Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Paxil on August 03, 2001, 04:50:00 PM

Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Paxil on August 03, 2001, 04:50:00 PM
Myself... I've never tried it... so I can't comment on it either way... just interested in how many people do use it or don't and why.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKDejaVu on August 03, 2001, 04:55:00 PM
Haven't ever tried it either.  I guess I'm just too used to the snap view method.  Though, I think my wife would have a siezure if she ever watched me play for more than 5 minutes ;)

AKDejaVu
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: hblair on August 03, 2001, 05:12:00 PM
Back when I was doing that instructing gig, I messed around with it so I'd know how to tell a newbie how to use it. I forgot long ago.
Remember the big uproar that was caused on the board when it was announced that they were going to have a padlock?  :D
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Seeker on August 03, 2001, 05:33:00 PM
Tried it offline, and thought it was confusing.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: eskimo2 on August 03, 2001, 05:41:00 PM
Have never tried it or combat trim.

eskimo
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Karnak on August 03, 2001, 05:48:00 PM
I don't use either padlock or combat trim.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Ozark on August 03, 2001, 06:02:00 PM
Padlock? What's padlock?

Errr...guess I don't use it.

Oz
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: SirLoin on August 03, 2001, 06:29:00 PM
I would use it if it was as good as EAW padlock(with exception to locking on targets out of view)
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: brady on August 03, 2001, 06:41:00 PM
I do not use padlock.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: 2Late4U on August 03, 2001, 07:38:00 PM
We have padlock???   :D

Really, it is not something I use because its much easier to keep my bearings when I control my view and not my NME   :D   :D   :D
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: GunnerCAF on August 03, 2001, 08:19:00 PM
There is a guy in our squad with a disability and has problems with using all the joystick buttons.  He uses it.

I use snap views.

Gunner <CAF>
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Serapis on August 03, 2001, 09:45:00 PM
Never use padlock -- hate it when that's about all a sim gives you to use and not the snap keys (no overhead view, etc.).

Charon
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Zippatuh on August 03, 2001, 11:10:00 PM
Don’t use it.  I tried when I first arrived to AH but it was more of a hindrance then help.  Hat switch is set with a button mapped for up.  Works a lot better then the padlock did.

Zippatuh
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Staga on August 04, 2001, 12:19:00 AM
Once I pressed some button in kb and something wierd happened.
So I accidentally used it once. Just like CT.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Kweassa on August 04, 2001, 12:46:00 AM
Never tried 'snap view' before I got to play Aces High. After a while my conclusion on padlock was:

 Padlock helps spectacular target fixation + severe disorientation + X-ray visonesque automatic target tracking

 If padlock is unlocked the moment the 'locked' target disappears from sight, technically it won't be much different from snap view. Besides, looking around and finding the target you want is one of the great attributes of a good fighter pilot. And certainly some great pilots have ability of subtle deception(ie. Drex -> flip flop.. where'd he go? What the hell...?? * ping ping ping * Arrrrgh...)

 Padlock was great in something like Fighter Ace TC arena.. you just maneuver and point the nose.. just follow the bogey where ever he goes and you can hang tight right behind their 6.. But def. not in AH.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Angus on August 04, 2001, 05:14:00 AM
Found a use for it.Its when you are in a furball and someone glues on you, - makes it quicker to spot him.
Also, when engaging multiple plains of the same sort, its good to padlock one so you can tell them apart more easily.
Sort of makes up a little to the gap between monitor and actual eyesight.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: air_guard on August 04, 2001, 05:39:00 AM
used it alot in FA but when in AH im just not able to use it anymore, since ive learnt the use of the snap wievs.
Guess it can be usfull for some and a pain for others.

airguard
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Creamo on August 04, 2001, 06:20:00 AM
I thought it was EVERYTHING, till I used the initial views in AH and got used to it.

