Zezo forum:

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-10 | 15:56:20

Hi,
I've implemented a small Chrome extension that monitors your boat on VR and calls Zezo.
It is beta at best, documentation is still missing completely.
If you're not afraid to install an extension that requires debugger privileges, give it a try:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/vr-dashboard/amknkhejaogpekncjekiaolgldbejjan?hl=de

Here is a short explanation of the table columns:
Time - time of the boat state update
Position - boat position
Heading - boat heading
TWS - Wind speed
TWD - Wind direction
TWA - Wind direction relative to heading
vR (kts) - Speed _R_eported in boat state update
vL (kts) - Speed computed from _L_ogged positions
vC (kts) - Theoretical speed according to game parameters (not implemented yet)
Δd (nm) - Distance travelled since last update
Δt (sec) - Elapsed time since last update
AutoSail - Remaing AutoSail time
AutoTWA - TWA direction if AutoTWA is on
Sail chng - Remaining time of Sail change penalty
Gybing - Same for gybe
Tacking - Same for tack

145 Comments

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-10 | 16:09:14

Edit:
language-neutral link:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/vr-dashboard/amknkhejaogpekncjekiaolgldbejjan

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 16:35:22

Cool. What more can I say ;-)

<rant>
Now we just have to write a plugin utilizing the debugger api to patch the asm.js code inline to reduce FPS to 30 and hide the psychedelic wind display, so the game is playable on a machine that's worth less than the entire zezo.org server infrastructure.
</rant>

Post by headless_monkeyman | 2017-11-25 | 00:37:57

What did you expect. Poorly written Unity to replace their poorly written Flash!

And considering that 3d is sort of what Unity is FOR that VR garbage looks awful, like something I would have made when doing my first 3d work back in the 1990's, wasting money on it and making it the only way to see most the boats around you is a horrible decision.

Don't get me started on the "psychedelic wind display". I haven't ever tried to use anything like that in the real world and I don't want to now. I find it very hard to see the differences as they evolve in the forecast with this display that never stops moving. I want FLAGS.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 17:15:30

The warning bar can be disabled via chrome://flags/#silent-debugger-extension-api

May not be a good idea from security standpoint (you might want to know if another extension is debugging) but its up to you.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 17:25:17

It latched to the wrong race the first time I tried (probably opened the game after the extension and got all race states in no particular order)

Proper usage - open the game home page, then the extension window and then click on a race.

Proposed change - hardcode the current races and URLs, so the box select what to ttack more than where to go

Ideally, track all races in parallel and select what to display (pushes come in background for all races, not only the one you are in)

Post by andrel | 2017-11-10 | 17:26:35

VR Dashboard pops up msg- Not connected to a race. Please log into game interface. Actually, I am. What?

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 17:29:38

See my previous post. We decided to release early, so more people can give feedback. In fact I knew about it for few days but haven't got the time to look at it, so I'm also sharing my first impressions (while having debugger open on the debugger ;-)

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-10 | 17:44:42

I think I'll re-enable logging of raw WebSocket frames with the next update. That would help me analyse errors.
This way, also everybody can download polars more easily :-)

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 17:49:14

That could be separate page. And the other race info - start/finish/gates (visible or not). But that's not so interesting. You already got most of the important stuff.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-10 | 17:41:23

Hi, did the plugin display position information already? If not, you may just need to wait (1-3min). If yes, it's a bug...

Can you please try the following sequence:
1) Start Chrome :-)
2) Open virtualregatta.com
3) Activate the plugin
4) Important: On the plugin popup, select the race you intend to play.
The plugin does not detect the race name automatically (yet).
5) Log into that race on the virtualregatta.com page.

The selected Zezo page should open automatically as soon as the first boat state update is received.

BR
Michael

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 17:47:06

Works for me. The problem is that when selecting race you instinctively hit the Go button and then the popup appears.

Post by Swedesailor | 2017-11-10 | 17:50:23

Worked first time for me but not anymore :/
Strange ?

Says im not connected to the race ?

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 17:57:05

Follow the sequence above -
- close the ext window
- go to the race interface Home in the game menu
- open the ext,
- select race without pressing Go
- click the race in the game

It may start listening to the wrong race info otherwise - it was VOR Leg 1 in my case.

Post by andrel | 2017-11-10 | 17:51:17

It works. Thanks. Cool!

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 19:18:19

It's pretty good for single race, but not very intuitive with multiple races. And I'm in all of them, with or without options.

As a first step the tracking and the zezo.org link should be separated as logic

Quick solution:

- create static array with mapping of race_id and url. That would require new version push now and then but will be fine for the next two weeks or so.

- Collect all current positions in an array indexed by ID. If user pushes GO open page if positions[id] is not null

For the tracking - ideally also create an array of positions. Dirty fix - also create an array of HTML tables ;-) Switch to appropriate table on the select onchange()

I'll try to find some time to work myself on the code during the weekend, just dropping some ideas for comments.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 19:23:40

IMHO, forget about opening the link on a click in the game.

