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4:32 pm
March 23, 2019
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Hi there - I was interested in ProTrak many years ago and coming back to it after finally getting myself a working operations based layout, was sad to hear of Jim's demise.
So I assume Pro Trak is no longer available to buy ? Would it even be sensible to think about purchasing it - I assume it's no longer being developed or maintained.
Are there any alternatives ?
Tom
5:10 pm
December 20, 2014
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2
Sadly, ProTrak is not available for sale. ~mike c
------ Original Message ------ From: "ProTrak.org" <section1@protrak.org> To: "friscomike@hotmail.com" <friscomike@hotmail.com> Sent: 3/24/2019 4:32:55 PM Subject: Forum Post - ProTrak: [Is Pro Track still available ?]
12:49 am
March 23, 2019
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So, from what I read on here, there is no interest on anybody else taking on the Pro Trak code base and continuing development? It's a shame I didn't buy it back then when I was much richer than today, but life's problems intervened and my layout at the time had to be dismantled before it ever got near operational stage.
Now 15 years on I find myself with a new house, a new layout and a new wife in a different country and am just at the cusp of getting the layout operational and want to start doing prototypical operation. I'm an ex-computer person, though these days I make my living designing model trains in CAD for 3D printing, so some sort of computer based operations seemed natural to me. Pro Trak always seemed to be the option that match best what I wanted .
Are there any alternatives ? I suppose it's a very niche market and probably not profitable for commercial developers, but I used to be involved in the open-source community and many complex products have been developed. Equally I know the problems that can beset open-source projects.
The only other alternative I'm aware of (Rail-Ops)seems to have ended up as abandonware too, Pro Trak seemed much near what I wanted though.
6:59 pm
April 26, 2015
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Tee bee,
ProTrak is still available for FREE. Just go to the store on this web site and you will find several free versions of ProTrak for your choosing. Many of use are using versions 348 and or 348. Personally I would avoid ver.350 and above.
ProTrak is a massive program. Jim several years ago mentioned that it would take about 15,000 pages to print it all out. After Jim’s passing the decision was made to not accommodate any further activity with his software.
Joe from Orlando, presently in Vancouver
10:15 pm
May 11, 2015
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5
Doesn't he need the basic program (usually on a disc) first and then be able to load the update of his choosing, before he can use the program? Been awhile since I've been playing with it. Best, AndyÂ
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Mon, Mar 25, 2019 at 19:59, ProTrak.org wrote:
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1 but don't step in #2!!
10:07 am
April 26, 2015
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God morning everyone.
What are the ramifications if you let someone use your setup disc to get started and then download the free version. A friend of mine in Salem lost his original disc that he purchased many years ago and never used. Now that he is finally ready to operate, I loaned him my setup disc and then downloaded V.348. That seems to work just fine. Has Natalie abandoned the rights to the program completely?? There are plenty of folks out there who are willing to help a new user get started.
Fred Kaser
11:08 am
May 11, 2015
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7
From what I understand, Natalie still has the rights to this program to make sure no one can take it and continue development of it. I would presume that this includes someone that never bought program when it was available.  Fred, it is hard to believe that there would be any problem with someone that had purchased the program earlier from Jim and lost their disc, to use another disc to get their program up and running.
Just my thoughts. Best, Andy Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 11:07, ProTrak.org wrote:
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1 but don't step in #2!!
1:16 pm
January 3, 2015
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The major problem with new issues of PoTrak is the licensing program that generates the file with all the user names and a hidden passcode are not available to Mike Moir or known to Natile., This is what keeps new copies of the existing code from being sold.
Mike and I discussed this a long while back.
Howard Garner
4:43 pm
April 26, 2015
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Fred,
when you loaned your ProTrak CD to your friend does his ProTrak sign on screen now show your name and or his?
If I was asked to vote, I’d fully support making an install disc available to new users. In doing so would there be any legal issues, or just the risk of the program falling into the hands of unscrupulous persons ? I really don’t want to lock others out from enjoying the program we all have enjoyed for so many years.
Joe
5:10 pm
January 3, 2015
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10
Just off hand, I would believe that Natalie would have to, or should need to approve that before a disc is passed around for new people to use. Does Mike Moir monitor this group by chance? He may be able to give us further info on this. Best, AndyÂ
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 17:43, ProTrak.org wrote:
12:56 pm
April 26, 2015
Offline
Joe
As I remember, when you install Protrak it asks for an administrator name. When Larry used my disc, we used his name during the installation process and his name is on the blue screen that comes up when Protrak is opened. I can't verify that for sure because Larry is in Hawaii right know, but he thinks that is correct.
Fred
1:28 pm
January 3, 2015
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As long has his name is in the special *.rs2 file, he can legally use any disk for the install.
Using someone else's name is what is not allowed.
Howard
4:14 pm
April 26, 2015
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Andy asked on March if Mike Moir monitors this group and in the absence of any replies to this forum I'd suggest that he doesn't. Does anybody have Mike's e-mail address so that somebody (I'll volunteer) can send him an inquiry to gather his thoughts.
Joe
4:22 pm
April 26, 2015
Offline
Tom Bell,
I hope you have been monitoring this forum and the attempts to find a way so that you and others can use ProTrak. Those efforts are on-going but there is an answer to another part of your posting. The JMRI group has a switch list based program that we long term members of the ProTrak group used to call "ProTrak lite". Personally I know nothing about the JMRI product, but I do believe that it is free. I use the PecoderPro JMRI product to handle all my DCC engine settings. You might want to look into their switch list program as an alternative to ProTrak.
Where in the US do you live?
Joe
4:38 pm
May 11, 2015
Offline
15
I'll email it to you, Joe. Best, AndyÂ
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Sat, Apr 6, 2019 at 17:14, ProTrak.org wrote:
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1 but don't step in #2!!
8:40 am
May 24, 2016
Offline
Hello everyone,
To the best of my knowledge Mike Moir does not monitor this group.
There have been inquiries into taking the ProTrak source code and making improvements in the program. The most important part of the program is the ability to faithfully duplicate the actual train dynamics of any length of train over any length of track. The second part of the program was to capture the cost of shipping to/from "customers". All of this is done while following AAR rules and best practices.
Natalie will not release the source code until someone steps forward with the same level of knowledge as Jim Moir had.
There is absolutely no way the code would be release to JMRI.
I have no idea what to suggest for new subscribers.
Kind regards,
James Switzer
7:07 am
January 3, 2015
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Not truly "open source"
Open source would imply that the source code would be available for modification.
That does not appear to be the case.
The program will be available without charge from what I read.
Corrections to my opinion are welcome
Howard Garner
7:55 am
April 26, 2015
Offline
Howard,
I struggled with the words "Open Source" when I read Natalie's reply to Mike and I exchanged several of my early e-mails with Mike to make sure that the ProTrak source code was NOT going to be made available to others. Indeed that is the case. In our context here "Open Source" ONLY means that the ProTrak executable code will be made available free of charge to others.
Joe
10:49 am
January 3, 2015
Offline
Then we need to revise the terminology.
"Open Source" does mean the the source code is available for modification.
ProTrak being a "no charge" or "Free" release would be OK.
Howard
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