Ffestiniog Railway Route (BETA?)

Mattaf · Post by **Mattaf** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 6:08 am

Just seen it on the front page but can't find it on the website given. Any more info?

Christopher125 · Post by **Christopher125** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 6:13 am

Hi

Try this: http://www.festrail.co.uk/downloads.htm

Look at the top of the table.

Chris

Mattaf · Post by **Mattaf** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 6:16 am

Nope, nothing

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 6:17 am

You say "Beta" but it is Alpha and theres nothing on the hompage (http://www.festrail.co.uk) about any FR route!!!! Its the Alpha!!! or prove me worng but Colin hasn't told us of a BETA yet so there!

Mattaf · Post by **Mattaf** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 6:52 am

jdtech wrote:You say "Beta" but it is Alpha and theres nothing on the hompage (http://www.festrail.co.uk) about any FR route!!!! Its the Alpha!!! or prove me worng but Colin hasn't told us of a BETA yet so there!

NeutronIC, News and Announcements, [Freeware Routes] Ffestiniog Railway wrote:It's been sneaked out on beta... It's only available from http://www.festrail.co.uk

There! Uktrainsim front page, this Morning.

kevmt · Post by **kevmt** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 7:02 am

Sorry, but no beta version of the Ffestiniog route has been released (as far as I know). The version on the Ffestiniog website is still the alpha version. Probably a typing error on Matt's part.

The next version of the route (which will basically improve the signalling and improve some of the trackwork) has been delayed a bit due to Colin's nasty accident. This will be released as a patch.

Cheers
Kevin

Mattaf · Post by **Mattaf** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 7:06 am

Ok, thanks Kev. Never mind, eh?

Having had a look,, he probably meant the ROUTE is only available from he site and he was referring to the activity pack that had been uploaded.

Sorry to hear about Collin's accident. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Take care

ianm42 · Post by **ianm42** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 11:18 am

Thanks for the new activities for this route, I did one last night

duncharris · Post by **duncharris** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 12:37 pm

erm, what's the difference between an alpha version and a beta version? to me they're both just "unfinished". hmmm

selsig · Post by **selsig** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 12:55 pm

duncharris wrote:erm, what's the difference between an alpha version and a beta version? to me they're both just "unfinished". hmmm

I think an Alpha route is stupendously unfinished, hardly any scenery, some places where the track hovers a mile above the ground etc etc. Beta is not quite finished, but done to a stage where it is useable and looks good.

John (fighting with Bugs in the FR route.....)

PaulH2 · Post by **PaulH2** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 5:13 pm

From a programmers point of view, alpha means an unfinsihed version i.e. not all of the features are present and those features that are there may not be finished. For software an alpha is usually only used for internal testing and evaluation of new features.

A beta is a version where all of the features are present (although not necessarily in their final form) and all of those features are finished. For software, a beta version is usually more widely distributed and is used to test all features of the application prior to release.

For MSTS routes, this is obviously more of a grey area. Some routes are publicly distributed where only part of the route has been done, but that part if complete. Others are distributed where the whole route is complete, but some features (e.g. scenery or signalling) are not yet implemented.

Strictly speaking, there should be very little difference between a beta and a released version, only minor tweaks and bug fixes (for example in MSTS a signal may not work properly or scenery items may need to be moved a little).

Of course this is all open to interpretation, and I have my own ideas on how it should be implemented but it is very much up to each author. What I would like to see is a brief description by the author in the accompanying documentation stating what they mean by alpha or beta so that everybody knows where they stand. This is very clearly defined for the Ffestiniog route.

I also had a play with the new activities last night. Greatfun, thanks very much.

I'm very much looking forward to the next update to the route and would also like to wish Colin a speedy and successful recovery.

Paul

jdtech · Post by **jdtech** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 5:25 pm

You say these activites, were are they from?

rwaceyw · Post by **rwaceyw** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 5:28 pm

Try UKTS...

johndibben · Post by **johndibben** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 6:56 pm

I've always been fascinated by the Alpha, Beta thing. I understand the logic, Alpha (just a taster, don't expect too much), Beta (almost there but probably room for improvement.

In a state of complete confidence and with feeling for the other unwanted letters of the Greek alphabet unused, my last upload was 'Epsilon'

Although I expressed my wishes privately, I also wish Colin a speedy recovery but suggest he stay in the plane until it lands next time

PaulH2 · Post by **PaulH2** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 7:11 pm

New activities are file IDs 5858 (driving Mountaineer) and 5850 (driving Taliesin).

Both uploaded by Stone220 and based on a real Ffestiniog timetable.

Well worth the download (8 activities in all between the two packs, 2 up and 2 down activities per pack).

Paul