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Posted by A2  |
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I am not here to complain about the current state of affairs or to criticize anyone for how they conduct their affairs within the scope of this website.
I have no nautical background and yet I enjoy this vicarious experience as an armchair skipper. I am impressed by the fact that those who are well seasoned and active sailors find this 'game' so compelling, as do I. I certainly see the value in having a high degree of realism for those who want to test their routing skills and apply it to their real life excursions. I find the idea of localized wind field variations appealing so that the grid was not so homogeneous. That should not impede strategic considerations but could enhance tactical interplay during periods of active participation. This is not the first instance that these related topics have been raised either in chat or in various forum threads but it certainly seems to have struck a nerve this time around and the issue has been joined by knowledgeable and capable spokesmen for excellence and competitive balance. Without prejudice to those who assist each other, as that has been explicitly allowed and has been a long standing practice, I would like to propose a category for Singlehanded registration. This could be accomplished without any changes to the client software or in game display of the listed rankings. Simply allow a choice whereby the 2nd option would be the boat type followed by a boldface capital 'S'. Then when viewing the leaderboard under the Races tab from the main website one could scan the list and determine how well they did relative to those who were of a similar mind. I do not suggest any changes as to how the overall rankings are calculated just a race by race delineation. None so blind |
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Posted by Jawz  |
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A real interesting proposal 76. Will Kalle and Jakob look into the changes or are we just airing our wishes.
I do feel that we must do something either with the user interface as I suggest or with the game engine or both, this in order to take the game forward and to freshen the challenge for all of us! |
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Posted by NOR_Jawik  |
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I like the idea of WX change that deviates from reality. I could go so far as to collect WX from several months earlier and use this.
What about the transition between the WX? Can WX be arranged so that one avoid a brutal transition? A few weeks ago we sailed from Huron to Chicago and saw a brutal transition two to three hours before the finish line. There was no way to predict this transition. |
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Posted by Tempest  |
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The diverting weather looks appealing to me.
But as Jawz already suggested is it us daydreaming or a real possibility that actually can be implemented. A breakup into divisions as suggested on various occasions and again here in this post might also be an option . However if a choice in programming resources would have to be made i would vote for the 1st option and see what it brings to SOL . Tempest |
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Posted by Rod  |
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I suggested a more visual racing program style. If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
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Posted by 76Trombones  |
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eheh Rod - nice persistence, I'm all for fancy visuals, but it has nothing to do with the current discussion. 76T's virtual perfect game uses the celestial nav components and square rigging, but the crux is pure math. SOL (and IRL long distance sailing) are routing games. Altering the presentation doesn't change the result. The SOL interface is pretty darned close to ideal for presenting the *relevant* info and enabling the necessary interactions...
The code to allow use of the VS4 visuals is manageable... No diff to the way we sail, but I'd really like to see it running paired with the polars for a whaling ship - maybe we can petition Aaron  ?
This thread is tackling fundamental gameplay, not the gui. 76T |
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Posted by Rod |
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It actually does run with polars, except in VS4 they are not actually presented. I know that VS4, as it exists, is not suitable for racing with a large number of boats--the weather is identical all over the world etc etc. I use it ONLY as an example of what can be achieved if anyone wants to do it. Sometime in the near future someone WILL do it, and then everyone will abandon SOL. The point is that SOL is very primitive as a sailing game, and someone will replace it. Why not the present operators of SOL? If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
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Posted by AGage  |
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Absolutely no need for apologies Andrea, I was simply responding letting anyone know exactly what my current tools do and don't do - perhaps i was mistaken, but a few of my tools do seem to be intimitely caught up in what seemed the original discussion, so i was merely clarifying a few things 
And writing about time spent was not at all aimed to you, but to the general set of people who seem to think all we do is optimise a route, then plug it into SOL, go about a daily business and win the race
Rod: As I tried to explain in your other thread, adding that level of GUI sophistication is not at all a trivial undertaking - if a single developer created Virtual Sailor, you can bet he a) spent a HUGE amount of time on it and b) already had many components written before he even started the project - indeed most of the features you see now probably have been incrememntally added of years of version upgrades. And 76T backed my statement that it adds nothing to the realiam of this simulator, it is only graphical 'prettiness'. I have already offered my time to Kalle et al, even spent quite a bit of it brushing up on my python (SOLs backend language) and learning ActionScript (The client language for Flash). So if there is anyway I can help with whatever is decided upon, I volunteer. Perhaps i am missing what brought this discussion up to begin with - infact I probably am, as the more it has developed the more I am trying to figure out what started it lol. THe problem with writing software for SOL, is in enabling ALL to use it. Java is the ideal solution there, but some things are incredibly difficult without direct OS support (ie transparent windows like in my polar butterfly overlay), and of course it could be done with Flash but would then just end up re-inventing the SOL client not creating 'add-ons'. @Andrea: you probably wont be surprised to learn that a VMG/VMC 'autpilot' is part of my toolkit, also max BS - but honestly it not often useful... Personally I can only see making the server weather different from client weather as problematic. Sure, you dont sail the exact forecast IRL, but atleast you are there to see what you ARE sailing in, and have advanced warnings of certain patterns approach etc visually. Setting DCs would be almost impossible, unless you overshoot the waypoints for safety (and again, the weather may change such that you overshoot by 3Nm more instead of the approximated 1nm - which is again no good). I cannot see what limiting steering accuracy to integer degrees would acheive, other than further limit the number of possible routes. I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__ |
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Posted by Rod |
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to 76T :-I am going to drop this whole idea of improvements to SOL as they are obviously not wanted.
