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Simulation Specific messages

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Simulation Specific messages 25/06/2014 at 13:40 #62021
Lyn-Greenwood
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Hi everyone,

Does anyone know which simulations make use of the 4 'Simulation Specific messages' that exist in the 'Options/Messages' list in the Loader sims? I recently found (by trial and error while trying to set up an audible warning) that the Victoria Central sim uses message #2 to give advance warning of a train approaching Eastfields level crossing and wondered which other sims might also be using these messages. Also, does Victoria Central use message #1 for anything, as it seems strange to use message #2 if message #1 is not used? The Stafford sim gives a warning of trains approaching Hademore Crossing, but doesn't appear to use a Simulation Specific message for this. It would be more consistent if all sims used the same method, but there's probably a good reason why they don't.

Any pointers, advice, etc. will be gratefully received.

Cheers,

Lyn Greenwood

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Simulation Specific messages 25/06/2014 at 14:46 #62024
Peter Bennet
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I wrote this on the Wiki, probably needs updated.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Simulation Specific messages 25/06/2014 at 18:41 #62038
Jan
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I suppose one problem is that while these messages are intended to be simulation specific, the sound settings are stored globally.
Two million people attempt to use Birmingham's magnificent rail network every year, with just over a million of them managing to get further than Smethwick.
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Simulation Specific messages 25/06/2014 at 18:51 #62039
Lardybiker
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771 posts
Yep...That is correct.
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Simulation Specific messages 25/06/2014 at 19:17 #62042
Lyn-Greenwood
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" said:
I wrote this on the Wiki, probably needs updated.

Peter
Your link takes me to the information, Peter, but it is in an area of the Wiki that I don't seem able to access except via the link. What is needed is a copy of the information in an area accessible to everyone. As you say, it does need updating.

Lyn

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Simulation Specific messages 25/06/2014 at 20:07 #62049
Peter Bennet
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" said:
" said:
I wrote this on the Wiki, probably needs updated.

Peter
Your link takes me to the information, Peter, but it is in an area of the Wiki that I don't seem able to access except via the link. What is needed is a copy of the information in an area accessible to everyone. As you say, it does need updating.

Lyn
It's a public page under the developer link - I accessed it at work without being logged in so should be findable. I was primarily meant as a reference page for Developers to avoid clashes (if possible) and the Sim manuals should tell you where they are used. However multiple uses may mean you will need to change the sound link when playing different sims.

Peter

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Simulation Specific messages 25/06/2014 at 20:18 #62051
Peter Bennet
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NESCOT manual has the f3 settings referred to (with one omission).

Peter

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Simulation Specific messages 26/06/2014 at 16:38 #62107
Lyn-Greenwood
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" said:
NESCOT manual has the f3 settings referred to (with one omission).

Peter
The only reference in the Victoria Central manual is in the 'Version History' section! It simply has an entry "Simulation-specific message/sound added for trains approaching Eastfields Crossing" and doesn't even say which message number is used. I found out by trial and error. A proper entry needs adding similar to the section in the NESCOT manual.

Lyn

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Simulation Specific messages 26/06/2014 at 19:37 #62117
northroad
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" said:
" said:
NESCOT manual has the f3 settings referred to (with one omission).

Peter
The only reference in the Victoria Central manual is in the 'Version History' section! It simply has an entry "Simulation-specific message/sound added for trains approaching Eastfields Crossing" and doesn't even say which message number is used. I found out by trial and error. A proper entry needs adding similar to the section in the NESCOT manual.

Lyn
Lyn,
The topic of alerts and messages is covered in the Wiki/General Information/Function Keys/F3/Messages....
The function Keys page does say that the F3 key will allow users to set personal preferences for simulation speed, display and other settings and by using the link for simulation options window under Messages it indicates this controls how you receive messages from the system (pop ups, alert noises etc)

Geoff

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Simulation Specific messages 27/06/2014 at 16:17 #62164
Lyn-Greenwood
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239 posts
" said:

Lyn,
The topic of alerts and messages is covered in the Wiki/General Information/Function Keys/F3/Messages....
The function Keys page does say that the F3 key will allow users to set personal preferences for simulation speed, display and other settings and by using the link for simulation options window under Messages it indicates this controls how you receive messages from the system (pop ups, alert noises etc)

Geoff
Geoff,

Unfortunately the 'Function Keys/F3/Messages' entry in the Wiki only refers to the NESCOT and Edinburgh sims. It needs updating to include any other sims that use one or more of the Simulation Specific messages. I found out (by trial and error) that the Victoria Central sim uses message #2 to warn of trains approaching the level crossing, but what (if anything) does it use message #1 for?

