SCARM layout software

Hello Atka,

Nice work. Wish you good luck with your development.

Here are some similar examples from the Model Trains Simulator in SCARM:

Driver Viewing Mode

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/fUQIfFEDfRs?rel=0

Model Trains Simulator PE - Session #1

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/R1ECf8NFSZo?rel=0

Hope you and others will like that

Mixy

So, after a while away from Scarm, I come back to it to find I now have to PAY for it if I want an unlimited number of track and to print the 1:1 plans or sections thereof? and As good as $40 USD to boot?

Sorry, but I find that way OTT, especially given all I wanted to do was adjust something and re-print from my original files, was FORCE UPDATED, which now refuses to work (Back on W7U, on a laptop).

Nice Mixy, way to go I THINK NOT.

A little Warning would have been nice that we were beta-testers and helping you prep for a non-beta paid version!

And what of those of us who provided feedback and suggestions that helped move the development of SCARM Forward? I suppose that counts for ZERO?

You say on the website on the "Everything About The Transition to SCARM 1.0 Milestone" page, under the sub heading of "Now and the future" that:

"All users who contributed to SCARM" but then qualify that by restricting "all users who contributed" to only those who helped with "track systems info or major translations of the user interface and the documentation",

Thus completely eliminating any of us on MRF that provided feedback on certain things that resulted in changes for the betterment of the program, or suggestions that resulted in the betterment of the program through new or updated features..

I call that a low down dirty trick and a kick in the teeth to everyone who contributed with feedback and suggestions and thus helped you develop the program.

QUOTE (Babz @ 19 Jan 2019, 07:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Mixy i totaly agree with The Gentlemans comments above. The other problem i have is that you do not appear to be a member that pays. I was a paying member and that gives you entitlement to sell on the site. I withdrew my plus membership because i perceive that you are not a paying member. I am also hacked off because one way or another lots of people on this forum and probably many other forums helped you develop the business that you now have. Without lettng people know that you were going to start charging for it untill you got it to version 1 i am on this forum a lot and i did not see anything about charging for it untill it happened. . I have taken this up with someone who is a Moderator. But i am still not happy about the way you conducted this.
Babz

Babz (and everyone else concerned),

I have been reading into this further and researching this matter outside of this forum.

The general concensus is that whilst some are willing to pay for it, the majority of what I have read is that most people are EXTREMELY angry or annoyed at the behaviour of the developer for the fact that as soon as V1.0 was reached, it suddenly had to be paid for, leaving a vast amount of people in the lurch, mid-planning.

I will be saying no more on the subject other than I have said my piece and expressed my views and that is all I intend to do.

*** I think you should just keep going as you are.

I am not a SCARM user ( I am not one for drawing track plans like that) but I do use many other programs related to the hobby. I will sometimers initially use a trial version but most often I buy it up front.

I simply think that it is fair to pay for waht I use.... So overall, trial version or not, if I decide I like some software then I register and pay for it.

I did not bother commenting on the above posts when they happened because I had nothing nice to say about them - but frankly, I am quite amazed that people think they have a right to "free forever" when someone has invested many, many hours writing tens of thousands of lines of code to create a useful piece software, bother you with questions that take even more time when it suits them and then expect to be able to always use it without cost.

Effort deserves reward and I totally agree you have to protect your investment. Personally, I would invest as much "worry about those who complain" as they invest in money to use your software - ZERO.

Just keep up the good work and concentrate on your user base that does appreciate your efforts.

regards, Richard

Mixy & Mr johnson,

I have read your posts. I agree it is not a free Ride And had it been done Better Or There was a Terms and Conditions Right from the Start before you could use the Software people would have been more aware of what was going on.

IMHO Mixy should have protected his Intellectual Property from the Start. I am not clever enough to Advise him on that. Even in the Model Railway world there are some Unscrupulous people as i have had the misfortune of people taking advantage of me

If i read every Blog Website and the Forums I would never get any modelling done.

I have read the Terms & conditions of the Website and I am still under the Impression that Somebody who is conducting Business is not Aloud. See Quote Below from the Rules.

"Posting in the Forums

Model Rail and Accessory Retailers and Commercial outlets may not use the Forums as a means to promote their business activities, transmit any advertising, promotional materials, or other forms of solicitation other than what is stated below to inform members as to the presence of a new newsletter."

Now i have much Admiration for Mixy and I would have Paid a Modest Fee for The Software, But i am so fed up with So called Model Railway Software that I cannot get to Work And have bought a few in my time, So i was reluctant to Buy it after the event As i could not get some of the Features to work for me or it was not User Friendly. No you cannot please everybody all of the Time .

