Please give feedback what you think is the best way to run GPB servers in future.
The situation becomes a bit more complicated with the upcoming mods.
- how many servers are needed/usefull
- which tracks
- open, GP1000, ...
- training, race, ..., track conditions
- track rotating - how to choose the tracks
- how to handle the mods
Is it better for the future of the sim if I draw back and more members run their own servers?
(running the servers or stop it - both no problem for me)
Please discuss and tell what you want and prefer.
No other user can today run servers as you do dibu. So the only thing is clear is that you should NOT draw back.
My 2c on the rest:
- we've lost the hotlap stuff, that's VERY bad :( :( Hotlap was very effective in gathering riders together and pushing them to discover new tracks.
- open servers always.
- 3 victoria servers no MOD (dry groove training, dry race, wet training) [\li]
- 2 servers with custom tracks, rotating every week or 2 weeks, possibly with tracks that are issue-free[\li]
- 1 victora dry test server and 1 cudtomtrack (dry test) with MOD[\li]
The more I think about how to handle properly the mods, the more I convince myself that there's no way out of the separate http/ftp download server, but this would require some work from Piboso (but that will be usable by all his sims, not only GPB) and for the server admins (need to put in place an http or ftp server for in-game downloads).
MaX.
First off thank you for the effort and servers!
With 69 tracks its hard to narrow it down because everyone has opinions on what they like/dislike. There are obvious tracks that are better suited for these GPBikes to run on regardless of the sole person who would disagree..
It seems as it stands at the moment there is direction but its loose.
Communication and observation of the servers themselves can point the direction in time as it seems to difficult to determine an exact answer off the top of ones head unless you just do what you think is right. I hope that isn't redundant.
Climax's netcode and servers for GP2 were pretty good and worth a look back at. http://www.shawnhargreaves.com/
Wish there is a simple answer but this is not possible.
hotlap servers are, for sure, the best servers i've ever played in
Quote from: WALKEN on December 20, 2013, 04:55:50 PM
Climax's netcode and servers for GP2 were pretty good and worth a look back at. http://www.shawnhargreaves.com/
Not sure how much Piboso may need/want help on netcode, but definitely a person that may be worth contacting, in case.
MaX.
For sure! Thank you for noticing this point Hornet ;)
For me I like to run laps and set times, always have since 2001 on many GP/kart games.
I like to run laps with other people with collisions off with voice chat (headset). This is like practice and pushing the limit of what is possible in terms of times.. Granted I am not that good at GPBikes but I am making time to put more effort into being here more often using the betas and servers to test.
I was in a server with "wil46 #29 last night and had a very brief chat until he bailed. I think he is French and I'm from the USA I noticed no lag or core drops while I was on this server "Paul Ricard"
I will open my own time trial for Mugello from time to time if anyone sees it join and we test :)
Quote from: dibu on December 20, 2013, 03:49:34 PM
- how many servers are needed/usefull
- which tracks
- open, GP1000, ...
- training, race, ..., track conditions
- track rotating - how to choose the tracks
- how to handle the mods
* your professional way of providing "official servers" is invaluable for the community - so please continue! your effort is very much appreciated (though not mentioned regularly)
* number of servers useful: I´d say the way you used to handle it was perfect... focus on Victoria since this is more or less the only official track, and provide 3-4 more servers of popular tracks. hotlap event was pretty cool 'cause, as stated by Max, it was a nice little mini contest and it provided an incentive to learn new tracks
* in terms of track rotation imho it would be nice if the current track on the MotoGP-calender (during the season ofc) would be featured as a server
* in terms of mods I would say we need some(!), very few, sort of "official mods" to be labeled by the community and Piboso that should be featured in your "official servers" - speaking of mods that should only be quality mods for bikes/physics and they should be featured in your servers
* mod-wise the multi bike mod should be standard for all servers.... I dont see a reason why that should not be featured if there is a quality control for the bikes featured in that multi bike mod
hope that somehow resembles a policy everyone would be happy with
Quote from: Stout Johnson on December 20, 2013, 10:36:49 PM
Quote from: dibu on December 20, 2013, 03:49:34 PM
- how many servers are needed/usefull
- which tracks
- open, GP1000, ...
