What Happened to General Trainz?

Community, (Namely Members Pre-2009)

Is it just myself, or has this particular area of the forum gotten off what I remember it being?

I seem to remember this area being full of interesting and informative conversations, but anymore it seems that it has become "Ask.com...Trainz Edition", I have nothing against asking questions, but I thought that the Technical Support areas were for that.
I understand that the moderators don't want "under-your-nose" questions posed in those areas, but honestly, that is pretty much all this area is anymore.
I seem to remember many 5+ page threads here (interesting ones too), anymore they are just 1 page question threads.

My real problem is, I wish people would research their problem more rather than just discovering the problem and posting automatically.
Often times it seems as though the answer is found rather quickly, and the answer was quite obvious from the beginning!

I realize that some people do not realize that these questions sometimes annoy others, but an honest solution to most Trainz problems can be solved by one of two things, the "Search" feature (what is that?:hehe or Trainz Resources Directory, which has many useful things.

In Closing,
May I ask the "older" members, namely those who have been here more than a year, if they too notice a decline in the quality of a reading experience in this area ?

Thank You and Absolutely No Offense Intended to Anyone,
Woody

I noticed that too, Woody. There's been an overall change in the quality of the forums over the past two years or so. In some respect it's because the great Auranites that ran the forums before are no longer with us. These other guys were adapt at cleansing and organizing the forums. We have to keep in mind too that there are a lot of uses hitting these forums. This is unlike other forums that I've seen, and this makes it difficult for the moderators to constantly police what's here. Heck they do a pretty good job keeping the community "clean". Remember last summer, or was it earlier than that, when we had the porn issue? The moderators did a fair job cleaning up that mess even though the report button was broken.

Anway, I refer many people to the search area particularly if they are asking a common question, but it also depends upon how questions are asked, etc. If the person comes across as rude and pushy, I make them search for themselves immediately.

There are also really new people out there that rarely use forums. John, the new guy for example, just got the program and had questions about it. I helped him the best I can and so did other people here. I'm sure as he settles into the scheme of things here, He'll get used to posting questions in the appropriate area.

John

illinoiscentral said:

May I ask the "older" members, namely those who have been here more than a year, if they too notice a decline in the quality of a reading experience in this area ?

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Well I've been an active Trainzer since, well, 2006... and I started frequenting the forums about 6 months after, and I haven't noticed too much in decline of quality reading experience. Except I do think that people should capitalise more and use proper punctuation(although I am up for the occasional 'lol'). Then again, I don't frequent as often and I don't usually read what people have to say, I just enjoy the screenies and post some of my own from time to time.

I've been around here since early in 2006 and I don't necessarily think the forums have changed as much as we have changed ourselves. I think that as our experience grows, our interest in some of the threads subsides. When we were new, we were like sponges just trying to absorb any and all information that we could, but as our knowledge grew, our interest in some of these subjects moved on to something else or maybe we just became specialized in our particular interest.
I usually don't even read a thread on a subject that's been discussed repeatedly and can easily be searched. I will say however that I think that the search function is lacking and we all need some help sometimes.
I try to remember that we were all newbies at one time and I try to be as helpful as I can to those new to the forum as long as they don't make idiots of themselves. Even some of the older members make idiots of themselves from time to time, but I just try to ignore them too.
The one thing that really gets to me though is the poor spelling and grammar that seems to prevail on this forum. This comment only applies to those whose native language is English by the way. I know that this has been discussed from time to time, but there seems to be a rash of posts where the member doesn't know the difference between there, their and they're. I think that most of us learned the difference in elementary school. Thanks for letting me vent on this little annoyance and I'm sure that someone will want to flame me for it, but that's okay too. My real problem with it is that some posts and questions are just too hard to understand because of the incomplete sentence structures.
On a positive note, I've never enjoyed anything so much as I have enjoyed Trainz and being a part of this forum. Honestly, there are lots of good things about it. If there wasn't, we wouldn't keep coming back to it.

Mike

Mike,
Excellent post!
I truly appreciate your view on proper spelling and grammar, I've noticed this problem too.
I think people need to realize that this is not Facebook, this is the Auran Forum and excessive chat speak is not appropriate.

Cheers,
Woody

Sometimes it's hard to search for the answer to a problem when you're new or don't fully understand what the problem is. Twice as hard if you're frustrated. With every new release of Trainz comes new users, not just veterans who upgraded. Even though a question has been asked and answered before, sometimes it's hard to find the answer buried in another thread. Remember, I may have a common problem, but it may be worded different in that thread where I may not understand it.

Besides, keeping the answers "fresh" in new threads keeps them towards the front and easier to find for those who do know how to search. Also keeps new tips and tricks coming so everyone can learn. Maybe even something new.

The title General Trainz serves as a catch all of sorts until people learn their way around. Some are not even 100% positive which version they have. Just a few random thoughts from a random nitwit.

Dave.....

