Topics

46

Station Talk / BVEStation's Minecraft Server

« on: June 08, 2012, 07:34:47 pm »

As you know the BVEStation Minecraft Server was up for a day, then it closed down...  The good news is, BVEStation's homepage will now notify you when the server is online.  Enjoy!

47

BVEStation Network News / BVE Trainsim v5.2 is now available

« on: June 01, 2012, 11:23:54 pm »

In the middle of the whole OpenBVE Scandal, mackoy has released v5.2 of the original BVE Train Simulator.  Included is the Keisei Electric Railway, Chiba Line, from Midoridai to Chiba.

BVE Trainsim v5.2 can be downloaded at the official BVE website at http://bvets.net/download/

48

Other Games / The Minecraft Poll

« on: May 20, 2012, 10:35:10 pm »

As some of you know Minecraft is a sandbox styled building game, I've seen some of you guys have created topics on the game around the forums here, so...

I wanted to take a poll if you guys were interested in the multiplayer portion of Minecraft.  Thank you for your input 

49

Station Talk / BVEStation Wiki

« on: May 09, 2012, 07:19:37 pm »

Hey guys, we need BVEStation Wiki Editors.  If you are willing to help with the re-launch party please request an account (by registering on the wiki) then make a post here telling me to approve your account.  You can also tell [CT1660] to approve your account as well.  Anymore questions please feel free to ask.

50

BVEStation Network News / OpenBVE Developer michelle leaves

« on: May 09, 2012, 01:16:22 pm »

Odakyufan, one of the OFFICIAL developers of OpenBVE also creator of the well known fictional Chashinai Railway route, has re-uploaded the latest build of OpenBVE on his website.  You can download it by visiting the link below.

http://odakyufan.zxq.net/

As of yesterday night, OpenBVE Developer michelle has announced that she will no longer be developing OpenBVE.  Trainsimframework.org has also been shut down, due to expenses by the people who owned the domain.  Thankfully the program was open source, and public domain allowing anyone to modify, and use the source code in anyway they please.

I had quite anticipated this, as there was little reason to release all the work in public domain when there could've been a slightly more restrictive license used, but for now, we can be thankful that we have something to build on.

OpenBVE will be re-uploaded on BVEStation's servers as soon as somebody provides the main executables and source codes of the latest version of the program.

Continued development on the program is still pending, as some members of the BVE community, including BVEStation members want to create a fork.  Information on OpenBVE's forks or other developments can be seen on BVEStation's Forums, and community involvement at other BVE communities can be seen at http://bveworldwide.unlimitedboard.com/t396-open-bve-discussion-board-closed-what-next

Frankly, I'm surprised that this is such big news and not a single moderator, or administrator has put this on the homepage.

51

General BVE/OpenBVE / Side-by-Side Screenshots

« on: April 11, 2012, 11:45:21 pm »

Lets get some side by side screenshots?  Take a real life photo, and place it side by side with its in game counterpart.  If not, just post both an in-game pic, and a real life pic.  Like the image below.



Now its your turn.

52

Station Talk / SOPA Blackout

« on: January 18, 2012, 12:16:11 am »

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet

In observance of the SOPA blackout, the following BVEStation Services run by BVEStation will be offline:

BVEStation Teamspeak

All other BVEStation Services will run normally, with the occasional advisory on SOPA.

53

BVEStation Network News / Content Contributor

« on: January 14, 2012, 02:52:05 am »

Introducing Content Contributor, a brand new way of connecting developers with members of the community.

Problem: You want fellow forum members to help you out with a project.

Solution: Make a topic, and ask them for files.  Developers have to sift through pages and pages of submissions to pick the best one.  Members have to look hard to find these requests.

Better Solution: Use Content Contributor, insert a request for a file you need.  Members check the content contributor for what they can contribute to, then simply upload the file they need.  Developers can then view all their requests and download the files given to them by the members!  Sound files, Textures, even zip packages are supported.

Give it a try today.  Available for ALL members.

http://www.bvestation.com/contributor/

As you can see its quite plain, since the system isn't complete yet, but it is relatively functional.  More features (editing, closing, viewing, etc) and bug fixes will of course be added in the future, but any comments, suggestions, or problems encountered feel free to post them here.

Here's to advancing BVEStation for 2012.

54

BVEStation Network News / OpenBVE:ME v0.59.Xa Source Code Released

« on: January 10, 2012, 11:27:38 pm »

Today, I will be releasing the source code of OpenBVE:ME v0.59.Xa in hopes of somebody will take the source code to build on it, and improve the technology it currently holds.  I was originally hesitant on releasing the Codename Newtown series of OpenBVE, but here it is, the secret to what makes it work.

