PEVSoft Tools Downloads

[PEV]

I knew it would happen eventually.

What started out as a little venture into writing a few Trainz Tools has exploded into my tools being available on dozens (if not hundreds) of software download sites.

This is all very well for the download world but I find it rather distasteful. Not one of these sites has sort my permission to carry my software, and given the reputations of some of them I would never have given it in any event.

So I have lost control of which of, and how, my creations are distributed.

Besides satisfying my own intellectual curiosity, my motivation for creating the tools was to fill some gaps in the asset creation/repair software area by providing things that N3V/Auran did not supply. My target audience was the forum community only. I have been very happy with the response to my efforts and the fantastic assistance I have received in getting some of the tools working correctly. Thank you all very much for your support.

Unfortunately, the world is full of unethical software smart-asses who think any software is theirs for the taking. They think they are doing the world a favour.. Are They?????? Any how, so be it.

I am one who likes to beaver away relatively anonymously, and at present I am very uncomfortable with the exposure I am getting via these sometimes undesirable sites.

Consequently, I intend to close my download page in the reasonably near future..... soon after I have published the work I have in progress now. These download sites have lifted my software directly from my download page, so I intend to cut off the supply.

Everything I have written is available elsewhere on the net, though I cannot say whether it's up to date or clean of unwanted Trojans or advertising; you will still be able to find the tools.

If this situation quietens down I may re-assess my decision but, for the moment, closure is my only option. (for my own peace of mind.)

 

[RRSignal]

Quick and easy solution: Put your software up as password-protected ZIP or RAR archives. Your software will be useless without passwords and those sites will get a bad rep when people start downloading stuff only to be greeted with a PW prompt.

BTW, I think I know some of the sites in question - a quick DMCA violation notice SENT TO THE HOST ISP or their upstream can fix that.

 

[Euphod]

This is indeed a very distressing event. You have given us all so much, selflessly and with great attention to detail. I have never directed anyone to download your tools, except from your site and I never even knew you work was being distributed from any other site. I'm sorry this has happened, but I thank you for what you have given to us. Your reaction is completely understandable, and I just wish it didn't come to this.
Thank you for the notice, and again, thank you so much for your labor.

 

[shaneturner12]

I'm very sorry to read of this, as I know your software is very useful to many Trainz users.

My previous offer of helping to host your tools still stands though if needed, as my CMS software does allow me to restrict access to the files to certain sites.

Shane

 

[AntonyVW]

I too would like to add my thanks to you for what you have done for us. Im also dismayed that the unscrupulous bods who have pirated it. Its not as if they can say they are saving people money either. All they are is - well its not polite to say what they are. Here's hoping that it can be sorted out in your favour again.

 

[jjanmarine3]

This is sad and it will be a loss to all trainzers.

 

[clam1952]

It's a great shame it's come to this, been there myself a few years ago.
This of course is the problem you get with anything that is freely available for download, certain people think they have an inherent right to do what they like with it, regardless of any restrictions or licensing conditions, there seems to be an ever increasing disrespect for ownership of anything on the internet.

As a thought maybe N3V would be prepared to host any future versions or tools, requiring a registered copy Trainz to access the download?

 

[Scottish]

I am sorry that those vagabonds have forced you into this situation, but I fully understand your position.

Without your tools and assistance it would have been impossible for me to fix many assets which have enriched my Trainz experience. I thank you for what you have done for us and I hope that a way can be found to get round this problem.

Surely it must be to N3V's benefit to help you protect your rights and assist in some way, otherwise the great DLS clean up will stop.

Scottish

 

[tomurban]

Peter: Using your simple but effective tools, I have personally repaired over a hundred older assets for my own use. This would not have been possible without them. I consider you to be a software genius and sincerely hope that a cost effective solution can be found. Restricted access via a users existing TRAINZ usernames and/or passwords comes to mind. As Scottish noted in the above post, N3V also benefits from your efforts.

 

[CaptEngland]

A idea for both you and N3V.

Next version of your software(s), could a tie in with an users trainz serial number and this forum's user name database be used when installing? I'm sure N3V crew could work with you as without your programs, I would think Trainz 2012 would now be dead in the water (due to un-useable old content) and railworks the only option that we would have left.

Please keep up the good work, and long live PEVSoft tools! :Y:

Regards.
CaptEngland

 

[RRSignal]

If you're suggesting some kind of product activation, many people - myself included - have been clear that we'd stop buying Trainz if that happened. It's why I've never bought Railworks, even when it was on sale for $7.

Too many digital services and products have left their customers with worthless, unusable purchases uses product activation and other DRM schemes. N3V's current system strikes a perfect balance between protecting content and protecting customers.

If that is not what you're suggesting, don't worry - Trainz already does validate a username and kuid in order to access the DLS, without breaking the game.

 

[smash]

Peter,
I have truly appreciated all that you have done for us. With out you alot of the content that I have in trainz would not be usable. So thank you.
Yes there are a quiet a few bad apples that can ruin a person day. I would ask that you not give in to them.
As has been suggested above, I would say contact NV3, See if they would be open to hosting the files.
Then maybe making the links to the downloads available to those with valid forum access.

This may not keep the bad apples away forever but it would keep them from taking your files directly from your site.


Again thank you for all that you have done.
Kenny

 

[nfitzsimmons]

I'm sorry this has happened, and I'm sorry to see you go.

I know that without your tools I'd only have about half the usable content that I'm running now.

 

[kamran]

thats a real bad news.you should distribute your tools to forum members only when requested on demand.in this way before sending your tools you will get assurity that person demanding your tool is a legal trainz user.

 

[nfitzsimmons]

I can see his problem; once he's sent a copy of a tool to someone he has absolutely no control over what that person does with the tool, including uploading it to another site.

 

[nawlins]

Peter, I too wish to add my undying thanks for all that you have done for the Trainz community and N3V through PEV's Tools. Your decision to close your site is understandable under the circumstances.

I hope that in the near future you can find a satisfactory solution to the problem and once again make your invaluable Tools accessible to us Trainz lovers.

Cheers

 

[Lewiscc65]

Peter I am really sorry it has come to this. Your tools have been what keep me in Trainz when I went from 2006 to 2009. With out them I probable would have given up. Your PM2IM and 2tga where the biggest of help to me. Carl

 

[Ernest2d6]

Ah someone steal your fire. Unless you copyright your work you will lose control. That said, hiding your work under a bushel is going to help you how? Where is your legacy then, where you going to try to make money from this? I would reconsider your action since you had put a lot of work into this and turn it over to trainz DL what good is it to you if you hide it, that is if you want to charge for it, then I understand your action.

 

[Scottbe8]

It's true, what they say; one man's crime can hurt a nation. I'm so sorry you have decided to take the path of completely removing your content. Although, in your position, I would have done the same thing. I do hope you consider everyone's suggestions to try and host your software through N3V. Who knows? They may invite you to submit it for an SDK release or something.

 

[seeseeme]

Hi Peter,

This is very sad news but I can understand your position and the direction your taking. The amount of time and effort you have put into these "small" programs is huge by comparison. Personally, I have used your tool so many times to correct content not only for myself but also as part of the DLS Cleanup Process. Many others who helped with the DLS Cleanup used your tools as well and without them so many older creations would not be available to the Trainz Community now and into the future.

As many here have said, maybe N3V can help here and I would certainly encourage you to contact them and see what can be done.

Craig