rec.autos.simulators

In keeping with my self-imposed promise to keep my r.a.s. posts short, let
me say:

"Way to go Papyrus!"

I applaud this attempt to clean up the online servers for N4....even if it
only involves the Papyrus Servers at this point.  Its a step in the right
direction.  I actually didn't think Papyrus would try to address this
problem......and I consider this move to be indicative of a possible "new
era of thinking" at Papyrus!  If it is....that's going to be great for the
online racing community.

Regards,

Tom Pabst

You have miss-understood what I meant by "new era of thinking."

I wasn't knocking Papyrus in any way.  Especially, I was not referring to
anything related to their "support of the online racing community."  They
have always supported online racing in a substantial way (in my opinion).
What I was referring to.....was "how" they've support online racing in the
past....and "what" they were willing to do.  Except for the NROS events,
Papyrus has not been willing to act as an "online racing police
force"....and probably rightfully so.  They have done lots of things to
support **policing** in online league racing ....with code in their
sims.....and code in their online server programming.  But, they've
generally shied away from policing general pick up racing......leaving that
primarily to those individuals running dedicated race servers.......or to
the "its a jungle out there" mentality of some of us long-term online
drivers.  They have also shied away from anything that involved some "risk
taking"...especially where licensing or legal issues could arise (again,
rightfully so).

This move to attempt to do something about the online wreckers.....has some
risk in it.  First, there's risk that it will be **ineffective**....and
there's some legal risk with regard to their ability to block someone who
has legally purchased their "game" from online racing (in any capacity).
Apparently, someone at Papyrus "did their homework" and they have found
enough of a legal foundation in their EULA to at least...give this a trial.
I think most of the old-timers around here will agree that this represents
"new thinking" at Papyrus.....and that is what I was referring to in my
original post.

I do agree with you however, after re-reading my statement....I can see how
it looks like I might be making a facetious statement.....and  that I was
actually knocking Papyrus.  My apologies....I didn't intend it to read that
way.

Regards,

Tom Pabst

| Guys...
|
| In keeping with my self-imposed promise to keep my r.a.s. posts short, let
| me say:
|
| "Way to go Papyrus!"
|
| I applaud this attempt to clean up the online servers for N4....even if it
| only involves the Papyrus Servers at this point.  Its a step in the right
| direction.  I actually didn't think Papyrus would try to address this
| problem......and I consider this move to be indicative of a possible "new
| era of thinking" at Papyrus!  If it is....that's going to be great for the
| online racing community.
|
| Regards,
|
| Tom Pabst
|

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you forgot your self-imposed promise quickly... ;-)

Achim

| Hi Tom,
|
| you forgot your self-imposed promise quickly... ;-)
|
| Achim
<snippped for obvious band space.phew :)..>

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I've reported 2,3 "violators" already - but it usually take 10-15 minutes to
get anyone to tell me the correct time  - in EDT that is!

I wish there were some other,  easier way to report these violators.

BTW, could anyone tell me how many hours EDT (NOT EST) is behind GMT or CET?

--
ed_

See also:

http://www.worldtimezone.com/time24.htm

Jan.
=---
"Pay attention when I'm talking to you boy!" -Foghorn Leghorn.

<snipped>
| I've reported 2,3 "violators" already - but it usually take 10-15 minutes
to
| get anyone to tell me the correct time  - in EDT that is!
<snipped>
| BTW, could anyone tell me how many hours EDT (NOT EST) is behind GMT or
CET?
|
| --
| ed_
|
|

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.265 / Virus Database: 137 - Release Date: 7/18/2001

My "new rule" only applies to "new posts."

There....did I sufficiently dodge that issue?   ...lol...

Tom

I talked to Barnes and Noble.....they said my novels were too long!
....lol....

Tom

But....there has to be some "checks and balances" against someone abusing
the reporting procedure too.  So, I can't see any other way for Papyrus to
do this without being able to see the race replays directly.  Can you?

I am a bit fuzzy about just exactly how Papyrus would identify a wrecker's
ID and/or CD key.  Is the CD key data transmitted to the Papyrus servers
every time you race.....or only when you log in?  What is to prevent someone
from buying another copy of N4?   And, how about the case where some kid is
using his dad's CD key to log in to the N4 servers....say, after
school...when dad's still at work?  How does dad get his right to run online
N4 back?

I will say that even if the incidents of intentional wrecking is
reduced....just because of the "fear of potentially being caught"....then
its worth the effort Papyrus is making.

Tom

yes, well dodged :-)

Achim

They are probably watching replays of the Papy servers (you have to give
them server name, race finishing time, lap number and driver names). For all
other servers, you can't report wreckers anyway, but they have admins out
there watching races, so you never know whether your race is under scrutiny
or not.

It does have an amazing effect - the extreme variety of wreckers who used to
wait for and try to hit you head-on lap after lap (which is how my LPI got
so bad - they used to have a crush on leaders...) has gone away, and with
the average Joe variety (those who conceil their intentions and just try to
harass you while you're near them) you have a fair chance of getting away
unharmed. And you'll only see them every x couple of laps, which improves
your chances as well.

As for the CD key, as I understood it the CD key is transmitted and linked
to your WON name. You could of course buy a new CD, but you'd lose your
rankings and have to shell out the money again. It seems to be a decent
deterrent for the moment.

Achim

<g>  If this still works the same way it did when I was a kid, Dad kicks little Johnny's ass for costing him his racing privileges.  If we spend any time guaranteeing parents protection from their kids, perhaps our energies are a bit mis-focused ;-)

BTW, I have a 16-year-old and while I've never been the ass-kicking sort, I have put a power-on password on the PC for two weeks on three occasions over the last two years.  I think he's starting to get the idea.