Best Trainz Simulator for 9 yr old homeschooling?

[copskay]

Well, I can see both points of view, but.....he already has TS12. I was just trying to decide if I order the same as him or have both of us use the T:ANE. We both have laptops - AMD A10-5745M APU with Radeon HD Graphics 2.10 GHz. Ram - 8 GB, 64 bit OS and X64 based process. I believe it doesn't have onboard dedicated graphic chips. So far it seems to be running okay on his laptop, although he has mentioned some lag.

I think for now, I will just let him to continue to play and build on his TS12. I'm hoping I can find something that we can build things together on (at the same time), but that's not looking to hopeful at this point. Thanks again!

 

[JCitron]

I would say stick with what you've got, which is the decision you came to anyway after this typically long Trainz discussion and debate on a simple matter.

We could discuss at length about the stutters, sputters and slideshows which can and do happen. There are so many factors that can cause this, including hardware, the specific assets on a route, too much of specific assets, too much of a good thing, and so on.

 

[cascaderailroad]

You both can install the same registered TS12 game, on 2 different PC's ... and send trains back and forth to each other, using iPortals ... you can not build a route remotely on your separate PC, and see it come out on his separate PC ... as surveyor (route building is not anything to do with multiplayer).

You can build a route, and send it to him as a CDP file, then he install it, and can edit it ... and can send it back to you as an edited CDP file. Using multiplayer both of you can interact, and drive separate trains on both of your PC's, talking to each other using Teamspeak. You can also sit behind him and give him driving instructions, when to throttle, brake ... etc ... or use walky talkies, or cell phones. You both can "Share Screens" using Skype, and view each others monitors, while running Trainz.

There are many keyboard commands that you can tell him what and when to press KB buttons.

I agree that TS12 has much better graphics than TRS2006 ... as long as your PC can handle TS12, that is the best way to go ... that is until T:ANE is improved

You can contact me on Skype IM: UN: cascaderailroad

 

[mjolnir]

I guess I'll dip my oar in this pond.

Since he already has a computer, and the software, use what you have for as long as it is working reasonably well. Explore the surveyor tools, and building your own routes; the lag won't make so much difference there. But this way, you can use Trainz as a means of reinforcing some of his other coursework. He can use what he studies in geology, for example, to make more effective scenery for his Trainz routes, just to name one example.

In my view, the hardware you are using is a bit weak for much serious work with Trainz, but it is not necessary to go out and invest large amounts of money all at once. First thing I'd suggest is upgrading the monitor, especially if you're still using the display built into the laptop. Then, later invest in a desktop or tower PC into which a good quality graphics card can be installed. These will also come in handy for his schoolwork as he gets further along in his curriculum. Then later, when more of the bugs are eliminated from T:ANE (and maybe T:ANE 2, whatever they decide to call THAT), you will have hardware that will have the power to do a good job with a Future version of Trainz.

As I give this subject more thought, I may have more to add, later.

ns

 

[copskay]

You both can install the same registered TS12 game, on 2 different PC's ... and send trains back and forth to each other, using iPortals ... you can not build a route remotely on your separate PC, and see it come out on his separate PC ... as surveyor (route building is not anything to do with multiplayer).

Yes, I think I will install the game as well. I'm sure this will be my next addiction as well! (He already did that to my with Minecraft) We sit right next to each other while on our laptops, so we can figure things out together. Although, he's already teaching me!

 

[copskay]

I guess I'll dip my oar in this pond.

Thank you for dipping your oar! Yes!! There is so many ideas for coursework - math, history, geology, map reading and computers! I appreciate your comment on our hardware as well. I really need to get up to date on technology - I used to be, but since I quit work when he was born (almost 9 yrs ago), I pretty much got left behind in the dust. I'm hoping he can start learning that as well so he can build his own computer.

 

[RRSignal]

You'll get up to speed pretty quickly with Trainz, no doubt! But that's one of the cool things about it.

 

[mikeaust]

One idea to be able to build a route together, would be to have it in 2 parts.
You could each work on your section, swapping ideas and trying different methods. When finished they could be merged into one route.
Cheers,
Mike