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Reading Topic #934
yardlimitCharter Member · 118 posts
LAST EDITED ON May-19-02 AT 09:41 PM (EDT)I am currently putting together an unusual activity with the idea of making the finished product available here. This is a historic activity, and will use very specific free components (engines/cars) available from a number of sources. To make it simpler for the user, could these borrowed items be included with the activity? (with full credit to the originators of course) Or would this be frowned upon without getting permission from the two or three sites where they are found? The idea here is simply to save the user of my activity from the perhaps annoying task of gathering components from here and there. I'm a little new at this, so could someone with experience clue me in on acceptable practices in this regard?
Yardlimit.
Yardlimit
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Hi,Yes, I think you can include them in one package after getting permission of the creators/owners. But I think you can better create a seperate engine/car package. There is a possibility that you want to create more than one activity and what about the second and next activity? And think of the people that already downloaded the engines and cars. I don't think they like it to download them again. Also think of people with slower modems. They don't like great packages. More smaller packages are fine to them.You said you are rather new. May I give you some advice? For your consists, don't use default ones. I mean consists that came with MSTS. If you need any of these, copy and rename them. This way it is much easier for people to put other loco's or cars in the consists. Give your files clear and distinctive names. And put a prefix to them, to distinguish them from others.Dick van den Hoven
Dick van den Hoven
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kevarcCharter Member · 4465 posts
RE: Activity components & ethics.
I myself would perfer that you would do it a seperate downloads. Include a list of the required rolling stock so that those who want to can download what's needed.Kevin ArceneauxKevin Arceneaux DEFAULT IS FOR DUMMIES Lone Wolf Activities Forum on www.3DTrains.com
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ronik24Charter Member · 516 posts
RE: Activity components & ethics.
Yes, better make a list with the necessary files (best with the info where to get them).The advantage of activities is, that they are very small, and people already having some or all of the necessary files would have to download them again.Greetings, Ronihttp://ronaldus.com/asmallworld Greetings, Roni
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yardlimitCharter Member · 118 posts
RE: Activity components & ethics.
These points are all well taken. And I will bow to the suggestions. But just to illustrate: The activity is historic. I am not simply putting anything on the track. The period will be mid fifties. GN route. Most, if any, of the car and engine types commonly available in the game will not be used. Cant be. Wouldn't fit. To further complexify, (I made that up) the consist characteristics are tightly interwoven with the route (marias3) and car/engine dynamics. engine model will be horsepower and model specific; car weight and class is period specific. The engine must have no dynamic brakes --which requires the use of a specific cab well suited to, but not included with, the engine. All suplimentary items are free, and currently available. But what a shopping list: 1. Period boxcars --40 footers with assorted livery. 2. Period engine --with proper livery for the time. 3. Period cab --high nose, restricted view; no dynamic brakes. 4. Time period specific caboose in proper livery with pass view. 5. Period specific coal cars; just try to find 50 tonners There are (count 'em) two, that I'm aware of. The total consist collection will come from three; possibly four well known sources. I wish it could be otherwise.You begin to see my dilemma. Some might pose the question: Why bother with all this?My answer: Because as an acivity, its different, its hard. Its full of the unusual, and its unlike the acedemic exercises many activities prove to be. There is a story woven into it in which the player assumes a personal role of sorts. It is time restrictive, and dangerous. It wont cause one to fall asleep. And its rather funny in selected areas. It portrays an era in railroading that existed when I was a kid, and will not be seen again. I will complete the project for my own entertainment whether it seems feasable to present it as a free work or not. Anyway, you can see why I have concerns. People might look upon the activity itself as being interesting --until they see all the parts they must gather to make it go. I'm not sure how well accepted that might be. And I haven't been around long enough to know if anyone has adventured into this territory before. But theres the plan with all its blemishes.Anyones comments continue to be of interest as I plod on.Yardlimit.
Yardlimit
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joha107Charter Member · 313 posts
RE: Activity components & ethics.
i say just upload the activity and make sure you list somewhere what files are needed and where they can be found. that would be the easiest and most logical way to do this. as long as you tell what is needed to use the activity and where to find it and how to use it, you shouldn't have any problems. don't worry too much about people complaining because people on these forums just seem to enjoy complaining. there is a lack of realistic activities using appropriate equipment for the time period and location. so i say upload it when it is finished.joejoe
future Penn Central engineer (i'm only 20).
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yardlimitCharter Member · 118 posts
RE: Activity components & ethics.
Well, I guess that is what I must do. The work will have to fly or fail on its own merits. Whatever else, it won't be average. The basic concept is being playtested now. All required items are in my files. It will take awhile longer to flesh it out, but I'm having a ball in the process, and learning much as I go.Yardlimit.
Greetings,
