Maybe its time for a quick poll and go with the majority!
Choices could be:
1. Same as it is.
2. Same as it is but with no penalty for missing 20% of races. Penalty starts if you miss more than 20%.
3. Straight points system with no complex calculations (just add 'em up).
4. Something else (if anyone can think of something).
Any body up for creating the poll, perhaps it should be staff?
Tim
Choices could be:
1. Same as it is.
2. Same as it is but with no penalty for missing 20% of races. Penalty starts if you miss more than 20%.
3. Straight points system with no complex calculations (just add 'em up).
4. Something else (if anyone can think of something).
Any body up for creating the poll, perhaps it should be staff?
Tim
For those of you who don't understand the current rules: this is how I believe it works. I have got the same points as in the standings so I believe it is correct
The formula uses 3 items defined as follows:
a) races finished
This is, by my understanding, the amount of races that you turn up for and race in, regardless of whether you finish or not. DNSHs do not count towards this, only finishes and DNF.
b) total races - 20%
This is the total number of races - 20% of the races. In the case of 10 races, this means 8 races.
c) total points
This is the total points you have accrued across all the races - the lowest scores from 20% of the races. In the case of 10 races this means 2 worst events.
The formula then is a/b*c (a divided by b multiplied by c)
So, let’s say for example that you have scored 1055 (as per RudiTurbo) and he has missed one race the figures are as follows:
a = 9
b = 8
c = 943 (which is 1055 minus his two lowest events Event 4=0, Event 6=112)
Using the formula we get 9 divided by 8 equals 1.125 then multiply this by 943 equals 1060.875 which is rounded up to 1060.9 (which is the score Rudi got!)
For myself the numbers are
a = 8
b = 8
c = 553
So here I get 8/8 = 1 * 553 = 553!
I hope this clears it up for you all, and if I am wrong please correct me. (I don't think I am!)
Tim
The formula uses 3 items defined as follows:
a) races finished
This is, by my understanding, the amount of races that you turn up for and race in, regardless of whether you finish or not. DNSHs do not count towards this, only finishes and DNF.
b) total races - 20%
This is the total number of races - 20% of the races. In the case of 10 races, this means 8 races.
c) total points
This is the total points you have accrued across all the races - the lowest scores from 20% of the races. In the case of 10 races this means 2 worst events.
The formula then is a/b*c (a divided by b multiplied by c)
So, let’s say for example that you have scored 1055 (as per RudiTurbo) and he has missed one race the figures are as follows:
a = 9
b = 8
c = 943 (which is 1055 minus his two lowest events Event 4=0, Event 6=112)
Using the formula we get 9 divided by 8 equals 1.125 then multiply this by 943 equals 1060.875 which is rounded up to 1060.9 (which is the score Rudi got!)
For myself the numbers are
a = 8
b = 8
c = 553
So here I get 8/8 = 1 * 553 = 553!
I hope this clears it up for you all, and if I am wrong please correct me. (I don't think I am!)
Tim
No noticeable delay here at 0.05.
Thanks
Tim
Last edited by t1ger, .
OK just tested on Vista (Ultimate Edition) Beta 2 (5308). This is not the latest version, I know - but I havent installed the latest one yet on a "gaming" PC, I will bring the DVD home with me tomorrow and test it this next week.
Test results:
0.01 - get a click every second, and every 3-4 seconds get two or more in quick succession clicks.
0.02 - get a click every second, sometimes misses a click
0.03 - usually OK, but every now and then, if I switch to another window and then back again, the click every second starts. If I move up to 0.04 and then back down again to 0.03 is settles again and works fine. This is very intermittent and doesn't always click.
0.04 - all OK even when switching windows.
During this test, the PC was not doing anything other than the test and running IE to type this in.
PC spec:
Intel P4 3.0GHz
1GB RAM
SoundBlaster PCI Soundcard (can't remember exact model - can find it if neccessary).
EDIT: when on 0.03 hovering the cursor over the File menu causes it to start clicking, on anything higher (ie 0.04 or above) this does not happen.
EDIT2: Don't know if it is relevant, but when the SoundTest window is not in focus the sound stops, and when the Help >> About window is open, the sound misses for about half a second, every second.
EDIT3: My Vista RC1 DVD is bust, so I have been delayed in testing on this version.
Thanks
Tim
Test results:
0.01 - get a click every second, and every 3-4 seconds get two or more in quick succession clicks.
0.02 - get a click every second, sometimes misses a click
0.03 - usually OK, but every now and then, if I switch to another window and then back again, the click every second starts. If I move up to 0.04 and then back down again to 0.03 is settles again and works fine. This is very intermittent and doesn't always click.
