View Full Version : Help Nintendo Analyze Your Home Wireless Networks
Doctor Setebos
08-10-2005, 07:20 PM
My Nintendo members can sign up to help Nintendo analyze gamers' home wireless network configurations and capabilities (http://www.nintendo.com/user_survey/wifi.jsp) in an effort to gather statistics on general internet service connectivity and performance for their upcoming Nintendo DS/Revolution WiFi network. This is done by following the link provided and answering a few questions. You are then required to download a small client that installs an Animal Crossing-styled mini clock on your desktop and then runs network analysis utilities which connect your computer directly to Nintendo servers. The entire process takes about 10-12 minutes. A webpage is then displayed with the results of the testing, and you then have the option to send those results to Nintendo for inclusion in their analysis. A disclaimer ensures you that no personal information is collected or distributed.
http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/3066/nintendoclock1fo.jpg
Heretic Machine
08-10-2005, 07:34 PM
...I'm actually a tad impressed. I may do this tomarrow.
Derwin
08-10-2005, 07:42 PM
I'm impressed too...I like to know that Nintendo is actually working hard on their Wi-Fi Network and asking their fans to help.
Squigly
08-10-2005, 07:56 PM
I'm doing it.
The sooner the DS goes online, the better!
KarmaGhost
08-10-2005, 07:56 PM
Look like someone bought they're computer from Dell! :P
Derwin
08-10-2005, 08:13 PM
How did you determine that from that small screenshot?
Doctor Setebos
08-10-2005, 08:18 PM
Look like someone bought they're computer from Dell! :PHow did you determine that from that small screenshot?Yeah, I'm curious to know too, since I took that screenshot on an IBM T41 Thinkpad. =P
Squigly
08-10-2005, 08:27 PM
Yeah, I'm curious to know too, since I took that screenshot on an IBM T41 Thinkpad. =P
Oooo!! BURN!
Nintendo Revolution
08-10-2005, 08:36 PM
Done and done. Looks awesome.
Does Nintendo not understand that most people just use standard broadband.
kid cabelgo
08-10-2005, 08:50 PM
haha!
we won't see karmaghost on this thread again.
goc_sin
08-10-2005, 08:53 PM
I did it too.. plus I finally registered all my handhelds and games which got a me a 3 month free of Nintendo Power.
Nintendo Revolution
08-10-2005, 08:57 PM
Does Nintendo not understand that most people just use standard broadband.
Do you not understand that Nintendo knows this.
So instead, they choose not to include an ethernet port (usb add-on only) and rather include wireless connectivety? Ok.
Chandler
08-10-2005, 09:08 PM
Sweet, this clock is awesome
Squigly
08-10-2005, 09:18 PM
Does Nintendo not understand that most people just use standard broadband.
Do you not understand that Nintendo knows this.
Do you not understand that Nintendo knows nothing about internet gaming?
Derwin
08-10-2005, 09:55 PM
Nintendo's Wi-Fi online network is for people who have Wi-Fi, otherwise they'd ask standard broadband users to participate too. These people will either turn to setting up their own wireless network or play in hotspots.
Squigly
08-10-2005, 10:20 PM
My DSL router is Wi-Fi ready, but I (having anti-cable parents) don't have any experience with cable.... So how's that work?
A-Team
08-10-2005, 10:24 PM
Thanks for finding this out Doctor. No clue how I or any of my hardcore Nintendo pals missed this, but all is well.
Kyle Jones
08-10-2005, 10:42 PM
Oh man, I need this. I've actually thought about making a Animal Crossing clock for my computer before, and this just makes me happy as a fucking clam.
Squigly
08-10-2005, 10:44 PM
Oh man, I need this. I've actually thought about making a Animal Crossing clock for my computer before, and this just makes me happy as a fucking clam.
Do clams feel emotion? (+1 on the sarcasm meter!)
TrackZero
08-10-2005, 11:53 PM
Nintendo's Wi-Fi online network is for people who have Wi-Fi, otherwise they'd ask standard broadband users to participate too. These people will either turn to setting up their own wireless network or play in hotspots.
They ask everyone to participate, wireless or no. They already mentioned some time ago how they'll have a USB wireless "hub" that you plug into your broadband connected PC and can play through it (making it ultra-easy for non-techs to get working).
TrackZero
08-10-2005, 11:54 PM
Thanks for finding this out Doctor. No clue how I or any of my hardcore Nintendo pals missed this, but all is well.
Well you probably have your N-sider account configured for them to never mail you. I got this in an e-mail today asking me to download and try it out.
All this test is for is testing Nintendo's internet backbone for playing games, it has nothing to do with Wi-Fi whatsoever.
