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| Big wish of the day 12/01/2010 at 15:37 #524 | |
caedave
142 posts |
As someone of advancing years, one eyed and reduced dexterity, I don't even attempt most of the Sim's. Even Royston and the Drain I need to be aware of where the pause button is. So my wish is that these big sims have a function that allows the user to select a particular Panel/Work Station and that the Sim then treats that as a fully, self contained Sim. Something along the lines as now happens when the Host allots a workstation in a multi-user game, except that the other workstations become fully automatic or are disregarded. This would, as I understand it, follow current practice within a box, in that a New Signaler learns a box, one Workstation at a time. Dave M. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 12/01/2010 at 15:37 #5760 | |
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caedave
142 posts |
As someone of advancing years, one eyed and reduced dexterity, I don't even attempt most of the Sim's. Even Royston and the Drain I need to be aware of where the pause button is. So my wish is that these big sims have a function that allows the user to select a particular Panel/Work Station and that the Sim then treats that as a fully, self contained Sim. Something along the lines as now happens when the Host allots a workstation in a multi-user game, except that the other workstations become fully automatic or are disregarded. This would, as I understand it, follow current practice within a box, in that a New Signaler learns a box, one Workstation at a time. Dave M. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 12/01/2010 at 17:03 #5763 | |
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ledgero2
93 posts |
you can do this with sims that have an ARS feature. just turn ARS off on an area which takes your fancy. however you may still have to keep an eye on the other panels from time to time....
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| Big wish of the day 12/01/2010 at 20:03 #5768 | |
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caedave
142 posts |
That for me is where they fall down, the dreaded odd none ARS. Dave M. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 13/01/2010 at 14:58 #5797 | |
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clive
2789 posts 
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To do what you're asking for effectively requires a hidden version of ARS. Sorry, but that isn't going to happen - if the developer puts that much work in, they're going to provide proper ARS.
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| Big wish of the day 13/01/2010 at 19:43 #5813 | |
andyb0607
260 posts |
Can't see what's wrong with Clive's post! It isn't unfriendly. It just states the fact that this wish is unworkable. The wish list and features wish list are just that. Somewhere to put your wishes. If it is a good and feasible idea it may be considered by the developers at some point. If it isn't workable its best to be told earlier rather than later! Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 13/01/2010 at 20:10 #5814 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
A reasonable explanation of how or why it would be difficult is not "shooting down in flames". The answer could be prettified with smileys and flowery language but the end answer is the same. To add ARS to a simulation increases its development and testing time significantly. Some areas just aren't very well suited to it. As regards to simulation size, there is a balance between providing a full box simulation, such as Trent which cannot reasonably be played on its own but makes an excellent multiplayer, and providing a part box simulation, such as Three Bridges which has been split into three separate simulations, each of which can reasonably be operated by one player. We aim to provide a mix to suit the different wishes of different people. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 13/01/2010 at 22:54 #5829 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
Most ideas from this forum make it onto the internal bug tracking system where there is a Wish List. This currently has 13 items on it, ranging from a recently-suggested "CCF-style berth colours on non-ARS sims" to "An option to remove the scroll bars", the latter originating from the development team. Many of these features suggested via the forum have already been implemented so I don't know how you can justify the statement "expectations that in the majority of cases cannot be met" as quite often we do implement ideas that are workable. If we say that there are reasons against doing something then please just accept that. Even I have had ideas trashed, and I don't necessarily agree with everybody else. Whether Clive was identified as a developer or not, there is no reason to use the wording you used. As you will have no doubt read, we already had a discussion off-forum before re-opening the thread so it certainly wasn't up to one individual. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 14/01/2010 at 00:17 #5837 | |
postal
5265 posts |
Kieran If you have read back about the responses whenever questions are raised regarding future release of sims, you will realise that a lot of your aspiration will not happen - for the simple reason the users of the Forum perhaps more naive than yourself will never be off the Forum asking when such-and-such a sim in the development list will be ready. That is not a pop at you or "shooting you down in flames", it is a simple statement of fact. As for the Who's Who, don't forget that SimSig is not a formal organisation, it runs entirely on volunteer effort and it has no constitution or organisation chart. Can I ask you to consider those who supply the volunteer effort before you start asking for personal details about responsibilities, roles etc. of those volunteers. In a formal business, there is a case for officers of the company having details of their positions and responsibilites available. In the case of the volunteer organisation like SimSig, I don't think we should presume on the volunteers who give us the sims which supply endless hours of amusement by opening them up to the pressure which would come (as in the case of asking when such-and-such a sim will be ready) from making details freely available. After all, where would the 526th. member be if the volunteers decide that game is not worth candle and decide to walk away? JG “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 14/01/2010 at 00:42 #5838 | |
