ColinB
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Posts posted by ColinB
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2 hours ago, 96RAF said:
Maybe come Monday all the whingers will be out of a job.
Ok enlighten me, what happens on Monday? As to the original post, where is Hornby going to find one of those to take some recordings? It is not the sort of thing you are going to find on a preserved railway.
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9 minutes ago, Brew Man said:
Yes, it's in an odd place under Shop\Train Sets and Rolling Stock
Thank you, that is why I couldn't find it. Must be the only one I didn't check. Without offending too many people, don't Hornby think it might be beneficial to make it easier to find.
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I haven't checked for ages, but where do I find the link to the spare parts pages? I have checked under shop and support, but I can't seem to find a link. I know they still sell motors because if I google it I get a link but there has to be a proper way to find them.
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Just now, sir john said:
And there's me thinking this forum was about model railways .I'm sure most users don't really want to read arguments about who knows more about computer programming. I'm 80 if I can find my way around it so can most people .the bottom line is if you don't like it font use it
Have you actually looked at this forum lately, a few posts about HM7000 but the posts have been drying up for months. I must admit I use RMWeb most of the time so if this forum becomes unusable so be it.
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1 minute ago, 96RAF said:
You consider that is a reportable offence Colin. Are you really sure you want to be laughed out of court.
For a start it is wrong, secondly it was implying I was old and senile. Now if you are happy with that label than I will not complain. Actually you didn't read my post there was no mention of court. So your guys are using style sheets, explains a lot.
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21 minutes ago, LTSR_NSE said:
Err Colin, that statement actually does sound like you not understanding modern web tools (or even the simplicity of working with style sheets).
Yes a couple of decades ago, significantly changing the front end involved dramatic redesigns - now significant front end changes can be implemented (& reverted) with a few clicks!
This is not intended to imply that any numpty with a hammer can be a web developer, but merely that dramatic looking front-end changes, no longer indicate/necessitate dramatic back-end changes.No I fully understand web tools, as I said I don't really care what you think, I use apps all the time, hence how I know a bad one when I see it. The previous iteration had checkboxes, now you have changed to a drop down menu which is probably similar to the iteration before the checkboxes although it wasn't on a drop down menu. I used to write this stuff for a living so I know a little bit about it. Now the RMweb page has embedded links in each heading so if you select Dapol it takes you to the Dapol page. It is pretty easy, definitely in C# it is. Raw Java doesn't have that so generally you use some add ons to do the same. From what I remember when I talked to my friend's wife who teaches how to design apps, generally they use a tool to make it easier. Either way you have decided that is what you are going for, so that is it but please don't try to belittle me with technology XXXX. I may be old but believe me, the fundamentals of writing software never change, been there done it.
I missed the bit about style sheets, that explains a lot.
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2 hours ago, RB51 said:
Completely the opposite approach @ColinB. No big bang [or naivety] as you call it, but a steady planned release of innovation so as not to overwhelm those who cannot cope with change. Things have moved on a fair bit in the last 30 years. R-
Really so the tear up of all the menu options, completely changing the front end. In my book that is not a planned release. As to things moving on in the last thirty years yes you are right but that doesn't mean I haven't kept up to date, Thirty years ago we were using assembler because high level code wouldn't fit in the available ROM (yes write it once), then there was C, C+ and C sharp. Actually I take offence at that last statement, do it again and I will report you to Hornby.
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1 hour ago, What About The Bee said:
That conflicts with my CDO. It is the same illness as Obsessive Compulsive Disease, except all the letters are arranged in the proper alphabetical order.
🙃
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@ColinBHi Colin. I understand your consternation. Your point has been made. Since February, these pages have experienced constant change. It can test a person's patience. It appears to be chaos and turmoil.
But it is not.
The lads are working very hard to make it better. In real time, right before your very eyes. They are accepting feedback from us and this is causing further adaptation and change.
So maybe bear with them while it changes?
Bee
To be honest it doesn't bother me that much, I just find it annoying that whoever Hornby employs is so naïve. When I went on a software course many years ago because I was involved in safety critical software, the guy explained the different models of how you develop software. We used to use the iterative model where you change a bit at a time, so it is easy to backtrack to an earlier release if something goes wrong. Hornby have obviously gone for the big bang approach where you change it all at once and then spend forever trying to fix it, losing customers in the mean time. If they are happy with that who am I to complain. I am lucky I grew up with computers programing so it isn't a problem, my concern is for those that are not so fortunate.
