Hybrid remote

NighthawkPlayer updates
The modification that allows multiple users to be connected is now complete and works perfectly. To make sure nothing has been missed, I testing everything from start to finish on my wheel through the phone / GSM networks at my residence. The reception is very poor (rural area) and unpredictably switches between 1 bar, 2 bars, or no reception at all. The 3G (standard mobile internet) connection is even worse, and there is no 4G (faster mobile internet) at all. This is much worse than you get in most casinos, so perhaps it’s good for testing.
 
Testing revealed an issue where if the connection is very bad, the video won’t play properly and predictions wont be accurate. The issue is being worked on and should be resolved within a week or so. The end result will be if the internet connection is very bad, the result is only delayed predictions, not inaccurate predictions (delay depends on quality of connection). This is is already the case for average connection quality, but not if the connection is extremely bad.
 
But I’ll still make the server available to players tomorrow (Wednesday). You just need to be aware of the issue. I suggest when you first have access, only test at home. Do not play in a real casino until this issue is fixed.
 
I couldn’t find any other issues but will continue testing after the issue is resolved. If any users find problems, let me know details. If you have been waiting for access, send me an email and I’ll send what you need by the end of Wednesday.

JAA system phone

NighthawkPlayer updates
The programmer who was working on this completed about 85% of it, then went on vacation for weeks without telling me, and came back promising to finish it, but hasn’t. He was reliable with other projects, but not this one. I’m tired of waiting and will use another programmer. This kind of situation is common and it leaves me having an unfinished program and a lost investment. It happened numerous times while developing the Hybrid, which was a nightmare to develop, before I found a programmer with ability and integrity.
 
For the system phone, it’s not as simple as just getting a new programmer to finish the last 15% because it takes a lot of work for the new programmer to first understand how the previous programmer structured the source code. It is actually quicker, cheaper and easier to have another programmer start from scratch, which is what I’ll be doing. But I’ll be using a programmer I’ve worked with for a while, and he’s very reliable. For now though, my focus is on finishing the remote Hybrid. All things considered, I expect the system phone will be available in around 1-2 months.

Hybrid remote

NighthawkPlayer updates
I tested the latest version this morning. As far as I can tell, everything is working for multiple users except:
  • Only the main user of the hybrid will receive predictions (soon any amount of bettors will be able to receive predictions too, just as it is with the earlier version)
  • The audio is not being transmitted
We knew these would be issues. We just needed to test one change with another part of the software to see if it will work for multiple users, which it did. So now it just needs to be applied to the parts of the hybrid. These will probably be done over the weekend. But then I’ll need to test fully and finish some network configurations, and do other work in between. So it is looking like around Wednesday (at the earliest) it will be available.

Hybrid remote access

NighthawkPlayer updates
All that’s left is for some minor modifications so multiple users can connect at the same time. It is an easy mod but it wont be available this week because of the programmer’s schedule. The updated written instructions are finished. Once the software mods are done, I’ll test them then record some instructional videos which will make everything easier to learn. I understand players are eager to access the latest version, but I’ve done everything I could do to move things along faster. At this stage I estimate it will be available around Wednesday, but again it depends on the programmer.

Hybrid remote use

NighthawkPlayer updates
I’ve managed to get one remote hybrid computer setup and working perfectly. This is so the server allows one user of the Hybrid at a time. What’s left to do:
 
1. Allow multiple simultaneous users (about 1-2 more days of work)
 
2. Security testing (1 day of work)
 
3. Modifying instructions (1-2 more days)
 
At this point, it will be made available to players. But I will need the sd card back from users before access can be given. The card needs to be plugged into the server. You can ship back now (just the sd card), but use a reputable and fully tracked courier that ships to po boxes. Shipping address is at http://www.roulette-computers.com/support/
 
I haven’t requested it back until now because if you are without the card, then you wouldn’t be able to run the hybrid software. Waiting until now minimizes the time you don’t have access.
 
