Is this all a mess or no?
- Thread starter novastorm2000
- Start date
johnwhelan
Well-known member
There is a team that has manually been through and corrected many of the DLS problems about 99.9% the issue is how to get these corrections into the DLS.
Cheerio John
johnwhelan
Well-known member
No there is a complete set of corrections done and already to be loaded. The problem is getting them into the DLS database. That is the bit we haven't found a way to do yet.
Cheerio John
Yes I am - the solution you are providing is impractical and won't work; the solution is a corrected DLS, which we can't do. From the posts here we have corrected data which we can't do anything with. Some website separate from the DLS is not a practical solution.
And as you keep saying how much you're done but coming back anyway, I look forward to your next post of nebulous ideas.
I know I'm a bit late jumping in again into this thread. Instead of deleting the non-compliant items, how about moving them off-line for manual intervention?
I'm sure the number of "bad" assets will be far fewer once the automatic filters have had a chance to do their work. This would clean up the majority of the stupid errors that have crept into the configuration files over the years, and bring the majority of the assets up-to-date. I suppose this may have to be run a few times in order to process the variations in the errors. I've noticed that when there are errors produced by any creator, they tend to make the same error over multiple assets due to copying a base configuration file and then duplicating the error.
John
I'm sure the number of "bad" assets will be far fewer once the automatic filters have had a chance to do their work. This would clean up the majority of the stupid errors that have crept into the configuration files over the years, and bring the majority of the assets up-to-date. I suppose this may have to be run a few times in order to process the variations in the errors. I've noticed that when there are errors produced by any creator, they tend to make the same error over multiple assets due to copying a base configuration file and then duplicating the error.
John
Thank you, John. This is very helpful. This information is just asl important today with the new versions of Trainz.
John
novastorm2000
Member
This entire exchange is nonsensical. All of the good intentions in the world isn't going to fix the DLS. I've been on these forums for over 3 years and this subject seems to pop up its head every few months with absolutely no solution. Theory isn't a solution. It would take a lot of time and effort and I don't know of any members here that have the inclination to expend the number of hours required on a hobby even if it could be done (and I don't believe that it could).
Mike
Mike
All that means is that TRS2004 did not use a closed database. It used the standard Windows folder system which could be easily accessed, modified and if you didn't know what you're doing, ... .
And besides, all changes were local. the original on the DLS would still have errors, no matter how well you cleaned your copy, and that is THE problem, cleaning the DLS content.
Indeed. Auran won't fix it (fair enough, they haven't got the resources), nor will they allow anyone else to fix it (no comment!). Therefore serious developers have to create their own asset repositories where all dependencies are available and everything has been fully tested.
John
John
Driver_Col
Well-known member
Just throwing some additional comments into the debate (a TC3 perspective):
1. CMP/DLS shows and allows me to download stuff not made for TC3 - I really like that as it allows me to see locos that can easily be adapted to run in TC3.
2. DLS has items that have no picture - Not a problem. I download it and, if I don't like it, I can delete it.
3. DLS has items without a description - Not a problem. I download it and, if it is not what I expected, I can delete it.
4. Routes are often not accurately coded re origin / location - Not a problem. I have downloaded a number of routes that sounded UK but weren't ..... so I deleted them. On that note I have also downloaded a lot of legit UK routes and after viewing........ deleted them.
Of course I could go on much more but my point is that for all the shortcomings of DLS, I have not found anything yet that a little creativity and patience cannot overcome. I absolutely agree that there are many areas that could be improved but isn't that the analogy of life? Of course we should always recognize how simple it is to complain, especially when we are not contributing functionally to the solutions.
Colin.
1. CMP/DLS shows and allows me to download stuff not made for TC3 - I really like that as it allows me to see locos that can easily be adapted to run in TC3.
2. DLS has items that have no picture - Not a problem. I download it and, if I don't like it, I can delete it.
3. DLS has items without a description - Not a problem. I download it and, if it is not what I expected, I can delete it.
4. Routes are often not accurately coded re origin / location - Not a problem. I have downloaded a number of routes that sounded UK but weren't ..... so I deleted them. On that note I have also downloaded a lot of legit UK routes and after viewing........ deleted them.
Of course I could go on much more but my point is that for all the shortcomings of DLS, I have not found anything yet that a little creativity and patience cannot overcome. I absolutely agree that there are many areas that could be improved but isn't that the analogy of life? Of course we should always recognize how simple it is to complain, especially when we are not contributing functionally to the solutions.
Colin.
And I look forward to your nonsensical responses!
My responses are based on 25 years' experience - you might not understand them, but they are not nonsense.
I'm convinced you are a Project Manager.
amigacooke
Well-known member
Has this been established as fact or is this a speculative position?
Since there have been requests on this forum for it to be done for many years, and Auran's staff numbers are now minimal, I think we can take it as a fact.
Unless anyone from Auran wishes to comment, of course.
John
To Novastorm and others who have been vocal, positive, negative or otherwise. it's an accepted fact that the DLS is a b****y shambles, but despite its inadequacies, it still coughs out gigabytes of data daily to the thousand or so hogs who insist on downloading every single asset. The first thing Auran must do to gain control of the DLS, is impose a daily download limit on all FCT holders to stop those hogs and give other FcT holders a fair and equal go.
As far as the other inadequacies of the DLS go, regarding search issues, images etc., I tried to have an open debate about that on this thread a couple of months back As with most things on these forums, the thread eventually dropped into the abyss:
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=45572
I proposed a super simple and immediate solution to the problem you originaly discussing here for the umpteenth time.. That was to create a completely independent Asset Registry linked to each asset on the DLS.
For those of you who don't read so good, an Independant Asset Registry is NOT another DLS, nor would it ever be one. It is nothing more than a well organised database containing details and photos of assets, along with a link to the Asset on the DLS.
