Content Management - Revision history

S301: Redirected page to Help:Content Manager

2018-08-01T03:24:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:24, 1 August 2018
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	~~'''Content Management for typical end-users'''~~		#REDIRECT [[Help:Content_Manager]]

	~~People use Trainz in a variety of ways and have many different skill levels, areas of interest and needs. Users tend to restrict themselves to one of the following modes:~~

	* Use Driver with built-in routes only.
	* Use Driver with downloaded routes/sessions/scenarios.
	* Use Surveyor with built-in content only, and never upload.
	* Use Surveyor with downloaded content, and never upload.
	* Use Surveyor with downloaded content, and upload routes.

	Most of these users do not want to deal with the make-up of individual items of content, faulty content, missing dependencies, and the like. Each of the above usages needs to be available as a one-click solution without unexpected hurdles.


	~~'''Content Management for Content Creators'''~~

	Once you move beyond downloading or uploading routes and into creating 3D objects , sessions or scenarios, you qualify as an advanced content creator. Content Creators need to understand a lot more about the inner workings of Trainz content, and computers in general. While there is a grey area where simple content can be manufactured following step-by-step instructions without the user really understanding why they are performing each step, there is a steep learning curve to move into full-blown content creation.

	Users who choose to create and distribute content have some implicit responsibilities - that their content will work, that their content does not cause problems for other users, etc. Content creators also have certain reasonable expectations - that a Trainz update will not break compatibility with their content, that N3V will not impose unnecessary effort onto the content creator, and that given a base level of computer literacy, sufficient instruction and feedback will be available that any problems can be resolved.


	~~'''Content Creation History'''~~

	~~N3V's content creation workflow is designed to balance the above requirements on typical end-users, content creators, and N3V.~~

	With the original Trainz versions, custom content was unmanaged, presenting a range of problems including incompatabilities between content supplied by different creators, incompatibility with newer Trainz versions, etc. This was addressed by the introduction of an official content-packaging mechanism (CDP) and the Content Creation Guide (CCG) which detailed the process of creating content of various types.

	As the range of custom content and the number of supported Trainz versions increased, a new problem became evident- content broke in newer Trainz versions, and it became difficult to download content without numerous errors and missing content items being flagged. This impacts heavily on the user experience, especially for the typical end-users. In some cases this was due to specification changes (deliberate or otherwise) on N3V's part, but in the vast majority of cases this was the direct result of content creators failing to follow the CCG - because of human error, because of insufficient clarity or examples, and because creators wanted to stretch the game to capabilities beyond those detailed in the CCG.

	~~It's fairly easy to see that the following workflow is ideal:~~

	* N3V provides accurate and complete documentation.
	* N3V provides content creation tools which both allow flexibility and reduce the chance of violations of the CCG.
	* Content creator uses the tools and documentation and their own skills to create quality content.
	* N3V provides tools for the content creator and other users to validate that content is not faulty.
	* N3V provides easy-to-use mechanisms for end-users to locate and download content that will work with their Trainz version.

	~~Additionally, errors are inevitable from all parties. There needs to be a way to rectify errors at every step:~~

	* Documentation updates and communication of changes.
	* Content Creation Tool updates.
	* Mechanisms for the content creator to become aware of problems, and assistance given in fixing problems.
	* Newly identified issues are added to the validation process.
	* Mechanisms for end-users to become aware of content fixes, and to receive updates without causing additional problems or effort.

	TRS2006 took the first serious steps towards the above workflow. The implementation was far from perfect - some areas are too lax and others too restrictive - and the required workflow was significantly different from that which existing content creators were accustomed.

	[[~~Category~~:~~Trainz Wiki~~]]

Windwalkr: Windwalkr moved page TrainzOnline:Content Management to Content Management over a redirect without leaving a redirect

2018-01-18T08:34:11Z

Windwalkr moved page TrainzOnline:Content Management to Content Management over a redirect without leaving a redirect

← Older revision	Revision as of 08:34, 18 January 2018
(No difference)

Rob430: Rob430 moved page Content Management to TrainzOnline:Content Management

2014-02-18T05:41:26Z

Rob430 moved page Content Management to TrainzOnline:Content Management

← Older revision	Revision as of 05:41, 18 February 2014
(No difference)

Retro00064: + Category:Trainz Wiki.

