Who is using the features other then decoder pro? Ease of use? Learning curve? Satisfaction? Thankd
Well, I guess it is part of Decoder Pro but I have recently begun using the WiFi throttle application with my Android tablet (Amazon Kindle Fire) and the Engine Driver free app.
Amazing versatility and better wireless coverage than my Digitrax duplex throttles in the layout room. I like that each function "button" is labeled with the exact function, too
Of course I use just about every feature of Decoder Pro, I haven't yet had the time or need to look into Panel Pro, Sound Pro or Dispatcher Pro.
Here's a link to some of those features in case anyone not familiar with them can have a look:
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/apps/index.shtml
Regards, Ed
i've been trying to get my head around JMRI in order to better appreciate what it is and can/doesn't do. I believe it is a collection of different software tools.
But i've been disappointed by the documentation on the website. I was looking an overview of what it is to get some perspective and determine if I was reading the appropriate section.
No doubt, the code is helpful to many. But the user interface and documentation lack from human factors and writers that support commercial software products.
I think it you get some help or invest some time to get over the hump.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Been using JMRI for 13+ years now (since late 2002):
- LOTS of decoder programming using DecoderPro;
- Multiple (yard and mainline) dispatcher panels for my current layout control using PanelPro (including a facia-mounted tablet for local yard throat control);
- Manifests/switch lists for Ops using OperationsPro;
- A Logix and a python script or two thrown in for various layout functions.
Oh, and Android phones/tablets for throttles using Engine Driver.
I find it very easy to use for the basic stuff I listed above. Learning curve really depends on what you want to do with it. It's *very* powerful, but you don't have to delve into the advanced stuff to use it's basic abilities.
As for satisfaction, well, that's going to be a personal thing. Can YOU get it to do what YOU want it to, with the amount of cost and effort YOU want to put into it? I can't answer that for you, but in my case, again, I'm a 13+ year user who's never looked back.
Like Stevert, I am a power user as well
- decoder pro
- programming/reading other boards in the loconet system
- track diagram
- turnouts, routes
- signals (and Logix to program them)
- wifi throttle and web server
Very satisfied use user!
There are lots of presentations and video tutorials on using various aspects of JMRI - that's in many ways better than a manual which just lists options.
I use decoder programming, though not as much any more since I've standardized on decoders and don;t need any special effects for my era and road, I just need an address and it's quicker to just use the throttle and set an address than fire up DecoderPro. I've used panels to operate turnouts and I designed an option for local control/dispatcher control but never got the layout to the point of implementing it. I use the WiThrottle aspect as extra throttles (I don't have any other wireless throttles at this point, actually).
I tried the automated operation with a friend's layout, he had 16 blocks in a fancy loop (schematically a loop but the tracks didn;t just go around in an oval shape) and he wanted to run multiple trolleys on it. I could never get it to work, in part because I was getting all sorts of surious detections, which everyone assures me is because he was using high frequency drive decoders with an old Digitrax BDL16. During the week, he downloaded a trial copy of RR&Co and by the next weekend he had this working perfectly - and I'm the computer guy/electronics guy, he's a lawyer (and in incredible model maker, with his N scale fine scale scratchbuilt locos).
While I appreciate the concept of one program that works on all environments, it maddening that the good features of Windows are left out. The good features of OSX are left out. The good features of various Linux desktops are left out - all for cross platform compatibility. You get least common demoninator. As a programmer I pretty much despise the Java language (which is why I am now looking into RocRail, since it's .Net - and .Net will now work in Linux, so at some point this will not be a Windows-only solution). Even worse than Java is the Jython scripting language where spaces and indents matter - what a serious pain. Indenting makes code easier to read but ENFORCING specific indents? Please.
Like everything, there are good points and bad points. Overall more good than bad, and it can't be forgotten that a landmark court case set precedents for ALL open source software. Our little hobby made a big splash.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have been using PanelPro to build, route loads and track car location.
Also for inventory of locos and cars.
It has a steep learning curve. The major fault I have found for me is getting the settings correct for it to use the cars I have designated for a route and assigned a loco. It always selects the cars automatically.
Fortunately I figured a work around to use the cars (empty and loaded) that I have selected to print a Train manifest and produce a Wheel Report.
It has many (perhaps too many) features.
Dan Foltz has created Excel files that do these things with output from PanelPro.
He has a website where the worksheets can be downloaded.
cplmckenzie
cplmckenzie I have been using PanelPro to build, route loads and track car location. Also for inventory of locos and cars. It has a steep learning curve. The major fault I have found for me is getting the settings correct for it to use the cars I have designated for a route and assigned a loco. It always selects the cars automatically. Fortunately I figured a work around to use the cars (empty and loaded) that I have selected to print a Train manifest and produce a Wheel Report. It has many (perhaps too many) features. Dan Foltz has created Excel files that do these things with output from PanelPro. He has a website where the worksheets can be downloaded. cplmckenzie
What you're talking about is OperationPro, not PanelPro. PanelPro is for building/using control panels.
Having said that, I'm having trouble understanding the problem you're having with it. It sounds like you don't want a program that's designed to select and route the cars for you, to select and route the cars for you?