Emphasize on basic data for all boats - heading, sail twa and display and update it when info comes. This will replace the need to switch the offical interface to see if you are up to date.

Bonus - display a notification when the jar fills with gold ;-)

If we shall play this game we shall at least make it playable.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-10 | 22:02:01

after using it for a while with 4 VR-races, I agree that the link from the game doesn't add value as the zezo-charts can be opened from the pop-up.

"Go" actually means "Go to zezo-chart with current GPS". Maybe change the button name?

Can you please add TJV(beta) to the choices of the extension?

If VR is casting all races, than indead the extension could be used to select race.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 22:07:23

We'll change it so the button does what it implies. Just give us a day or two.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 19:51:02

Hmm I just got an idea how to hide the winds. Not sure if it will work (mostly because of the 4 kt limit) but: redirect the request to +24h weather to a file containing zero wind speeds. We want the earlier files so the projected track will work. A file containing only binary zeroes will be interpretted as zero wind speed, but I'm not sure what atan2(0,0) won't barf. Have to do some tests.

Also not sure if it will actually affect cpu load, but it's worth trying if VR devs can't be bothered to add a single checkbox and one-line if() statement.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-10 | 20:36:19

looking good, the logging of positions. what's delta_d extactly?
If it's the change in distance to finish, than it would be distance made good and you can calculate VMG :)

and what's the best way of tracking mulplie races, multiple chrome instances?

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 20:44:27

The forum has mangled the deltas in the original post.

It is the actual distance traveled based on boat position. vL is that divided by time.

It's a check of the game engine math.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-10 | 21:35:17

As Cvetan said,
delta_d is the distance travelled between two status updates.
delta_t gives the time between status updates.

And yes, multiple Chrome instances is probably best to track multiple races currently. We'll improve this - Cvetan has already made suggestions.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-10 | 20:56:20

I would expect DTF to be in the gamecast message as you can see it when you click a boat for info.

Than it would be possible to add in extension some time and calculate delta_DTF and VMG, right?

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 21:18:13

It is in there, but is meaningless in the terms of the extension, because it's not calculated as a straight line distance but as a distance along the suggested route.

I haven't really investigated it, but it's probably defined as 'distance to the next waypoint along the route plus the distances between subsequent waypoints'

The waypoints lie along the white line with moving arrows you see in the game.

On a second thought, the extension can also be used to summarize the information that's already available to you (like in the info pane), not only the hidden parts. Also all kinds of VMG/VMC calculations.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-10 | 21:56:46

could be worthwhile to have a look at it, some time. in MT and Clipper the next waypoint is de finish line, so DTF reported by VR is hopefully in a straight line to it.

Not to difficult to check by calculation the distance between current GPS and finish GPS for these two races.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 22:11:07

I've thought about displaying the points in the chart. That would answer a lot of 'why am I ranked 30000 while I'm actually in the lead' questions.

But it would also raise a lot of 'what is the meaning of those small red/blue/green dots'

And I sometimes sacrifice usability for the sake of the support effort.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-10 | 22:55:58

that's just a matter of keeping your online help actual. if you whish, I can be of assistence. Concise help avoids tons of support questions and you can easily link to in in responding.

I'm not so good in coding, but quite well in knowing what software should do for the user.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 23:23:47

You have a point. I spend a lot of time answering trivial and not so trivial support questions about the router and the game because I don't have the time to write proper documentation. And vice versa.

So if someone (or a group of players) decides to take upon the task to structure and maintain the documentation, it will be much appreciated.

That means taking the q&a page which has not been updated in about 5 years, cutting it in half and then finding 20-30 useful forum posts and adding them. I can also provide a dump of hundreds of support emails, but someone has to sort them.

A wiki page is probably a good idea for that type of task.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-10 | 22:10:40

The messages include information about the opponents' sails. This is not displayed in the game afaics. The sails are indicated as numbers 1.0 - 15.0.
I haven worked out the mapping to sail names yet but that's one thing the plugin could display.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-10 | 22:17:41

There are tons of useful stuff in there. We just need few more developers (and VR not killing the good stuff because of us)

Post by zezo | 2017-11-11 | 10:55:50

Hmm I just tried blocking the last wind data request via dev tools and then switching to 24h wind display. Seems to improve the interactive response considerably - like now I can actually rotate the steering wheel. Have to check on the laptop too, and then we have to automate the process. Also check blocked request vs all zeroes (but is probably the same)

Edit: Nope. Still can't turn the wheel on the machine with the Intel GPU.

Post by WretchedExess | 2017-11-13 | 16:35:52

This might be a silly question, (most of mine are), but what do you mean by turning the wheel?

Post by MichelleWhy | 2017-11-11 | 12:27:11

Thanks! A nice to have tool.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-11 | 12:52:36

another idea:
Add windshift detection by analysing change in TWS/TWD over the past say 30 minutes
Especially effective when monitoring multiple races becomes possible ;)

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-11 | 22:18:28

You can observe windshifts in the game or on the Zezo chart already.
I don't think the plugin could add anything useful here?