- training, race, ..., track conditions
- track rotating - how to choose the tracks
- how to handle the mods
* your professional way of providing "official servers" is invaluable for the community - so please continue! your effort is very much appreciated (though not mentioned regularly)
* number of servers useful: I´d say the way you used to handle it was perfect... focus on Victoria since this is more or less the only official track, and provide 3-4 more servers of popular tracks. hotlap event was pretty cool 'cause, as stated by Max, it was a nice little mini contest and it provided an incentive to learn new tracks
* in terms of track rotation imho it would be nice if the current track on the MotoGP-calender (during the season ofc) would be featured as a server
* in terms of mods I would say we need some(!), very few, sort of "official mods" to be labeled by the community and Piboso that should be featured in your "official servers" - speaking of mods that should only be quality mods for bikes/physics and they should be featured in your servers
* mod-wise the multi bike mod should be standard for all servers.... I dont see a reason why that should not be featured if there is a quality control for the bikes featured in that multi bike mod
hope that somehow resembles a policy everyone would be happy with
Well what would i add to this post? Nothing, all very well put and i agree a 100%
And Yes Dibu has and is doing a great job with the servers, i can imagine that it takes lots of his free time (or even work time) to maintain it.
So to you Dibu, a very big.....
(http://i.imgur.com/3d5akxJ.jpg)
for all youre work for this community.
Thank you for your feedback. It is important for me to know what the community wants/prefers and how to position the servers for best success of GPB.
A continious feedback about what could be made better would be nice.
From your proposals I read:
- Servers are wanted and should continue
- the 3 Victoria servers should stay in focus
- 4 additional tracks with popular tracks (during the season the actual MotoGP track)
- all tracks open category
- some of the tracks (including Victoria dry) with and without the 'official' Multibike Mod
- Important for running the servers: only very few official mods with version number should exist
I will also take a look at the hotlap server this weekend and see what can be done.
Quote from: Stout Johnson on December 20, 2013, 10:36:49 PM
* in terms of mods I would say we need some(!), very few, sort of "official mods" to be labeled by the community and Piboso that should be featured in your "official servers" - speaking of mods that should only be quality mods for bikes/physics and they should be featured in your servers
* mod-wise the multi bike mod should be standard for all servers.... I dont see a reason why that should not be featured if there is a quality control for the bikes featured in that multi bike mod
Fully agree. Imo, best would be to have only one official mod supported by my servers. New bikes could be added and the version number incremented.
Everything else could become a big mod chaos.
Quote from: HornetMaX on December 20, 2013, 04:16:34 PM
The more I think about how to handle properly the mods, the more I convince myself that there's no way out of the separate http/ftp download server, but this would require some work from Piboso (but that will be usable by all his sims, not only GPB) and for the server admins (need to put in place an http or ftp server for in-game downloads).
Hmm, the download of the huge mod file takes a lot of time. We would need fast ftp/http space with direct download access and no traffic limit. Not sure how to realise this.
is there at least 1 wet server at victoria?
Quote from: Alby46 on December 21, 2013, 01:36:07 PM
is there at least 1 wet server at victoria?
Yes it's up again Track 18 + 38
thank you i like wet asphalt :)
Quote from: HornetMaX on December 20, 2013, 04:16:34 PM
The more I think about how to handle properly the mods, the more I convince myself that there's no way out of the separate http/ftp download server, but this would require some work from Piboso (but that will be usable by all his sims, not only GPB) and for the server admins (need to put in place an http or ftp server for in-game downloads).
Hmm, the download of the huge mod file takes a lot of time. We would need fast ftp/http space with direct download access and no traffic limit. Not sure how to realise this.
[/quote]
I can offer for the official mod repository on ftp gp-bikescz.com ;)
The problem is not having one Hany, that's easy. The problem is having the game connect to it when necessary.
In CoD4 for example, when I connect to a server that has a mod (10-30MB) or a map (30-60MB) that I don't have, the game connets to an external http server (configured, and mot likely runned, by the server admin) that allows me to download what I need to play on that server and once the download is over, I can get in.
This way each server admin only maintains the downloads that are necessary for his own servers. This also solve versioning problems: no matter what the most recent version of mod xyz is, the one I need to play on dibu's server is ... the one he is using :)
MaX.
Aha .. Sorry ... I did not understand the extensiveness problems. :-[
Quote from: Alby46 on December 20, 2013, 06:07:09 PM
hotlap servers are, for sure, the best servers i've ever played in
GPB+WRS hotlap servers are back now. :)
thank you :)
just a question: when did you start hosting gpb and wrs servers?
