Re: NetKar Pro - Basic Question

Click the On switch in the cockpit and then the start. <BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is now > available for Download. > > I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working fine > on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't get the > car started. > > Online Help seems to be dead link, and Offline Help just has some basic > text where the graphics don't seem to work. > > I know that it's real early for this, but can anyone help me out with > this? > > Thanks!

OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is now available for Download. I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't get the car started. Online Help seems to be dead link, and Offline Help just has some basic text where the graphics don't seem to work. I know that it's real early for this, but can anyone help me out with this? Thanks!

BRH wrote: > OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is > now available for Download. > > I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working > fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't get > the car started. There are clickable buttons. on the FF1600 there is one labelled main and a start. Others have an ignition and an LCD button in addition to the start button. The fTarget ignition is partially obscured by the steering wheel. Some useful stuff here: http://www.flyingpig.info/pedia/index.php/Fast_start Hope this helps Tony

C16 wrote:

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> Click the On switch in the cockpit and then the start. > > <BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > >>OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is now >>available for Download. >> >>I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working fine >>on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't get the >>car started. >> >>Online Help seems to be dead link, and Offline Help just has some basic >>text where the graphics don't seem to work. >> >>I know that it's real early for this, but can anyone help me out with >>this? >> >>Thanks! > > >

In my cockpit, none of the buttons are labelled. Can you describe which is "On" and which is "Start"? Note that I have not activated my player. I just want to try out the default car and track for now. Thanks!

Tony Rickard wrote:

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> BRH wrote: > >> OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is >> now available for Download. >> >> I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working >> fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't >> get the car started. > > > There are clickable buttons. on the FF1600 there is one labelled main > and a start. Others have an ignition and an LCD button in addition to > the start button. The fTarget ignition is partially obscured by the > steering wheel. > > Some useful stuff here: > > http://www.flyingpig.info/pedia/index.php/Fast_start > > Hope this helps > Tony

Thanks for that link Tony! Bert

BRH wrote:

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> C16 wrote: >> Click the On switch in the cockpit and then the start. >> >> <BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... >> >>> OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is >>> now available for Download. >>> >>> I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working >>> fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't >>> get the car started. >>> >>> Online Help seems to be dead link, and Offline Help just has some >>> basic text where the graphics don't seem to work. >>> >>> I know that it's real early for this, but can anyone help me out with >>> this? >>> >>> Thanks! >> >> >> > In my cockpit, none of the buttons are labelled. Can you describe which > is "On" and which is "Start"? Note that I have not activated my player. > I just want to try out the default car and track for now. > > Thanks!

Flip top button and then push and hold middle button. Bottom button is for Rain light I believe.

Sigh! Man I been a semi avid fan of NetKar, but jesus did they bother to have some beta testing? why the hell didnt anyone notice that this "might not be as obvious" how to do this, Im betting everyone who "just tried it" without help had to ask. There must be a faq or something in the readme? Tell me it was NOT just "here ya go, have fun..." that is it. I havent gotten it, probably wont for a month or more... need new PC 1st. BRH enlightened us with:

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> Tony Rickard wrote: > >> BRH wrote: >> >>> OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which >>> is now available for Download. >>> >>> I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working >>> fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't >>> get the car started. >> >> >> There are clickable buttons. on the FF1600 there is one labelled main >> and a start. Others have an ignition and an LCD button in addition to >> the start button. The fTarget ignition is partially obscured by the >> steering wheel. >> >> Some useful stuff here: >> >> http://www.flyingpig.info/pedia/index.php/Fast_start >> >> Hope this helps >> Tony > > Thanks for that link Tony! > > Bert

You gotta be kidding me... Is this a racing sim or a Scott-Adams Adventure Game? -Larry "C16" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Click the On switch in the cockpit and then the start.