I am also going to drop the idea that rules are rules. I will continue to race in the main races, but not the practice races (I don't want to develop bad habits in IRL sailing). I will however wait for the introduction of a better sailing game with additional realism such as gusty winds, tidal currents, celestial nav, the RRS, and proper ship-handling. Speed the day! If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy. |
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Posted by Jeroen  |
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Thank you all for your posts in this topic.
I wan't to reply to the comments made earlier, we are looking at this with great interest and trying to work out a workable sollution for this issue. We have had this discussion a few times before but we are still looking for a way to implement this directly on the server side. We wan't to avoid subjective ruling as much as possible and we are very hessistant to limit the current user freedom. Limiting acces to a single ip will also limit the freedom to check Sol on the road and at work. Also we strongly feel that Sol must be a open and fair community to all. We are looking at some general rules to adres this initialy on the basis of a fair use policy. So we can adress the obvious cases. Please let me know your thoughts on that idea, so we can turn this discussion into something productive. Jeroen I wrote this reply for another topic but feel this is a good reply for this topic as well. --- Last Edited by Jeroen Tiel at 2011-04-06 08:37:49 --- I provide feedback and am admin of Sailonline.
hometown: Groningen, The Netherlands |
Races
Next Race: 00d 00h 00m
Current Races:
Garagiste's Test Lab
Race #1939
INFOby brainaid.de
RC 44 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
23 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Aug 10th 12:00 Registration will open soon
GO TO RACE
Patricks Test
Race #1932
INFO by brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SSANZ - SYC
Race starts: Aug 03rd 08:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Joanne's Test Race Zone
Race #1847
INFOby brainaid.de
Fareast 31R PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - RED
Race starts: Jul 25th 12:00 Registration Closed
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Marstrand to Cowes 2025
We invite you to another race, which will kick off the third quarter of our ARCH series. We'll set off from Marstrand, Sweden, which, along with Skagen, Denmark, marks the line commonly recognised as the border separating the Baltic Sea from the North Sea. The 650nm route will take our Ripitide 50 across the North Sea and the English Channel to Cowes, England. Watch out for the fast ferries crossing the Channel from Calais to Dover 😊.
Race #1935
INFO from brainaid.de
Riptide 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
ARQ3 - ARCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Jul 21st 17:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Nantucket Sprint 2025
Welcome to Nantucket, from whence Herman Melville’s Cap’n Ahab sailed round The Horn into the northern Pacific Ocean to hunt the gray whale - whose migrations are celebrated elsewhere in SOL’s Q4 schedule - he never to return. And whaling too, as the 19th C progressed, like Ahab disappeared from Nantucket as the harbour silted up and mainland Massachusetts whaling stations benefited from rail connections. But beach life, yachting and nostalgia has rescued the island from oblivion, so to celebrate leisure, SOL gives you the Nantucket Sprint - 25nm in 29er_XX’s from east of Tuckernuck Island across the sound to a finish just inside the mouth of the harbour. Enjoy!
Race 1936
INFO by brainaid.de
29er_XX PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SPRQ3 - SPRCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Jul 19th 15:00 Registration Closed
GO TO RACE
Puil's Practice Palaver
Nearly there; only 2500nm to go, round the Horn and up the Red Sea to Suez into what will more than likely be more headwinds for this sixth leg of our African circumnavigation, to be followed in September by a final sneaky dash up the canal back to where we started all those months ago. We’ll be sailing a not entirely appropriate-for-upwind-work 60ft Trimaran!
Race #1859
INFOby brainaid.de
60ft Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - ABS
Race starts: Jun 03rd 11:30 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Gulf of St Lawrence - test - Mirek
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Race starts: Apr 21st 17:00
Registration Open!
