Move template downloads to the forum? Options

[sgdavis]

I am thinking about deleting the existing "Templates" page and instead creating a "Template Downloads" forum topic. Here are the benefits of doing this:

1. The forum has a downloads counter, so we could track how many downloads there have been of various templates.
2. Users could use the search function of this forum to search for templates by route, author, etc. and find them faster rather than having to look through the alphabetized list on the web page.
3. Template creators would be able to post their own templates just by attaching them to forum topics instead of waiting for me to upload these.

The disadvantages:

1. The templates would no longer be organized in a standard format and alphabetized.
2. It would be up to the template designers to describe their own templates and note things like downloads needed and version of Activity Generator.
3. I wouldn't be packaging the templates so the packaging might not be consistent.I can't support BOTH methods, because it would take double the storage space and the download counts would be meaningless since the templates could also be downloaded from the web page.

Please let me know what you'd prefer using this topic's poll.

Thanks!

Steve

[klsc85]

My vote is for moving the templates to the forum. I'm working on a template for the LS&I (MLT Michigan Iron Ore) and it would be nice to have a place set aside for feedback from users. The forum should handle that feature nicely.

Uncle E

[sgdavis]

My vote is for moving the templates to the forum. I'm working on a template for the LS&I (MLT Michigan Iron Ore) and it would be nice to have a place set aside for feedback from users. The forum should handle that feature nicely.

Uncle E

Ok. Right now the votes appear to be going the other way, but what you CAN do is to post your template as you work on it, or when it's in Beta or even done, to the Forum, and get comments. Since you can attach files, you can post anything you want as long as it's a .jpg or .zip file (and some others).

Thanks,

Steve

[sgdavis]

Ok. Right now the votes appear to be going the other way, but what you CAN do is to post your template as you work on it, or when it's in Beta or even done, to the Forum, and get comments. Since you can attach files, you can post anything you want as long as it's a .jpg or .zip file (and some others).

Thanks,

Steve

It looks like I will continue to handle these templates as we have in the past, plus, post a notice whenever a new template has been posted. Thanks for your votes and comments!

Cheers,

Steve