rec.autos.simulators

This is a question to Adam and to all IndyCar Racers on R.A.S.:

Will IndyCar Racing III (not the Rendition-ready version) keep track
of the number of tire sets and chassis used during a race weekend?  I
am not suggesting that Grand Prix Manager II complexity be introduced,
but it would be interesting to be able to scrub in a set of tires for
use later that weekend.  In addition, it is likely that a minor shunt
with your primary car on Saturday could be fixed in time for Sunday,
but a major wreck would force you into the backup car for the
remainder of the weekend. Then, a major shunt during Sunday's warmup
would mean you would end up with a DNS for that race.

This may sound complicated, but I am curious if other racers would
like to see these features.  The only way Adam can know what to
include in future releases is for us to tell him.

EXTRA CREDIT QUESTION:

Working in software development myself, I am certain that the folks at
Papyrus are constantly making decisions about what features to
include, and what features will have to wait for subsequent releases.
I feel that the software (once the Rendition-ready version is
available) is more advanced than the hardware currently available,
both in terms of processing power, and add-ons such as controllers,
monitors, etc.  After much debate with friends and other members of
R.A.S., it seems that three technological advances will be possible
within the next two years.  My question is, in what order are these
priorities to you?

1. Headgear that provides true point-of-view.  (Instead of facing
straight ahead at all times).
2. Force-Feedback technology.  (Giving the wheel "feel" and possibly
your seat as well).
3. Voice recognition.  (Giving orders to the pit crew for changes,
getting information such as track speeds, tire temps, etc.)

Sorry for the long post, but IndyCar fans haven't had much to discuss
lately.

Cheers,
                                   ___
Pooch                      O-iiiii-O

I doubt that Papyrus is willing to start talking about the features of
Indycar 3 yet, given that they haven't even announced it yet.

I would prefer that they spend more time working on the physics model and
the setup options than getting into the logistics side. Also, there were a
number of rule changes in CART this year that should be reflected in the
next generation product. Local yellows. Curbs. Wheelspin.

Force-feedback seems like a no-brainer. The technology is coming out, it
simply a matter of putting some hooks in the physics model. I believe that
Papyrus has already mentioned that they are looking into force-feedback
wheels.

Voice recognition is still not really practical. The best technology that's
made it to the field is from IBM and it takes months of training to get to
90% accuracy. Given the amount of spare CPU power available when running
Indycar, this is another tool that will probably not be affordable to the
average user.

Dave (davids) Sparks
Late Night League
http://www.sequoia-dev.com/Hawaii/latenite.html

I can't see the importance of any of the advancements you mentioned.
Considering that most people are struggling just to keep up with the basic
demands that current sims place on even high end systems today. What's the
seance of developing more, when only a handfull can enjoy all that is
offered today? IMHO
it would be a very large advancement to be able to offer all that is
availible today to
everyone without the steep requirements. Although I seriuosly doubt that
modern business, let alone the software industry, is really ready to do
just that. To much development time etc..... It is obvious that it's
easier to come up with some gimmick that the public is told that they
simply must have, make a quick buck, and then move on to another project
(gimmick).

 Come on smell the coffee. Imagine how many households sport the basic
DX-2.

Just my $ .02
Jake Myers
BTW I use a  P-133

PP> I feel that the software (once the Rendition-ready version is
PP> available) is more advanced than the hardware currently available,
PP> both in terms of processing power, and add-ons such as controllers,
PP> monitors, etc.
.....
PP> 3. Voice recognition.  (Giving orders to the pit crew for changes,
PP> getting information such as track speeds, tire temps, etc.)

Your other advances need a lot of special hardware......if Papyrus work
on ICR3 etc through OS/2, the voice recognition for software control is
already there in the operating system, built into (the latest) Warp 4!!!

If they felt so-minded, it could be with us a lot sooner than the
others.

Cheers!

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 * RM 1.3 U0414 * If there are no more bugs, the program is obsolete.