2013-02-15T12:16:29Z

+ Category:Trainz Wiki.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, 15 February 2013
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	TRS2006 took the first serious steps towards the above workflow. The implementation was far from perfect - some areas are too lax and others too restrictive - and the required workflow was significantly different from that which existing content creators were accustomed.		TRS2006 took the first serious steps towards the above workflow. The implementation was far from perfect - some areas are too lax and others too restrictive - and the required workflow was significantly different from that which existing content creators were accustomed.

			[[Category:Trainz Wiki]]

Windwalkr at 09:48, 18 October 2010

2010-10-18T09:48:33Z

Windwalkr: 1 revision

2010-02-03T13:58:49Z

1 revision

← Older revision	Revision as of 13:58, 3 February 2010
(No difference)

Paulhobbs at 20:27, 10 June 2008

2008-06-10T20:27:27Z

New page

'''Content Management for typical end-users'''

People use Trainz in a variety of ways and have many different skill levels, areas of interest and needs. Users tend to restrict themselves to one of the following modes:

* Use Driver with built-in routes only.
* Use Driver with downloaded routes/sessions/scenarios.
* Use Surveyor with built-in content only, and never upload.
* Use Surveyor with downloaded content, and never upload.
* Use Surveyor with downloaded content, and upload routes.

Most of these users do not want to deal with the make-up of individual items of content, faulty content, missing dependencies, and the like. Each of the above usages needs to be available as a one-click solution without unexpected hurdles.

'''Content Management for Content Creators'''

Once you move beyond downloading or uploading routes and into creating 3D objects , sessions or scenarios, you qualify as an advanced content creator. Content Creators need to understand a lot more about the inner workings of Trainz content, and computers in general. While there is a grey area where simple content can be manufactured following step-by-step instructions without the user really understanding why they are performing each step, there is a steep learning curve to move into full-blown content creation.

Users who choose to create and distribute content have some implicit responsibilities - that their content will work, that their content does not cause problems for other users, etc. Content creators also have certain reasonable expectations - that a Trainz update will not break compatibility with their content, that Auran will not impose unnecessary effort onto the content creator, and that given a base level of computer literacy, sufficient instruction and feedback will be available that any problems can be resolved.

'''Content Creation History'''

Auran's content creation workflow is designed to balance the above requirements on typical end-users, content creators, and Auran.

With the original Trainz versions, custom content was unmanaged, presenting a range of problems including incompatabilities between content supplied by different creators, incompatibility with newer Trainz versions, etc. This was addressed by the introduction of an official content-packaging mechanism (CDP) and the Content Creation Guide (CCG) which detailed the process of creating content of various types.

As the range of custom content and the number of supported Trainz versions increased, a new problem became evident- content broke in newer Trainz versions, and it became difficult to download content without numerous errors and missing content items being flagged. This impacts heavily on the user experience, especially for the typical end-users. In some cases this was due to specification changes (deliberate or otherwise) on Auran's part, but in the vast majority of cases this was the direct result of content creators failing to follow the CCG - because of human error, because of insufficient clarity or examples, and because creators wanted to stretch the game to capabilities beyond those detailed in the CCG.

It's fairly easy to see that the following workflow is ideal:

* Auran provides accurate and complete documentation.
* Auran provides content creation tools which both allow flexibility and reduce the chance of violations of the CCG.
* Content creator uses the tools and documentation and their own skills to create quality content.
* Auran provides tools for the content creator and other users to validate that content is not faulty.
* Auran provides easy-to-use mechanisms for end-users to locate and download content that will work with their Trainz version.

Additionally, errors are inevitable from all parties. There needs to be a way to rectify errors at every step:

* Documentation updates and communication of changes.
* Content Creation Tool updates.
* Mechanisms for the content creator to become aware of problems, and assistance given in fixing problems.
* Newly identified issues are added to the validation process.
* Mechanisms for end-users to become aware of content fixes, and to receive updates without causing additional problems or effort.

TRS2006 took the first serious steps towards the above workflow. The implementation was far from perfect - some areas are too lax and others too restrictive - and the required workflow was significantly different from that which existing content creators were accustomed.