Nope -- No FAQ in the readme. In fact, I can't find a readme. At least you can try it before buying it. I haven't had time to get back to it yet, but I hope to get in a few laps if I can get the car started. 8-) PlowBoy wrote:

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> Sigh! > > Man I been a semi avid fan of NetKar, but jesus did they bother to have some > beta testing? why the hell didnt anyone notice that this "might not be as > obvious" how to do this, Im betting everyone who "just tried it" without > help had to ask. There must be a faq or something in the readme? Tell me > it was NOT just "here ya go, have fun..." that is it. > > I havent gotten it, probably wont for a month or more... need new PC 1st. > > > BRH enlightened us with: > >>Tony Rickard wrote: >> >> >>>BRH wrote: >>> >>> >>>>OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which >>>>is now available for Download. >>>> >>>>I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working >>>>fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't >>>>get the car started. >>> >>> >>>There are clickable buttons. on the FF1600 there is one labelled main >>>and a start. Others have an ignition and an LCD button in addition to >>>the start button. The fTarget ignition is partially obscured by the >>>steering wheel. >>> >>>Some useful stuff here: >>> >>>http://www.flyingpig.info/pedia/index.php/Fast_start >>> >>>Hope this helps >>>Tony >> >>Thanks for that link Tony! >> >>Bert > > >

<BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... | Nope -- No FAQ in the readme. In fact, I can't find a readme. At least | you can try it before buying it. I haven't had time to get back to it | yet, but I hope to get in a few laps if I can get the car started. 8-) | | | There's a manual posted at RSC. But I'll tell you, I'm still trying to figure how to configure my wheel, the buttons and all. It's the strangest set up I've yet to see. It did recognize my Momo, but getting these buttons figured is harder than figuring when the earth will get hit by the next comet. Alanb

As interesting as this looks, the posts in this thread and those at RSC scare me. The author admits it is a work in progess and that's fine, but no user guide, FAQ or readme INCLUDED with the software? Not everyone used the alpha and beta versions before buying the full version. Plus there seems to be "issues" that should have been detected before release, such as the high ping readings and the "I bought the full version, but can only run the demo" problem. And why can't ppl. admit defeat and simply use the Papy config method? STOP REINVENTING THE WHEEL! Theirs was the simplest, easiest to use and most intuitive calibration util that I have seen. Adopt THAT format and spruce up the GUI if you must.

Darus wrote:

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> As interesting as this looks, the posts in this thread and those at RSC > scare me. The author admits it is a work in progess and that's fine, > but no user guide, FAQ or readme INCLUDED with the software? Not > everyone used the alpha and beta versions before buying the full > version. Plus there seems to be "issues" that should have been detected > before release, such as the high ping readings and the "I bought the > full version, but can only run the demo" problem.

The first update has been released which fixes the pings and long wait for the server list, plus activation for W2k users: http://www.netkar-pro.com/fixes/netKarPROw2kfix.zip Sure some bits were missing for the release but they seem to be coming. The manual is now up: http://www.netkar-pro.com/manual/ Though it seems to stop at key commands - WIP I guess! I just had a pretty smooth multiplayer race, after a number of frustrating attempts to connect, but the patch has improved things within hours of the release. Cheers Tony

I downloaded and installed the Demo/work in progress to decide if I wanted to purchase the full package with a years worth of updates included. As others have already stated, it's nearly impossible to get one's wheel calibrated and the motor started. I had to read the forums, and was amazed that so many others had the same problems. After way too much time wasted on trying to calibrate my TSW2, I was able to get the steering wheel to turn and the engine to fire up. But no matter how I tried, the brake balance+ seems to be tied to my upshift button, but the downshift button isn't tied to the brake balance- button. I've been able to drive the car, but honestly, I'm just not impressed. I'm not going to purchase the full package until I can get my wheel calibrated correctly, and able to turn some decent laps. Joel Willstein <BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is now available for Download. I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't get the car started. Online Help seems to be dead link, and Offline Help just has some basic text where the graphics don't seem to work. I know that it's real early for this, but can anyone help me out with this? Thanks!

