So..
I've been trying to get some route .. any route from outside DLS (and too much content thats on it for that matter) .. without success .. why?
Because half the assets are made by 3rd parties and usually only avaliable from those websites .. which again half the time don't work anymore (website down or other issues) or are in language I have no knowledge off... I understand that 3rd party content (freeware) can not be included as part of the route CDP file because of licensing .. or can it?
Either way .. maybe its time for Auran to redesign DLS atleast for next real installment in Trainz series (as in new graphics engine etc.) or if not, maybe we as users should get together and start our own download service, so that all the custom content could be brought together under one website for easier access...
There are a number of issues here.
First there is now a thread of layouts that have been tested to see that all items are on the DLS. I strongly suggest you restrict yourself to these.
Second if a layout is uploaded to the DLS with a dependency that is not on the layout then an email is sent to the creator requesting a copy be put up on the DLS. This content can be put on in such a way as to be not visible to the end user but will download as a dependency. In other words if I upload a layout that is missing something on the DLS then there is a strong possibility it will be there shortly.
Third some people have great difficulty getting things to upload to the DLS. If you think it's easy try creating some content from scratch especially the config.txt file and try uploading it sometime. The new error checking can be hard on some people. I think I've helped at least a dozen or so people when they have had problems and even then there was one who eventually just gave up. He had previously uploaded using TRS2004 but TRS2006 defeated him.
Fourth not everyone's first language is English now mix in some of three and the problem gets compounded.
Fifth in order to keep a sense of identity some sites like to keep their own web sites with their own content on. There many reasons for this but it happens. It might be easier if some one documented how to link an asset on the web site to the DLS. We have a web site and it's on my list of things to do and it's been there quite a long time.
Sixth some people just like creating content the GMAX side, unless they work with some one who figures out the red tape they just ignore what they aren't interested in. One I know of has an artistic background, creates some very good looking items but really doesn't like to worry about the red tape side at all.
Seventh have you ever tried to create a route with just DLS content on it? It's actually quite difficult unless you delete all the content you have then redownload everything afresh from the DLS. Not that many people are prepared to do that. Remember many routes can take two years or more to build in that time items that were not on the DLS quite often end up there.
Fortunately some beta testers are kind enough to set up their machines to identify which content is not on the DLS. Then the creator can search the DLS for suitable replacements. Have you volenteered your services as a beta tester recently? I think Robin_hoods was looking for beta testers of a trolley bus route very recently. According to his thread on the forum he got one volenteer. The more beta testers check the route before uploading usually the better the final product.
Cheerio John
This is the problem with DLS at the moment - assets go missing after a while ..