31 Flavas
08-11-2005, 12:53 AM
Dunno about a "hub" but Iwata said in an interview you can plug a USB device into Revolution and get ethernet. Did not say if it was going to be included or not, i think it'd be pretty cheap to include, though.
Acidpoptart
08-11-2005, 01:08 AM
Do you not understand that Nintendo knows nothing about internet gaming?
Hah so true. But I have to be honost: I am impressed. I hate Nintendo and DS, but I am glad to see them working on this.
MrMeatshake
08-11-2005, 01:44 AM
am i alone in thinking that clock looks a bit rubbish?
oh well, no revolution or DS for me - i'm afraid i'm finally going to be tempted away from game boys by the evil EVIL PSP... even though sony was basically like:
'you waaaants the lovely box, don't you europe? you waaants it? it's ok, you can have it soon...'
'ah, no, instead, let's take all your lovely little boxes away and make them sit on shelves in the US, instead. that sounds like a great plan.'
'say what europe? you think that's stupid? fuck you, no-one gives a shit about you're stupid continent anyway!'
europe: 'haw-he-haw. sacre bleu!'
TrackZero
08-11-2005, 02:29 AM
am i alone in thinking that clock looks a bit rubbish?
oh well, no revolution or DS for me - i'm afraid i'm finally going to be tempted away from game boys by the evil EVIL PSP... even though sony was basically like:
'you waaaants the lovely box, don't you europe? you waaants it? it's ok, you can have it soon...'
'ah, no, instead, let's take all your lovely little boxes away and make them sit on shelves in the US, instead. that sounds like a great plan.'
'say what europe? you think that's stupid? fuck you, no-one gives a shit about you're stupid continent anyway!'
europe: 'haw-he-haw. sacre bleu!'
Personally I like the clocks style myself. Since my taskbar is also on the top of my screen and auto-hides, it's a fine spot for me to be able to see the time.
Yeah, that PSP sure is tempting. Though staying power is another question entirely (I've had a co-worker sell his and get a DS, the other one never plays his, "there's no good games for it", to quote him). Ah well, time for this thread to get derailed by PSP versus DS conversations anyways.
51|RandoM
08-11-2005, 04:08 AM
cool.
On the ds vs. psp front, neither of them have any compelling games at this point, at least not from my point of view. That will change when Advance Wars DS comes out, of course. :-)
jacktion
08-11-2005, 05:20 AM
Does Nintendo not understand that most people just use standard broadband.
Nintendo will release a Wifi USB stick that plugs into your computer and automatically connects the DS and Revolution to the internet. This is for people with standard cable internet connections. So you get the Wifi USB stick and plug it into your computer. You get your DS or Revolution. Turn it on. And you're online. It sounds pretty do-able for the average non-savvy game player. Nintendo likes to make things for people that don't know jack so I think this will be pretty easy to set up and use.
Doctor Setebos
08-11-2005, 06:16 AM
Nintendo will release a Wifi USB stick that plugs into your computer and automatically connects the DS and Revolution to the internet. This is for people with standard cable internet connections. So you get the Wifi USB stick and plug it into your computer. You get your DS or Revolution. Turn it on. And you're online. It sounds pretty do-able for the average non-savvy game player. Nintendo likes to make things for people that don't know jack so I think this will be pretty easy to set up and use.Yeah, but the only problem with that option is that the computer has to be on in order for someone to go online with their Rev/DS. But at least it's an option. I think just getting a wireless router will probably end up being the cheaper alternative.
TrackZero
08-11-2005, 06:20 AM
Just found this in the help file for the clock, looks like Gamespy is definitely their network/server provider:
Q. How does the Wi-Fi Network Test work?
A. In order to set up the best possible network for future Nintendo Wi-Fi games, we need to know the type of connections our fans are using to get access to the internet. The Wi-Fi Network Test will allow us to determine how your PC connects to the internet. In addition, details for connecting to our servers through a router are collected. Nintendo will use the NAT negotiation server from GameSpy, and will determine if your PC can communicate with ours and GameSpy's servers. After that, the results will be compiled so our network engineers can help create the best network possible.
Kyle Jones
08-11-2005, 07:56 AM
Do clams feel emotion? (+1 on the sarcasm meter!)
I'm not sure about clams, but I know that fucking clams have plenty of emotion! (+1 on the sarcastic retort meter!) haha
I've personally removed my clock from the taskbar and am now going purely by the AC clock. I have a feeling that this little bastard will end up causing me to play a lot more of Animal Crossing then normal. Thats okay, as it's my favorite game though.
Hellstorm
08-11-2005, 07:59 AM
Yeah, clearly Nintendo has no idea about online gaming or anything online. I mean all those neat NES games and apps that you could use online in Japan that Nintendo experimented with never happened.
