NAM Uploading Issues

[Tarkus 6,934]

I would like to call to everyone's attention a problematic situation exists that affects Simtropolis, the NAM Team and the overall SC4 internet community at large.

The fact of the matter is that there is a significantly outdated version of the NAM available here at ST on the Modds & Downloads section, which has been twice superseded by newer versions.  While this may seem like a non-issue at first, given the intricate and complicated nature of the NAM, it is actually of serious concern.

In order to be able to use any newer NAM components, like the recently released Version 3 update for the Street Addon Mod (SAM), the Rural Highway mod (RHW), the upcoming High Speed Rail (HSR) release, or any of the newer bridges, users must be running the most recent version of the NAM.

In non-technical terms, the newest NAM release (April 2008) contains data which allows these components to work.  Any user running the release currently available at Simtropolis (June 2007) who installs newer features will see the menu icon on the respective in-game menu, but instead of  that item functioning properly, the user will get the infamous "red arrow" bug, in which clicking the icon shows a red arrow, and the item is completely inoperable.  In the case of the bridges, they will simply not even show up at all.

These are both issues that can require rather intensive technical support.  I have, in the past, worked personally with affected individuals to try to track down outdated files in their Plugins that are causing their "red arrow bug".  Having watched the download counter on the outdated NAM over the past day or so, I've noticed several hundred people downloading this file.  Each one of those is a potential tech support case.  And to further complicate matters, the outdated June 2007 version here still has the description for the January 2007 version listed.  We have been very lucky so far that these support issues have not  flared up as much this time as they have in the past, but that does not mean that they won't.

This, of course, begs the question--why is this outdated version still available?  As you may know, the STEX has a 10MB limit.  The NAM has for many years been over that limit (currently, the PC version is around 11.6MB, the Mac version around 16MB), and as such, has to be uploaded by Dirk personally to the Modds & Downloads section.  It is not something we can do ourselves.  And Dirk is not nearly as active as he once was here (which, to my understanding, is precipitated by a serious case of RLS), and as a result, with past NAM releases, it has taken him at least a week longer than all other distribution sites to make the NAM available, even despite being notified and sent the files well in advance.  We have tried to get in touch with him this past week via his personal e-mail address regarding the April 2008 release, still to no avail.

This begs yet another question--why not break the NAM into smaller chunks so it will fit on the STEX?  This is not feasible for a number of reasons, namely that it would essentially turn the NAM into a long series of "Dependencies", and if one missed downloading just one these, it would essentially make the NAM non-functional for them.  We already have a number of people calling for us to make an even bigger package by rolling the RHW and other optional components directly into the NAM Core download, which is also not feasible (since making a couple little changes would mean re-compiling a whole new 40-50MB package).

This issue will also be further magnified as the various optional NAM components have more and more features added to them and increase in size.  The Mac version of the SAM is already too large for the STEX, and with Version 4, the Windows Installer will probably be as well.  The RHW will reach that threshold quite so

[jplumbley 5]

Originally posted by: Tarkus

The fact of the matter is that a solution to this problem needs to be found, as the current situation is not only not good for the NAM Team, it's not good for Simtropolis and the entire SC4 internet community at large.  We are more than happy to continue providing ST with the NAM and to work with the staff on finding a solution, but if this is not possible, we must ask that the obsolete version be removed.

quote>

 

I dont know if it is because it hasnt had a chance to sink in yet, or something.  But, we are talking about the availability of the NAM at Simtropolis, silence gaurentees that there will be no further releases of NAM at Simtropolis because no solution will have been raised.

Consider this a bump for the North American afternooners getting home from work in the next few hours.

[toxicpiano 125]

If you wanted to draw attention to the release, you could always post it as news on the front page with a link or something.

[Meg 368]

I'll talk with Dirk and see what's up.

[jplumbley 5]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek I'll talk with Dirk and see what's up.quote>

 

Do you have the ability to lock, or break the link, etc to the Outdated NAM so that it removes the potential of people downloading the wrong files and causing a Support Issue.  Until a solution is found.

[Meg 368]

Is everything now locked?  I know some files are.  not sure if all are.

I talked with Dirk and we are talking with Andreas Roth and Jasoncw to get this resolved.

Thanks!

[Haljackey 17,400]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Is everything now locked?  I know some files are.  not sure if all are.

I talked with Dirk and we are talking with Andreas Roth and Jasoncw to get this resolved.

Thanks!quote>

Nope.  I just tried to download the file and it worked.

Are you sure the maximum size for a STEX upload is 10 MB?  I swear I have seen some files way above this.

Take The Polaris Tower for instance.  It is currently 14.87 MB.  However, this file was uploaded in May 2005 so if a 10 MB limit does exist, then it must have come past this date.

Anyways, like everyone else, I am looking forward to a resolution for the problem.  Numerous times in chat many newbies have entered asking "Where can I find the new NAM?"

Best,

-Haljackey

[jplumbley 5]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Is everything now locked?  I know some files are.  not sure if all are.

I talked with Dirk and we are talking with Andreas Roth and Jasoncw to get this resolved.

Thanks!quote>

 

Actually the files on the Modds and Downloads are still working.  These are outdated since they are from June 2007 NAM.  We are now on April 2008.

Glad someone reached Dirk.

[diamonddog_74 32]

so, then ... how do we get the current NAM?

[jplumbley 5]

Follow the links... The latest NAM has been released on other websites.

Get the new NAM here:

Windows Version: https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=851

Mac Version: https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=852