It would be better for users (in my opinion) if all sims that use these specific messages had an entry in their Wiki manual stating which messages were used and for what they were used. For consistency, developers should aim to use the same message number in all sims for similar actions (e.g. trains approaching a level crossing). This would then help if a user allocates a sound to a particular message number.

Anyone got any thoughts on my latest ramblings?

Lyn

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Simulation Specific messages 27/06/2014 at 16:39 #62167
Peter Bennet
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5363 posts
" said:
" said:

Lyn,
The topic of alerts and messages is covered in the Wiki/General Information/Function Keys/F3/Messages....
The function Keys page does say that the F3 key will allow users to set personal preferences for simulation speed, display and other settings and by using the link for simulation options window under Messages it indicates this controls how you receive messages from the system (pop ups, alert noises etc)

Geoff
Geoff,

Unfortunately the 'Function Keys/F3/Messages' entry in the Wiki only refers to the NESCOT and Edinburgh sims. It needs updating to include any other sims that use one or more of the Simulation Specific messages. I found out (by trial and error) that the Victoria Central sim uses message #2 to warn of trains approaching the level crossing, but what (if anything) does it use message #1 for?

It would be better for users (in my opinion) if all sims that use these specific messages had an entry in their Wiki manual stating which messages were used and for what they were used. For consistency, developers should aim to use the same message number in all sims for similar actions (e.g. trains approaching a level crossing). This would then help if a user allocates a sound to a particular message number.

Anyone got any thoughts on my latest ramblings?

Lyn
That was the thought behind the linked page.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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Simulation Specific messages 27/06/2014 at 21:00 #62183
northroad
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It would be better for users (in my opinion) if all sims that use these specific messages had an entry in their Wiki manual stating which messages were used and for what they were used. For consistency, developers should aim to use the same message number in all sims for similar actions (e.g. trains approaching a level crossing). This would then help if a user allocates a sound to a particular message number.

Anyone got any thoughts on my latest ramblings?

------------------------------------------------

Sorry Lyn but I disagree. In my humble opinion the Wiki - General Information under F3 options states that

"F3 Options
Note: Exact options and details will vary between Simulations" and further goes on to say " will allow users to set personal preferences".

Peter in trying to show what happens with the mac sims, included further information for the sims that he had developed himself, hence the link.
To me it is logical to update the General Information in the Wiki (if it was needed, which I don't think it is) rather than updating every simulation manual to include more information and thereby increase the size of the manuals even more. Better to change one place rather than having to do many I would have thought.

Geoff

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Simulation Specific messages 27/06/2014 at 21:56 #62186
Peter Bennet
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5363 posts
" said:
It would be better for users (in my opinion) if all sims that use these specific messages had an entry in their Wiki manual stating which messages were used and for what they were used. For consistency, developers should aim to use the same message number in all sims for similar actions (e.g. trains approaching a level crossing). This would then help if a user allocates a sound to a particular message number.

Anyone got any thoughts on my latest ramblings?

------------------------------------------------

Sorry Lyn but I disagree. In my humble opinion the Wiki - General Information under F3 options states that

"F3 Options
Note: Exact options and details will vary between Simulations" and further goes on to say " will allow users to set personal preferences".

Peter in trying to show what happens with the mac sims, included further information for the sims that he had developed himself, hence the link.
To me it is logical to update the General Information in the Wiki (if it was needed, which I don't think it is) rather than updating every simulation manual to include more information and thereby increase the size of the manuals even more. Better to change one place rather than having to do many I would have thought.

Geoff
I think there are two different things getting a bit muddled here.

Under f3 the user can decide what sound they wish to allocate to a particular event; this includes Simulation-specific #1 to #4. Now what these messages tell you is dependant on what the developer has set them to report (in reality they can hi-jack any message and (ab)use it for any purpose e.g prior to Sim-Specific I'd hi-jacked the TD-Berth occupation event for these purposes).

The second point therefore is that the developers need to tell the users where they have used Sim-specific (or abused another sound). My table is primarily a reference for developers but publically available.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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