Cant even tell you how to enable it.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: MadBirdCZ on August 04, 2001, 07:28:00 AM
I dont use the padlock view but I sometimes use the TAB key to square out the plane for padlocking... it helps me to identify the plane that shot me down and I can concentrate on him and him only in my next sortie  If he survives long enough for me to get there....  :D
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Grimm on August 04, 2001, 01:25:00 PM
As Gunner had Said,

The Cactus Air Force has a Member that uses the Padlock, "Falcon"

I know the Padlock is really a help to him. You see he has some disablities. This Limits him in his use of HOTAS. He cant reach all the button on a stick and really only has the effective use of one hand.  The Use of Padlock has really help him with SA and Tracking.  I know there are some things he would like to see changed with the padlock, but its also really impressive to see a group like HTC add features to add those with handicaps. Falcon has wanted this for a long time. He has been an active sim pilot for over 5yrs and it was AH that really provided a great feature for folks like him.

I know there was a huge debate and outrage that Padlock would give folks an unfair advantage. It seems most folks prefer not to use it, but those that need it, find it a great aid. It doesnt appear to have unbalanced game play in anyway.

My Thanks to the HTC Team for this feature.

Grimm - Cactus Air Force
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: daddog on August 04, 2001, 03:10:00 PM
Grimm I never thought of it being a use to those with disabilities.

I wonder if that "is" why HTC enabled it. If so big <S> to them! If not, no matter it is a feature that has found a home for a select few.  :)
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: delta on August 04, 2001, 04:10:00 PM
Greets all,

Have never used padlock.

Can't remember using combat trim.

HT wasted time and effort on this.  :rolleyes:


delta
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Replicant on August 05, 2001, 03:16:00 AM
I used it for one or two sorties to see if it was any use to me..... But I use F8 Pan anyway which is 'my' kind of padlock anyway   :)

But, if it is of use to those with disabilities then <S> to HiTech!   :)

Regards

Nexx
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Fastbikkel on August 06, 2001, 03:32:00 AM
Never knew it was there.

Does it realy work like in EAW??
Or is it inferior to the snapview option?


See ya,

JG5FaBi.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Effdub on August 06, 2001, 03:45:00 AM
Do I use Padlock? No.
Did I uninstall EAW? Yes!  :D
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKSWulfe on August 06, 2001, 06:37:00 AM
I don't know how to use padlock, and it's a function I can do with out. I currently just use the snap views (the ones that pan to each snap view, not the insta-snap views) to look around and track my targets.
-SW
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKDejaVu on August 06, 2001, 07:29:00 AM
Can't help but get the feeling that this is a prime example of "Lack of x feature is keeping people from playing this game.  Add it and more will come" gone haywire.

Only one person who uses it and that's only because of a disability?

Thanks for all the work on that HTC.  :rolleyes:  I'm truly sorry that at times you have to waste your time trying to meet the demands of the vocal minority.

AKDejaVu
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: straffo on August 06, 2001, 07:34:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Grimm:
As Gunner had Said,

The Cactus Air Force has a Member that uses the Padlock, "Falcon"

I know the Padlock is really a help to him. You see he has some disablities. This Limits him in his use of HOTAS. He cant reach all the button on a stick and really only has the effective use of one hand.  The Use of Padlock has really help him with SA and Tracking.  I know there are some things he would like to see changed with the padlock, but its also really impressive to see a group like HTC add features to add those with handicaps. Falcon has wanted this for a long time. He has been an active sim pilot for over 5yrs and it was AH that really provided a great feature for folks like him.

I know there was a huge debate and outrage that Padlock would give folks an unfair advantage. It seems most folks prefer not to use it, but those that need it, find it a great aid. It doesnt appear to have unbalanced game play in anyway.

My Thanks to the HTC Team for this feature.

Grimm - Cactus Air Force

Reading that I just one thing to add : WTG HTC!
like the color for Icon it helped a lot !
(I suck as before but now I see who beat my butt  :) )
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Westy MOL on August 06, 2001, 08:08:00 AM
AKDejaVu, thank you for your wonderful demonstration of the differences between a physically handicapped person and a mentally handicapped one.