The source code which is clearly stated in the file itself is released under Creative Commons, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

You can download it by visiting the Newtown page on the BVEStation Website. http://www.bvestation.com/multiplayerN.php

55

BVEStation Network News / OpenBVE Multiplayer Extension v0.5 Alpha is now available

« on: January 06, 2012, 01:59:17 am »

The Christmas present that came very late, I present you guys with OpenBVE Multiplayer Extension v0.5 Public Pre-Alpha is available for you all to get your dirty hands on.  v0.5 is yet another rewrite to be even better than Newtown, and should be more reliable as well.  There isn't a page online for it or anything, but it can be downloaded at http://www.bvestation.com/OpenBVEMEWC/OpenBVEMEalpha.7z

Whats new?

• Updated to the latest and greatest version of OpenBVE's Development Version (1.3.4.*)
• 1/3 the amount of code Newtown had (faster and less bloat)
• Designed to be even more stable than Newtown (but do remember this is a Pre-Alpha and it is expected to be unstable
• Inactive/Crashed/Exited wrong way players will be kicked out every 16 minutes
• Automatic Route Detection (No need to select a route, do see the list of routes that are compatible OR waiting to be tested)
• Dispatch Panel is currently not done

OpenBVE Multiplayer Extension requires ALOT of resources which we don't have(on our end) which is also why we almost never keep OpenBVE ME online 24/7!  If you try it, and like where its going please let us know, so we can gather enough support to keep it on and continue developing for it.  As always report to us any bugs that you may find!  We may have found some already but report em anyway, there's a very high chance you will run into some.  Obviously many routes are not tested which is why this is a pre-alpha.  We're leaving that up to you guys.

Player List/Supported/Playable(to be tested) Routes can be accessed at http://www.bvestation.com/cron/litterbug.php

Installation Instructions

• Drag and drop the mysql.data.dll and the OpenBVEME.exe into your OpenBVE directory
• Run OpenBVEME.exe
• Start the supported route
• Enter a username and click connect
• When you exit the game hit the EXIT button listed on the multiplayer window or kill the process via Task Manager, DO NOT EXIT ANY OTHER WAY

Source code will not be released, due to code that was added to OpenBVE itself.  The code for these additions will not be released.  For OpenBVE's source, you can find it at trainsimframework.org

Route requests can also be placed here.  If the route has a train up ahead, send me the name of the route file and you will be able to test it.

Any other questions feel free to ask.  Outrageous suggestions like Networked Tracks is not my job.


BVEStation's Teamspeak Server is also back online.  The TS Server underwent maintenance during the week by the hosting company and is NOT closing due to low user activity.  Sorry for any inconveniences.   

There may be some changes to the Teamspeak to allow users who are using the multiplayer extension to have priority in the Teamspeak.  This includes new users, so that they may try the multiplayer extension.

56

BVEStation Network News / BVEStation Site Improvements

« on: December 26, 2011, 11:42:03 pm »

I hope you all are enjoying your Holidays!  Some improvements to the site have been put in place for everyone.

Here are the features in a nutshell.

• New Downloads Page Layout
• md5 Checksums on all files
• Ability to see if the file is hosted on BVEStation or not
• Users can now add their downloads to BVEStation

The downloads section has a slightly altered look, making it much easier to find the route you are looking for.  We've basically cleared up the clutter and put everything in a grid format so its easier for you guys to see and find the download your looking for.

md5 Checksums are now standard for all hosted (main download link) files on BVEStation.  If you want to ensure the file you receive wasn't corrupted or you simply want to verify that you have the exact same file as the one on the server, this is the way to go.

You can also see if a file was hosted on BVEStation or not, if a file is not, there won't be an md5 checksum available and the globe next to it will be red.  Files are not hosted on BVEStation in the event that the file was just put up by a member and not yet put online or other circumstances where BVEStation is unable to host the file, and the file must be obtained elsewhere.  Hopefully this will be rare, as we try to host all files.

Also, members will now be able to add files into the downloads section.  No need to wait for the staff to insert your files into the site.  You can add your file even if it is not hosted on BVEStation yet.  So if your file is on mediafire, simply add the link into the downloads section, and users will be able to download the file immediately.  It is very easy to add a file onto the site, simply fill out the form that is provided for you, and submit!  The BVEStation Staff will then put your file on BVEStation's servers at a later time.  The globe next to the md5 checksum will turn green once it is hosted on BVEStation.  Please write the dependencies, and compatibility information into the description, again the administrators will add this information to your file at a later time.  Do note that this is only for members who request this.  Some of you have already been invited to try this new system out  We do hope that you guys will request to use this new system, and remember, any member can upload screenshots to the gallery.