Quote from: Alby46 on December 21, 2013, 06:26:43 PM
thank you :)
just a question: when did you start hosting gpb and wrs servers?
Pheew, Alzheimer is greeting. If I remember right my first PiBoSo servers startet in April/May 2011 for KRP (caused several crashes of the master server ;D ). GPB/WRS servers were added at the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012 for beta1P.
Now there are enough KRP servers and I'm only hosting GPB+WRS.
wow....big thanks for your work
You are THE MAN Dibu, big thanks for your effort keeping GPB alive, we couldn't ever thank you enough
Don't ever think we take you for granted Dibu, you are much appreciated, but sometimes we forget to say it...
For sure Victoria is needed, it is the most used track by far. 2 or 3 of the best other tracks would be good also, changed weekly?
And the hotlap servers are an absolute necessity! Also changed weekly, motogp tracks would be great, but not essential.
Actually, there are a lot of not so good tracks,,particularly for racing and some unusually good ones that never get used. having just ridden all of them in the past few days (recovering from flu) on the 3 main bikes, I must try compile a list in order of raceability and see what everyone else thinks. For example, Mantorp with the 125 is particular good!
Quote from: nuovaic on December 21, 2013, 11:27:03 PM
Actually, there are a lot of not so good tracks,,particularly for racing and some unusually good ones that never get used. having just ridden all of them in the past few days (recovering from flu) on the 3 main bikes, I must try compile a list in order of raceability and see what everyone else thinks. For example, Mantorp with the 125 is particular good!
A list of good and well drivable tracks would help very much for track rotaion. I often don't know which track to choose for hotlap or other servers.
Quote from: Hany12 on December 21, 2013, 03:44:40 PM
I can offer for the official mod repository on ftp gp-bikescz.com ;)
Thank you Hany, I'll keep in mind. Maybe we can use it.
Quote from: HornetMaX on December 21, 2013, 03:50:21 PM
The problem is not having one Hany, that's easy. The problem is having the game connect to it when necessary.
...
This way each server admin only maintains the downloads that are necessary for his own servers. This also solve versioning problems: no matter what the most recent version of mod xyz is, the one I need to play on dibu's server is ... the one he is using :)
You are right MaX but how it works atm surely isn't a final solution. Something must happen from PiBoSo's side to make the handling of the mods possible. If something like a 'live-download' is added, the (ftp/http) server-address will be specified in the server's dedicated.ini and I would be happy to use a good external source ( e.g. Hany's ftp).
To preserve the bandwidth for the dedicated servers it's important that the client only receives the external address and initiates the direct download. The client task has also to look for a proper placing of the files in the gpbikes folder.
Ok, this is my personal wishlist of tracks in order of preference with number out of 10 in first column. Based on enjoyment and useability of ALL classes.
Please post yours!
10 Assen
10 Monza (any version)
10 Brno
10 Enna Pergusa
10 Vallelunga
10 Dijon Prenois
9 Aragon
9 Mugello (any version)
9 Misano
9 Johor
9 Paul Ricard
9 Catalunya (Saint West)
9 Janjgp2
8 Barcelona
8 COTA
8 Aldo Scribante
8 Cleveland
7 Mantorp
7 Snetterton
7 Albi (any version)
7 Magny Cours
7 Valencia GP
6 HTTT
6 Poznan
6 Castle Comb
6 Croft
6 Silverstone
6 NW200
5 Donnington
5 Pembrey
5 Limerock
5 Mosport
5 Avus
4 Mountain
4 Laguna Seca
4 Norisring
4 Nogaro
4 Macau
4 Daytona 200
4 Sachsenring NC
4 Brands Hatch NC
Thank you very much, your list helps a lot :)
Could we get a small track for hotlaps next, one that not so hard to learn as paul ricard or Assen, Something like avus, norisring ,limerock, pembrey. Limerock hard with the jumps thinking about it. Something when you don't have to wait 2 minutes until the next lap.
Quote from: nuovaic on December 22, 2013, 10:36:38 AM
10 Brno
Brno 10? It's a cool track, but the corner at the end is IMPOSSIBLE...
Pretty good list for the rest ;)
Magny Cours should be a 8-9 imo, beautiful track, no bumps,...