"Larry" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:vIR_f.13003$s%6.4679@dukeread02:

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> You gotta be kidding me... Is this a racing sim or a Scott-Adams > Adventure Game? > > -Larry > > "C16" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > >> Click the On switch in the cockpit and then the start. > > >

F1 and rF and GTR all have two buttons. One is power or ignition, the other is the starter motor. Not that you need that in an F1 car. Next year, if Champcar can affford the Panoz chassis, one of the features will be the inclusion of an onboard starter system. dave henrie

I've had exxatly the same unfortunate experience as you. After getting help with (finally) starting the car, now I can't get my left paddle shifter configured to downshift. It's doing something because I can hear a noise - possibly adjusting the brake bias as you said. I'm using a Logi MOMO Force with TSW peds. The peds have been detected properly, but I can't get the MOMO's buttons configured correctly. (In addition to the paddle shifter problems, the button for Look Right looks left and a button on the left hand side that I don't want to use looks right.) Until I can get the wheel configured properly in the demo, there is no way I'll be purchasing this. Too bad since it looked so promising. Joel Willstein wrote:

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> I downloaded and installed the Demo/work in progress to decide if I > wanted to purchase the full package with a years worth of updates > included. As others have already stated, it's nearly impossible to get > one's wheel calibrated and the motor started. I had to read the forums, > and was amazed that so many others had the same problems. After way too > much time wasted on trying to calibrate my TSW2, I was able to get the > steering wheel to turn and the engine to fire up. But no matter how I > tried, the brake balance+ seems to be tied to my upshift button, but the > downshift button isn't tied to the brake balance- button. I've been able > to drive the car, but honestly, I'm just not impressed. I'm not going to > purchase the full package until I can get my wheel calibrated correctly, > and able to turn some decent laps. > > Joel Willstein > > > > <BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is > now available for Download. > > I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working > fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't > get > the car started. > > Online Help seems to be dead link, and Offline Help just has some basic > text where the graphics don't seem to work. > > I know that it's real early for this, but can anyone help me out > with this? > > Thanks!

BRH wrote:

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> I've had exxatly the same unfortunate experience as you. After getting > help with (finally) starting the car, now I can't get my left paddle > shifter configured to downshift. It's doing something because I can > hear a noise - possibly adjusting the brake bias as you said. > > I'm using a Logi MOMO Force with TSW peds. The peds have been detected > properly, but I can't get the MOMO's buttons configured correctly. (In > addition to the paddle shifter problems, the button for Look Right looks > left and a button on the left hand side that I don't want to use looks > right.) > > Until I can get the wheel configured properly in the demo, there is no > way I'll be purchasing this. Too bad since it looked so promising. > > > > > Joel Willstein wrote: >> I downloaded and installed the Demo/work in progress to decide if I >> wanted to purchase the full package with a years worth of updates >> included. As others have already stated, it's nearly impossible to get >> one's wheel calibrated and the motor started. I had to read the >> forums, and was amazed that so many others had the same problems. >> After way too much time wasted on trying to calibrate my TSW2, I was >> able to get the steering wheel to turn and the engine to fire up. But >> no matter how I tried, the brake balance+ seems to be tied to my >> upshift button, but the downshift button isn't tied to the brake >> balance- button. I've been able to drive the car, but honestly, I'm >> just not impressed. I'm not going to purchase the full package until I >> can get my wheel calibrated correctly, and able to turn some decent laps. >> >> Joel Willstein >> >> >> >> <BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... >> OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which is >> now available for Download. >> >> I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working >> fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't >> get >> the car started. >> >> Online Help seems to be dead link, and Offline Help just has some >> basic >> text where the graphics don't seem to work. >> >> I know that it's real early for this, but can anyone help me out >> with this? >> >> Thanks!

I'm no expert I've just experienced the same issues. In the CFG folder you'll find the controls.ini file. You can configure your buttons there. It seems the brake bias buttons hang when trying to choose something else. Good Luck

LT <[email hidden]> wrote in news:Tr7%f.22143$Sf.22057 @bignews6.bellsouth.net:

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> > I'm no expert I've just experienced the same issues. > > In the CFG folder you'll find the controls.ini file. You can configure > your buttons there. It seems the brake bias buttons hang when trying to > choose something else. > > Good Luck >

I haven't looked at the demo in a long long time, so I cannot comment on the sim itself. Other than it has a dedicated group of devotees. As to the controls, Again, I HAVEN't worked with Netkar in a long time. So this is only a guess. Some previous titles had a control assignment hiccup where you had to clear the occupied control setting before assigning a new one. So you had to do two things. Find a key that was not in use and either assign the function to that unused key, or ..if my foggy memory is wrecked, you had to delete the function THEN assign it to a new-unused key. Thus if you want to change the paddles from brake bias to shifting, you would first have to find two keys to replace the brake bias functions and clear out the paddles...Only then could you assign shifting duties to the paddles. Good luck all dave henrie

