Ukts Will Close 31st Of August 2023

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Reef, Jan 17, 2023.

  1. eldomtom2

    eldomtom2 Well-Known Member

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    Again, there are plenty of general game modding sites that would be happy to host train sim files.
     
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  2. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    A possible solution yes, but then we end up with the scavenger hunt for dependencies which specialist central repository for train sims tend to avoid. Where MSTS and Open Rails, which constitute the largest part of the collection at both UKTS and TS, are concerned some of the route files in particular are huge - sometimes over 500 Mb. That’s why in the early days many of us had to distribute via CD on a not for profit basis (which still attracted the unwelcome and aggressive attention of the VAT man who thought I was running a business). You then have to monitor the sites where your files are hosted, both to check they haven’t vanished overnight and more importantly not trying to trick people into clicking the wrong download link or popping up potential malware as some of the truck sim third party sites tend to do.

    So as I said, other than Trainz it is increasingly more trouble than it’s worth to pursue the freeware side of development. I guess we had 20 years of enjoyment from it and times move on.
     
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  3. USRailFan

    USRailFan Active Member

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    IIRC Train-Sim.com were never too enthusiastic about Rail Simulator/Railworks/TSXXX in the first place.... Isn't most US/NA-related development and discussion re TSC mostly taking place on Railworks America, which AFAIK is still living a healthy life?
     
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  4. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    Haven't checked in at RWA for a long time, couldn't get around the belligerent forum moderation of anything remotely critical. It's not really somewhere I would want to put my stuff and I'm sure anyway I recall reading they were having issues too.
     
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  5. ac_freeman

    ac_freeman Active Member

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    Hi - I really don't think the situation is as dire as you think it is, it is actually quite easy to host your own files on Google Drive so you are in full control of what people download.......you can then use your own website with hyperlinks to your Google Drive. As my web site building skills are miniscule ( actually, non-existent ) I am fortunate enough to know a couple of people, with their own Train Simulator themed web sites, who are kind enough to act as hosts for these links......I provide them with screenshots, route descriptions etc......I don't need to send them the actual route files, so they do not need to worry about finding space to host the files.

    Andy
     
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  6. Doomotron

    Doomotron Well-Known Member

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    RWA is definitely still active and is still one of the main TS freeware sites.
     
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  7. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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    RWA is a good site IF you want North American add-ons

    I do not see any European or UK assets/repaints/routes on RWA
     
  8. Doomotron

    Doomotron Well-Known Member

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    But it's called RailWorks America...
     
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  9. USRailFan

    USRailFan Active Member

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    There wasn't exacly a huge amount of US content at UKTrainSim either
     
  10. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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    So if it is one of the Main TS Freeware Sites why does it not cover routes outside America?
     
  11. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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    I don't expect to see US Content on UKTS
     
  12. USRailFan

    USRailFan Active Member

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    But you expect to see UK content on RailworksAmerica?
     
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  13. Reef

    Reef Well-Known Member

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    Uh can we not..

    All I'm seeing these days is petty childish point making posts across the board...
    Discuss, sure, but every single post does not need to be broken down and picked apart..
     
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  14. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    I did put a couple of my TS routes on RWA back in its early days, but soon asked for them to be taken down after falling foul (who, me? :) ) of their overbearing moderation policies verging on censorship even of constructive criticism. So I don't think they are averse to hosting content from regions outside the USA, just seems it never happened due to the reputation the place acquired.
     
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  15. Doomotron

    Doomotron Well-Known Member

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    Is anyone having issues downloading from UKTS today? I have downloads running which just won't complete and can't be cancelled.
     
  16. Shawmut

    Shawmut Member

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    Yes, I had that exact problem last night. I wonder if Matt has been working on the ftp problem and that has caused an unintended effect on regular downloads.
     
  17. Doomotron

    Doomotron Well-Known Member

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    I found a strange fix. In the downloads folder, delete the CRDOWNLOAD files. This will list them as 'cancelled' in the download list (previously they will show as completed in the list but the loading icon will still show at least in Edge), but if you retry the downloads they'll work.
     
  18. KeithG

    KeithG Active Member

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    I hope I am proved wrong, but I have a feeling that fixing the FTP issue, is towards the bottom of Matt`s " to do list "
     
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  19. Doomotron

    Doomotron Well-Known Member

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    For me it's completely broken now.
     
  20. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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    Maybe try a different Browser.
    I use Firefox
    I started to download a repaint but when I saw it would be over an hour I cancelled it - which it did.
     
  21. KeithG

    KeithG Active Member

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    Peter, I still have premium membership, and the downloads are lightening fast.
     
  22. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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    I just saw your post on UKTS - thanks
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2023
  23. KeithG

    KeithG Active Member

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    Matt must be really busy.
     
  24. eldomtom2

    eldomtom2 Well-Known Member

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    Site is down again.
     
  25. torfmeister

    torfmeister Guest

    Think Matt's on vacation still.
     
