Atomic Systems

Matt, what has happened to these STAR AWARDS that can be given to uploaders acheivements. You mentioned this a few months ago when you were rearanging the site?
Is it still on the cards, or have you knocked it on the head?

I havent seen anyone with a STAR on any of the download pages.

Geoff

I think i'm going to remove it from the new system completely, systems like that do more damage than good with this community, the risk of authors getting peeved and quitting the community is far too great compared to the meagre benefit that such a system would offer. If people want to comment on items or congratulate authors etc then it's probably best they do so on the forums.

Matt.

I think the Download Count puts the Star System out of a job anyway.

Matt - what about including a "number supplied to date" for each CD on the list - bit like a "star" rating, would give a clue to popularity?

That might be an idea, it's easily calculated (indeed I have a report I run myself that gives me that information). Top on the list so far is Mideast with a whopping 1500+ copies - but then it's been there almost since day 1

Matt.

That's cause it's a whacking good route - extensive without rambling, versatile, and fun to play and program...

Could look a little unfair on the other more specialised CDs though... But why not anyway.

TSF had a top 10 downloads for the day, if I remember correctly. I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong

A bit of incentive to make the download popular, no matter what is was.

It could have an adverse effect on less popular but still very good items though.

Don't know why I mentioned it really

Seemed like a good idea when I started

I think Train-sim.com has a 'most popular downloads' list, though what purpose it really serves is debatable. Many of the downloads on such a list may well be associated with a popular route, or activity thus skewing the stats a little.
Seems to me that the number 'as is' that we presently have is as good as any.
Things like 'Star Ratings' are good in theory, but far too subjective. I might, for instance, consider a very good route to be worth fewer stars than you might simply because it's a different era, region or country than I prefer. Then there's the activity potential - a short single line branch (like Souhwold) provides far fewer opportunities for complex activity than a massive intercity mainline setup with industrial branches (like MidEast) but each has its own charm and quality.
I think we should leave well alone - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

There are most popular downloads on here too - in terms of downloads. If you go in to the download library the top 8 icons shown are the 8 most downloaded items in the last 15 days, at the top level its across the whole library. Click on the 'virgin' toc and you'll see it's the 8 most downloaded virgin items, click on diesels and you'll get the 8 most downloaded virgin diesels etc.

Matt.

That's clever

Deserves a few stars in itself, I reckon

Must admit even though I know it's there I still forget about it and then smile when i click on a TOC and suddenly the top 8 are all in the right livery for that TOC

Matt.

I just happened to ask the question, because it was mentioned that you were going to set up this star awards system, and nothing else has been mentioned since, until I popped the question.
Personally, I think it is best dropped.
There are some brilliant modellers here in UKTrainsim and the quality of their work is equally as good. As has already been said, no two people can judge a person's work to be the best, as it depends on what you like above other choices.
I prefer steam to modern traction, so any routes or locos of this nature would get a better vote than a modern image loco etc, etc, etc.
But I still can give praise to anyone who produces a good route or model, even if it is not really my scene.
Awarding Stars, could lead to anamosity creeping in amongst members, thinking that their work is equally as good as another person who got a star and they didn't.
Just leave everything as it is at present Matt, and let us all enjoy, what appears in the downloads as they become available.
Geoff

I agree....leave it as it is.

The popularity of the virgin stuff is not because its good (altho most of it is), its because it is being used on the Mersey route.

Conversely the downloading of Inter city liveried trains will go down as so many items are included on the NWE CD.
The same will happen with GW stuff; a drop in whats on the Bala CD and an increase in whats not.

Its the activity writers who create a demand by their choice. Why else would I want to download southern EMUs?

ianmacmillan wrote:I agree....leave it as it is.

The popularity of the virgin stuff is not because its good (altho most of it is), its because it is being used on the Mersey route.

Conversely the downloading of Inter city liveried trains will go down as so many items are included on the NWE CD.
The same will happen with GW stuff; a drop in whats on the Bala CD and an increase in whats not.

Its the activity writers who create a demand by their choice. Why else would I want to download southern EMUs?

Because they are the best, thats obvious !