As a 9 month veteran with no frame of reference for quality but I understand the concern. I agree with the sloppy message issue and will add the weird subjects. I never read a post that just says Help or TSxxxx doesn't work anymore. Somebody slipped up in the educational system.

A more philosophical direction would help where something such as approaches to using textures or object placement might occur. Or how screenshots taken at altitude show a completely different perspective than a view from an engine cab. The role of a dispatcher in a simulator/AI world. What are some real world yard practices. And more. Not very technical but maybe with a broad interest.

Dave
I'll have to agree with you on the search issue. I've searched for threads before that I know are out there somewhere, but sometimes it just seems to take forever to track them down. Sometimes, I can't and have to resort to asking someone for help.
Mike

I have had TRS06 since 2006 but i joined the communty in 2008, one thing that annoys me is some genuinly interesting posts get ignored by something is trivial is whistle sounds. The reason why most of the technical support questions end up here is because it is the most viewed area of the forum so people want there questions ansered, but another thing is that I have had TRS06 for 3 years now but I still havnt got to grips with absolutely every aspect of the game because there is so much to do.

just a quick question I keep getting the same old email that I have no image associate with my content but I do and it is to the right specifications, TRS06 even displays the image so why do auran keep rejecting it?

I don't get why I can't post attatchments & in some areas of the board,like the freeware section I'm not even permitted to post replies or new threads at all.

I've been here since close to the beginning of Trainz and the one thing that I noticed is that many of the long time Trainz users are slowly disappearing and these forums are suffering a slow death because of it. Just in the last week I can count at least 5 posts that had no answers or no comments to. I'm starting to believe that my days here are numbered also.

I've been a member since back in the UTC days, 2002 or so, and I've noticed a trend in the forums. When the latest product has been out for some time, everyone is passed the "It don't work" syndrome and is getting into the guts of the thing and doing stuff. That's when the in-depth technical info is really flowing. But, as soon as a new release is announced, it seems like everyone puts their current projects on hold, and the technical discussions seem to be replaced by "What do you think about the new product none of us know anything about" threads. That, plus the new releases seem to be coming out faster the past year or so. Fewer people have had a chance to really get into TS2009 and start coming up with amazing discoveries.

I'm not sure about that, there are a lot of folks still using TRS2004. I myself won't go any further then TRS2006 until Auran actually puts out something new. What I mean by "new" is new programming with quaility content.

Hi Woody,

A comment about your post. I find it to be well thought out, well presented and approaching a level of maturity for a young adult as yourself. Well done.

illinoiscentral said:

Community, (Namely Members Pre-2009)

Is it just myself, or has this particular area of the forum gotten off what I remember it being?

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Agree, but there may be reasons that take us where we are today.

illinoiscentral said:

I seem to remember this area being full of interesting and informative conversations, but anymore it seems that it has become "Ask.com...Trainz Edition", I have nothing against asking questions, but I thought that the Technical Support areas were for that.
I understand that the moderators don't want "under-your-nose" questions posed in those areas, but honestly, that is pretty much all this area is anymore.

Click to expand...

I thought about this and present to you one (1) possible reason for this happening.

Is it possible that new members DO NOT fully log into the forums? By not fully doing a log-in, the Maintenance of Way - Support section of the Forums are not available. Perhaps that is why product questions are asked in the General Forum and not in the individual product areas.

illinoiscentral said:

I seem to remember many 5+ page threads here (interesting ones too), anymore they are just 1 page question threads.

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The need for instant answers and gratification is a product of our current world and environment.

illinoiscentral said:

My real problem is, I wish people would research their problem more rather than just discovering the problem and posting automatically.
Often times it seems as though the answer is found rather quickly, and the answer was quite obvious from the beginning!

Click to expand...

It is just too easy to ask a one (1) line question than to take the time to Search.

illinoiscentral said:

I realize that some people do not realize that these questions sometimes annoy others, but an honest solution to most Trainz problems can be solved by one of two things, the "Search" feature (what is that?:hehe or Trainz Resources Directory, which has many useful things.

Click to expand...

Again, it is just to easy to ask here rather than do the necessary work to find the answer.

illinoiscentral said:

In Closing,
May I ask the "older" members, namely those who have been here more than a year, if they too notice a decline in the quality of a reading experience in this area ?

Click to expand...

I hope that I qualify as an "older" member.

illinoiscentral said:

Thank You and Absolutely No Offense Intended to Anyone,
Woody

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No offense taken by me.

However, I do find it disturbing that your thread has already been hijacked by people who post their opinions about the various versions of Trainz.

Again, well done and well said Woody.

Regards, and have fun
Ron

aardvark1 said:

However, I do find it disturbing that your thread has already been hijacked by people who post their opinions about the various versions of Trainz.

Again, well done and well said Woody.

Regards, and have fun
Ron

Click to expand...

Feel disturbed if you may, I feel it neesesary to respond to other peoples posts.

Aardvark,

Thank You for your kind words, I appreciate them quite a bit.

I see some very good points in your post, and agree with part of them and then somewhat not.
"It is easier to ask here than do the necessary work..."