Stefan's Duck Pond
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1900
INFO by brainaid.de
Orange 125 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ3 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Feb 06th 00:00 Registration Closed
GO TO RACE
Trapped Camel
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Race starts: Aug 21st 15:03
Registration Open!
Caravanserai
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Race starts: Aug 08th 17:00
Registration Open!
Patrick's Playpen
Welcome to the legendary "Westcoaster," a race that has tested sailors for over 50 years. Spanning 435 nautical miles, this iconic journey takes racers from Melbourne, across the formidable Bass Strait, and around Tasmania's rugged west coast to the finish line in Hobart. Organized by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, the Westcoaster is renowned for its challenging conditions and adventurous spirit. This year, our SOLers will tackle the course in the swift and capable First 47.7, a yacht launched by Beneteau in 2000, built for speed and endurance in long ocean races. Get ready for an exhilarating ride in one of Australia’s most celebrated yacht races!
Race #1841
INFO by brainaid.de
First 47.7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Aug 03rd 08:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Mirek's Mess & Canteen
music deleted
Race starts: Apr 26th 18:00
Registration Closed
Antarctica 1 of 3
-
Race starts: Jan 27th 21:57
Registration Open!
Flinders Island TIMED Race 2024
Race #1776
INFO by brainaid.de
Ocean 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
27 January at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Jan 14th 12:00 Registration Open!
GO TO RACE
Tasman Double 2023 - Hobart to Sydney
music deleted
Race starts: Jan 02nd 02:00
Registration Open!
John's Test Zone
It's time to test your ocean racing skills in a variety of weathers as we head the 6400 NM between Hong Kong and Auckland in a fast Super Maxi 100. We'll be heading from a northern summer to a southern winter so keep plenty of cold weather gear and warm rum on board!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1597
INFOby brainaid.de
Super Maxi 100 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ3-OCCH-SUPSOL-SYC
Race starts: Sep 01st 04:00
Registration Closed
calm's Practice Race
Last raced in 2021, we return to Boston for another race to Newport. And just like in 2021, the chosen boat is once again the speedy R/P 66. This is a TIMED race so pick your winds wisely and see how quickly you can complete this 132nm run! For reference, the winning time in 2021 was 6:12:28.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run
Race #1700
INFO by brainaid.de
R/P 66 PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday, 18 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Aug 05th 12:00
Registration Closed
ZONA DE PRUEBA DE MANUEL
Please note the displayed course is provisional; the actual course will be set after the IRL course is announced at the skipper's briefing 48 hours before the start, and no later than 24 hours before the start.
Race #1561
INFOby brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - NTR
Race starts: Jan 10th 14:00 Registration Closed
GO TO RACE
San Sebastian to La Rochelle 2021
Once again, our SOL race will be shared with a group of Polish sailors, representing one of the stages of their Virtual Training Cruise around Europe. 171 nm in Delphia 47s across the not always calm Bay of Biscay from San Sebastian to La Rochelle will undoubtedly be one to test their skills. Welcome/Witajcie and we wish you all fair winds.
Race #1441
INFOby brainaid.de
Delphia 47 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Mar 05th 17:00
Registration Open!
Aland Sea TIMED Race
Norrtalje Segelsallskap, 70km NE of Stockholm was founded in 1920, and time was when the society’s season opened with a challenging offshore race from the club line off Flaten island at the mouth of the long and narrow Norrtaljeviken, out onto a triangular course around the Aland Sea, to finish at Simpnas slightly to the north on Bjorko island - some 78nm in total. A fine race that SOL, being from these parts, ran annually up until 2013. Last run in autumn 2018, we return here to race the course again in the form a TIMED RUN in spanking new Club Swan 50s.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run.
Race #1444
INFO by brainaid.de
Club Swan 50 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
RANKING:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday, 28 February at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Feb 15th 12:00
Registration Closed
Bimmer's Test Zone
What about a speedy X-362 380nm race in the waters off S America, just to blow cobwebs away!!
Race #1415
INFOby brainaid.de
X-362 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SYC
ALT. CLIENT:Classic
Race starts: Dec 21st 16:00
Registration Open!
Antarctica 3 of 3
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Race starts: Sep 16th 11:13
Registration Closed
BLANK POLAR
Race starts: Feb 16th 00:00
Registration Open!
SYC Ranking
Series
- test
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- 2016 TRQ4
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- 2012 Tall Ships
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- 2011 Vancouver Island
- 2011 Tasman Double
- 2011 SSANZ B&G Simrad
- 2011 SOL Global Challenge
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- 2011 Scandinavian Tour
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- 2011-2012 SOL World Race
- 2010 Tasman Double
- 2010 Ouzo Rally
- 2010 Iberian Tour
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- 2008 -2013 SYC Week Race Championship
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