The threads I'm catching on this product around the net are not shaping up to be too flattering. -Larry <BRH> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Nope -- No FAQ in the readme. In fact, I can't find a readme. At least > you can try it before buying it. I haven't had time to get back to it > yet, but I hope to get in a few laps if I can get the car started. 8-) > > > > > PlowBoy wrote: >> Sigh! >> >> Man I been a semi avid fan of NetKar, but jesus did they bother to have >> some beta testing? why the hell didnt anyone notice that this "might not >> be as obvious" how to do this, Im betting everyone who "just tried it" >> without help had to ask. There must be a faq or something in the readme? >> Tell me it was NOT just "here ya go, have fun..." that is it. >> >> I havent gotten it, probably wont for a month or more... need new PC >> 1st. >> >> >> BRH enlightened us with: >> >>>Tony Rickard wrote: >>> >>> >>>>BRH wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>>OK. Let me be the first to post a question about NetKar Pro which >>>>>is now available for Download. >>>>> >>>>>I set up my video, audio and controllers and all seems to be working >>>>>fine on those screens. However, when I get into the garage, I can't >>>>>get the car started. >>>> >>>> >>>>There are clickable buttons. on the FF1600 there is one labelled main >>>>and a start. Others have an ignition and an LCD button in addition to >>>>the start button. The fTarget ignition is partially obscured by the >>>>steering wheel. >>>> >>>>Some useful stuff here: >>>> >>>>http://www.flyingpig.info/pedia/index.php/Fast_start >>>> >>>>Hope this helps >>>>Tony >>> >>>Thanks for that link Tony! >>> >>>Bert >> >>

Larry wrote: > The threads I'm catching on this product around the net are not shaping up > to be too flattering. Give it a few days, the developers are working flat out to fix the issues and the underlying sim seems pretty good once going. This is a hardcore sim for a hardcore group. I think the group could be expected to be tolerant of a few technical issues but perhaps that is just me. I am a bit surprised at the level of criticism on the user interface and such. Maybe I have got too used to things like FF being reversed and editing .ini files. I am not too proud to say my first venture in a single seater I spent ages trying to get the darned thing into second gear so NKP seems pretty on the mark from this POV. We have all got a bit used to pressing a microswitch to change gear and it work perfectly everytime so a sim that requires a driver to learn gear changing seems a bit of a shock. Once you start to get the hang of it a lap without a missed gear seems an achievement just as it did staying on the track when learning GPL. Should add some spice to online racing, getting a run on a guy who missed his upshift under pressure. Add the pressure of getting the car restarted after a spin rather than simply putting it in neutral or depressing the clutch and it all feels very realistic. It is early days, maybe it was released too soon but I am convinced the bugs will be sorted and we won't need to wait until the next version. There is one fix out already and a number of others have been fixed and will be released in a patch next week. Cheers Tony

The hardcore part I am all for, but far from intuitive calibration sequences, and all out problems settings up a wheel/ped combo should not be the focus of my time. Much like a house requires a solid foundation, so does any sim. And when the foundation is shaken (i.e. the users), often times the house falls down. Let's hope that this is resolves VERY quickly.

I was able to fix the brake bias problem by editing the config file. Starting the car in my opinion is a sensless option as you simply need to toggle the power on, then hit and hold the starter toggle switch. Another problem is that it's very hard to see those toggle switches while in the garage. Once out on the track the engine sounds are excellent, but in the demo mode there are no gauges, and no default setup. On further investigation netkar doesn't include any AI's, so it's online racing or just hot lapping. I've deleted it from my hard drive and gone back to Nascar 2003 as I strickly race off line these days. Joel Willstein "Dave Henrie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... LT <[email hidden]> wrote in news:Tr7%f.22143$Sf.22057 @bignews6.bellsouth.net:

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> > I'm no expert I've just experienced the same issues. > > In the CFG folder you'll find the controls.ini file. You can configure > your buttons there. It seems the brake bias buttons hang when trying to > choose something else. > > Good Luck >