In the current time and situation...yes.
However, I believe in working to find an answer rather than asking something that in all likely hood, has been asked before, answered...repeat.
I think there is a degree of decline in human thinking in that matter.
What is wrong with studying I often ask, you may find more answer than just what you wanted, answers that could prevent your next problem.

In many ways, my true address for this thread was "Attention Mature Members, Who Don't Ask Obvious Questions"
Hopefully, that does not offend anyone, as many know the other half of that statement...

...then again, can anybody in their right mind disagree with that?:hehe:

Once again, I find it very good that a few of us have been able to sound off on chat-speak. "LAWL", "IMHO", "IMO", "LMO" (I always think of the word 'lame-o' when I see that one) or "LMAO' .


Cheers,
Woody

Again, some members may not have the necessary game background to fully understand the problem to begin with. How do you search for an answer when you don't really know what the problem is?

Can't use CMP and the DLS properly if you don't understand the KUID system for example. What's easy or routine for most old hats is pretty steep for someone new and learning. Easy to get confused. I'm sure if everyone dug back to some of their earliest posts, we would all be guilty of what you're talking about in this thread.

The forum used to be a neat place to come to. Very friendly and helpful. Some of the do a search attitude or look it up yourself replies make it less so. Who would come here if they felt insulted in some way? Instead of the nice place to hang out and chat it becomes a place of last resort when you have problems, driving away the potential friends and conversation you seek here.

Kind of self defeating if you ask me.

Dave....

Sparky,

I understand what you are saying.
Yes, we all have had our "bad" moments, Many will recall my never ending "polls" that I posted when I first joined, however thanks to the guidance of older members such as, Deeelare, Euphod, Aardvark, and Backyard, I was able to mature from the idiot I used to be.
What I am addressing here is a few issues,
*Chat Speak is rather excessive.

*Our best members are quickly disappearing.

*A lot of new members are sticking around, but fail to use proper posting habits, chat speak, endless requests, un-necessary posting at every given moment, etc.

*Loss of Interesting Topics...let us blame the economy!:hehe:

*Forum areas drying up.

I've noticed all of these have begun to happen in the last four months, I hate to say that when I joined, Trainz Community, Prototype Talk, and Suggestion Boxcar were flourishing, now Suggestion Boxcar rarely sees a post, Trainz Community has slowed down along with Prototype.

I truly believe that this forum is losing the quality I love about it so much, interesting conversations and a good overall time, nowadays we just bid farewell to yet another great member, almost every two weeks.


Cheers,
Woody

People come and go. Can't help it or stop it, it's a fact of life. Who did that great member "replace" when they left? 24 years in the Air Force taught me one thing. Nothing stops when I or someone else leaves, and we all left a lot. My best bud moved on someone soon took their place, we won't discuss the two ex-wives

Chat speak, gottcha. Don't like it either but doesn't make someone any less or better to me. I know people who are very intelligent but can't type or spell with a gun to their head. Who am I to judge? I'm about two I.Q. points above needing to be put in a pot and watered twice week. Worse things on the planet to worry about than chat speak, spelling or punctuation. Ignorant and rude I have zero tolerance for.

The last few months it's been summer outside. Personally I don't do much with trains or computers when it's nice out. Plenty of time for that here shortly when I'm knee deep in snow, others probably feel the same. Also, everyone's starting school, graduating, has kids in school and making adjustments in their routines and lives. More going on than just Trainz.

Want the place great? Make it great. Don't rely on someone here or linger on someone who's not anymore to do it for you. That new person that bugs you with silly questions or bad posting habits might be someone you come to enjoy. In other words, don't sweat the small stuff.

Dave......

I'm a member of about 20 forums and I contribute to Yahoo Answers. Having written over 8,000 answers on on that site alone about computer issues, I can tell you all that this forum isn't at the bottom of the barrel by a long shot. Yahoo Answers has a great warning system that tells people the question has been answered before, and it even directs the writer to those answers. Despite that, 10 people a day still ask "How do I create a web site?". The last time I looked, the question had been asked over 3,000 times.

Many of our newcomers probably ask a question on their first visit. They may also assume they're the only one with the problem so using the search box wouldn't occur to them. Even if they did use the search box, it's next to useless anyway. If you enter more than one keyword you get a million results, most of which have nothing to do with what you want to know. Because Google updates our forum posts within 10 minutes, you have a better chance of finding what you want via a Google search. In fact, maybe Auran should insert a Google search bar at the top of this forum. It would solve a million problems.

I believe the forum has changed noticeably in recent times. I think it needs a few additional categories like the old forum and maybe a few more. For example, a Newcomers Start Here section would be great, and I'd love to see the Off Topic section reintroduced. There should also be a section for any new release as soon as it's announced. That would stop the barrage of 2010 posts filling up other sections.

I could probably write a book on this subject. There's no guarantee I'd be right so I won't bore you any more.

For Woody's sake, I hope this thread goes to five pages.