FREE DLS-Please read…

[aardvark1]

There are many threads in progress complaining about the Free DLS.... Unable to connect, etc, etc.

Below are recent posts by Zec Murphy that helps explain the issues.

Many new Trainzers (and old timers also) are posting about this issue.

You can see other discussions about the DLS here>>>> http://forums.auran.com/trainz/forumdisplay.php?f=11

My attempt here is to post what N3V says, and, to hopefully avoid new posts about the situation.

This is NOT a suggestion to by a FCT, just the facts of the current issue.

Regards,

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showpost.php?p=811100&postcount=6

Ok, some explanations are needed here (again).

The free Download Station has a limited number of available connections (each downloaded uses a connection to the server/download station).

We have increased this a number of times since Christmas (not always announced mind), however the server is still filling at various times of the day.

However, there is a limit as to how many connections we can make available whilst still keeping the free server viable with the current number of First Class tickets (please remember, the First Class Tickets help to pay the cost of the free server).

The server is available, however like any website (since all websites do, effectively, have a finite number of available connections), if there are more connections than available, you will not be able to connect, and as such you will see a server full message.

If you wish to have unrestricted access to the DLS, then you will need to purchase a First Class Ticket.

This has been the case for many years, however the DLS has not seen as high download numbers for many years as well. A similar situation was around back in the UTC/TRS2004 days, however became less regular from about 2004/2005 onwards. As such, there was less likelihood of the server actually becoming full.

For much of 2009 and 2010, our servers were dropping out due to high server loads (generally they just became slow). This was equivelant to the server being full, however it was going beyond the capabilities of our servers. To prevent the system from actually stopping/crashing, we have had to enforce the 'limit' more stringently. This means that, instead of the entire server going offline you will see a 'full' message.

This doesn't mean we can't make improvements, which we are continuously doing (some may have noted the 'outage' today, this was part of the maintenance of the servers), however it does mean that there is a limit to the resources that can be used.
__________________
Zec Murphy

Customer Support Rep
N3V Games (Auran)

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showpost.php?p=811717&postcount=21

As has been stated many times in the past by our support team, the FCT's help to cover the cost of the DLS (both the pay and free servers).

Please also keep in mind that when you purchase Trainz, your purchase is for the *license* to use an edition of Trainz (as well as access to the installer, either by download or disc). We also provide access to the DLS for free as a bonus for registering your license, which we advertise on the box.

However, the cost of Trainz helps to cover a great many things (remember, websites have a regular cost, not a once off cost, and so a single purchase of Trainz really doesn't go far). This includes some toward covering the cost of the DLS, however this isn't much.

Effectively what you are saying is that if all users decided to not buy FCT's, then there should be no effect on the DLS service. This is not correct. If this did occur, we would be forced to shut down the DLS entirely, since it would not be covering it's costs (the DLS barely covers it's costs as it is). By having the First Class Ticket subscription we can offer an unrestricted option for the DLS, whilst helping to cover the costs of running the DLS as a whole.

Of course, you don't have to believe what we have been saying. However, please do not spread false information about how the DLS works. Especially after we have outlined the situation.
__________________
Zec Murphy

Customer Support Rep
N3V Games (Auran)

 

[Euphod]

That should explain it Ron, I'm sure there will be no more posts concerning the free DLS in the future!:wave:

It's a mystery to me why anyone would suffer voluntarily, but there's so much about this world that I don't know!

 

[aardvark1]

Ed,

As I said.... it is an....ATTEMPT..... not the cure.

Regards,
Ron

 

[Deano5]

Nice thought Ron. Try adding a link to the DLS/FCT section of the forum too as no one seems to know it exists.

 

[aardvark1]

Nice thought Ron. Try adding a link to the DLS/FCT section of the forum too as no one seems to know it exists.

Done.... thanks for the suggestion, but it may not do any good....

Regards,
Ron