Customer Reviews

Virtual Sailing: Discovery & Practice

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This one is a turkey that should be avoided by all but the rawest of beginners, and even for them, there is probably something better than this software. The software seems to be one or two generations behind in its technical prowess, and makes minimal use of any simulation or animation techniques. In fact, it is organized much like a multi-tiered menu of simple, mostly static instruction pages reminiscent of any decent "learn to sail" hardcover book. In many cases one has to click his way back up a menu in order to enter another branch. The terminology is not always standard USA, and there is no alternative vocabulary. The graphics are primitive, but that wouldn't be so bad if one could actually TRY some stated principle to see what happened. Skip this one and look for another piece of software. You can also buy a wonderful hardcover copy of Chapman's for less money!

The first thing I noticed was the primative computer graphicsemployed by the writers. The "stick figures" and linedrawings did not motivate or maintain my interest very long. The disk is new and should employ new graphic techniques. Most of the content defined sailing terms that can be read in any book on sailing. eg. Chapter 8 of Chapman Piloting-Seamanship and Small Boat Handling. I estimate that less than 10% of the disk allowed the user interactive participation. The user guide which accompanies the disk asked the viewer to use the help button to obtain any assistance. I found this lacking because when I tried to find out how their unique wind direction indicator worked, there was nothing on the help pages...I do not recommend this disk as an aid to learning how to sail.