STEX 7.0 development

[frdrcklim 139]

The new simtropolis look is nice and all. not as intuitive, but it was just the same feeling i had back when ST6 was new. anyway, my problem is regarding the download description. it's not as informative at first glance as it was before. before, i would know if it was a residential lot or commercial lot since their is a category that says what it is exactly. Now, it just says [name] in BAT or [name] in Maps. i think it was mentioned before. that's all so far .

[hittwice99 619]

I'm not sure if this is temporary or not, but the new STEX rating system doesn't really give a good indication of the quality of the upload. For example, many files that previously had high ratings of 4.75+ are now rounded down to 4 stars. Some files that had a rating of close to 4 stars (e.g. 4.10), appear to have the same rating as a file that previously had a high rating. I understand that the STEX is currently being worked and improved on, but is there to be a planned change in the current rating system?

This will eventaully look similar to how ST6 did, with the stars as well as a numeric rating: ie 4.59

Yes, most likely.

That is good to hear.

[frdrcklim 139]

okay, after i downloaded my second file, i got this strange error

[#10850.2] An internal error occurred. Please contact an administrator

I can't download anything after that for some reason.

[Crazy-Mayor-XD 5]

How about a multi select box?

We could insert tick boxes. We can select the files we want and download them all at once.

Also could there be a picture?

[warrior 169]

Wow, new STEX is a vaaaaast improvement over the earlier version.

Only thing I noticed is that there's empty space below the dscription snippet on the STEX homepage, while the stats are squashed in on the right. I think it would be better if the stats (rating etc) was below the description snippet. And maybe put the list of files on the left, and the small column on the right. But otherwise, pretty hot look

  Edited March 4, 2011 by warrior  

[paeng 2,527]

When I choose the category "Props" inside the Stex - from page four on most I get is - Maps :-\ ... that already irked me in v6 - you could search for "Coffeeshop" and you get Maps, Maps, Maps... is there really no way to get all of them into their proper category? Seems hard to fathom that they were all wrongly flagged for upload...

And - if you can customize the RTE - could you not add a button to toggle between Code and Rich Text?

I know I can set it in my CP, but I prefer the choice - like in forums RT is okay, but for upload descriptions I rather work with code view...

  Edited March 5, 2011 by paeng  

[pobox205 0]

Unfortunately, due to the new anti-leech measures that we have in place, the hash before the name at the moment is unavoidable. That's because the files are hosted on a dedicated file server that is not on the same server as this website. I have been looking into this issue, and will continue to see what can be done, but for the immediate time being, I'm sorry to say it is a bit of a nuissance we have to put up with.

Thanks for clearing things up.

[paeng 2,527]

Another small suggestion for the Stex - to help readability a little...

Maybe put the category info on a new line, would be an easy fix on

[code]#idm_category .cat_name { display: block; }[/code]

or so...

Also not so sure on that version info hanging sort of in the air... I know it's to keep it in the same anchor, but it looks like some forgotten code fragment. Maybe make it 'v3', and also in grey...? And as long as it's v1, I find it superfluous... ;-)

[Jasoncw 11,982]

Yeah, I agree. That change also leaves more space for longer titles.

The size of the thumbnails is much better now, but ideally the thumbnails would be the same width as the old STEX images, so that old images wouldn't have to be scaled.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

I have long Titles on my bats and the next bat is coming soon.

One thing I do not like is when I download a file, the file name is some random numbers can you change that back to the way it was, because I keep all my zip files of my bat download and I thing finding them will be hard.

Another thing is there going to a place to put tags for finding bats easy.

[paeng 2,527]

One thing I do not like is when I download a file, the file name is some random numbers

Fortunately the hash is just added - so the original filename is still there - for the moment you'll have to delete the numbers by hand.

Here is what Dirk said about it -

Unfortunately, due to the new anti-leech measures that we have in place, the hash before the name at the moment is unavoidable. That's because the files are hosted on a dedicated file server that is not on the same server as this website. I have been looking into this issue, and will continue to see what can be done, but for the immediate time being, I'm sorry to say it is a bit of a nuissance we have to put up with.

[Rogue Leader 2]

I second many of these suggestions, but I want to add something else. When you search for something, and one of the words you search with is less than four words, it won't search for it. For example, search for "One Manhattan Plaza", it won't do the search despite the fact that there is a page with this title. Or, for another better example, try to search "BSC MEGA Props SG Vol 01" and you won't go to the page because more than half of those words are under four characters. This is really annoying, so can it be fixed? Also, another annoying thing is this darn "flood control" mechanism; why the heck do I have to wait 30 seconds to search for something?

