To Fabartus, with thanks

[kenneth18278]

Frank, I don't know if or when you'll get to read this, but I'd like to thank you. I read your post in my other thread "... why I don't care..." (now locked, by the way), and you made some good points.

I agree that in these days of 2TB HDDs being commonplace (I have 2 in each of my machines), 70 GBs is a drop in the ocean, but on a 256 GB SSD it's more like a large bucketful!

On re-reading my initial post in that thread, I did not make myself entirely clear re DRM. I do not object to DRM per se, I fully understand that creators and designers want to (need to) protect their intellectual property, and when done properly it isn't a problem. I have a Steam account, for example, and that is DRM, but it works well, and I've never had a problem with it. What I loath with a passion is intrusive DRM that prevents me at any time from doing what I want to do with software I have bought and paid for. Because, when DRM is intrusive, it makes the program it is applied to unreliable for normal use.

Layers? Yes, Frank, I probably do have a blind spot with layers that prevents me from easily learning to use them. This is because I really don't see the point of them, because in TS2009, where I am comfortable, Route and Session layers are generated automatically. This is comfortable for me, it allows me just to get on and do what I want to do with the minimum of fuss. That's the keyword for me, comfortable. It's what makes it fun.

And by the way, thanks for your sterling efforts on the Trainz Wiki - it's becoming quite the "Go To" resource for all things Trainz.

 

[JCitron]

Hi Ken,

I sent Frank an email regarding this post to ensure he'll respond.

I agree with you too regarding the implementation of DRM here. I too have an account with Steam so I can play two games offered by them. It works and works well. Hopefully this past weekend's mess is rude awakening presented to management which will get things changed for the better.

John

 

[Fabartus]

Frank, I don't know if or when you'll get to read this, but I'd like to thank you. I read your post in my other thread "... why I don't care..." (now locked, by the way), and you made some good points.
SNIP
Layers? Yes, Frank, I probably do have a blind spot with layers that prevents me from easily learning to use them. This is because I really don't see the point of them, because in TS2009, where I am comfortable, Route and Session layers are generated automatically.

Got it--Thanks to John, via phone. Pardon my blushes! Thanks for the thanks.

The point of them is a SESSION need not clutter the ROUTE kuid-tables with irrelevant dependencies, and yet anything on the KIND map is automatically available to use in writing multiple sessions. Ever look at a TRS-era or even TS2009-SP3 and below kuid table after removing a consist? Those traincars aren't relevant any more, but now are carried as dependencies. Oooops!

As a session writer, I or You can have an entirely different set of consists, or place time-dependent assets so the base map can be in several different decades in the 'current scenario'. That makes it very powerful, albeit a feature which needs to be planned in the initial route building and the planning for session writing. Still, the KISS principle applies regardless of whether the technology is used or not. By all means do what is comfortable. Writing for the Wikibook, I still play around to verify things in most 'benchmark' versions from TR06 to TS12. Layers was something I looked into as a big change in TS10, so found they had their uses. You didn't want to hear me swearing when I hadn't yet gotten the hang of how they'd implemented the concept... Just trying to 'GET' an asset to examine a KUID was an adventure, you betchya!

This is comfortable for me, it allows me just to get on and do what I want to do with the minimum of fuss. That's the keyword for me, comfortable. It's what makes it fun..

I wish N3V even had a glimpse of the importance of that. I swear even Tony Hilliam fails to see and understand how failing to address the DLS situation or user interface shortcomings just saps the will to use the program. Don't get me started on Validations and staggering and pausing Either. My points have been made in vociferous loquaciousness -- just see my posts from last July and look at any thread I posted twice! // F

And by the way, thanks for your sterling efforts on the Trainz Wiki - it's becoming quite the "Go To" resource for all things Trainz.

I'm afraid you have me confused with some of my disciples. I think a few of other Yz-Tzers are more to credit these days. I seem to have inspired a couple of guys to occasionally fluff things up from geek-speak, but I haven't edited in there since December. I guess I did enough damage in the six months before that! LOL.

You can follow my work lately here on the Wikibook, which is about to come together with threaded pages, etc. That will track me moment to moment. If you or anyone cares to chat or ask about something, leave a note on my talk page: Here. Even if it's a see your email, or see my PM, this thread, or whatnot. You need not be a registered user on Wikis to post any talk, IIRC.

I'll get that notice almost immediately (the next time I preview a page, which is often, or navigate, etc.) if I'm on the Wiki. I'm also on skype (see my profile for the link--John and I talk and work all the time!) and am trying out Teamspeak 3 to shed the video overhead (we hope) later today.

Via con Dios, Kenneth. Be sure to keep having fun! THAT'S the point.

Now if only N3V's young programmers or the management would realize a pre-processing translation & fix-up stage could and would deal with most Faulty content, we could all do more of the FUN stuff. I just have to shake my head! // Frank

 

[kenneth18278]

Yes, the KISS principle is exactly what I'm talking about, and it's a good principle. While I agree that layers may well have their upside, the fact is that they result in a division of focus, a split in your concentration. When you're creating in Surveyor, and you get on a roll, the last thing you want, well the last thing I want, is to have to keep reminding yourself "Route or Session?". It's distracting, is what it is. So, yes, they did make me swear. A lot. And when it stops being fun, why do it? So I don't.

So I'm happy with 2009, and will continue on my merry, and generally enjoyable, way. No hassle is a good thing, and keeps my interest alive in a hobby I like a lot.

I actually meant the Wikibook when I said Trainz Wiki, I have it bookmarked.