RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion
Cannot load sound files from HC-2b to LM-3S
robert.h.giffin:
Obviously I should have put some more effort into the RPA. I just didn't feel like it was that robust. I even tried to find the sound files in the file system thinking that I could just play them but there was no file structure containing anything that looked like a sound file so my assumption was that it did not store those files in the RPA. Thanks for the clarification.
The other issue that I initially had was that there was no place in the documentation that indicted that the RPA was even required. I plugged the HC into a USB port thinking that maybe the driver package was loaded from the USB to the computer and that it used the computer simply as a network bridge (yes, this CAN be done but it's quite rare). Not once in the documentation is it mentioned that you need to download and install the RPA and THEN plug the HC in. I had to find that here in the RPUG. The documentation should state that the first thing you need to do is download and install the RPA (and give a link), update the firmware in both the HC and the decoders (it should actually do this automatically, like a Windows Update), and then download the sound, pictures, and light effects that you want. Seems like a normal thing to anyone with a smartphone but keep in mind that your customers are DCC folks and are probably not expecting that. A LOT of product failings can be addressed with proper documentation. I don't know what the RailPro staff looks like but it seems like it is more of a community-supported thing.
I also understand the hosting situation for the Ring server. It's a business decision to move it to a data center. But not moving it and providing a realistic architecture will negatively impact the adoption of the system.
Thanks for the comments Tim.
Alan:
--- Quote from: robert.h.giffin on January 03, 2018, 08:13:06 AM ---... A LOT of product failings can be addressed with proper documentation...
--- End quote ---
Amen brother. That shortcoming has been articulated many times before. Tim Ring may be a talented engineer but his documentation skills leave a lot to be desired. He would do well to hire a professional technical writer. Same goes for most DCC manufacturers.
robert.h.giffin:
If it has been articulated many times and it STILL hasn't changed, then that indicates a real problem. Documentation is an easy fix. Has anyone volunteered their time to maybe get a group of folks together and improve the documentation? If the system is so well liked by the people in this group then I would expect that many people would be open to volunteering a documentation improvement effort. Just a thought.
Alan:
We must be mindful that Ring Engineering, like so many MRR suppliers, is a very small business with limited resources. Having said that, I still firmly believe in your statement - proper documentation is key. Imagine how much email and phone time Tim could eliminate by simply having well structured, comprehensive documentation.
As an example... see how long it takes you on the website or in the manuals to find the spec for maximum load on a LM3 output pin.
G8B4Life:
--- Quote from: robert.h.giffin on January 03, 2018, 08:13:06 AM ---The other issue that I initially had was that there was no place in the documentation that indicted that the RPA was even required
--- End quote ---
I just checked and you are right, all the manuals say is that you can update and load stuff and to go to the RailPro software link on their website. Not a great way to convey that message!
I'd also say the just plugging the controller in and expecting it to self update over the internet is not what anyone would expect; certainly I know of no consumer device that does that, and frankly I wouldn't want a device that does; I'll choose what and when thankyou.
--- Quote ---I don't know what the RailPro staff looks like but it seems like it is more of a community-supported thing.
--- End quote ---
No, RailPro is not a community supported thing, Tim Ring supports his products 100% and if asked for help he will respond to it; he has never in our knowledge pointed anyone in our direction to get help. In fact you could say he doesn't acknowledge that this group exists (that in itself is another problem).
--- Quote ---Has anyone volunteered their time to maybe get a group of folks together and improve the documentation? If the system is so well liked by the people in this group then I would expect that many people would be open to volunteering a documentation improvement effort.
--- End quote ---
Unfortunately volunteering to do that would get a big thanks but no thanks. There is some behind the business reasons for it which I will not go on about but some of us here have tried to improve the situation. I have written 3 users guides aimed at the new user which are all available here on RPUG, and another member has just recently done an instructional video, also available from here on creating and loading pictures.
--- Quote from: Alan on January 03, 2018, 09:01:27 AM ---Imagine how much email and phone time Tim could eliminate by simply having well structured, comprehensive documentation.
As an example... see how long it takes you on the website or in the manuals to find the spec for maximum load on a LM3 output pin.
--- End quote ---
Imagine how much email and phone time Tim Ring could eliminate as well by pointing people to RPUG for community help, we've even solved things he couldn't!
Find the spec for the maximum load on an LM3 output pin? that spec doesn't exist in any published form. We definitely need better and more technical documentation.
Cheers,
- Tim
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