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-11 | 15:46:49

Hi,
@mak08 / cvetan
Very very good job, thanks for your implication ! ;)
One suggestion, would be possible for the extension to open in a new tab rather than in a new window ?

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-11 | 17:58:06

Yes, it's possible, by opening the plugin page using chrome.tabs.create() instead of chrome.windows.create(). I don't mind.

Post by nsp | 2017-11-11 | 22:00:02

I works like a charm. Thank you. :)

By the way guys.

I think I read somewhere that the chrome extension route.zezo.org doesn't work.

I have been checking it and for me it does ..the extract of the route is exactly the planned by zezo in a given moment. And I find it useful for the ones that don't have access to Pc all day to make some corrections via app.

I hope I am not stepping on anyone's toes...

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-11 | 22:13:49

Hi,

I've just pushed a new version (0.1.3) with updates from Cvetan.
The plugin can now track multiple races simultaneously.
Instead of a separate window, it open in a new tab now.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-12 | 01:10:16

great work guys, what a productivity available now!

- 4 tabs open with each a race and off course the extension-tab
- just point and click to collect 4 barrels in under 30 seconds ;)
- from the extension-tab you can open al 4 zezo charts with GPS in under a minute

two minors hickups
- please loose the link to open charts when selecting a race. if I wanna see a chart, I'll open from the extension
- would be nice if the beta-charts could be accessed directly. for now, we just manually at the b after vor and tjv in the URL so it accounts for my (free) C0

Post by zezo | 2017-11-12 | 10:47:38

Those are on the (somehow long) todo list already.

For the beta charts you can do it with two clicks and two keypresses - open the regular chart, and add a "b" at the end of the path in the address and hit enter.

For the auto open I will probably add a checkbox to enable/disable. I like it personally, but understand that it can be too much, depending on playing style. The other detail is that opening certain race forces position update and speeds up the process the first time.

We also have to turn the single race status line into a table for all races and add all kinds of useful stuff to it - warnings, sails, barrel status and so on.

Post by JohnT | 2017-11-11 | 22:31:09

Is there an easy way to pipe this data to EG google sheets? Opens the door to all sorts of analysis, and even setting up alerts via Slack or ....

Post by zezo | 2017-11-11 | 22:50:40

The extension has unlimited power, so once we get the basic framework finished we can make it do anything - tweet your rank every 5 minutes, or send data to any public API.

I spent the afternoon fixing the multi-race support because that was the most important and less intuitive part. We already have a little TODO list but any ideas (or patches, because the source is available) are welcome.

Post by P3-SAIL-FIN | 2017-11-12 | 11:28:17

Splendid

I would love to be able to get my vitals fed to logbook / to twitter every 6 hours

Thank you for all

Post by Ziggy_FIN | 2017-11-12 | 13:01:16

I'm sorry that I dont have the time to read all the columns written about this. I'm getting the message "VR column is trying to detect and search the missing post"...what does it mean??

Post by zezo | 2017-11-12 | 17:14:49

Oh, that's the debugger warning. The extension has do dig deep to get the game data, and the browser warns you it may be doing something nasty.

You can disable the warning (may not be a good idea from security standpoint, not because of this extension, but the possibility for another one to go unnoticed), run separate browser instance just for the game and the router (this way you can be sure someone won't be stealing your e-banking credentials) or combine both (second instance with warning disabled)

The warning bar can be disabled via chrome://flags/#silent-debugger-extension-api

Post by zezo | 2017-11-12 | 15:12:07

Changes (not published in the store yet)

- Download race list from server.

- Checkbox for opening a router tab when entering race in the game. Beta versions available on the list.

- Reuse the char tabs (optional)

Post by zezo | 2017-11-12 | 15:54:16

Current TODO list, features only, there are bugfixes too:

- Add table with status for all races. Then add funny things to it
like penalties and bad sails and barrel status and programmer ...

- Send current heading/TWA to router so it can deal with the penalty
(but not sure the router deals ok)

- Select boat to get routing for (so you could track your other
boats without switching accounts - or spy on your opponents...) ?

Short-term and long-term ideas are welcome.

Post by woffer | 2017-11-12 | 20:08:57

Interestingly after the time elapsed on my overnight autosail freebee, I was penalized for a sail change which I did not make. Has anyone experienced this too?
Is it possible to attach a screen shot here?

Post by zezo | 2017-11-12 | 20:14:39

Not really, but we trust you ;-)

You can link a image hosted elsewhere, though.

Post by zezo | 2017-11-12 | 20:40:00

It has always been like this and has always bothered me as a player.

I mostly play to keep the router up to date, but still want to see my name on the list sometimes. And it's been very frustrating to lose places to players on the exactly same track, knowing that it's due to game quirks and bugs.