   Westy
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: straffo on August 06, 2001, 08:10:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Westy MOL:
AKDejaVu, thank you for your wonderful demonstration of the differences between a physically handicapped person and a mentally handicapped one.

   Westy

splash One !
LOL  :)
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Staga on August 06, 2001, 10:00:00 AM
Good one Westy !
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKSWulfe on August 06, 2001, 10:05:00 AM
Westy, I see his comment hit your forehead and made the noise "thud" when it tried to penetrate your mind.

Remember all that stink just before padlock was added? So many stated "Adding padlock will bring more people" "adding padlock will get me to fly more" "adding padlock will help me get laid!" etc...

Here we are after HT spent a while coding it, only to find out it's barely used.

There's coding to help disabled people, and then there's a waste of coding.

Of course I'm sure this will get the more dull minded to jump on me "oh blah blah blah I'm righteous, I'm better, etc".

No, I'm not saying Padlock is bad.. but if only one person is using it you have to admit that is a waste of time/coding.
-SW
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: hblair on August 06, 2001, 10:05:00 AM
Neeneer Neeener! take that DJ!

 :p
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: hblair on August 06, 2001, 10:08:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by SWulfe:
No, I'm not saying Padlock is bad.. but if only one person is using it you have to admit that is a waste of time/coding.
-SW

You have a good point there.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: air_guard on August 06, 2001, 10:13:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by AKDejaVu:

Only one person who uses it and that's only because of a disability?


AKDejaVu

Its never only to be disabled, try chop of a thumb and see how u do in life ?
well even if only one person use it i think its worth the efford, and maybe a lot just dont read this or atleast dont post much here.
Actually its very much the same names going on  :D writing here.


airguard

[ 08-06-2001: Message edited by: air_guard ]
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Effdub on August 06, 2001, 10:14:00 AM
wait a minute!! "adding padlock will help me get laid!" Arrgh! All those years wasted flying AH with snap-views  :(


 :D

Effdub
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Mickey1992 on August 06, 2001, 10:16:00 AM
I don't use it.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: straffo on August 06, 2001, 10:17:00 AM
I understand your POV SW but it's one person among the poster of this BBS (not one among the reader of this BBS neither among the MA and H2H players) so without a representative sample to the HA population what can we demonstrate ?...

Nothing...except that the number of sample is to low...
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKSWulfe on August 06, 2001, 10:17:00 AM
Yeah EffDub, see when you fly with snap views you will grow an unusually large right thumb which scares the women away.

Now with padlock, you only have to press one key when the enemy is in your view.

No more unusually large thumb and you don't sit there talking to the women and moving your thumb when you look around.   ;)
-SW
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKSWulfe on August 06, 2001, 10:20:00 AM
Right Straffo.

I'm not saying "well in hindsight we obviously didn't need padlock", from what I've seen though.. I don't think we needed it.

From my understand of how it works, it can only maintain a lock on the enemy as long as he doesn't go behind canopy structures or wings/tail/dash/nose etc.

So basically you can only maintain lock when he's right there on your 12Oc?

I could be mistaken though, but it just seems like a "worthless" system... going by other game padlocks that will follow you around the whole time.

The latter system would be, IMO, better for a disabled person because it doesn't require you to reacquire the target and lock him each time.

Of course, with my whole 0 hours using padlock, I could be mistaken on how it works.   ;)
-SW
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AN on August 06, 2001, 10:26:00 AM
As far as I'm concerned, if padlock helps one disabled person play this game who couldn't play before, then it was worth it.

But then again, it's HTC's responsibility to decide if they're wasting their time or not, not mine.

anRky
(never tried padlock)
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKSWulfe on August 06, 2001, 10:32:00 AM
Just FYI, using the "disabled person" line as a reason for padlock doesn't hold water as much as it use to.

Joysticks, and other gaming peripherals are moving in the direction of accomodating both left and right handed people.

As an example: The X36/X35 combo has two hats on both the throttle and joystick. Granted, the two hats on the throttle do not look like the hats you are accustomed to, but they work just the same (if not better.. they've both outlasted the X36's hats).

