Xref: utzoo rec.aviation:22314 rec.games.misc:8394 comp.sys.mac:49200
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!amdahl!rtech!kerry
From: kerry@rtech.rtech.com (Kerry Kurasaki)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation,rec.games.misc,comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Review of TRACON for the Macintosh.
Message-ID: <4821@rtech.rtech.com>
Date: 22 Feb 90 21:44:30 GMT
References: <24834@ut-emx.UUCP>
Reply-To: kerry@rtech.UUCP (Kerry Kurasaki)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Ingres Corporation, Alameda CA 94501
Lines: 29

In article <24834@ut-emx.UUCP> rdd@walt.cc.utexas.edu (Robert Dorsett) writes:
>
>TRACON 1.0 is, unfortunately, rather "rough."  Many of the Mac-level features
>do not fully conform to the Macintosh User Interface Guidelines (for 
>instance, the insertion point for the user's name doesn't blink, and lists 
>don't scroll properly).  There is at least one fatal bug, which definitely
>needs to be fixed (an ID=10 after clicking on an airplane after it's been
>handed off).  I have a rather long list of other bugs/implementation problems
>for those who are interested (just send email), but, in general, can certainly 
>recommend the game.  It's pretty much the best ATC program out for the Mac.  
>PATCS has many neat features, but TRACON is far more realistic.

Having used both versions of TRACON, the PC version is much more refined.
The basic concepts of the simulation have not changed with the Mac version
(which is good), but the interface is clumsy (non-Mac-like).

My major complaints are that the program is buggy, the simulation is not
as "smooth" as the PC version, and that the sound (voices) isn't up to what
I think it should be.  After Falcon and Dark Castle, one gets spoiled.

It's easy to be critical, but this is one product that was released too soon.
By itself it's OK, but Wesson did such a good job with the PC version that
it's hard not to compare and expect the quality of the earlier (PC) product.

Interestingly enough, I found the PC version easy to use right out of the
box.  I guess I'm going to have to go back to the manuals on the Mac
version.  Even though it may not seem like it, I have a natural Mac bias.

Kerry Kurasaki