I never bothered to do it myself, but it was much needed. Big thanks to Michael for writing the extension, exactly the way it is.

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-13 | 13:40:09

Hi mak08 and Cvetan,

Thanks for taking into account my suggestion to open the extension in a new tab rather than a new window ;)

I downloaded the sources of the extension and I looked for curiosity (:D), so I have several questions:

- What does 'Auto Router Window' and 'Reuse Tabs' look like?

- The link to zezo TJV beta does not work at home it opens me normal TJV (no checkbox for each sails but just full pack)

- When will the implementation of penalties, bad sails, the status of gun and programmer be implemented?

- I would have a suggestion concerning the polish, foils, winch to compare the theoretical and the real one which would make it possible to put the information back to VR if some things do not work correctly...

- Would it be possible to export the table in html, csv or other format ?

Last question, this does not concern the zezo router but the one developed by mak08, on which algorithm is it based?
(only out of personal curiosity)

Very good job of all 2 you make a duet of hell ;)

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-13 | 14:07:16

The link to zezo TJVbeta works fine now, I had to do a bad job during my tests ...

Post by zezo | 2017-11-13 | 14:17:08

The extension auto-updated between your tests ;-)

"Auto router window" opens a new router window every time you enter a race.
"Reuse tabs" determines opens the router in existing tab for the same race, if any, but is broken in the current release (position is included in the id)

Also the betas are a bit broken and fixed later.

Will be fixed in the next.

The data is stored internally as HTML now, so that would be the only current possibility

-the penalties are already visible in the last columns - it you see time there then you got a penalty.

The source is hosted at github, so if someone wants to beta test (and contribute) we can arrange that.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-13 | 15:36:23

Regarding your other questions,
- the 'theoretical speed' is already on my ToDo list. Maybe in the next version.
- the link to my router was a glitch, will be removed. It uses the same algo, basically, but is not ready for prime time.
- Export to CSV is also on the list but rather low prio I think, because you can always copy-and-paste. Should not be a big effort though.

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-13 | 20:29:23

Thanks for these infos Cvetan and mak08 ;)

I come back on opening the Zezo router automatically depending on the race.
For info I am under macOS v10.13.1 with Chrome v62.0.3202.89.
1 - I open http://www.virtualregatta.com/index_vroffshore.php
2 - I open VR Dashboard and I select 'TJVbeta'
3 - I open the race, on VR, 'TJV'
4 - Zezo automatically opens on 'TJV' not 'TJVbeta'
5 - On VR, I right click on Home, Open in a new tab
6 - On VR Dashboard, I select 'Mini Transat Leg 2'
7 - I open the race, on VR, 'Mini Transat Leg 2'
8 - zezo does not open, VR Dashboard receiving my details I click Go and the zezo opens on 't650'

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-13 | 21:37:35

Thanks for the feedback.
4 - We'll look at this.
5 - If you open VR in a new tab, you need to start the plugin anew. Despite the warning displayed on all bs, it's really only active for the one where it was started.

BR
Michael

Post by zezo | 2017-11-13 | 22:09:30

4) This is intentional. I mean, I did not time to do it ;-). Th TJV and Mini will be over soon anyway, so the first priority was multi-race support while all the races are active.

5) On a related note it does not attach when restoring the browser session, so you have to close it and open it again.

Those shall and will be fixed, but I prefer to use the available free time to work on useful stuff and live with the glitches with known workarounds for a while.

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-13 | 22:50:25

4) it does not matter I just add a 'b' if I open TJV first otherwise with the button 'Go' it works perfectly.
5) It does not bother me, I operate as above and everything works perfectly.

Thanks for your response ;)

Post by zezo | 2017-11-13 | 23:13:43

The auto window has two benefits:

1) Opening a game forces a position update. Just clicking "Go" can be 2 minutes of. But it does not really matter.

2) It is a nice workflow with 4 races:

- Close all router tabs and go to race home page
- Click first race. Check router. Steer boat. Collect barrel cards
- Repeat until you have 4 router tabs open. Go back to sleep/work.

In the long run the default version will handle the options, and I the extension may also pass the available option packs to it, so the beta will be obsolete. Until the next beta feature comes in.

It's hard to develop and sync new features with 4 races going on, so I'm leaving the things as they are for a while, but will make the beta official after the we arrive in Cape Town.

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-13 | 23:29:10

No worries it is already a very big and beautiful work that you carried out
I already hate to test future versions
If you need beta testers I am if you want ;)

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-14 | 01:08:20

even faster: open 4 tabs with VR ;)

as long as they are not displayed, they are not (h)eating my cpu

disadvantage is that in my way the position of followed boats is not updated until you click on them

Post by tinifon | 2017-11-13 | 20:42:50

Bonjour cvetan et mak08, merci pour ce plugin bien pens�.

Je voulais savoir si vous pouviez aller plus loin en essayent de l'adapter via l'onglet Getuser dans vrtool, cela permettrai de voir avancer son bateau plus pr�cis�ment.

