Introduce Yourself Here!

[RickyCanaja 5]

Thanks, I was trying to understand this

[Vigilante1987 180]

Welcome xmaspanda, Gordo (may I call you Gordo?) and Ricky (may I call you Ricky?)

 

[Cyclone Boom 16,854]

Hi @RickyCanaja and welcome to Simtropolis!

 

6 hours ago, RickyCanaja said:

Hi everyone, I just signed up, now I play SimCity: city of the future

I only play SC4 personally, but I wonder if this specifically might be related to the "Cities of Tomorrow" expansion pack for SimCity (2013).

Nowadays there aren't as many people who post in the forums about SC2013, but the Cities Skylines topics are often well frequented. I don't check there often, although I've seen the occasional post in the CSL Modding forum featuring some very detailed creative content items.

We hope you enjoy the community here.

[gordonoobgamer8981 14]

17 hours ago, Vigilante1987 said:

Welcome xmaspanda, Gordo (may I call you Gordo?) and Ricky (may I call you Ricky?)

Hello @Vigilante1987. Tks! Of course you can call me Gordo. 

[Vigilante1987 180]

And you can call me Vig. (It's easier to type!)

[mhd_hasby 2]

haii guys 

i like you

[Cyclone Boom 16,854]

Hi there @mhd_hasby and welcome to Simtropolis!

[PaPa-J 778]

Welcome @mhd_hasby hope you enjoy the site!

[Vigilante1987 180]

Welcome to the site, mhd_hasby.

 

[CorinaMarie 29,578]

10 hours ago, mhd_hasby said:

haii guys 

Hiya!

[dupinet 6]

Hi! I'm 34 years young I use to play a lot of SC for Snes when I was a kid. Got really Iinto city simulators when we got sc2000 for PC back in the 90s. Very proud of my city's back then. Now long gone. When I got my own PC I got into sc3000 but not as much as with sc2000. 

I skipped 4 entirely and became a console gamer until last week when I recover my old work pc. Hooked it to my 4k TV and got wireless keyboard and mouse, bought SC4 from steam it looks beautiful with custom resolutions and no mods at all. I am kinda lost with my wife trying to do something. I heard there are a lot of mods nowdays and really want to get I to it and hopefully build a cool region with my wife before we have kids. Looking forward to modding SC4 and have a blast building city's like the old days! 

[RipRap 4,400]

Welcome to the community! We've just reached a point of maturity for SimCity 4 modding and all I can say that it matured nicely, though the game's performance on newer PCs have gone straight downhill.

 

[CorinaMarie 29,578]

Hiya, @dupinet. Welcome to Simtropolis.

Jump right in exploring our forums and feel free to start a new topic or reply to existing ones.

[Vigilante1987 180]

Welcome duping

[Cyclone Boom 16,854]

Hi @dupinet and welcome to the site.

That sounds great for getting into SC4 and it's never too late to do so either. The community here and at SC4Devotion is still going strong after all these years, and all the custom content has helped to sustain and prolong interest for many people around the world.

One thing you'll find is with so many mods and new buildings (BATs), it might seem very overwhelming to get started. What I recommend to begin with is to just continue playing the game with no custom content and get a feel for it. Then slowly add selected items possibly starting with the basic fixes, and then you may later find it useful to add a few graphical type mods. Take a look through Cori's Shoppes for a pictured index of all those, and just adding a terrain and water mod adds so much for realism.

A very useful overview of possible content to use is this one which has numerous suggestions. There's a few useful guides to read through as posted here too.

Just remember there's no need to install everything in one go. Far from it at that, and taking it slow is a good way to gradually build up as desired. It all depends on personal taste with adding certain items. Most of all if ever any questions about content, the simulation itself, or even any technical things, that's where we're all here to help.

We hope you enjoy it here. And as with your SC2K ones, I'm sure your SC4 cities will soon be what you (and your wife) are proud of too.

[dupinet 6]

45 minutes ago, Cyclone Boom said:

Hi @dupinet and welcome to the site.

That sounds great for getting into SC4 and it's never too late to do so either. The community here and at SC4Devotion is still going strong after all these years, and all the custom content has helped to sustain and prolong interest for many people around the world.