I haven't looked at the demo in a long long time, so I cannot comment on the sim itself. Other than it has a dedicated group of devotees. As to the controls, Again, I HAVEN't worked with Netkar in a long time. So this is only a guess. Some previous titles had a control assignment hiccup where you had to clear the occupied control setting before assigning a new one. So you had to do two things. Find a key that was not in use and either assign the function to that unused key, or ..if my foggy memory is wrecked, you had to delete the function THEN assign it to a new-unused key. Thus if you want to change the paddles from brake bias to shifting, you would first have to find two keys to replace the brake bias functions and clear out the paddles...Only then could you assign shifting duties to the paddles. Good luck all dave henrie

The hardcore part I am all for, but far from intuitive calibration sequences, and all out problems settings up a wheel/ped combo should not be the focus of my time. Much like a house requires a solid foundation, so does any sim. And when the foundation is shaken (i.e. the users), often times the house falls down. Let's hope that this is resolves VERY quickly.

"Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:oPU_f.51762$[email hidden]...

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| Darus wrote: | > As interesting as this looks, the posts in this thread and those at RSC | > scare me. The author admits it is a work in progess and that's fine, | > but no user guide, FAQ or readme INCLUDED with the software? Not | > everyone used the alpha and beta versions before buying the full | > version. Plus there seems to be "issues" that should have been detected | > before release, such as the high ping readings and the "I bought the | > full version, but can only run the demo" problem. | | The first update has been released which fixes the pings and long wait | for the server list, plus activation for W2k users: | | http://www.netkar-pro.com/fixes/netKarPROw2kfix.zip | | Sure some bits were missing for the release but they seem to be coming. | The manual is now up: | | http://www.netkar-pro.com/manual/ | | Though it seems to stop at key commands - WIP I guess! |

A good portion of the manual covers activation. Ironically enough, that's the easiest thing to do. The explanation of how to configure the wheel is just plain confusing, though I did figure it out. It's best to do it through the *.ini file, though. There's some posts at RSC about what all the stuff in the wheel configuration means. I finally was able to get a server running--more hit and miss about how to do that. I emailed support and got some timely replies, it turning out that by disabling the "multiport" I was able to join my own server on my own LAN without synchronization problems. Still, no one has joined my server from the outside; thus, I'm not absolutely certain it's working. My server does appear on the server list, which is good. There is little doubt that since there is no AI in the game and that online is going to be the game's strength for the time being, that these connection issues have to be sorted and fixed. I think they are beginning to work on things, with the public, as so often happens, acting as guinea pigs with deep pockets. Most of all the figuring out of what all this stuff means and is supposed to do is being done by the community. Maybe the Windows 2000 fix was an easy thing, otherwise it seems odd that they'd go after this first, since the percentage of those using Windows 2000 has to be small, in comparison to XP users. I like the game and the physics and how the cars handle, though, again, my knowledge of such things is more intuitive than scientific. Upon release of 1.0, NetKar was a complete mystery to everyone. Now things are starting to get clearer. Alanb

"Joel Willstein" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:hPZ_f.3402$[email hidden]... I downloaded and installed the Demo/work in progress to decide if I wanted to purchase the full package with a years worth of updates included. As others have already stated, it's nearly impossible to get one's wheel calibrated and the motor started. I had to read the forums, and was amazed that so many others had the same problems. After way too much time wasted on trying to calibrate my TSW2, I was able to get the steering wheel to turn and the engine to fire up. But no matter how I tried, the brake balance+ seems to be tied to my upshift button, but the downshift button isn't tied to the brake balance- button. I've been able to drive the car, but honestly, I'm just not impressed. I'm not going to purchase the full package until I can get my wheel calibrated correctly, and able to turn some decent laps. Joel Willstein Well, you have to make sure you configure all the buttons, because it won't come up as an error if you have one button governing two functions. I have a Black Momo, and like to use the paddles to shift instead of the shifter, so that I don't have to move my hands from the wheel if I don't want to. So what I had to do was click the stick button in the NetKar set up, and then depress the paddle. Once I had up and down-shifting set to my paddles, I had to configure the stick up and down to something else, etc. Why they made this like this is beyond me. Maybe the developers can say that, hey, we were more interested in car physics than making configuring the wheel easier, but they didn't have the user in mind, necessarily, when they took this route. It's all very mind boggling, as if this UI was designed by some totally different culture who is used to doing things one way, while the rest of the world is used to the more universal way. But things are shaping up, and tolerance, I suppose, is in order, with a general disbelieving shake of the head. Alanb

