What a mess... by leader lap 17 (16 completed), 5 people had timed out (or 25% of the starting grid) - which means that the race will have to be rescheduled. As for the time being, I've got some investigation to do into the cause of these problems. Sorry again guys.
LXCC passwords for tonight have been sent out. If you didn't receive one, please contact me as soon as possible.
Also, please note that despite the fact that we have a new server, it is still called "vMaxHome" - "vMax500" is the old server which is still up for now.
Also, you can now watch LXCC races via LFS Spectator as InSim Relay is enabled on our new host.
Its an interesting idea - maybe we can help each-other out here.
How about a special "one-off race" division of LXCC running single events once a month or so? I know some of the LXCC people will be interested in more racing... we've got a great server now (we tested last night with three people - one from Canada, one from UK and me from SA and we had no problems with warping at all). I've already got a pretty comprehensive rule set which can be adapted for your purposes... Let me know if you're interested - just an idea... not trying to monopolise the LX organised racing or anything . MoE and LFS-GT have a similar thing going and it works great from what I've seen.
(I don't really have time to run something like this myself - I've already got my plate full with two LXCC divisions so it would still be "your thing")
I've got a race on Aston Historic Rev with the LX6 this week (South African event) - its a really sweet combo. IMO Rev is way better. It will definitely be one of the "special endurance" races in LXCC season 2. Dan, have you looked at getting together a second T7R team for LXCC if you like the cars? I would join for some one-off LX6 awesomeness though - but not on that date.
We have a new sever up which should provide much better and more stable connection for everyone. Track selection is now also enabled so you guys can practice your upcoming combo without worrying about me being forgetful. The name is still "vMaxHome" BTW.
I don't expect it will be One Big Patch. I expect it will be a few biggish ones, in 2-4 month intervals and then beta. I hope S2 final will have (things that we know will be done are marked):
AI improvements, including pitstops (certain)
False starts (certain)
Improved clutch simulation (certain)
Interiors (certain)
Track improvements (certain)
Multiplayer features (certain)
More than 20 racer grids
Improved drivetrain simulation, including differentials and engine as well as support for better sounds
Torsen diffs
Chassis flex, jacking forces
Improved aerodynamics, including better undertray simulation and ground effect
A few more tweaks on the tyres (certain)
Independent suspension settings
More setup options for race cars
That's a pretty tall order. If that was one big patch... then expect it somewhere around November.
Becky, you still don't get what I'm saying. The points aren't global - the points are specific to each server or set of servers. Each server decides - "once you get x points in our system you get a certain qualification". Points for that server or set of servers are tracked on their own little database, much like the current STCC database. Once you get the required points, the qualification (for example STCC gold license) is added to your name in the global database. Then other servers can querry this global database and check if you have the required qualifications to race there.
No, you will not. You get an extra unlock every month if you have less than 2. They build up to a maximum of 2 unlocks. You will be able to unlock LFS again after you reinstall your operating system.
For the... ~7rh time, my idea of the central database:
The central database only gets things added to it and is merely a representation of all qualifications earned on servers running the system so that servers can daisy-chain freely without having to mess with others' databases. It bears no responsibility apart from storage. Each server admin running the system bears entire responsibility for his own database. There will never be need for non-automated intervention in the central database. Does that make more sense?
EDIT: My idea has evolved a bit over time and was only really where it is now when I wrote post #99 in this thread.
Becky, what we're saying is that the only part of the system you would control is one that doesn't affect much and it would be completely useless for you to tamper with it. The remainder of the system is completely controlled by the owner of the server - hence the two DBs. Bans won't be an issue handled by the system at all - there's already the wrecker barricade which is well thought-out for that.
If you wanted to do this, you would run your current database alongside another that would just hold "qualifications" that each racer has and the qualifications required for each host running the system so people can easily check what hosts they can access. You have control over your own server and no-one can blame you for that. You would never have to touch the other database.
EDIT: I think Sam has a few different ideas for the system and he wants daisychaining to be independent of the central database but easily possible using the software.
But servers would only _add_ qualifications to the global database. No admin is to tamper with that database in any way. Servers also have their own one for their own points prior to awarding whatever qualifications and no-one else can access that in any way.
Servers handle their own database for points, there's no point in giving someone qualifications they don't deserve and even if that does happen, no server will daisy chain with them as an effect. Servers also handle their own bans.
Erm, excuse my usage of "more universal" - I meant widespead.
As for the bans system, I agree with it being up to the admins as Becky described. There's another system to deal with bans if they want to run it and that's the wrecker barricade. That's already completely unintrusive etc.
I don't think it would be possible to make it more universal if Becky wants to limit what we can do to what she's currently said. As for the finding servers issue - this can be incorporated into the system. Upon obtaining a new qualification, you could get a message saying "Congratulations, you have just obtained your STCC Silver license. You have now also gained access to the following servers:...". And if you wanted a list of servers you can access, you could make an !access command. Its simple enough
Becky answered that in her last post, I guess - not much to worry about there.
If the system does become more universal, it should not be open-source as anyone can abuse it on their server and dish out excessive points. Also, it should become a set of qualifications - not just a points system.
"STCC Gold Graduate."
"LXCC LX4 Silver Graduate."
"ConeDodgers Single Seater Master."
"UKTC GTR Professional."
"FragMasters Master of Ovals."
"[some league] Season 1 Champion."
"[some server] FWD GTR Beginner."
etc.
This would require two databases for each server - one on their own server to manage the points required for each "qualification" and one to hold the qualifications obtained by each racer. (The second one is global.)
I hope that makes sense - this is what I've been trying to say all along. Servers can't abuse the system, drivers get qualifications based on the servers they go to. Other server can daisy-chain with whatever other servers they want - I could decide that I want STCC silver drivers only on the LXCC server. At the same for instance, SamH could decide he only wants FWD GTR Beginners and upwards for the UKTC GTR servers but the FWD GTR server could also require an STCC qualification... etc.
Bans should be handled by a "governing body", not just one person or a bunch of people that can make decisions on their own. The implications of a ban of this magnitude should be considered - bans should be reserved ONLY FOR OBVIOUS WRECKERS. No-one should be banned because his team-mate was misbehaving. No-one who goes emo and requests a ban should be granted the ban without reason so that they can't blame the system.
EDIT: If someone got farther than they should be on the system, THEN ITS THE SYSTEM'S FAULT. The system should be adjusted so that people go as far as they deserve. They should not be banned for this.