I use the hats on the throttle to give me multiple up/down views. Like forward/left/down forward/left/up etc

Anyways..
-SW
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKDejaVu on August 06, 2001, 10:33:00 AM
I'm not trying to be caloused towards someone with a disability benifitting from the padlock view.

I remember when the debate raged... the arguments for and against.  Disability was not an issue.  Those arguing for the padlock view are either not here or are not using it.

I'm glad that it means one more person can play AH.  I just don't know that making the game playable for all disabled persons is<should bee> the responsibility of HTC unless its an easy fix. Color blindness and icons comes to mind... an easy fix implimented for a reason.

Once again... while I'm glad that someone can play because of the padlock view, I'm very disappointed that it seems he's the only one using it.  Its not really that difficult to understand now is it?

AKDejaVu
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKDejaVu on August 06, 2001, 10:36:00 AM
Quote
I understand your POV SW but it's one person among the poster of this BBS (not one among the reader of this BBS neither among the MA and H2H players) so without a representative sample to the HA population what can we demonstrate ?...

Padlock views were discussed extensively on this BBS.  Where are its supporters now?

AKDejaVu
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Westy MOL on August 06, 2001, 11:12:00 AM
" I'm very disappointed that it seems he's the only one using it.  Its not really that difficult to understand now is it?"

Yes. Because how can you KNOW that one person out of the 10% or so that post on these boards is the ONLY person using it?

 I don't use it fwiw.  But you're remark was so calous and ignorant sounding I posted with what I felt was an appropriate reply earlier.

 As for the remarks and the debates prior to padlocks implementaion in AH as I recall most  players posting here were against it with the exception of a few vocally adamant folks who insisted it would bring more folks. Wrong. Most would never have paid $30/mo just for the inclusion of padlock.  I do believe most of those folks have either moved on to WW2O or gone back to FA 2.5 after thier 2 week trial(s).

  Westy
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Minotaur on August 06, 2001, 11:27:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by AKDejaVu:


Padlock views were discussed extensively on this BBS.  Where are its supporters now?

AKDejaVu

In your usual over dominating manner DJV you miss the obvious.  Let me explain.

First off, if you feel like getting "LAMBLASTED" just say you are a PadLock supporter. Who needs it?

I have used PadLock in other Sims and really enjoyed it.  However; it is the implementation in those Sims that differs from the implementation in AH.

Other Sims, (Boxed Type) use a smooth scrolling padlock, with visual orientation cues.  Once you become accustom to using this form of PadLock the Sim becomes more realistic.

This is probably the most realistic view system possible on a computor, because this is how it is really done by real pilots in real life.  BTW the PadLock view system was designed by a real pilot.
 
AH uses a "Snap to View" type PadLock.  The reason this makes it very hard to use IMO is that it is extremely disorientation on the changing of snap views.  Your mind has trouble re-orientation when it is done so rapidly.

This system was designed very well IMO, for a "PadLock Compromise" not for a true PadLock.

Now that I have taken your bait hook, line and sinker I will continue.  :)

I believe the biggest draw back to any PadLock being used here at AH was the computer AI factor.  IE: The perfect target track afforded by the computor not the player.  This was a very hard rub to alot of players, and I don't blame them.

For the record, I tried the AH PadLock but found that the "Carple Tunnel Creating Very Unrealistic Snap View System" to be more effecient.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Dowding on August 06, 2001, 11:28:00 AM
I tried it once, but prefer the snap views.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: AKSWulfe on August 06, 2001, 11:31:00 AM
This is more or less in response to Mino:

It ain't realistic until we have a monitor system or some form of viewing shell all the way around our body.

Until then, it's just a technological compromise.   ;)
-SW
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: popeye on August 07, 2001, 11:46:00 AM
I haven't ever tried padlock, but I don't think the programming effort was a complete waste.  I believe the "six call" is based on the padlock routines, and I use that feature all the time.
Title: Padlock... who does and doesn't use it
Post by: Staga on August 07, 2001, 11:59:00 AM
Good point Popeye.