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I have a Heljan class 47 with a TTS decoder fitted and I don't remember any issues ( I haven't run it for a while). TTS is supposedly rated at a lower current limit than HM7000 so it should work. My only suggestion is try them with a different DCC decoder and see if you get the same effect.
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1 minute ago, SteveM6 said:
In the past,the forum would have been 'down' for a period of time but this 'live fixing' is a new approach. It's clearly a challenge for some who don't handle change particularly well.
For my part, I found the new routes to the pages I want to read within a few minutes, and yes I do have some 'observations' to make but understanding that the team are still working on this in real time, I will wait until I see the final iteration before commenting.
And having spent many years working in project and change management, I found that the world is split broadly into two camps. The first will take a change and say how do I make this work to suit me. The other group will be more like, it's different, don't like it, must be broken, take it away.
Actually that is the issue, you and 96RAF spend your time heavily involved in Hornby that you don't notice the simple things. People always default to this thing about not liking change they use it as an excuse, change is good if is for the better, if it isn't you are just wasting your money. I must admit I can navigate around the new format, I see very many faults like reiterative menus where you effectively could go round and round in circles but again that is not my issue. If you guys are happy with it then I will leave you to it.
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On 14/05/2024 at 09:18, Aussie Fred said:
Run my 88ds on the main track and worked like a rocket at full speed and crawl was exceptional. However (there is always a However or a But) does not move at all in reverse. I know it was a tight squeeze putting it back together and wondering if a wire might have come loose -any other thoughts before I pull it apart again.
I hate to say it but forwards or backwards uses the same wires it is only lights if fitted that are separate wires. It is either a mechanical issue, like a wire jammed in the mechanism or possibly a fault with the decoder. If you have an issue in the future fitting the decoder, Zimo make a MX617 that is incredibly small that will source 0.8 amp.
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9 minutes ago, LTSR_NSE said:
Membership is optional everyone can choose to use it or not - nobody is forcing anyone!
For those of us that would prefer to figure a way around the work - rather than have to experience downtime 😱 - cheers for keeping the lights on!
Yes, I eventually found the menu option, perhaps it would help if the extra 3 options that appear at the head of the page were deleted. You have the Forums, Gallery and then 3 options that are non relevant and take you away from the Forums page. The Shop option has no relevance in the Forums part if you wanted that you would have selected it before entering the Forums. The same could also said of Community and Support because you actually got into Forums by initially selecting an option within the original Community menu and Support again has nothing to do with Forums.
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2 hours ago, 96RAF said:
InVision have been supplying this package for ever to thousands upon thousands of users. Like all software it is never complete. It is simply a matter of getting all the right tick boxes sorted to suit HH preferred scheme. Ad stated earlier if folk keep moaning about WIP then the forum can be taken off air until it is finally sorted. You are being given the opportunity of continued use of the forum whilst work takes place. Let that happen and stop nit picking every single tweak.
They may well have, but that doesn't mean a lot as the Post Office enquiry is proving extremely well. When ever you release software you are supposed to give it your best shot, I should know, I did it for the best part of 30 years. People of my age will remember the London Ambulance fiasco where they did the same. Now please answer the question how do I get to the main menu ? I take the view that software is invented to make things easy so you don't put people off by making a package difficult to use. They should have Beta tested it on a remote platform and got some non knowledgeable users to test it. Either way as I have said many times, membership of this forum is optional, if you don't want any users then carry on with this approach.
I must admit if it was my design I would make sure my first draft did the basics, so in this case took you to the sub headings as a must, then add the clever stuff when you are sure it is working properly. It isn't my design so I suppose I will just wait a few weeks for them to get it right.
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Well I don't know if it is because the software is incomplete, but there again if it isn't it shouldn't be here. When I first enter the forum and select Hornby, it telling what the latest posts and things are but it doesn't give me the list of sub topics, remeber the checkboxes on the previous version. Now if I select a latest post to display and then go to its web address and go back one on the web address I get a nice menu with all the sub topics in it. Now obviously there must be an easier way to get to it, so what am I missing?