Derwin
08-11-2005, 08:54 AM
Yeah, Hiroshi Yamauchi, back then the president of Nintendo Ltd in Japan, he launched this massive NES online network where you could trade stocks, buy clothing, and even play the lotto (which even got Nintendo in trouble for allowing minors to gamble) and they got the biggest corporate banks and companies to participate. But something just wasn't right about it. And it failed.
kathode
08-11-2005, 10:53 AM
Yeah, clearly Nintendo has no idea about online gaming or anything online. I mean all those neat NES games and apps that you could use online in Japan that Nintendo experimented with never happened.
Clearly all those neat GameCube games and apps that you could use online never happened.
Doctor Setebos
08-11-2005, 12:24 PM
Just found this in the help file for the clock, looks like Gamespy is definitely their network/server provider:That's not exactly news, is it? I mean they came out with a press release saying just that in May.
Knuckles T15
08-11-2005, 01:55 PM
Well, this is nice. As in very unfriendly and discriminating.
So I started taking the survey. First question was operating system. I answered honelstly, which was (don't flame me) a PC running Linux. The next screen that popped up had this message:Sorry, this test application will only run on a PC running Windows.Hence, I was not allowed to help Nintendo out at all, and their site refuses to let me go back and change my answer. I sent an email to Nintendo about this:I went to try your WiFi survey, since I really wanted to help you guys out. One of the choices on the list was "PC running Linux." This is my setup, and I refuse to use Windows due to the fact that I have had many bad problems and issues with it. So, I answered honestly. It then gave me the response "Sorry, this test application will only run on a PC running Windows." and would not let me go back. I must say that this is discriminating against Linux-using Nintendo fans. Yes, there are Linux users out there that love your games and systems. However, discriminating against us and only favoring Windows users is very very wrong. This is almost the same as having the question "What ethnicity are you?" and answering something like "Black" gives you the message "Sorry, this test application will only run for white people." Next time, stop and think about the little gamers out there who want to be different.
-Chris TrumbourYes that's my real name, I posted my entire letter unedited. A little while later, I get a email back from a rep:Hi Chris,
The WiFi survey is nothing more than a survey. It runs a simple testthat provides us with information about the wireless routers andnetworks that Nintendo fans who are running Windows based PCs areusing. Using Linux only excludes you from the survey. It doesn't have any impact on your ability to participate in Nintendoonline gaming.
Nintendo of America Inc.
Mike ChandlerI'm deeply pissed.
31 Flavas
08-11-2005, 01:58 PM
Yeah, but the only problem with that option is that the computer has to be on in order for someone to go online with their Rev/DS. But at least it's an option. I think just getting a wireless router will probably end up being the cheaper alternative.And leaving your pc on will be a problem? who doesn't today...
If leaving your PC on is a problem, just get a Wireless 4 port router. They're $99 or less (i picked up a second for $50 a few weeks ago).
netcraazzy
08-11-2005, 02:05 PM
Well, this is nice. As in very unfriendly and discriminating.
Honestly you can't possibly be surprised. This is just a test tool, would it really make sense for them to go through the trouble to release it for every possible platform. 90% of the people are going to be using windows and 90% is more than enough of the general population to conduct a test like this.
31 Flavas
08-11-2005, 02:16 PM
and their site refuses to let me go back and change my answer.If you want the windows executable, i'm sure, someone can hook you up with it. If nothing else, I can.
So you leave your PC on in order to play your game console online? lol
Nintendo is fucking clueless, I swear. It's obvious they're not serious about developing any kind of online network or competing with Sony or Microsoft.
I can see it now. I bunch of Mario heads sitting around playing Mario Party Online all day.
31 Flavas
08-11-2005, 02:52 PM
So you leave your PC on in order to play your game console online? lolI leave my PC on because I run eMule, because I want my friends to be able to IM me whenever, and because I don't want to wait for my computer to boot evertime I want to check something quickly (email, wordspelling, .... evilavatar)
You're a dork already, you play video games and read EvilAvatar. So don't try to pretend its dorky to leave your PC on so you can play Smash Brothers Online whenever.
Nintendo is fucking clueless, I swear. It's obvious they're not serious about developing any kind of online network or competing with Sony or Microsoft.You're the clueless one, I swear. Where is Sony's PSP Online software / network? You'd think, as much as you claim Sony "Gets it", that they'd be the ones to get PSP online games first.
As for the Rev, you've got this PC wireless doohicky, or usb-ethernet on the revoution. I fail to see how Nintendo is not being serious about online.
How in the hell does Sony get it if they don't have an online network. WTF?
As for the PC comment, I'm pretty amazed you though I was specifically speaking to you. I was speaking broadly in the sense that those who buy the console will be required to leave their computers on in order to play online. It isn't practical and also doesn't make sense.
Please read before throwing out random personal attacks.