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caedave
142 posts |
Gents Please. When I made this wish it was not my intention to cause a fuss. Clive's comment was quite correct and understandable and was I believe aimed more at the ARS implication rather than the basic idea of single workstation Sims. I do have some understanding of the problems involved as my work involved writing control software for Robotics and Automatic Work Cells. JG is also correct, for it's not just those that give of there time to develop the Sims but also the many members who give of there time in writing WTT's who would also be chased for dates. We may at times be frustrated but the "It will be ready when it's ready" I am quite prepared to accept. Dave M. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 14/01/2010 at 07:35 #5842 | |
Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
Keiran- Your idea of a list of who's who is being looked as it is abother good idea from you. Please (all) now leave this subject at that rather than turning it into a protracted arguement . Last two nights between spending time emailing around dealing with various issues on the forum I managed to code only 20 miles of gradients on a new sim- please let us get on with the development and calm down on this and other threads. Thanks Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 14/01/2010 at 08:23 #5843 | |
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afro09
167 posts |
Hi All, I have been reading through this tread and there is some fine idea's for the proggression and moving forward of SimSig. But on the other hand there has been a number of idea's which the phrase used was "Shot down in flames". And these idea's where rightly so shot down as there is no feasability in implementing them and personally if I put an idea forward I would prefer to be told "no this can not be done because of whatever reason, end of disscussion" than be dragged along for months with every saying maybe and then be left dissapointed at the end of it all. With regards to dave's original request, I am in the same boat of being just about able to manage exeter or southampton as a solo. So one for the developement team to ponder. Could it be possible to design 3 or 4 small to medium sized sims for solo play that could then all be linked to each other for an MP game? Just an Idea, It only require's a yes or no answer, no explaination needed, development team's discision is final where i stand. Alan. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 14/01/2010 at 08:59 #5844 | |
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Tallington
254 posts |
To all, in line with what Peter Bennett has said here, and others have said in other threads (now closed), can we all take a deep breath and allow at least the weekend to go by without any more comments, requests or demands (on the Forum). I, along with others behind the scenes, are considering every option suggested in the last week - but to continually get bombarded with other 'points of view' when trying to look at the technical ways of implementing many things all at once is not helping. All of the other developers are working hard on getting things ready for the Meet and this constant having to check and reply to the Forum is taking up valuable time! As I am not a developer, just the organiser for this Meet, I have already told Keiran that I am more than willing to take PM's via the black button above from anyone with constructive ideas and will collate them for prioritisation until we re-open full forum discussions. A further announcement WILL be made soon and some new features asked for this week WILL appear shortly. Those that don't make the short list will get public reasons for not being able to continue with YET. As I have always said - never say never! Best regards to all .... now start writing your good ideas to me, and in your own interest, in your own priority order!  Ken Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 31/01/2010 at 14:32 #6357 | |
goatnatter
22 posts |
Gents, To get back to Dave M.s original point. For those of us who are getting on a bit, and are not professionally involved in railway working, the larger sims can be a bit daunting. With a lot of use of the pause button I can just about manage Sheffield and Bristol, but anything bigger is just too much. If it were possible could you introduce ARS to these larger sims as a start up option? If so the really capable users could do it properly, while those of us who are not quite up to it, could use ARS outside the core area and thus enjoy the tremendous efforts of the software developers. I appreciate that this is not an easy thing to do but I think that it is worth considering. A slightly simpler start up option for Sheffield would be to make all of the level crossings fully automatic, what bliss. Blair Ramsay. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 31/01/2010 at 16:30 #6358 | |
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AndyG
1842 posts |
A more viable 'wish' option might be the ability to run at a speed less than normal, say 3/4. If it's possible, I would hazard a guess it would be a lot easier to implement.