So a realistic estimate for it to be available to players is about 5 working days, which is about the same time the sd card takes to reach me.
 
Extra parts to do later include:
 
4. Software mods (only minor) so:
 
a. The operator can speak to the players at the table (like on phones, to give players instructions)
 
b. Audio quality is lower, because it is currently transmitting at a much higher quality than needed)
 
c. Extra bettor phones will work via remote too (currently only 1 bettor/player is supported, but it’s an easy fix)
 
You will be able to access everything from the existing phones you have. But the buttons for starting and stopping the video, and starting the prediction process will need to be run via a hidden cable, like with the other computers (Uber, Lite etc). You can do these mods yourself, or my technician can do them for you. But for best results with highest frame rate possible, faster phones should be used. Including mods, they will be about USD$1000 each. You need only one of them though. Again you can use the existing phones though, but they have a slightly lower frame rate.

Hybrid Partnerships

NighthawkPlayer updates
It’s very difficult to know a productive profit-split partner before they actually start playing. When I consider applications for partnership, everyone assures me they’ll be more dedicated than everyone else. But even with careful selection of partners, only about 1 in 10 prove to be regular productive players.
 
The main reasons for this are:
 
* People easily lose interest when they don’t pay anything for the computers. Players who pay for them inevitably dedicate more time.
 
* Players weren’t honest about their availability or personal circumstances that affects their ability to dedicate time.
 
Many partners have failed to disclose winnings, which I know because they tell other players who then tell me. And many players simply stop responding to my emails completely and never bother to even return the equipment. Unfortunately this is how disrespectful some people are, even when they get something for free.
 
It is very difficult to find people with integrity, who also understand the roulette computers are just a tool that need to be used by motivated and capable people. The computers are extremely accurate in experienced hands, but they are still just a tool, and the player needs to do the work.
 
There are almost 200 applications for Hybrid partnership. Again everyone assures me they will be dedicated. But rather than carefully selecting partners, I sent instructions for every individual to do some basic research at their local casino. These were simple instructions that require the player to spend 2 or so hours in their local casino. And out of nearly 200 players who assured me they were serious, barely any actually did the research. This at least helped identify people who weren’t serious enough.
 
I’m still looking for serious partners. But if you aren’t going to do what you say you’ll do, and aren’t even prepared to do some research at your local casino, don’t bother applying. See www.roulettephysics.com/partners/ to apply.

Hybrid remote access

NighthawkPlayer updates
I’ve written the instructions to use remote access, except some details about connecting to my server, because the server tech is still configuring it and some things aren’t known yet. But the prototype server that actually runs the Hybrid software is complete.
 
So basically all that’s left to do is:
 
1. Server admin finish configuring intermediary server (the server in between the phone in the casino, and the computer that runs the Hybrid software)
 
2. Instructional video to make everything easier to understand
 
For players using the remote access capabilities, I’ll be able to see everything you do and it will be much easier for me to help you. In many cases I’ll be able to just set everything up for you, with all you needing to do is sit in front of the wheel with the hidden camera. Because I know the setup process so well, it wont take long at all and it will mean there’s a lot less for you to learn. Then you just do the usual click to start the prediction process.
 
This will be the only way to access the new version which includes 1-3 second predictions. This is for a few reasons, including the typical processor cant handle 30 frames per second. The new version needs a lot more processing power.
 
So there is still some work left to be done. I don’t yet know when it will be ready for use. Hypothetically if the tech finished Thursday, then everything should be available about a week from then because there will need to be testing and fixing any issues that are found.

Remote Hybrid Use

NighthawkPlayer updates
All coding for remote application of the Hybrid is complete. We’ve created the server for it but it needs to be configured properly. This may take a few more days. I’ll need to hire someone extra for this part. It will take a few days to find someone, then a day or so for them to complete the work. All things considered, it should be up and running some time next week. But it will need more testing before it is made available.