Advertising sessions

You are here: Home > Forum > Hosting and Events > Hosting General Topics > Advertising sessions

Page 1 of 1

Advertising sessions 17/10/2016 at 09:48 #86859
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts 		The Upcoming Games listing is a good idea, and is much better than the old system of making posts in the forum. However, I think we need to come to some sort of consensus about how best to use it. If all of the hosts agree to advertise sessions in a similar way it will make the feature a lot easier for people to see, at a glance, when sessions are planned.

This thread is for all of the hosts to work out, together, the best way of doing things. Quite a lot of us know what sort of sessions each host does, but I think that we could make it easier for those people that are not so familiar with multiplayer sessions. It's not a matter of laying down hard and fast rules, rather trying to find Best Practice.

First of all, should it be "Upcoming Games" or "Upcoming Sessions"? I would say that as SimSig is a simulator, the heading should be "Upcoming Sessions". What do others think?

Secondly, what should go in the notes section of the session announcement? Here I would suggest that hosts include the timetable being used, and the start time (in sim time). Maybe that should be compulsory information?

Notes could also include details about ARS settings, failures and other unusual operating procedures (for example if the host has decided to close a line while still running the normal timetable).

Next, how should the Pause function be used? To my mind seeing a session as "Paused" suggests that the session is having a short break, rather than being stopped overnight for continuation the next day. Pausing a game overnight seems to defeat the "at a glance" nature of the Upcoming Games listing. If a session is paused overnight it's not immediately obvious to someone wishing to join if the session is currently active or not. I realise that sometimes messages are placed in the Shout Box, but as these aren't timestamped it involves some work for a prospective joiner to find out if the session is active.

I think that there are two methods to deal with this:

* Terminate sessions at the close of play and advertise a new session as a continuation.
* Add a new "Suspended" option that would be used if a session is planned to continue. Pressing the "Suspended" button would prompt the host for a new start time and this could be shown in the "Upcoming Games" section along with a "Suspended" flag.

Are there any other ways that the Upcoming Games feature can be used and improved? How would the people joining the sessions like to see the announcements? What information do you need?


Kev
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: AndyG
Advertising sessions 17/10/2016 at 15:47 #86869
Andrew G
Avatar
548 posts 		I'm with you on the use of 'Games' and have suggested 'Multiplayer Sessions' as middle ground.

For me it would be good if there were specific fields for the WTT in use and the WTT/Sim start time, particularly as I have no interest in joining a session running over the early hours of the morning as these tend to be quiet. I do wonder why some hosts can't get to a decent start point but then I shouldn't be too critical as hosts should be encouraged.

As you suggest items such as the use of ARS or any additional line closures can be included in the existing free format notes section.

In terms of the 'Paused' option I agree this is better suited to 'Personal Need Break' situations and not when sessions operate over several days. If the host closes a session it would be better if a new entry was created for their next planned session.
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: Banners88
Advertising sessions 17/10/2016 at 15:54 #86872
headshot119
Avatar
4869 posts 		Hosts need to realise that pausing the session over multiple days won't cause subscriptions emails to be sent out when the sesson is restarted. To encourage players it would be therefore be beneficial to start a new session up each day on the website.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: JamesN
Advertising sessions 17/10/2016 at 19:20 #86876
Temple Meads
Avatar
307 posts 		I'm not particularly fussed what the 'Upcoming Games' box is called, I think 'Upcoming Sessions' would be better, but does it actually matter? Personally I would say it doesn't...

Sim time and timetable in use should be compulsory options, and maybe the host's name in the sim too.

Using 'Paused' for games on an overnight break is a bit of an annoyance, as Andrew said, it fits better with PNB situations.
Username TIM in multiplayer
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 18/10/2016 at 18:10 #86903
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts 		Temple Meads in post 86876 said:
I'm not particularly fussed what the 'Upcoming Games' box is called, I think 'Upcoming Sessions' would be better, but does it actually matter? Personally I would say it doesn't...

Sim time and timetable in use should be compulsory options, and maybe the host's name in the sim too.

Using 'Paused' for games on an overnight break is a bit of an annoyance, as Andrew said, it fits better with PNB situations.
It is very annoying. At the moment we have a paused session with a start time in ten days time.