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 31/01/2010 at 21:48 #6371 | |
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goatnatter
22 posts |
Thanks to Andy G. for his low speed suggestion, which would be great for single handed operation of the more challenging sims. Perhaps it might be an idea to replace the slider with discrete radio buttons for the various speeds. Another suggestion would be to prevent any more than one (or some settable value) phone call at a time. Receiving a number of calls simultaneously always gets me flustered and brings heavy pause button usage. Blair Ramsay Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 31/01/2010 at 22:07 #6372 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
You can change speed with the +/- keys too- it steps equivalent to 2 notches on the slider (I think). less than 1:1 might be a possibility. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 01/02/2010 at 10:30 #6374 | |
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caedave
142 posts |
Each of us doddering oldies will be suffering from something different. Now, me, I have no problem with the speed the sim is running, also, I would not like to see things or services added (ARS) that where not part of the real thing. For Me, it's peripheral awareness, yes even on something as small as a computer screen. Try a patch over one eye and you will begin to see (sorry for pun) what I mean, and hence my original suggestion of "Workstation" sized Sims, something that requires no changes, and would be as per the real thing. Linking them together is the problem area, as you would now need additional connecting options and means of defining the Host of a chained game. Dave M. Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 01/02/2010 at 11:06 #6375 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
It is possible to add launch options to have ARS or not on a Sim, and I've done that with one I'm working on. In other words the entire ARS feature is there or not there (as opposed to switching it on/off in sub areas). Quite a few Sims used to have ARS but for some reason it has been removed from later iterations- I don't know why. I can tell you why it's maybe not often added to new sims- it's a real nightmare to code and sometimes I wish I'd never started on the one that's taken me 3 years to do. It litteraly involves pages and pages of writing every single path it is possible for a train to use; normally it just a single path from Station A to B- job done. The idea of a 'sub-set Sim' is also something I looked at last year- it can be done but it is very time consuming coding everything to be 'visible'/'non-visible' though I have made a core-code request that would make it easier. The only problem is that as far as I have established it has to be the Left Hand side of a Sim, i.e. you have to 'chop=off' from the right unless you spend ages writing instructions to shift every element's coordinates. So making a Cambridge Jn Sim from Kings Cross is easier than making a Kings Cross Station Sim from Kings Cross. The bottom line is things can be done but it all takes time to do. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 03/02/2010 at 00:45 #6416 | |
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clive
2789 posts
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Speeds down to half speed, as well as better control over high speeds, will be available in all future releases.
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| Big wish of the day 03/02/2010 at 05:11 #6418 | |
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Tallington
254 posts |
And in response to the original thread aim, I will be looking at creating a small group of enthusiasts to look at how single screen modules 'may' be created from current sims (using modified current timetables) AND then creating a Wiki page to allow others to attempt the same. This 'hopefully' will be done without involving or overloading any of the current developers! More details after the PBO Meet as I am tooooo busy before then - and going on holiday! Ken Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 03/02/2010 at 16:22 #6429 | |
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TylerE
149 posts |
Would is be possible to add a "fast forward to next train entry" button? Basically this would temporarily run the sim absolutely flat out, until the next train entry, at which time the user's chosen speed would resume. Would be for the early AM hours.
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| Big wish of the day 03/02/2010 at 16:52 #6430 | |
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JamesN
1608 posts |
You could simply press + (numpad, the one on thr number-row doesn't work for whatever reason) several times to get the sim up to speed, and then hit 'N' when the next train enters...
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| Big wish of the day 09/02/2010 at 14:05 #6555 | |
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bill_gensheet
1413 posts |
Sims under development have a '15 minute step' in them as they have a debug mode, which is quite useful for timetabling but equally has its' quirks. Perhaps this could be kept in on release, perhaps under a different key though ? F12 perhaps ? Bill Log in to reply |
| Big wish of the day 09/02/2010 at 15:17 #6556 | |
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JamesN
1608 posts |
Why change the key Bill? C is absolutley fine at the moment...
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