Paul Ricard is my favorite track, graphics, perfect for the 1000cc, fast,...`
Quote from: Arvoss on January 14, 2014, 08:37:50 PM
Paul Ricard is my favorite track, graphics, perfect for the 1000cc, fast,...`
Go over the fence and you fall though the floor. I've done this a lot trying to learn the place.
Quote from: Arvoss on January 14, 2014, 08:37:50 PM
Brno 10? It's a cool track, but the corner at the end is IMPOSSIBLE...
Pretty good list for the rest ;)
Magny Cours should be a 8-9 imo, beautiful track, no bumps,...
Paul Ricard is my favorite track, graphics, perfect for the 1000cc, fast,...`
So give us your complete list then.
That corner at Brno is most definitely NOT impossible. Once you have learned how to to attack it, it is easy.
8 Assen
Monza (any version)
8 Brno
10 Enna Pergusa
8 Vallelunga
9 Dijon Prenois
7 Aragon
Mugello (any version)
10 Misano
9 Johor
7 Paul Ricard
2 Catalunya (Saint West)
Janjgp2
Barcelona
8 COTA
Aldo Scribante
Cleveland
Mantorp
Snetterton
Albi (any version)
9 Magny Cours
Valencia GP
8 HTTT
Poznan
Castle Comb
Croft
7 Silverstone
NW200
0 Donnington
7 Pembrey
7 Limerock
Mosport
8 Avus
Mountain
Laguna Seca
8 Norisring
Nogaro
Macau
Daytona 200
8 Sachsenring NC
7 Brands Hatch NC
only two words, thanks dibu.
i agree with all post here, only one thing, some tracks, as good as they are, are not finished yet, i think it's not a good idea to add it on a server until finished.
Quote from: janaucarre on January 15, 2014, 05:42:22 PM
only two words, thanks dibu.
i agree with all post here, only one thing, some tracks, as good as they are, are not finished yet, i think it's not a good idea to add it on a server until finished.
Hi janaucarre, which tracks do you mean? Monzabike, Mugello? No problem, I can respect it when I change tracks next Sunday. :)
Quote from: janaucarre on January 15, 2014, 05:42:22 PM
only two words, thanks dibu.
i agree with all post here, only one thing, some tracks, as good as they are, are not finished yet, i think it's not a good idea to add it on a server until finished.
I'd qualify that, with all due respect janaucarre, by saying that so long as the author doesn't mind a track being put on the server before it's finished, then why not? There are SO few good tracks around that to ride even an unfinished track with a good riding track surface is a good thing at this time. If there were plenty of good finished tracks to choose from then I'd totally agree with you, janaucarre; but right now we need all the encouragement we can get to get people racing online, and cutting out good rideable tracks from the online servers, even though they may not be finished is, I believe, a mistake.
There is also the case that the author will get good feedback from people riding on the tracks. I for one would promote dibu to put a track on his servers that I'd created, even if it was unfinished.
The eye candy of a good quality completely finished track is great, but for me the most important thing is the actual track surface, and if there is a track with a good track surface then I would hope I could race online using that track, finished or not, simply because there is a huge shortage of good track surfaces to race on at this time. :)
Janaucarre, I hope I changed your mind? Probably not, but it was worth a try. Hehe ;) ;D 8)
What ever happened to the hotlap server?
Quote from: RBp on March 10, 2014, 09:00:30 AM
What ever happened to the hotlap server?
I've simply too much to work for business atm. Give me some more weeks and the biggest part of my projects should be done. Then I'll hopefully have more time again.
The Hotlap server is quite time consuming because you have to do a lot of things manually. It's an early beta and developement has stopped because random (the author of the Hotlap system) left the forum.
I think the same thing about not finished track, the most importaant thing for me is the riding surfaces, but a not finished track, sometimes, needs to be rescale and the marshalls the cameras needs to be remade and its a lot of work( i make often two or three times the same things). Why i choose to not post a not finished track:
First: i think i have posted many unfinished track( reason: the unknown skills, the problem with texturing(yet now: some good in 3dsmax and not in right scale ingame or rotate by 90 degrees???)
Second: We have had a discussion on that point in the french forum, the result is that i note most people prefer a finished track than a non, even on server of dibu or/and in stat page.
If many people ask to post a nonfinished track, i can post it, but most of time only 1 or 3 persons, ask for a preview.
I will create a post in this forum relevant to this discussion.