Zezo forum:

Post by JohnT | 2017-12-13 | 19:50:29

I suspect most people here have given up on the VR forecast beyond 24hrs, but if you do go there (at least with the full option pack), you have a choice of using a free card - or clicking a link to Windguru. Any thoughts on the implications of having this option linked to the game?

11 Comments

Post by nsp | 2017-12-13 | 19:54:51

Windguru is a real weather forecast. So I suspect it can be just an indicator, not fully reliable and directly aplicable to a system that manipulates the weather.

I would trust on windguru forecast if I would go to the sea though and not in VR weather. As a matter of a fact I consult it everytime I go to the water.

Post by zezo | 2017-12-13 | 20:45:23

The only difference should be the 4kt minimum. And minor rounding errors, but that's insignificant.

Vaclav does not do interpolation at all, just displays the raw 3-hour GFS data, so no problem there.

But it makes me wonder who is paying who in this deal.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-12-13 | 21:16:00

that's not difficult, it's plain marketing:
- it's in-game advertising so Windguru is paying VR (per click, signup, view or a fixed amount)
- just like VR is paying VOR to be the virtual race provider. that brings VR lots of sailors, hopefully paying ..

Post by zezo | 2017-12-13 | 21:22:17

That looks likely. WG chart displays an ad like my page does. But the price of WF card in real-world money is way above the RPM value of that ad.

So it makes me wonder. A similar link to zezo.org probably could be right there next to the help card, but part of the price would be shutting down or heavily moderating this forum.

Post by Ursus Maritimus | 2017-12-13 | 21:32:06

i think VR should offer a proper routing solution. without it, it is impossible to win or even make it to top 250

your zezo solution is popular for a reason: there is a clear customer need for it

Post by toxcct | 2017-12-14 | 02:17:51

Not only.
It is also mainly because it works, because it's easy to use (nothing to install, nothing to tweek, except the options you suscribed in the game), and because it's free (IMO) !

Post by JohnT | 2017-12-14 | 06:50:00

I agree with all of those comments except that I am happy to contribute from time to time to the Zezo fund in return for the value the site provides. And need to do likewise for your polars :)

Post by zezo | 2017-12-14 | 06:51:16

Many of my early users were Mac users who could not use VRTool and were at disadvantage to the Windows users. Server logs said 25% mac users or so, compared to 5% OS share.

Post by crazyeight | 2017-12-14 | 16:20:33

Thank you for your efforts, and and support for web standards, as a Mac user the VRTool of the early days was what led me to the edge. I prefer the Mac, but occasionally find myself on the road and having to use either iPhone (too small) or an iPad. Your tool/s work very well on all Apple devices, in many cases behave better than the game itself.

Post by crazyeight | 2017-12-14 | 17:33:48

Also, IRL I use http://PredictWind.com/, in the past they overlaid the race boats, no longer, at least they still provide polars for the VO65, the data is opaque so it is tough to compare, but their routing presents different routes for different models, GFS so far seems to be the fastest route. PW's interface could learn a lot from the zezo router when it comes to strategic route planning.