Trainz Community Web Ring closing down tomorrow

[Johnk]

Hi folks. It's the end of an era I'm afraid. Tomorrow (Friday) I'll be pulling the plug on the Trainz Community Web Ring which has promoted Web sites servicing the Trainz community in one way or another for several years. There are a number of reasons behind my decision which I must stress hasn't been taken lightly:

• 70% of the listed sites no longer exist.
• Of the 900 web sites wanting to register over the past five years, 890 were porn and poker sites.
• The web ring was subject to abuse by a couple of its members. By clicking the web ring logo constantly, they could bring their site closer to the top of the list.
• There was no search or "jump to" facility, so sites listed on pages 5 to 20 hardly got a mention.
• Bravenet, the people who own the server are shoving up more and more advertising. Can't blame them for that.

The web ring is being replaced with the Trainz Resources Directory which not only lists (well almost) and monitors all Trainz community web sites, but also lists most tutorials and a stack of other stuff used by the Trainz community.

I've notified all webmasters with sites listed on the web ring and hopefully they will exchange the banner for one that will direct you to the Trainz Resources Directory. It may take several months to implement the exchange, but I'll keep on the back of any webmaster who continues to display the old web ring banner.

Many thanks to everyone who visited the web ring and my apologies for not being able to maintain the site properly over the past few years.

RIP the Trainz Community Web Ring

Johnk

 

[pommie]

Thanks for all the work over the years Johnk

Cheers David

 

[Euphod]

Thanks for all the work over the years Johnk

Cheers David

Oh yes, thank you so much for all your hard work, (you must be exhausted by now, you poor thing!). I remember adding the Trainz Webring to my now defunct site(s),...good times,... good times!
Best of luck on your new site, I hope you get many, many, many hits!

 

[Johnk]

Thanks David and Euphod. The new site is very large, about 500 pages in all. I've used a modified eCommerce site and in so doing I've also introduced several bugs. I'll declare it bug free in a day or so and begin promoting it. There's already been around 3,500 visitors and close on 50,000 page hits since Noverber last year so I think it will have a prosperous future.

 

[nawlins]

Hi Johnk - I just want to alert you to the fact that GaryP's Gmax tutorial links no longer work. His site has vanished.

It's a real shame, they were very good starter tutorials.

Good luck with the new Trainz Resources Directory and thanks for all your hard work.

Cheers

 

[Johnk]

Thanks for letting me know Chris.

EDITED

Gary was actually sharing part of Phil Campbell's World of Trainz site, but as you say all the links have gone. Phil's site is still running, but his email link is busted. Hopefully they're just doing an upgrade but haven't realised the ramifications of changing directorys. If anyone knows Phil Campbell's trainz nickname I'll send him a PM. I thought it was PhilC but nothing comes up when I search.

Regards

John

 

[JRT]

Since the old Trainz web ring is closing I have been looking for a host for my idea of a web ring. One that automatically deletes websites that are no longer available and one that is easy for me to use. I have started it and have been playing around with it. I will post more details later this week about it and how to get to it.

Cheers,
JRT

 

[Johnk]

Hi James,

I don't consider the Trainz Web Ring concept dead. The Trainz Resources Directory is actually the big daddy of web rings in that it not only lists web sites, it reviews them and maintains the links. Your concept would need to check for dead links every day and little hickups like the one above could wipe a person's site for no reason at all. I can't stop you from starting a new web ring, but it will definitely duplicate parts of the Directory and some site owners may not be over happy about having banners for both. I'd much prefer to see you continue with the magazine which is turning into a great little publication and let me carry on the web ring concept. I's just that I'm not calling it a web ring because I hate that term.

 

[backyard]

World of Trainz

Phil_C is the way...

 

[JRT]

Deleted......

 

[Johnk]

Phil_C is the way...

Thanks backyard. I've PM'd Gary but if I don't hear from him tomorrow I'll contact Phil

 

[Signalman65]

I still display the old web ring banner, and was unaware of any of this. Having not received any notice concerning this.

 

[Signalman65]

I just noticed the date of these post and since it has been 3 years since the last post it is unlikely anyone will read this. I happened in here from a search for the Trainz Web Ring, not knowing it was no more.