Alan, These are many of the reasons why I opted NOT to purchase Netkar at this time. No AI, which means one can only hot lap off line. Issue after issue with configuring ones controller, and even the manual wasn't ready when they started to accept purchases. I read most of the forums and there are many sim racers that still can't get the game to work. It sure seems to me that they're using the sim community more as Beta testers then as paying customers. Joel Willstein "Alan Bernardo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... "Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:oPU_f.51762$[email hidden]...

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| Darus wrote: | > As interesting as this looks, the posts in this thread and those at RSC | > scare me. The author admits it is a work in progess and that's fine, | > but no user guide, FAQ or readme INCLUDED with the software? Not | > everyone used the alpha and beta versions before buying the full | > version. Plus there seems to be "issues" that should have been detected | > before release, such as the high ping readings and the "I bought the | > full version, but can only run the demo" problem. | | The first update has been released which fixes the pings and long wait | for the server list, plus activation for W2k users: | | http://www.netkar-pro.com/fixes/netKarPROw2kfix.zip | | Sure some bits were missing for the release but they seem to be coming. | The manual is now up: | | http://www.netkar-pro.com/manual/ | | Though it seems to stop at key commands - WIP I guess! |

A good portion of the manual covers activation. Ironically enough, that's the easiest thing to do. The explanation of how to configure the wheel is just plain confusing, though I did figure it out. It's best to do it through the *.ini file, though. There's some posts at RSC about what all the stuff in the wheel configuration means. I finally was able to get a server running--more hit and miss about how to do that. I emailed support and got some timely replies, it turning out that by disabling the "multiport" I was able to join my own server on my own LAN without synchronization problems. Still, no one has joined my server from the outside; thus, I'm not absolutely certain it's working. My server does appear on the server list, which is good. There is little doubt that since there is no AI in the game and that online is going to be the game's strength for the time being, that these connection issues have to be sorted and fixed. I think they are beginning to work on things, with the public, as so often happens, acting as guinea pigs with deep pockets. Most of all the figuring out of what all this stuff means and is supposed to do is being done by the community. Maybe the Windows 2000 fix was an easy thing, otherwise it seems odd that they'd go after this first, since the percentage of those using Windows 2000 has to be small, in comparison to XP users. I like the game and the physics and how the cars handle, though, again, my knowledge of such things is more intuitive than scientific. Upon release of 1.0, NetKar was a complete mystery to everyone. Now things are starting to get clearer. Alanb

Joel Willstein wrote:

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> Alan, > > These are many of the reasons why I opted NOT to purchase Netkar at > this time. No AI, which means one can only hot lap off line. Issue after > issue with configuring ones controller, and even the manual wasn't ready > when they started to accept purchases. I read most of the forums and > there are many sim racers that still can't get the game to work. > > It sure seems to me that they're using the sim community more as Beta > testers then as paying customers.

We have discussed before the "community's" willingness to fund a hardcore sim racing project and got a seemingly good response, however, when it comes to parting with cash the expectations for a completely finished product and anticipation that the developers are about to run off with the dosh seem prevalent. A similar thing happened with rFactor - took the pre orders and then delayed. Certain people accused them of ripping us off yet ISI have continued to support the product. If NetKar Pro hadn't been released on the 10th I would guess we would have seen a similar uproar. All the indications are that the developers are working flat out to get this fixed and will continue to develop the product to make it better. At some stage though to do this requires funding, otherwise we go back to the model of requiring publishers and the likelihood of them funding a hardcore racing sim is negligible. The audience is scarcely the average member of the public either, they aren't going to pick this up in PC World and find it doesn't deliver what the box says (and we have all had a few of those) but is going to be reliant on word of sim racing articles and discussion groups. Sure hold off purchasing if you feel you aren't going to get good value and leave it to those prepared to give it a go and see what can be done. Cheers Tony

