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To the creator of the new route why would you post the beta version to the site that only beta testers can test.Would it not have been better to sent the route on disk to the few testers that you have.I feel that posting the route then stating not to download unless you're a beta tester is going to get something started.The tester has to have a code.Maybe I missed something but was there ever a mention of needing testers to test the route? Is this going to be a payware route or is the password only for beta testing?

Claude350 NS Piedmont Division Raleigh East

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RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, henry3, Dec-08-03, 11:19 AM, (1) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, heffed, Dec-08-03, 01:52 PM, (2) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, werner001, Dec-08-03, 02:52 PM, (3) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, longislandmike, Dec-08-03, 04:38 PM, (4) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, jdtrainman, Dec-08-03, 05:48 PM, (5) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, Cell0518, Dec-08-03, 07:54 PM, (7) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, Cell0518, Dec-09-03, 07:07 PM, (10) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, brihic, Dec-09-03, 11:19 AM, (8) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, Droom, Dec-08-03, 07:07 PM, (6) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, Claude350, Dec-09-03, 06:16 PM, (9) RE: Lehigh Valley Route 2 Beta, Droom, Dec-10-03, 07:40 PM, (11)

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I'm not Werner, but I'll take a crack at this....>To the creator of the new route why would you post the beta
>version to the site that only beta testers can test.Hmm, maybe because he only wants the beta testers to download and test it. >Would it not have been better to sent the route on disk to the few
>testers that you have.In a word, no. Werner is trying to get some quick feedback on fine-tuning the route for distribution. There's no time (or need) to wait on the vagaries of snail-mail...or the added expense that it would incur.>I feel that posting the route then stating not to download unless >you're a beta tester is going to get something started.How so? This is not the first time such a procedure has been used to beta test a route, and I'm betting that it won't be the last. Suffice it to say, we are not at the point where a fully-completed route will fit in anyone's e-mail mailbox.>I missed something but was there ever a mention of needing
>testers to test the route? Yes, Werner posted looking for testers over in the Route Builders' forum about a week ago.>Is this going to be a payware route or is the password only for beta >testing? Was the previous version of the route payware? If you take a look at the threads in the Route Builders' forum, you will see that if you sit tight and wait a bit, the route will be uploaded to the masses shortly.Take care,Henry

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I thought the same thing with the last passworded beta route that was posted. I don't have a problem with beta routes being posted, but the passworded .zips are a bit much. I don't think the file library is the proper place for such a thing. Much like a certain payware application that is in there.Seems to me that something in the file library should be open to anyone. Isn't that the concept behind the whole thing?However, since Nels is the one who adds the files to the library, I guess he doesn't have a problem with it. So we really can't say much.-Jeff

Union Pacific is my drug.

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Jeff and others,
the file lib is the only way for me to distribute the route to the testers. The files will be deleted from the lib in 2 weeks when the real stuff will be uploaded instead.
Like me you want free routes available to everybody, but then don't grow on trees and have to be build. The building process includes testing, and if you want to participate please email me and i'll send you the password.
The only reason for the password protection is that i want everybody who wants the route in the current state has to contact me in advance. Werner

--> Visit the Virtual Lehigh Valley <--
www.geocities.com/wmueller28/msts.html

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Werner,You bet, I would be honored to be a tester for this very fine route!Mikelongislandmike@optonline.net

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1 - Werner DID post a public notice requesting beta testers.2 - I posted the other password-protected beta test. I can't speak for Werner, but I did clear the process with Nels prior to making the posting. In my case I wanted feedback on initial beta testing prior to opening up the whole can of worms to the general public. This saved me countless emails from people with trouble installing, etc. Part of my rationale was to get feedback about the installation process as well. Consequently with the feedback from the initial alpha test team I was able to address track alignment and other minor issues which would otherwise have likely caused considerable debate and fuel additional problematic statements.IMHO, Nels provides a service that is restricted to members only. I find no mention that all files are placed here on an unlimited accessibility basis. I believe that the spirit of the site is to provide an easily-accessible, centralized site for file transfers in order to provide a service to the Train Simming community. The restrictions placed upon files posted to the file library seem to be clearly stated in the download warning.Personally, I deeply appreciate Nels' efforts and cooperation in helping people to get their routes and objects out into the mainstream. Nels simply manages a file server and allows those who upload the files to dictate their own policies regarding individual files.Anyway, as a result of the private alpha-testing of the recently-released GM&O Northern Lines route the number of emails with problems has been VERY limited. I credit this to two things:1) My own experience in getting routes out the door and prepared for distribution has grown based upon previous experiences.2) The pre-release alpha testing identified areas where problems could appear and allowed me to intercept those potential problems before the general public got access to the files.Did I get a 100% no-problem rate? Nope, but there was a statistically significant reduction in problem reports in this route relase as compared to previous released products. (There I go... Just finished writing a bunch of graduate research papers and I can't get the jargon out of my writing! Thank God for semester break until January!!!)JBD

Jim Duncan
Midwest Rail Group

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Hi, What is your email. Mine is Cell0518@triad.rr.com

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I would like to beta aswell.

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I'd be happy to test for you too . Would give me "something" constructive to do with my MSTS playing time !!!
BRIAN HICKEY
BHICKEY1@COGECO.CA

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It's a good route which the creators spent alot of time creating activities and rolling stock. I'm all for beta testing. what's the problem? Thank Gawd someone cares enough to ask for testers, before releasing it to us. Thank you for your foresight and thoughtfullness

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Droom no one ever said there was a problem with beta testing.It was having to need a pass word to do the beta test on the route that is posted in the library.But it's all settled now and I'm not losing any sleep about it.

Claude350 NS Piedmont Division Raleigh East

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I'm supporting the Lehigh folks. As they said in an above thread, they just want feedback. You can download the route by asking for the password. What could be more simple? They don't want to release with bugs. Its a big route. Can you afford the bandwidth? I can't.

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