[cjakeman]

I've a couple of ideas for the web server built in to Open Rails.

The first is to automatically open a browser on the Open Rails PC and show a web-page. This would happen only if the web server option Menu > General > Web Server was checked, of course.

It would also only happen if there was a file existing at \Content\Web\Startup\Index.html and that would be the file that was opened.

So no new controls and nothing changes unless you want to take advantage of the new feature.

[cjakeman]

The second idea is just to provide some simple APIs.

One would provide the simulation time, so that your webpage could have a clock, analogue or digital.



Another would provide the Briefing text usually found in the menu and in the F1 Help. You could now keep a webpage available with both the simulation clock and a briefing.

And if your screen is too small for this and Open Rails together, then just use an old networked PC or even a phone.

[scottb613]

Hi Chris,

Yeah - this web server is a complete game changer for me - definitely think it’s worth improving.

Some things I’d like to see - all event messaging from activities redirected to web server - have all the activity switch lists and activity requirements available as well.

A better train management window on web server with two way communications to set brakes and couplers.

Anyway - look forward to anything you guys do - thanks for the hard work.

Regards,
Scott

[eric from trainsim]

Chris, can you send the player train and AI or other train position coordinates in the API stream?

That would allow for things like a true CTC board dispatcher view or superimposing on a satellite map.

[cjakeman]

 eolesen, on 06 March 2021 - 08:44 AM, said:

Chris, can you send the player train and AI or other train position coordinates in the API stream?

Certainly possible. Lat&Lon coordinates should be very easy.

Last time I looked, I found lots of different styles for a rail-focussed map:

• OpenRailwayMap
• ThunderForest

Even a site for comparing maps

[pschlik]

I also like the idea of showing the train position on a real map, adds a nice bit of context.

Admittedly stealing the idea from what Matt Peddlesden did in Train Simulator 20xx, it would be even better if such a map would also draw a line indicating the path the player train has taken since the start of the activity, with the color of the line correlating to the train speed.

[Aldarion]

Right now you are only thinking on Apps that feed on OR data comming out throught the web server, is that correct?

No feeding info back into OR...

[Genma Saotome]

I didn't know about Openrailwaymap. Pretty interesting but i don't see any means to download data.

[eric from trainsim]

 Aldarion, on 07 March 2021 - 03:46 AM, said:

No feeding info back into OR...

There's no reason why you couldn't feed data back. Anything done with a keystroke should be able to be fed back via an API.

[cjakeman]

 Aldarion, on 07 March 2021 - 03:46 AM, said:

Right now you are only thinking on Apps that feed on OR data comming out throught the web server, is that correct?

No feeding info back into OR...

Yes. So far all the APIs have been exporting data. No one has tried importing data yet.

We have inputs from keyboard, mouse, RailDriver, remote Multiplayer users and from Resume and Replay files, so I think really need a uniform way to import data which web APIs can take advantage of.