Kev
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 18/10/2016 at 18:35 #86904
headshot119
Avatar
4869 posts 		KymriskaDraken in post 86903 said:

It is very annoying. At the moment we have a paused session with a start time in ten days time.
Kev
I'll try and keep on top of any games that don't look right so people aren't confused by them.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
Log in to reply
The following users said thank you: Temple Meads, KymriskaDraken
Advertising sessions 20/10/2016 at 22:33 #86937
belly buster
Avatar
368 posts 		Is there a way to get an email notification when a new session is put in the upcoming games section?
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 21/10/2016 at 04:58 #86940
JamesN
Avatar
1575 posts
Online 		belly buster in post 86937 said:
Is there a way to get an email notification when a new session is put in the upcoming games section?
You can subscribe to an individual, and be notified whenever they host a game.
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 21/10/2016 at 17:22 #86954
belly buster
Avatar
368 posts 		JamesN in post 86940 said:
belly buster in post 86937 said:
Is there a way to get an email notification when a new session is put in the upcoming games section?
You can subscribe to an individual, and be notified whenever they host a game.
Maybe it's just me; but I can't get this to work.

So right now if I just took at a look at my subscriptions, and it said I was subscribed to roadrunner (pending) - and it's been like that for weeks.

I then look at the current upcoming games, and it lists KymriskaDraken's game, and it offers me to unsubscribe. So that would seem like I am subscribed to his games - but I've never had an email announcing any of his games.

So then I unsubscribe and subscribe again may be just to make sure. Now in my subscriptions it lists I'm subscribed to KymriskaDraken (pending) and roadrunner (pending) has now vanished.

I'm totally confused.
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 21/10/2016 at 17:28 #86955
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts 		belly buster in post 86954 said:
JamesN in post 86940 said:
belly buster in post 86937 said:
Is there a way to get an email notification when a new session is put in the upcoming games section?
You can subscribe to an individual, and be notified whenever they host a game.
Maybe it's just me; but I can't get this to work.

So right now if I just took at a look at my subscriptions, and it said I was subscribed to roadrunner (pending) - and it's been like that for weeks.

I then look at the current upcoming games, and it lists KymriskaDraken's game, and it offers me to unsubscribe. So that would seem like I am subscribed to his games - but I've never had an email announcing any of his games.

So then I unsubscribe and subscribe again may be just to make sure. Now in my subscriptions it lists I'm subscribed to KymriskaDraken (pending) and roadrunner (pending) has now vanished.

I'm totally confused.
It appears that the host has to authorise the subscription, which I have just done for the three people in my list. SimSig doesn't send an email to, or otherwise notify the host to let them know that anyone has subscribed though, so it's quite possible that hosts are unaware that they have to do something to allow the subscriptions!
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: belly buster
Advertising sessions 21/10/2016 at 18:23 #86958
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts 		KymriskaDraken in post 86955 said:
belly buster in post 86954 said:
JamesN in post 86940 said:
belly buster in post 86937 said:
Is there a way to get an email notification when a new session is put in the upcoming games section?
You can subscribe to an individual, and be notified whenever they host a game.
Maybe it's just me; but I can't get this to work.

So right now if I just took at a look at my subscriptions, and it said I was subscribed to roadrunner (pending) - and it's been like that for weeks.

I then look at the current upcoming games, and it lists KymriskaDraken's game, and it offers me to unsubscribe. So that would seem like I am subscribed to his games - but I've never had an email announcing any of his games.

So then I unsubscribe and subscribe again may be just to make sure. Now in my subscriptions it lists I'm subscribed to KymriskaDraken (pending) and roadrunner (pending) has now vanished.

I'm totally confused.
It appears that the host has to authorise the subscription, which I have just done for the three people in my list. SimSig doesn't send an email to, or otherwise notify the host to let them know that anyone has subscribed though, so it's quite possible that hosts are unaware that they have to do something to allow the subscriptions!

I've raised this as issue 16025 on Mantis.
Last edited: 21/10/2016 at 18:24 by KymriskaDraken
Reason: Add quote
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: belly buster
Advertising sessions 22/10/2016 at 12:24 #86961
belly buster
Avatar
368 posts 		Another one for the bug list. By default it offers "unsubscribe" for each new host rather than "subscribe". The workaround is to unsubscribe first then subscribe, but that seems illogical.
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 22/10/2016 at 12:28 #86962
belly buster
Avatar
368 posts 		And one more ...