One thing you'll find is with so many mods and new buildings (BATs), it might seem very overwhelming to get started. What I recommend to begin with is to just continue playing the game with no custom content and get a feel for it. Then slowly add selected items possibly starting with the basic fixes, and then you may later find it useful to add a few graphical type mods. Take a look through Cori's Shoppes for a pictured index of all those, and just adding a terrain and water mod adds so much for realism.

A very useful overview of possible content to use is this one which has numerous suggestions. There's a few useful guides to read through as posted here too.

Just remember there's no need to install everything in one go. Far from it at that, and taking it slow is a good way to gradually build up as desired. It all depends on personal taste with adding certain items. Most of all if ever any questions about content, the simulation itself, or even any technical things, that's where we're all here to help.

We hope you enjoy it here. And as with your SC2K ones, I'm sure your SC4 cities will soon be what you (and your wife) are proud of too.

Thanks a lot! Ill start tonight and see how it goes.

[Naomi57 2,985]

Hi everyone, I've been posting here for the last 5 weeks, after lurking for a month or two when I started trying to figure out the NAM.

My SimCity experience started a long, long time ago, as a child.  Back then it looked something like this.  

I bought SimCity 4 Rush Hour for my kids in Christmas 2005.  They were suitably impressed with it for a year or two, or three.  I was too busy at the time to play with it, except to help my kids.  It took till six years later, in 2011, that I had some time, and really needed something to help me de-stress ... so I dusted it off.  Compared to fond memories of my childhood vintage SimCity playing, SimCity 4 Rush Hour was impressive .. and somehow maintained the nostalgia, too!

Last year, I discovered that SimCity 4 was the perfect distraction to get me through the Sydney summer heat waves, and this year, I discovered mods ... and NAM in particular, which has revitalised my interest in the game.  My two kids are grown now, really just this year, financially independent and busy in their own lives, so I've had a bit of time to dig back into it.  Some people watch TV or movies to relax, but not me ... I do SimCity 4 instead.  

I like taking existing real-life city maps, and re-making an approximate equivalent, though as I'd love it to be, rather than the ugly bits real cities inevitably have, while keeping the city books balanced and repaying my startup loan.  I enjoy the vanilla economic gameplay, and traffic management,  bridges, underwater tunnels, large (happy) populations, high capacity roads, dedicated bus lanes, and balancing mass transit, and that's just on the vanilla game with no mods.   NAM36 opens huge doors with a wealth of new options and features.    Thank you NAM team!!! 

 New York  ( by @Izidor44 ), is my latest real-life region map, with it's many coastlines and waterways.  I'm a huge, huge fan of the ferries, both from a tricky traffic management perspective, and cosmetically, and because I can't resist giving my sims the lifestyle they long for.  Show me any sim who doesn't prefer to take a ferry to work if they get half a chance!  

Here's my amiable account detailing my ventures into the NAM36 features, if you'd like to see.  So much fun!  

 

[Cyclone Boom 16,854]

Hi @Naomi57 and welcome to Simtropolis.

Even though you've been a member for a month and a half now, it's never too late to make an introduction. (And a mighty fine one at that too.)

It's great how you've posted around the site in creating all the SC4 gameplay and NAM tutorial City Journals. They're really well presented with the formatting and pictures, and to meticulously explain how to use the various features is very thoughtful. There's an idea that the best way to learn is to teach. As you continue exploring the various aspects of the simulation and custom content including the NAM interchanges, that way it's also helping others in the community.

The intracity and micro management of the simulation is fascinating. How there's so much detail packed into the game, observing how everything interacts. It does seem much more of a hobby than an actual "game" also. The creative peaceful nature of city building is truly delightful, and there is so much to discover.

You've made so many notable contributions around the site already, and glad you could join us with quickly becoming an integral part of the community.

[CorinaMarie 29,578]

Hiya, @Naomi57. Welcome to Simtropolis.

You've got one up on me as I never got around to introducing myself here.

As CB said, your contributions to the site are wonderful and will be helpful for other peeps learning key city concepts and the use of NAM. @Tarkus (or other NAM members) might be interested in your work since the documentation part of that massive mod has fallen behind due to a limited number of peeps working on the project. I noticed yesterday you have a useful list of your posts and CJ entries / tutorials on your About Me page. That's an excellent way for peeps to find your presentations.

