Thinking of ordering RowPro

[WingedFoot]

Maybe some of the RowPro users can help me out. I am mostly interested in rowing with people online but I'm all about rows lasting longer in duration instead of doing 2k's and stuff. I like to row intervals such as 3 x 20' with 4' rest in between pieces. Can rows like that be done with other people? Not sure how all of that works and I would like to know before I drop $100.

[Carl Watts]

Most of the rows are longer than 2K, however there is generally not alot of interval's, however this is changing as the numbers using RowPro increase.

For a good idea of the "Scheduled" rows have a look here...

http://www.digitalrowing.com/Oarbits/Schedule.htm

Note that this is just the scheduled rows and if you look at the results there are more actual rows than this as many are set-up as quick Rows with others that just happen to be online at the same time.

Yes you can set-up intervals like you describe, it's just a matter of entering them as 3 separate 20 minute rows with 4 minutes between them. You have to manually start each row by watching the time as RowPro doesn't cater for intervals as such. If you want others to join you then setting up the rows in advance is the best option.

[WingedFoot]

Ok, interesting. So if I order this thing what comes with it? Software and hardware? Or do I need to come up with my own connection cables? Can I connect my computer to my TV screen so I see a larger picture?

[Carl Watts]

Ok, interesting. So if I order this thing what comes with it? Software and hardware? Or do I need to come up with my own connection cables? Can I connect my computer to my TV screen so I see a larger picture?

Software only, you need a PC to conenct your PM2+, PM3 or PM4 to via the USB socket in the bottom.

You don't need the latest PC but you do need a fairly new Graphics card or decent integrated graphics. There is a free graphics tester on the Digital Rowing Website. Get both Direct X and Open GL on your machine and let RowPro decide which is the best to use when you run it.

Your TV will need an analogue VGA PC connection or a HDMI connection if you get a graphics card with HDMI.

A high speed internet connection is not required but it needs to be STABLE as otherwise if you drop the line during a row you are potentially out of the race as far as your result on the RowPro server is concerned.

There is loads of information on the Digital Rowing website.

[WingedFoot]

Cool thanks for your help. Just downloaded the program and i'll activate the 20 day trial with tomorrow's row!

[WingedFoot]

Started the 20 day trial today. Signed up for an online 12k session to begin at 00:30 Jan 18 and absolutely nothing happened. It is not clear what I am supposed to do. There was no indication on my computer screen or monitor that a workout was to begin. At 00:35 the session was removed from the Oarbits list as if the session had already started and was too late to join. What did I do wrong?

And how come when I viewed the participant list I was listed as "evaluator"?

[wa2go]

And how come when I viewed the participant list I was listed as "evaluator"?

Is it possible they do that for users who are evaluating the software, i.e. people who have only the trial version, not a full paid license?

[pmacaula]

Anyone doing the free evaluation shows up as an 'Evaluator'. You get a real ID once you pay the $100.

Not sure what happened with your 00:30 row. From your comments, it was a scheduled row (SR).
Was there anyone else signed up ?

You best bet would be to fire up RP, choose Session Setup > Online and then click on the 'Chat' button at the bottom
of the window. If there is no-one else there, it might be a bit dull, but if there is anyone there, ask is anyone is interested in going for a row. Someone may have a Scheduled Row set up (you have to go into Oarbits to join) or maybe you can just set up a Quick row with them.

00:30GMT is often pretty quiet, so that may be one reason you had little response.

Cheers. Patrick.

[WingedFoot]

If 7:30pm in new York city is considered to be a dead time for rowpro then I dont need it.

[jliddil]

If 7:30pm in new York city is considered to be a dead time for rowpro then I dont need it.

I think you need to give things a chance here. Initially it may look quiet. but once you get to know some folks you get a feel for when folks log on. Or you also get in touch with folks via the message function. I'd be more than happy to row at 7:30 pm some night but not right now as I have 3 more weeks before I can row again due to an injury. Like any internet thing you need to figure out the group and the "norms". Contact Pam at digitalrowing and she can do a test row with you to get you started. Weekend mornings are also active in East Coast and there are folks to help walk you through the process. Is it perfect? Nope. But it beats erging by yourself and can help motivate you to improve.

Yes it would be helpful if digital rwoing had a better forum and communication method but it appears to be a two person company.

[pmacaula]

chgoss on this forum runs a regular 7:30pm ET RowPro session. Usually Mon/Wed/Fri, but sometimes the nights change (e.g. Mon/Tues/Fri this week I think) depending on his schedule. You might want to pm him about upcoming sessions.

Cheers. Patrick.

[chgoss]

Hi, 00:30 GMT is an excellent time to row! I have been scheduling rows 3-4 times a week at that time for almost 4 years now and we usually get 2-4 people. For the next 6-7 weeks we row Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 7:30 PM ET. When ski season is over, we'll go back to Mon/Wed/Fri.

PM me your email address if you would like to get on my training email, sent out every Sunday night with training times for next week.

To sign in to a race that you have signed up for online at the Oarbits site: http://www.digitalrowing.com/Oarbits/Schedule.htm you need to:
- Select "session setup"
- Select "online"
- That will bring up the main session window. you should open the Chat window at that point (it's at the bottom of the session screen).
- if you dont see your race in the session window, something is out of whack with the way you signed up for it. You can always ask the other folks in the chat window if anyone is interested in a "quick race" (which is a bit of a misnomer, most "quick races" are 20min, 30 min, 5k or 10k.
- if you see your race, you need to select it(click on it so that it's highlighted), then select "row" in the bottom right hand corner.
- at that point you will get to the starting line, and you should select "ready".
- if you created the scheduled race, you'll be the starter. When you are ready to go, select "prepare to start", then "row"
- just watch your PM. It will say "prepare to start" (I think..), it will then go to "Attention", then after a couple seconds, it will display "ROW" and you're off and running.

It's great fun, hope to see ya online.