rec.autos.simulators

  I finally got GPL and would like to try VROC, but I don't want to be a
wiggling roadblock
for the experienced shoes.  Are there VROC servers setup for rookies?
dave henrie

Just get on. You can pick the novice games at first. Look at the notes
various host put up. If they say no rookies then it may not be for you. Lots
of host say "Rookie" or "Novice" or equivalent. The key thing is to drive
responsibly. Slow is okay, reckless is not. Obey the blue flag in practice
unless you are on a hot lap. In the race move over if you are being lapped.
Take special take at the start and in the first few turns. Don't be the
cause of an accident. Install core.ini from Alison's site, turn down your
graphics until you get 36fps in most places and, if you are on an analogue
modem, attempt to connect at no faster than 28.8 kbps.
Other than this have some great racing - it's way more fum than racing the
AI,
Cheers,
Paul

|and, if you are on an analogue
|modem, attempt to connect at no faster than 28.8 kbps.
|Other than this have some great racing - it's way more fum than racing the
|AI,
|Cheers,
|Paul

Excuse me? Is there something (else) going on that I don't know about? How
do you tell the difference? My ears aren't fast enough to hear if the elves
are singing harmony or simply screaming out "ONE! ZERO! ZERO! ONE!".

Looking for any input you may have.

I just report what I read. Apparently connections are better at 28.8 kbps than
at 56 kbps with analogue modems. One possible reason for this is that you
seldom get better than 28.8 upstream with a 56 kbps connection. This difference
between up and down could result in your connection getting swamped. No,
doesn't sound very good does it, if you're using Alison's core.ini you prevent
yourself from exceeding the 28.8 limit anyway.
Someone please give us the reason.
Cheers,
Paul

 The issue is data integrity.  As a GPL client, you apparently don't need more
than a 24K connect speed.  If you can connect at a higher speed reliably, then
fine.  But typically, modems will try to connect at max speed unless "told" to
do otherwise, through init strings(which vary by modem make-read your docs) and
such.  And modems, just like us drivers, tend to be more ahhh,  error-prone,
when on the bleeding edge.:-)  Instead of collecting hay in its teeth, your
modem has retrains, lost packets, and the like, which show up in online play as
the unpleasant "warping" and the dread "disco".  The same applies to your
framerate.  You need to dial down your graphics settings in order to stay at
36FPS as much as possible.  By setting your connect speed(and graphics) to a
slower, but reliable pace, you'll avoid these problems and cause less grief for
your fellow racers.
Pretty much the same applies for driving.  Don't try for top speed in every
corner, but the top speed you can drive consistently, lap after lap without
munching it.  Watch your mirrors and try not to obstruct faster cars.  You'll
learn more by letting them by and chasing than by blocking them.  And try to
avoid bumping other cars.  Little taps that mean nothing offline can get
dramatic online, due to gaps in the data being interpreted by GPL's physics
engine.  Bumps become BOOMS.  Definitely not good.  It'll happen some, but it's
best to avoid it if possible.  Apologies to all who've assisted in my
(continuing)education on that one!

Read all the info on VROC about setting up first, do what it says, and leap
into the fray.  Online's got some problems, but it IS loads of fun.

See you out there,

Steve B.

remove "edy" from address for email

Hey Dave... um, there are some listed like that from time to time. But I
would just say to try it *anytime* and don't worry about it too much.
The only thing I would recommend is joining a track you know very well
and are reasonably competitve at. Why? Because you will be much more
suited to racing there, and more comfortable as well. If you find
yourself off the pace, just keep an eye on your mirrors and let the
faster people through if you find yourself being lapped. Don't race them
hard. Have fun! You will almost always find someone to race with, as
there is often a spread of talent.

-_Dave

--
Dave Schwabe
The Aussie Toad -- Grand Prix Legends & Brabham site
http://users.wi.net/~schwabe

% Hey Dave... um, there are some listed like that from time to time. But I
% would just say to try it *anytime* and don't worry about it too much.
% The only thing I would recommend is joining a track you know very well
% and are reasonably competitve at. Why? Because you will be much more
% suited to racing there, and more comfortable as well. If you find
% yourself off the pace, just keep an eye on your mirrors and let the
% faster people through if you find yourself being lapped. Don't race them
% hard. Have fun! You will almost always find someone to race with, as
% there is often a spread of talent.

There are many tracks that I really only learned while online
(Nurburgring not being one of those, but I am still trying to learn it
<G>).  It is helpful for you to familiarize yourself with a track before
venturing online.  But you do not need to have mastered the track.  Just
know what your limits are and try to drive near those limits (the same
goes for the hotshoes).  If you know your limits, and can control the
car (even if it is slowly), you will do fine online.  I remember where I
was almost always sure to be at least one lap down at all tracks when I
first started online.  However, being able to see how others were
attacking the course greatly enhanced my learning abilities.  The worst
you could do online is wreck every couple of yards and thus be a hazard
to others trying to enjoy the experience.  Stay within your limits and
you will do fine.  Hope to see you on the track soon.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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