[Naomi57 2,985]

11 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

You've got one up on me as I never got around to introducing myself here.

I think everyone knows you already, Cori!   

I've gradually been discovering your many contributions on the site, and have much enjoyed your sense of humour, too!

In addition to my About Me page, I'm also listing my NAM36 "Starting Out" tutorials in the comments under my NAM36: Starting Out advice for newcomers post.  I've noticed the NAM documentation is rather like a pantry full of interesting ingredients, so what I'm doing is providing some easy NAM36 recipes, and some of the basic techniques for whipping up the perfect soft peaks on the NAM36 cream!

13 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

There's an idea that the best way to learn is to teach.

Yes, that is in fact one of my motivations.  Posting a tutorial on NAM36 features I've struggled with is lots more fun than just practising again and again.  

... and I like to help people.

13 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

The intracity and micro management of the simulation is fascinating. How there's so much detail packed into the game, observing how everything interacts. It does seem much more of a hobby than an actual "game" also. The creative peaceful nature of city building is truly delightful, and there is so much to discover.

I'm totally with you there, CB.  It's very relaxing, engaging with my analytical side in trying to understand the black box of game mechanics, and the problem-solving to provide my sims with a pleasant commute, stable and prosperous economy, and a beautiful city.  I hadn't thought of it that way, but it certainly is more of a hobby than a game.

Another hobby of mine is writing, and so I like to throw a little whimsy into some of my tutorial posts, like The mysterious powers of the SimCity 4 Bus Stop post.  I couldn't do as much of that when I was doing Technical Writing for a living ... though I tried!  

11 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

@Tarkus (or other NAM members) might be interested in your work since the documentation part of that massive mod has fallen behind due to a limited number of peeps working on the project.

I'd be happy to help that way.  I seem to remember someone was planning to set up a Wiki for the documentation.  That might be a perfect spot for some of my tutorials, and would provide facilities for experienced NAM team members to comment on advanced aspects of the NAM which I'm still learning about.  I'm very aware that the NAM is a fast moving target, so engaging a community around my tutorials will help keep them up to date on upcoming NAM37 ... and 38 ... and 39!    

[Toby66 155]

Naomi 57, hiya, hello and hi.

Naomi Watts is somebody i know, she´s an actress i think.

Good day! 

 

  Edited October 24, 2019 by Toby66  

[Naomi57 2,985]

On 24/10/2019 at 2:31 AM, CorinaMarie said:

@Tarkus (or other NAM members) might be interested in your work since the documentation part of that massive mod has fallen behind due to a limited number of peeps working on the project.

Aside from my professional skills in documentation and tech writing, I've two decades experience in database programming and SQL ... do let me know if there's any way I can help you out with those skills, @CorinaMarie and @Cyclone Boom.  I'll be learning Python over this (southern hemisphere) summer, too.

[CorinaMarie 29,578]

1 hour ago, Naomi57 said:

I'll be learning Python over this (southern hemisphere) summer, too.

I'll be interested to hear of your progress with this. Are you taking an online course? And will you be using Linux or Windoze or some other OS for the installation?

[Cyclone Boom 16,854]

@Naomi57

Thanks for the offer to assist, and certainly your expertise with the database side could really prove invaluable.

There are things we do with MySQL occasionally such as to perform batch update queries to file records. This includes recently how we've done some server maintenance work where files were sorted into numerical subfolders via FTP and the records needed updating. Notably last year there were some site issues which were identified to be database related, and it required some substantial fixing up with re-importing and to get everything running again to a degree of stability how it is now.

I suspect there's still tuning which can be done to improve performance on that front, such as being cache related and with all kinds of variables involved. We'll certainly let you know, and a project on our horizon is upgrading the board software to the latest version.

 

1 hour ago, Naomi57 said:

I'll be learning Python over this (southern hemisphere) summer, too.

That sounds cool.

Only if you'd like, maybe this could be an idea for a CJ style topic to document your progress however you wish, possibly in the Off-Topic forum?

(Or wherever you feel is suitable and viable to post about.)