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:48, 18 October 2010
Line 16:		Line 16:
	Once you move beyond downloading or uploading routes and into creating 3D objects , sessions or scenarios, you qualify as an advanced content creator. Content Creators need to understand a lot more about the inner workings of Trainz content, and computers in general. While there is a grey area where simple content can be manufactured following step-by-step instructions without the user really understanding why they are performing each step, there is a steep learning curve to move into full-blown content creation.		Once you move beyond downloading or uploading routes and into creating 3D objects , sessions or scenarios, you qualify as an advanced content creator. Content Creators need to understand a lot more about the inner workings of Trainz content, and computers in general. While there is a grey area where simple content can be manufactured following step-by-step instructions without the user really understanding why they are performing each step, there is a steep learning curve to move into full-blown content creation.

	Users who choose to create and distribute content have some implicit responsibilities - that their content will work, that their content does not cause problems for other users, etc. Content creators also have certain reasonable expectations - that a Trainz update will not break compatibility with their content, that ~~Auran~~ will not impose unnecessary effort onto the content creator, and that given a base level of computer literacy, sufficient instruction and feedback will be available that any problems can be resolved.		Users who choose to create and distribute content have some implicit responsibilities - that their content will work, that their content does not cause problems for other users, etc. Content creators also have certain reasonable expectations - that a Trainz update will not break compatibility with their content, that N3V will not impose unnecessary effort onto the content creator, and that given a base level of computer literacy, sufficient instruction and feedback will be available that any problems can be resolved.


	'''Content Creation History'''		'''Content Creation History'''

	~~Auran~~'s content creation workflow is designed to balance the above requirements on typical end-users, content creators, and ~~Auran~~.		N3V's content creation workflow is designed to balance the above requirements on typical end-users, content creators, and N3V.

	With the original Trainz versions, custom content was unmanaged, presenting a range of problems including incompatabilities between content supplied by different creators, incompatibility with newer Trainz versions, etc. This was addressed by the introduction of an official content-packaging mechanism (CDP) and the Content Creation Guide (CCG) which detailed the process of creating content of various types.		With the original Trainz versions, custom content was unmanaged, presenting a range of problems including incompatabilities between content supplied by different creators, incompatibility with newer Trainz versions, etc. This was addressed by the introduction of an official content-packaging mechanism (CDP) and the Content Creation Guide (CCG) which detailed the process of creating content of various types.

	As the range of custom content and the number of supported Trainz versions increased, a new problem became evident- content broke in newer Trainz versions, and it became difficult to download content without numerous errors and missing content items being flagged. This impacts heavily on the user experience, especially for the typical end-users. In some cases this was due to specification changes (deliberate or otherwise) on ~~Auran~~'s part, but in the vast majority of cases this was the direct result of content creators failing to follow the CCG - because of human error, because of insufficient clarity or examples, and because creators wanted to stretch the game to capabilities beyond those detailed in the CCG.		As the range of custom content and the number of supported Trainz versions increased, a new problem became evident- content broke in newer Trainz versions, and it became difficult to download content without numerous errors and missing content items being flagged. This impacts heavily on the user experience, especially for the typical end-users. In some cases this was due to specification changes (deliberate or otherwise) on N3V's part, but in the vast majority of cases this was the direct result of content creators failing to follow the CCG - because of human error, because of insufficient clarity or examples, and because creators wanted to stretch the game to capabilities beyond those detailed in the CCG.

	It's fairly easy to see that the following workflow is ideal:		It's fairly easy to see that the following workflow is ideal:

	* ~~Auran~~ provides accurate and complete documentation.		* N3V provides accurate and complete documentation.
	* ~~Auran~~ provides content creation tools which both allow flexibility and reduce the chance of violations of the CCG.		* N3V provides content creation tools which both allow flexibility and reduce the chance of violations of the CCG.
	* Content creator uses the tools and documentation and their own skills to create quality content.		* Content creator uses the tools and documentation and their own skills to create quality content.
	* ~~Auran~~ provides tools for the content creator and other users to validate that content is not faulty.		* N3V provides tools for the content creator and other users to validate that content is not faulty.
	* ~~Auran~~ provides easy-to-use mechanisms for end-users to locate and download content that will work with their Trainz version.		* N3V provides easy-to-use mechanisms for end-users to locate and download content that will work with their Trainz version.

	Additionally, errors are inevitable from all parties. There needs to be a way to rectify errors at every step:		Additionally, errors are inevitable from all parties. There needs to be a way to rectify errors at every step: