Railworks America

I have been trying for about 2 years now to make this place the best Railworks/Train Simulator site available. I believe it is at this point. It is a lot of work. Some of this work is not necessary and I need your help to eliminate some of the mundane things I have to do.

Every week end I spend hours posting uploads. You might think that is a simple thing to do. It is not hard but it is time consuming. This is what I go through:

1. FTP all files to my system.
2. Unzip the files and check for geo files that should not be there.
3. Re upload the files to their proper folder. Everything is organized into folders and not one big jumble.
4. Pull out the screenshots that are requested in the Uploading Procedures. Check them for the proper sizes which is 830 x whatever for the main shot and 150 x whatever for the thumbnail.
5. If the screens are not the proper size I have to load them into Photoshop and resize them. I do this a lot and should not have to.
6. Rename the screenshots so I can find them easily, this means the screenshots should be the same name as the file. This is stated in the Uploading Procedures also.
7. At this point I can actually start posting a file.
8. I start entering data into the form, this data comes from that little form you have to fill out for your upload with the title, description, author and forum handle. This appears to be the hardest thing for anyone to do. There are only 4 lines. I get no names of authors, I get complete install instructions for the file as the description, or I get nothing.
9. Once I figure out what I am actually posting I enter the data and then go for the readme file that comes with the upload, if there is one. There should be one stating something on how to install the file. Many have no readme, especially the sound uploads.
10. Once the text has been added, I then go for the screenshots. I know the filename and search for the screenshots using that name, but it rarely works. I get a file name of DTG_something.jpg and the screenshots are named TS2015_something or other or screenshot 1, 2 , 3 or the filename that RW gives it when you take the shot. So I end up searching a lot!

Then there are the files that are not tested properly. I recently uploaded the LSW Extension. On purpose I did not have anyone test it. As you can see there are missing assets and other problems. I did this so everyone could see that you really need to have your files tested by someone else on their system to make sure what you did works correctly. I mean that is the whole idea of uploading, so other people can use your work. I understand that you want to have your files posted and being downloaded and commented on immediately, it is a good feeling when you upload and everyone is talking about how nice it is. But if it is packaged improperly or not complete, then you get headaches. Then I get headaches.

All of you people who repaint trains, make scenarios, build routes, model assets, modify physics, make sounds and tutorials are special people. Not many can do the things that you do. You should be proud that you can do these things. You should also have that same pride when packaging your files so the final execution is flawless.

Please everyone uploading go back and look at the guidelines again. Please follow them.

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=8112

Not to be a jerk, however in certain circles I am already known as one, have you ever thought about just rejecting up-loads that are not done according to the guidelines? Maybe if you started doing that people would start obeying the rules or maybe even ask a question or two if they didn't understand what they are supposed to do.

Well your not a jerk Buzz. I do not do that cause I want the uploaders to upload. Sometimes I have the time and it doesn't matter. Lots of times I do not have the time. Right now it is my busy season at work. I am already working 60 hour weeks. Basically because I do not want to be a prick, so I am asking again nicely for people to comply with the Guidelines. This is the third time I have put out this plea. Third time will be the charm eh? However I can be a prick, but I have faith that it will not come to that.

First of all, Bob, I've followed some of things you have done over the years.
And you have done some really great stuff for the TS community.
You have donated thousands of hours and god only knows how much money to several different major projects over the years.
Buzz is right on making people do it right before uploading.

With that said, some type of basic or minimum rules on uploads should be enforce.
I do have some time to donate testing files and finding proper pictures and / or resizing them.
I would be glad to try and help out a little.

Oh yea and one other thing.
Your endless energy & constant dedication to the hobby is not only a credit to, but a text book example of the capabilities of a United States Marine.

Same thing I would do, if the information isn't there and it looks like a kid uploaded it, reject it and send them a message to fix it and then re-upload it. You shouldn't have to clean up their mess, if they want to upload stuff to the site they need to learn how to get everything correct, if not, don't upload it.

They are the uploader, it is their job to handle getting everything into order and ready to ship out, it needs to look professional and be clean enough that you couldn't wave a hand at it.

One question I have is, does this site have coding that rejects or approves screenshot sizes?
Maybe something that makes it bounce back on the uploader reminding them it needs to be redone as they're uploading might jog their memories...maybe not.

bloodonfire3 wrote:One question I have is, does this site have coding that rejects or approves screenshot sizes?
Maybe something that makes it bounce back on the uploader reminding them it needs to be redone as they're uploading might jog their memories...maybe not.

No, unfortunately it doesn't, that's why whatever is in the pack has to be dealt with, and why the uploader should make sure everything's correct before they upload it, since Bob doesn't need any extra work, he does enough already.

Yeah, I can understand that. The problem really boils down to impatient teenagers who can't seem to bring themselves up to an adult literacy and comprehension, and actually pay attention to what they're doing.
This is the same reason why I haven't uploaded anything here yet; I'm too much of a perfectionist. I can relate with Bob, as a lot of us here have a 9-5 (or in my case, a 2200-0700) that requires us to limit our fun time (or hair-tearing-out or [Insert Here]).

Ah, it is not just impatient teenagers. So you can't just blame them. I just want people to follow the guidelines, that is not asking too much as they are fairly easy things to do. The hardest part is writing the documentation. But it is also the most important. Everyone here is not a computer wizard. Some still are not comfortable using windows explorer to even go find things on their systems. If you want your upload to get used, you have to be able to get the point across to EVERYONE, not just the computer gurus, cause there are not too many of us around. So you are limiting the use of your upload to a few people and not the whole community. So doing it by the guidelines not only saves me a lot of work and frustration but it insures your file will actually get used.

I see what you are saying, Bob; and it is an excellent point. I know that not everybody has the same opportunities, but you're correct, we're all in this together.

buzz456 wrote:Not to be a jerk, however in certain circles I am already known as one...

Well at least we're making some progress.

During my 41 years working for the same company we had an acronym that all of us followed, and some of you older folks out there may recognize it.

It's called 'DIRTFOOT'

In other words - DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

Just my

I'm in the camp that believes a certain things should be done or a automatic rejection should occur.
A big one for me, would be no read me .txt included.
Non proper file structure. IE send the thing out as an RWP, or the proper external folder structure so a person can just drop it into the proper folder. (The second choice is preferred and can also be uploaded as a RWP, so as not to change anything in the .ap folders when present)

On the flip side of the coin, I'd hope that if I ever missed a glaring thing during an upload, I'd get a email or PM about it so I can try and correct the mistake for next time.

Bob,

I don't see how you do all you do and still have time to enjoy the game. My suggestion is for you to recruit a couple of helpers to assist in working through some of the time consuming administrative tasks. There are many of us (including me) who are willing and able to help under your supervision. Managing a forum and download library can be done effectively by a team so that no one person is burdened down similar to the way you have organized the route builders under NERW. The last thing we want is for you to become "burned out" and lose interest in this hobby.

Thank you again for all you've done for this simulator!

Harry

Ericmopar wrote:On the flip side of the coin, I'd hope that if I ever missed a glaring thing during an upload, I'd get a email or PM about it so I can try and correct the mistake for next time.

The only thing I ever PMd anyone about was if they included a payware geo file. The other stuff makes me feel petty if I bitch about it. So I just send out a general plea for help in this area.