Strat-O-Matic

Strat-O-Matic is a game company based in Glen Head, New York, that develops and publishes sports simulation games. It produces tabletop baseball, football, basketball, and ice hockey simulations, as well as personal computer adaptations of each, but it is primarily known for its baseball game.

Strat-O-Matic began as a company in 1961, when a Bucknell University mathematics student named Hal Richman began selling an early version of his baseball tabletop game out of his basement, buying advertising space in Sports Illustrated to aid sales. Richman lost money until 1963, when his decision to release a game containing one card for each player in Major League Baseball resulted in greatly increased sales. Richman later released a football game in 1968 and an "advanced" baseball game in 1972.

Strat-O-Matic is neither the first nor the only game company of its type; competitors include and have included APBA, Replay Publishing, Big League Manager, Design Depot, Negamco, Pursue the Pennant and Statis Pro. Although less sophisticated and aimed at younger players, Cadaco-Ellis' All Star Baseball (introduced in 1941) has remained the largest competitor with Strat-O-Matic, since it has been distributed through toy stores for over 50 years.

In a Strat-O-Matic game, each athlete is represented by a player card, on which are printed various ratings and result tables for dice rolls. A player, who may play solitaire or against another player, is in charge of making strategic and personnel decisions for his/her team, while determining the results of his/her decisions by cross-referencing dice rolls with a system of printed charts and tables. (The basic scheme may be understood in connection with the above images: one die selects which column is used on either the batter or the pitcher card, while the other two dice specify the outcome within the column.) The results on the player cards are determined by a combination of the respective athlete's real-life statistics for the previous year and (mostly in the case of the baseball game) independent research of news articles and scouting reports. All Strat-O-Matic games offer a "basic", "advanced", and "super-advanced" version; the more advanced versions give more strategic options to players while taking into account additional nuances of an athlete's abilities (e.g. in baseball, differences in hitting vs. left-handed or right-handed pitchers). The computer adaptations essentially rely on the same algorithms as the tabletop games, but they have the additional advantages of faster play and statistics compilation.

Additionally, there also is an Internet version of Strat-O-Matic games, sponsored by The Sporting News.

Strat-O-Matic games are generally recognized as very influential; they have been played by a wide variety of sports fans, including professional athletes themselves (Doug Glanville is a well-known Strat-O-Matic gamer). Games of Strat-O-Matic were shown being played in the Spike Lee film Crooklyn. In the book Magic the Gathering: the Pocket Players Guide, it was mentioned that Strat-O-Matic was a strong influence in the game design work of Richard Garfield.

Computer sports game designers and producers such as Trip Hawkins and Richard Hilleman have been life-long Strat-o-Matic players, indirectly influencing the development of rival computer baseball simulation games.

Strat-O-Matic's statistical research and game development methods are implemented with the intent of replicating athletes' abilities as accurately as possible, giving the gamer the feel of making managerial decisions. Many Strat-O-Matic users have devoted uncounted solitary hours toward playing out an entire season for a team or league, then comparing players' and teams' statistics from the game play (laboriously kept with pencil, paper, and slide rule in the era before hand-held calculators and computers) with their real-life equivalents; the closer the match, the more realistic Strat-O-Matic was deemed compared with its competitors.

However, despite their loyal fan base, such games are seeing their popularity decline in the face of electronic games' increasing popularity and sophistication.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

4Matic

4Matic is the name of a four-wheel drive system developed and used by Mercedes-Benz. It is good for driving through slippery terrain.

Almost all their vehicles featuring this system also have an automatic transmission in standard equipment (except 260 and 300 gasoline and aspirated 300 D were standard with manual transmission) and that's where its name is derived from (4-wheel drive and automatic). The first design of 4Matic (or 4Matic) system was introduced in 1986 on the W124 series (E Class) saloons (four door) and estate (station wagon) cars. It was available with the 2.6 L and 3.0 L 6 cylinder petrol (gasoline) and diesel engines.

