Private Challenge Contests

[cddenver]

When I log on, I do not know there is a challenge out there until I load the Beta Games. I then have to accept the challenge and wait for the Games to load again. Is there a way to notify us of the challenge as you do with the Private messages?

 
Being on dial-up like faygo, I've seen the same thing.  Maybe some sort of indicator on the "Contests" tab that shows if we've got a challenge waiting?  Or, if we begin loading one of the games the accept now / later / decline dialog box comes up before the game begins loading.
 

[Webman]

I think we will implement a notification system that shows site-wide, both on the home page and content pages as well as while browsing the forum.  I like the idea of doing it similar to the Private Message notification.I don't think this will happen during the Beta period simply because we don't want to have certain features leak into the general site operation but I'll keep this in mind once the beta is closed and we prep for the live launch.How long do games take to load on dial-up any way? It's about 3-4 seconds here and not a big deal at all. That dial-up sounds painful.

[faygo]

Depending on the Kbps, what ads are loading at the same time, it can be 3 minutes or better. Something to do while your waiting, yell for the drink girl, go to the bathroom, try the buffet or twiddle your thumbs.

When the Beta games were down and I was playing the practice games, once they(3 line) were loaded, the next time they would come up in your 1-3 second time frame. The beta reloads from scratch each time. 

[oej719]

While I wait for it to load I study my special playsbook, and knaw on a chicken wing.

[Webman]

3 minutes?! Ouch.Unfortunately, due to the security measures that must be loaded with each game instance (to prevent abuse of the scoring system), it can not be cached like the non-interfacing games from the live site.  Hopefully the difference is worth the wait, but that's unfortunate that it takes so long.Maybe I'll have the developers make a dial-up version that only has 12 cards in the deck (all unsuited and unpaired, of course)

[faygo]

Maybe I'll have the developers make a dial-up version that only has 12 cards in the deck (all unsuited and unpaired, of course)

 
I thought that is what we had now???
 
Yes, it is worth the wait.

[cddenver]

3 minutes?! Ouch.

Maybe I'll have the developers make a dial-up version that only has 12 cards in the deck (all unsuited and unpaired, of course)

 
The game load time for me can also be about 3 minutes.  I've gotten challenges where I can see the other player start and complete their part before the game is even loaded on my PC!  I like the idea of a notification like PM, once the site gets going for real.
 
A 12 card deck would be simpler, wouldn't it?   Might be worth it to cut down on the game load time.

[cddenver]

While I wait for it to load I study my special playsbook, and knaw on a chicken wing.
 
I guess you'd need a photographic memory or else the number of hands you play would drop down to about 1 every five minutes as you check the playbook!  Has our favorite absent friend ever said how he does that, anyway?
 
Be careful with the chicken wing by the playbook - don't want to get grease on it, or spill your free, premium lemonade on it...

[BOOPSAHOY]

Thats OK Eduardo-I will get you next time!

[shadowman]

New problem: I recently was challenged by Eduardo and Faygo and I completed both. However, my contests screen still shows these as active and even shows one at 99 hands played (the other is 100). I've already went back in a played the one now at 100 as it showed up at 91 initially. I've been connected with a very slow connection the last couple of days and that may have something to do with it.
 
PS. Eduardo, you haven't completed your end yet ...