[Naomi57 2,985]

21 minutes ago, Cyclone Boom said:

There are things we do with MySQL occasionally such as to perform batch update queries to file records. This includes recently how we've done some server maintenance work where files were sorted into numerical subfolders via FTP and the records needed updating. Notably last year there were some site issues which were identified to be database related, and it required some substantial fixing up with re-importing and to get everything running again to a degree of stability how it is now.

I suspect there's still tuning which can be done to improve performance on that front, such as being cache related and with all kinds of variables involved. We'll certainly let you know, and a project on our horizon is upgrading the board software to the latest version.

I've worked with MySQL three times in the past, once for backend integration with automated email delivery, another time for a suite of PHP applets, and another time using MySQL as a front-end cache ... which we ended up switching out for SQLite, for it's single-user performance benefits.  I'm good at diagnosing data issues, too, and database performance optimisation.

Most of my experience is with Oracle and SQL Server, but I've worked with many SQL databases.  While I'm very familiar with MySQL, I've never used it in conjunction with a web site, which is ironic given that's what MySQL is most often used for.  

I've done some FTP in the past, through certainly wouldn't consider myself an expert on that subject.  Happy to help out when the occasion arises.  

[blacksugar419 74]

Hello! I am 37 yrs old. Ive been playing SimCity 4 on and off for roughly for 10 years. The rest of my introduction will probably not be a good first impression to the higher seniority people, but I assure you I am a good intentioned person, and I will not verbally abuse others, and/or make negative, pessimistic comments to cut others down or anything of that nature.

Ive been monitoring this site for about 6 years approximately. Im afraid to make posts on here which is what has stopped me for so long from doing so. I am sorry if I break any rules in the future. I know the recomendations will be to read all the material before doing so, but I am having a hard time navigating this forum. Its not just your forum, its the way all forums work that has kept me clear from them all. They just are visually stimulating with millions of lines and hyperlinks, and then each thread or page has dozens of other links that keep eventually leading you into a giant circle web of confusion. Ive been reading the past few days and ive opened 39 new browser tabs for example and I am just lost... just seems like theres an endless amount of material just to get started to making the first post, little alone adding all this custom stuff I see everyone use. I see your guys's attempt to streamline everything, which im sure for the average forum go'er that is true, so again, Its not you, its me, Im just hoping you will have mercy on me If I make mistakes. It probably dont help that im a 37 yr old male with adhd and anxiety so bad that im about to lose my wife over it. Im an orderly person who cannot grasp or see the order through any forum, so I panic at any sight of chaos. I am aware of searching to avoid repeat posts and trying to find the correct forum to do so.

As previously stated about 6 yrs ago, I somehow was able to figure the NAM (32 at the time?) out, and how to install a majority of the maps. other than that, figuring all this other stuff out is getting complex. I just wanted to add all your guys's cool created stuff and play the game, but as stated ive spent about 2-3 days opening dozens of tabs and getting no where. Im not expecting any magick solution, but again just hoping you bear?bare? with me as I try to figure this all out.

I am aware of the STEX collection discs. I will donate more than the $30 recommended as I see it as the same price as buying a video game, which I actually never do, so I am more than willing to do so to have some enjoyment in my life (besides my 1 yr old daughter). However, while waiting several weeks for that to happen, I would still like to learn how to get some of the better stuff I see people using, that I suspect will not be on those discs.

I can go on forever in this introduction, but I have a problem of running on. My counselor would tell me to breathe, which means, shut the hell up already.

[CorinaMarie 29,578]

Welcome to Simtropolis, @blacksugar419.

I believe you will find we are a very friendly bunch of peeps.

We have toned down the rules in the past couple of years so it's almost impossible to do anything wrong unless deliberately trying to do so. Feel free to create a new topic about even the most basic game questions and there will be peeps to guide you on your way. The old concept was such that new members where supposed to search for answers prior to asking. I personally was so confuzzled when I joined that it took me a couple of months to have the basic feel for where things are. As I moved into a staff position we worked to iron out where things are as much as possible. (Tho suggestions for organization are still welcome.) It is a bit complex because there are so many various aspects to city building games and many answers will be cross linked to other replies which in turn may have linkys to other info.