[spa 970]

Yeah, I agree. That change also leaves more space for longer titles.

The size of the thumbnails is much better now, but ideally the thumbnails would be the same width as the old STEX images, so that old images wouldn't have to be scaled.

The other thing to ensure a smooth transition of images would be to have the preview window grab from the top like it always did before. Right now, the preview window is going from the middle of oversized images which can make for some strange viewing since people uploaded with the intention that the top of the jpg is what would show. A lot of mine are really quite messy right now because I made them with the understanding that the viewable preview image would be about 190 pixels from the top. If someone were interested in my file, they could then click in and see the rest of the image.

Since a picture, or in this case three, is worth a thousand words, this is what the preview window for my Canadian Broadcasting Centre looks like right now:

Pretty silly. It should actually be showing this:

But it's not because unlike ST6, ST7's stex is now grabbing from the middle of my jpg.

It would be a huge pain to go through and adjust the screens for all of my uploads and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has uploads that now look out of place as a result of this shift. I hope that this issue can be resolved.

  Edited March 6, 2011 by spa  

[nathanthemayor 1,263]

I have one suggestion:

Give normal users the right to lock their own uploads. I hate it when I have to email a mod to lock a(Usually) obsolute file, and sometimes it never happens.

[DCMetro34 577]

I have one suggestion:

Give normal users the right to lock their own uploads. I hate it when I have to email a mod to lock a(Usually) obsolute file, and sometimes it never happens.

But now for obsolete files, there is a way to upload an updated version with the new STEX format.

[paeng 2,527]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has uploads that now look out of place as a result of this shift.

Yeah, mine look the same... in addition it seems that all the "second" screenshots from v6 are 'lost'...

Okay, I got only about 30 uploads or so, it wouldn't be so tough to edit all of them... still, a lot of work (new pics and all...). And I wouldn't want to tackle it before this is settled...

* Has anyone yet edited some older upload - like images or descriptions? Any problems or glitches to report?

[Cockatoo 2,257]

Nathan, there's no locking anymore. Files that would have previously been locked are now 'unapproved'- we send them to a section where the public (bar the author) can't access them. If you want something off the STEX, just delete it. If you want to update an obsolete file, just update it. Simple as that.

[SimFox 804]

In addition to the original suggestion of having special fields for inputing basic stats of BATs i would like to point out few more issues with the STEX layout (at least in the way it is realized at the moment:

1. the picture. Although it is huge improvement over initial tiny thumbnails current size is also perhaps a bit to small. I think in the "selection" process picuter play the key role, and if for something small like a bus stop 180x180 pixel square could be more than enough for bigger stuff it could be restrictive. May be we could go at least to the original 250 pixel, or even something bigger like 400pix?

I also share SPAs opinion on conversion of old pictures to new layout.

2. separation of these two fields is insufficient. Eye is confused and lost. It doesn't know whether to go on along the line, or jump down. Margins on the main text are absolutely insufficient given new bigger font size - perhaps they should have been set in font size dependent value, like em.

3. But, personally, I would go further and separated right most field/panel all the way and made it more functional by moving there upload category and other utility info. for instance if this BAT is a residential, commercial etc... and other stuff like that.

4.search field is confusing. To the right of text input field it has a pictograph of looking glass- universal symbol of search. One instinctively tries to click on it, only to realize (after few frustrating seconds) that this is absolutely non-functional graphic.

5. This is more than just layout usability issue. I believe the whole nomenclature should be reconsidered. If BAT or 3ds files are categories, what then Residential, Industrial (as applied to BAT). Also such a category(?) as Tools (iLive Reader; BAT4Max etc) is really needed. I realize there aren't too many of those on STEX, but they are quite important and people should be able to find them.

[Dexter 41]

Another thing I've noticed is the STEX search does not allow searches that contain words below 4 characters, so it's impossible to search for quite a lot of things (like for example; GLR, bus, RES, NAM). Would it be possible to have images appear next to the search results as well?

[robloxkiller 25]

it needs new catorgories

[Paulobergonci 673]

Hi, i didnt read all the posts, so i hope someone didnt gave this idea yet.

I was searching on the new stex a few days ago, and the results only showed the file name, not the picture, what make the search much harder, you have to open each file to see how it looks like. So a picture would be great on the search page.

Thank you, Paulo

[madhatter106 3,931]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has uploads that now look out of place as a result of this shift.