Je me dis qu'en laissant la page du jeu ouvert et le plugin qui va chercher la position du bateau toute les 2 minutes cela pourrait �tre possible de retranscrire cela pour vrtool?

En attendant votre retour merci encore et bravo

jeff "tinifon@TPN"

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-13 | 22:04:51

Certamente podiamos chamar tamb�m uma liga��o no VRTool. Eu acho por�m que devemos tratar primeiremente dos problemas de amigabilidade.

Sauda��es
Michael

Post by zezo | 2017-11-13 | 22:16:03

Extensions have limited filesystem access, but given that VRTool was looking at cache files to get boat data in the past it might be possible to export some data to some user-accessible location.

But that's only from reading the first google hit on the question.

A local (or remote, as it goes) http listener to post the updates to is also possible. You could get the entire sniffed json message to a slave process this way. Or just the position.

Post by tinifon | 2017-11-14 | 20:08:59

merci pour vos messages cvetan et mak08 :)

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-14 | 14:11:38

Hi Cvetan and mak08,

Which unit for Sail chng ?

Post by zezo | 2017-11-14 | 14:15:58

Seconds left. Huh. What are the numbers below in that table? Are penalties additive?

Also the numbers above. Data is given as time stamps, so if your PC clock is off you may see strange numbers. We should check this and use server-side timestamp if available in the data (maybe the last calc date is appropriate)

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-14 | 14:22:10

Thanks Cvetan
I saved that because I did not understand what it was

I know that the time of the PC at the taf is late, which would explain these figures bizare ?

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-14 | 14:23:14

The game reports 'tsEndOfSailChange', 'tsEndOfGybe' and 'tsEndOfTack' - timestamps designating the end of penalized speed. The number in the columns are the remaining seconds (difference between tsEndOfSailChange and 'now').

... where indeed 'now' is taken from the local PC, which is obviously not always the right thing to do.

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-14 | 14:25:19

ok thanks mak08

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-14 | 14:43:08

The AutoSail column (remaining autosail time) has the same issue.

I guess AutoSail really expired in the last-but-one row, and you suffered a 50% penalty for 75sec (Pro Winches) which is translates to 3/4th speed and distance over this 140sec interval.

Post by karriv | 2017-11-14 | 17:11:15

Is the time in the first column the time of the last server update or the time the client retrieved data from the server?

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-14 | 17:29:03

The former - the field is called lastCalcDate in the server message.

Post by karriv | 2017-11-14 | 17:39:49

OK, thanks. And thanks for the plugin;)

Post by feriber | 2017-11-14 | 20:38:45

What a great work!!!!

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-21 | 20:04:16

Hi,

not sure if anybody is looking at this old thread still,
but we've just published a new version. Your browser should update automatically on restart. Comments are welcome.

Post by feriber | 2017-11-21 | 20:48:20

Congratulations.

You've done a great job.

Post by feriber | 2017-11-22 | 11:38:26

It would be nice, if at the history grid, you could add a column with the rank, so we can see the evolution of our position in it.

Thanks in advance.

Regards, Fernando

Post by zezo | 2017-11-22 | 12:37:47

The rank is not updated for all races all the time, so the column would be inconsistent.

Post by feriber | 2017-11-22 | 19:34:03

I understand.
Thank you, Cvetan

Post by zezo | 2017-11-21 | 20:33:31

A clarification before someone asks:

vR - Boat speed reported by the game engine
vC - boat speed calculated from boat position/time
vT - theoretical speed, calculated from the polars

I haven't spotted any differences between the three for quite a while (other than penalties)

Post by feriber | 2017-11-21 | 20:55:17

Hi again,

I think that AutoTWA value is not well registered.
I'm sailing with AutoTWA on, and screen says it's off.

Regards.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-21 | 21:08:11

Argh, thanks for noticing.
I'll upload a new version later today.

BR
Michael

Post by zezo | 2017-11-21 | 21:09:29

Thanks. You have a point.

There are a lot of additions in this version, and it's possible that other things are broken too. It's also reverse-engineered and will break if VR change something.

Feedback is much appreciated. We'll take a look.

Post by Devaneio | 2017-11-21 | 21:15:47

Hi Cvetan,

I started using the new version of the plugin and noticed that AutoTWA is inverted. When turned on the message in the plugin is "no" and when it is off is showing yes.

Regards

Fernando

Post by zezo | 2017-11-21 | 21:20:39

Yes, it's actually reversed. Will be fixed soon.

it's just that (twaAuto?"no":"yes") should be the other way around.

Post by Holsten | 2017-11-21 | 21:20:45

Hi,
Thx for a very informative tool. It's the same for me. "Autosail" say it's off when it's on and vice versa. Why is "TWA" red and "sail" and "aground" green?

Best Regards

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-21 | 21:29:28

TWA values are red on Port tack, green on Starboard tack.

