I'm curious as to what factors go into the 'compare' command. I've found plenty of equipment that compares as worse than what I'm wearing but turns out to be better. I'm sure this is inevitable as different classes will find different objects more or less valuable, but I'd still like to know if this command has any real use, especially in the case of weapons, or if I'm better off just testing things out myself by wearing them and forgetting about the command altogether.

On a somewhat related note, I'd also like to know what options I have in identifying objects when playing a class that doesn't have the 'identify' spell. I'm sure RP interaction would be one way, but I don't think I can find it in me after my experiences here to trust that some random mage that agrees to identify an object for me won't just run off with it! So assuming I have no trustworthy allies to help me out, and that my lore skill is too low to provide any truly useful information, what other options are out there?