Please remember that if you enter your file to BVEStation Downloads, you give the administrators the right to host your file and/or repackage it if necessary.  This is not a free downloads database for everybody's downloads for that go to http://wiki.bve-routes.com/index.php/Main_Page and not a place to link to your site!!!  Files already hosted on a site elsewhere with their own downloads section linking to it MAY NOT be added to BVEStation Downloads.  Remember this is for files that you want to be hosted on BVEStation!

Enjoy the new updates!

57

BVEStation Network News / Happy Holidays

« on: December 25, 2011, 12:13:20 am »

On behalf of the BVEStation Staff, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year to all.  Here's to another year 

58

Station Talk / On the basis of getting stuff done

« on: December 01, 2011, 12:53:01 pm »

So I was writing this in the topic about underaged users and spammers, I ended up writing everything below, and thought it could go into a different topic, so here it is.

Back then when we were developers, we got things done, and we were the revival of a dying community.  Unfortunately today, there is no one left wanting to take that spot, so we're at the same position we were in several years ago and then some (the ones who are making fictional routes or BS routes).  I'm sorry to sound harsh, but in my opinion, any/every route being developed today looks the same as if it was just a year or so ago.  When BVEStation started we brought in completely new visuals, new objects, new trains, new simulator, and even multiplayer.  What about today?  No revival, same looks, similar routes, its more of the same.  We were hoping that there would be a new group that will take over and continue our legacy, but from what I have seen this hasn't happened, and this may never happen.  Everybody has become more technologically savvy, but nobody is actually being technologically savvy.  You know how to use, but you don't know how to create.

The NYCTBA community was near dying when BVEStation came in.  We're hitting that point again, will there be a new group that will come and bring some innovation back, I really don't know and we really can't tell.  Right after we hit the peak we started getting lower quality work, and now we're getting nowhere.  I don't know what will happen to the community, but it certainly doesn't look good right now.  Development communities have sprung up, segregating themselves into "Companies" as opposed to working for the overall group that is and was once NYCTBA.  New websites have sprung up, breaking the community as a whole, selfishness and extreme paranoia with copyright has kicked in.  The BVE Community on the other side of the ocean, literally obliterated.

All the original developers including me are now in college, we barely have enough time to visit the site.  I guess we failed to get a good group to take over us, either they joined a "company" or have pursued their own self interest.  Joe rarely comes on these days.  There isn't much I can say other than it was an honor to work with the new NYCTBA team, and seeing a few of the older ones return.  For the ones who want to give us something new, please do, and please don't do more of the same.  Don't be a dick and steal/redistribute our work, this happens mainly because of abysmal work to be honest.  We need people who will continue to inspire our next generation of developers, and not come out with crap or do crap.

59

BVEStation Network News / OpenBVE v1.3.2.0 Featuring Managed Content

« on: December 01, 2011, 12:03:08 am »

Talk about slow news days.  Today OpenBVE just released v1.3.2.0 which features managed content, this allows users to easily download add-ons for OpenBVE, greatly lowering the difficulty of actually downloading and installing the files.  For developers, this isn't as easy as it must be packaged in a certain way in order for it to be formatted correctly for use on OpenBVE's managed content system.

As far as any developers actually using the new system is not yet known since it is still relatively new as it was released today.  Since the BVE community has slowed to molasses I wouldn't expect any repositories up anytime soon, we'll obviously update you on that as soon as we get it or find some users/communities using it.

As for BVEStation, at the moment BVEStation's server settings are set for this system not to work, and may require some downtime in order to change these settings.  In addition to repackaging of almost every file available on BVEStation, we don't expect our own repository anytime soon, but we will no doubt make an effort to implement this new system sometime in the future, unfortunately we really can't say when we can get a repository up for OpenBVE's managed content system.  Remember that this is still very new, and nobody has actually had time to read it yet.

I think the new system will be great for the newer users, but it may take a very long time before developers can start using it, because this isn't just a job for the developers, its a job for the users hosting it as well.  Still a repository of routes/trains with OpenBVE's managed content does look to protect the works of authors and creates a easier method for users to download files.  Piracy will no doubt be slightly harder, thanks to the way users can now receive their content.

You can download the latest version of OpenBVE at http://trainsimframework.org/index.html

60

Station Talk / Users changing their usernames

« on: November 02, 2011, 11:45:52 am »

Due to a large number of users changing their usernames, all users will no longer be allowed to make any additional modifications to their usernames.  Users will also not allowed to edit their posts.  This is an effort to decrease confusion, and enforce spam measures.

We'll loosen up the rules once we see things clear up a bit.