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:59:08 -0400, Joel Willstein wrote: > It sure seems to me that they're using the sim community more as Beta = > testers then as paying customers. > > Joel Willstein Hmm, I shelled out 30 Euros for a pre-order, and I see it more as a case of sponsoring a small group of developers than expecting to receive a fully mature, bug-free and feature rich racing sim. These guys deserve our support, and so far support from Stefano has been excellent. I'm sure they're hard at work ironing out the MP issues and other showstoppers, a patch having been announced for next Monday or Tuesday. I think calling this a "1.0" release was a bit over the top, but then again I can well understand the desire to get something out of the door after all these long years of hacking netkar. All the best, uwe -- GPG Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61

By all means wait if it suits you, but I'm a bit perplexed at why everyone seems so amazed at the QC issues that have popped up. nKPro is very much an indie production, done by a tiny bunch of folks - mostly one. As such, you aren't going to have the same polished result as something from an established development house. Don't forget that our reference sims generally have teams with years of experience and multiple product releases behind them, not to mention significant financial resources. What you're getting with nKPro is one man's vision brought to you on the cheap, with both the purity of focus AND shortcomings that entails. It has some issues, but there's brilliance in there shining through. I do sympathize with those having problems, but for me it installed easily, I configured my DFP without any trouble at all, and it runs fine. There are some glitches to work out with multi and sound, but when they're working right they are very good. The multi needs the most work I'd say, besides completing the doc - that's probably the biggest omission at release time. The majority of initial complaints could have been avoided with RTFM; if there had been one. Couldn't help but laugh at the posts about the supposed FF bug from all the guys driving around on old flat-spotted tires or with bent front ends; or best of all, the guys screaming about having spent an hour in the cockpit without figuring out how to start the car! Good Lord; flip a switch or two; see what happens - how hard can it be? ;-) I prepaid, and have zero complaints about value received. And it will only get better. SB "Joel Willstein" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:C%j%f.85$[email hidden]... Alan, These are many of the reasons why I opted NOT to purchase Netkar at this time. No AI, which means one can only hot lap off line. Issue after issue with configuring ones controller, and even the manual wasn't ready when they started to accept purchases. I read most of the forums and there are many sim racers that still can't get the game to work. It sure seems to me that they're using the sim community more as Beta testers then as paying customers. Joel Willstein "Alan Bernardo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... "Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:oPU_f.51762$[email hidden]...

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| Darus wrote: | > As interesting as this looks, the posts in this thread and those at RSC | > scare me. The author admits it is a work in progess and that's fine, | > but no user guide, FAQ or readme INCLUDED with the software? Not | > everyone used the alpha and beta versions before buying the full | > version. Plus there seems to be "issues" that should have been detected | > before release, such as the high ping readings and the "I bought the | > full version, but can only run the demo" problem. | | The first update has been released which fixes the pings and long wait | for the server list, plus activation for W2k users: | | http://www.netkar-pro.com/fixes/netKarPROw2kfix.zip | | Sure some bits were missing for the release but they seem to be coming. | The manual is now up: | | http://www.netkar-pro.com/manual/ | | Though it seems to stop at key commands - WIP I guess! |

A good portion of the manual covers activation. Ironically enough, that's the easiest thing to do. The explanation of how to configure the wheel is just plain confusing, though I did figure it out. It's best to do it through the *.ini file, though. There's some posts at RSC about what all the stuff in the wheel configuration means. I finally was able to get a server running--more hit and miss about how to do that. I emailed support and got some timely replies, it turning out that by disabling the "multiport" I was able to join my own server on my own LAN without synchronization problems. Still, no one has joined my server from the outside; thus, I'm not absolutely certain it's working. My server does appear on the server list, which is good. There is little doubt that since there is no AI in the game and that online is going to be the game's strength for the time being, that these connection issues have to be sorted and fixed. I think they are beginning to work on things, with the public, as so often happens, acting as guinea pigs with deep pockets. Most of all the figuring out of what all this stuff means and is supposed to do is being done by the community. Maybe the Windows 2000 fix was an easy thing, otherwise it seems odd that they'd go after this first, since the percentage of those using Windows 2000 has to be small, in comparison to XP users. I like the game and the physics and how the cars handle, though, again, my knowledge of such things is more intuitive than scientific. Upon release of 1.0, NetKar was a complete mystery to everyone. Now things are starting to get clearer. Alanb