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Board » Sailonline Yacht Club » Possible Feature

Posted by
bc


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2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-20 01:55:15 - Possible Feature
Still pretty new here so maybe this has been addressed before. If not, perhaps I risk painting a target on my back and handing out arrows at the same time BUT, has anyone considered adding currents to SOL? I fear it would add a magnitude of complexity to coding and sailing but it would make races like Newport/Marion to Bermuda race a realistic, challenging race.

*looking for a rock to hide under*
Posted by
ShamrockPirate


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2010-12-03 17:49:57
2011-12-20 02:16:46 - Re: Possible Feature
Hi bc!

Welcome to SOL! Hope you are enjoying the experience. No worries, quivers are empty.
I may have even asked this question when I first joined (and lived to tell the tale!)
;-)

There have been past discussions re: adding currents as yet another challenging variable to the simulation. I can't speak for the SOL Admin Team but, as you rightly guessed, adding those elements AND maintaining the realism we enjoy on SOL for polars, weather, navigation, etc. would be far too much computer resource.

Again, welcome to the fleet.
I will look for your transom ahead of me in coming races!

SP
Posted by
bc


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2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-20 03:33:59 - Re: Possible Feature
In a way I think I'm glad. I have enough trouble with the wind for now. I'm happy the quiver's empty though, how about the blunder buss.

Thanks for the welcome.
Posted by
captjack1942


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2008-01-18 03:24:03
2011-12-23 02:58:40 - Re: Possible Feature
You are right that this has been discussed before (and often). According to AGage, the server load is not the problem. It is getting the information in a format that can be loaded in to the client (like the NOAA gfs files for weather.
Another is we need an angel to allow the likes of Kalle, Brain, AG, Richard Price...etc the time to write the code. And to pay for the server. As it is, the folks who join SYC barely cover the cost with SYC dues.
Posted by
bc


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2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-26 01:11:12 - Re: Possible Feature
Excellent reasons, though I think the current data is available in grib files. More important is the Angel and Financing. I sure know that story. I maintain a server now at an 80% loss. Those writing the code should be compensated somehow.
Posted by
bc


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2011-10-31 03:32:01
2011-12-26 14:54:35 - Re: Possible Feature
Of course, having brought up this subject for the purpose of proposing a Bermuda Race, I now realize that the biggest reason for following the Gulf Stream in that race is because of the effect of the wind at the boundary. *DUH* So in the virtual world, with wind data that is universal across the fleet, the need for current and temperature is really unnecessary.
Posted by
AGage


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2008-12-27 10:31:57
2011-12-29 05:32:03 - Re: Possible Feature
It also greatly complicates:
a) The client - having to display the currents. Also is more data to download, and TBH we could already do with allowing more wx data, especially for large courses like SWR etc
b) Routing - which is possibly the biggest issue, as it not only increases the gap between those who use routing software and those who don't, but also between the various routers as not all (especially free ones) handle input of currents and waves for the purposes of routing.

There is a FAQ entry in the manual regarding currents - which points out that currents have been tried and dismissed as appropriate for SOL.
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__

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Our next race in our Ocean Championships is the first of a series of great natural migrations we will track in 2026. The leatherback turtle is the most widely distributed marine reptile on planet Earth, and chooses to breed in warm tropical waters, but prefers to forage in more temperate habitats, travelling thousands and thousands of miles effortlessly annually to maintain this way of life. Our race will follow one of the typical trips of this turtle, from breeding grounds in the seas off West Papua to the coast of Oregon. It’s only 5900nm, so to keep up, but in comfort, we’ll follow in our Gunboat 90.
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