A complex electronically controlled system with automatically engaging four-wheel drive (4WD), the system employs locking central and rear differentials to provide additional traction in slippery conditions. The centre differential, also known as the transfer case, contains two clutches. Each hydraulically enabled clutch is controlled separately to allow for three modes of operation; 2WD (mode 0) where 100% of available torque is available to the rear axle, while the front axle is disconnected and two 4WD modes which allow for 35% front/65% rear axle torque split (mode 1) or 50% front/50% rear axle torque split (mode 2). The rear differential lock, previously known as ASD on Mercedes-Benz models, can also be locked (mode 3)if rear wheel slip is still present the transfer case 50/50 4WD mode 2 is engaged. Due to safety and stability concerns there is no front differential lock. The 4Matic system uses inputs from the three channel ABS system and a steering wheel angle sensor to decide when to intervene. 4WD is disengaged automatically if the ABS service brakes are applied. Engine throttle control is not inherent in the W124 system. Two W124 variants of the 4Matic system were produced, the first system (1986-1991) used a mechanical pressure test lever to disable the system hydraulically while the second system variant (1992/1993) used an electrical test switch to break power to the system. The latter system variant when in test mode allows for continued operation of the rear shock self-levelling-system (SLS) when installed. Plagued with reliability problems at first, the multiplate clutch central differential were prone to failure -- Ritter, S: Mercedes-Benz E class Owners Bible Problems Section page 314 Bentley Publishers 2007 ; it was withdrawn in 1993.

The four wheel drive system was developed in conjunction with Steyr-Daimler-Puch, who manufactured the Mercedes-Benz G-Class in Austria. The second generation of 4Matic was re-introduced on the W210 series in 1998/1999. Available only in left hand drive the cars were again manufactured at the Magna-Steyr plant in Austria. The second generation of 4Matic used a full time 4 wheel drive system with three open differentials front, centre and rear. Traction control is achieved using ETS (Electronic Traction System). This employs the ABS system with additional valves to monitor and then partially brake any wheel which loses traction. This much simpler system is also used in the Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV.

The second and third generation 4Matic systems are currently available on the E-Class, C-Class, R-Class, S-Class, Viano and the entire Mercedes-Benz SUV range. These latter systems include engine and automatic stability controls.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dunia Motor Matic

Looking at the Honda Icon - Scooter

It is now several months after AP-Honda launched its Honda Icon scooter, with as main target market the Thai teenage population.

A compact 4-stroke, 2-valve SOHC 108cc air-cooled engine, powers the Honda Icon. The cylinder displacement is build up by a 50mm bore and 55mm stroke, which generate a 9.5:1 compression ratio The air-cooling is based on forced air-cooling in which air is forced by a cooling fan to cool different parts of the engine, which makes the Honda Icon free from engine overheating.

Transmission for the Honda Icon is V-Matic belt-drive, with a gear ratio of 2.68 – 0.85, the belt transmission system delivers the power to the rear wheel efficient and produces less sound for comfortable and relaxed driving.

The Honda Icon comes in 3 flavors, which have mainly only cosmetic differences to another. The flavors are ‘Icon Be Cute’, ‘Icon Be Sport’ and the ‘Icon Be Cyber’.

Honda is using comprehensive and patent safety features for the Honda Icon, including Combi-Brake technology, which distributes balanced braking power, to the front and rear wheels. The Honda Icon brakes have also Parking-Brake, which work similar as a car’s hand brake and prevents the Honda Icon from moving, even if the motorcycle is parked on a slope. Another helpful safety future is that the Honda Icon will automatic switch off the engine when the side-stand is lowered, this can prevent hazards moments by forgetting to pull up the side-stand before driving away.

For driving the Honda Icon is not the fastest 110cc motorcycle, but with the very balanced suspension the driving quality is extremely good. The telescopic front forks and mono-shock rear swing arm, and a 1240mm wheel base are providing the Honda Icon with road and cornering behavior that many larger and stronger motorcycles can only dream of. 