0.04 - all OK even when switching windows.
During this test, the PC was not doing anything other than the test and running IE to type this in.
PC spec:
Intel P4 3.0GHz
1GB RAM
SoundBlaster PCI Soundcard (can't remember exact model - can find it if neccessary).
EDIT: when on 0.03 hovering the cursor over the File menu causes it to start clicking, on anything higher (ie 0.04 or above) this does not happen.
EDIT2: Don't know if it is relevant, but when the SoundTest window is not in focus the sound stops, and when the Help >> About window is open, the sound misses for about half a second, every second.
EDIT3: My Vista RC1 DVD is bust, so I have been delayed in testing on this version.
Thanks
Tim
Last edited by t1ger, .
Glad its fixed - and sorry for the mis-information 
. Thanks for correcting me Krane.
Tim
. Thanks for correcting me Krane.Tim
As far as I can tell, Sygate has three options for LFS.EXE (and indeed any exe or dll trying to get through it). These are:
Allow (which is how I set it when I tested),
Block (which blocked it completely - even from listing the available servers) or
Ask (which asks the first time what it should do - ie allow or block) Note: what ever you answer here, stays for the duration of the session, until Sygate is closed and re-loaded.
You can not block LFS from accessing port 80 while allowing it access to another port - it is all or nothing.
Cr45h, you will have to try the security settings one by one. Turn Intrusion Prevention off ONLY and try it. If it does not work, turn it back on again and try turning the next option off. Repeat this until you find the answer. We know that it is this software causing it, and so we know it is one of these settings.
Good luck.
Tim
Allow (which is how I set it when I tested),
Block (which blocked it completely - even from listing the available servers) or
Ask (which asks the first time what it should do - ie allow or block) Note: what ever you answer here, stays for the duration of the session, until Sygate is closed and re-loaded.
You can not block LFS from accessing port 80 while allowing it access to another port - it is all or nothing.
Cr45h, you will have to try the security settings one by one. Turn Intrusion Prevention off ONLY and try it. If it does not work, turn it back on again and try turning the next option off. Repeat this until you find the answer. We know that it is this software causing it, and so we know it is one of these settings.
Good luck.
Tim
Hi Cr45h,
I have just downloaded and installed Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6 so I can talk with some knowledge now. It looks like you have the full licensed version to have all those options. With the free version I don't have the option of setting them all, however, you may want to do the following to troubleshoot this:
Right click the Sygate icon in the notify tray (bottom right next to the clock) and click Exit Firewall. This will close Sygate down altogether and take it out of the equation.
If this does not allow you to download skins, then it is something else (like maybe a firewall on your router).
If this does allow skins to download, then have a look at the attached options, as I know these work as this is how they are set on mine here and I have been able to download skins.
The General tab does not have any settings which could affect this either, it is just cosmetic app settings. From what I can tell, this app just blocks or allows at application level, so an application is either allowed or denied, so if you have enabled LFS.exe it should work. The only thing I can think is the Intrusion Prevention is blocking it - but I am not convinced.
Let us know how you get on with this.
Tim
I have just downloaded and installed Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6 so I can talk with some knowledge now. It looks like you have the full licensed version to have all those options. With the free version I don't have the option of setting them all, however, you may want to do the following to troubleshoot this:
Right click the Sygate icon in the notify tray (bottom right next to the clock) and click Exit Firewall. This will close Sygate down altogether and take it out of the equation.
If this does not allow you to download skins, then it is something else (like maybe a firewall on your router).
If this does allow skins to download, then have a look at the attached options, as I know these work as this is how they are set on mine here and I have been able to download skins.
The General tab does not have any settings which could affect this either, it is just cosmetic app settings. From what I can tell, this app just blocks or allows at application level, so an application is either allowed or denied, so if you have enabled LFS.exe it should work. The only thing I can think is the Intrusion Prevention is blocking it - but I am not convinced.
Let us know how you get on with this.
Tim
Pool 3 for me as well, and I was really looking forward to it! I had created myself a stable setup which I knew would only mean 1 pitstop for fuel. Tyres would last and did! My plan was to drive carefully, not make any mistakes and only overtake people who spun or crashed.
Fortunately, I started in my favorite place, last! From here you can only do better, I hate starting from anywhere else 'cos I feel like I should finish in the same place or higher and I hate it when I lose places.
Anyway, we started the lag lap. I really wish this was the real race 'cos I was up into 5th place before half way around the lap! Then we restarted
I hung right back and waited for everyone else to crash, err I mean sort themselves out! NASSA Ant crashed strangely at the start and didn't make it to the end of the first lap before spectating - bad luck mate!
