Campain to retain full dls for 04/06 and fellas lets keep this one clean

Time to end all this. Upgrade to 2010 and move on, I think we have all had enough.

Bill
Buy me(or build me) a system to my liking and expectations. Then I will buy TS2010. Until then I will continue to use what works on my computer and what I deem my current computer can run successfully.
 
I believe what Chris was saying was after the end of support date if you have only a product that is no longer supported and NO FCT, you may lose the ability to download content. IF you purchased a FCT you will still be able to download content even if they don't allow your key from 06/04 to work for downloading. In both cases though uploading will no longer be available for 04/06 after sept.
 
But a 1 month, 6 month, 1 year, or lifetime FCT...and start downloading like a madman.

And after September your FCT will be able to be used when you upgrade to TS2010.

And you can transfer some of the 04/06 assets that you downloaded and saved, (as some of the 04/06 content will work in compatability mode), they can be transfered into your TS2010 program.
 
Sure, buy me the computer system to run it and I would be more then happy to buy the TS2010 program.

It may be sad to see 04/06 go but you cannot expect Auran to keep up support for ever. So if its time for us all to move on then thats the way it will have to be.

It maybe that some will find it hard to upgrade their computers because of the cost. However, We all have to update our cars every few years as much as we dont want to because of the cost, but we do it because we have to do it.

if you think of your computer in the same way you may find it easier to swallow. As i said Times Move on.

Bill
 
The point!

...Having content available on the DLS certainly benefits us, but there lots of reasons why DLS content is a poor choice for a Trainz release. We certainly need to avoid relying on the DLS as a primary content source.

Integration. Trainz is our product, not the DLS. The reason we host the DLS is to improve the Trainz environment. FCTs are there to offset costs in exchange for relaxing the download quotas...

chris
Don't you think your company is making money on the people wanting to still use 04/06 when they buy FCT from you? And why are they considered not a customer when they are doing so?
"We certainly need to avoid relying on the DLS as a primary content source."
What does this mean, are you saying you want other sorces than your DLS?

...Are you saying people with TRS2004 and TRS2006 might still be able to download from DLS...
John
Unless things have change come D-Day, you need said version of the assets to download them. Even if you did, they would not work in an earlier version anyway.

...If you want to use an older version fine, that's your choice but don't go sabotaging the attempts to make a better sim by actually recommending the old ones...
Paul
I feel your missing the point here! Where has anyone tried to stop the output of the newer versions? Some people just want to keep with what they like and what thier computer can operate well. And again, they will be supporting the company with FCT and referals.

From the creators viewpoint, many things were worked on for many hours, to soon just be tossed out the window. So will it be worth doing anything more if the same thing will happen to the new fabricatings in a day also! Granted, without the program, there would be nothing. But without the content, the program also is nothing. And where is most of that content coming from? And who paid for it? Better add the creators to you "no longer Customers" list too.
 
Paul,
It is a simple question that has nothing to do with which is better. All versions of Trainz have been in circulation for a long time and available direct up until a few months ago. All I'm asking is if it is wise to removed them from the supported list so soon after dropping them. There are still a lot of copies out there.

Not everyone searches the net looking for a particular game. My first exposure came from seeing it on the shelf, as I'm sure with a lot of others. Do you think someone who finds these on a shelf, plops it in the computer only to find the DLS is gone for them is going to buy another. I still haven't seen 10 in a store but I do see 06.

Whether someone should have researched first is not at issue. Someone's first impression could be of a game that "doesn't work". Not going to sell more titles. Extending the cut off date until 10 is more abundant in stores and older versions are gone may help with sales of 10. Hard to hook someone if the first impression is negative.

Dave....
 
