The off topic thread #2

[Art Vandelay_]

So glad I was able to dump ADSL. Sucks balls here. I think we're 2018-19 NBN install too which sucks. Probably early 2019 as it'd be an election year

 

[SM]

Maybe only Optus mobile Internet is blocked for Fetch mini devices. As long as you're not with Optus your Fetch mini should work fine. You could even get someone to create a WiFi hotspot from their phone (a non Optus sim) and see if Fetch works off the connection.

Yeah we'd be getting an Optus SIM for our wi-fi so that'd be the issue.

 

[Zidane98]

So glad I was able to dump ADSL. Sucks balls here. I think we're 2018-19 NBN install too which sucks. Probably early 2019 as it'd be an election year

You have cable you lucky bastard.

Both Optus & Telstra stopped investing in cable infrastructure once NBN was announced.

 

[Zidane98]

Yeah we'd be getting an Optus SIM for our wi-fi so that'd be the issue.

Shit. Fetch mini won't work in that case.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

You have cable you lucky bastard.

Both Optus & Telstra stopped investing I'm cable infrastructure once NBN was announced.

I do. Luckily too. Not many exchanges down here and we were right on the edge of two which meant we were as far as possible from any exchange.
I guess one of the downfalls of a large expansive land with relatively limited inhabitants. Infrastructure costs a lot and in some ways is lagging behind other nations.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Yeah we'd be getting an Optus SIM for our wi-fi so that'd be the issue.

Had the $80 200GB optus wireless plan for my last 2 years in melbs.

It's fine mate. You won't get near the cap unless you are a complete loser.

 

[Loonerty]

SM started watching The 100. Like, 5 minutes ago.

...I think I'm gonna struggle.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Had the $80 200GB optus wireless plan for my last 2 years in melbs.

It's fine mate. You won't get near the cap unless you are a complete loser.

The thing about 200gb+ limits on ADSL is that your speed usually is too slow to get to the limit.

My last ADSL contract was 500gb p/m and in the two years I only went over 100gb in the first month (where I went on a downloading frenzy).

 

[Bojan KantKick]

The thing about 200gb+ limits on ADSL is that your speed usually is too slow to get to the limit.

My last ADSL contract was 500gb p/m and in the two years I only went over 100gb in the first month (where I went on a downloading frenzy).

It was fine for me in Abbotsford and Prahran. Probably area specific tho.

 

[SM]

SM started watching The 100. Like, 5 minutes ago.

...I think I'm gonna struggle.

Trust me, give it 4-5 episodes. It comes around very strongly. You'd be surprised.

 

[Cruyff14]

Looking at some football books for Christmas Latro Bergkamp's one Stillness and Speed is one you recommended, right?

Anybody read Pirlo's?

Or Phillipe Auclair's about Henry?

 

[Latro]

Looking at some football books for Christmas Latro Bergkamp's one Stillness and Speed is one you recommended, right?

Anybody read Pirlo's?

Or Phillipe Auclair's about Henry?

Both the Bergkamp and Henry books are great.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Looking at some football books for Christmas Latro Bergkamp's one Stillness and Speed is one you recommended, right?

Anybody read Pirlo's?

Or Phillipe Auclair's about Henry?

Haven't read his book on Henry but his book on Cantona is fantastic so the Henry one is probably the same.

 

[Latro]

Das Reboot is really good as well. On how Germany rebuilt the national program.

 

[Cruyff14]

Thanks chaps, will pass this information on to the other half to pass on to the old lady

 

[Cruyff14]

I see Wrighty's got a book too. Interesting.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I do love a good book burning, cruyff!

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

So glad I was able to dump ADSL. Sucks balls here. I think we're 2018-19 NBN install too which sucks. Probably early 2019 as it'd be an election year

NBN where I am sucks balls anyway, our internet is a joke, Australia has an embarrassing system.

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

So glad I was able to dump ADSL. Sucks balls here. I think we're 2018-19 NBN install too which sucks. Probably early 2019 as it'd be an election year

NBN where I am sucks balls anyway, our internet is a joke, Australia has an embarrassing system.

 

[Loonerty]

Looking at some football books for Christmas Latro Bergkamp's one Stillness and Speed is one you recommended, right?

Anybody read Pirlo's?

Or Phillipe Auclair's about Henry?

Could probs get all of them for under $500 I reckon.

 

[Loonerty]

Trust me, give it 4-5 episodes. It comes around very strongly. You'd be surprised.

I'll give it a go, but man... some rough stuff in that first episode.

 

[Latro]

I'll give it a go, but man... some rough stuff in that first episode.

I gave up halfway through the first episode. Too much teen angst for me.

 

[Loonerty]

I gave up halfway through the first episode. Too much teen angst for me.

5 minutes in. The build up to "Yes, I DO hate you"

I almost cringed so hard my face disappeared.

 

[SM]

I'll give it a go, but man... some rough stuff in that first episode.

See how you go, it rapidly improves, and there seems to be an overt directive to make the second season far darker.

 

[Fryer Tuck]

Anyone played Motorsport Manager? Popped up on my Steam feed and looks pretty cool

Alrighty, thought I would give some thoughts now that I played it, and well, liked it!

Tell you one very positive thing. You know that feeling of just 'one' more that you get in FM, you'll get it here as well!

Interesting things to note. This of course covers the open wheel circuit. None of it is licensed, though, though like they did say, this actually helps in the inspiration and also means that they're not locked by licenses. This is very important because one of the most important things of the game couldn't possibly take part if it were licensed: Rule Changes. Yes, you actually get to vote on the rules, meaning you can have dynamic seasons, from changing circuits (the number of rounds and the types of circuit actually can change, so you could have a 10 round season first, and then get a 12 round season with a couple of countries being dropped over time.)