A few others spun and part way around the lap (in front of the other Aston pit) I hit a spinning car and dropped all the way back to 16th. Fortunately my car was not damaged so I just carried on carefully. By the end of this lap I was 13th.
After that I was able to keep the people behind me, behind me and they never looked like catching. This all changed after my pitstop at the end of lap 17, when I came out in 7th or 8th I think, with istabraq behind by about 3 seconds. He caught me right up and was at one point within 0.43 of a second, but I was faster on the twiddly slower parts of the track and managed to stay in front all the time. Then he got tied up with lowgoods as he came up behind him and overtook him on about lap 26 or so. Then lowgoods caught me and passed me easily on the main straight. This was fine, I was still 8th overall. istabraq was then 4 seconds behind me after his fight with lowgoods. Only a few laps left though and I was able to keep him there. Then on lap 29 (I think) lowgoods crashed and I got past into 7th, which is where I finished.
From 16th to 7th in 30 laps - this was my plan, and I stuck to it. I am pleased with the race I just wish I could have done it with a less "stable" set and put some pb's in, but I knew I could not be consistant and fast with this car, so this was the only way.
I'm done now,
Tim
Fortunately, I started in my favorite place, last! From here you can only do better, I hate starting from anywhere else 'cos I feel like I should finish in the same place or higher and I hate it when I lose places.
Anyway, we started the lag lap. I really wish this was the real race 'cos I was up into 5th place before half way around the lap! Then we restarted
I hung right back and waited for everyone else to crash, err I mean sort themselves out!
NASSA Ant crashed strangely at the start and didn't make it to the end of the first lap before spectating - bad luck mate!A few others spun and part way around the lap (in front of the other Aston pit) I hit a spinning car and dropped all the way back to 16th. Fortunately my car was not damaged so I just carried on carefully. By the end of this lap I was 13th.
After that I was able to keep the people behind me, behind me and they never looked like catching. This all changed after my pitstop at the end of lap 17, when I came out in 7th or 8th I think, with istabraq behind by about 3 seconds. He caught me right up and was at one point within 0.43 of a second, but I was faster on the twiddly slower parts of the track and managed to stay in front all the time. Then he got tied up with lowgoods as he came up behind him and overtook him on about lap 26 or so. Then lowgoods caught me and passed me easily on the main straight. This was fine, I was still 8th overall. istabraq was then 4 seconds behind me after his fight with lowgoods. Only a few laps left though and I was able to keep him there. Then on lap 29 (I think) lowgoods crashed and I got past into 7th, which is where I finished.
From 16th to 7th in 30 laps - this was my plan, and I stuck to it. I am pleased with the race I just wish I could have done it with a less "stable" set and put some pb's in, but I knew I could not be consistant and fast with this car, so this was the only way.
I'm done now,
Tim
I say we should be extreemly grateful for you to run the servers at all! (which I am, of course 
)
However, as you have asked our opinion, I think 2 servers run at 2 different times is best Helpful for me as I always miss the early one!
Thanks
Tim
)However, as you have asked our opinion, I think 2 servers run at 2 different times is best Helpful for me as I always miss the early one!
Thanks
Tim
Edit the Wiki I mean - with words and wisdom about LFS!
Tim
Well, you know what to do... get editing!
Anyway, what was this thread about??!
Tim
Anyway, what was this thread about??!
Tim
I know, its great isn't it! There is as much information on there about l337 as there is about Cancer (the disease) and more (by some 4 times) than there is about deep vein thrombosis!
Go figure...
Tim
[EDIT] Hurrah, 100 posts!! er.. I mean..er, I don't care...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leet
Tim
(ps - I am not just trying to increase my post count... honest!)
(pps - @nutty boy - you will never catch Tristan!)
Tim
(ps - I am not just trying to increase my post count... honest!)
(pps - @nutty boy - you will never catch Tristan!)
Sorry FlintFredstone, I think that is way to complicated. It needs to be less complicated, like my way 
If we have the minimap, then it needs to be easy to use, but useful, and as I have said, why do you need to know where the leader is? You don't, if the leaders are lapping you, you get a blue flag - it doesn't matter if it is first, second or third, you let them past. The only racers you NEED to know about are those directly infront of you and directly behind you (in terms of race position not track position). Hence the different colour for these only!
However, I agree that the minimap is very arcade like, and we need something a bit more realistic. I am not sure what, but maybe adding functionality to the minimap is a step in the wrong direction!