Such a database is not only possible. It already exists! Because I know many of you are too lazy to click on a link, here is a screenshot for some motorcycles produced by American Connections, who I might add, is the only person with enough energy amongst you all to actually take advantage of the database, which has now been in existence for almost ten months and promoted heavily in these forums:
You don't need to invest thousands, hire programmers or consultants, argue over whether MicrosoftSQL or MySQL is cheaper or better. The Inferstructure is already there, it's bulletproof, and it's been tested by almost 14,000 people almost 300,000 times. All it needs is input from the Asset Creators themselves. So why not invest all your ceasless energies and profound knowledge into getting them motivated istead of trying to come up with all these hairbrain schemes, which will all end up being totally ignored like the existing Independent Asset Register above.
The TRD has taken the first steps to becoming a Community project. It's now run by four people instead of one. That's only the start, but the way you lot are going, it may well soon be the end. Over the past ten months I've tried to motivate you in every way I know how. Too many of you are couch potatoes, full of great ideas and solutions as long as suckers like me put them into action and cop the blame if we screw up.
if it wasn't for the support of my three volunteers and some other important projects happening out there, I could easily pull the TRD from under your noses tomorrow and hardly anyone would even notice. It could be, and should be the largest and best Asset register and resource out there, but by leaving it up to you guys, it would struggle to survive, just like many other great Trainz projects you've turned your backs on. Wouldn't that be great! You could then start a thread entitled: "There, there, I told you so.", and fill the next ten pages with arguments over who predicted the TRD's demise first!
That's why the new team will be focusing on stuff that only involves positive and motivated people and not a mob of armchair gunnas. Many of the features of the TRD are about to be stripped and the almost totally failed Asset section you're waffling on about here as if it never existed, could be, and probably will be the first to go.
You see guys, the only way things ever happen is when people make them happen. All the waffle on the last three pages is getting nobody anywhere. The only winner here is me because I've gotten of my butt and done something. If each one of you turned your energy to talking to one Asset Creator you know and said, "I know how you can promote your asset properly", but still have it on the DLS, you would be actually doing something positive for your community. The Independent Asset Catalogue would begin to thrive, but then you'd have nothing to waffle about would you.
As far as the other inadequacies of the DLS go, regarding search issues, images etc., I tried to have an open debate about that on this thread a couple of months back As with most things on these forums, the thread eventually dropped into the abyss:
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=45572
I proposed a super simple and immediate solution to the problem you originaly discussing here for the umpteenth time.. That was to create a completely independent Asset Registry linked to each asset on the DLS.
For those of you who don't read so good, an Independant Asset Registry is NOT another DLS, nor would it ever be one. It is nothing more than a well organised database containing details and photos of assets, along with a link to the Asset on the DLS.
Such a database is not only possible. It already exists! Because I know many of you are too lazy to click on a link, here is a screenshot for some motorcycles produced by American Connections, who I might add, is the only person with enough energy amongst you all to actually take advantage of the database, which has now been in existence for almost ten months and promoted heavily in these forums:
You don't need to invest thousands, hire programmers or consultants, argue over whether MicrosoftSQL or MySQL is cheaper or better. The Inferstructure is already there, it's bulletproof, and it's been tested by almost 14,000 people almost 300,000 times. All it needs is input from the Asset Creators themselves. So why not invest all your ceasless energies and profound knowledge into getting them motivated istead of trying to come up with all these hairbrain schemes, which will all end up being totally ignored like the existing Independent Asset Register above.
The TRD has taken the first steps to becoming a Community project. It's now run by four people instead of one. That's only the start, but the way you lot are going, it may well soon be the end. Over the past ten months I've tried to motivate you in every way I know how. Too many of you are couch potatoes, full of great ideas and solutions as long as suckers like me put them into action and cop the blame if we screw up.
if it wasn't for the support of my three volunteers and some other important projects happening out there, I could easily pull the TRD from under your noses tomorrow and hardly anyone would even notice. It could be, and should be the largest and best Asset register and resource out there, but by leaving it up to you guys, it would struggle to survive, just like many other great Trainz projects you've turned your backs on. Wouldn't that be great! You could then start a thread entitled: "There, there, I told you so.", and fill the next ten pages with arguments over who predicted the TRD's demise first!
That's why the new team will be focusing on stuff that only involves positive and motivated people and not a mob of armchair gunnas. Many of the features of the TRD are about to be stripped and the almost totally failed Asset section you're waffling on about here as if it never existed, could be, and probably will be the first to go.
You see guys, the only way things ever happen is when people make them happen. All the waffle on the last three pages is getting nobody anywhere. The only winner here is me because I've gotten of my butt and done something. If each one of you turned your energy to talking to one Asset Creator you know and said, "I know how you can promote your asset properly", but still have it on the DLS, you would be actually doing something positive for your community. The Independent Asset Catalogue would begin to thrive, but then you'd have nothing to waffle about would you.
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johnwhelan
Well-known member
Shall we say that we are awaiting a response from Auran? Hopefully now that TS2010 is out they may have time to consider something.
I think a proposal to include an alternate corrected config.txt file with a slightly different name that you could configure TS2010 to use rather than the original config.txt file that came with the asset seemed the simplest approach to me. The DLS content would also be corrected to add in missing files etc.
Cheerio John
IsambardKingdomBrunel
Joined June 2001
No no no no, i pay my money and i expect unlimited access to the DLS. I don't abuse it so why should i be penalised, for other users misuse.
IKB.
Baureihe41
Banned
How does that work when you put in a restriction?
An FCT is bought for fast and unlimited download access. It is completely okay to download gigs of content a day, that is what you pay for, isn't it?