Unacceptable download speeds
- Thread starter TonyN
- Start date
johnwhelan
Well-known member
Are you using a first class ticket? If not then the download speed is low and even if you are using one so much depends on the connection you and your ISP have to the DLS. Unfortunately because many of us get much better download speeds you can't blame the N3V server it is normally the intermediate hops that cause the problems.
Cheerio John
Cheerio John
KotangaGirl
Pre-Grouping Railways Nut
Set up the download and go and do something else until its finished. That's what I usually do.
Slow download speeds are caused by multiple issues but among them are:
1) The server connections are overloaded so retries are required due to packet loss.
2) The internet provider is having issues.
If you are downloading now, you are facing a busy time in the US. It's a Sunday morning when everyone who plans on downloading is doing it NOW and will do it today. My hunch is this is the issue you are facing since regular data, such as updates and program installs, are not subject to the FCT
My recommendation is to try this later on today, or early morning or late evening your time when the busy "holiday" traffic isn't tying up the roads.
1) The server connections are overloaded so retries are required due to packet loss.
2) The internet provider is having issues.
If you are downloading now, you are facing a busy time in the US. It's a Sunday morning when everyone who plans on downloading is doing it NOW and will do it today. My hunch is this is the issue you are facing since regular data, such as updates and program installs, are not subject to the FCT
My recommendation is to try this later on today, or early morning or late evening your time when the busy "holiday" traffic isn't tying up the roads.
It may actually speed up during the download, large downloads can often start slowly. If it stays slow then check ISP for problems or try a different free DNS Server such as OpenDNS, Google or Cloudflare, may well get a better less congested route. Of course it may be too many people are downloading it, the bandwidth is full and speed is being throttled to accommodate them all.
Boxed software is unfortunately becoming extremely rare now, most new PCs don't even have an optical drive, which seems to have gone the way of the floppy drive.
Boxed software is unfortunately becoming extremely rare now, most new PCs don't even have an optical drive, which seems to have gone the way of the floppy drive.
You too?
Another way is to start the d-ls when ready to go to bed or work. Start it, shut the monitor, go bye bye or sleepy bye.Imo, FCT is ridiculous. Paying $5+ for 1mbs download speeds is so outdated, and I think N3V needs to grow out of this. Limiting you to 5kbs for free is, imo, a bit selfish and greedy (Considering all the money I paid for trainz and DLC). If trainz servers are overloaded with just 333kbs downloads, N3V needs to update their servers. I don't know many companies that charge you just to get 5mbs (which is relatively slow) download speeds. With all respect, I think everyone deserves free reasonable download speeds.
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johnwhelan
Well-known member
But on the other hand there is no charge to support the DLS at the low speed and it is fairly large. A 100 mb a day is not unreasonable. There are third party site around with free downloads, for example jatws.org has a few thousand assets.
Cheerio John
Certainly achievable. Abolish the free DLS and pay for all downloads (like some other sims) and while we are doing that go to a full subscription model for all future Trainz releases. This should cover the cost of providing better bandwidth for all.
Why do some people assume that because they have bought a copy of the program it entitles them to free high speed downloads and support for life. Everything else you buy has a "limited warranty period" or a "use by date".
My opinions.
BlackDiamond1964
Shadow Banned By N3V
I hate to get into this again but here it goes...
I don't think that people expect to have super fast download speeds from the download station just because they have the Trainz program. But they do expect something more then what is there now. While the download speeds have stayed the same over the years the size of the content has grown. Now just downloading a simple tree can take hours. That is unacceptable and should be looked into. The new methods for content creation means a lot more detailed PNG graphics with many channels. These add up on the content's file size. It's simply not the same download station to what is was five years ago.
Another thing I'd like to see is that people that contribute to the download station have their speed altered or the price of a FCT lowered as some kind of incentive for their contributions. Right now you can contribute hundreds of items and get nothing in return. I also realize there is a difference between uploading 100 different bridges vrs. 100 re-paints of a billboard...maybe a point system can be created for uploads???
Just my thoughts on the subject...I shall fade back into the shrubs now.
I don't think that people expect to have super fast download speeds from the download station just because they have the Trainz program. But they do expect something more then what is there now. While the download speeds have stayed the same over the years the size of the content has grown. Now just downloading a simple tree can take hours. That is unacceptable and should be looked into. The new methods for content creation means a lot more detailed PNG graphics with many channels. These add up on the content's file size. It's simply not the same download station to what is was five years ago.
Another thing I'd like to see is that people that contribute to the download station have their speed altered or the price of a FCT lowered as some kind of incentive for their contributions. Right now you can contribute hundreds of items and get nothing in return. I also realize there is a difference between uploading 100 different bridges vrs. 100 re-paints of a billboard...maybe a point system can be created for uploads???
Just my thoughts on the subject...I shall fade back into the shrubs now.
I agree, and the second part sounds like a wonderful idea, BD.
As far as the companies you are referring to, there are usually free downloads, but that's usually not up to the game developer. Don't you think it should be up to the author, not NV3, to determine whether his/her assets should be free or payware?