Tim
If we have the minimap, then it needs to be easy to use, but useful, and as I have said, why do you need to know where the leader is? You don't, if the leaders are lapping you, you get a blue flag - it doesn't matter if it is first, second or third, you let them past. The only racers you NEED to know about are those directly infront of you and directly behind you (in terms of race position not track position). Hence the different colour for these only!
However, I agree that the minimap is very arcade like, and we need something a bit more realistic. I am not sure what, but maybe adding functionality to the minimap is a step in the wrong direction!
Tim
Thanks for that link, I will check it out when I get chance.
I tested the message thing last night using rcm messages. At the moment I have a do..loop waiting for five seconds before it clears the message but I did think about using a timer to clear it instead, I just haven't worked out the details of this yet. So far so good though.
Thanks
Tim
I tested the message thing last night using rcm messages. At the moment I have a do..loop waiting for five seconds before it clears the message but I did think about using a timer to clear it instead, I just haven't worked out the details of this yet. So far so good though.
Thanks
Tim
Thanks,
I will no doubt need your help!
The project I am starting is specifically a Hotlap tracking system, whereby it will watch you do hotlaps and keep a database of your split times and lap times and save them in a database. Then I will be able to see my session (in a seperate application btw not in LFS itself!) times and the differences between splits etc.
I also would like it to show on screen in LFS the difference of your current split with your best split time, but the only way I can think of doing this at the moment is through a message (top left of the screen) which could be difficult to see. Another way is using the /rcm command to show a race control message, but I have not tested this yet.
Is there any other (easy) way to show it on screen? I am not interested in using a DirectX proxy to do it btw - its too complicated (I think) and I like to understand all the code I write! For this reason I am glad your NewInSim stuff is quite simple, although I have seen some scary stuff at the bottom of the okSocket code!!!
Anyway, thanks in advance.
Tim
I will no doubt need your help!
The project I am starting is specifically a Hotlap tracking system, whereby it will watch you do hotlaps and keep a database of your split times and lap times and save them in a database. Then I will be able to see my session (in a seperate application btw not in LFS itself!) times and the differences between splits etc.
I also would like it to show on screen in LFS the difference of your current split with your best split time, but the only way I can think of doing this at the moment is through a message (top left of the screen) which could be difficult to see. Another way is using the /rcm command to show a race control message, but I have not tested this yet.
Is there any other (easy) way to show it on screen? I am not interested in using a DirectX proxy to do it btw - its too complicated (I think) and I like to understand all the code I write! For this reason I am glad your NewInSim stuff is quite simple, although I have seen some scary stuff at the bottom of the okSocket code!!!
Anyway, thanks in advance.
Tim
I have had chance to use this now and ... WOW ... so much easier - well done RayOK! I love it.
At the same time you have taught me something about VB and there isn't *too* many things that make me wonder what the hell is going on!
I really can not thank you enough, I can now start doing what I wanted to do.
Tim
At the same time you have taught me something about VB and there isn't *too* many things that make me wonder what the hell is going on!
I really can not thank you enough, I can now start doing what I wanted to do.
Tim
Thanks RayOK, that looks really neat! I have just got used to the other way you did it, but I think I will stop that and start using this method. Thanks again!!
I just wish I understood it all!Its OK I found my error!
For those of you who care, the code that works is as follows:
Basically the bytSec etc parts are single bytes, the byt2str() function needs an array of bytes to work.
Tim
For those of you who care, the code that works is as follows:
Case "SP1"
Dim udtSPX As IS_SPX
CopyMemory udtSPX, bytRecvData(0), LenB(udtSPX)
frmMain.txtChat.Text = frmMain.txtChat.Text & vbNewLine & " : " & udtSPX.mshtTime.bytMin & ":" & udtSPX.mshtTime.bytSec & "." & udtSPX.mshtTime.bytHnd
Basically the bytSec etc parts are single bytes, the byt2str() function needs an array of bytes to work.
Tim
Hi,
I am trying to use your InSim vba example, but I am struggling with something.
I have turned on Race Tracking by doing the following:
udtInSimInit.bytFlags = ISF_KEEP_ALIVE + ISF_SPLIT_MESSAGE + ISF_RACE_TRACKING
Then in the ParseMessage sub I have added the following case
Case "LAP"
Dim udtLAP As IS_LAP
CopyMemory udtLAP, bytRecvData(0), LenB(udtLAP)
frmMain.txtChat.Text = frmMain.txtChat.Text & vbNewLine & byt2str(udtLAP.bytPName) & " : " & byt2str(udtLAP.mshtTime.bytMin) & ":" & byt2str(udtLAP.mshtTime.bytSec) & "." & byt2str(udtLAP.mshtTime.bytHnd)
Which I think is right, but for some reason I get an error when I click the connect button. See the attached screenshot for the error message. I dont understand it because it seems to be saying that something else is expected but the .bytMin IS correct.