Seemingly you can only have one pending subscribe request. If you try to add a subsequent one, then the previous one seems to vanish.

At least it does in the "manage subscriptions" list.
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 22/10/2016 at 12:30 #86963
belly buster
Avatar
368 posts 		Now I've thought about it more, an option to just subscribe to all games (or indeed just certain sims) would be far easier.

You know .. sort of like we had before ....
Log in to reply
The following users said thank you: KymriskaDraken, Banners88, Temple Meads
Advertising sessions 23/10/2016 at 12:11 #86978
chrisdmadd
Avatar
226 posts 		You still can't create a game using the mobile app I see.

Won't take the date/time format.

Is this on the big list?
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 23/10/2016 at 13:12 #86981
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts 		chrisdmadd in post 86978 said:
You still can't create a game using the mobile app I see.

Won't take the date/time format.

Is this on the big list?
It is now. #16032
Log in to reply
The following user said thank you: chrisdmadd
Advertising sessions 23/10/2016 at 13:48 #86982
headshot119
Avatar
4869 posts 		chrisdmadd in post 86978 said:
You still can't create a game using the mobile app I see.

Won't take the date/time format.

Is this on the big list?
What device are you using and what colour is the website on the device.

Also what region and time zone is it set to ?

I have no issues off of an iPhone posting a game.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 23/10/2016 at 22:04 #86985
JamesN
Avatar
1575 posts
Online 		The other issue the community as a whole need to work on is updating the game status once they've finished. Several times I've seen an interesting session advertised and attempted to join, only to have my connection time out.
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 24/10/2016 at 08:10 #86986
KymriskaDraken
Avatar
963 posts 		JamesN in post 86985 said:
The other issue the community as a whole need to work on is updating the game status once they've finished. Several times I've seen an interesting session advertised and attempted to join, only to have my connection time out.

This is why I started the thread in the first place. It seems, though, that many hosts have not bothered to add their views.
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 24/10/2016 at 08:23 #86987
postal
Avatar
5190 posts 		KymriskaDraken in post 86986 said:
JamesN in post 86985 said:
The other issue the community as a whole need to work on is updating the game status once they've finished. Several times I've seen an interesting session advertised and attempted to join, only to have my connection time out.

This is why I started the thread in the first place. It seems, though, that many hosts have not bothered to add their views.
As I write on Monday morning, there is still a session advertised as commencing at 15:55 on Sunday and showing as "Started". It helps no one if messages are not kept up to date in the Upcoming Games section.
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 24/10/2016 at 08:38 #86989
headshot119
Avatar
4869 posts 		postal in post 86987 said:

As I write on Monday morning, there is still a session advertised as commencing at 15:55 on Sunday and showing as "Started". It helps no one if messages are not kept up to date in the Upcoming Games section.
At the moment I can't manually edit a games status only delete it. Gas axed just to keep the area tidy, in future I'll be able to manually terminate a game.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
Log in to reply
The following users said thank you: KymriskaDraken, JamesN, postal
Advertising sessions 06/11/2016 at 01:27 #87218
postal
Avatar
5190 posts 		Just tried to connect to the session advertised as PAUSED King's Cross | Summer 1985 05/11/2016 10:13:00 - bobby4114.

Is it paused or is it dead?
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
Log in to reply
Advertising sessions 06/11/2016 at 02:33 #87219
MarkC
Avatar
1089 posts 		headshot119 in post 86989 said:
postal in post 86987 said:

As I write on Monday morning, there is still a session advertised as commencing at 15:55 on Sunday and showing as "Started". It helps no one if messages are not kept up to date in the Upcoming Games section.
At the moment I can't manually edit a games status only delete it. Gas axed just to keep the area tidy, in future I'll be able to manually terminate a game.
When editing a game for some reason the date goes back by about 2000 years (give or take a few decades) and as a result does not allow it to be saved, you just need to correct the date, to the day you are hosting the session. if you put in a date that is at least the day before the game will save but will not show and you may still get an error, but it is there, you just need to press back in the browser or look in internet history for the most recent https://www.SimSig.co.uk/Game/Edit/****
(****= equals a number) and you should be able to edit by inputting the correct date and time of session.
Log in to reply
Back