Macros to make it easier

It's quite possible that the developers may see the light and build some of these functions into the next major release

Quote:

tecchies vs users again.

A case of live and let live. Contrary to what some others may think, I have absolutely no objection to SimSig being made as authentic as possible for those who wish to play as if they were sitting at a real panel. While many of you guys are or were professional signalmen, when we play SimSig we all become armchair signallers. For example, I occasionally appreciate being able to uncheck Panel signals, though usually play with it checked.

I'm always looking for ways to make my own simming experience more realistic. I've just bought some blu-tack, magnets and I think I know where I can find an old fridge. :laugh:

I have to agree with you John.

Mal said:

I have to agree with you John.

Im in the same boat as you Mal and John. I much prefer to use the standard features of a sim and most of the technological "improvements" that have been suggested have passed me by. Its especially good to run an area local to me, with Exeter providing many hours of enjoyment. This way, I can use some of the route knowledge I have to signal trains accordingly.

What I suggest Max, is that you have a closer look some of the sims, Gloucester being a good one, and look for some little reminders that may help you.

An example being,

If a Cross Country (normally 1VXX Headcode in a modern TT) leaves Cheltenham Spa, it means that it will be around 5 or so minutes until it reaches the next timing point of Barnwood Junction. As a train leaves Cheltenham Spa, It would make sense to route it over the junctions at Barnwood and Gloucester Yard in order to keep the speed of said train at a decent level.

If I remember rightly, Gloucester displays a reminder for a train approaching Old Ends Crossing automatically.

If you do this for larger sims, it often becomes far easier to play. Thats my view anyway. I had a good look around Saltley immediately after I downloaded it to get a grasp of what lines are electrified etc.

Doing this would mean that there would be less need for these "macros" and SimSig can stay as a program that provides a realistic and superb view of British Signalling.

" said:

It's quite possible that the developers may see the light and build some of these functions into the next major release

If you're referring specifically to macros then I see no reason why I should take time away from simulation and rail-oriented development to handle one particular user's personal preference. Who knows what the next "better idea" you have is, which renders the previous one obsolete and thus the development time wasted? If that is not what you're referring to then I fail to see how we haven't "seen the light" when SimSig is continually improving - including incorporating a couple of your ideas.

I don't know about using these Macros but, just reading about them (here on the Forum), seems to be harder than what I already do.
Perhaps, if I saw them in use, I might think differently but, for now at least, I will stick with what I am used to.

It's quite possible that the developers may see the light and build some of these functions into the next major release

If you're referring specifically to macros then I see no reason why I should take time away from simulation and rail-oriented development to handle one particular user's personal preference. Who knows what the next "better idea" you have is, which renders the previous one obsolete and thus the development time wasted? If that is not what you're referring to then I fail to see how we haven't "seen the light" when SimSig is continually improving - including incorporating a couple of your ideas.

As I have said before, Simsig is a rail oriented BR signalling simulation created for those deeply interested and understand signalling principles. Unfortunately, you do not understand them and the way it works. You need to go and visit a working control station (VR Metrol where you live) and see what is involved, then come back and try a simple sim like Southampton or Waterloo.

tecchies vs users again.

When will it ever end?

" said:

It's quite possible that the developers may see the light and build some of these functions into the next major release

If you're referring specifically to macros then I see no reason why I should take time away from simulation and rail-oriented development to handle one particular user's personal preference.

However, I agree with you that this discussion is getting a little off-topic. By now, all viewpoints pro and con the use of macros seem to have been expressed. From now on, let's confine this thread to what more can be done through macros, along with code examples.

We have to share CCF machines 4 per nine panels

I do like the differently coloured train IDs. Do the train describers move with the train as they do in SimSig, or are they fixed as in one of the older wall display boards with lots of little lights for TCs?

If this is the case, with no overview display, that would bring your workload down to manageable proportions since you only have to manage two panels (Views in SimSig), whereas the average sim (with exceptions) stretches across at least 4 panels.

I believe CCF was originally intended to be part of the signalling control system when it was developed by British Rail (it's actually a good more than 10 years old, like SSI and ARS and IECC it came from the Technical Centre at Derby).

ARS can only regulate over quite a small area. If you look at the number of separately-controllable ARS sub-areas somewhere like Liverpool St or Waterloo you'll see what I mean. ARS will regulate extremely well within its little domain but acts pretty much independently of others. Hence the reality that it can, on occasion, be more trouble than it's worth.

CCF was intended to act over a much larger area and co-ordinate ARS areas ARS for ARSs if you like. It also had facilities required by controllers (I've written here http://www.SimSig.co.uk/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=14&id=23857&limit=10&limitstart=10&Itemid=145#23885 on Control) to make high-level co-ordination easier.

With privatisation, all that development stopped and CCF became basically a delay recording & information giving device. Oh well...

Thanks Darren (dabbadaz) for the insight into the life of a real NR signaller. CSR = Cab Secure Radio. CCF = "Control Centre of the Future", actually nothing futuristic about it since according to my reading it seems to have been around now for close to 10 years, and before that was known as P2. Pic here. I can't find a better screenshot than this, but if the panel needs to be covered with sticky notes, SimSig would be way ahead of this.

Thanks Steamer, that was the point I was trying to make, is that we have nine signallers/panels and we have to fight over using the four CCF machines for information.

we have to fight over using the four CCF machines for information