totally agree with Nick - when my spare time allows me to join in and I start (always too late) I simply try to catch some guys in front of me and try to work my way up. I had some good legs in the VOR - <50 - but it was hell lots of work - and the fun dropped. With a less ambitious attitude the fun is again rising (except that SOL closed the Rio inshore whithout letting me finish )

my 2pence

Berth aka Stu

I have no problem with anyone using routing software. Whether SailPlanner, MaxSea, Deckman, or any other (such as Eddie has created). After all this game was created to test SailPlanner, a routing software program. I personally do not use routing software. I just do it the old fashioned way using tools in the game, and sometimes a calculator and paper and pencil.

Nor do I have any problem with Eddie's or anyone else using knowledge of weather patterns or NOAA projections. Anyone can download a free grib file reader from ugrib.us and see the weather about 45 min before it is installed in the game. Eddie has spent many hours in hard study of weather and weather patterns and I think it is rightful and fair that he can use that knowledge and talent in the game.

Here is where I think the line was crossed into unfair advantage:
"Now, after finishing the real brain work above, I use a script to program my planed track into SOL using DCs (delayed commands). I did not think about this being unfair at all, it simply was the logical step for me."

This use of a widget to program his course by DCs, I think has given him an advantage over all of us without such a tool.

I am not so sure if access to such a tool for everyone would be a solution. Many of us have lobbied for a simpler Delay Command tool. Or, for a projected course line that would show results of set DCs. I'm sure that such presents huge programing and server load implications. Many of us have also asked for a go-to-WayPoint and change course tool. If that would make the game too easy, how easy would a tool that that would read the divider tool lines and points and enter them into DCs make the game. To me a script that would take the readout of a routing program and enter that into DCs in the game is the same thing.


--- Last Edited by captjack1942 at 2009-11-20 21:07:48 ---

I read Captjack's post and a thought happened Why can we not set positional DC's? Would this make it too easy perhaps? Ive often thought that this would help me during the week when Im working and stop the SLI's from jumping into my path. It would help if I could sail for 10.5 nm and then turn rather than wait for the weather to change and affect my time lapse DC and I hit the land. How often Ive been caught out by my boat speeding up or slowing down and creating problems while Im asleep.

What I was trying to say is, if having a waypoint command line instead of/and the delay command line would make the game too easy. Then having a script that automatically enters delay commands(or even direct commands)really makes it easy.

I can see where a waypoint command would certainly help with work, sleep, travel problems. I'd certainly be in favor of it, even if there were a limit on the number of commands per 24 hours.
What would really be nice is a 6 hour projected course line that shows the results of delay commands.

Anyway, those are wishes, what I'd really like is for Eddie to rejoin us and race with us...all on equal footing as it were. If there are to be special tools for piloting they should be part of the game and easy for all to use.


--- Last Edited by captjack1942 at 2009-11-20 21:29:27 ---

I for one, am really happy sailors with the expertise of Brainaid and enjoy the challenge. He gives me a good yardstick to measure myself against.
I use SOTP method and enjoy the challenge. In real-life sailing, I sailed as a Saturday sailor for years with a hot Sydney Harbour Etchells fleet and always enjoyed the challenge of pitting myself against professionals. We have picked up a few trophies over the years, but the thrill was in the competition.
come back Eddie!

oops, missed some words out.
I for one, am really happy to race against sailors with the expertise of Brainaid and enjoy the challenge. He gives me a good yardstick to measure myself against.
I use SOTP method and enjoy the challenge. In real-life sailing, I havesailed as a Saturday sailor for years with a hot Sydney Harbour Etchells fleet and always enjoyed the challenge of pitting myself against professionals. We have picked up a few trophies over the years, but the thrill was in the competition.
come back Eddie!

How does it work? Am I right that all routing sorfware relies on the polars in XL that Brain so kindly shares with the rest of us?

How does brain get the polar numbers?

I dont want Brain to feel like he shouldnt make the most of his hard work and I dont think that software/non-software divisions can be policed. But I am too computerdumb to build my own software and too cheap to buy anyone elses.

If I am right that software needs the XL document, would having a few races in different boats where we get the polar picture on the steering tab but the XL data is unavailable solve the problem?

If I am wrong, please refer to the computerdumb statement above.

Nowadays we give away the polars in the client

so if we did a few races where the polar numbers were kept secret, would that mean that you wouldnt be able to use software for those races?

I dont usually get involved in the software debate. I think brain & co have done quite a good job of dveloping the skills and software and I'm usually happy to be within sight of them every now and then. Its just that I've been away from sol for a month or so and this debate is still going. I dont think that brain not sailing is a very good solution.

--- Last Edited by JEBA _ at 2009-11-25 20:33:40 ---

There are always ways to decode the polars if you are computer-skilled enough so we considered it more fair to give everybody the same chance by giving the polar in the open.