IMO, it's best to read things which interest you and take it all slow so as to not get overwhelmed. We've also abolished the old rule which said one cannot bump an older thread by replying to it. Now, if you find something which you'd like to discuss or ask about, feel free to do so. The caveat is that some of the older info is out dated and may no longer be relevant. If that happens our experts can let you know and either way you'll gain clarity.

We've transformed the staff's role from a mini police force to a group of guides who know their way around and who can advise new members where to find what they are looking for.

Jump right in. We won't bite.

[Naomi57 2,985]

13 hours ago, blacksugar419 said:

They just are visually stimulating with millions of lines and hyperlinks, and then each thread or page has dozens of other links that keep eventually leading you into a giant circle web of confusion.

Hi there, @blacksugar419, and welcome to Simtropolis.  I'm so glad you decided to post here.

I ... totally sympathise with the millions of lines and hyperlinks ... I've 58 browser tabs open at the moment, and yes, that's difficult to manage.  

One of the ways I cut that down, is by pasting web addresses into a Notepad file or Word document ... along with a brief couple words (or copy/paste of a key sentence from the page).  That way, I can find it again using Ctrl+F, Edit-Find, when (or if) I'm up for engaging hyper-focus on that subject again.  Weirdly, some things always engage hyper-focus for me, but many others are difficult.  That's one of the reasons I'm VERY SLOW to pick up on mods, preferring to focus on getting use of one mod right, before moving on to another.

Well done for figuring out the NAM.  That, by itself, is an achievement.  

SimCity 4 is a marvelous game, even without the mods.  Sometimes I feel intimidated by how many mods other people use, but I remind myself that my gamestyle is my own, and it works for me.  Your gamestyle is perfectly good, too — it's worked for you for 10 years — you don't have to be like other people.

Rather than going round in circles, please do feel welcome to post questions up on the General Discussion forum.  It's perfectly okay to ask, and I'll try to reign in my own ... verbosity, to stay on-topic!  

https://community.simtropolis.com/forums/forum/3-SimCity-4-general-discussion/

PS.  I, too, am a nature-lover, something very calming about nature, and some aspects of SimCity are very calming like that, too!  

PPS.  One of those browser tabs I've got open is on Sam Harris ... been meaning to get into his stuff for months!

[Cyclone Boom 16,854]

Hi @blacksugar419 and welcome to Simtropolis!

That first step in posting is a difficult one to make as you've just done. It's the initial hurdle which can seem hopelessly difficult to attain, and one that only a select few people even attempt to strive for in an online community. Just the thought about how others may perceive and judge you can induce fear and intimidation for making that first stride. I know that feeling myself too. There's a studied principle how contributors are proportionally as little as 1% of everyone who visits a site. So simply by posting here, you've done something which is rare for the majority, and especially to be so upfront and honest about your feelings also. We completely understand.

To put this in perspective, here's a few stats I posted a couple of years ago. They will still be similar to this day:

On 26/05/2017 at 12:24 PM, Cyclone Boom said:

Checking the post data here at ST for all registered users:

• 92.7%  have never posted.
• 7.3% have made one or more post.
   
• 4.8% have made 2 or more posts.
• 1.6% have made 10 or more posts.
   
• 0.5% have made 60 or more posts.
• 0.1% have made 500 or more posts.
   
• 0.05% have made 1,000 or more posts (351 users).
• 1 member has made over 50,000 posts (@A Nonny Moose).

 

Rest assured how ST is an online community which is unlike many others. It may sound a little (or a lot) biased coming from me as an admin, but I honestly believe this is one of the nicest and brightest corners of the internet. It's a friendly and welcoming place, and the natured intelligible topical discussion city building games encourage is conducive to that atmosphere. For lots of us SC4 has become more of a hobby than a game too, and it is a good way to relax and take one's mind off the stress real life can bring.

So please be assured how like everyone here, you're accepted for who you are. There's no pressure at all either to participate. However you wish to get involved around the site, completely at your own pace, we're all here to assist in your city building mayoral adventures.

[Naomi57 2,985]

8 minutes ago, Cyclone Boom said:

I honestly believe this is one of the nicest and brightest corners of the internet.

That's exactly why I'm here!  I got sick of the rough and tumble in other internet spaces, even those which tout themselves as "safe spaces".

Thank you CB, and @CorinaMarie, for all you do in making this a friendly and enjoyable place to hang out.