I own TGEA, but can't read TGE documentation why?
by Will Smith · in Torque Game Engine · 04/11/2007 (9:29 pm) · 8 replies
My problem is that all the relevant information I am looking for is locked away in the TGE Areas (Resources and TDN) I understand I own a TGEA license and not a TGE license.
But in all fairness and to my understanding TGEA is just a newer version of TGE (with some huge feature updates granting it a new release) and the few things i do have access for TGEA are just ports from old TGE resources and code.
So my question is, after buying TGEA Indi, do i need to go and buy an older version of the engine so that i can access the TGE documentation?
If so do i get a discount? :P I will never use TGE, I just think the resources and documentation are extremely relevant to learning TGEA.
I am kicking myself for not getting the early adopters version of TGEA where I had to buy TGE first, because then I wouldn't have this problem... I would have access to the old TGE resources and the new TGEA :(
But i think it's unfair for me to be handicapped because I did not get the early adopters deal.
But in all fairness and to my understanding TGEA is just a newer version of TGE (with some huge feature updates granting it a new release) and the few things i do have access for TGEA are just ports from old TGE resources and code.
So my question is, after buying TGEA Indi, do i need to go and buy an older version of the engine so that i can access the TGE documentation?
If so do i get a discount? :P I will never use TGE, I just think the resources and documentation are extremely relevant to learning TGEA.
I am kicking myself for not getting the early adopters version of TGEA where I had to buy TGE first, because then I wouldn't have this problem... I would have access to the old TGE resources and the new TGEA :(
But i think it's unfair for me to be handicapped because I did not get the early adopters deal.
#2
04/12/2007 (12:26 am)
Well it's unfortunate that i am not alone in this matter :( 
#3
04/12/2007 (1:18 am)
You certainly are not alone. Finding good, useful documentation is hard enough without being denied access to certain areas. Aside from the TGB, TGE and TGEA documentation problem there are too many versions of TGE. TGE 1.4, 1.4 w/lighting kit, 1.5. Makes contributing harder as well. 
#4
04/12/2007 (5:29 am)
Feel free to e-mail me (using the address listed in my profile) topics you want covered in the upcoming documentation update being worked on by community members. If all goes well, our first iteration will be released this week on the TDN, and I'll be able to e-mail it in doc form to SDK owners if it covers engine code. The public resource here on GG will not cover engine code, however. 
#5
When i first got my SDK, I was able to search the forums for ANYTHING that i had troubles with and find multiple solutions after a few minute- this simply is not the case anymore.... (of course im needing to do fewer and fewer searches as knowledge grows)
04/12/2007 (10:18 am)
You know, one small problem with creating a written DOC, is how the engine evolve over time- Documentation is constantly becoming outdated. This is one of the greatest reasons the Forums are the best form of DOC, the forum discussions evolve and grow in a dynamic way that (WAS) easy to use. When i first got my SDK, I was able to search the forums for ANYTHING that i had troubles with and find multiple solutions after a few minute- this simply is not the case anymore.... (of course im needing to do fewer and fewer searches as knowledge grows)
#6
Edit: ... and in the case of TGEA, the TGE docs should definitely be viewable.
04/12/2007 (10:34 am)
I think the idea is that people who pirate Torque shouldn't be able to read forums and docs. Though, I think if you plotted this out, you would see more sales of Torque making this information viewable instead of hiding it.Edit: ... and in the case of TGEA, the TGE docs should definitely be viewable.
#7
04/12/2007 (9:20 pm)
I fully agree only people who buy it should be able to see the docs and the private forums.
#8
Now lets think about COST, running the forums is 99.998% cheaper then trying to keep a library of information upto date. I have seen many game engines with something like TDN, which end up being a repository of old out of date information as no one wish to take the time (and no one is willing to pay for someone else to..) update the information as the game engine evolve.
I am finding it more and more difficult to swallow that growing lump of anger every time I stumble into a problem when im working with Torque, only to turn to the forums and spend untold amount of time sifting across a page of links to information that COULD hold my solution, even if its for TGEA it may lead me in the right direction... This is actually a growing problem with the addition of TGB and TGEA, and soon Torque X plus whatever is coming down the road.
If they open TGEA owners to the TGE docs and forums, then the same should go for all the core owners. As it is now, i sometimes get the feeling that someone is playing some silly kindergarten power trip game, I can not see the logic in it.
04/12/2007 (10:46 pm)
One can log out of the GG sight right now, return to the "Whats New at GarageGames" page, click the "Resource" tab and see all types of engine core for free(it have been this way for years- long before i actually got a license to TGE). So lets not talk about trying to stop pirates! Also the fact that if all the information was ONLY open to registered forum users, then even the pirates would be resisted on the forums, making it that much easier to find them. Now lets think about COST, running the forums is 99.998% cheaper then trying to keep a library of information upto date. I have seen many game engines with something like TDN, which end up being a repository of old out of date information as no one wish to take the time (and no one is willing to pay for someone else to..) update the information as the game engine evolve.
I am finding it more and more difficult to swallow that growing lump of anger every time I stumble into a problem when im working with Torque, only to turn to the forums and spend untold amount of time sifting across a page of links to information that COULD hold my solution, even if its for TGEA it may lead me in the right direction... This is actually a growing problem with the addition of TGB and TGEA, and soon Torque X plus whatever is coming down the road.
If they open TGEA owners to the TGE docs and forums, then the same should go for all the core owners. As it is now, i sometimes get the feeling that someone is playing some silly kindergarten power trip game, I can not see the logic in it.
Torque 3D Owner Caylo Gypsyblood