Trainz Google+ Community

[PerRock]

I've created an Auran Trainz Google+ Community. It's another place for people to come and discuss Auran Trainz. There are a few of us there but we could always use more!

I hear you asking (actually first I hear you saying "do we really need another forum?" I'll answer that in a bit, and I hear a few of you cursing social media, whom I'll ignore) "What's a Google+ Community?" And while I could probably sit down and write a nice write up on in to explain to you folks, why do so when others have already & posted them online. So here is a link to a good write up on what a Google+ Community is, the author also does a good job just talking about Google+ in general as well.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...ogle_Communities_?taxonomyId=236&pageNumber=2
Basically Google+ is the new Facebook, (I'm sorry your just going to have to deal with it) and Trainz should have a more established presence there.

Ok so "Do we really need another forum?"
First off, Google+ Communities isn't a forum, but more like a Yahoo Group (you would know this if you read the link above). I believe it can become another good resource for Trainz users to show what they've been working on, get tips & tricks, etc. Communities works in a much more Social Media style with posts & comments rather then threads. Which in some ways can make things easier to follow & understand.


So where can I sign up?
If you're new to Google+, create a Google Account. Most people already have one, your Youtube account, Gmail, etc will all work, it's one account. Simply visit: plus.google.com and you will be prompted to start the Google+ registration (really it's just filling out your profile some).
I have a Google+ Account, now what?
You can search for the community in the communities window, we've got the new DLC Berkshire as the logo. Or to make things simple, click the link below & Follow The Community. Try and be active; post screenshots, ask questions, etc!

Trainz Google Plus Community: https://plus.google.com/communities/102800494423308061303

peter

 

[nicky9499]

Hi Peter,

Definitely this was in good intention. But it could possibly contribute to fragmentation, information that may no longer be available to people who don't use Google+ as compared to having them all here. Surely we don've have a shortage of subforums for every aspect of the Trainz hobby, from Screenshots to Prototype to Content Creation. I think it's best to keep it under one roof.

However as I'm not too familiar with the service, perhaps others could shed light on other useful features that are unique to G+.

Cheerio,
Nicholas

 

[PerRock]

Hi Peter,

Definitely this was in good intention. But it could possibly contribute to fragmentation, information that may no longer be available to people who don't use Google+ as compared to having them all here. Surely we don've have a shortage of subforums for every aspect of the Trainz hobby, from Screenshots to Prototype to Content Creation. I think it's best to keep it under one roof.

However as I'm not too familiar with the service, perhaps others could shed light on other useful features that are unique to G+.

Cheerio,
Nicholas

Sorry, for the delay I've been pretty busy.

While I can't say for certain if having such thing would cause "fragmentation" I can't see how having a G+ community is going to cause any more then what we currently have. Right now there are hundreds of other third party sites for Trainz people can go to. And in no way is the Community going to become an official support source, if you have problems with a serial number (for instance) the response is going to be the same as it is here, contact the Helpdesk.

As for 'useful unique features'. Probably the big one is the Google+ is a social media site, rather then a forum. Where a forum is more designed to convey information, and discuss it. Google+ (and other social medias) are more for connecting people. I know that social media isn't everyone's thing & the RR community tends to have the most anti-social media attitude I've seen. I personally think one of the neat aspects of Google+ is their Hangouts feature, which allows video conferencing; there is currently a dozen or more Skype group Calls that happen every day talking about Trainz, Hangouts is the next step up, and being associated with the G+ Community it could actually help keep fragmentation down.

peter