Yeah, mine look the same... in addition it seems that all the "second" screenshots from v6 are 'lost'...

Okay, I got only about 30 uploads or so, it wouldn't be so tough to edit all of them... still, a lot of work (new pics and all...). And I wouldn't want to tackle it before this is settled...

* Has anyone yet edited some older upload - like images or descriptions? Any problems or glitches to report?

I am still boggled by the fact that the first incarnations of the STEX implemented TWO pictures for each upload, and now this new version only uses one.

That and the fact that doing a search generates all the results in a text list, and not as images.

[cesarisaias95 58]

As someone said before STEX search does not allow searches that contain words below 4 characters which I think needs to be changed, and I would also like to be able to track files like in ST6, like if I don't have to download something at the moment, I can go download later on.

[paeng 2,527]

I am still boggled by the fact that the first incarnations of the STEX implemented TWO pictures for each upload, and now this new version only uses one.

From just looking at the upload interface (for now I'm holding back on new uploads, too many open questions :-)), it seems to me that you can upload more than one screenshot - maybe even more than two... the mask at least asks you to put in your screenshots... apparently you can then declare which one is 'primary' and that will show on top... the other shows as thumbnail below the description (heading 'Screenshots') and on click is shown full size in a lightbox... (At least that's what I already saw with some uploads...)

Again - my theory... and hopefully not just wishful thinking... I'm sure someone in 'the know' will confirm this... or disillusion me

* But looks like this routine does not catch the "old" secondary screenshots...

Whichever way this is gonna go - it seems that there is no size-limit on the supplied screenshots...? I now already dread the monstrous 1900x1280 2Mb PNGs of the 734th incarnation of the "Mayor's Mansion with Grid and Windmill"... =.-]

[wwetom1 831]

How about pictures for the search results?

[hittwice99 619]

I am still boggled by the fact that the first incarnations of the STEX implemented TWO pictures for each upload, and now this new version only uses one.

From just looking at the upload interface (for now I'm holding back on new uploads, too many open questions :-)), it seems to me that you can upload more than one screenshot - maybe even more than two... the mask at least asks you to put in your screenshots... apparently you can then declare which one is 'primary' and that will show on top... the other shows as thumbnail below the description (heading 'Screenshots') and on click is shown full size in a lightbox... (At least that's what I already saw with some uploads...)

Again - my theory... and hopefully not just wishful thinking... I'm sure someone in 'the know' will confirm this... or disillusion me

* But looks like this routine does not catch the "old" secondary screenshots...

Whichever way this is gonna go - it seems that there is no size-limit on the supplied screenshots...? I now already dread the monstrous 1900x1280 2Mb PNGs of the 734th incarnation of the "Mayor's Mansion with Grid and Windmill"... =.-]

Some good points there.

[HookerHeels 309]

I don't know if any one has said anything about it on page two(I'm lazy and just skipped to 3) but could the STEX files popping up on windows like it used to, like the LEX does(the two download systems seem to be very similar) I liked being able to close the little window rather then go back a page, as some times the STEX/ST are really slow and it takes a while for it to open. Also, I often open many, many files at once, 8+ files at the same time. Having to rightclick>newtab is a tad annoying. Can we have our pop-ups back?

~Red

  Edited March 15, 2011 by RedScope53  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

First, I got two out of two hits yesterday on the STEX search as it stands. Please do not break it. The old version did too much second guessing.

Second, I don't think one should go overboard on adding descriptive fields to the STEX data base as searchable fields. It is the responsibility of the up loader to make a complete description of his item and this should be made clear. Perhaps a form to fill in as part of the upload preparation. If the fields of this form were stored, then you'd have your searchable fields.

All submissions, including maps, should be zipped. There should be one, and only one, technique for downloading an item.

People working on the STEX need to be thanked, and I do so here. You are doing a very good job with a very poor set of data. Overall, the results are excellent.

[Cleaner475 150]

Nathan, there's no locking anymore. Files that would have previously been locked are now 'unapproved'- we send them to a section where the public (bar the author) can't access them. If you want something off the STEX, just delete it. If you want to update an obsolete file, just update it. Simple as that.

This is the best news I heard today, hated all them locked files clogging up the STEX, glad this has been sorted

Richard

  Edited March 8, 2011 by Cleaner475  

[J0nnD0ugh 31]

I really miss the old exchange. My hard drive went kaput & I wanted to download some of the stuff I had & its just harder to find things now. The search option isn't as precise to me. And you have to click everything in order to see what it really is. There isn't a way to "window shop" anymore.