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Paul,
It is a simple question that has nothing to do with which is better. All versions of Trainz have been in circulation for a long time and available direct up until a few months ago.
I didn't say that TS2010 is better than [insert your favourite old version here].
Whether someone should have researched first is not at issue.
It's not a question of research. If it says 2004 on the box then to a lay person it's already 6 years old (actually it's 7). A person with a normal amount of common sense would realise that it's unlikely to be supported (as Chris has already said and I think he's right).
Someone's first impression could be of a game that "doesn't work". Not going to sell more titles. Extending the cut off date until 10 is more abundant in stores and older versions are gone may help with sales of 10. Hard to hook someone if the first impression is negative.
I don't agree for the simple reason that TRS2004/6 don't work properly with Vista and Win7 unless you know which hoops you have to jump through. Just look at the number of threads on this issue. That's a good reason to let TRS2004/6 die out for a start. What sort of impression does it make when you are told 'oh yes, you have to run all the exes in admin mode and don't install it where Windows wants you to put it because it won't work'.

Paul
 
It may be sad to see 04/06 go but you cannot expect Auran to keep up support for ever. So if its time for us all to move on then thats the way it will have to be.

It maybe that some will find it hard to upgrade their computers because of the cost. However, We all have to update our cars every few years as much as we dont want to because of the cost, but we do it because we have to do it.

if you think of your computer in the same way you may find it easier to swallow. As i said Times Move on.

Bill
Correct and agreed we must upgrade our cars every few years with various repairs. However that's just it. WE must spend our money on something else. Usually computers are at the bottom of the list. Usually its Mortgage/Rent, Utilites, Car payments/repairs, then everything else you may want.
The fact that you have the nerve to try and tell me as well as other that I/we should upgrade my computer with funds that simply aren't there because they have to be used elsewhere simply because we must get by.

Agreed times move on, but that is only if you have the funds to stay up with the times. If I bought a TV in lets say in 2005. Now Sony came out with a bigger and better version of the same TV in 2010. Sure I would LOVE to be able to just run out and buy it "keep up with the times" but it does not work that way.
 
My Take

I for one, am in favor of this. I have both 2009 and 2006, and well, it wouldn't be fun not being able to download only items for 2009 and not 2006. But, I won't make a fuss, because I can transfer the stuff over from 2006 to 2009.
 
It's a shame that TC3 can't still be purchased through the Auran shop as this might have provided a suitable intermediate step for those who are hesitant to move from TRS04/06. TC3 is like a version of TRS06 that works better and which will continue to be supported for a few years yet. And it works well on PCs with lower specs. A shame it was sidelined so soon as I think it might have persuaded some of those wedded to TRS04/06 to move forward with the rest of the community if it had been given a greater chance.

Paul (feeling contrite about the problems with the last version of this thread)
 
Buy me(or build me) a system to my liking and expectations. Then I will buy TS2010. Until then I will continue to use what works on my computer and what I deem my current computer can run successfully.

What seems to be missing in this argument is the thoughts and perceptions of the first-time buyer of Trainz, Aurans new and future customers. Having purchased the latest version (2010) he/she would find that half the content on the DLS would not work . I have had personal experience of this having upgraded from TC3 to 2010.

These customers would not be interested in what has gone before, they would only be interested in the fact that they are disappointed and from their point of view would seem to have purchased a very poor product due to the rubbish support. It is likely that the new Trainz software would soon be removed from the computer and the disc consigned to the computer desk drawer. The foregoing is exactly what I did after purchasing Rail Simulator and within two weeks became completely disillusioned with the product.

It would seem that many people on this forum do not accept that Auran has to look to the future for its profits, it has to develop new versions of Trainz for the ever evolving technology placed into the latest computers. Anyone buying a new PC today would undoubtedly buy the latest software and expect the highest support to come with it.

Six years is a long time in the technology world and Auran have done well to keep up support for these older products until now. But people are continuously buying new higher spec computers and want to see them perform to their limits and expectations.

It is sad to see that not everyone in the community can upgrade regularly due to the cost, but they must accept that Auran has to move on. They will still be able to use the older version and the routes and content they have downloaded and placed in them. However, everything evolves forward including Auran together with its new versions of Trainz and the new customers for these versions.

Bill
 
What seems to be missing in this argument is the thoughts and perceptions of the first-time buyer of Trainz, Aurans new and future customers. Having purchased the latest version (2010) he/she would find that half the content on the DLS would not work . I have had personal experience of this having upgraded from TC3 to 2010.