For 'Sail' and 'aground', a green background means everything is OK. A red background indicates a problem - you're not using the best sail or you've run aground (and hopefully you'll never see a red background in the 'aground' column ;-))

Post by Holsten | 2017-11-21 | 21:36:22

Thx for a really fast answer!
Some other questions came up. What does "auto router window" and "reuse tabs" means? What happens if you don't mark them?

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-21 | 21:52:32

If Auto router window is checked, the router will be called automatically whenever you connect to a race (or change races) on the VR home screen. If it's unchecked, you need to press 'Go' on the Dashboard.

Note that the boat position is immediately available only for the race the VR UI is connected to. Positions for your other active races normally become available within 2min.

'Reuse tabs' means subsequent routings for a race will reuse the Router tab already opened for that race.

Post by Holsten | 2017-11-21 | 22:11:02

Thx again and Good winds and sail Well!

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-22 | 01:00:43

So here I take off you my hat, you worked like crazy men, she is great this extension !!!

In the code there is:
var showCards = ["PR", "WP"];
Why not ?
var showCards = ["HL", "WS", "AS", "PR", "WP", "SM"];

Regarding the TODO list, adding the status of the barrel and spying on the opponents are the things I look forward to ;)

Post by zezo | 2017-11-22 | 07:05:27

Because I decided that knowing the number of other cards is waste of screen estate 5 minutes before the release.

The original code reads

for ( var key in r.curr.cards ) {
cards = cards + " " + key + ":" + r.curr.cards[key];

This release is entirely Michael's work (sans those 2 lines), as is 95% of the entire code.

Post by WretchedExess | 2017-11-22 | 01:20:31

Wow nice job. Boat name and rank and all kinds of cool stuff.

Post by WaterHammer | 2017-11-22 | 11:20:33

Hi, I've installed the extension, but when I start it up, all races in the pull down list are greyed. So I can not select a race. (while still in home screen of the game). thanks for helping me.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-22 | 11:35:18

The extension receives position updates only if you're connected to a race.

If you have 'Auto router window' checked, the router page should open immediately when you click on a race on the VR home screen.

Once you're connected to a race, position updates for all your other active races should be received within 1-2minutes.

Post by WaterHammer | 2017-11-22 | 11:38:57

Hi mak08,
thanks for your answer, but I can not even select a race as the lines in the Select Race pull down box are all grey.
I do not see a different behaviour whether I start the extension in the game home screen or in the vor race screen.
I see version 1.0.1 in the top right corner.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-22 | 11:52:34

Hi WaterHammer,

please connect to a race on the VR screen (click on the race after you've logged in on the VR homepage).

(The VR homepage is slightly confusing - it displays banners for several races but clicking one them only logs you in and does not connect you to that race directly. You get another race selection screen. You need to select a race on this second screen).

The server does not send position updates as long as you're not connected to any race.

If the extension was already active, the router page should open immediately.
If you activate the extension now, you still have to wait for the next position update.

BR Michael

Post by WaterHammer | 2017-11-22 | 12:04:39

Hi Michael,
I am connected to the VOR in the game. Extension active. But it does not receive any updates. I see the column headers but no data lines below them. I'm puzzled.
Router page does not open. (but I already have it open manually, as usual).
cheers, Anton

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-22 | 12:23:33

Hi Anton,

I'm puzzled too.
Can you please open the debugger (press F12) on the extension window and check for error messages in the 'Console' at the bottom of the debugger window?

Thanks,
Michael

Post by WaterHammer | 2017-11-22 | 13:56:32

Hi Michael,

It works fine now. It was my bad, as I closed the debug banner, and thereby switched off the plugin.

Thanks!

Post by nsp | 2017-11-22 | 11:56:19

For me works super fine:

1. open VR website;
2. click on VR dashboard extension in your browser (it will open VR Dashboard empty page);
3. be sure the square "auto router window" is selected;
4. open your vor game and log in.

It will automatically open a page ot the router. You won't need to select any race but the drodown menu won't be gray anymore.

Hope it works.

Nuno

Post by WaterHammer | 2017-11-22 | 12:10:27

Unfortunatly not. My Chrome version: 61.0.3163.100 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Might that be a cause?
BTW I am always logged in in the game, meaning I don't have to fill in username password. Should I logout first to force a login again?
Thanks!
PS, meanwhile upgraded Chrome to Version 62.0.3202.94 (Official Build) (64-bit)
But it still does not work.
Thanks anyhow for all your support!

Post by WaterHammer | 2017-11-22 | 12:32:08

Ah ha. While logged in in the race I closed the extension once again and reopened it, and now it gets data lines of the VOR Leg 2 race!
The important difference is that I now did not close the debugging banner.
Michael correctly mentions this in the plugin store.
So one must leave open the debug banner.

Thanks again Michael and Nuno!

Post by zezo | 2017-11-22 | 13:59:42

Yes, the debugging banner disables the extension and that's not clear when clicking it.

The banner was displayed only for the tab with attached debugger in older Chrome versions, but they say that it's a potential threat for other tabs too.

The warning can be disabled globally, but that may not be a good idea because then some other extension could be stealing your bank credentials from another windows and going unnoticed.

The clean solution is to run separate Chrome instance only for the game and install the extension and disable the warning only in that instance. Unfortunately the clickable user profiles share the flags, so you have to create a folder and a shortcut with --user-data-dir manually.

Another option would be to run Opera only for the game. It't basically rebranded Chrome so the extension works fine in it. I have to check how it can be published and installed.

Post by nsp | 2017-11-22 | 19:03:48

hehehe there's always an explanation. glad you did it
cheers

Post by zezo | 2017-11-22 | 15:46:59

There is Opera extension called Download Chrome Extension that will let you install the dashboard directly from the chrome web store.

As an added bonus the debugging banner is less obtrusive, and only shown on the (debugged) VR tab.

Post by Inicio | 2017-11-23 | 09:21:56

I installed the Route and Zezo VR Dashboard extensions in Opera. But only the Route button appears, not the Zezo Dashboard button.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-23 | 10:55:46

Works fine for me (except that the router window was not opened automatically, I had to use the 'Go' button).

The VR Dashboard icon appears in the address field only if you open virtualregatta.com.

I'm on Windows 10. I haven't tried Linux but the Opera plugin is reported to have problems there.

Post by Inicio | 2017-11-23 | 11:29:00

I'm with Opera just now installed on Mac.
Tempted all. Change language also.
The icon not appears in the VR address bar

Post by zezo | 2017-11-23 | 12:01:03

Works fine for me in Linux. Opera 49.0.2725.39. Even the auto-open

Please check in the extensions page that it's actually installed. It's a two-pass process with the Chrome store - you only download it at first and then have to click Install in the list.

Post by Inicio | 2017-11-23 | 12:11:36

Yes. It's actually installed...
I activated, deactivated it, reactivated, when Home page, when offshore menu, when open VOR... All kind of possibilities. But the icon not appears...
Mysterious!

Post by Inicio | 2017-11-23 | 12:24:09

Perhaps pop-up? No. Now pop-ups allowed. Nothing
Maybe inverted the show or hide option in the address bar? Does not appear...

Post by Inicio | 2017-11-24 | 09:54:26

But I have the same problem with the Download Chrome Extension. No icon in the address bar. But it's installed and working. Route Zezo works well.

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-24 | 14:47:59

Unfortunately I don't have access to a Mac so I can't really help.
Perhaps try installing Opera & extensions from scratch, or open the DevTools (on the virtualreagatta.com page, select 'Inspect Element' from the context menu) and look at the Console output.

Post by Pastoo | 2017-11-24 | 12:47:39

Works fine for me chrome/win10
Thank you mak for this plugin

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-24 | 14:43:49

And a big thank you to Cvetan for improving usability and fixing many bugs while he was busy with lots of other tasks as well!

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-25 | 11:24:32

buggy: leave VR Dashboard open, put laptop on stdby and wake-up after a while. the first datapoint in VOR-beta is for RORC, after that is ok. but the speeds calculated, delta_nm are wrong. and GPS, so your VOR65 ends up on some other ocean

and a request: while adding new racing, could you keep the order in the selectionbox the same? VR is changing the place of the races all the time on start-up. Maybe keep the current VOR leg on top, followed by races in order of departure?

any thoughts/plans of adding VMG towards the next race waypoint?

still sailing strong around position 1400 now, cold beer at midnight UTC !

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-25 | 12:07:15

maybe a datapoint from VOR Leg 3 for which the race_id is not recognised?

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-25 | 16:25:12

Indeed VOR leg 2 and VOR leg 3 both have the same race_id 333.
We'll fix this but we plan to release a new version only before the start of VOR leg3.
Until then please check you're in the correct ocean :-)

Post by kikouic | 2017-11-25 | 12:13:53

Hello
Looking on the "log messages" information, I noticed that there is a difference of about 6 minutes between the log and the information on the board.
why this difference?
but we are very satisfied with this tool ..... thank you very much

Post by mak08 | 2017-11-25 | 16:35:43

Hi,
The races status table (at the top) is updated immediately when a new status message arrives. The race log table (bottom table) is first updated when the second message arrives (because two messages are needed for computing the deltas). The youngest entry appears at the top.

Post by kikouic | 2017-11-25 | 17:05:28

Ok so it's not your will !!

Post by Peppe | 2017-11-25 | 19:15:28

HI!
The "Select Race" dropdown Menu doesn`t let me click a race!
the item text is grey and nothing happens!
any ideas?

Post by zezo | 2017-11-25 | 19:19:08

Enter the race from the main game menu after opening the extension window. That will update the position and enable the list entry.

Post by Peppe | 2017-11-25 | 19:39:25

Ok, got it thanks!

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-26 | 22:26:26

Hi,
I come back to the stories of the cards ...
I understand that it is not necessary to list them all, but I think another one deserves to be listed, that of AutoSails Cards
We have the remaining time of the AutoSails and we have to go back to the interface to see if we have any left and take it if needed ... It's not tedious, we just agree, extra comfort, so I'm voting for ;)

Post by zezo | 2017-11-26 | 22:38:43

You have a point. Any other ideas what is missing/what is not needed?

Personally I need a "Barrel Ready" with a flashing singing GIF icon.

Could live without the stealth field - I don't go stealth, but that's just me.

Also the options list needs at least spaces along the commas so they can be word-wrapped.

All kinds of suggestions are welcome.

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-26 | 23:18:48

[QUOTE]Personally I need a "Barrel Ready" with a flashing singing GIF icon.[/QUOTE]

lol, but that would be useful ;)

[QUOTE]Also the options list needs at least spaces along the commas so they can be word-wrapped.[/QUOTE]

I'm agree with this ;)

One suggestion, change :

new Date(r.curr.lastCalcDate).toGMTString() -> new Date(r.curr.lastCalcDate).toLocaleString()

Post by toxcct | 2017-11-26 | 23:23:21

I told myself the same about the barrel countdown earlier today ! :)

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-11-27 | 00:57:20

yeah, remaining time until next barrel!

and vmg to next race_wp.

polars are nice, but they only give vmg downwind or upwind, not to the next race_wp

Post by GeGaX | 2017-11-27 | 17:49:25

Hi Cvetan and mak08,
I will make my list to Santa Claus;

In dashboard.js:

- line 83: "Boat Speed" -> "STW"

- line 89: "aground" -> "Aground".

- line 90: "stealth" -> "Stealth".

- line 91: "maneuvering" -> "Maneuver".

- line 144: ["PR", "WP"] -> ["HL", "WF", "AS", "PR", "WP", "SM"] or at least ["AS", "PR" "," WP "] even if the WP personally I do not care but it takes for everyone and sincerely the display of all cards does not change the table enormously (I'm on a MB Pro 13" and it the fact).

- line 212: new Date (r.curr.lastCalcDate) .toGMTString () -> new Date (r.curr.lastCalcDate) .toLocaleString ("en-GB").

- If for the list of options (ex : winch, reach, hull, light, radio) there is a space after the decimal point the display will be done on 2 lines and therefore will be less wide, which will give room for "Last Command".

- The counter for the barrel could find its place between Reuse Tab and version.

That's it, thanks Santa Claus ;D

Post by sylvainmeteo | 2017-12-01 | 15:01:05

Bonjour,

Je n'arrive pas a faire fonctionner le plugin, �a m'affiche bien tout ce bazar, mais il reconnait pas mon bateau, je peux pas s�lectionner de course... etc, pourtant j'ai suivi toutes les instructions � la lettre.

Comment faire?

(J'ai t�l�charg� la derni�re version)

EDIT : probl�me r�solu

Post by Sir_Petrus | 2017-12-03 | 14:31:05

Ne fermer pas le banner jaune.

Post by mcmgj | 2017-12-04 | 19:24:20

Hello,
just to add my contribution to your excellent work (as I am very busy at this moment, I cannot write lines for you), best to interact with zezo since Dashboard VR, it is to retain flags by boat and by race) as you make for logs, also, when you call zezo for one race with the position of the boat, add the option o = with the appropriate value:
o=
full = 244
hight = 128
light = 64
c0 = 32
foils = 16
gate = 8
pro_winch = 4
time_shift = 2

Post by zezo | 2017-12-04 | 19:27:47

I did it two days ago, along with some other features from above, mak08 also added some things. We'll make a release before the next VOR leg.

Post by mcmgj | 2017-12-04 | 20:53:21

The best for you !!!
thanks

Post by GeGaX | 2017-12-04 | 19:36:22

Look forward to seeing this new version
Have you taken any ideas / remarks from my list to Santa Claus? ;)

Post by zezo | 2017-12-04 | 19:37:24

Most, if not all of them. Some text are shortened further because they just take space in the <th> and there is just a yes/no below

Post by GeGaX | 2017-12-04 | 19:46:18

I had thought about it but I had said to myself that the abbreviation of English word could make more complex the comprehension of the painting, the difficulty lies that the title must be short while being comprehensible of all.
The barrel is implemented in this new version?
Can you tell more about the new features? (I know I'm impatient ... :/ )
Thanks

Post by zezo | 2017-12-04 | 20:08:26

Yes, the barrel and and the individual cards (but they need additional message to be handled to work well)

Post by GeGaX | 2017-12-04 | 20:35:17

You did a good job, I'm sure;)
If you need a beta tester, let me know and I'll send you my email;)

Post by zezo | 2017-12-04 | 20:46:45

You have mail (if the registration account is real ;-)

Post by GeGaX | 2017-12-04 | 20:57:03

It is, no worries ;)