Hi All
I've sorta stayed out of this one, partly because there's been plenty of 'doom' threads before, which always peter out after a few days
For content creation, 90% (at a guess) of content is still valid. Sure, the 'goal posts' for 'current' standard (visual, and fancy features that other users want) have moved, but that's only really if you wish to create to the best of the software can offer (aka, push the boundaries). It's not a requirement set by us, although it is very nice to see this content created. As a creator who does try to push boundaries where I can (still learning many areas, as we all are), and try to 'match' the quality done by others where I can as well
However, I do understand that there is a lot of work to get a project to that sort of level. Hence why I understand many creators seeing it as beyond their abilities. It does annoy me when I see talented creators hold themselves back, but this is their choice, and their content is still up there
What has changed is how strict error checking is... However, the majority of errors are more a case of people either not listening to what was said back in the early days, typos (not hard at all
), or using undocumented feature/functions. These are easy things to have done, and can be annoying. However, it's something that needs to be fixed, which is happening
Of course, there are a few areas that goal posts have moved in lately, mainly due to need so that the game engine can be improved. One is error checking, although this is more just become more strict on old rules, another is alpha channels (this is the biggest 'change' really), and another is steam locomotive physics/sounds (another 'big' change, but actually one that was requested for a number of years!). This will, as always, drive away a few members, however it will also bring in new members (sounds funny, but improvements made elsewhere by the alphas change does entice new members in - namely the ability to have higher quality models!).
There are others who have other reasons, however this has always been the case. As always, looking at the past we see it as much better than current. In reality, it's stayed fairly level for about 5 years now (IMO, some things on the forums have improved). Lately, I've noted an influx of new younger members, many of whom have not really had experience on forums. We haven't really had an influx like this for a few years, and it's likely due to the release of TS2010 (aka, a 'big' release) that this has occurred. TC1/2/3 were fairly small releases, and we didn't see as many new (younger) members join the forums during that time period because of this.
This isn't to say we didn't see new members, just that we saw less new members than before (at least this is what I've noticed personally). New, younger, members generally have less experience with forums (and with communities that include adult/older members), and as such tend to cause a bit of trouble. The majority learn fairly quickly how best to behave on the forums, mainly through example (yes, younger people do often learn by example
). There are those that need to be pushed in the right direction, however I feel the majority of the younger members in the community have done well in this area. I know I started out as one (I started as a user when I was about 12 or 13... I've certainly learned a lot on here since then!).
What I'm trying to say is that these forums always sit on the 'edge'. Sometimes they do tip a little further one way, or the other, but they generally tend to balance out. Sometimes mods need to help with this, however most of the time situations tend to sort themselves out.
We also do take into account comments from the community, both regarding the direction Trainz is headed (yes, including content), and with moderation
Apologies for the long post, however hopefully it helps answer some thoughts
Above all, bearing in mind we all are customers and guests at this home and not owners... 