These customers would not be interested in what has gone before, they would only be interested in the fact that they are disappointed and from their point of view would seem to have purchased a very poor product due to the rubbish support. It is likely that the new Trainz software would soon be removed from the computer and the disc consigned to the computer desk drawer. The foregoing is exactly what I did after purchasing Rail Simulator and within two weeks became completely disillusioned with the product.

It would seem that many people on this forum do not accept that Auran has to look to the future for its profits, it has to develop new versions of Trainz for the ever evolving technology placed into the latest computers. Anyone buying a new PC today would undoubtedly buy the latest software and expect the highest support to come with it.

Six years is a long time in the technology world and Auran have done well to keep up support for these older products until now. But people are continuously buying new higher spec computers and want to see them perform to their limits and expectations.

It is sad to see that not everyone in the community can upgrade regularly due to the cost, but they must accept that Auran has to move on. They will still be able to use the older version and the routes and content they have downloaded and placed in them. However, everything evolves forward including Auran together with its new versions of Trainz and the new customers for these versions.

Bill
I am not disagreeing with the fact that Auran and what it is doing. Although I do not like it. I understand fully as to why they are doing it. The way you came across is that everyone should just simply upgrade. But it is not that easy.

Auran should continue to make newer products because as you said computers are getting better and better every day,week,month and year. It seems everyday there is another leap forward.

However if we could come up with an alternative way to download stuff it would benefit all of us who cannot afford a brand new computer. Possibly if Auran at least cooperated and gave us a helping hand into setting something similiar to the DLS would be great. For example letting us rip apart the stuff that makes CMP go so we could "connect" it to a new independent DLS and all you would have to do is download a "patch" of some sort from the new 3rd party DLS.
 
It's a shame that TC3 can't still be purchased through the Auran shop as this might have provided a suitable intermediate step for those who are hesitant to move from TRS04/06. TC3 is like a version of TRS06 that works better and which will continue to be supported for a few years yet. And it works well on PCs with lower specs. A shame it was sidelined so soon as I think it might have persuaded some of those wedded to TRS04/06 to move forward with the rest of the community if it had been given a greater chance.

Paul (feeling contrite about the problems with the last version of this thread)

That is a good question. The TC series never did get the respect they deserved. I have 1 & 2 and they do run very well. Shame they aren't available since they are still supported.

Wholbr,
Your point about new users is exactly what I'm trying to get at. Keeping as much gong to the DLS, no matter which version the creator uses, would keep more content error free with Auran doing the checking. It does come with a cost but so does losing new users.

Dave.....
 
The way I am now looking at it is, it will most likely be 2 years before TS2010 accumulates as much 'native' compatible
content, as TRS2004 has now, so I am looking at sometime in 2012 before I purchase TS2010.
On the bonus side, by then it will most likely obtainable for ½ price or less. :D
 
What I just don't understand is this:
aurans Purge of the DLS, will remove thousands of items, Exactly what makes this series great. They are removing the greatest asset this game has to offer: abundance, you can literally go on the DLS and find within one minute exactly what you are looking for, downloading is whole other beast, but lets not open that can of worms....... My fear is to wake up one morning in september to find the DLS emptied of most, if not all good assets....... not to mention the shear number of routes that will have unsolvable missing dependancies

cheers
 
aurans Purge of the DLS, will remove thousands of items, Exactly what makes this series great.

We do not plan to remove anything at this time. Our current policy is to remove only items that break the terms and conditions (the same policy has been in play for a few years now).

We are looking into avenues of removing errors from the DLS, so as to allow all items to function in native mode (they may not look perfect, but they will run). How this is done is yet to be confirmed, but it may involve removing some items from the DLS if they cannot be fixed at all (these items are likely to not run in earlier editions of Trainz as well).

Will we still be able to download from the DLS to these versions of Trainz if we have a FCT.?

As per the life cycle policy article, and Chris' and my posts, you will be able to access the DLS (or more, you will be able to access the First Class Download server, as well as the 'files' server as an alternative download access). However, the method in which you access the DLS will change for unsupported versions.

