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UOASpeed Beta Info (name subject to change at any moment) Page last updated: March 21, 2003 What does it do? It attempts to speed up slow connections (modem users) to UO. How does it do it? UOASpeed acts as a 'proxy' to UO. When a login to the game is made it is redirected to the UOASpeed server. The UOASpeed server then connects to UO. All data between the client (you) and UO is passed through the UOASpeed server which attempts to optimize the data flow. Who can apply to join the beta? Currently modem users or non-USA users playing on US shards are being considered as beta testers. Please only email asking to join the beta if you are in that group. When will the beta begin? Looks good for Friday March 14, 2003. The client side portion is ready to go and just a few more features to get into the server (like login credentials being checked). How long will the beta be? Not sure at this point. Internal testing has been pretty clean so far but load testing has not been done. How many will get to join the beta? Around 20 to start. Possibly more as average bandwidth usage is determined. Does it really help? Internal testing shows it does help slow connections. Unofficial timing shows a speed increase from 10% - 30% and that is increasing as the server is made smarter. This isn't done by messing with your MTU or other settings like the internet connection speed up programs you may have heard about. Already I've been able to login over a modem at the Britian Bank without getting zap'd to a new location. Results will vary depending on your connection. Will it help after EA/OSI makes their improvements? It should continue helping even after all of EA/OSI's improvements are in place. EA/OSI has already made some improvements and UOASpeed continues to help. Has EA/OSI approved it? Not at this point. It has been submitted to them for review and they do have a beta account/password to try it out. Will all UOAssist users be required to use it? Not by any means. It is an optional service. Does it take a lot of CPU time? Haven't specifically tested for that at this point. But the extra code in the client is not extensive. In modern machines processor power is much greater than modem bandwidth ability. So I'd guess the benefit is far greater than the CPU cycle cost. I have a hot connection already but I'm always looking for more speed, can it help? Actually good and fast connections will probably be slowed down some by UOASpeed. Simply because of the extra hops to the UOASpeed server then to UO. UOASpeed's goal is to help slow connections, not boost already fast connections. I've heard of fastwalk before is this like that? Not at all. It doesn't work by fooling the client into thinking it can move. As normal I'm not interested in making cheats. This is just an attempt to help modem users out. If you have played on a modem you should appreciate why. Is this like the speed hack I've heard about? No. It does not fool UO into thinking time is passing faster than reality. The service is currently named UOASpeed for lack of a name that was descriptive and short. The name may change. What platforms will work? At this point I've only tested on WinXP but it shouldn't have a problem on Win98 or 'greater' machines. Win95 is questionable and probably will not be tested on since Microsoft no longer supports Win95. If you use Win95 and encounter problems I can provide URL's for downloads from Microsoft that MAY help. If the beta is successful how much will this cost? Price has not been set at this point. There will be a reoccurring fee for this service. Most likely it will be low enough that billing will be per 2 or 3 months rather than monthly. What problems has the initial group of beta testers run into? Mostly 'ghosting' type bugs. Meaning they seem something on screen that really is no longer there. Like gates remaining visible after it really is gone ... A few have experienced not being able to fully log in unless they first log in without using the UOASpeed server. Hopefully most of these problems will be fixed with the new server code published today (March 21). What is expected of beta testers? I'd like for them to use the service during normal play and report problems they find (with details including settings of UOASpeed). Also I'd like them to report successes they have with the service so it can be determined if this is useful for a wider audience. What do beta testers get? A 'test' version of UOAssist that includes the needed UOASpeed code. And a user name and password for the beta version of the UOASpeed service itself. Note if you are selected do not share your account name and password or it will be terminated. How do I sign up? Sorry the 2nd round openings have all been filled. Name: Normal connection speed: (IE 24k, 32k, 48k ....) Normal playing hours (include time zone): (IE 8-9pm MST) How technical do you consider yourself: (1 = I have a hard time turning a machine on if it isn't already plugged in, 10 = I made my processor from beach sand last weekend) Game play habits: (IE dungeon clearer, craftsperson extraordinaire, PvP specialist (hmm is this possible on a modem?), I enjoy looking for the 'bank' because I hear so much about it...) Location: (IE Seattle, WA)
Further questions can be sent to UOAssist@tugsoft.com. |
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