Should Auran leave all assets on the DLS for download : YES
Should Auran continue to support very old versions of Trainz : NO
Should people be expected to update their computer to run the latest version of Trainz : If they want the new features and power then YES
Should Auran release a demo of TS2010 so that people can see if it will run on their computer : YES
Should people be able to DOWNLOAD old content from the DLS : In my opinion, registered owners of a SUPPORTED version of Trainz, or someone with an FCT should be able to download anything from the DLS, old or new.
Should people be able to UPLOAD old version content to the DLS : In my opinion, only content for supported versions of Trainz should be allowed to be uploaded. I don't see why a small company like Auran should be expected to fund services for old versions of their software. Most game companies don't supply the free service that Auran has with the DLS in the first place. I think uploads should be limited to the lowest supported version. 3rd party sites like TPR Download Depot can be an alternate download location for newer content, and a new place for older content.
Should there be a separate DLS for older content : If Auran are serious about separating themselves from older, unsupported content, then I believe that as a product passes it's supported lifespan, all content for that version should be moved to the older content DLS, and maybe only accessible with a FCT or a registered supported version.
Let's face it, it would only look like a different website. In reality, it would just have a different web face, and different access permissions depending on your status.
Are Auran right to address the "support lifespan" issue : Yes
Are Auran going about it the right way : As usual, NO.
There are things that Auran needed to address a long time ago, and it's because they've left it so long that things are now so severe.
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Here's a question for those that want to stay with TRS2004.
Are you prepared to pay for access to the DLS for content that's for an unsupported version of Trainz, through either an FCT or a registered copy of a supported version?
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If the answer is yes, then I don't see what the problem is.
You'll still have access to all the old content, and you'll have 3rd party sites to upload to if you're a creator.
If you're thinking that I'm saying all this because I'm using TS2010 and it won't affect me, then you're wrong!
My current content, which will be released sometime this month, will be released as TRS2004 standard, even though the only version of Trainz on my systems is TS2010.
This is because I'm not using any of the new features on my content (a lot of them are overkill for most content types, let's be honest), and I don't see a point (yet) in releasing Trainz content for a higher build than it needs to be.
I say YET, because depending on Auran's handling of this situation, there might come a time when I decide that, even if no features of the newer versions are being utilised, it's time to set a new baseline version for all of my future content.
In short, as long as Auran continue to provide access to DOWNLOAD content of any age or build number, even for a price, then there's incentive for uploading.
If Auran take away the guarantee that old content will be available one way or another, then I think the incentive to upload will be gone, and that will be one of their biggest mistakes yet.
I wouldn't want to upload something that's not going to be accessible 12 months later.
They should stop uploading for unsupported content, but should never stop any DLS content from being downloaded one way or another.
Smiley.
