Messages

31

Chat - Misc / Re: Time Travel

« on: March 17, 2020, 10:11:28 PM »

I wrote a short story about time travel, a long time ago, because I'm a pedantic nerd. The original is in italian, but here's a rushed translation.

Three dimensions too many

I curse without producing a sound, while what looks like Earth shrinks in the distance. It's a beautiful light blue, just like my freezing hands. I stare at it and curse again, while I wait for the traditional flashbacks of my life, floating in space.

I'm the one who invented the time machine. You'll never know about it though, because I decided to test it right away. It works great, if the lack of oxygen is not tricking me: I just made a perfect jump of one minute in the future. And I landed in the precises spot from where I left.

Only thing, in that short lapse of time, Earth had left me behind. Damn ball of mud, hurling through space at a hundred thousands kilometres per hour.

---

I also have another one about time travel and doing dishes, but it's longer and I like it less

32

Chat - Misc / Re: Coronavirus

« on: March 15, 2020, 03:18:27 PM »

I'm across two countries, being in one and talking to my family in the other. Italy has it tought, but at least where I'm from the situation is ok: food shops open, letting people in one or two at the time, limited or no panicking people buying all the stuff. Elsewhere, I hear, it's more complicated and difficult.

The government in the UK is saying there's nothing to worry about, and they'll close some things in the next weeks, but jolly good, keep doing things as normal. On the other hand, sport associations have closed everything, and any company or university that can have people working from home is doing so. This might be more noticeable where I am in Scotland, because there's a lot of foreign people, each with horror stories from their home country.

I'm working from home full time from Monday. The company let us choose, and I see no reason to share a small space with some who come out of the loo too fast from having actually washed hands. I also think the only reason things are not locked down immediately is to balance victims with economy downturn. Since I'm privileged enough to be able to work from home, I should do my duty to reduce the number of people passing germs outside.

33

Competition 2020 / Re: Guest tracks 2020

« on: March 14, 2020, 12:10:06 PM »

Thank you Duplode!

34

Chat - Misc / Re: Politics around the world

« on: March 13, 2020, 09:25:00 PM »

Trump is 73 and probably infected by COVID (after meeting the BRA president). Hmmm...

But the layer of clay and makeup that cover his skin protects him from most diseases, and small caliber weapons

35

Competition 2020 / Re: Guest articles 2020

« on: March 13, 2020, 06:45:10 PM »

Thank you, everyone! I've added the names to the list at the top

I'm happy to do ZCT226 if you would like 

Your own track! Nice, you'll have a unique perspective on that one!

Unfortunately my English is crappier than ever, therefore any articles from me would be a pain to read.

I don't think that's a problem, and I'd be happy to help with editing! I am not a native English speaker, but I've been living here for some time now

36

Competition 2020 / Guest articles 2020

« on: March 12, 2020, 08:52:45 PM »

One thing I like to do is write a short summary at the end of a race, to remind people of the cool stuff that happened during the past week, and celebrate not only the winners, but any good performance. However, it takes time, and I'm missing quite a few months. I even missed the closing post for last year! But, hey, I can only do a limited amount of things

So, who wants to write race summary posts?   Just choose a track, keep an eye on the race for that month, and send a short and informal post about once it's over. No marks! A friendly editor!

• ZCT224 (starts Mar) - afullo
• ZCT225 (starts Apr) - Cas
• ZCT226 (starts May) - Stingray86
• ZCT227 (starts Jun) - Duplode
• ZCT228 (starts late Jun) - dreadnaut
• ZCT229 (starts Jul) - ??
  
• ZCT230 (starts Ago) - ??
  
• ZCT231 (starts Sep) - ??
  
• ZCT232 (starts Oct) - ??
  
• ZCT233 (starts Nov) - ??
  

Fill at least 6 months, and I'll make time to write the others. Fill 10, and I'll have more time to work on website features! :o

37

Permanent Competition / Re: Permanent competition revival

« on: March 12, 2020, 08:44:32 PM »

Ah, that's a good one!  Yes, it's part of the Stunts pack in the end!

Go ahead mate, you have my support. It's a shame this project has been stuck for so long, but it got tangled behind other changes.

I like your proposal, it's along the lines of what I was thinking, but I would suggest to start smaller: multiple cars is important, but multiple race types and verification are extra dimensions of complexity, which I would leave for a second phase.

As usual, happy to help with code!

38

Competition 2020 / Re: Guest tracks 2020

« on: March 12, 2020, 08:39:47 PM »

Did you recieve my track for May via e-mail dreadnaut?

Yes I did, thank you, in February

Haven't looked at it yet though, so I might come back to you with comments a couple of weeks before the race.

39

Competition 2020 / Re: ZCT223 - Sand am Main

« on: March 10, 2020, 12:41:10 AM »

Sorry, I left this pending: as discussed on the shoutbox, it turns out that Heretic uploaded the wrong replay: a test based on CTG's lap.

The replay was thus removed from the scoreboard. Unfortunately, it was their only replay, so no result for Heretic on ZCT223

40

Team Zone / Re: New teams for 2020

« on: March 09, 2020, 11:08:22 PM »

Traction Faction members, would you like a private team section on the forum? Some other teams do have one, and it works quite well to talk about the current race, discuss tricks, and share replays. If you are interested, we set up one for you.

41

Competition and Website / Re: Track calendar feed

« on: March 09, 2020, 11:06:00 PM »

Does she not fall asleep with the relaxing sound of Stunts engines? 

OMG, probably the most useful stuff of the last 10 years!

Yeah, it's been a long time coming, sorry. Almost as much as the permanent competition revival...

If you have any other suggestions for ways to keep pipsqueaks up to date and on time, let me know though, I think it's an area where we need to improve.

42

Competition 2020 / Re: ZCT223 - Sand am Main

« on: March 09, 2020, 08:33:10 PM »

Would it be appropriate to remove a player from the team for cheating like this? Does it require a vote?

Any teams decisions are up to you, no requirements. I'd also advise not to rush into anything — mistakes happen, and can be left behind.

43

Competition 2020 / Re: ZCT223 - Sand am Main

« on: March 08, 2020, 09:20:05 PM »

Attached are CTG's replay from 21 February, and Heretic's lap from 3 March. They appear identical, up to around 1'20''.

As a clone replay, I will have to delete Heretic's result, which will affect the scoreboard. This also counts as a first strike for Traction Faction — further mishaps might cause penalties.

44

Competition and Website / Track calendar feed

« on: March 06, 2020, 06:29:14 PM »

Here's an experimental calendar that should work with whatever calendar application you use.

For example:
- in Google Calendar, under "Other calendars", choose "Add by URL" - http://zak.stunts.hu/track.ical
- on Mac / iOS, try with this link track.ical
- other calendar programs, subscribe to http://zak.stunts.hu/track.ical

The feed updates with the dates for the current track:
- the start day (no time specified)
- the end of the public days (event one hour before the end)
- the start of the quiet days
- the end of the race (event one hour before the end)

All events are in the Stunts timezone, which means your calendar application should translate them in your local time!

45

Chat - Misc / Re: Association game

« on: March 06, 2020, 06:22:01 PM »

Black pudding — time for breakfast