This is also key in helping you benefit from... unfavourable rules (and oh boy, the rule set between tiers.) Tier 1 is basically how it is in F1 now, but Tier 2 uses the old F1 system of 10-6-4-3-2-1 and Tier 3 awards a point for every place, and gives you points even if you retire (20 for 1st, 19 for 2nd, ect.) Also, Tier 3 doesn't have qualifying. It's reverse grid Championship position (so if you're 1st in the Championship, you start dead last). There are rules that could also have random grid positions too, so yeah, anything goes if voted upon.

Now, because I'm an Aussie, and I want to play as one, I choose the only Aussie team in the whole game, Predator Racing. The catch? Not only are they a Tier 3 team, but they are the worst by about half a star. You're playing as the Minardi of Tier 3 (you can choose any team you want, but I choose Predator, which is also an important team for challenges.) Let me tell you one thing right now, it will 100% feel like you're managing Minardis, because they will lose a lot of positions or just trail off the back if you don't do any development work. 16th place? Yeah, good luck with that.

Also, don't expect to suddenly have the best car next season, because it will take seasons before you actually have a car that's legitimately the best in the Tier. You have to develop over the season, put money away for next season's car, sign sponsors, update the HQ, scout for talent, and the whole shebang that goes with managing a team.

The detail they go into it is actually quite amazing. You can have drivers fancy themselves in music or fashion or rally cars and actually follow up upon them (and yes, they can get injured too, so keep your Robert Kubica away from the rally car.) Hell, I should probably also note one thing that is very unrealistic: You've got a 50/50 split of male/female drivers in the series... why am I noting this? Because it's actually possible for drivers to have crushes on each other. I mean, the event is extremely rare as it is, but it can happen. The thing that is quite amusing...? Well... http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah231/footyfan13/drivers_zpsnxg9ydqu.png Yes, that is my very female driver having a crush on her 17 year old teammate, who is also a very female driver (in case Maria wasn't enough of a give away.) I have also just learned it is possible for the drivers in question to date and get married (for +30 morale), so yes... you can have a lesbian driver pairing at absolute random... and its extremely rare too.



Anyway... how did I go? Well, that's the thing... I told you how difficult it is since your cars are basically Minardis and that you will need seasons to even get a car that is a top tier car? What if I told you that I actually won the Drivers Championship in my very first year? I'm not kidding, I basically won the Drivers despite never getting a single win, and only getting three podiums in a 10 season race, and that was still with a 10th ranked car. Now that brings me to one little thing... there are certain... traits that the AI has that you can take advantage of. You'll need to continue developing your car, but as long as you have a decent driver, all you need to do is to execute your strategy to perfection, find ways to get around your handicap. OK, I'll admit that I still came 10th in the Teams because I gave all my resources to my one good driver, because my other driver couldn't do jack.

In my 2nd season, I still had the worst car, but now it was on par with the rest of the tailenders. I got myself a better driver and well, they finished 1-2 and we took home the Teams... despite yet again not winning a single race, and actually faring worse for podiums. Thanks to that, I got promoted to Tier 2... and oh my god, I am going to die...


What those mechanics are exactly, is something you'll need to learn, and trust me, you'll pick up on them quick enough (also a side effect on one of them that allows you to make ground). But I am proud to note that while it isn't unheard of to win the Drivers in the first season, they all use the 'game breaking' driver that is of utmost importance in giving you an easier life managing Predator. You'll have to scout for them yourself (The only hint I'll give is that they are unemployed, and if you don't stirke fast enough, you'll miss your chance on the game breaker. I was a fool in thinking I could get them at the end of the season, but nope, wrong.) So my happy moment is the fact I won the Drivers with one of the original drivers of the team (and trust me, there is a reason why Predator's drivers are considered the worst on the grid).

In fact, by just telling you this, I think you may have figured out what one of those things already is (and a hint would be to look at the real Minardi to see it for yourself.) Also, you may know the 2nd thing already.


Believe me when I say it's still difficult as all heck!

That said, if you want the most recommenced beginner option... I'd actually say a top team from Tier 3 might be the best way, because there's less factors to worry about, and in all honestly, you should sweep the title easily (of course the big problem is that your drivers are 41 and 39, so you need to replace them with younger talent.)


In terms of 'real life,' if you're a fan of motorsport, I think you should be able to tell what each of the circuits is meant to represent (Hmm, the Italy circuit looks suspiciously like an L shape, with lots of straights, fast sweeping corners, and a couple of chicanes... also, there is this high speed oval there as well... hmm...)

The hardest one (and the most insulting one) is actually the... ahem... 'SYDNEY' circuit. I haven't played it but I figured there must be a reason for it. In fact, something about it reminded me of a certain track that F1 cars really should have no business to be on. And then I saw the loading screen, and was really peeved... it's Albert Park... no really, from that angle, basically everything about it screams Albert Park, down to the track layout you see there... and they claim it as Sydney? And then, I saw the one pat of it that could semi justify it... the other half of the circuit feels like going though Bathurst, from the elevation to the corners, down to Conrod Straight... Yes, they merged Albert Park with Bathurst... and put it in Sydney... what the hell? At least the other locations are close enough to their original locations, Australia's one seems to be in the wrong state.

Also, the drivers and teams. You can see Hamilton and Rosburg (And yes, Rosburg is a girl!) and its based off the 2015 season's drivers and teams (No Manor though) Oh, Danny Ric is a girl too, and one of the few 5 star racers in the game (Funnily enough, Hamilton is a 5 star racer, yet Alonso isn't, and can never be... also... Jenny North = Jenson Button, lol) There's also a few notable shoutouts, like Claire Williams (her personna's name shares the same name as what should be the Williams team) and all that.

Overall, very fun game, and I do recommend!