To Dennis et al,
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With regards to the OpsPro portion on JMRI, I would certainly describe myself in the camp of the User versus Programer/Coder.? In fact, Dan (who I firmly believe dreams in code!) has numerous times, on this very forum, corrected some of my suppostions regarding the workings of the program.? I found this forum over two years ago when trying to get answers to my own application of the terrific program we know as OperationsPro.? And like you Dennis, came at it from the user end of the spectrum.??
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I decided that in order to be less frustrated by the "magic" it performs, I would try to understand how it ticked.? To that end, I have been poking it and prodding it repeatedly, and then making observations about the behavior that generates. One of the main tools I use for this is the "save-build-read-rebuild-restore-correct" technique.? I do a LOT of experimentation to understand outcome... I believe in what some might call "the scientific method" of learning, i.e. thorough testing until I get predictable, repeatable results.? So, while I have a long way to go to achieve nirvana, I think I have garnered a fairly deep understanding of the ways one can have the program accomplish things with regards to one's layout.
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I will be the first to admit that this level of intense (bordering on obsessive?) study is not what most Users would expect to have to employ just to be able to use the program. However, Dan has catered to those of us clamoring for the program to do more.? And indeed, I have watched (via the forum) as Dan has answered some pretty involved questions from other users, who were attempting to get the program to work for them.? So,? if we are honest, the program (as is) has been enhanced to a pretty sophisticated level tool for car forwarding.? But, in looking back through the forum archives, I found many of the same questions being asked again and again.
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This is what led me to trying to pass along what I had learned (or thought I learned) in an attempt help others in their own struggles with making this program work for them.? In the area I live (Portland, OR), there are several OpsPro users that model a few different railroads and employ the program differently from one another.? I have gathered their operations files and taken on the task of trying to debug what works and what doesn't.? We all benefit from the shared knowledge and I think, enjoy the hobby together as a result...
I also have posted (along with others) here on the forum for a couple years now and tried to help folks by offering insight (when I have some) to solve issues they have encountered.? Do I always have the right answer?? Not if Dan's corrective posts are any indicator, but I believe there are several users here that have been helped and that's what is important to me!
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I have altered my approach to rending help, from one of describing what the program can do for you, to one of how can it match your expectation for your layout.? This has led me to share more of the workings, which I have tried to do here (on the forum) through the more wordy answers I have posted.? I think that if more people can get a deeper understanding of the program's particulars, then perhaps they can experience fewer frustrating moments, more "Ahh Ha"s light bulbs, and share with others in their own sphere of influence.??
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How does all this rambling relate to your post, Dennis, regarding the UI (User Interface?) and trouble-shooting?
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I think as a program that comes to us at NO COST, we should ready ourselves for getting what we get.? I am confident that Dan will continue to evaluate our requests for features and we will all benefit from enhancements that result from his gracious oversight.? And by returning to the forum frequently to learn from other's questions, I know I will keep broadening my encyclopedia (what's that?) of OpsPro knowledge.? I hope you all will do the same!
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Happy to help, hope it helps,
<Pete Johnson>
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