Alternate Discussion Forum Options?

I think back in the day I used ProBoards.

I believe it is free to use and fairly easy to set up?

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**Ignore me - there are so many "free" forums hanging around**

Just need to find a way to nominate someone to start the journey in setting one up and go from there.

 

Hello to all the users who have posted here.

All your suggestions sound good, and I’m sure some of them will be useful. However, I definitely won’t be using a free forum, as most of them always have some sort of restrictions.

I’ll be buying web hosting for the forum, just as I’ll be buying the forum software.
I’ve already got the web hosting, and as for the forums, I’m still looking into which forum software to go for.

But here’s something you can all make a note of for now.
www.rail-sim-community.com

What do you think of this domain name? I can still change it at this stage.
Should we keep this name, or go for something else?
If the domain is OK, please make a note of it, as that’s how the forum will be accessible.

I’ve set up an email address specifically so that you can get in touch with me.
Here’s the email address: newrailforum@gmail.com

As for the features in the new forum, we’ll have to see what’s possible once the forum has been set up.
After all, as far as I know, there are loads of plugins available for every forum.
That’s why I want to have a look at and compare a few forum software options today as well.

Regarding the question Operator#7940 asked about whether, once the forum is up and running, it can be expanded and modified.
Yes, that’s exactly how it works. I can set up the basic framework of a forum so that you can register there, and then we can discuss in the new forum any further ideas you have that could be incorporated, expanded upon, and so on.

 

Creative names and all, but I'd prefer something descriptive and simple, like 'TSW community'. I know, not creative, but I think it'll be easier to find in the future.

 

We need something that is still relevant for when JT decide they can do better, as a completely random example, and that needs covering too.

 

I'll help however I can, money, moderation, etc.
I think it's a great idea to have even if DTG do come to their senses.
Emmy_MAN, what do you need from us to start this project?

 

Something along these lines, yes!

 

How about www.Rail-Sim-Community.com??

Sorting out the domain is really the very first thing I need to do. Because once you’ve bought a domain like that, it can take up to 48 hours for certain parts of the world to be redirected to the forum.

That’s why what I want to do today is buy the domain.

So which one should we go for?
www.third-rail-depot.com, or www.Rail-Sim-Depot.com, or www.Rail-Sim-Community.com ???

 

I'm leaning towards the former, but I'll take the latter if that's what people want.
Which is it folks, Third Rail Depot or Rail Sim Community?

 

I really like Third Rail Depot

 

I put up a poll for people to give their choice.

 

Rail Sim Community could be confused with Train Sim Community (the modding site / discord) so I'd lean towards Third Rail.

 

Third Rail Sim Community is unique and descriptive but kind of long =-)

 

"Rail sim depot" could be confused with "rail-sim.de" as well

 

Descriptive? It'd suggest you'd only able to discuss trains and route which run on third rail... which is only common in the UK I believe.

I think it's a pretty bad name, but that's just me. We have a poll to help make decisions.

 

"Cab Chat" or maybe "The Signal Box" or maybe even "All Aboard!" - opens it up to discussion of Bus/Flight/Driving Sims as well as Train.

 

'TSW Messroom', would be another suggestion from me.

 

Just to throw a few out there whilst everyone's in a creative mood

The Buffet Car
The Driver
The Guards Van
The Red Signal
The Station Arms
The Knebworth
The Oxenholme
Train now departing
SPAD
Trainsim replacement Bus
Tea and Biscuits
Cancelled Service

I'm pretty happy with anything to be honest, I think all of the suggested ideas to have merit albeit some more meritous than others.
At the end of the day I think it only right for Emmy_MAN for offering to host the site, to have the final say, it is after all his baby.

 

Hahahahaha I love it

 

I just threw in a few more name suggestions:

Train Simmering
Derail Engagement
The Plattforum
Train Sim Word
or Rail Department

 

only caveat with this one is that it might be hard to find just through a search engine- good ideas otherwise!

 

May I suggest we don't dilly-dally with this for too long. The sooner this gets set-up the sooner we can let people know before GD gets closed. We need to give people time to see that everyone is migrating over to a new forum.

 

I agree with this. It'll also be harder to spread the message.

I realise there's a concern that Dovetail may u-turn but at the same time, we now know that this forum's existence in it's current mould is far from a guarantee.

