As per the title. I have put some possible solutions up in order to try and stop the distraction of in-race spam/messages.

I know there is a "block messages" feature already. But I'm thinking more along the lines of all those long delays before races restart because people sit around chatting at the end of a race.

In real life, racers don't sit on the track chatting and racers aren't distracted by spectators chatting about the race etc.

So options above are intended to make LFS more like real race events, (hopefully).

The suggestions are purely for normal users, admins will still have other tools available to them for messaging/notifications etc.

You need another option "other" with comment please describe

This was my thoughts on it back in 2006

http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?p=57879#post57879

See also posts above and below...

IMHO:

As a server options, only admins can send messages. Private messages would be ok, however you can't use it to say "sorry, my bad" if you crash to someone, because instead of pressing funtion key, you would now have to type "/msg $nick sorry, my bad".

Partially misunderstood the question. That's why I would add that spectators can freely chat with other spectators (Racers can't see these messages).

Just to clarify, the point of the suggestions is to keep the screen clear of text messages to those involved in a race but with the added benefit of preventing people from sitting around chatting "on track" at a race end stopping the new race from being started.

hmmm.. how do I edit the poll options??

You tell a mod what it is you want to change.

Then we humourously add NFSU2 as a poll option and give it 200 votes.

Quote from Bob Smith :

You tell a mod what it is you want to change.

Then we humourously add NFSU2 as a poll option and give it 200 votes.

In that case would you be so kind as to add an "Other" option as suggested by Glenn67.

Oh and add 200 votes to option 3

Thanks.

Quote from gezmoor :

Oh and add 200 votes to option 3

Fine by me. Although as a programmer I'm used to zero based counting...

Thx Bob I've now voted

Dmn Bob I voted too early

The only change I would like is the ability to private message/whisper to another user.

Quote from Bean0 :

The only change I would like is the ability to private message/whisper to another user.

That would be option 1.

bob any chance of clearing the votes and starting again??

Quote from gezmoor :

That would be option 1.

bob any chance of clearing the votes and starting again??

I meant as well as the current system

Quote from Bob Smith :

You tell a mod what it is you want to change.

Then we humourously add NFSU2 as a poll option and give it 200 votes.

bhahahah I saw that post before I even joined this site or bought LFS. I had to sit there and ask myself.. it this a joke? is LFS that bad that people like NFSU2 better? wtf is going on? this place is strange... I never stopped wondering till I just read that hahahahha

Quote from gezmoor :

bob any chance of clearing the votes and starting again??

If I clear the votes, I'm pretty sure those who have voted won't be able to vote again. Given there was only 4 votes when I edited the poll, I reckon it's safe to let it run.

Quote from gezmoor :

Just to clarify, the point of the suggestions is to keep the screen clear of text messages to those involved in a race but with the added benefit of preventing people from sitting around chatting "on track" at a race end stopping the new race from being started.

The bold part is what I don't understand. How does people chatting prevent the next race from being started? Or are you talking about servers where an admin has to "manually" start the next race and may get caught up in a conversation, thus delaying the start of the next race...? I thought most servers just used a timer to automatically start a new race

That being said, I think it would help a lot if messages from spectators could only be seen by spectators, similar to most FPS games. People that are racing usually don't say much more than "", "good pass", "good race", etc... which I don't find very disturbing or distracting.

I have suggested this before, but I would like an additional 'block messages' mode that would block messages from everyone except those who are actively racing - ie. spectators, finished racers, etc. would be blocked, but someone saying 'sorry' after accidentally pushing you would be visible.

After you finish or stop racing it could also automatically show all messages again (maybe even have some old messages visible in the message history with H key)

i like the open chat option! only for spectators! but for the drivers only the F1, 2, 3..... buttons

I would like open chat available to spectators only, but with the option to PM people currently racing. I often like to chat to people in a server and many people don't seem to know how to work the Block Messages button, and they tell me to shutup and race.

Quote from ATC Quicksilver :

I would like open chat available to spectators only, but with the option to PM people currently racing. I often like to chat to people in a server and many people don't seem to know how to work the Block Messages button, and they tell me to shutup and race.

Unfortunately, blocking messages will also block important ones. It would be good if messages from admins/"marshals" gets through even if someone blocks messages.