My point is - is it really that expensive to provide all people with at least reasonable speeds, while still being free? Why does the DLS need "support"? Doesn't N3V make enough profit from Trainz and the DLC itself? N3v also makes money from our own content we upload to the dls. What I really want to know is exactly how much traffic n3v is getting each day. I could be wrong, but It seems N3V is trying to snatch money from every possible corner.
I'm not trying to be critical or disrespectful of this free service. I'm not expecting super fast downloads, but the current speed is unreasonable. I don't even bother download any steam locomotives without a FCT, as that would take days.
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To cover a few of the points raised, or at least my views on them ...
Asset creators already have a choice on whether their creations will be freeware or payware - the choice between uploading to the DLS or DLC. I have always opted for uploading to the DLS as creating payware, to me at least, is just too much trouble. I understand that N3V pays DLC creators 50% of the sales which is very generous - as an author of textbooks the best I ever got from a very well known international publisher was 15% (split 2 or 3 ways).
On a number of occasions in the past Tony has stated that the cost of the FCT to users goes entirely into providing the bandwidth (for all) and contributes to the server costs. The FCT is not a "cash cow" for N3V.
A lot of assumptions in those statements and only N3V can provide the answers. Any business trying to survive in these "difficult" times would be negligent if they were not "trying to snatch money from every possible corner". For small niche software developers "difficult times" are all the time.
The "points for uploads" idea has been suggested before and rejected as it is so easily rorted.
Asset creators already have a choice on whether their creations will be freeware or payware - the choice between uploading to the DLS or DLC. I have always opted for uploading to the DLS as creating payware, to me at least, is just too much trouble. I understand that N3V pays DLC creators 50% of the sales which is very generous - as an author of textbooks the best I ever got from a very well known international publisher was 15% (split 2 or 3 ways).
On a number of occasions in the past Tony has stated that the cost of the FCT to users goes entirely into providing the bandwidth (for all) and contributes to the server costs. The FCT is not a "cash cow" for N3V.
A lot of assumptions in those statements and only N3V can provide the answers. Any business trying to survive in these "difficult" times would be negligent if they were not "trying to snatch money from every possible corner". For small niche software developers "difficult times" are all the time.
The "points for uploads" idea has been suggested before and rejected as it is so easily rorted.
BlackDiamond1964
Shadow Banned By N3V
All I can say is that N3V needs to prepare to continue to lose customers and creators if changes aren't made. It's time for somebody at N3V to think outside of the box and come up with a new solutions. There current business model is pushing away more users and creator then it is gaining them. All you need to do is read the forums to know that.
Wonderful thing Google, OP's location Beverly East Yorkshire- https://istheservicedown.co.uk/stat...st-riding-of-yorkshire-england-united-kingdom
May possibly be relevant?
May possibly be relevant?
ColPrice2002
Well-known member
Today (about 14:00 UCT) I reinstalled TS19, then the downloadable assets. All happened at ca. 49 Mb/sec...
No download delays in Berkshire...
Sorry to hear of your problems, it may just be "one of those things" - one of our friends had problems when it rains - her by cabinet plays up when it rains and the connections get wet!
No download delays in Berkshire...
Sorry to hear of your problems, it may just be "one of those things" - one of our friends had problems when it rains - her by cabinet plays up when it rains and the connections get wet!
Hmmm. Read the posts in the forums and you will conclude that TS12 was the best version of Trainz ever, that the subscription system will be forced onto everyone, that assets are being deliberately removed from the DLS "for no real reason", that users will "leave in droves" if SpeedTrees are introduced, etc, etc. The forum is great for claiming that views held by individuals with "an axe to grind" or have a particular conspiracy theory to push, are actually the views being held by "everyone" - the well known "megaphone effect" of social media. Armchair "quarterbacking" also comes to mind.
I don't know what N3Vs current business model is or whether it needs urgent changing to stop "pushing away more users and creators then it is gaining them". What evidence do you have for that claim (apart from posts in the forums)? Based on your experiences in the gaming software development, marketing and retail business, what are your suggestions?
BlackDiamond1964
Shadow Banned By N3V
This is why I regretted opening my mouth...Because of this exact reason. This person is accusing me of the same this he is doing in this thread. I said what I said. Like it or not, it is what it is and I really don't care what you think...Some how I believe nobody else cares as well.
Scott,
People do care (including me). But like so many things in life that are the products of passions, emotions, politics, etc - claims and opinions are easily made as if they are "facts" without the evidence to back them up. That is what I campaign against.
You may well be right, but opinions are not facts.
My opinions.
People do care (including me). But like so many things in life that are the products of passions, emotions, politics, etc - claims and opinions are easily made as if they are "facts" without the evidence to back them up. That is what I campaign against.
You may well be right, but opinions are not facts.
My opinions.
BlackDiamond1964
Shadow Banned By N3V
You go fight with somebody else now. Digging up old posts on what someone said years ago is not a strong argument on your part. What you say is just as much opinion as what I say, please don't forget that.
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