Guys,With the backlog of new unposted maps growing daily and no immediate solution in sight, I have come up with the following idea.It involves the creation of a number of Regional ini files.These Regional ini files would:
1. Be available to all
2. Allow Online running.
3. Contain all map references within each ini file.
It works like this
Every player would have all the ini files. probably 3-6. The ini files would be different in size. The total number of new maps would be determined by the most complete ini file (ie the one which reaches the 64K limit first). There will be overlap of maps within the ini files. The greater the number of ini files the greater the number of new maps that can be posted.
The US map would be divided into regions (to divide by RR would be wonderful but would be just too much work). Details would have to be finalised (and not by a huge committee - small teams are best) and the following is merely an example
Region 1 - GA, AL, FL, TN, NC, SC, VA
The ini file for this region would contain all maps but would only have connections for yards in the above states. A number of additional interface maps would also have full/partial connection data available. eg Meridian, MS; Faulkner, KY; Perrville Jct, MD; Rockville Bridge, PA; State Line Jct, IL.
The interface maps are where trains would be handed over or run into and YD restarted with a different ini file if user wants to run between regions.
Region 2 -MD, PA, NY, NJ, ME, OH, MA + interface maps (IM's)
Region 3 - IN, IL, MO, IA + IM's
Region 4 - MO, IL, KS, LA, TX, MS, OK +IM's
Region 5 - NE, WY, WA, OR, CA, NV, NM, AR +IM's
As an experiment I have created a Region 1 ini file and the size dropped from 65410 to 42402. Not all of this space would be available for Region 1 maps as the overhead of map-headers in the other regions would have to be carried as well. Assuming this is typical of the other ini files then I am confidient that 10-15 maps per region could be posted ie 50-75 in all.
Some additional pros and cons:Cons:
Players can create their own ini files - well they can do that now and play offline.
But if new maps are being delivered then why should they do this?
It will involve some (lots) of work.
YD would have to be reloaded when a player wants to operate in a different region.I would put one of the ini files on the server for newbies - I would probably change this frequently so all are covered.
It doesn't really increase the hacking on the system - that can be done now really.
Pros:
It actually (in a perverse sort of way) promotes proto running ie my NS cant run beyond Meridian because I dont have the connections available - but Matt as KCS does and vice versa. Hell we might even get all players co-operating with each other.It promotes more team work and involvement with different players.
When Jim comes back and upgrades the code all the maps are already posted and we simply move to a National ini file as we have now. You can assign cars to maps outside your region, you can view Histories or plot routes with no loss of information, all the maps will be displayed in the Trains Window, the U/L interrogation will work for any map, all will appear in the View/Map List and you can search as normal, Yard Masters would also be listed for all maps. You can enter any map and work in it. You can even run trains into a map (via what will be LD exits). The only thing missing will be connections between the maps which are outside your region. If you view the USA map you would see dots for maps outside your region with no connection lines.
I don’t intend to implement this unless YOU the YD Community are in complete agreement. I certainly won’t do anything which would divide our Community. Map revisions, Mergers and coloured image updates will continue to be posted as before.I will be happy to answer any questions about this. Either send an email or make a post here. I will roll all the Q’s and A’s together and post them, rather than reply to each individually.Thanks,
Jim (Dragon)
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