 

I'd like the forums were about train sims in general not just TSW - I mean there could be a specific TSW one, and TSC as well, Running Train, that kind of thing. I'd sign up for that.

 

I would suggest The Depot / The Depot Forum . It is short and easy to remember and could include other driving sims.

 

I don't get what half of those are referring to so... not sure others would either =-)

 

My concern there is that there's already a "Depot" specifically for Run 8 players.

That's kind of why I wanted something a little more signature than just "Rail Sim" too because it's sort of generic.

I see your point though about making it more open to sims in general since sim players tend to have more than one interest. I guess "depot" would work for a bus or truck too.

 

Love tea & biscuits
Expand another to SPAD Central perhaps.

 

No 2 GD Siding

 

In the event that 'General Discussion' does get wound up I would definitely use an alternative to this forum should one be set up.

Rail Sim Depot works as a name for me!

If there's a silver lining to all this it's that a new independent forum will hopefully stimulate more discussion on alternative rail simming options; as an XBOX player I've become a bit disillusioned with DTG and some aspects of TSW and would welcome more frank discussion of what alternative options are out there in additional to TSW and whether they're worth my time.

 

The Sim Driver (Forum)

 

The Depot is a RUN 8 train simulator community… though the FQDN is https://www.thedepotserver.com I think either of your suggestions would cause confusion .

 

The poll is pretty clear Rail Sim Community was the choice.
We'll register the name and get the software to run it.
Thank you for doing the setup Emmy_MAN.
Once it's set up people will be invited and we'll flesh it out.
I'm loving some of the suggestions!

If DTG does change their mind, that's great and the hoped for outcome. The new forum can be used in addition to this one since it won't just be DTG content. They aren't in direct competition.

However if DTG does decide to go through with it, it's safer to have something ready to go.

 

Does Emmy_man play counter strike?

 

Both of the options are pretty dull in my opinion.
I'd like something more imaginative and pithy, but hey ho. Whatever

 

A big thank you to all the people doing their best in this new forum project.


"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
— George Orwell

 

No, I don't play Counter Strike.

Because of the new name for the forum, I also bought the appropriate URL today.

This is the following: www.rail-sim-community.com
Please copy them, or write them down.

Because it will probably only be activated on Monday, and then it can take up to 48 hours before you can access the forum through this URL.

I will try to install the forum tomorrow or on Monday, but it might also be on Tuesday, as my office is fully in the sunshine from early morning until late evening, which means it's like a sauna.
This forum is being created, so please just wait for it.

Because I also have a job and family.


Best regards to you, Emmy_MAN

 

Hey Emmy_MAN, where did you put the new member creation link? =-)
I see people trying to get on, but nowhere to actually "join"

 

Hi Candace.

I'm from the UK, and I find your tone absolutely fine. I like the fact that you're clear and to the point, and I find your tone friendly and greatly preferable to corporate-speak.

Do bear in mind that one person criticised your tone, and then in response several people said they find it fine. You're never going to please everyone, particularly when being forum moderator, which inevitably means sometimes saying things people don't agree with.

I say, be yourself!

 

Hello all TSW users!

Today was a very exhausting day for me, the forum is installed and I will now create the first forum categories.

The forum is now also accessible at https://www.rail-sim-community.com

Then I will turn the registration option back on, so you can register and start writing.
I think you can register in about 1 to 2 hours.

But please keep in mind that there might be one or two functions that don't exist yet, or are not set up correctly, and these tasks will then take me the whole week.

 

I appreciate all the work so far, and a few more hours won't hurt anyone to get things set up.
I look forward to seeing people there soon.
I know that the announcement was made that DTG reconsidered their previous decision on the General Forum.
The invite will still be open to everyone (when it's set up) to post at the new forum as well.
The concept is a bit broader than just DTG games, so it won't be the "same thing."
Just what that extra opportunity covers (other rail sims, other sims, railfanning, community events, etc) is up to the group to decide as it goes.
I'm excited to see how it works out.

 

I'm not as riled up about the situation, but I will still check on the new thing and post there once it is up and running... simply cos I enjoy discussing with guys here

 

So the main categories for TSW are set up, and registration is now working too.

If something is missing for TSW, please write it in the Rail Sim Community Forum section at the very bottom, where I once created the category Announcements, questions, on the topic of the forum!

There, in the bottom section, you can write anything that might not be working as intended in the forum, or if you miss a feature, or if there are any problems with the forum.