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I am of the view if you are going to change something only do it if you can make it better. On the new setup I can't find the references to the individual forums. When they changed it last time I thought it was a bit of downgrade. Perhaps I am in the minority.
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14 minutes ago, atom3624 said:
No idea how good / bad these are - often hear them being mentioned.
Al.
I don't know about these but the old Hornby ones used to distort bodies.
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On 05/05/2024 at 11:31, atom3624 said:
There has been doubt expressed wrt the ongoing reliability of the loco/tender connection long-term.
I always have this doubt with the fiddly little white 4-pin plugs. Unless you are able to maintain them connected, generally for storage, and for every major maintenance - body removal, etc. - they need to be disconnected / reconnected for use. The same can be said for these, with the best of careful intentions.
It's obviously a new / more convenient initiative by Hornby, who should be commended for at least trying something different and considerably less tedious.
Good luck to all purchasers of this 'beautiful but flawed' model - it does look superb.
Al.
When I designed anything in electronics I avoided those edge connectors like Hornby use, like the plague, they gave so much trouble on old equipment. I tended to use the pin and socket connectors just like Hornby have moved away from, because they were so much more reliable. The other thing is, should the 4 pin socket break for someone like me, it is relatively easy to fix. From what I gather the new connection arrangement is not. I always said, if you are going to change something, whatever you replace it with, must be better.
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On 08/05/2024 at 22:06, Renoir said:
I'm pretty sure this may have already been covered some time ago on the forum, apologies if so, but can anyone recommend a Stay Alive capacitor unit for the Class 08 ? I have Rails of Sheffield 6-pin decoders fitted to my two Class 08 locos and just need something to help them over the insulated frogs. I imagine that a few contributors may well have experience in this area now. Thanks.
I have tried lots. I found other than Hornby ones, the LaisDCC ones and the Train O Matic ones work really well. The old DCC concepts ones I used in the past had issues when I wanted to program on DCC but they might have improved them, I don't know. LaisDCC do run out but generally in a short period of time they are available again. I use them with Zimo decoders and they are wonderful. They also come in different sizes.
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Here are some photos from my HD A4s which should be of some help
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Here is what I do. Wrap the spare wire around the other wires (Zimo decoders come with it like that) and snip off the end so no parts of the inner conductor are showing. Seal the end with nail varnish (it is cheap and dries quickly). Obviously do not use metallic. You can then basically in bed the wire inside the bundle using the previous wrapping to hold it in. Now you can either loosely cover it with sleeving or alternatively just insulate where it is going. The tender is plastic but the weight is metal so just put a couple of strips of insulation on the tender where it will sit. Use a small piece of black tack to hold it there, to stop it falling out as you try and get the tender top back on.
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I think they should press back on, I think it is an interference fit. So you need something like a vice to do it. The biggest issue is getting them on squarely. I had never thought of the glue issue but I think you are probably right.
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Interesting fault, I have had the separate capacitors that Hornby fit round the motor fail but I would never suspect one soldered on the PCB. You say it works on DC but not DCC, to me it sounds like they fitted the wrong one with a higher value which is filtering out the DCC motor signal. If had failed short circuit it wouldn't work on DC. It is meant to filter out high frequency spikes that interfere with old analogue TV signals.
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1 hour ago, Schuie52 said:
Hi all I am in the process of converting my apt to dcc and putting direction lighting, which I now have completed and programmed, but I have run into a small problem with the hobby trax lights yes they all work well but the headlight seems bright and I am getting light bleed through the cab nose, any ideas on how to overcome this problem as all is fine otherwise
Michael
When I had light bleed on a Lima diesel I painted the inside area around the lamp matt black. I don't know if this will work in your case.
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I bought this loco and yes it works straight out the box on DCC. I can't remember whether I updated the software but I don't think I did.
4VEP Sound Profile Availability.
in HM | DCC (HM7000)
Posted · Edited by ColinB
May be next time Hornby shouldn't give a pre released copy to Jenny Kirk for her to do a demonstration to everyone for a currently non existent product. No wonder you guys are getting so much flack.