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Post Options Post Options   Quote tacticat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tacticat news
    Posted: 27 Sep 07 at 12:20pm

Tacticat [http://www.tacticat.com] is an Internet sailing tool to train tactics and rules.

Many of you have already tried and some are actively participating on the on-line regattas and events.

In the last months we've added new boat types (skiffs and keelboats), team and match races and tools to replay and analyze a race.

UK sailing community has become the first by number of sailors (not yet on the rakings, still dominated by USA and CAN )

The next months we're hosting some important events:

- National championships (UK too), a Velocitek SC-1 unit for the Brit. winner.

- Team league

- Match Racing masters.

You're welcome to try. Tacticat is a free-for-sailors technical tool (and also an on-line game). Only requirements: to have an Internet Connection and Java installed in your computer (go to www.java.com to install if you don't have it).

aestela

Tacticat Admin.

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tack'ho View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote tack'ho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 07 at 7:15pm
keeps me amused but then I'm easily pleased
I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote MerlinMags Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 07 at 8:53pm
Find a friend who plays tacticat, and phone them (or call on skype) when you next play - its much for fun when you know one of the opponents, and when you can chat to each other as you race!

I think I might shortly be hooked....which is amazing as I have never been interested in computer games. I prefer even more nerdy activities such as programming!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote tack'ho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 07 at 10:37pm
I keep hitting the line early, damn the computer not realising that my sail number is covered and the race officer would nevr have spotted it!!
I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e!
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Post Options Post Options   Quote tacticat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 07 at 6:45pm

Originally posted by MerlinMags

Find a friend who plays tacticat, and phone them (or call on skype) when you next play - its much for fun when you know one of the opponents, and when you can chat to each other as you race!
 

Skype is a MUST for team races. The three or 4 boats can dicuss the tactics much more easily than having to use the boat chat.

Originally posted by MerlinMags

I think I might shortly be hooked....which is amazing as I have never been interested in computer games. I prefer even more nerdy activities such as programming!
 

Tacticat was NOT created as a game. It was intended as a tool to train tactics and rules. The coders are all racers, that would explain the poor quality of programming in some areas but at least we think that we've suceeded  to put the user at the same situations he/she would find during the race. Even beginners find the same challenges they normally face during the first races (which leg is this?, am I Starboard?, where's the finish?, how much is left for the start?)

Obviously nothing compares to the real thing, we are not worried by the sketchy graphics or by the unreal handling of the boat and center on the tactical aspects.

aestela.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Quote MerlinMags Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 07 at 9:35am
Oh no, I wasnt suggesting Tacticat is ONLY a game...I just think it does a good job of both tasks really - it provides an enjoyable way to learn more about rules and tactics, making you think in a wholly different way.

I think the low-fi graphics are an important part of it, anything fancy would detract from its purpose. (Or maybe it is because the last game I played was on a Spectrum, so I don't miss the swanky graphics everyone else is used to on a Playstation?!)

I'm really enjoying using Tacticat. Looking forward to the UK nationals on 25th October!

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MainlySwimming View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote MainlySwimming Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 07 at 9:38am

Well that helped pass an hour on a windless sunday morning...thanks for posting the link

However I now owe apologies to half-a dozen players whose virtual boats I ploughed into over the weekend whilst trying to get a hang of the controls....where's the practice area mentioned on the front page...can't see how to get to it...and badly need it....

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Post Options Post Options   Quote tacticat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 07 at 6:35pm

Starting Tacticat

Enter www.tacticat.com and scroll down till you see the Sailing Fields table:

Marked in Red you have the two fields for beginners, also the links with useful info to start.

Driving the boat is easy, just remember you don't have rudder control, you're rather a coach giving orders by radio:

SPACE BAR: go according to telltales, make your best.

ENTER: Tack or Gybe

UP and DOWN arrows, luff or bear away. Use it as less as possible, rudder drag.

SHIFT key: toggle between sails perfectly trimmed whichever the boat rhumb and sails completely eased (used normally on prestart to stop).

F1 for the complete key list

aestela.

 

 

 

 

 

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