Version 4 additions to STS

Besides bug fixes and code clean-up, Version 4 includes these major additions:

• New mobile device-oriented user interface that uses cascading menus. The original full-screen user interface is still available for those users who prefer to work with STS on a desktop PC.
• Revised switchlist formats as well as a new "Work Order" format based on a Union Pacific work order
• New Wheel Report that shows the currents consists of all jobs/trains
• Database validation report that detects and corrects potential database problems
• Club Operations module that assists in tracking owners and on-layout/off-layout status of cars in use on a club layout

If you are a current user of STS, the ability to move to Version 4 could just be a simple process but this depends on the version of STS you have on your computer. If you are running a fairly recent copy of STS version 3, you should be able to just make a backup copy of your database, download and start up STS version 4, and then use the RESTORE DATABASE function to upload your backup copy. If you have problems with this process, please contact me here at MRH or via the Facebook group and we'll get it worked out.

Unable to load

Hello TOM.

Thank you for your contribution. Alas I cannot load any of the versions you put online.
I think there is a blockage with Chrome security. Please, do you have another way to access the upload.

Bests regards

Marcel

Version 4 is a big improvement

Hi Guys 

Just wanted to vouch for version 4 having been with STS since version 1 way back when. As Tom mentioned I run this on my home Ryan's Ridge layout, which is a small shelf layout in the Garage, and also use it at the club layout with multiple operators. The best thing is it is scalable no matter what size the layout and how many operators. Similar in functionality to JRMI opps, however STS can be utilized via web interface on a tablet/ computer and also has the ability to view the pictures uploaded of cars being shipped instead of looking for the car number for visual impaired.We use tablets at the club on the WIFI and as loads are picked up or set out the program STS is updated in real time via the web interface on the tablet. This allows the mainline operators to deliver cars at stations along the route then the local operator will see the dropped of car in their manifest in real time.

Thanks Tom for the work and effort .

Paul

Unable to load #2

Sorry, through another Browser I was able to load the files.

Bests regards

Marcel

@CATPLUS - STS download restricted in Chrome?

Interesting problem, Marcel! Could you send me any additional information you might have about when Chrome blocked the download of the zip file? Maybe there's something that I can change on the Google Drive to prevent this from happening in the future. I wouldn't think that a Google product (Chrome) would block downloads from their own cloud storage system, but one never knows...

Chrome download

I downloaded all the files this morning using Chrome with no issues. Sounds like a Chrome setting?

Agree with previous posters - STS is very useful and easy to set up & use. Been using it for a while now. Thanks again, Tom!

John

I downloaded it without issues

I was using Chrome on Windows 10. Probably the newest Chrome. 

I didn't realize that it included XAMMP and so I downloaded that as well. 

I'll have to see about getting it up and running. I like the idea of being paperless. 

@JeffSchultz - Good catch about XAMPP being included.

I probably should mention that the Windows versions include the XAMPP platform. Thanks for mentioning that. I'll find a place to add it into the documentation.

Let me know what you think. Most everyone downloading version 4 has been using STS for a few years but I'd like to hear from some of the folks who are new to it.

Thanks for giving it a try!

--- Tom

Greetings to all Tom, the

Greetings to all
Tom, the Chrome problem refuses to load the file because it is too large, the maximum size should not exceed 130MB.

Regards

@CATPLUS - Message says Google can't check large files for virus

What the message is telling you is that Google can't check large files for viruses. You can tell Chrome to download the file anyway and then have your computer's anti-virus software scan it before running the program.

Merry Christmas to you as well and I hope you have good luck with STS!

--- Tom

STS/XAMPP error can be caused by outdated Microsoft code library

One STS user has reported that after upgrading from Version 3 to Version 4, an error message was generated by the XAMPP software stating that 'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\VCRUNTIME140.dll' 14.13 is not compatible with this PHP build.

This is usually caused by an outdated or missing Microsoft Visual C++ code library and can be fixed by downloading the current code from this address:

https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/#microsoft-visual-c-redistributable-for-visual-studio-2019

The file to download is identified as "Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2019."

If you encounter an error message like this, please feel free to contact me here via MRH messaging or on Facebook so that we can document these problems and find solutions.

Merry Christmas!

I'm very close...

Hi Tom,

I'm one of those new users you may be looking for. I've downloaded & installed STS4, and everything seems to be OK with one exception.

Once I'm on the Touch Menu screen I'm unable to manipulate or data fill any entries. It seems as if the database is setup for USMRCWA-OPS. I can't wipe the system or change system settings. When I pull up a Switchlist, it is for USMRCWA.

I'm been through the documentation a number of times and wonder if I need to reset a password/account for myself? I'm also unable to do anything with Database management - create, remove or restore backups. This is what I see for example in Remove Database

in htdocs\sts\backups there is only "demo_line". I'm unable to modify, change or delete any of these.

BTW, XAMPP seems all good......

@retrogrouch - Sorry about the problem - thanks for the info!

BTW - nice name! 

It sounds like the file you downloaded still had some testing data in the database. The US Model Railroad Club of Western Australia (USMRCWA) has been doing testing of Version 4 for me for about a year. I must have missed some of their test data when I posted the file for download. I'll upload a cleaned up copy today and let you know when it's available for use. Please contact me at tre.taliesin@gmail.com so we can continue this conversation.