What I object to more than Anything If I want to sell Something on the Forum I have to be a Plus Member and I was. And I was Until this Raised its head last year. I did take it up with the Moderators.

You cannot tell me that Mixy cannot afford the 15 Euro fee for Plus Membership. It does cost money to Host this Forum and I have no objection To Pay as long as other people do the same How much does Advertising Cost in the Real World After all you have implied it is not a free ride

So Why should i have to Pay to be a Plus Member to Sell something and other people Do Not That is in my Opinion Discrimination.
Barbara Roberts.
Ps
Just Maybe that is why People have dropped off the Forum I came on hear for to Learn and Get help for my Modelling. After all it is supposed to be fun.

Hello Mixy!

I am very sorry that this great software generates such negative comments from several users. This is a brilliant software that I thank you. I hope that I was not the cause of the sudden payoff. I was naive, I thought you'd be happy that others were trying to add to your work. There is nothing surprising if a software pay only for a change was strange. Now, I respectfully ask you. Do you allow free import of old Scarm files into a freely usable and public modeler? Rail libraries do not need to be directly connected to it. I also understand if you don't want this in the paid model, but then let's make it clear. I'll keep myself doing this as before. I just wish I could contribute to the pleased pleasure of the player modelers. Money doesn't motivate in this. I would be pleased if you would allow this with the conditions you have set.

QUOTE (atka72 @ 22 Feb 2019, 12:20) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I am very sorry that this great software generates such negative comments from several users. This is a brilliant software that I thank you. I hope that I was not the cause of the sudden payoff. I was naive, I thought you'd be happy that others were trying to add to your work. There is nothing surprising if a software pay only for a change was strange. Now, I respectfully ask you. Do you allow free import of old Scarm files into a freely usable and public modeler? Rail libraries do not need to be directly connected to it. I also understand if you don't want this in the paid model, but then let's make it clear. I'll keep myself doing this as before. I just wish I could contribute to the pleased pleasure of the player modelers. Money doesn't motivate in this. I would be pleased if you would allow this with the conditions you have set.

Hello Atka,

No, you are not the reason for that change. And yes, I am happy when someone adds to my work and/or contributes to our hobby. What I don't want is someone to use my work on his behalf without my permission. If you want to use any content, generated in SCARM in your own project, you can do that for your personal use. In case you want to publish your project, containing SCARM generated content, please, contact me by e-mail and describe exactly what do you want to use from SCARM. Then I will decide whether and how that can be done.

Mixy

QUOTE (Terry Dyckhoff @ 22 Feb 2019, 13:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I am very disappointed with all these negative comments, Milen has spent many years developing this software for us to enjoy. I have nothing but praise for his work and his abilities. He generated a number of items at my request, without quibble.

I have used SCARM for many years for designing Hornby Dublo layouts and find it very user friendly.

Although I enjoyed the software as "Freeware" and initially had negative thoughts about buying a license, 40 USD is not massive for what it gives me. Prior to being introduced to SCARM I was using AutoCAD LT98 which was much more expensive at the time (although it was not purchased as a layout design tool)

For anyone going to Alley Pally this year, the Hornby Dublo layout, 69 ft x 10 ft has been designed using SCARM.

From a very happy, paid up user

Terry

Hello Terry,

Thank you for your comment. I am glad that SCARM is useful to you and will be happy to see photos from your last Hornby Dublo layuot.

Mixy

Mixy and everyone else

My problem here is not that the software has gone from freeware to paidware. So get that out of your heads now.

My problem is because unlike people who live and breathe model railways as part of their daily lives I have other things that take precedence and that means my hobby (model railways) is limited to a certain amount of time in each year. That may also mean I miss key occurrences in the model railway world.

My problem, again, is NOT the fact that the software has become paidware, my PROBLEM is that there was no warning that it was the intent to make it paidware from the very beginning.

Yes, I can see it from both sides and I see the need to protect something you have put so much work into. I spent over 2k hours re-drawing from scratch a set of bicycle decals to absolute accuracy within 1-thou of an inch (which have never been reproduced to any accurate standard in the past 40 years) and I would not want them copied by a freeloader, intent on making money off my back.

I honestly see the $40 (£30.39p GBP) as a little high, but then I would not object if it were £25 ($32) or thereabouts for those who at least contributed something, inline with what you stated and I quote "All users who contributed to SCARM" (and without the caveat you threw in afterwards!!).

I have no problem paying for software at all and I have purchased much specialist software in the past and continue to do so as and when I need it.