A question asked in another thread...
Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by hxmiesa
<br />Dale, I read your presentation of the program in MB&G, and I have also read through your web-page where you present the software. I´ve seen the example of the price-listing from the gas-station, but I still am not sure about why you developped this program for the layout?
Do you have some photos showing its application with the train, or could you write a few words about what your intentions for use are with this system? TIA.
The gas station example is not train related, it is just there to illustrate the flexibility of the program... here is how I will be using it with my layout..
A few years ago I implemented these type of signs within my train control software
http://layout.mixmox.com/1/arrivals_departuresbut it shared the screen with all the rest of the control stuff. What I wanted to have is a screen on the wall thst would reflect the same information but much bigger and more visible.
So I decided to make a separate program that could run on a separate computer and can be controlled over the network. That is what RemoteSign is. While making RemoteSign I realized that others could use the software also if their train software sends the very simple data over a network to RemoteSign so I made it flexible and am documenting what those commands are. I also made it possible to control RemoteSign with a second copy of itself. This would allow someone to have a flat panel display mounted on the wall and place messages up there from another machine (perhaps the layout computer or the one in the kitchen!). This would be less dynamic as direct control from the layout control software though.
You can also run it standalone, just on a single machine but when you alter text you will of course see the user interface on the screen as you type the new text. This may not be a big problem if you just want to display a sign that is mostly static. Eg you could place the text;
Welcome to the big city
Model Train group
Now that I have RemoteSign, I will add commands to my train control software to also send the information to the RemoteSign screen. This will mean that as trains depart and arrive at various tracks, realistic arrival/departure information will be displayed on the wall panel. I may eventually remove the small sign from the train control software itself...
Essentially the RemoteSign software provides a flexible and dynamic display and the uses to which it can be put is only limited by imagination... The mechanical signs are very typical of the older signs seen in large railway stations so it is ideal for train applications, even if it just says BEER SERVED at 4:00 PM...