The new protyepe from Yamaha

One of the most eye catching bike in Tokyo Motor Show 2007 might be this one, Yamaha Tesseract. It doesn't like common motorcycle which only have two wheel, it have four wheels. Unfortunately, you look for it in Yamaha dealer for recent time. It’s just a styling concept and have not mass produced. Y

 


It’s not technically a motorcycle, and “Tesseract” sounds like something Scooby-Doo would say, but who cares? It looks incredible and has enough techno-jewelry to make the most jaded gearhead drool. Mounted in that spidery chassis is a V-Twin motor that’s the basis for a hybrid propulsion unit. Front suspension is something Yamaha calls “dual scythe,” and like the Piaggio MP3, the wheels lean with the chassis into the turns to impart that authentic motorcycle-riding feel. Like the Piaggio, the frontal profile is almost as narrow as a motorcycle, which would make this a fun and interesting street ride. The extra wheel will add stability, for sure, but also make this as likely to become DOT-legal as a Tiger tank.

Suzuki Skywave itu, bukan sekedar reinkarnasi Suzuki Spin!

Konsistensi Suzuki yang tidak mau sekadar ganti baju terus berlanjut. Termasuk pada jenis skubek. Lepas generasi Spin 125, Suzuki hadirkan Suzuki Skywave 125 yang jauh beda dengan skubek pendahulunya. Ini sekalas Yamaha Nouvo atau Honda Airblade.
   
Skywave berbodi lebih bongsor dibanding Spin 125. Cita rasa kemewahan lebih terbangun. Aroma industrial dipadu rancak dengan roh futuristik. Tampak pada bentuk lekuk kaku dan tegas pada setiap siku detilnya. Seperti pada batok lampu, bagian sekitar kunci dan bentuk batok lampu. Sementara secara total desain, lekuk yang terbangun aerodinamis menunjukan cita rasa futuristik kental.
   
Secara umum, Suzuki tampak ingin menjembatani pecinta skubek fungsi dan penggemar style. Skubek yang justru menggunakan ukuran ban ring 16 itu, mendekati bentuk bebek yang sudah laris manis di Tanah Air. 

Secara fungsi, skubek yang punya panjang 1,935 m, dan lebar 67 cm serta tinggi 1,07 m itu, akan lebih leluasa buat pengguna menerobos berbagai medan. Kan bukan cuma rodanya saja yang lebih besar. Tapi, secara umum juga lebih gambot dibanding Spin 125.

Pengembangan teknologi tidak hanya pada bentuk luar. Lihat saja karburatornya. Meski punya ukuran sama dengan Spin 125, karbu Skywave dilengkapi dengan filter penyaring udara sebelum menuju neddle valve. Itu dimaksudkan agar udara yang masuk ke karbu benar-benar bersih dari air.

Lain lagi dengan desain filter udara luar dari ventury karburator. Dibuat gambot dan posisinya persis di atas CVT. Efek secara fisik, bentuk mesin keseluruhan jadi terlihat gambot, seirama dengan bentuk total skubek. Padahal, sih, itu bukan bagian dari mesin. 

LAMPU BODI BEGO

Lampu depan juga ikuti virus lampu bodi. Posisinya seperti mata elang yang ada di cover bodi depan. Memang, kelemahannya, arah pancar lampu kayak mobil. Yaitu mengikuti arah bodi bukan arah setang.
Tapi untuk kebutuhan style, tampilan jadi lebih keren. Estetikanya modernnya lebih masuk.

 

BAGASI LUAS

Unsur fungsional lainnya ditunjukan pada desain bagasi yang longgar. Bahkan, Em-Plus coba masukin helm fullface pun cukup!

Ini salah stau keunggulan yang ditawarkan skubek macam Skywave. Pengguna tidak bingung bawa barang bawaan. Tinggal cemplungin ke begasi, beres!

 

KUNCI SATU PAKET

Virus kunci paket yang sudah diterap pada banyak produk motor juga diikuti Skywave. Kunci kontak yang dilengkapi dengan pengaman itu, sekaligus juga langsung membuka bagasi. Jadi, enggak repot buka kunci jok yang biasanya ada di samping.