  26. Cyclone

    Cyclone Well-Known Member

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    Not sure exactly when he's back, but I guarantee you he's been informed by UKTS users in some way. ;)
     
  27. OldVern

    OldVern Well-Known Member

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    Re download speeds, still need to grab a couple of my routes off there but it would be nice, bearing in mind the site is end of life, if the non premium speed could be lifted a bit. Much as I appreciate what the site has done over the years and I’ve paid my share of membership, bought the odd CD and contributed through them selling my MSTS route CD’s, I don’t really want to pay a sub just to grab a couple of 50Mb files!
     
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  28. dolanbaker

    dolanbaker Active Member

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    I just leave the PC on overnight and hope it doesn't drop the connection.
    With the demise of UKTS, I expect I will be posting more here.
     
  29. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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    There are other sites to post stuff - like Wotawally's
     
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  30. alistaircowell

    alistaircowell Well-Known Member

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    I now post screenshots here now (and also screenshots on Steam which I have done since 2019),
    I no longer post them at UKTS Forums anymore.
     
  31. Cyclone

    Cyclone Well-Known Member

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    Certainly a fair idea since the links will become invalid in a few months unless someone acquires and preserves the site.
     
  32. KeithG

    KeithG Active Member

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    If you look on the UKTS forum, "someone" is trying to do exactly that, acquire and preserve the site, but doesn't appear to be making much progress at the moment.
     
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  33. Cyclone

    Cyclone Well-Known Member

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    To be fair there isn't the traffic to show a large interest, though there are a couple of creators who are still posting their content there who will need to find new outlets in August.
     
  34. IronBladder

    IronBladder Well-Known Member

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    UKTS has always appeared rather unloved by its owner to me. The TSC search filter has been stuck at 2013 for almost a decade. That must be quite off-putting for new users.

    Things move on, and in my view it's time for it's end. Useful stuff will migrate one way or another elsewhere.
     
  35. 749006

    749006 Well-Known Member

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    If you read some of the posts by Matt it is not that simple.
    The people who placed their work on UKTS may not be happy with another person taking it over.
     
  36. IronBladder

    IronBladder Well-Known Member

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    Does that matter? Most won't care, or won't care enough to protest. Those that complain can have their content deleted on the new site.
     
  37. KTL_Rob Powell

    KTL_Rob Powell Well-Known Member

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    Yes it does matter. It comes down to the agreement effectively entered when uploading to the site. Because of the way the law works with IP rights amongst other things it is solely down to the original content creator to agree for their work to be moved.

    You can not just publish someone else's work elsewhere without their permission.
     
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  38. IronBladder

    IronBladder Well-Known Member

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    It's easy enough to delete your content before a transfer if you don't want people to still be able to access it.
     
  39. KTL_Rob Powell

    KTL_Rob Powell Well-Known Member

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    That.. I.. There is clearly no point explaining the legality of this situation to you as you are just trying to go around in circles to make your point rather than look at the facts.
     
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  40. Doomotron

    Doomotron Well-Known Member

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    Balance: it could be done where UKTS could move, but a grace period is given where any uploaded files can be deleted by their creators, with the announcement explicitly mentioning that the files will be moved if they are not deleted regardless of past TOS agreements. I'm not sure of the legal specifics for this but I know of other websites that have done similar things.
     
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  41. Cyclone

    Cyclone Well-Known Member

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    It's not that easy if you have, say, passed away.
     
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  42. Johnno124

    Johnno124 Active Member

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    On the flip side, it could be a opt in situation. If you want your stuff on the new site tick this box. otherwise it will not be transfered to the new site.
     
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  43. KrisKol

    KrisKol Active Member

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    That was always fine by me, to pay the subscription, But you dont even accept my card at all now, never mind monthly.
     
  44. DTG Matt

    DTG Matt Executive Producer Staff Member

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    Hmm is it broken again? Nobody had said anything so I thought it was fine. Will take a look tonight !
     
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  45. mindenjohn

    mindenjohn Well-Known Member

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    In such circumstances I would not be bothered if my content was being used, (being dead), in fact it would be a small tribute if anything (I'm not dead yet).
     
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  46. KrisKol

    KrisKol Active Member

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    Maybe that is why you are NOT getting the Money from peoples subscriptions to pay for the Hosting.

    It has been broken for ages. Since last year.
     
  47. Cyclone

    Cyclone Well-Known Member

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    Seems to be working fine ATM, I have a download running.
     
  48. KrisKol

    KrisKol Active Member

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    Maybe becaue you are In the UK, And Have a different bank card. Who knows.
     
  49. DTG Matt

    DTG Matt Executive Producer Staff Member

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    Whats the issue? KrisKol

    It used to be broken - i fixed it a couple months back.
     
  50. KrisKol

    KrisKol Active Member

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    The Atomic-Systems Site does not accept my Visa card, Even though I Know their is more than enough funds in it.
     

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