For example, your edition of Trainz may not be able to download using it's built-in download tools (e.g. TDH or CMP may not be able to connect to the DLS). As to if this happens on the end of support day or later is yet to be determined. However, so long as you have purchased DLS access (FCT or a newer edition of Trainz, or both), you will still have access to the FTP servers. As such, you will still be able to use the DLS website to download (again, this is open to change, as we may create a new DLS website in future, which may change your method of access again).

@Sparky15
Thank you for the link to that post. That is a prime example of why contacting the helpdesk is best, as I did miss that post...

I will get onto this as soon as possible.

However, in response to the comment regarding this type of situation. By purchasing older games, you are risking purchasing the game either close to the end of support or after the end of support. This is why older software tends to be sold at a reduced price (sometimes heavily reduced, sometimes in the

As always, please ask questions. Questions, they are things we can answer easily (and hence answer more of them) :)

And thanks to all for keeping this on topic now. I do not like having to lock threads.
 
Morning all :)

Some very well though-out posts here. I'd just like to stress a few things that have been said by others:

I'd say that someone purchasing software that says '2004' on the box should be aware that it's not the latest and greatest and support may well be minimal or non-existant. I don't think you need to be a rocket scientist to work out that if I'm paying about the price of a cup of coffee for a piece of software then it's effectively a demo version.

Exactly so.


.. after the end of support date if you have only a product that is no longer supported and NO FCT, you may lose the ability to download content. IF you purchased a FCT you will still be able to download content even if they don't allow your key from 06/04 to work for downloading. In both cases though uploading will no longer be available for 04/06 after sept.

Correct. Although it's important to note that you may not be able to download within TRS2004/TRS2006 for technical reasons - but alternative methods, such as FTP, will continue to work as long as you have DLS access.


Don't you think your company is making money on the people wanting to still use 04/06 when they buy FCT from you?

No, not to any significant degree. Maybe enough to cover their own costs, but not enough to be worth hurting our shipping products by continuing to host obsolete content indefinitely.


"We certainly need to avoid relying on the DLS as a primary content source."
What does this mean, are you saying you want other sorces than your DLS?

I'm saying that everybody wants to see new content with each version of Trainz, and that the more we rely on the DLS as a content source for new releases, the worse the reception is.


But without the content, the program also is nothing. And where is most of that content coming from? And who paid for it? Better add the creators to you "no longer Customers" list too.

If the content creators that you're talking about are limiting themselves to TRS2004 content, then they're not really benefiting us anyway. Don't get me wrong, we love to see people creating Trainz content, and for those people who choose to stick with the older versions, I wish them all the best in their future efforts- but as a business, we can't afford to continue to support them indefinitely.


If I bought a TV in lets say in 2005. Now Sony came out with a bigger and better version of the same TV in 2010. Sure I would LOVE to be able to just run out and buy it "keep up with the times" but it does not work that way.

Given that most of the world is in the process of phasing out analogue TVs at the moment, this is an excellent analogy. :)


What seems to be missing in this argument is the thoughts and perceptions of the first-time buyer of Trainz, Aurans new and future customers.

Exactly right. We make our money from shipping new versions of Trainz, so it's in our financial interest to cater to people who buy, play, and build content for new versions of Trainz.


Possibly if Auran at least cooperated and gave us a helping hand into setting something similiar to the DLS would be great.

Why on earth would we want to do this? I can understand why certain users might be advantaged in the short term, but in what way does this benefit the business? It seems to actively detract from our business advantages in order to cater to people who are not paying customers.


What I just don't understand is this:
aurans Purge of the DLS, will remove thousands of items

What purge is this?

chris
 
Morning all :)

..............

I'm saying that everybody wants to see new content with each version of Trainz, and that the more we rely on the DLS as a content source for new releases, the worse the reception is.

..............

chris

No , there are exceptions , and I'll take this ( and any other ) opportunity to again request a "lite" release , i.e. no content and Ja.exe .... willing pay extra .

Sci :D

A big Hiya to the regular posters :wave: and back to the show ;)
 
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