String theory and the octonionic theory, compared.

String theory does not predict the values of the free parameters of the standard model, not yet. Assuming that these parameters take unique values which should be derivable from an underlying theory, string theory is not true, not yet. In fact the theory gives very many different possible values for these parameters, and it is not clear what criteria might favour the observed values. In contrast, the octonionic theory makes unique predictions for these parameters, which are derivable from an underlying theory. The action of the theory, and its symmetries and dynamics, are well defined. 

 It is also quite clear why the octonionic theory succeeds where string theory fails .. actually the two theories are quite similar but have crucial differences, making it quite clear which of the assumptions of string theory are wrong. Flat 10D Minkowski space-time is not the correct ground state on which to define the Fock space. Rather, the correct choice is the equivalent octonionic space SL(2, O) where O is an octonion. The Hamiltonian of the theory is not self-adjoint on the Planck scale. The extra spacetime dimensions are complex... they define symmetries of the standard model. These extra dimensions are never compactified. Only classical systems live in 4D space-time. Quantum systems live in octonionic spacetime, even at low energies. These few basic but key changes set string theory on the right track...that being the octonionic theory.