Please tell me I am doing something wrong!!
Thanks in advance
Tim
Firstly, thanks for these updates - they are fantastic! Especially the new track selection screen - love it and love how it came with help from the community!
Now, as you have made changes to the minimap, I thought I would add my two pence! I suggested some time ago, that the biggest addition to the mini map would be the colour of the racer directly in front of you and the person directly behind you in position, be coloured slightly differently.
For example, I am in a race with 6 others and I am 3rd. The colours on the minimap would be:
Place Colour
1st Yellow - as they are now
2nd Light yellow
3rd Green - as it is now
4th Light orange
5th Orange - as it is now
6th Orange - as it is now
You only really need to know who these people are because they are the people fighting with you for the next position.
I am sure it should be fairly easy to do (should you want to ) and compatible.
Thanks and keep up the good work (Scawen and Community alike!!! )
Tim
EDIT: oh yes, nearly forgot, the server list sorting is most excellent!
Now, as you have made changes to the minimap, I thought I would add my two pence! I suggested some time ago, that the biggest addition to the mini map would be the colour of the racer directly in front of you and the person directly behind you in position, be coloured slightly differently.
For example, I am in a race with 6 others and I am 3rd. The colours on the minimap would be:
Place Colour
1st Yellow - as they are now
2nd Light yellow
3rd Green - as it is now
4th Light orange
5th Orange - as it is now
6th Orange - as it is now
You only really need to know who these people are because they are the people fighting with you for the next position.
I am sure it should be fairly easy to do (should you want to
) and compatible.Thanks and keep up the good work (Scawen and Community alike!!!
)Tim
EDIT: oh yes, nearly forgot, the server list sorting is most excellent!
Last edited by t1ger, .
I have done some more searching, and it is indeed a very grey area. However, if people are sending you their songs for you to stream, then this is "sharing" the tracks, is it not?
I don't know - its too complicated. Just be careful.
Tim
Hi Ant,
I qualify on point 1 and 3 (I just checked and I have done 5539 miles online!) and of course I like to have fun - as you know from our brief but highly enjoyable encounters!
Unfortunately, I can only represent NA from afar (ie from the UK), however, as that is where your servers are coupled with the fact that I used to work with somebody that has now moved to Canada..... could I perhaps get in.... maybe .... please!
Tim
I qualify on point 1 and 3 (I just checked and I have done 5539 miles online!) and of course I like to have fun - as you know from our brief but highly enjoyable encounters!
Unfortunately, I can only represent NA from afar (ie from the UK), however, as that is where your servers are coupled with the fact that I used to work with somebody that has now moved to Canada..... could I perhaps get in.... maybe .... please!
Tim
I don't want to burst your bubble - but I also don't want anyone to get into trouble!
Is this not classed as a public performance? If it is, am I right in saying that this breaches the copyright of the tracks?! Correct me if I am wrong.
Tim
Is this not classed as a public performance? If it is, am I right in saying that this breaches the copyright of the tracks?! Correct me if I am wrong.
Tim
Pool 7 for me too! I started 7th (of the 8 who showed) and took it *really* easy. So much so that I let everyone over take me. My plan being to beat all those who didn't finish but not really attack anybody else. My plan worked for the most part as 4 cars got damaged and ended up being slower than me, so I finished 4th, which I am pleased with.
The race itself was quite uneventful apart from being spun coming on to the back straight by bbman (no worries btw!)
I made one mistake where I took a corner too wide, but apart from that I managed to keep it on the black stuff in the right place for all 50 laps, albeit about 1 second off my fastest lap all the time!
@bbman - you made a good job of keeping out of my way most of the time, I think there was just once when I had to avoid you, but Johnathan was watching and he allowed you to go on - so I am happy with that decision.
Tim
The race itself was quite uneventful apart from being spun coming on to the back straight by bbman (no worries btw!)
I made one mistake where I took a corner too wide, but apart from that I managed to keep it on the black stuff in the right place for all 50 laps, albeit about 1 second off my fastest lap all the time!
@bbman - you made a good job of keeping out of my way most of the time, I think there was just once when I had to avoid you, but Johnathan was watching and he allowed you to go on - so I am happy with that decision.
Tim
FGED GREDG RDFGDR GSFDG