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Board » Technical Support » Is there a test server?

Posted by
bc


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2011-10-31 03:32:01
2012-01-14 15:34:23 - Is there a test server?
Here is the situation: twice now I've loaded up my course prior to a race start (6/8 hours before)than log in a few hours after the start to find that I'm still at the starting line. The first time I figured it was cockpit error, maybe didn't covert the time correctly or something.

This time (start of SWR leg 3) I was careful to verify course and time. Heading 30 minutes prior to 10:00z was set to 33 degrees, again at 10:00:01z (just in case) another course set of 33 degrees. There were multiple course updates after that.

When I woke this morning and checked the progress I was still at the starting line. I can see that my list of changes had been executed up to the current time but I was still in irons at the start. I manually set my course and it started fine and auto course changes are being executed now without an issue.

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how this could happen. I'm certain I read in the manual that after the toe back to the start area (1 hour prior to the start) that course headings could be entered and the boat would hold that position until the start. Just to make sure this time I didn't even do practice racing prior to the start so I was already in the starting area.

The fact that the course change list had incremented leads me to think this is server side but even if the headings prior to the start time were ignored (and I doubt they were)the 10:00:01 and following headings should have worked.

On the other hand, I don't see how this could be client side because the the course was loaded via Brainaid's DC editor and the client listed the course in the course list.

SO, Is there a test server/race anywhere where I can set up starts to try and duplicate/debug this anomaly OR does anyone have any suggestions why this might have happened and how to avoid it in the future?

Bruce


--- Last Edited by bc at 2012-01-14 15:38:41 ---
Posted by
RainbowChaser


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2009-06-14 09:44:50
2012-01-14 20:44:39 - Re: Is there a test server?
Hi bc - sorry to hear you are having problems with start DCs. I am not on the Devt/Tech side but I can confirm that there isn't a test side for SOLers to use.. practising setting DCs during pre-race practice is always good and can highlight issues. Needing to set start DCs for the informal evening short practice races really sorts out problems!

Best I can suggest is, apart from your joining in Practice Races, that for your next race you upload your start DC, refresh the DC tab so they are all listed completely in SOL and then take a screenshot.

Then... if you can't see anything amiss and your DCs fail to start you, you have a pic of what was set to post here in Forum.

More than one pair of eyes is always good!

I think you know this but its worth resaying for others to be reminded... the DC you set for your race start MUST be firing within the 1hr towback time or precisely at the start-time for it to fire correctly. So, for example, if race start is 1000utc.. then your DC must be set to fire from 0901 to 1000utc on race day for your boat to start at 1000utc.

It is always frustrating when one can't find out what is happening... but rest assured.. we've all been there!! There will be an answer and we will find out what it is :-)
___________________


--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2012-01-14 20:46:31 ---
Posted by
bc


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2012-01-14 23:02:57 - Re: Is there a test server?
Hi RainbowChaser,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I did know about having to have a DC set within the hour of start. I set mine for 30 minutes before. Again, its probably cockpit issues, if it were a server bug I wouldn't be the only one experiencing it. The screen shot is a great idea for next time around.

I didn't know about "evening practice races" though. Are they announced somewhere? That would be ideal for testing.

Thanks again for the help. Hope you catch your rainbow, saw one end over an Irish pub once. Didn't find a pot of gold but the beer was really good :)
Posted by
mustang_sally


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2011-04-23 14:01:51
2012-01-16 18:10:14 - Re: Is there a test server?
bc, Try this.... on the home page it has a countdown to the start of the next race.
For example if it says 6 hours to go, set your DC to start the race in 5.5 hours,
So set it for 30 mins before what ever it says.

OR, When setting DC use the clock on the instrument panel.
You don't have to convert any time then.
Remember if the race starts at 10.00 utc you don't try and convert it so your DC goes off at 10.00 your time.

--- Last Edited by mustang_sally at 2012-01-16 18:10:50 ---

--- Last Edited by mustang_sally at 2012-01-16 18:16:42 ---
Posted by
RainbowChaser


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2009-06-14 09:44:50
2012-01-16 18:48:34 - Re: Is there a test server?
bc - evening practice races are a very informal affair but everyone is v welcome to join in!

If you go back to the Forum main page you will find one called "Practice Racing"...and if you have a look at what has gone before you will get an idea of how they work.

V sociable, great chance to practise a new polar/how to SOL... the races are in the UTC evenings during pre-race practice and start close-ish to SOL start so folks can join in.

There are also some Notes on how to race posted in the Forum - they are pretty much up to date but, as I say, it is all fairly relaxed - folks can join in halfway etc!

Look forward to seeing you there!!

:-)
Posted by
Rod


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2010-06-24 22:30:48
2012-01-20 17:41:29 - Re: Discrepancies needing repair
At my current position, the upper right of the screen shows the wind at 3.5 kn @ 41.3 deg, while the bar across the bottom shows 5.23 Kn @ 357.78, both at my boat position. Is there some problem here or am I mis-reading something?

p.s. When I got back to my boat from the forum page, the wind speed had corrected itself so that both indications were reading the same. Is this normal?

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-20 17:46:39 ---
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
NZL_undercover


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2009-07-31 03:29:32
2012-01-21 15:59:54 - Re: Is there a test server?
.

--- Last Edited by NZL_undercover at 2012-01-21 16:00:50 ---
Posted by
Rod


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2012-01-21 18:31:15 - Re: Is there a test server?
..

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-21 18:31:41 ---
The same phenomenon occurred again--refreshing the screen eliminated it--does this mean that screen info is unreliable unless immediately following a refresh???

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-21 20:15:59 ---
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
76Trombones


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2009-08-03 18:04:56
2012-01-21 22:03:55 - Re: Is there a test server?
Hi Rod - maybe check you system clock, which can introduce small errors.

The instruments come straight from the server, so are correct. The calculation for the cursor is done by your own computer, so the clock settings make a difference. In fast shifts and in particular areas on the map you can sometimes see mismatches, but for the most part you can ignore them.

The other thing that might be going on is that the instruments are showing "old" data due to a slow connection. I've had a few issues with dropping the connection to SOL this year (You can monitor using advanced browser tools). Refresh always fixes it.

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