of it, admiring her beauty as you work. Jump over to the arms and face, then to the body, carefully avoiding certain areas. Adjust your position give her a peck on the forehead . . . just get on with the work. At this point, I think madam is relaxed and adjusting herself . . . The rest is up to you from then on

Madam CC, of course I know!  Pastor Serubawon was mindful of his response and didn't quite let it out!

I really don't know why certain men find it difficult to talk to their wives.  I happen to have a higher libido than my wife.  Communication is the key.  There is nothing we don't talk about as husband and wife.  It was easy for me to let her know because I love her and I am sure she wants to satisfy her man too.  Over the weekend, I was the one that kindof chickened out!!  That's to tell you how far she has improved over the years.

I can understand there will be times she may not be in the mood because of stress of work, illness, tiredness etc, but a man should know which buttons to press to awaken the tigress, even in that state.  It seems the thought of pleasing her husband sometimes is a satisfaction for a woman who truly loves her husband!  Correct me if I am wrong.

It seems many men are lousy and selfish lovers that are not ready to take their wives to that point.  A woman is wired differently and takes time to respond.  Also, a woman is not like a man that is at alert in a few seconds.  So, your wife is tired and not in the mood, get up and prepare something for her and serve her in bed.  When she is through, do the packing and just tell the queen to relax.  Come back and give her a loving massage!  By the time the temperature is warming up it will be too late to remember tiredness  But no, my fellow men will just pounce on her and go straight to business of the day

Hmmmh, I just remember we are having sermon. . .

serubawon:

@Analytical. No be only me go dey answer questions o

You have my back!

@souldiva, apologies not necessary.  You needed to let that out.  It helps.  You have been given great counsels by Serubawon, Debosky and blank that I don't think I need to add anything again.  Thank you guys for helping a wounded soul.

I like it when you said you share the blame.  Like Serubawon said, I would have said it's time to call it quits if he had forced you.  You see what I meant when I said you don't carry the explicit talks too far?  You got too close to the threshold and passion took over.

Please get back to God fast if you have not done so already.  Right now what you need is the warm embrace of your Father in heaven.  Get back to fellowship with Him.  It's a good sign you feel the conviction.  Please let it lead you to genuine repentance not just remorse.  Sure you will carry the scar, but it will get you to realise your humanity and that you need His grace instead of relying on your 'sanity' to help you.

Then, follow the Serubawon's counsel.  You need to forgive him and yourself.  He also needs to come back to God.  Then you can truly start afresh if he is sincere.  For the fact that things have been sliding gradually before this, follow his advice and take precaution not to be alone together.  I would also suggest a little separation for now till you get back to your feet.

I sincerely feel your predicament in letting him and God down, moreso when you were expected to show him a more matured christian example.  Your being in the pastorate is not going to make it easy for you.  It is expected that you wll open up to the leadership about it.  That I know is the practice in most churches (not orthodox).  Sincerely, sometimes, this has the effect of breaking people rather than making them.  I have seen examples of people that will rather leave the church.  So get ready for a difficult time from the church and brethren as a result, especially because much was expected from you.

If your fiance is also helped to his feet and is truly repentant, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't continue your relationship and get married as quickly as you can.  If finances only is the problem I don't think it's that much of a problem.  The denomination issue can be settled between you two.  You guys just have to agree on where to fellowship, his or yours.  Compromise is one of the bedrocks of successful marriage.  You let go of some and he too.

Right now, I think you should let go of ministering in this state.  You don't want to be offering strange fire upon the altar!  Reconciliation with God should be your priority not public ministry.  I can only pray for grace for you at these times.  That the God of heaven will have mercy on you and take you back to the place of fellowship with Him and grant you grace to continue the race.

Know that a champion is not without scars and bruises.  (S)he it is, who was knocked down but not out, bruised and battered but not given up, fallen but rising again.  Rise up, champion, fight th good fight and don't give up.

@Souldiva, I feel for you.  In courtship we ought to keep ourselves under leash and unleash in marriage.  That is why although I expect issues to be discussed (including sex) during courtship/engagement, I wouldn't advise singles to go into the explicit and intricate specifics of lovemaking during that period.  Of what use is fantasizing about what you cannot experiment?  The end result is that you reach a point of no return and you tip over!

One can and should have a general knowledge or discuss about it but you go overboard when you begin to dwell on and imagine the act day to day.  Remember Philippians 4: 8 "Whatsoever is pure, holy, right . . ." etc is what you are to think about.  That is one difference between courtship and marriage.  The reason is because we are humans and as such have hormones that secret based on the thoughts and emotions that flow as a result, leading to bodies that react!  You cannot get near fire and not be burned.  One should learn to draw the line between affection and lust.  One is wholesome, the other is sinful.  You don't resist lust, you flee from it.

The deed is already done.  I am not going to lash you.  It will not help you in any way.  I will admonish you.  Before I do that let me ask a couple of questions so that I can get a good picture:

- Did he force you or is it with your consent?
- Is he a believer as well?
- What was delaying the marriage (you seem ready)?

Serubawon, the sermon cannot just end like that na! I hope questions are allowed in this sermon. Madam CC asked for methods to keep the bedroom temperature sizzling and I think you are playing it safe! Please start the war here and don't keep quiet. It's a holy war, as long as it provokes and inspires us and others to love our spouses the more and commit to the covenant we entered into with each other.