Edit: Oh and by the way, since when was reading EvilAvatar considered dorky? You're posting on the forum right now. It is easily the best site for videogame related news. Jesus, dude.http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/images/icons/icon13.gif
Cue the fuckin' Mario theme song. Fanboy alert.
Squigly
08-11-2005, 03:08 PM
I know I leave my computer on all the time...
31 Flavas
08-11-2005, 03:21 PM
How in the hell does Sony get it if they don't have an online network. WTF?Geez, I say a couple of common sense things and confuse the heck out of you.
As for the PC comment, I'm pretty amazed you though I was specifically speaking to you. I was speaking broadly in the sense that those who buy the console will be required to leave their computers on in order to play online. It isn't practical and also doesn't make sense.I fail to see how it isn't practical or doesn't make sense, but whatever. You still have three options 1)Buy the usb ethernet adapter for Rev 2)Use your existing wireless router 3) Purchase an inexpesive wireless router (these things have wired ports too you know).
Oh and by the way, since when was reading EvilAvatar considered dorky? You're posting on the forum right now. It is easily the best site for videogame related news. Jesus, dude.It's not a personal attack, dude. Geez, nothing like a dork in denial or ignorace.
Seeing as how you're new, or just don't post, I'll help you out.
We don't engage in flame wars here. Sorry.
I don't have any loyalty to Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo, so I don't feel the need to defend any of them, especially with something as stupid as this. You act like I'm the only one who mentioned it.
mister_slim
08-11-2005, 03:54 PM
No Mac support. That's disappointing.
So instead, they choose not to include an ethernet port (usb add-on only) and rather include wireless connectivety? Ok.
Why would I want a ethernet port on my DS?
Do you not understand that Nintendo knows nothing about internet gaming?
Hmm. Didn't the N64DD have downloadable user-created content? Fucking years ago?
Seriously, I'm tired of the 'Nintendo refuses to cater to 2% of the gaming audience therefore they're stupid' idiocy.
The 64DD was also never released.
http://www.n-sider.com/hardwareview.php?hardwareid=18
B_Money
08-11-2005, 04:58 PM
Does anybody know if the DS supports WPA encryption? One of my biggest dislikes of the PSP is it only supports WEP.
bone_matrix
08-11-2005, 05:07 PM
The 64DD was also never released.
http://www.n-sider.com/hardwareview.php?hardwareid=18
It said right near the end of the article it was released in Japan. Its cool you took time to look this up, but you also need to read it...
The unit was delayed over and over until it was released in Japan at the tail-end of the Nintendo 64's life.
Kelegacy
08-11-2005, 07:12 PM
Personally I like the clocks style myself. Since my taskbar is also on the top of my screen and auto-hides, it's a fine spot for me to be able to see the time.
Yeah, that PSP sure is tempting. Though staying power is another question entirely (I've had a co-worker sell his and get a DS, the other one never plays his, "there's no good games for it", to quote him). Ah well, time for this thread to get derailed by PSP versus DS conversations anyways.
Mine's on the top too! I dont auto hide, but if I use a computer that has the taskbar on the bottom, i get discombobulated.
Kelegacy
08-11-2005, 07:17 PM
Seeing as how you're new, or just don't post, I'll help you out.
We don't engage in flame wars here. Sorry.
I don't have any loyalty to Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo, so I don't feel the need to defend any of them, especially with something as stupid as this. You act like I'm the only one who mentioned it.
You dont have any loyalty to Microsoft? C'mon now. I smell a fibber!
Knuckles T15
08-11-2005, 07:52 PM
If you want the windows executable, i'm sure, someone can hook you up with it. If nothing else, I can.
That would be nice, yes.
Squigly
08-11-2005, 08:42 PM
Mine's on the top too! I dont auto hide, but if I use a computer that has the taskbar on the bottom, i get discombobulated.
You can drag the Animal Crossing Clock...
31 Flavas
08-11-2005, 10:02 PM
That would be nice, yes.http://www.nintendo.com/user_survey/Animal_Clock_Setup.exe
score
08-12-2005, 03:16 AM
yeah thanks for that link. I wanted to help out but You have to be in the US or Canada to sign up to the My Nintendo thing in order to do the survey which might let you download the executable depending on the choices you make in the first place.
Gah.
Knuckles T15
08-12-2005, 11:45 AM
http://www.nintendo.com/user_survey/Animal_Clock_Setup.exe
404.
Well, first of all, if you have been using linux you should be used to that by now. Second of all, I'm running it with Wine and its working great.Not that big of a WINE fan, it uses some thick, small, bold font for menus, and the programs I'd use with it are incompatable. Also the fact that Cedega (WineX) requires money so I'd have Direct X support turns me off (even though I can just play DOOM 3 with the Linux port by id)
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